A Killer Collection

Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries #1

by J.B. Stanley, Ellery Adams, Andi Arndt (Narrator)

Listening Length: 5 hours and 53 minutes

Introducing amateur sleuth Molly Appleby, a sharp-witted writer for "Collector's Weekly" magazine. She has a keen knowledge of antiques, and a special fondness for collectibles.
And when a fellow collector is murdered, Molly quickly develops an uncanny understanding of the criminal mind.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

First published January 3, 2006

About the author

Also writes under the pseudonyms Ellery Adams and Jennifer Stanley.


J.B. Stanley is the nom de plume of New York Times Bestselling author Ellery Adams. Adams grew up on a beach near the Long Island Sound. Having spent her adult life in a series of landlocked towns, she cherishes her memories of open water, violent storms, and the smell of the sea. Ms. Adams has held many jobs including that of caterer, retail clerk, car salesperson, teacher, tutor, and tech writer, all the while penning poems, children's books, and novels. She now writes full-time from her home in Virginia.


For more killer mysteries, visit www.elleryadamsmysteries.com

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The amateur sleuth in this story is Molly Appleby, a thirtyish, former elementary school teacher who now writes for a specialty publication called 'Collector's Weekly.' As the story opens, Molly - who's writing a series on North Carolina potters - is attending a kiln opening (exclusive pottery sale) with her mother Clara, a partner in an auction gallery.





The sale is about to begin when avid collector George-Bradley Staunton arrives, loudly drawing attention to himself as he pushes to the front of the line. Once the event starts George-Bradley is relentless - shoving and grabbing - to get the pieces he wants. Afterwards, when buyers are collecting their wrapped purchases, George-Bradley collapses....and later dies. It turns out George-Bradley was murdered and Molly intends to find the killer.



George-Bradley isn't a popular guy and there are plenty of suspects, including his wife; his mistress; potters who disliked him; collectors he's cheated; and so on. As Molly investigates George-Bradley's death another murder occurs, which complicates her inquiries.



Meanwhile, back at the offices of 'Collector's Weekly', Molly has a crush on her co-worker Matt.... but has hardly said more than 'hello' to him. Things get friendlier when Matt assists Molly with her investigation, and the amateur sleuth hopes for a real date.



But Molly - who's self-conscious about her zaftig physique - soon spots a slim beautiful blonde flirting with Matt.....uh oh!

As Molly interviews various potters the tale is interspersed with details about pottery such as: processing the clay; throwing pots; kinds of glazes; building kilns; burning pots; everyday pottery vs. collector pieces; and so on. All this is interesting and adds a nice informative element to the book without distracting from the story.



Molly eventually solves the murder cases, exposing a few surprises and a valuable pottery bunny along the way. Molly's a bright, likable heroine, and this is an engaging cozy mystery. Recommended to fans of the genre.

You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Collection is a solid series starter! Normally when I read cozy mysteries, I gravitate towards the culinary ones, but I really enjoyed learning about pottery and how valuable it can be through this book. It certainly kept me entertained and intrigued throughout! In addition to this, I was shocked when the killer was revealed. There’s no indication in the novel as to “who-dun-it” so when we found out who along with WHY I was both shocked and pleased. I love how the author doesn’t make the murder seem so black and white which is something we normally see in cozies.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries that revolve around hobbies (pottery in this one specifically) then I recommend this one! I’ll definitely be continuing the series!


𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Cozy Mysteries
• Pottery Hobbies
• Collectors

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Gary Sundell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaing start to a series written by Ellery Adams, originally written under the name J.B. Stanley.
I learned a bit about pottery collecting and pottery making along the way. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. For those that care, no cop boyfriend and no romantic triangle.

2023: Just as enjoyable the second time. Off to book 2.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are tons of descriptions in this book of just about everything. They are well written, though, so I didn't mind so much.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Collection by J.B Stanley is the first book in the Collectible Mystery series. Molly Appleby, writer for Collecters Weekly, attends a kiln opening where one of the collecters dies and Molly suspects he has been murdered. A nice start to the series where you will learn a lot about pottery and the competitive world of pottery collecting. I enjoyed the book, although I found a lot of the pottery information overwhelming. There was an unusual wist at the end just when you thought the mystery was solved. An engaging, intriguing mystery.

[Mystery, She Read]

Mood/Seasonal Reading: June

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Collectable Mystery Series and I think it really set the stage for future books. The characters have been introduced, but there is still a lot to learn about them in subsequent books. I loved the setting and the idea of the pottery. I really learned a lot about the history of the North Carolina Potters and the process they used as well as how it was passed on to family members. Having said all that, the story was also a good one. Molly is a writer for a Collectables Magazine. Her mother is involved in collecting and selling pottery so Molly often goes to sales and auctions with her. At a kiln opening, one of the more undesirable, yet wealthy collectors dies. After an autopsy it is determined that he died of an insulin overdose. Was it accidental or murder? Molly begins to investigate and finds out more secrets involving collectors and potters alike. There is a love interest in the story, Matt, who works with Molly. He is shy and quiet, but Molly gets him to open up a little to her. I am sure we will learn more about Matt in the next books. A fun read that I very much enjoyed.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad debut- pottery and murder. Working for an antiques newspaper and going pottery hunting with her mother, Molly witnesses the murder of a most odorous fellow antique hunter. Through interviews and snooping, she researched the murder as well as the disappearance of another potter from the scene and how those events may be connected. Meanwhile, Molly tries to catch the attention of her co-worker Matt. The downside to the book is Molly’s preoccupation with her weight and looks and the author also having other characters (her mom and friend Clayton, also preoccupied with it) hopefully that changes.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Antiques and Collectibles series, a cozy mystery. The format of two plots of different eras is not a favorite. The plot is creative and unusual. The descriptions of the area and of pottery are outstanding. The characters were not well developed. Molly Appleby, a writer for the Collectors Weekly goes to her first Kilm opening in North Carolina. At the opening, a dislike collector collapses and later dies. The police consider the death as an accident. Molly does not and decides to investigate. The wife of the collector puts his extremely rare and valuable collection at auction. At this point, the other plot includes on the main plot interrupting my concentration with the story. I recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a fun cosy mystery to read and that's exactly what I got from this one. I thought this was quite interesting as I couldn't really guess whodunit. It also ended a lot differently than any other cosy mystery I've ever read. Either way, it was fun and it kept me entertained.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Collectible Mystery Series and it definitely has me intrigued. I like the main character as she is perfectly imperfect with a normal size body and view of life with intellect and wit to help seek the solution to the crime. I really liked the character development with each supporting character bringing a different personality to the mix. The mystery was well thought out and intriguing so much so that you wanted to keep listening to the story. Added bonus by the way is that it appears the entire series is available on audio! I love that the main character is a writer/reporter and amateur collector with a desire to learn the art of pottery making. It adds much depth to the main character that is often missing in other books to help you get to know the main character faster than typical. I am quite looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Collection by Ellery Adams is the first book in the Antiques and Collectibles Mystery series. Molly Appleby is a writer for Collector’s Weekly. She is going to write a series of articles on North Carolina pottery collectors and potters. Molly is attending her first kiln opening with her mother, Clara (who is an expert and collector of pottery). A kiln opening is where a potter sells the wares he has created and collectors can get them at reasonable prices.

At the kiln opening of C.C. Burle, George-Bradley Staunton, a collector, collapses. No one is too upset because George-Bradley is not very nice. At one opening he knocked over a woman and she broke her leg. George-Bradley is rude, condescending, and only out of himself. It is determined that George-Bradley collapsed from an overdose of insulin (he was a diabetic). However, someone gave him the overdose intentionally. Molly sets out to figure out who killed George-Bradley. She thinks it will be good for her article. There is no shortage of suspects.

During the course of the investigation Molly stumbles upon pottery thefts and another dead body. A Killer Collection provides wonderful descriptions of beautiful pottery as well as information on the making of clay, using a potter’s wheel, and different types of kilns.

I give A Killer Collection 4 out of 5 stars. This is an early work of Ellery Adams (originally published under J. B. Stanley). A Killer Collection has satisfying characters, interesting premise, and one of the mysteries takes a little more thought to solve. I enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful pottery especially face jugs.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.**

I got really excited when I saw this on Netgalley and snapped it up along with the second book in the series. I really love Ellery Adams. I feel like pretty much anything she puts pen to will turn into magic and a great 2-3 hours of reading will fly by. I enjoyed this mystery but not as much as her other works. I don't know if it is because I felt the lack of magic or if its because this is her earlier work and she had to grow into what she writes now. It could also be that I have zero interest in pottery and that is certainly not the authors fault. I did really enjoy the mystery and the back story centered around it. The characters are well written and the story flows wonderfully. Just missing that little extra for me. I will be reading the next in the series.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

A real stinker. Unlikeable characters, a plot that barely hangs together, and a unflattering light on people who collect antiques.

The only high point was the ending, and that is saying a lot. I would pass on this one unless you need this book for a specific challenge. At least it is a fast read! 1.5 stars.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings a fond rememberance of early Lillian Jackson Braun Cat Who books when she had a theme and gently educated her readers on everything from gourmet cooking, interior decorating, antiques and even pottery. Molly and crew a delight and tell the story at hand with great warmth.

[Virginia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother unless you pot.
You know.
With a kiln.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super fast read with average characters and a predictable plot. What I really enjoyed was the history of pottery in the Carolinas and the dedication of its collectors. I have seen the occasional face jug and animal pot, but I had no idea how valuable some of this handmade folk art could be. This brought the story to life for me and piqued my interest to read and learn more.

I also enjoyed Ms. Adams’ prose style with its southern charm and wit. The book provided me with a day’s worth of pleasant reading that I appreciated.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book just subject matter is of no interest to me. I found it had too much potter knowledge. I thought this was going to be more of an antiques cozy and it really isn't.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was of particular interest to me as I am familiar with the area in which the story was set. The author’s description of the area and the craft of handmade pottery was very well written.
A very enjoyable read.

[FangirlNation · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Collection, the first book in the Antiques and Collectibles series by Ellery Adams, delves into the competitive world of pottery collectors. Molly Appleby, a writer for Collector's Weekly, makes her first visit to a kiln opening, where she meets the rude and detestable George Bradley Staunton. While Molly is watching George, she sees him stumble dazedly and collapse. By the time the ambulance arrives, the man with the second biggest pottery collection in North Carolina is dead.


Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley*

Though I really liked this book I thought it failed to live up to Ms. Adams' standards after reading other books she has published.

I liked the characters, but I felt like there wasn't much time taken in the book to fully explore them. For instance, Molly just wants to jump right into investigating, which I normally don't like in a MC. Also, Matt, the love interest in this book is very vague at the beginning, and then he all of a sudden professes his love for her. I felt like it hindered the book.

The mystery was good, but it was rushed. There were no really clues to speak of before about 20 pages ahead of when the killer is exposed. The ending also let me down, I felt that it was all rushed.

I simply loved the history and research that obviously went into building a realistic setting of the North Carolina pottery world,and the pottery world in general. It really made me want to look into pottery more as a hobby.

Overall a good book, I'll probably read more in the series, but yet I felt that it was simply rushed. However, I'd probably recommend this to a friend.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Cozy Mystery!
This is a great cozy mystery! This is the first book in the Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries by Ellery Adams. I am a big fan of this author and enjoyed this book just as much as her other books. Molly is a writer for the Collector’s Weekly, she is looking forward to her new assignment at a North Carolina exclusive kiln opening in pottery country. She was expecting some beautiful pottery but definitely not expecting to find a dead body. So she puts her sleuthing skills to work trying to find the killer. This book kept me reading all night; I did not want to put it down until I found out who the killer was. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose this is classified as a "cozy mystery" and I do enjoy those mixed in with all the other genres I seem to latch onto (reading a lot of nonfiction these days and a cozy mystery is a pleasant contrast). I found this one lacking--not great writing style, never got a real connection with the characters who I assume will be recurring in the series, and the solution of the mystery was sort of vague, or rather how she "solved" the mystery. "Oh, yeah, it had to be her because now I remember she was on the scene." Not quite enough for this reader to feel like I was trying to solve the case along with her. However, I like books that offer me glimpses into a world, people, or subject that I am unfamiliar with; the world of pottery making especially in the southeastern states certainly was unknown before downloading this little novel. That kept my review from being just "meh."

[Traci Haley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an okay cozy mystery at best, but it lost a couple of stars for the blatant fatphobic/fat-shaming AND skinny-shaming throughout the book that was not needed, as well as the misinformation about diabetes. I'm tired of every cozy mystery making their villain fat and "disgusting" (their words) and using that as an excuse to portray them as lazy or careless or mean. Considering the average American woman is a size 12, I'm sure there are plenty of fat readers who are equally as tired of me of this trope. Also, the "murder weapon" (insulin) was, if I understood correctly, over a year old and wouldn't have even worked. That detail took me right out of the story. I don't think I'll be continuing this series.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun mystery, but I loved all the pottery information and how Molly learns to love it.
It kept me turning pages. Interesting plot twists and also very touching.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read.. I am very familiar with this part of N. Carolina; we used to travel here for fun and to buy presents for others and ourselves. Sadly, since the author wrote this, a new highway bypasses the "old" highways so the usual roads are no longer traveled. The mystery had multiple layers, so just when you think everything has been revealed....

The thing I really didn't like was Molly's constant self-sabotage about her being a "plump" size 14. There were more than a few instances in the book when weight/self-image/food/clothing size was an issue and I didn't care for this at all. I doubt the majority of cozy readers are a size 6. And even if they are--is this really important to the mystery? The romance between Molly and Matt finally has a chance once she finds out that, thank goodness, he prefers women who are fuller figured.. After, of course, he has told her that she is attractive and smart.. Ugh..

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me the best thing about this book was learning about Southern Pottery making. The collecting aspect is the focus in this cozy as well as the interactions between various collectors--this is the basis for the murder. The characters seemed rather flat to me but the sleuthing was all right.
Narrator Andi Arndt did not seem as engaged as usual.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad start to the series. I liked Molly and the pottery back drop was interesting. I found the resolution satisfying and all the loose ends tied up.

[Claire Tomonaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well better than average cost. I learned so much about pottery and the lead character was pretty appealing. I have already started the next book in this series.

[Kalyn✨]

DNF. I was reading this with my fiancé and we both kind of lost interest. It's essentially pottery fanfiction with a calm murder mystery thrown in: very charming and interesting, but gets old fast.

DEFINITELY pick this book up if you're into pottery and like cozy, low-stakes mysteries.