Pieces from the Past

Antique Shop Mysteries #4

by Elizabeth Penney

Book

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction

Unknown Binding

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 vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. After spending early years in England and France, she grew up in Maine, settings that are reflected in her books.

Elizabeth is the author of the Apron Shop Series and Cambridge Bookshop Series from St. Martin's as well as over twenty 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

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun stand-alone story that kept my attention throughout the story.

Maggie Watson discovers a box of quilt pieces dated and signed by a group of friends from 1898.

A young woman comes to town hoping to find information about her great-great-grandmother who possibly came from the area.

An old lighthouse is being sold to the highest bidder, unless the town's historical society can come up with the fund to repair and maintain it. Then it will be given to them.

Elizabeth Penny wound together a fun story with multiple layers into a coherent and captivating tale.
Even though this is the fourth installment of the series, it was the first one I read. I did not feel I had missed out on anything from the previous books, and I plan to go back and read them from the first.

[Kim Sasso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on the heels of Penney's excellent "Chapter and Curse," (Cambridge Shop Mysteries) and it paled in comparison. However, that isn't what compelled me to (gasp) skip pages - but skip ahead I did, often. Maybe it's just lingering elements from my reading slump, but I just couldn't abide the MacKenzie character, especially the immediacy with which she was embraced by the entire, er, sleuthing circle.

It's a shame, really, because the non-murder parts of the story were interesting to my history buff/genealogist mind.

Penney's style has definitely improved since writing this. I may well read more of this series (assuming MacKenzie goes back to Boston,) but I expect I'll continue to prefer the Cambridge books.

September 2023
Riverside/MGRL Loan
hardback 206

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maggie Watson and her friends at the local historical society are trying to raise money to restore the local, recently decommissioned lighthouse. A new waitress at the local coffee shop reveals that she's come to town because she thinks her family originated there. And Maggie finds a box of quilt pieces among her late aunt's treasures. It all adds up to the solution to a long-age historical mystery.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. This series is a quick read one, but it is still enjoyable. I love the feel-good story line and a happy ending for almost everyone. In today's troubling and divided world, an uplifting story is just what one needs. The books also flow in a continual manner from the last one very nicely. I like books that do that. Good read.

[Sue Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good cozy mystery, but I readily figured out "the villain," despite the red herrings.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked reading about the little Maine town, and all the quirky characters. At least the mystery is solved at the end of each story in this series.

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good Antique Shop mystery. This is my third favorite author so far.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series. Had no idea “who did it” so my attention was held from start to finish. Great characters make this a nice read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute mystery. Got a little intense at the end. Enjoyable!

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

good series

[Mooshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to the series! Enjoyed the new characters, the little bit of romance, and the story was still cozy but had some thrill to it!

[Amy Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story - I really liked the genealogy and antique bits. This isn't really a murder mystery though, so keep that in mind depending on your preference.

[KerryT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good squeaky clean cozy mystery!

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #4 in this series is another good book. I love the mysteries, secrets,antiques, and possibly the beginning of a romance....

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/8/25 - 12/12/25
Pieces From the Past (Antiques Shop Mysteries Series #4) by Elizabeth Penney
The 4th book in the series having Maggie cleaning out one of the Sedgwick Mansion rooms and finding a quaint box filled with patch work quilt blocks depicting scene from Somerset Harbor each done by women from a group in the 1898 quilting group. Of course there is a mystery surrounding this with one piece missing and one of the young girl’s disappearance or murder during 1898. A young woman looking for her family. An arrogant person getting on everyone’s nerves. Mystery and secrets, for Maggie to figure out with a little romance at a Valentine Dinner Dance!

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good cozy mystery, I enjoyed the story line and how the story ended. I will look for more books from Elizabeth Penney.