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Antiques and Drinks #5
Crooks and Cocktails
Annie Tate craved a break from the crazy, magical items she inherited, so she invited an old friend over for coffee and to discuss the small town’s latest gossip. However, living with two genies and a boisterous ghost leaves little room for normalcy.
When a beloved citizen of Manhattan is killed, Annie’s good feelings spiral down an old rabbit hole. The murderer had to be connected to Amanda’s enchanted items, but how? With a little help from her friends, she tries to identify the mysterious killer, but what if there’s more than one suspect, and who was next on the hit list?
Quirky characters, cursed items, and a murderer on the loose, this fun and quick read is the fifth book in The Antiqes and Drinks series.
When a beloved citizen of Manhattan is killed, Annie’s good feelings spiral down an old rabbit hole. The murderer had to be connected to Amanda’s enchanted items, but how? With a little help from her friends, she tries to identify the mysterious killer, but what if there’s more than one suspect, and who was next on the hit list?
Quirky characters, cursed items, and a murderer on the loose, this fun and quick read is the fifth book in The Antiqes and Drinks series.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2025
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 14, 2025
Annie’s hoping for some peace in her life, inviting Jackie to breakfast. They’re interrupted by the early arrival of Harlow Daly from California with some ominous news for Annie. Someone is determined to eliminate everyone connected to Amanda and acquire her cursed items for themselves. Things go from bad to worse when a beloved community member is killed and a prisoner escapes. Annie gets some help from an unexpected guest who sheds some light on the tangled relationships Amanda left behind. When the killer turns up at the antique shop, will this be the end for Annie and her friends?
Crooks and Cocktails, book 5 in the Antiques and Drinks series, is set within a week of the events of the previous book. The snow hasn’t melted and the bullet holes next door haven’t been patched. Kendra is just wrapping her head around magic existing and Annie’s not sure about trusting John. The reader gets more backstory about Amanda and her links to different people, and there’s even a question as to whether she’s really dead. This is definitely a series I recommend reading in order as each book brings more to light. The characters are so well written and unique, and the paranormal aspects are nicely executed. There’s plenty of humor throughout to balance the mayhem, and you can’t help emphasizing with Annie’s predicament.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Crooks and Cocktails, book 5 in the Antiques and Drinks series, is set within a week of the events of the previous book. The snow hasn’t melted and the bullet holes next door haven’t been patched. Kendra is just wrapping her head around magic existing and Annie’s not sure about trusting John. The reader gets more backstory about Amanda and her links to different people, and there’s even a question as to whether she’s really dead. This is definitely a series I recommend reading in order as each book brings more to light. The characters are so well written and unique, and the paranormal aspects are nicely executed. There’s plenty of humor throughout to balance the mayhem, and you can’t help emphasizing with Annie’s predicament.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 21, 2025
Crooks and Cocktails is book #5 in the Antiques and Drinks series by KC Bellinger.
This takes place just days after the last book ended. Annie invites Jackie over for coffee and a chat. But nothing is simple for her. Soon after Jackie leaves, she hears about a murder. Is it related to what they recently went through? Then she has some unexpected guests show up. There is humor in this story as she tries to juggle having a “normal“ life while she shares her home/business with a ghost and two genies as well as having cursed objects in her storeroom. While trying to figure out who the killer is and trying to locate a cursed object, there’s something else going on that is causing unexplained things to happen. I feel for Annie because most of the people she’s depending on to help her figure things out are people that she isn’t sure she can trust, including John Daly, who she knows has stolen from her. It was a good mystery and I was shocked how it wrapped up. Can’t wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This takes place just days after the last book ended. Annie invites Jackie over for coffee and a chat. But nothing is simple for her. Soon after Jackie leaves, she hears about a murder. Is it related to what they recently went through? Then she has some unexpected guests show up. There is humor in this story as she tries to juggle having a “normal“ life while she shares her home/business with a ghost and two genies as well as having cursed objects in her storeroom. While trying to figure out who the killer is and trying to locate a cursed object, there’s something else going on that is causing unexplained things to happen. I feel for Annie because most of the people she’s depending on to help her figure things out are people that she isn’t sure she can trust, including John Daly, who she knows has stolen from her. It was a good mystery and I was shocked how it wrapped up. Can’t wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2025
The fifth book in the series and the book continues from the story as if the previous book just continues. So I would recommend reading the book(s) before this one as well.
Annie finds out there is a real threat to her life and the ones she loves and combines her wit with that of her friends and boyfriend, not to mention the ghost and genies she's come to love.
I loved that the mystery was woven through the entire story as you get to know some characters better. It was a complete feel-good novel to me and I would love to read more of the series.
At the end, it all comes together and gets very exciting with a sense of 'all is well that ends well' . Can't wait to read the next one!
Annie finds out there is a real threat to her life and the ones she loves and combines her wit with that of her friends and boyfriend, not to mention the ghost and genies she's come to love.
I loved that the mystery was woven through the entire story as you get to know some characters better. It was a complete feel-good novel to me and I would love to read more of the series.
At the end, it all comes together and gets very exciting with a sense of 'all is well that ends well' . Can't wait to read the next one!
September 6, 2025
Some one is on a mission. They will go as far as murder to get what they are searching for. Annie does not who it is, but she knows the thing they are searching for is in her store room. She inherited trunks of enchanted items, some are cursed. She finds herself working with friends, her resident ghost and the brother of her friend. John can be shady, but he is not a murderer, just thinking he is a ladies man give off warning vibes. This latest murder was of a husband and father of young children. Will she find out who has been hunting her? Is that person also the murderer? With a list the person dropped, Annie's name is next in line. A cute mystery and a quick read
September 12, 2025
I always get such a kick reading about Chester and his crazy antics. In this book he decided Negus the genie needed a street name so he was calling him Gus, lol. Chester’s hopelessly addicted to old TV shows and could talk someone’s arm off. But he was a true friend and really came through when Annie needed it along with another spectral friend they’d made in Hollywood.
Once the good guys got the upper hand and the perp and company were put away, Annie knew the crazy wasn’t over but for now all she needed was the magic of her amazing friends.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC from BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.
Once the good guys got the upper hand and the perp and company were put away, Annie knew the crazy wasn’t over but for now all she needed was the magic of her amazing friends.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC from BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.
September 16, 2025
Antiques!
An easy-to-read and cheerful story set in an antique shop with the help of ghosts. The author tells it in a gripping way. Is trusting others always justified, or should we also be mindful in our interactions with others? This book is for anyone who needs a little entertainment and distraction from everyday life.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An easy-to-read and cheerful story set in an antique shop with the help of ghosts. The author tells it in a gripping way. Is trusting others always justified, or should we also be mindful in our interactions with others? This book is for anyone who needs a little entertainment and distraction from everyday life.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2025
This was a decent book, good storyline with interesting characters. A little magic, a little friendship and a nosy shop owner make for a good book. This was a quick read, nice for an afternoon break. I would recommend reading these books in order as each one layers on the book before.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2025
This is book 5 of Antigues and Drinks. Annie is back for another murder mystery. I liked that the author writes characters that allow the reader to get lost in the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 11, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked this installment about Amanda's magical items. It was dangerous for everyone for awhile but the culprits are caught.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews