A Fedora Offense

Antique Shop Mysteries #14

by Donna Kelly

An estate auction leads antiques shop owner Maggie Watson into a decades-old mystery — and into present-day danger.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching in Somerset Harbor, Maine, and Maggie Watson is in love--with some gorgeous antiques she bids on at a local auction. She's not the only one interested in the furnishings being sold off from the magnificent Twisdem Mansion, though. An enigmatic man in a fedora is equally enamored with the items up for sale but disappears before Maggie can learn his true identity.

As Maggie inspects her new purchases, she finds hidden paperwork relating to a Vietnam War-era mystery and the fate of the entire Twisdem family. Soon, it becomes frightfully clear that others are equally intrigued by her discovery. Compelled to untangle the Twisdems' shadowy history, however, she ignores a series of increasingly sinister events and continues her search for the truth. If Maggie isn't careful, however, her determination to unravel the family's secrets could easily lead to heartbreak for some and certain doom for others.

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

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

About the author

Donna Kelly is a mystery writer and freelance journalist. She is also the theater critic for the Ledger, the daily newspaper of Lakeland Florida. She is also the writer-in-residence at Arts Ensemble Education Foundation in Winter Haven.

Since childhood, Donna’s fascination with regional folklore, the stories human minds create to explain what happens in the world, and the quirky history of people around the globe, has generated poems, short stories, and book ideas. The paranormal and spiritual beliefs of mankind kindle her imagination.

In 2012, Donna set out to achieve her lifelong goal of becoming an author. Combining ideas garnered during her 15 year tenure as a newspaper journalist with her love of research and writing, Donna began honing her craft while writing four cozy mysteries for Annie’s Publishing.

Reviews

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

1/16/27 - 1/19/26
A Fedora Offense (Antique Shop Mysteries #14) by Donna Kelly
The 14th book in the series of Maggie in Somerset Harbor as the owner (inheriting) Sedgwick Manor and Carriage House Antiques from her aunt. Maggie seems to love to get herself into sleuthing along with her antiquing, and this one’s no different. Going to an estate sale, buying antiques bidding against a mysterious man hidden by a fedora hat. Strange events happening Maggie. Her Dad comes to visit, shocks her with news, she continues her sleuthing, accidents and incidents abound. Maggie figures it out in the end and saves a life. I’m enjoying this series very much with only 5 more books I have left to go.

[Jo Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these Maine-set antique shop mysteries featuring Maggie Watson and her posse of elderly ladies. In the book Maggie deals with "Fedora Man" who outbids her at an auction on almost everything she wants for the shop. She is dealing with the usual break-ins at the shop, someone peeping in the window, damage to her car and nasty messages left for her to find. To add to the mess, her father has arrived with his FIANCEE and Maggie isn't sure she likes her dad remarrying. Does it all end well? Does James hug Maggie? Read the book to find out.

[Charline Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Auction and the Concert

Incredible story of love, death and forgiveness. Maggie’s Dad, Neil was coming for a visit. She hadn’t seen him for a while and knew something was “up” that he didn’t want to talk about over the phone. In the meantime Maggie and June went to the Twisdem auction. Nothing was right after that!

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a neat cozy read. The main characters are part of a series but each book is a stand alone. Maggie is intrigued with the purchases she made at an auction. Then her dad shows up unexpectedly with a fiancée. That is only the beginning of the upheaval in Maggie's life.

[Aulaire Schmitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best way I can describe this books a quick read, and inoffensive.

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

good mystery series

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maggie Watson finds surprises in furniture she buys in auction at a local mansion, but more surprises when her father comes to visit with an unexpected gueste.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new, imaginative mystery for Maggie to solve. A nice, clean, easy read involving great characters in a nice setting.

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty good book. For once, I figured out the mystery.😄

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After taking two years to finish this I'm happy to add it to my read list. It was really quite well done. I enjoyed a level headed sleuth and the story was well written.

[PottWab Regional Library]

A

[Sharon Teagarden-king · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another easy read with happenings in Somerset Harbor ....wish more input on the cat