Selling Dead People's Things: Inexplicably True Tales, Vintage Fails & Objects of Objectionable Estates

by Duane Scott Cerny

Selling Dead People’s Things is a wry, behind-the-curtain peek into the world of antiques and their obsessive owners—while still alive and after their passing.

An amusing observer of the human condition, author Duane Scott Cerny entertains in twenty-five life illuminating, scary, sad, or frightfully funny resale tales and essays.

“You just can’t say to the bereaved, ‘I’m sorry for your loss, but are those crucifixes for sale?’ (Well, you can, but it’s how you say it.)”

Whether processing the estate of a hoarding beekeeper, disassembling the retro remains of an infamous haunted hospital, or conducting an impromptu appraisal during a shiva gone disturbingly wrong, every day is a twisted treasure hunt for this twenty-first century antiques dealer.

“Like it or knot the noose, but everyone is an estate sale waiting to happen.”

While digging deep into the basements, attics, and souls of the most interesting collectors imaginable, traveling from one odd house call to the curious next, resale predicaments will confound your every turn.

So be careful where you step, watch what you touch, and gird your heart—Antiques Roadshow, this ain’t!

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Essays, Death, Biography, Adult, Humor

292 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2018

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being female, I believe that this book has brought me the closest to understanding erectile dysfunction as I will ever get; I just couldn't keep it up. Each reading attempt inevitably found both me and my Kindle fast asleep. I struggled through to chapter 16 and finally gave up, adding the title to my DNF list. While I actually enjoyed the stories (that I managed to read), the writing style left something to be desired. For me, the book felt like it was written in pieces and then just squished together quickly to form a book. Most chapters were in first person, but then oddly a few were third person with a few paragraphs of first person narrative within the third person chapter. Being categorized as a biography/memoir, this was very confusing to me. I would not recommend this book unless you are in need of some reading induced narcolepsy.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

I've always had an interest in antiques and the people that inhabit the antiques world, without owning anything of real note myself. Well I understand the need of the collector, to fill that void with things! To complete a set, even if you don't know it when you begin. I loved reading about Duane and his various encounters, although there were times I wished more was explained and the stories didn't jump around so much. I am such a complete noob to antiques (haha!) that I needed more information on what made things valuable/why. All I know is books from my own personal experience and working in Op Shops.

There are some real gems of stories here, but I admit some held my attention better than others. I liked the comical way Duane described some situations, even if I wasn't sure if they were the same quality as some of the other stories; for example I greatly enjoyed the story of the older lady with the mysterious item for sale, but not so much the Ventriloquist at the party story or the cleaning up the hoarder's house. Still though, I think the good stories outweighed the bad, and maybe the stories I didn't enjoy as much will appeal to others.

All I can say at the finish is; I want more! More stories, more explanations and that isn't a bad thing. Second book in a row where I've felt like the author has more to say and should publish another book. Really enjoyable, five stars!

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect summer read, especially with it being estate sale and flea market season. As someone who lives in chicago and has been doing the vintage hunt in this city, it was great to get more intimate stories about the cities more eccentric history. You don’t just have to live here to appreciate the experiences, of you love the hunt and satisfaction of looking for vintage and antiques, this book is for you.

[Judy Sheluk · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can't judge a book by it's cover, so I was willing to overlook the absolutely horrible cover and really hoped I would enjoy this collection of short essays -- or that it would live up to its somewhat off-putting title. Instead, I found it to be more of a memoir than a look inside the estate sales business. That would have been fine -- Cerny has led an interesting, entrepreneurial life -- except the stories are an uneven mix of present tense and past tense, some are chronological, some are not. The end result was a collection that was hard to connect with. In addition, the author's attempt at humor often falls flat -- he's just trying too hard to be funny. That said, there are a few enjoyable tales in here: if you're willing to overlook the poor editing and haphazard compilation, you might well enjoy this look inside one man's life in the vintage/antiques business.
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Lou Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book cover totally mismatched for the contents of this book. A quaint old dusty shop would have sufficed.

Engaging stories of encounters with eccentric people and their memorabilia. The author’s descriptions in Chapter 3 of “liturgical loot” in one house set the tone for the rest of the book. And I was hooked !

[Keith Chawgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duane Scott Cerny debut of vignettes of his life and interests in antique world is a treasure trove of very funny and often heart felt memories gather together in one volume. The author has an incredible wit that lends itself to the material and has a talent for displaying these within the pages.

This is an ideal find for any reader who is looking at real life experiences and dealing with people on a day to day basis. It shows craftsmanship to be able to tell these stories without falling into the over dramatic and he lets these people’s and stories flourish. The humour of dealing with people and their collection is told with a heart-warming reminiscence that warms the cockles of the heart.

Cerny’s ability to make you see and live through these people is a real talent and he has captured this with the utmost respect even to those he doesn’t always get respect from. He chronicalises his novel from the start of his interests and takes us to the present day and even though these stories could be read as stand alone as each is very strong to be sold into magazine articles, etc, it also works as a collection which is very hard to find in books of this nature. This tells you what a deep and interesting talent Cerny is.

There are a couple of stories that veer into the supernatural which are interesting and these caught me off my guard. The author steers the reader in one direction and that takes a right turn that fits within the confines of the story he is giving.

Richly written, thought provoking and a must for any reader for a taste of the norm and not so norm. He captures his subject matter in their natural habitat and he will not let you go until you read the final words written. A gold mine of entertainment that I highly recommend for every and all readers. A fantastic treat.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duane Scott Cerny is an antiques dealer, and one whose name I am shocked hasn't come up more often in all of my mid-century meanderings. In this series of loosely connected essays, Cerny describes how he came to be the owner of Broadway Antiques Market in Chicago (formerly Wrigleyville Antique Mall, also in Chicago) after his humble beginnings as a schoolboy dealing in Playboy ephemera. He is a skilled antiques dealer with a keen eye, and his stories about a wide variety of estate sales, appraisals, and colorful characters are not to be missed.

There are bits of the book that could still use some polish, and I wish that Cerny spent less time telling sort-of ghost stories and talking taxidermy or Eames chairs (though a few of the ghost stories are wonderful), but overall, this is a book that is worth reading if you are a collector of just about any sort.

I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I picked this book by its cover. Not a good move this time. The cover picture had nothing to do really with the text inside of the cover. The book was ok for what it is about. But at time is was disjointed and it seemed like Duane Cerny rambled on. Chapter 3 really made little since to me other then the fact that he would of loved there to have been a yard sale after the deaths of the sister but there was not, so why have a whole chapter on it.

The book is about Duane Scott Cerny's love of vintage, antiques, and thift stores. I love all 3 things as well. He is a collector and seller of as the book is named Dead People's Things. His love for vintage started as a child, on his front porch buying, selling, and trading his friends old cast off toys. The book follows him from Childhood to adulthood and his life long hobby and career in the 2nd hand business.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I requested this book to read and review, I had thought it was going to be a paranormal type story but it is far different than I anticipated. It is, in fact, about the world of antique dealing and the often hilarious tales the author has acquired over years of observation in the field.
I found the tales amusing and often laugh out loud funny but in a respectful way to those who have passed on. The book was well written and was arranged in such a way as to make me feel I was sitting across from the author listening to his experiences.

[Lisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cerny, who is a professional antiques buyer and estate liquidator, offers behind the scenes glimpses of the material worlds people leave when they die: their hoarding, secret hobbies, sexual habits, financial secrets and guilty pleasures. Not all the short essays are winners, but there are a couple of gems, probably much like most estate sales.

[Tara Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to both NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this title, Selling Dead People's Things.
I found this the most fascinating read. The descriptions of the objects themselves are lovingly written. Cerny's sense of humour and wit in telling his experiences and the people he's met along the way is endearing and make you keep reading; it's like sitting over drinks with a friends, who happens to sell haunted desks and multiple-headed taxidermy. It's a wild ride, engaging and enjoyable and, at times, very poignant. I've recommended it widely and asked our library service purchase it.
I think the cover should be changed, though. It's too Hammer horror for the book and it would appeal to a wider audience than would pick it up with what it has.

[Mer Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah so in conclusion idk the last time I read a book that made me cry this much and teach me to find beauty and life in new places, figurative and literal. I think it also has prompted me to consume Edgewater CNF and history at an unprecedented rate. Lastly I fear my vintage buying has been enabled in new and innovative ways as well.

[Mary Lou Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Learned a lot about vintage stuff

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining book of vignettes and essays about life as a dealer of antiques and vintage items. It was equal parts funny and poignant and was written in a breezy, colloquial voice that I found very engaging. As with all such collections, some pieces worked better than others, but I enjoyed the book as a whole very much and have added the author's store in Chicago to my list of places to visit.

This review was based on an ARC ebook received in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Joshua Ginsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading independently published books seems to me a lot like vintage and curio shopping (and I do a good bit of both). If you’re like me, that means spending countless hours closely examining things that don't always strike your fancy, but you continue to do it because you know that somewhere hidden under that cover or lid is some truly astounding treasure awaiting your discovery. Selling Dead People’s Things by Duane Scott Cerny is that rare gem, it’s the original Highway Men painting tucked away in some bin at the back of a St. Petersburg garage sale. Really, it’s that good.
Collectors are a curious lot, all of whom, for reasons each their own, compulsively return time and time again to that place where obsessions and possessions intersect. Quite possibly no one knows this better than Cerny, who has built an extraordinary career on his keen attunement to such ordinary madness – those (often weirdly) specific needs and desires of his mentors, neighbors, classmates, colleagues and customers. Given his unique window into what motivates his buyers and sellers, maybe its not entirely surprising that what emerges from the pages of his book is hard-earned wisdom, a straight-razor-sharp wit, and a cast of characters more memorably peculiar than any ever assembled in a David Lynch film.

A brief list of those individuals includes the inimitable Hy Roth (an illustrator who rather than telling former bosses what to go do with themselves drew them detailed diagrams) and his Goth goddess wife Marilyn, an elderly collector in the market for muscle magazines and dentures, an octogenarian ventriloquist and his foul-mouthed, disgruntled dummy, and two very large sisters who may or may not have been the descendants of Mussolini’s gardener.

Then there are the objects themselves, every bit as fascinating as the people connected to them. From part of an iconic jet plane under a porch, to a menagerie of stuffed, two-headed animals, a haunted desk, and what might be the only surviving program from the Iroquois Theater the day it burned down.

Really though, this is a book about more than just things and their people. While Cerny never lets us lose sight of the fact that vintage is a business, beneath the clatter of cold, hard cash, he offers us glimpses of something far softer. Tender, actually. Even as he presents us with a seemingly endless variety of reinventions and resurrections, he reminds us that the prerequisite of each of these is a death. Virtually all of the stories in the book begin where some other person, place or thing has ended. In light of this it would be hard not to reach the conclusion that after all the countless transactions have been conducted, all the many lives altered for what they’ve gained or lost, what remains is the single greatest collection of all – the stories they leave behind.

[Jays · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun little digression into the world of second-hand and antiques markets that does a really nice job of showcasing how that world and the characters who inhabit it can be at turns odd, eerie, entertaining, funny, and sometimes creepy as hell. Which is another way of saying it is inadvertently also a really good collection of stories about Chicago history, particularly of those Chicago characters who don't typically get written about in history books.

The thing I enjoyed most in this book was reading about the various dealers and collectors the author has worked with over the years and how much they intentionally or unintentionally carry these tiny little epics of Chicago stories with them. That includes the man who kept original mockups and printing pieces from the very earliest Playboy magazines (Playboy was founded and based in Chicago before Hef went all Hollywood) to the old woman who has kept a very rare relic of one of the most infamous disasters in Chicago history in a drawer and never told anyone about it. Chicago, like lots of big cities, is chock full of Characters - people who you just can't believe really exist until you meet them. We never learn about most of them outside of neighborhood legends, so it was fascinating to see so many of these larger than life people turn up in this book and get to know who they were a little better.

There are also a few good creepy stories in here as well, which I suppose is unavoidable when you're in a profession that relies on the dead for its survival. There are unexplained events happening during excursions to find old items to sell; there's a rambling, rundown mansion where half of the doors to its rooms have been nailed shut by an old woman who might have been up to something murderous; an excursion into an abandoned hospital that is rumored to have once been run by a mad scientist who wasn't above torture to glean medical knowledge; there's even a possibly possessed ventriloquist doll that may be slowly killing its human owner.

So yeah, it's a fun little book. Nothing too serious. Ironically, given the subject matter and the title, nothing that is life or death in the thematic sense. But definitely a peek into world that isn't exactly hidden but also sort of exists underneath most of our day-to-day lives.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to request "Selling Dead People's Things" after reading the blurb. My love of antiques and second hand stores - any book revolving around them, be it nonfiction or a murder mystery (think Garage Sale mysteries) gets my attention. From the introduction, I was hooked. The voice grabbed me from the beginning to the end. As I started his book and found out that he is from Chicago, I was reminded of one of my favorite movies, While You Were Sleeping" - the family business motto "We buy dead people's furniture". We all gather stuff throughout our lives and all of our stuff makes sense to us. For those who come after us, having the task of dealing with that stuff, it's usually a big mystery, food for thought. A glimpse that leads to so much speculation.
It can be a bit confusing if you, the reader, picked up this volume and expected it to be written as one fluid story/memoir. It's a bit choppy from one chapter to the next until you get used to the reason - it's stories strung together, each one to be enjoyed, savored and on to the next one. Yes, some are better than others but, then, aren't the chapters of anyone's life the same way? What one comes away with is we all have stuff, it's all a mystery as to why we had the stuff and, at the end, someone like Duane Scott Cerny may come along and help our treasured stuff on its journey. Whether it's political buttons that tell an entire life story known to a few before Duane came along to hear it told or others that will puzzle people and let them imagine the stories these items can never speak, this book was a pleasure to read. If I lived in Chicago I'd be a regular customer, happy to let other peoples treasures hint at their stories.
My thanks to the publisher Thunderground Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sandra Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for everyone, but if you are one of those people that had a "collector" for a parent, or that you yourself collect, this book may be for you.
The title, "Selling Dead People's Things", is somewhat missleading as is the cover picture, the subtitle is more to the core of the book, "Inexplicably True Tales, Vintage Fails & Objects of Objectionable Estates." It is more about the feelings and stories that go along with objects.
The author writing style is great fun, filled with puns and cultural references. Only a few of the essays fell flat, for me.
So enter into the world of a vintage collector and seller. The book is made up of mostly unrelated stories of about colossal finds and losses, but more it is about the connection we hold dear to an object. It seems that a collector has a closer link to the after life than most of us, which provided for some very interesting stories.
Incredible stories of lives wrapped up in one simple object such as a playbill from a play" The author surmises, "This is no longer about the purchase of a rare theater program. Perhaps it never was. Clearly a story needed to be told, even if a very valuable object was not ready to be sold. And we are fine with that."
The book also has a lot on commentary on dealing with people, at their best, at their last breath, and at their worst.

"Doing the right thing shouldn't be this difficult, though sadly, it often is."
"So often in life we ask ourselves, "What is the right thing to do?" Usually we have no answer, and we fall forward none the less. I think life sometimes has to figure itself out, and we're merely along for the ride."

And I enjoyed being along for the ride.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I really enjoyed this collection of stories. What really surprised me from the start was just how far back he was willing to write about - from his childhood beginnings in reselling items that were no longer wanted. I think that the depth given to the stories about certain objects, not just Cerny’s connection but the people who used to own the objects and their own stories made it more than a random list of objects that could otherwise be considered “junk”.

With that in mind, there were a few stories/items were I wouldn’t have thought twice about them being some random item at a tag/estate sale, but the stories that Cerny provided also makes the reader more introspective to the items people value and what makes something more important.

I lowered the rating because a few of the stories dragged a bit for me - this being more of a personal matter rather than something inherently wrong with the text. I would go into this acknowledging that not all stories will be the readers favorites, but there are a whole bunch that will. Also, the cover, while pretty interesting and one of the first things that drew me into this book, is a bit of false advertising. While the stories do mention owners who had passed away, there wasn’t a “horror-y” vibe like the cover art would suggest.

Final notes:
Told in first person narration style, with third person storytelling [if that makes any sense at all…]
The cover doesn’t match the feel you get from the stories [not horror]
Inclusive of all personal background [LGBT*]

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps I enjoyed this book because I’ve been peripherally involved in the business of Selling Dead (and not dead) People’s Things for about a dozen years.

As a seller of vintage goods, Cerny obviously understands the power of curating. The collection of stories he offers here encompasses the spooky to the spurious, the miserly to the mysterious, the curious to the confounding.

And throughout his narration he maintains an admiration for all the characters he has met and the stories they have to offer. At times that admiration topples into unbridled and completely contagious fan-girl giddiness.

But you don’t need to be in the business of resale to enjoy these yarns. Cerny also opens a window into our very human desire to possess Things and our sometimes very personal relationship with Stuff. Of course he also understands that these Things and that Stuff is often designed and built to be longer-lived than we are. We become merely the Keepers, and our mortality is certain. But a Sherman brooch or an Eames lounger can last forever.

“... everyone is an estate sale waiting to happen.”

[Granger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I judged this book by its cover. I expected this to be a bit more about people and their connection to their things, interesting tales of history and what it’s like handling objects from the past, learning of their stories. Instead, this was more of a quirky memoir with some “funny” tales and oddball characters met during the author’s career. If that’s what you’re expecting, great. The writing is well done (ignoring more than one typo encountered), but the author strikes me as rather disrespectful of almost everyone he talks about. He describes elderly people as “ancient” and “waiting to turn to dust” and “dolling up his ancient face like a mortician making up a corpse.” This is an author whose work is supposed to respect all things old. He describes a woman—who is complaining after having just experienced a sexually inappropriate remark by someone the author himself hired, as “departing with a look that nearly cracks $50K worth of Botox.” There are countless other examples. Why write about people like this? So insulting. It seems to be his sense of humor, injected all throughout the book. Doesn’t work for me, and I’m not sure what audience this is meant for.

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, the creepy cover drew me in, and had very little to do with the content of the book, although I definitely enjoyed the otherworldly chapters. Read as an audiobook, and I have to say that although an author reading their own work is special, I struggled with Duane's accent at first. Also, and I freely admit this is nitpicky, there was background noise in the audio, mostly noticeable at higher volumes, such as in the car where I'm fighting road noise. It sounded as if the reader was eating or drinking, or maybe had loose dentures? Anyway, if you hate mouth noises, beware of this audiobook.

The content of the book was amazing, and I fully fell in love with Duane by the end, regardless of qualms about accent or mouth noises. This book was clearly a reflection of his life's work of holding the stories of the past, and giving them to the present. I laughed aloud many times, and I do hope the fellow driver at the train crossing wasn't worried for my sanity as I laughed hysterically and repeated "haunted balls". Duane's writing style was wonderful and I cannot wait to buy his other book.

[Tim Fitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Object Has A Story

I walk past Broadway Antique Market almost every single day, and I have been lucky enough to explore its collection many times, and I continuously find myself impressed with the place.

In the window, there is a small display stand and stack of books that always caught my eye. It was about dead people’s things, and that interested me because I had recently read a book about cemeteries. I thought the book looked interesting so I bought it to read on Kindle. (Probably should’ve just walked in, but who has the time??)

Finding out this book was written by the owner / curator of the BAM was a pleasant surprise, and the local history mixed with humor and antique insight of the various vignettes made an interesting read to me. Was perfect for a 3hr flight both ways.

Love to appreciate local history, local stories, and local business (or at least interesting stories from local businesses) There’s a ton of fun stuff in here and the various supernatural, perspective changes, and other narrative jumps didn’t bother me but rather drew me in to the life of a treasure hunter, because that’s what this is.

[John Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

People that need to read this book:
You.
Your (insert any family member here).
And (everyone else).
I was recently in Chicago and went to super cool antique store with my wife and three lifelong friends. Everyone (but me) bought something. Book horder that I am, I saw a stack of books on the counter and slid one over as everyone was checking out. I was not the one leaving empty handed and thrilled to have another free book! I separated it from their collection of trivial odds and ends and tucked it away for further reading. My slight of hand opened a Pandora's Box of stories that will haunt me and my gift-recipient friends (yes, you're getting a copy of this for Xmas) for years to come. A+ Mr Cerny.
Incidentally, the author was also the owner of the antique store and these stories are the stories of his life as a dealer of dead people's things.
Terrifying. Bizarre. Supernatural.
Welcome to the world of two-headed cows, ghosts, midgets, ventriloquists, pornography, and everything in between.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’know what? Considering I saw the title of this book on a tumblr post about a vintage telegram sent from a woman whose fella was cheating on her.....this book was really good!

It’s a look behind the curtain into the world of antique dealing through estate sales or just standard sales as well as looking at the weird and wonderful people that make that world what it is. What is lovely about the book is that Cerny focuses on the human aspect of it all, telling the story of the people who owned the objects he comes into contact with, telling their stories to keep their memories alive.

It’s also a fascinating look at life in Chicago during the 80’s and 90’s and features a wide ranging and wild cast of colourful characters who can make you laugh and smile. While I have to confess, the cover freaked me out a bit, I am so glad that I read this.

Highly recommended, even if you have no interest in antiques, because the human element is what makes it so much more interesting.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

Before I say anything about the book itself, I first have to point out that this may be one of the worst book covers in the history of book covers. As a vintage reseller myself, I understand how one has to approach the process with compassion and respect for the dead, a theme that Cerny establishes beautifully throughout the book, and this cover undermines all of that with it's weird horror vibes. Ugh...so bad. That said, we can't judge the book by its cover, and the stories within are, for the most part, pretty delightful. I really enjoyed learning about Cerny's history in the business, and the stories he has to tell are at times hysterical, often moving, and sometimes a bit too far-fetched. There were a few tales that fell a bit flat, but many of them were entertaining enough to make up for that. I'm not sure if the book would hit the same for somebody not involved in the world of vintage reselling, but for my part, I enjoyed it.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging, witty, and often poignant memoir of life in the selling business. Cerny began dealing in desired goods at a young age, thanks to his dad's connections to Playboy magazine, and from there developed the famous BAM in Chicago, an antiques shop full of wonders and delights, particularly mid-century modern furniture. Cerny tells tales of pieces he bought and sold, pieces he couldn't buy, and pieces he couldn't wait to get rid of--the later category including a variety of haunted objects.

My only quarrel with the book is the cover design. I'd give this book to everyone I know who's ever been interested in collecting, old stuff, or Chicago history, but the gruesome cover will be a turn off to a lot of potential readers.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duane Cerny takes us on a walk through his vintage sales and adventures in digging through the lives of those who have passed. While some of the many people are simply looking for extra cash to get through the tough times in the lives, most are families who are overwhelmed with the many "treasures" that were accumulated over a lifetime.

This was a walk through the funny, the spine-tingling, and sad lives of those who collected, stored, and then - left everything behind for the next person to go through and make the best of.

This was a good book. There were a few things that kind of downed the book for me a bit, but overall I found it enjoyable and funny to read through.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley

I appreciated the book for it's entertaining tidbits however I would have preferred the book to be in chronological order. I was very confused on chapter 16 with the writing desk as it felt different from the entire book as though it had been done at a totally different time than the rest of the book. I still don't get why he kept hanging up on her, it was just odd and did not fit in with the rest of the book.

The glimpses into the world of estate sales and antiques was intriguing and it is a book I would recommend to people I know who enjoy going to flea markets and in general the stories behind objects.

[Britt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book could have been good if it was given more thought. The author is a famous antiques dealer who has lived an interesting life scouring old mansions, small hoarder apartments, and abandoned hospitals for wares to sell at his shop. Some of the stories are interesting, but honestly, many felt exaggerated and even flat out lies (those ridiculous ghost stories). The biggest issue is the book is just poorly organized with random stories thrown together and a cover that is totally mismatched with the content.