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Anneke Haagen #1
Someting to Kill For
A rash of murders among the antique dealers of Ann Arbor, Michigan, has investigator Anneke Haagen thinking that someone has made a "Big Score" on the garage-sale circuit
Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
121 people want to read
About the author
Susan Holtzer
12 books8 followersEducation
University of Michigan
A U-M alumna who cut her teeth as a writer at the Michigan Daily.
University of Michigan
A U-M alumna who cut her teeth as a writer at the Michigan Daily.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 3, 2018
A fairly decent cozy set amongst the garage sale regulars of Ann Arbor Michigan. The usual unpleasant person is murdered, and her last words seem to blame "The Jap." A Japanese lady is one of the regulars. The other characters are at least as upset at the politically incorrect last words as they are about the murder. Such is life in a college town.
Well constructed, but the setting never really comes alive.
Well constructed, but the setting never really comes alive.
January 8, 2013
Something to Kill For is a thrilling mystery novel by Susan Holtzer. It begins innocently enough with the protagonist of the story, Anneke Haager, searching around at a garage sale early in the morning with her friend, Joyce. The story suddenly begins its never ending train of suspense when they find the body of a fellow "garage sale circuit" member, Joanna. Anneke befriends the police officer who is in charge of this case, former Pittsburg Steeler Karl Genesko. Anneke Haager is a computer programmer who uses her job to help the police with data collection, but also uses it to get the inside scoop of the tragedy, and attempts to help solve the crime. Mysery and mystery are present in the small town of Ann Arbor (where the story takes place) as other very strange events trigger a state of slight panic for the people of the antique world. A party, a few conversations with Ellen (the Japanese antique dealer), pieces of crucial evidence found on a shoe, and one man's crazy combination living area/office space help to conclude this intriguing crime.
I found the beginning to early middle parts of this novel to be the slowest, although that wasn't a bad thing necessarily. Despite its slow pace, Holtzer manages to keep you at the edge of your seat, even during the slow parts. By the middle to the end of the novel, the book goes by very quickly. I felt as if the pace of the novel was nicely corrilated with the building climax.
Holtzer also seems to have a very strong sense of how she wants her characters to be seen. In depth descriptions (even full pages at a time) give you an easily formed picture of the character in your mind. Not only the description of the characters was top-notch, but so was the description of the setting at that time. Whether it was Peter's vibrant party room, or Anneke's dull work space, Holtz clearly put her vision of her story 100% on paper.
One thing I found interesting about Holtzer's style of writing was the tone of the novel. I feel like her writing style changed as the story progressed. This is a very difficult thing to describe without reading the novel, but I thought that at the beginning, the tone was a more relaxed feel, despite the early findings of a murder, and the end of the novel, the writing was very compressed and almost hectic in a way, but in a good way. However, suspenseful is still one word that can describe the novel in its entirety. What helped bring this tone throughout the entire novel was Joanna's last words of "It was the Jap!". There are quite an abundance of meanings this could have had as to who had committed the murder, some meanings more obvious than the others.
While Holtzer does a good job of showing how greed and want can go to a person's head, she also shows how stress can affect that person as well. Anneke shows many signs of stress throughout the novel, generally ending up with a paragraph of the outside world narrator omnisciently describing her want for a relaxing evening at home in front of the television. Many themes in the book are negatively based. Love is certainly a theme expressed by certain characters, but in many character's outcomes, the love can become obsessive and lead to destructive manners.
Overall, I would say that this was an outstandingly well-written novel. Holtzer does a great job of moving the plot along, describing her view on Ann Arbor and the people involved, and the somewhat twist ending of the book is something you will not want to stop reading for. I would certainly recommend this edge-of-your-seat thrilling murder mystery to anyone.
I found the beginning to early middle parts of this novel to be the slowest, although that wasn't a bad thing necessarily. Despite its slow pace, Holtzer manages to keep you at the edge of your seat, even during the slow parts. By the middle to the end of the novel, the book goes by very quickly. I felt as if the pace of the novel was nicely corrilated with the building climax.
Holtzer also seems to have a very strong sense of how she wants her characters to be seen. In depth descriptions (even full pages at a time) give you an easily formed picture of the character in your mind. Not only the description of the characters was top-notch, but so was the description of the setting at that time. Whether it was Peter's vibrant party room, or Anneke's dull work space, Holtz clearly put her vision of her story 100% on paper.
One thing I found interesting about Holtzer's style of writing was the tone of the novel. I feel like her writing style changed as the story progressed. This is a very difficult thing to describe without reading the novel, but I thought that at the beginning, the tone was a more relaxed feel, despite the early findings of a murder, and the end of the novel, the writing was very compressed and almost hectic in a way, but in a good way. However, suspenseful is still one word that can describe the novel in its entirety. What helped bring this tone throughout the entire novel was Joanna's last words of "It was the Jap!". There are quite an abundance of meanings this could have had as to who had committed the murder, some meanings more obvious than the others.
While Holtzer does a good job of showing how greed and want can go to a person's head, she also shows how stress can affect that person as well. Anneke shows many signs of stress throughout the novel, generally ending up with a paragraph of the outside world narrator omnisciently describing her want for a relaxing evening at home in front of the television. Many themes in the book are negatively based. Love is certainly a theme expressed by certain characters, but in many character's outcomes, the love can become obsessive and lead to destructive manners.
Overall, I would say that this was an outstandingly well-written novel. Holtzer does a great job of moving the plot along, describing her view on Ann Arbor and the people involved, and the somewhat twist ending of the book is something you will not want to stop reading for. I would certainly recommend this edge-of-your-seat thrilling murder mystery to anyone.
June 2, 2012
Something to Kill For is an engaging debut novel by Susan Holtzer. This off-beat cozy which features murder and mayhem on the garage sale circuit won the Malice Domestic Contest for Best First Mystery of 1994. It's easy to see why--it's a fast-paced mystery with a likeable main character. And it features an unusual setting for crime. I know that bargain hunters can seem a bit ruthless when they're looking for the Big Score (paying pennies for a valuable find), but who knew that when someone says they'd kill to get their hands on a certain item they might actually mean it?
Holtzer takes us to Ann Arbor, Michigan--home of fanatic football fans and a major university. It is also the place that Anneke Haagen, a computer consultant, calls home. Her computer skills have brought her friends in antiquing world and Joyce McCarthy, one of the antique dealers and a close friend, convinces her to join in on a Saturday round of garage sales. Bargains found while on the a garage sale hunt may bring anything from mild profits to a big bonus--if the dealer is lucky. And they all dream of the Big Score--finding an Old Master among stack of paintings or valuable piece of china in jumble of old dishes--a discovery that could set them up for life.
Anneke is just along for the ride--simply pleased to find a piece of Art Deco sculpture that will fit in well with her collection--until the two women discover a fellow bargain hunter dying in her car. Joanna Westlake was one of the less popular members of the garage sale regulars. She often undercut fellow dealers and picked their brains on their pet subjects only to use the knowledge to snatch an item up that she knew they'd want. Anneke and Joyce find her after a brutal attack with the proverbial blunt instrument and the stricken woman barely has time to gasp "The Jap" before she's gone.
At first it seems that this may have been a politically incorrect reference to Ellen Nakamura, another of the dealers, but it soon becomes clear that there is enough suspicion to go around the antique community. Anneke has a tenuous connection to the police department by virtue of her computer consulting status with the boys in blue and is asked by the members of the antique co-op if she would do what she can to determine what the status of the investigation is. This brings her into close contact with Lieutenant Karl Genesko, a handsome ex-football player turned police detective. Anneke's logical mind and observant nature will come in handy as she assists Genesko in getting to the bottom of not just one, but three murders by the time the case is over. And it all comes down to figuring out who got their hands on the Score Big enough to kill for....and what Joanna meant in her final words.
This was a fun read. I loved the interesting backdrop for the mystery and Anneke is a terrific character. Her backstory is complex enough to maker her interesting and believable. The plot has plenty of twists and suspects....and I hate to admit it but the wool was thoroughly pulled over my eyes. I was sitting there very smugly reading away, all convinced that I had spotted the killer and the motive. And I was absolutely wrong. Well done, Susan Holtzer. Well done. Four stars for a terrific cozy debut.
This review is mine and was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting any portion. Thanks.
Holtzer takes us to Ann Arbor, Michigan--home of fanatic football fans and a major university. It is also the place that Anneke Haagen, a computer consultant, calls home. Her computer skills have brought her friends in antiquing world and Joyce McCarthy, one of the antique dealers and a close friend, convinces her to join in on a Saturday round of garage sales. Bargains found while on the a garage sale hunt may bring anything from mild profits to a big bonus--if the dealer is lucky. And they all dream of the Big Score--finding an Old Master among stack of paintings or valuable piece of china in jumble of old dishes--a discovery that could set them up for life.
Anneke is just along for the ride--simply pleased to find a piece of Art Deco sculpture that will fit in well with her collection--until the two women discover a fellow bargain hunter dying in her car. Joanna Westlake was one of the less popular members of the garage sale regulars. She often undercut fellow dealers and picked their brains on their pet subjects only to use the knowledge to snatch an item up that she knew they'd want. Anneke and Joyce find her after a brutal attack with the proverbial blunt instrument and the stricken woman barely has time to gasp "The Jap" before she's gone.
At first it seems that this may have been a politically incorrect reference to Ellen Nakamura, another of the dealers, but it soon becomes clear that there is enough suspicion to go around the antique community. Anneke has a tenuous connection to the police department by virtue of her computer consulting status with the boys in blue and is asked by the members of the antique co-op if she would do what she can to determine what the status of the investigation is. This brings her into close contact with Lieutenant Karl Genesko, a handsome ex-football player turned police detective. Anneke's logical mind and observant nature will come in handy as she assists Genesko in getting to the bottom of not just one, but three murders by the time the case is over. And it all comes down to figuring out who got their hands on the Score Big enough to kill for....and what Joanna meant in her final words.
This was a fun read. I loved the interesting backdrop for the mystery and Anneke is a terrific character. Her backstory is complex enough to maker her interesting and believable. The plot has plenty of twists and suspects....and I hate to admit it but the wool was thoroughly pulled over my eyes. I was sitting there very smugly reading away, all convinced that I had spotted the killer and the motive. And I was absolutely wrong. Well done, Susan Holtzer. Well done. Four stars for a terrific cozy debut.
This review is mine and was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting any portion. Thanks.
March 7, 2018
I found this book to be very interesting, there was so many mysteries to solve. the book made no sense but once i got to the end it all came together. This is a book i would recommend to everyone. The characters found a dead girl and they had to solve the mystery of her murder.
July 28, 2021
The beginning of this book was a bit confusing - at first I didn't understand that Anneke wasn't a young college student tagging along with Joyce (the antique dealer). It was nice not having the main character being threatened or in danger like so many other mystery novels.
December 21, 2021
What a thrill it was to learn last week that I was related to a mystery writer!!! I ran out to get her books and started with this one, the first. It's a great mystery, good plot, good characters and some really wonderful phrases sprinkled throughout. (reviewed in 1996)
June 7, 2017
Takes place in Ann Arbor--my new city of residence--so, that was fun. First in a series, writing and story decent. I will read the next one.
December 22, 2022
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, this book is truly about my town. Absolutely loved it. Must read for any Ann Arborite.
March 11, 2025
Great read. Truly enjoyed it. It’s smart, engaging and a refreshing change from current literature.
TD recommends
TD recommends
July 4, 2008
In which an Ann Arbor computer specialist does amateur detective work to clear the name of an antique dealer acquaintance. Very awkwardly written, with far too much pointless description of people's clothing and physical appearances. It did not help that the lone Asian American character was describe as having "almond eyes" and "gold"-colored skin. Perhaps this cultural tone deafness is the result of an unskilled writer relying on obvious and dated metaphors; or perhaps the author, like one of her own characters, is so proud of her own liberalism that she's blind to her own cultural cluelessness. Whatever the case, the prose made me cringe as both a reader and an Asian American, and I gave up after sixty pages. Not recommended.
August 14, 2008
SOMETHING TO KILL FOR - Okay
Holtzer, Susan - 1st in Anneke Haagen series
While scrounging through other people's junk at local garage sales, Anneke Haagen stumbles on an antiques dealer who has been brutally attacked, and whose last words are as baffling as they are politically incorrect. Now Anneke is working alongside an ex-professional football player-turned-detective whom she's starting to fall for, while searching for the Big Score.
Light, but not fluffy. Good. Has more substance than some cozies. Antiques.
Holtzer, Susan - 1st in Anneke Haagen series
While scrounging through other people's junk at local garage sales, Anneke Haagen stumbles on an antiques dealer who has been brutally attacked, and whose last words are as baffling as they are politically incorrect. Now Anneke is working alongside an ex-professional football player-turned-detective whom she's starting to fall for, while searching for the Big Score.
Light, but not fluffy. Good. Has more substance than some cozies. Antiques.
January 29, 2015
Good for what it is, an easy, suspenseful mystery. Not very complex, but it's set up with enough skill that you want to figure out what happens. Some of the cultural references are a little dated, and while the main character on several occasions makes feminist proclamations, the author still felt compelled to put in sexual tension between the lead male and female characters, which in my opinion didn't really add anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2010
When I started this, I didn't know it was the first in a series, but I'm glad it is. I like the way she describes the surroundings, I can really visualize it. And the characterizations are good also. Each of the suspects seems plausibly guilty, but you do grow fond of some of them, so you hope it's someone you don't like.
December 10, 2009
Murder at a garage sale?
Read
September 30, 2016An adorable murder mystery that apparently is part of a fairly popular series. As the clues surrounded antiquing and the art world, I found this to be a very enjoyable read.
December 28, 2013
What a great start to a series! I don't know anything about antiques but love the community shown here.
July 21, 2014
Good cozy.
September 30, 2014
Enjoyed the characters and especially the garage sales!
January 21, 2015
Good story, well laid out mystery.
January 28, 2016
Nice light reading book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews