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A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery #10
Antiques Fate
Brandy Borne s eccentric mother, Vivian, has been invited to perform her one-woman show of "Macbeth" at the hamlet of Old York s Brit-flavored annual fete. Brandy, sensing a dramatic disaster, and savvy shih tzu Sushi, sensing doggy treats, tag along. Before the curtain goes up, an unscripted death occurs onstage. When a second victim makes a too-hasty exit from the mortal coil, Brandy and Vivian must step into the spotlight. But a calculating killer seems to be well-rehearsed for the Borne girls . . .
Don t miss Brandy Borne s tips on antiques fairs!
Praise for Barbara Allan and the Trash n Treasures Mysteries!
Scenes of Midwestern small-town life, informative tidbits about the antiques business, and clever dialog. "Library Journal"
The characters shine with brassy humor. "Publishers Weekly"
A madcap series with non-stop humor. "RT Book Reviews""
Don t miss Brandy Borne s tips on antiques fairs!
Praise for Barbara Allan and the Trash n Treasures Mysteries!
Scenes of Midwestern small-town life, informative tidbits about the antiques business, and clever dialog. "Library Journal"
The characters shine with brassy humor. "Publishers Weekly"
A madcap series with non-stop humor. "RT Book Reviews""
361 pages, Hardcover
First published April 26, 2016
66 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Allan
54 books187 followersBarbara Allan is a pseudonym used by Barbara Collins and Max Allan Collins
Max Allan Collins is a writer of mystery novels, screenplays, comics and historical fiction. Collins has collaborated on numerous short stories with his wife writer Barbara Collins. Together they also write the successful “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” mysteries – their Antiques Flee Market (2008) won the Romantic Times Best Humorous Mystery Novel award in 2009.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Max Allan Collins is a writer of mystery novels, screenplays, comics and historical fiction. Collins has collaborated on numerous short stories with his wife writer Barbara Collins. Together they also write the successful “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” mysteries – their Antiques Flee Market (2008) won the Romantic Times Best Humorous Mystery Novel award in 2009.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 4, 2018
Vivian and Brandy are at it again! A very good addition to this oftentimes humorous series.
January 5, 2020
Sometimes I chose a book that I expect to be a bit of light fluff when I am multitasking with this audiobook format. I was pleasantly surprised by this humorous and clever book. I'll look forward to more of Allan's books in this series.
April 28, 2016
Antiques Fate by Barbara Allan is the tenth book in the Trash n’ Treasure Mystery series. Brandy Borne is enjoying some quiet time with her boyfriend, Tony Cassato (Chief of Police in Serenity) when they are interrupted by Brandy’s mother, Vivian. Vivian is excited because she was just hired to perform her one woman MacBeth (with hats) at the Old York annual fete (the play is as ridiculous as it sounds). Vivian will perform at the New Vic Theater (replica of Old Victorian Theater in England) in Old York. Of course, this means that Brandy will be going to Old York with her mother. Brandy is the one who hands her mother the various hats and her designated driver (Vivian had her license taken away). They arrive in Old York and meet with the New Vic Theater owner, Millicent Marlowe (prefers Millie). Millie gives them a tour of the theater and they meet her grandson, Chad Marlow (Artistic Director for theater). Then Millie drops dead. Vivian uses her phone to contact Sheriff Rudder (who Vivian has on speed dial). Was Millie’s death accidental or intentional? Turns out that there is a controversy in the town. Millie was on the Boards of Trustees for the town which has six members. Half are for keeping the town quaint and old-fashioned (which draws in tourists). The other three members want to allow changes (modernization) to the town. With the vote always 3 to 3 nothing gets done. Is someone trying to change that outcome? Unfortunately, Millie’s death is just the first (three more to follow). Vivian decides she must investigate and insists that Brandy help her. Can they find the killer in time? Will people enjoy Vivian’s rendition of MacBeth?
Antiques Fate was just too ridiculous (daffy) for me to enjoy. Vivian’s character is extremely over-the-top (daft) and annoying. It is her way or the highway. The book is told from a first-person perspective mostly from Brandy’s point-of-view, but Vivian is allowed a few chapters to rant (mostly about herself and how she is right). Brandy comes across as a lackey doing her mother’s bidding. The mystery was the best part of the novel. It was complex with twists and turns (I loved it). It is a shame that the rest of the novel was not of the same standard. I just did not enjoy the ridiculousness (it just seemed farfetched). I give Antiques Fate 3 out of 5 stars (because of the mystery). I have tried to like this series, but it is just not for me (other people will love it). Antiques Fate can be read alone. The author does a good job of filling in the readers on the characters and what has happened previously (the main details). The ending leaves us with a clue on the sparks that will fly in the next novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Antiques Fate from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
Antiques Fate was just too ridiculous (daffy) for me to enjoy. Vivian’s character is extremely over-the-top (daft) and annoying. It is her way or the highway. The book is told from a first-person perspective mostly from Brandy’s point-of-view, but Vivian is allowed a few chapters to rant (mostly about herself and how she is right). Brandy comes across as a lackey doing her mother’s bidding. The mystery was the best part of the novel. It was complex with twists and turns (I loved it). It is a shame that the rest of the novel was not of the same standard. I just did not enjoy the ridiculousness (it just seemed farfetched). I give Antiques Fate 3 out of 5 stars (because of the mystery). I have tried to like this series, but it is just not for me (other people will love it). Antiques Fate can be read alone. The author does a good job of filling in the readers on the characters and what has happened previously (the main details). The ending leaves us with a clue on the sparks that will fly in the next novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Antiques Fate from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
March 15, 2016
The Borne ladies are at it again and this time they are deep in the middle of a bizarre murder spree.
Vivian Borne has been invited to perform her one man (one lady?) act at the neighboring town of Old York's annual fête. Of course Vivian is thrilled beyond belief to have been invited, in her humble opinion, it is about time someone has seen her for the true drama queen she truly is.
Brandy and her pooch Sushi are tagging along, after all someone has to keep things somewhat normal and this time Soosh has her paws full. In this quaint yet eccentric town, the vote to go modern is split, 3 for, 3 against. When certain members of the town committee begin to die, Vivian is determined to investigate and has no problem sticking her nose into everyone's business, creating havoc wherever she goes. Is Vivian right, can she really stop the murders and give her most challenging performance ever? Tune in to this fabulous addition to find out just how good of a performer the talented Vivian Borne truly is!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Vivian Borne has been invited to perform her one man (one lady?) act at the neighboring town of Old York's annual fête. Of course Vivian is thrilled beyond belief to have been invited, in her humble opinion, it is about time someone has seen her for the true drama queen she truly is.
Brandy and her pooch Sushi are tagging along, after all someone has to keep things somewhat normal and this time Soosh has her paws full. In this quaint yet eccentric town, the vote to go modern is split, 3 for, 3 against. When certain members of the town committee begin to die, Vivian is determined to investigate and has no problem sticking her nose into everyone's business, creating havoc wherever she goes. Is Vivian right, can she really stop the murders and give her most challenging performance ever? Tune in to this fabulous addition to find out just how good of a performer the talented Vivian Borne truly is!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
April 3, 2016
Brandy Borne and her mother Vivian are co-owners of an antique shop. They are also involved in putting on a Scottish Play. >>> Millicent Marlowe, theater owner was showing Vivian around her theater when Millicent suddenly collapsed and died. Believing her death to be suspicious, Vivian and Brandy decide to investigate along with Brandys boyfriend Tony Cassato, who is a chief of police, and chief Rudder who believe an autopsy would be prudent.>>> Was it an accidental overdose, a heart attack or was it murder? >>>Included are mothers "Trash and Treasure Tips" and two recipes. One for cheesecake and one for shepherds pie!!!! THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRSTREADS FOR THIS FREE BOOK!!!!
May 2, 2017
Another great mystery from this husband-wife writing team.
Our plucky sleuth and her daughter go to a town in Iowa where they conspicuously display their British heritage. There's the usual friction that every small town has. Then the murders start.
Good stuff. Lots of parody about all things British.
Our plucky sleuth and her daughter go to a town in Iowa where they conspicuously display their British heritage. There's the usual friction that every small town has. Then the murders start.
Good stuff. Lots of parody about all things British.
October 13, 2017
I checked this book out on a whim. I love Shih Tzu's (cover picture tempted me). I thought I had read a Barbara Allan several years ago and thought I liked it. I was in the Trash 'n' Treasures business. However, I think this is one of the silliest stories to which I have subjected myself. What's really irritating is that I finished reading it. Arg! Not recommending.
January 19, 2017
I love these books. It is always fun to read a light hearted mystery.
July 2, 2017
When I need a break from non-fiction and fiction that addresses issues, I like to read a cozy mystery. This series is good because it throws in tidbits about antiques, which I adore.
May 3, 2018
I wish I could give this book half a star.
This is the first Trash 'n Treasures mystery I've ever read, and if this is how they're written it'll also be the last. I picked it up because the cover looked interesting, and I enjoy a good mystery. You know what they say about judging a book by its cover.
Vivian, the mother, is one of the worst characters I've come across in a long time. she doesn't function well as a person; she's so unlikable that she comes across as unrealistic. If a real human being acted the way she acts, nobody would interact with them! Her reactions to people around her dying are either nonexistent or over the top, and she has all the tact and social grace of a rampaging elephant trampling through a crime scene. I feel bad for every character who has to interact with her (or I would, if those characters weren't also flatter than cardboard).
Beyond being a terrible character, she's even a bad literary device! There are certain chapters that are "written by her", meaning written in Vivian's voice, and they are INSUFFERABLE to read through. It's as if the authors actually want to punish you every few chapters or so for trying to read the book. She'll use "big words" followed by their definitions in parentheses, which slows the pace of reading to a crawl. There are also, in parentheses, "conversations" between the mother, the daughter, and "their editor" in which basically everyone is telling Vivian to shut up. This is supposed to be funny, a bit of humor between the writer(s) and the reader, but really it just comes off as obnoxious.
There was even a scene in the book in which characters in the book come up to Vivian, tell her what a huge fan they are of her writing, and say she should have more chapters to herself. I almost gagged.
Vivian, while by far the worst, is not the only bad thing about the book (But considering that she's one of the main two detectives and the driving force behind the novel, she's more than enough reason to avoid this series like the plague). All of the other characters were flat, boring, caricatures of real people. You find yourself not even caring how many people die or how, because they're expendable and uninteresting. On top of this, the clues might as well be presented to you in flashing red text; some of them are just told to you with a straight face by some characters. As if to say, "THIS IS A CLUE. PAY ATTENTION. DID YOU CATCH THAT?"
The most likable character in the whole thing is the actual policeman, Rudder. And I think the only reason for that is that he seems just as tired of all this garbage as I am. This book may have been trash, but it sure wasn't a treasure.
This is the first Trash 'n Treasures mystery I've ever read, and if this is how they're written it'll also be the last. I picked it up because the cover looked interesting, and I enjoy a good mystery. You know what they say about judging a book by its cover.
Vivian, the mother, is one of the worst characters I've come across in a long time. she doesn't function well as a person; she's so unlikable that she comes across as unrealistic. If a real human being acted the way she acts, nobody would interact with them! Her reactions to people around her dying are either nonexistent or over the top, and she has all the tact and social grace of a rampaging elephant trampling through a crime scene. I feel bad for every character who has to interact with her (or I would, if those characters weren't also flatter than cardboard).
Beyond being a terrible character, she's even a bad literary device! There are certain chapters that are "written by her", meaning written in Vivian's voice, and they are INSUFFERABLE to read through. It's as if the authors actually want to punish you every few chapters or so for trying to read the book. She'll use "big words" followed by their definitions in parentheses, which slows the pace of reading to a crawl. There are also, in parentheses, "conversations" between the mother, the daughter, and "their editor" in which basically everyone is telling Vivian to shut up. This is supposed to be funny, a bit of humor between the writer(s) and the reader, but really it just comes off as obnoxious.
There was even a scene in the book in which characters in the book come up to Vivian, tell her what a huge fan they are of her writing, and say she should have more chapters to herself. I almost gagged.
Vivian, while by far the worst, is not the only bad thing about the book (But considering that she's one of the main two detectives and the driving force behind the novel, she's more than enough reason to avoid this series like the plague). All of the other characters were flat, boring, caricatures of real people. You find yourself not even caring how many people die or how, because they're expendable and uninteresting. On top of this, the clues might as well be presented to you in flashing red text; some of them are just told to you with a straight face by some characters. As if to say, "THIS IS A CLUE. PAY ATTENTION. DID YOU CATCH THAT?"
The most likable character in the whole thing is the actual policeman, Rudder. And I think the only reason for that is that he seems just as tired of all this garbage as I am. This book may have been trash, but it sure wasn't a treasure.
February 17, 2018
Perfect Combination
An exciting multiple murder mystery set in a quaint and intriguing little English village themed town. The mother daughter heroines and their cute and insightful dog kept me wanting to read more by their funny dialogue and colorful vocabulary. To top it all off they have thespian roots and antique dealer know how. For the cherry on the cake this story offers simple yet delectable recipes you can actually try at home. Since this book has everything it came as no surprise the love interest of the story was the strong, supportive type who enjoys a snuggle by the fire after the excitement of the mystery is solved. Bring on more of the same. It was just what I needed to occupy my mind and relax after my long and demanding day of real life.
An exciting multiple murder mystery set in a quaint and intriguing little English village themed town. The mother daughter heroines and their cute and insightful dog kept me wanting to read more by their funny dialogue and colorful vocabulary. To top it all off they have thespian roots and antique dealer know how. For the cherry on the cake this story offers simple yet delectable recipes you can actually try at home. Since this book has everything it came as no surprise the love interest of the story was the strong, supportive type who enjoys a snuggle by the fire after the excitement of the mystery is solved. Bring on more of the same. It was just what I needed to occupy my mind and relax after my long and demanding day of real life.
January 23, 2020
A mother-daughter team works together to find and sell antiques after someone took advantage of her mother. When the mother gets invited to perform her one-woman show of Macbeth she ropes her daughter into helping her 1. go to the town to perform and 2. hand her her props. They end up putting on a very funny show that everyone loves, but at the same time, the mother feels the need to find out who is going around killing the members of the Board, who decide whether the town can go forward or are going to stay in the past.
I was not fond of the changing viewpoint from mother to daughter. It seemed to allow them to bicker in the book.
I was not fond of the changing viewpoint from mother to daughter. It seemed to allow them to bicker in the book.
March 12, 2023
I read a library book, and it happened to be a large print edition.
This is another fun installment with Viv taking her one-woman version of the Scottish Play up the road to a neighboring town. Trustees run the unincorporated hamlet that's stuck in the past, but are the trustees trustworthy? Viv leads the way in unraveling the reason three people are suddenly dead.
This is another well-plotted, fast-paced story told from both Brandy's and her mom Viv's points of view. Viv's comments are especially funny, but the quest for justice is real. I have such fun with this series - and I didn't recall this one as I read it, so it looks like I'm now ready to dive into the next new-to-me book!
This is another fun installment with Viv taking her one-woman version of the Scottish Play up the road to a neighboring town. Trustees run the unincorporated hamlet that's stuck in the past, but are the trustees trustworthy? Viv leads the way in unraveling the reason three people are suddenly dead.
This is another well-plotted, fast-paced story told from both Brandy's and her mom Viv's points of view. Viv's comments are especially funny, but the quest for justice is real. I have such fun with this series - and I didn't recall this one as I read it, so it looks like I'm now ready to dive into the next new-to-me book!
September 6, 2018
Have been reading through the entire series via my library. I like the variety of characters in each story; even though many of them turn up in each book, they are not at all static, which would be boring. I'd really like to see Vivian's one-woman "Scottish play," which would have to be hilarious, especially with Brandy's oh so reluctant assistance. The story takes them out of Serenity for a nice little change, into another location that is, itself, a major character. Of all the books so far, I like this one the best.
August 15, 2017
Brandy and her eccentric mother Vivian each write chapters of this book with notes from their editor in it so it makes a different kind of story. In this one Vivian has been invited to reform a one-woman show of Macbeth an the annual fete. There is an unexpected death on stage and later a second victim so Brandy and her mother set out to find the murderer.
April 29, 2019
As with the previous Antiques books the mother daughter duo find themselves involved in more murders. Mother of course thinks of herself as a female Nero Wolfe or Poirot. Daughter is once again involved with her police officer now that he is no longer in the witness protection program but will it last?
February 18, 2020
Bor-ing
Aside from the madcap mother, this books has so many boring people. I do not understand how a mother with this much personality and verve could raise a daughter that just floats along First one I've read and I will not waste my time on another. There are too many good books out there to spend time on mediocre.
Aside from the madcap mother, this books has so many boring people. I do not understand how a mother with this much personality and verve could raise a daughter that just floats along First one I've read and I will not waste my time on another. There are too many good books out there to spend time on mediocre.
May 20, 2022
Vivian Bourne takes the stage in the neighboring town of Old York during their annual fete. Brandy (her daughter) is with her as her assistant and of course Brandy's dog Sushi. It seems the town is at odds on bringing new business's to the town. The board is divided and when one of the members dies,
chaos reigns at the emergency meeting.
chaos reigns at the emergency meeting.
May 20, 2018
Funny and Entertaining
This is the first book that I have read written by Barbara Allen, and I can say I'm looking forward to reading more. Love the humor between mother and daughter. Not to mention recipes and antiquing tips!
This is the first book that I have read written by Barbara Allen, and I can say I'm looking forward to reading more. Love the humor between mother and daughter. Not to mention recipes and antiquing tips!
January 23, 2019
With a change of scenery to Old York, a quirky new story begins. The authors used the flip-side of Vivian's usual groups of gathering information, i.e., Juliet's instead of the Romeo's. I loved the tongue in cheek of this change.
February 26, 2019
This is not one of my favorite series, as the characters are just annoying. But this mystery was quite good and kept me engaged till the end. And no, I didn't figure it out. So that always makes it fun.
February 17, 2017
love the characters, the story was fun and unique- witty and charming..definitely one I will share m=with friends.
June 9, 2017
I enjoy this series. Looking forward to the next one.
July 19, 2018
These books are a fun read. The characters are very creative and quite distinctive. Enjoyable escape!!
September 7, 2018
as always this was a good fun read. Just what I look for in my reading material.
April 15, 2019
Another Hilarious Adventure! Love these books!
July 4, 2019
Busy killer
Bodies are falling all over in this book. I now wonder if brandy is any help at all resolving mysteries.
Bodies are falling all over in this book. I now wonder if brandy is any help at all resolving mysteries.
July 17, 2019
Same as Antiques Con (and all Trash'n'Treasures series)
December 31, 2019
A favorite series and a humorous read with a very satisfying mystery.
February 22, 2020
Funny. And includes a clear description of a Tombola, something repeatedly mentioned in British mysteries but I had no idea what it was.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews