Three Ring Threat

Antique Shop Mysteries #19

by Donna Kelly

The citizens of Somerset Harbor, Maine, are ready to step right up and enjoy the Circus de Vita, which is high-flying into the seaside village along with crisp fall weather. Considering the excitement radiating through town, Maggie Watson is surprised that her friend Ina Linton seems less than amused by the promise of three-ring thrills. In fact, when Ina receives a box full of 1950s-era circus memorabilia, her reaction is oddly stilted, and her unusual behavior mystifies Maggie.

The two women have no time to clown around, however, after they discover the body of Francesco Valli, a New York City reporter with a secretive mission. As the last two people to see him alive, Maggie and Ina feel compelled to investigate Francesco's death, but they must walk a dangerous tightrope as they daringly dig for clues. Does his murder have more to do with them than they could ever imagine?

Meanwhile, handsome James Bennett is juggling his alderman duties and his latest restoration project, as well as a new business partner, a sophisticated decorator who makes it clear she doesn't work for peanuts. When James starts acting strangely, Maggie wonders if Juliet's glamorous façade has him fooled. Is the suspicion troubling Maggie simply jealousy, or does the haughty designer have something to hide?

Maggie encounters mayhem and misdirection at every turn, and there's a mysterious ringleader seemingly calling the shots from the shadows. Maggie's fear goes from sideshow to main attraction when one of her closest friends pulls a disappearing act, and she'll jump through any hoops necessary to avoid a fatal grand finale. Can she keep up her death-defying performance long enough to prevent the big top from toppling down?

If Maggie isn't careful, the Circus de Vita could end up being the deadliest show on earth.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

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

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Antique Shop mysteries are written by several different authors about the same group of characters in the same setting. I don't know what editorial restrictions apply, but this one, my first by Kelly, is more suspenseful and more violent than most of the others I've read, but just about as shallow. It reinforces the lesson "neighbors good, strangers potentially sinister."

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

1/27/26 - 1/30/26
Three Ring Threat (Antique Shop Mysteries #19) by Donna Kelly
Was extremely disappointed as I drove a long way to purchase this series, and was not told a book was missing from the series. Book #18 is not included in my purchase… so this continuation of the series skips from nook 17 straight to book 19. This still involves Maggie and Somerset Harbor but focuses on Ins’s past with her good friend Hattie as they grew up and the Circus coming to town every summer. Ina witnessed something horrific the year Hattie stayed home sick. Not one to stand by she helped stop a bad thing from happening but always thought she created a what so thought a worse deed. So this mystery opens old wounds for Ina, but clears up answers for her and all threats are fixed by redemption of clearing up the past.

[Peggy Zeigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like all the Annie Attic Mystery books, and this one is good as well. I really like when more of the back stories of side characters are told, In this book, Ina, one of the main characters, Maggie's, friends, explains why she does not drive and why she doesn't like the circus. And the Charming alderman, James and Maggie are becoming more than friends, or are they? :) There is always a mystery to solve in Somerset Harbor, Maine.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This mystery kept me turning pages and staying up late.

A simple conversation with Ina & Maggie turned in to quite a mystery. A gentleman came to their table and asked if he could join them. Things start to happen and of course the two ladies get right in the middle of it all.

Enjoyed the mystery. It is a page turner.

[Debra McEathron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick cozy read involving a set of friends that like to solve mysteries. In This story the circus is coming to town after several years. Maggie and Ina see a murder and decide they need to help solve the case. It also involves Ina's past.

[Michaeline Skibinski Skibinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant characters and almost a quick read.

[Irene Marston · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best of this series