A Ring of Deception

Antique Shop Mysteries #5

by DeAnna Julie Dodson

An eighteenth century pirate’s ring gives antiques shop owner Maggie Watson a present-day mystery to solve.

When a nervous young girl arrives at Carriage House Antiques looking to sell an extravagant gold-and-emerald ring, owner Maggie Watson is intrigued. Where would the teen have come across such a valuable relic? And why is she so desperate to sell it? Maggie soon learns that the fascinating ring bears the insignia of Soloman Zane, a bloodthirsty pirate who terrorized the coastal town of Somerset Harbor, Maine in the 18th century. Zane’s fate is a mystery, but one that seems irrevocably linked to the family history of one of the town’s wealthiest and most well-connected matrons, Willa Ravenhurst.

When Maggie digs deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the Ravenhurst family lineage and the sudden reappearance of the ring. With each new development, the mystery of the ring -- and the fate of its murderous owner – grows more shocking.

This clever whodunit from Annie’s Antique Shop Mysteries series is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries, antiques, New England, and female friendships.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2025

About the author

DeAnna Julie Dodson has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with four spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her first books, In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered, are a trilogy of medieval romances and have just been redesigned and freshly edited for Kindle. She is also the author of the contemporary mystery, Letters in the Attic, and has recently signed on to write another Annie's Attic Mystery: The Key in the Attic, due out in 2012. Her newest books, yet to be released, are A Dinner of Herbs, a Civil War drama, and a 1930s English mystery, Rules of Murder. Civil as an Orange, her current work in progress, is the sequel to Rules of Murder. You can find out more about DeAnna and her books, including sample chapters, at her website: http://www.deannajuliedodson.com/

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great east read on a dark night with a hot cup coffee. Love the mystery and the details given about the mansion.

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite because oftentimes Maggie and June didn't act or talk like their usual selves, but the mystery kept my interest. Why Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow had to be mentioned at least 4 times is beyond me...I'd rather they mention Errol Flynn/Captain Blood instead if the characters were going to swoon over a pirate.

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/14/25 - 12/16/25
A Ring of Deception ( Antique Shop Mysteries #5) by DeAnna Julia Dodson
The 5th book in the series of Maggie and June with the Carriage House antique Shop and Somerset Harbor, Maine. This time involving past historical pirate lore as a young girl selling a family heirloom she took from her mother’s jewelry box. A elder lady that is very astute and classic from her familial’s past history. The ending is something that has even me shocked and I didn’t see coming. But prior to that there are some bumps in the road along the way.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nervous teenager tries to sell a ring to Maggie Watson, new owner of an antiques shop. Maggie is uncertain about taking the ring, although she's sure it's authentic, but agrees to hold it while she values the unusual item. Soon she learns that the ring is part of a mysterious incident in the small town's history, and is linked to a famed pirate. As the ring and a replica of it seem to change places, Maggie meets the teenager again and finds out more about the valuable object.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets, tall tales. I really enjoy these books their stories only happen in books written with the imagination of the author. The mystery this time is a about a pirate, a kidnapping and a name. It is true that the mystery always finds Maggie.

[melissa smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book of the series I’ve read. The story was light and easy. There wasn’t much details to the characters or scene setting, which leaves a lot to the reader’s imagination.

I would recommend as a vacation story: easily picked up and put down.

[Cathyreynertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute cozy mystery. A bit wordy and thin on plot.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book first, in a series which this is #5 but it seemed like a complete story.
Mystery but not scary.

[Bonnie Dieffenbacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, but not wonderful.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great setting, solid characters all within a good mystery. Had no idea “who did it” until the very end!

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

always enjoy these easy read mysteries

[Mooshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun one! I thought it got a bit repetitive and dull but overall it was intriguing and a unique story!

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was not my favorite so far. It just seemed to drag a little in the middle and the ending was kind of blah.

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in this series. On to the next!! 🌹

[Rebekah Meese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does this type of mother daughter relationship actually exist??

[Beverly Duell-Moore]

What a fun book to read! The ending was surprise.