Statue of Limitations

Den of Antiquity #11

by Tamar Myers

Book club hardcover edition.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

356 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2004

About the author

Tamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.

Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.

In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.

Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.

Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.

Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.

Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually not a bad entry in the series, with some great dialog, and quite a few zippy one-liners. AND, the best part is the fact that Dimitri has faded to the background in this one; no cat heroics, only sitting on laps, and lying on beds.

Just like a REAL cat . . .

[Kate R · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have only read 200 painful pages, but i am done with the book as well as the author. Her characters are overdone, her story lines defy logic, and the editor is a failure. Each of her story series has a main character with a physical flaw she constantly brings up. The character’s petite height is largely irrelevant but is addressed at least twice a chapter. It’s tedious. There are a lot of great cozy mysteries out there. This, in my opinion, is not one of them.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. I enjoyed the statue storyline and was surprised at the culprit.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so much fun. I want to have lunch with Tamar Myers. Anyone who can write like this must be a hoot!

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
A cozy mystery that takes place in Charleston South Carolina. The main character tells the story of trying to get her friend out of jail and murder charges that surrounds false B&B guests, and a garden statue south of Broad street. I like the fun diverse mix of characters. This book has the right mix of humor that keeps you satisfied from beginning to end. A keeper.

[Gretchen · Rating 1 out of 5]

this author is way too self-indulgent and cheesy. She actually said 'my petite petootie' twice!

[Megan Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Turns out, it was the middle of a series, so if I find an earlier book, I will try the author again. But for me, parts of it was just too over the top silly to appreciate. Like her expressions, the woman's mother, her friend's recipes, just too overdone to be truly funny. Instead I rolled my eyes.

The case was meh, and the characters never quite rose to the task of carrying the plot. Was it interesting enough to finish? Sure. But it's not a recommendation from me.

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner with lots of twists and turns and lots of mystery and action to the very end.

[Shari Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are silly and fun. Not great literature, but a quick fun read.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun novel by Tamar Myers. Her characters are fun, especially the "family!"

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was just ok. Didn't think it was anything special. At times this author reminded me of Janet Evanovich's wisecracking nosy characters but then the plot would falter or the characters would change. I think part of the problem is this is the first book of the series I've read and from reading the other reviews the earlier books were stronger and more interesting. I think I'm going to try at least one of them because of the glimpses of good storytelling I found in this book. I didn't hate this book. I actually liked it but just felt there could have been so much more that the author could have done with it. I'm not going to write a plot summary since other reviewer have already did this. I just didn't like how it seems like the author would introduce characters and give them a role then forget them. I think I would want to try the other books in this series first before I recommend this book. It's not a great book as a stand alone.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[VJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I didn't know better, I'd think Mary Daheim and Tamar Myers were the same person sometimes. Unless, of course, Stella Maris is a common Catholic Church name...

I about fell off my bed laughing when the author had Abby make some crack about authors getting their facts straight because she didn't like to be stopped cold reading. Aside from all the continuity errors, there are tons of typos in these books. At least this author has proper flora and fauna in her books.

I didn't guess who did it and there really weren't too many clues to figure it out on your own. It was an entertaining story nonetheless.

[Lollyletsgo · Rating 4 out of 5]

While clearly I enjoyed this mystery, I didn't like the Deus ex Machina hint/foreshadow that was provided in the introduction of a character meant to do just that one thing-- a walk on part (in Holywood terms)so to speak. I won't say the character's name in question, so as not to create a spoiler, but anyone reading it will know- it's so out there, it's off putting.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

MUCH better than the previous one in this series (A Penny Urned). It was a little vague on the solution but the plot was well written and the resolution believable. It even had a few characters that were scam artists and I had hoped to have one turn the tales on "mamma" but they didn't.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick poolside reading. Interesting fun and light.

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

another fun, punny, tongue-in -cheek cozy mystery based in Charleston

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book that is part of a series. I've read some of them, and each one can 'stand alone.' Very enjoyable to me because antiques were a part of the plot.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cozy mystery; not that great

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was OK... those punny titles are sometimes a hoot

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not as funny as previous books and the story line was thin. Not one of my favorites.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, witty and hard to put down