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Whodunit Antiques #1
Secrets in a Bottle
Abigail Lane is a petite spitfire and proud owner of a Great Dane twice her size. She's been struggling to make it in Boston when a call beckons her down to the cozy seaside town of Wallace Point. Now's her chance to meet a grandmother she never knew--if Grandma survives, that is!
Grandma is in a coma after an apparent break-in at her antique store, leaving Abigail to run Whodunit Antiques in her absence. The locals are very protective of Grandma, their de facto town matriarch, making Abigail wonder... just who is this woman?
When Grandma wakes up, a mystery unfolds, starting with a dead body, a broken ship in a bottle, and a historical maritime rivalry. Will Abigail uncover the centuries-old secret that put Grandma in the hospital? And will Abigail learn why her mother kept her away from Grandma for all these years?
The Whodunit Antiques series is fun, quirky, and, most importantly, cozy! So settle into your favorite chair, preferably with a cup of hot cocoa in hand, and get ready to escape into a town whose residents are always up to mischief, and where pirates run amok.
Grandma is in a coma after an apparent break-in at her antique store, leaving Abigail to run Whodunit Antiques in her absence. The locals are very protective of Grandma, their de facto town matriarch, making Abigail wonder... just who is this woman?
When Grandma wakes up, a mystery unfolds, starting with a dead body, a broken ship in a bottle, and a historical maritime rivalry. Will Abigail uncover the centuries-old secret that put Grandma in the hospital? And will Abigail learn why her mother kept her away from Grandma for all these years?
The Whodunit Antiques series is fun, quirky, and, most importantly, cozy! So settle into your favorite chair, preferably with a cup of hot cocoa in hand, and get ready to escape into a town whose residents are always up to mischief, and where pirates run amok.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2019
1470 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
November 29, 2020
As the ship sails
A fun cozy mystery. When her Grandmother is injured and in the hospital, Abigail receives a call from her mother to check on the Grandma she didn't know. A heart warming story and an exciting adventure for the two begins.
A fun cozy mystery. When her Grandmother is injured and in the hospital, Abigail receives a call from her mother to check on the Grandma she didn't know. A heart warming story and an exciting adventure for the two begins.
January 29, 2019
Something about this cover (ok the cute dogs) really spoke to me when I bought this book, and I liked the Whodunit part of the title. I was definitely not disappointed! It was fun, funny and had a sweet, heartwarming outcome.
Abigail Lane took a leave from her job when her mother (she's complicated lol) asked her to go check on her Grandma in Wallace Point, Delaware's hospital. Grandma was far from dying as everyone in town had thought. She had simply tripped over a dead body and hit her head. When a body was found in the ocean, Grandma and Abigail both wondered if it could be the same one.
Grandma and Abigail made such a cute sleuthing duo! They were never really in any danger and since the sheriff was sweet on Grandma, he sometimes released little nuggets of information to them. Abigail was quickly finding out that this town was a lot more interesting than her dull insurance job back in Boston, especially when the murder may have had something to do with a treasure map.
I really loved this little town and its assortment of characters. Sally's dad was a hoot, Sally would be a great best friend to have, and Abigail even met a sweet guy who after all was said and done, decided to follow his dream. I'm really anxious now for more in this series! Thor was such an adorable-sounding Great Dane. His howls and sounds he made were like conversation, even though Grandma's little Shih Tzu Missy was not impressed by him. Can't wait for the next book!
Abigail Lane took a leave from her job when her mother (she's complicated lol) asked her to go check on her Grandma in Wallace Point, Delaware's hospital. Grandma was far from dying as everyone in town had thought. She had simply tripped over a dead body and hit her head. When a body was found in the ocean, Grandma and Abigail both wondered if it could be the same one.
Grandma and Abigail made such a cute sleuthing duo! They were never really in any danger and since the sheriff was sweet on Grandma, he sometimes released little nuggets of information to them. Abigail was quickly finding out that this town was a lot more interesting than her dull insurance job back in Boston, especially when the murder may have had something to do with a treasure map.
I really loved this little town and its assortment of characters. Sally's dad was a hoot, Sally would be a great best friend to have, and Abigail even met a sweet guy who after all was said and done, decided to follow his dream. I'm really anxious now for more in this series! Thor was such an adorable-sounding Great Dane. His howls and sounds he made were like conversation, even though Grandma's little Shih Tzu Missy was not impressed by him. Can't wait for the next book!
March 29, 2019
Great start for th series, ready to read the next.
May 19, 2019
Grandma and Whodunit Antiques
A fun little mystery in a small town. Abigail and her Grandma make a great sleuthing team. Loved This and Missy, too.
A fun little mystery in a small town. Abigail and her Grandma make a great sleuthing team. Loved This and Missy, too.
April 30, 2019
The characters are both loveable and believable, much more so than in many other books in this genre.
November 28, 2020
Adorable!
What a sweet new series (at least to me its new). I love dogs and to have them in the stories makes it even better. This story is sweet and I can't wait to read more about this big city girl who comes to the small town and figures out what happened to and in her grandmothers store.
What a sweet new series (at least to me its new). I love dogs and to have them in the stories makes it even better. This story is sweet and I can't wait to read more about this big city girl who comes to the small town and figures out what happened to and in her grandmothers store.
March 14, 2019
Bottle
This book's spacing is off. Paragraphs are separated by at least two line spaces. Paragraphs are choppy, sometimes consisting of one sentence. This format drive me batty. This author needs a good editor to help her make these books reader friendly.
This book's spacing is off. Paragraphs are separated by at least two line spaces. Paragraphs are choppy, sometimes consisting of one sentence. This format drive me batty. This author needs a good editor to help her make these books reader friendly.
September 11, 2020
An enjoyable cozy mystery with interesting characters.
July 2, 2021
Kindle unlimited
So many books have what seems to be interesting premise but do not end up that way, and after the lately almost did not stick with this one. Thought about give a 5 but no, but more likely residual ugh suck from the others, and since said was a book 2 guess will find out but 4 will do..
So many books have what seems to be interesting premise but do not end up that way, and after the lately almost did not stick with this one. Thought about give a 5 but no, but more likely residual ugh suck from the others, and since said was a book 2 guess will find out but 4 will do..
August 5, 2020
Two and a half stars for ambivalence
Abigail is unlikable and self-centered. She knows nothing about her family until her equally obnoxious mother informs her that her grandmother is in the hospital. Abigail's responses upon arrival are to: resent a kind person for having a relationship with her grandmother; want the hospital room cleared (including the doctor) so that she can be alone with Grandma; and ban someone from Grandma's business because he rubbed her the wrong way. She also seems to judge people based on their ancestry. Abigail later shows genuine caring for Grandma, but the complete lack of respect for her mother is not addressed. The supporting characters are colorless, and what's with all the unnecessary stammering?! The basis of the mystery is imaginative, but it's handled in a silly manner and law enforcement is represented by incompetents. Abigail's family history offers potential for intrigue and dimension in future installments in the series; however, the author hasn't shown that capability. This reader is willing to give Book Two a chance.
Abigail is unlikable and self-centered. She knows nothing about her family until her equally obnoxious mother informs her that her grandmother is in the hospital. Abigail's responses upon arrival are to: resent a kind person for having a relationship with her grandmother; want the hospital room cleared (including the doctor) so that she can be alone with Grandma; and ban someone from Grandma's business because he rubbed her the wrong way. She also seems to judge people based on their ancestry. Abigail later shows genuine caring for Grandma, but the complete lack of respect for her mother is not addressed. The supporting characters are colorless, and what's with all the unnecessary stammering?! The basis of the mystery is imaginative, but it's handled in a silly manner and law enforcement is represented by incompetents. Abigail's family history offers potential for intrigue and dimension in future installments in the series; however, the author hasn't shown that capability. This reader is willing to give Book Two a chance.
January 18, 2019
Fun, quirky pirate adventure
A smashing read. Reads a bit like Nancy Drew meets the Pirates of the Caribbean. Fun, light and quirky with a nice twist at the end. The characters carry on the theme and make it one that you want to read.
When she gets a voicemail message from her mother that her grandma is in hospital. She quickly packs up and races to meet her. Her mother hadn't told her anything about her family, so this was an opportunity she couldn't miss. Travelling with a Great Danes could be tricky especially in a small car. When she gets there she not only finds a new friend but her Grandmother is believed to have been attacked and is now in a coma. Throw in a small dog, an antique store, her Grandma's insatiable curiosity, a dead body, a treasure map and a long running feud. Can she find the real culprit? Will she go back? Who is her father? Why did the family split?
A smashing read. Reads a bit like Nancy Drew meets the Pirates of the Caribbean. Fun, light and quirky with a nice twist at the end. The characters carry on the theme and make it one that you want to read.
When she gets a voicemail message from her mother that her grandma is in hospital. She quickly packs up and races to meet her. Her mother hadn't told her anything about her family, so this was an opportunity she couldn't miss. Travelling with a Great Danes could be tricky especially in a small car. When she gets there she not only finds a new friend but her Grandmother is believed to have been attacked and is now in a coma. Throw in a small dog, an antique store, her Grandma's insatiable curiosity, a dead body, a treasure map and a long running feud. Can she find the real culprit? Will she go back? Who is her father? Why did the family split?
January 24, 2019
Families are weird. Abigail didn't even know she had a grandmother, but finding out is about to change her life...
I told myself I wouldn't start a new series this year - no, too much on my plate already. But who could resist that title, that cover? Not me. And it didn't let me down. I love the idea of an antique shop that investigates the background of its stock - so much scope for mysteries. The two mismatched dogs are adorable. As for the families of this small coastal town, besides the sweet but feisty grandmother we have a flighty mother (off-stage), a flamboyant father, a pair of unlovely cousins, and the mild-mannered descendants of the town's famous feuding families, the pirates and the whalers. This is the background for a murder case that revolves around a historical mystery.
I told myself I wouldn't start a new series this year - no, too much on my plate already. But who could resist that title, that cover? Not me. And it didn't let me down. I love the idea of an antique shop that investigates the background of its stock - so much scope for mysteries. The two mismatched dogs are adorable. As for the families of this small coastal town, besides the sweet but feisty grandmother we have a flighty mother (off-stage), a flamboyant father, a pair of unlovely cousins, and the mild-mannered descendants of the town's famous feuding families, the pirates and the whalers. This is the background for a murder case that revolves around a historical mystery.
July 18, 2019
Pretty cheesy
I'm all for quick reads with minimal character development but this was a little too much so for me. I hope the author does better in future books but I don't think I'll read them.
I'm all for quick reads with minimal character development but this was a little too much so for me. I hope the author does better in future books but I don't think I'll read them.
January 5, 2021
Loved the characters and the story.
July 31, 2020
Abigail doesn't understand why her mother's been disconnected from her parents for years; her mother has refused to talk about them or give any details. She doesn't know if either of them are alive until one day her mother phones her and says, "Your grandmother's been hurt. You should go see her." Abigail has a flexible job as an insurance investigator, so takes a week off work and goes to meet this person she didn't know existed. And hopefully get some answers.
Abigail rushes down to the small eastern-seaboard harbor town where Grandma lives and meets a couple of her neighbors while Grandma's still unconscious, and she learns that Grandma owns a small antique store. When Grandma regains consciousness a few days later, one of the first things Grandma explains to her, and to the sheriff, is that she fell when she tripped over a dead body.
Thus begins an interesting whodunit, with the body washing ashore several days later. Abigail is rather fixated on Lee being the guilty party because he has a key to Grandma's shop, but her Grandma considers this absurd. Together the two of them piece together clues about who's guilty; Abigail also leans some history behind why her mother has estranged herself from her parents.
Fairly light reading, low on suspense, well told and believable. A good story for a quiet evening at home.
Abigail rushes down to the small eastern-seaboard harbor town where Grandma lives and meets a couple of her neighbors while Grandma's still unconscious, and she learns that Grandma owns a small antique store. When Grandma regains consciousness a few days later, one of the first things Grandma explains to her, and to the sheriff, is that she fell when she tripped over a dead body.
Thus begins an interesting whodunit, with the body washing ashore several days later. Abigail is rather fixated on Lee being the guilty party because he has a key to Grandma's shop, but her Grandma considers this absurd. Together the two of them piece together clues about who's guilty; Abigail also leans some history behind why her mother has estranged herself from her parents.
Fairly light reading, low on suspense, well told and believable. A good story for a quiet evening at home.
January 28, 2019
When Abigail Lane receives a call telling her that her grandmother (a woman she has never met) is in the hospital with a coma, she rushes to the seaside town of Wallace Point. Upon her arrival, Abigail finds herself being left to run grandma’s antique shop and things are not as they appear. As grandma recovers, a mystery unfolds concerning a past feud, a broken ship in a bottle, and a dead body. While Abigail and grandma work to uncover the mystery, they soon create a bond that is unshakeable.
This is a delightful new series filled with a dynamic cast of characters, wonderful storytelling, and an interesting mystery to be solved. I loved the interaction between Abigail and the grandma she never knew and look forward to enjoying more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a delightful new series filled with a dynamic cast of characters, wonderful storytelling, and an interesting mystery to be solved. I loved the interaction between Abigail and the grandma she never knew and look forward to enjoying more books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2020
The Ships Secrets
Abigail discovers the grandmother she never knew when her mother calls and tells her to go out of town to the hospital where her grandmother has been taken. She and her dog Thor arrive and find her grandmother in a medical induced coma. Her grandmother's friend Sally takes her to the Antique store and home of her grandmother. Once her grandmother is home, she stays to help her and finds out someone has broken into the store and someone is dead. She is curious about the large pirate looking ship in the harbor and this leads to a series of events surrounding the ship in a bottle her grandmother has in her store, except the bottle has been broken and the ship replaced in its case. Mystery after mystery follows. What secrets does the ship hold and which ship holds them.
Abigail discovers the grandmother she never knew when her mother calls and tells her to go out of town to the hospital where her grandmother has been taken. She and her dog Thor arrive and find her grandmother in a medical induced coma. Her grandmother's friend Sally takes her to the Antique store and home of her grandmother. Once her grandmother is home, she stays to help her and finds out someone has broken into the store and someone is dead. She is curious about the large pirate looking ship in the harbor and this leads to a series of events surrounding the ship in a bottle her grandmother has in her store, except the bottle has been broken and the ship replaced in its case. Mystery after mystery follows. What secrets does the ship hold and which ship holds them.
November 24, 2022
I enjoyed this cozy mystery story with all of the characters. The main character was Abigail Lane.
Abigail Lane mother's call to tell her that her grandmother is in hospital the sick and dying. But she puzzled by this because her mother told her that her grandparents were dead. Her mother want her to go see what is happening with her grandmother. She takes her dog and they leave to go see her grandmother. When she gets there she surprised what she finds. While helping grandmother there is a dead in the town. Her and grandma trying to find out what happened to the man.
This was a fun mystery story to read. It had action,adventure, and suspense within. It had a few laughs and giggles throughout. It was fun trying to guess what could happen next.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
Abigail Lane mother's call to tell her that her grandmother is in hospital the sick and dying. But she puzzled by this because her mother told her that her grandparents were dead. Her mother want her to go see what is happening with her grandmother. She takes her dog and they leave to go see her grandmother. When she gets there she surprised what she finds. While helping grandmother there is a dead in the town. Her and grandma trying to find out what happened to the man.
This was a fun mystery story to read. It had action,adventure, and suspense within. It had a few laughs and giggles throughout. It was fun trying to guess what could happen next.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
May 18, 2022
Abigail Lane is woken from sleep with the news that her Grandma, who she didn't know existed, is in the hospital. Since her absentee mother can't be bothered to go see her Abigail heads off to see her. When she gets to the hospital she meets Sally Kent who is both a friend of her Grandma and will become a friend to her.
When her Grandma awakes they find that her injurywas not from an attack but tripping over a now missing body a mystery needs to be solved. What follows is a quick search through the local townsfolk to find out what happened. An enjoyable cozy with some light hearted moments and a desire to read on in the series.
When her Grandma awakes they find that her injurywas not from an attack but tripping over a now missing body a mystery needs to be solved. What follows is a quick search through the local townsfolk to find out what happened. An enjoyable cozy with some light hearted moments and a desire to read on in the series.
February 16, 2020
A Book with a Great Dane in It!
A cast full of quirky characters. Your basic predictable cozy mystery. My main reason for purchasing it was because of the Great Dane.
Set in a seaside town, the descriptive views seem beautiful.
A quick read with little grammatical errors, which is always nice.
This is book one of a series, however, it ends well and I’d call it a standalone book. I have purchased book two and can’t wait to start reading it.
Would recommend to anyone that enjoys this type of book.
A cast full of quirky characters. Your basic predictable cozy mystery. My main reason for purchasing it was because of the Great Dane.
Set in a seaside town, the descriptive views seem beautiful.
A quick read with little grammatical errors, which is always nice.
This is book one of a series, however, it ends well and I’d call it a standalone book. I have purchased book two and can’t wait to start reading it.
Would recommend to anyone that enjoys this type of book.
May 25, 2022
WOW Shelly West is a high caliber cozey murder mystery writer that shines through in this seaside mystery with an array of colorful and vibrant characters that bring this intriguing mystery to life with a deadly plot you can't help but find yourself becoming drawn into as well as a few family dramas unfolding in the small town way and with secrets that need to be brought into the light so a murder can be solved and family united or not. Acquire " Secrets in a Bottle " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. Kat
January 27, 2019
This is a good book with a colorful cast of characters. Vikings, pirates, a whaling family and let’s not forget a cooking baking Grandma. This book has a good storyline and everything came together. I thought I had it figured out in the beginning but I was wrong. Several times. Would definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 20, 2019
Great book !!!!
10 Stars !!!!
I love this new author to me, i just started reading and i love this story line.
I love grandma, Abigail and Thor her great dane and Missy the yappy dog not to fond of, but sounds cute.
I don't want to say too much, other than pirates and vikings are great reading in this style. You will like it alot!!!!
Give it a try, Shelly has 2 other books after this and i can't wait to read.
10 Stars !!!!
I love this new author to me, i just started reading and i love this story line.
I love grandma, Abigail and Thor her great dane and Missy the yappy dog not to fond of, but sounds cute.
I don't want to say too much, other than pirates and vikings are great reading in this style. You will like it alot!!!!
Give it a try, Shelly has 2 other books after this and i can't wait to read.
April 11, 2019
City girl in a small seaside town visiting her "new" grandma
Grandma trips over a dead body in her antique shop and ends up in the hospital being visited by a grand-daughter she's never met. Add a whaling (or is it pirate?) ship, a herd of zany old ladies in gold carts, and some really interesting and well-defined characters and you might end up with this absolutely charming mystery. Recommended
Grandma trips over a dead body in her antique shop and ends up in the hospital being visited by a grand-daughter she's never met. Add a whaling (or is it pirate?) ship, a herd of zany old ladies in gold carts, and some really interesting and well-defined characters and you might end up with this absolutely charming mystery. Recommended
July 27, 2020
Abigail knows nothing about her grandmother. But her mother calls to say Abigail needs to rush to her grandmother's side in the hospital, eight hours drive from Boston. Thus begins an entertaining tale of what happened at the antique store and why.
The story has dogs, a feisty granny, small town atmosphere, a pirate ship, a murder, and ready friends. What more could a girl from the big city want?
The story has dogs, a feisty granny, small town atmosphere, a pirate ship, a murder, and ready friends. What more could a girl from the big city want?
November 12, 2022
Grandma??
When Abigail receives a call from her mother that her grandmother is in the hospital, it is a total surprise. Abigail didn't know she had a grandmother!
Turns out the lady had tripped over a dead body and hit her head. The body turned up a few days later washed up on the beach. Once Grandma is back home, she and Abigail are on the case.
Wonderful characters with several twists make this a fun read.
When Abigail receives a call from her mother that her grandmother is in the hospital, it is a total surprise. Abigail didn't know she had a grandmother!
Turns out the lady had tripped over a dead body and hit her head. The body turned up a few days later washed up on the beach. Once Grandma is back home, she and Abigail are on the case.
Wonderful characters with several twists make this a fun read.
February 5, 2025
This is a light crime story involving a coastal town not far from Boston, an antiques shop, a ship in a bottle and a real live old-time whaling ship. The young amateur sleuth has to uncover her family life history as well as a present day crime. A Great Dane and small terrier feature, so there is plenty of life and noise.
I enjoyed the read on my Kindle over a few days.
This is an unbiased review.
I enjoyed the read on my Kindle over a few days.
This is an unbiased review.
February 16, 2019
I enjoyed this book!
It was a was a fun ride to read this book! I can't wait to read more about Abigail, Grandma, and their dogs. This story moves right along at just the right place and made me want to cheer when it turned out to lead to a treasure hunt. Read this book for a lighthearted adventure!
It was a was a fun ride to read this book! I can't wait to read more about Abigail, Grandma, and their dogs. This story moves right along at just the right place and made me want to cheer when it turned out to lead to a treasure hunt. Read this book for a lighthearted adventure!
April 5, 2019
Fast read
This is a new to me author that I discovered on Kindle Unlimited. This book is well written and the story intriguing. I found myself wanting to read just one more chapter, so I read it in just two sittings. I will definitely read more in the series. Another plus for Kindle Unlimited.
This is a new to me author that I discovered on Kindle Unlimited. This book is well written and the story intriguing. I found myself wanting to read just one more chapter, so I read it in just two sittings. I will definitely read more in the series. Another plus for Kindle Unlimited.
April 30, 2019
Fun Cozy Mystery Series
I like cozy mysteries, especially when they are written well and interesting. Whodunit Antiques is mostly fun and entertaining, only a few drags in the storyline. But at 80%, bam, it's off to the races! Thanks, Shelly West! I have a new cozy mystery series to read! Already bought the second book, and will be starting it today! A solid 4 stars!!
I like cozy mysteries, especially when they are written well and interesting. Whodunit Antiques is mostly fun and entertaining, only a few drags in the storyline. But at 80%, bam, it's off to the races! Thanks, Shelly West! I have a new cozy mystery series to read! Already bought the second book, and will be starting it today! A solid 4 stars!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews