Danger in Spades

Antique Shop Mysteries #15

by Elizabeth Penney

Heralding a WWII veteran’s birthday stirs up mysteries that may upend what Maggie Watson and her friends believe about the past.

Maggie Watson and her friends in the Somerset Harbor historical society are throwing a 1940s-themed birthday bash for Dr. William King, one of the only remaining World War II veterans in town. However, party planning takes a disheartening turn when a long-hidden letter indicates the society president’s aunt may have offered sanctuary to enemy spies at her farm. Could Somerset Harbor sweetheart Lillian Spade, heralded for her wartime patriotism, have been secretly harboring the enemy?

Kindly old William King just might hold the key to Lillian's suspicious affairs--but the retired doctor is embattled by problems of his own, including an AWOL son. As Maggie seeks intel on the man’s whereabouts, it becomes obvious that someone out there thinks the past should stay buried, and they're pulling rank to ensure that it does. All's fair in love, war, and solving mysteries, but this clear and present danger might be one that even Maggie should surrender to--lest she end up with fatal marching orders.

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

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

About the author

Elizabeth Penney lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include old houses and gardens, past/present mysteries, and the arts. Maine, where she grew up, England, and Italy are favorite settings.

Elizabeth is the author of several mystery series from St. Martin's as well as over fifty novels, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

Reviews

[Irene Marston]

still enjoying these little mysteries

[Jo Anne]

Danger in Spades finds the gang planning a 90th birthday party for a local WWII vet, William King. Maggie's daughter Emily and a classmate, Gina, decide to tape an interview with William as a class project.
What he tells the girls has the members of the historical society, especially Ruth, very worried, since it sounds like her beloved aunt Lillian might have been involved with a German spy.
In the mean time, Maggie deals with Maine's unpredictable winter weather and several car problems that might not be normal.

[Sharon]

Discovering WWII objects leads the historical society to plan an event honoring the last of their town's WWII veterans and showcasing the many items found in the historic homes. And in the process, a mystery is unearthed. Were there really German spies that came to this Maine coastal town in 1943? What happened? And how could that event have any connection to the community's work to establish a homeless shelter?

[Charline Romine]

Queen of Diamonds

A very interesting story. William, the oldest Veteran in town was having his birthday and the Ladies of the Historical Society
wanted to make it special. The party was themed around the 1940’s, during war time. William was being interviewed by Emily and Gina for a school project. William had a story to tell that he had never told before and it was a good one! Maggie, as usual had her hand in every aspect of every story related to the party. Very exciting!

[Debra McEathron]

This is a good cozy read that deals with German spies, double agents, veterans, murder, small towns and family drama. Maggie's friends are planning a fund raiser for the homeless shelter and a big birthday bash for one of their residents. Soon drama unfolds with the planning and the finding of German artifacts.

[Susan]

With their customary balanced approach, the ladies of Somerset Harbor's Historical Society jump to the conclusion that a letter in German written to the ancestor of one of their members during World War II proves the woman was a traitor. She wasn't. An elderly veteran knows the true story, and they also find his long-missing son.

[Lis Sigona]

1/15/26 - 1/22/26
Danger in Spades (Antique Shop Mysteries #15) by Elizabeth Penney
This is the 15th book in the series regarding Maggie and Somerset Harbor, Sedgwick Manor and the Carriage House Antiques shop. The usual characters are involved along with new additions for this mystery surrounding William, a World War II Veteran whom the historical society is celebrating his 90th birthday for him and his lasting memories of the war and that era.

[Beverly Duell-Moore]

Loved the suspense!

[Donna]

Another fun read with a light mystery and great characters in Somerset Harbor

[Sanderella]

Another good book.. Very interesting..

[PottWab Regional Library]

A