Antiques, Codes & Conundrums

Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy #1

by Renee Pawlish

Meet Evelyn Chambers—a retired nurse, devoted cat mom, and widow whose quiet life is about to get a lot more complicated.When a chance encounter at a Virginia café reveals a link between her late husband and a mysterious antiques dealer, Evelyn stumbles into a world of secrets she never expected, and a surprising offer from the CIA she's not entirely qualified to accept. Armed with determination, dry wit, and a small travel bag (no weapons training, thank you), Evelyn's first mission takes her to Paris in search of answers.

But when the past refuses to stay buried, she quickly learns that international intrigue is no vacation—and some secrets are worth killing for.

Antiques, Codes & Conundrums kicks off a charming, globe-trotting cozy spy series perfect for readers who love clever heroines, light espionage, and a dash of danger with their croissants.

Each book follows Evelyn on a new international adventure as she learns that retirement is the perfect time to start a second career . . . in espionage.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2024

About the author

From the time she was ten and tried to write her own detective series in the fashion of the Hardy Boys, Renée Pawlish has been developing her craft. Along with creative writing classes, Renée studied great writers like Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Stephen King, Sue Grafton and many more. Once Renée graduated from college, she began her first novel. Now, all these years later, she has penned numerous books in a variety of genres.

Renée was born in California, but has lived most of her life in Colorado. When she's not hiking, cycling, or chasing ballplayers for autographs, she is writing mysteries and thrillers. She also has some middle grade novels waiting to be published.

Renée loves to travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also spent many summer days at her parents' cabin in the hills outside of Boulder, which was the inspiration for the setting of Taylor Crossing in her novel Nephilim: Genesis of Evil.

The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series
This Doesn't Happen In The Movies
Reel Estate Rip-off

The Nephilim Trilogy
Nephilim Genesis of Evil
Books Two and Three soon to be released

The Noah Winter YA Adventure Series
The Emerald Quest

Take Five
A short story collection that includes a Reed Ferguson tale.

The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within
A non-fiction book about one of the most haunted houses in America.

To learn more you can follow her on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/reneepawlish....

on her blog:
http://tobecomeawriter.wordpress.com/

on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/reneepawlish

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Evelyn Chambers is one of those women characters I found in my reading so much in my past. That is, until I realized, they were really characters that were Too Stupid To Live. They ran with their heart, not with their mind. They had to know something (whatever that character's motivation was in the particular story. In this case, how her husband died.) They keep going on, when other people told them to stand back, let the professionals take over. Be safe. Do they listen? NO!!! (In this case, she finally gets a kind of answer, but not the complete answer, but she accepts it. Was that worth risking your life?)

They only get out of their errors in judgement, because the author can't kill off their lead character. I'm really disappointed I feel for this again. I thought I figured out how to weed out the TSTL characters, but I was caught again. I am not happy, since I bought the second and third book in the series, and I don't want to read it, if she gets herself into more stupid situations again, since she won't think and acts impulsively.

Maybe I'm too much a realist, too literal, t00 impatient to deal with these amateurs how just need to get to the answer.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have tried another series from this author and wanted to give this one featuring an older woman a shot. It was certainly action filled, but with the reader left worrying or anticipating what next? I don't think I need to dip further into this series. For one thing, I believe the reader must like cats. I do not.

Kindle Unlimited

[Dee Gee]

Could ANYONE be this stupid? I wanted a mystery that was non-gory and my library recommended this. Oh my stars how could anyone read this??? There are smart older women out there but I'm a bit worried about the state of international security if the CIA would actually be utterly stupid enough to send some kind of 80 or whatever year old women she is to follow an arms dealer. Ummm...yeah, sure that SO made me want to read more of these books...NOPE. On top of which it may sound mean but I just plain old didn't like the old biddy. There I said it. I'm not sure I mentioned stupid. Did I? No? Sorry...STUPID!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antiques, Codes & Conundrums (The Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy Series Book 1), my sixty-sixth read from prolific author Renee Pawlish and the first in The Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy Series. New character, new premise, different era. Any Renee Pawlish book is like a visit with an old friend. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to A Brush With Danger (The Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy Series Book 2)when it's published in August of next year, as well as anything written by her. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Karen Keyte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure I read the same book as most of the people who have reviewed this. It’s not an actively bad book, just slow and sort of bland with unimaginative prose. I couldn’t help but to compare it to the late Dorothy Gilman’s brilliant Mrs. Pollifax series which it resembled rather heavily. Evelyn Chambers, I feel, is a ragged pale reflection of Emily Pollifax.

Further than that, there is a flaw in the book’s logic. This is in the first couple of chapters so I don’t think it’s a spoiler but stop reading now if you are worried about it. Evelyn reflects that she never knew much about her husband’s job at the CIA because he kept that part of his life compartmentalized. Yet somehow, he told her about this shop he was looking into in retirement and then got strophe with her when she asked for more information. It doesn’t sound likely, does it.

[Elsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

not too bad, but not nearly as good as spy as Mrs. Pollifax!

[Joyce927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a delightful new series, Renée Pawlish has created the widow of a retired CIA agent who still has questions surrounding her husband's sudden death five years ago. Although Evelyn's husband had insisted he was not a field agent and was only a "desk jockey," she knew something had been bothering him for several weeks before his supposed heart attack. Through a series of seemingly random incidents, Evelyn is sure she noticed a man her husband had met a few times at an antique store. Evelyn, and her friend Margaret, commence a spy operation on Phillip, the owner of the antique store. She also contacts her husband's former supervisor, convinced there is something questionable going on. She finds a ledger hidden in a desk at the antique store with all of the entries written in code. After many hours, she finally cracks the code and convinces the CIA supervisor to let her investigate, as a consultant, since no will suspect a seventy year old woman is on their trail. She ends up in Paris, involved in more danger than anyone anticipated.

This is an intriguing tale of spies and the bravery of a woman who wants answers. I'm excited about reading this new series. I've been a great fan of Renée Pawlish for many years and thoroughly enjoy the Reed Ferguson mystery and Sarah Spillman procedural series as well as the Jo Gunning thriller series. I also love the Dewey Webb historical mystery series. All of her books provide exciting reading without graphic violence, sex, or bad language. I highly recommend any of her books.

[Larae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many adjectives

Author used too many adjectives to describe things. Relationships between characters happened way too quickly. I ended up skimming the book and the story flowed which told me there was lots of fluff in between. Lots of similarities to the Mrs Pollifax mysteries.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really am not fond of the main character. She spent more time in her head than paying attention to what was going on around her. She totally ignored most people to just consider what she wanted to think about. I'd have been pretty frustrated with her if I'd been her "best friend". She was almost paranoid and hyper-focused on her "mystery". It drives me nuts when characters decide someone is an evil villain based on partially overheard phone conversations. The swings in the relationships were difficult. First she is convinced something is "wrong" with someone and in the next chapter they have become "fast friends". BIG SPOILERS --- I also have a VERY hard time believing the CIA would off the cuff bring in a very inexperienced "consultant" to follow an arms dealer - really? She did more than a few TSTL scenes during that one. A few really BIG ones. The "oh My Stars" repetition was way too much too. Way too much. I have no plans to continue with the series since it seems the CIA plans to continue to use her as a spy.

[Carol E. Drewes · Rating 4 out of 5]

invisible and Useful - A Retiree Steps Into Spying

Evelyn is a lively widow with friends, hobbies, three cats—and a set of sharp eyes and ears. Missing her late husband, Henry, who she suspects was more than an analyst for the CIA, she overhears a conversation at lunch one day that leads her to much more excitement than she bargained for, including a new gentleman friend, an unexpected trip to Paris and a new rescue kitten. The mostly senior characters are intelligent, kind and likeable — I’ll never turn down a trip to Paris! There’s plenty of excitement as Evelyn and her friends unravel the dirty dealings of a local antiques dealer, who has a link to Henry. I’m looking forward to Book 2!

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series by experienced author Renee Pawlish. I found it a departure from her previous series, but think it has the potential to be as successful as the earlier ones.
The series stars a widow who becomes entangled in a mystery at an antique shop that soon becomes somewhat personal.
The writing is, as usual with Ms. Pawlish, excellent and engaging. The storyline is cohesive and well paced. Although only the first in the series, the characters are already likeable and you find yourself becoming attached and rooting for them.
I recommend this for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

[Patricia A. Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Renee Pawlish, I was excited to start this new series. Evelyn Chambers is the elde rly widow of a CIA analyst. When Evelyn and her best friend - and next door neighbor - are having tea in a new shop, Evelyn overhears a conversation that catches her ear. A name is mentioned that she had heard about from her late husband - an antique dealer that he had visited about pocket watches. Something seems off and Evelyn just has to investigate. And investigate she does and it could cost her life. Pawlish brings these characters to life and the story keeps you turning the pages to see what they will get into next! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Peg Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t help but love retired nurse, Evelyn Chambers, and her three quirky cats. Evelyn’s husband, Henry, died five years ago, and she finds herself at odds with what to do with her life. Through overhearing an interesting and somewhat suspicious conversation at a coffee shop, Evelyn decides she needs to followup with Henry’s former boss, Agent Torres, about details related to Henry’s death and what he was doing for the CIA at the time of his death. This leads to Evelyn embarking on an international adventure like never before. A fun, new cozy mystery series by Renee Pawlish.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antiques, Codes & Conundrums is the first in a new cozy mystery series by Renee Pawlish. This is definitely a new twist for this author with her new slueth retired nurse Evelyn Chambers.
Evelyn discovers a connection between her dead husband and a antiques dealer. The journey to discovery long kept secrets takes Evelyn from Virginia to Paris.
Even though this genre is a diversion from Renee ‘s usual mysteries, readers will find it an enjoyable read with interesting characters.

[Timothy VanderWall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new Mrs Pollifax?

Well maybe based on this story - Pollifax light. This was a delightful tale of an elderly woman who loves cats trying to find out what happened to her late husband, Henry, five years ago before he died. Evelyn Chambers is a resourceful senior citizen who had a great adventure in Paris trying to find it about Henry and helping the CIA at the same time. I don't want to spoil it for you, but it was a fun read.

[Bettie A Covington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Pawlish, so I decided to try this new series. This first book started very slowly, and I almost gave up. About 60 pages in it took off, and I couldn't put it down. I am 77% through book two and can't wait to keep going. a fun series, definitely worth working through those first slower pages.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This retiree enjoyed the page turning story Antiques, Codes & Conundrums, Book 1 of the Evelyn Chambers Senior Spy series. A charming, globe-trotting cozy spy story with clever heroines, light espionage, and a dash of danger. Each story follows Evelyn on a new international adventure as she learns that retirement is the perfect time to start a second career . . . in espionage.

[frank kirst · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short simple

This book is very Jessica Flecher! It passed the time for me and I would have continued the series but in really annoyed me when the price almost doubles on the third book 5.00 dollars for a VERY simple 200 page novella . She can keep her stories and I am off to another cozy where the single mature lady is off to solve crime and murder and find romance ? Ho hum

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, with likable characters and an interesting plot. evelyn Chambers the main protagonist did remind me of Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote. overall, though I found the story lacking in credibility. It is hard to believe the CIA would hire a 72-year-old retired nurse as a spy.

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Seemed like a quick read as I read right through it and enjoyed every page. The new character Evelyn is a pistol. She made me laugh quite a few times. The book had me guessing with the twists and turns. Look forward to reading more of Evelyn’s antics in future books!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this new direction for Pawlish! I know she'll still write her mysteries, but she's branching out into the Cozy mystery world with a hit right from the start.
Great characters and a fun case, easy to read and definitely entertaining.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of a new series for this talented author, Antiques, Codes & Conundrums is a fun, fast paced part cozy mystery, part spy thriller with engaging characters, and an excellent ending! If you like Mrs. Pollifax, you will love this book. I can't wait for Evelyn Chambers' further adventures!

[Dianne Biscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a bit to get past all the cat information and get to the heart of the story but once I did, it turned out to be another great addition to Renee's books. Love how Evelyn gets to travel in this series. Looking forward to book 2!

[CWJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so sure….

Not sure I’ll continue this series. Not as good as Pawlish other series and characters. Way too much verbiage about the cats and I actually skipped through most of it as it went on and on. Just not my thing.

[Niah C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book! It was adorable and an easy read to take your mind off the real world of stress. If you have cats, you’ll love this book. It was redundant and had plot holes, but this isn’t a book you read for a true crazy murder mystery. It’s a cozy book for escapism❤️ highly recommend!

[Rita L. Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Senior citizen for the Win

Let’s face it while 007 is usually very attractive that makes him too noticeable. A senior citizen is part of the scenery which makes them a perfect spy. That logic made this book delightful and a fun read.

[Paula Withrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a great time with Evelyn

For years, Mrs. Pollifax was my go to adult (older) CIA person.
Now, finally, another series with another feisty older woman equal to the adventures she faces. The story was well written characters were engaging, and who doesn’t like Paris.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting!

A different adventure! Evelyn was just going about her life when along comes a mystery, new information about her husband, a new cat & a new male friend. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Must love cats. It seems a third of the book was filled with tales of what her cats are doing. If “senior female sleuths” are your thing, would recommend the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman instead.

[Renee Boomershine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy mystery

I love cozy mysteries. Renee Pawlish's new series does not disappoint. I cannot wait for the next book in The series.