Tagged for Murder

Molly Doyle #2

by Elaine Flinn

The second page-turning instalment in the acclaimed mystery series featuring striking, sarcastic antique dealer Molly Doyle, set in picturesque Carmel, California. Molly Doyle crossed a continent to escape trouble, but it's becoming increasingly dangerous to be in the antique business in her small adopted corner of California. The murder of a friend and fellow antiques dealer has shaken Molly to the core. And matters aren't helped any by the arrival of her deceitful, long-estranged sister-who sticks around only long enough to dump Molly's twelve-year-old niece before vanishing to parts unknown. Actually, young Emma is a bright spot in these dark days, since she's clever, endearing, and shows a natural aptitude for antiques work. But the very unnatural death of yet another dealer-a rather shady one this time with possible ties to Molly's family-has the intrepid Ms. Doyle acting as sleuth once again.before a killer decides she's the next item to be taken out of circulation permanently.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 28, 2004

About the author

Elaine Flinn, a former Bay Area antiques dealer, created Molly Doyle, a Carmel, CA, antiques dealer in Dealing in Murder, her 2003 debut novel that was nominated for an Agatha, Gumshoe, Barry and Anthony (2003). Tagged for Murder (2004) won the Barry Award. Two more Molly Doyle novels--Deadly Collection and Deadly Vintage followed.

Flin was one of the founding members of Murderati. And, it was during her time at Murderati that Flinn developed the Evil-E persona for which she became so well-known.

Series:
* Molly Doyle

Reviews

[S.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the series many years ago so am now rereading as I’m planning a trip to Carmel. I enjoy the characters and the plot development. The fact that they take place in Carmel with a lot of antique talk and food talk makes them a great cozy mystery.

[Nancy Hoell]

Loved the book, fun, interesting and great characters.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

I so enjoy this series. Molly Doyle, antiques dealer and smart mouth is a delight. Her friend and the chief of police Randall spar constantly in the evolution of their relationship. Molly, as always, is determined to get in the middle of the investigation into the death of Trudy Collins at the antiques show. It turns out that her death was not a heart attack but murder, penicillin having been introduced into her coke, when she was allergic. Trudy has been dealing in fakes antiques, and Molly herself was caught in her web, and her bank account will be greatly depleted in this case when she has to buy back the pieces she sold that were fake.

Additionally, Carrie Newsome, her sister, and crook, turns up at the door of her shop. But not alone. With her is Emma her precocious 12 year old daughter, who is not only smart but funny and fascinating. This addition to Molly's life livens it up and gives her an element of compassion and warmth. Emma is also well-liked by the other members of Molly's community, Randall, Daria, Dan and even Bitsy after she lets go of her doubts. The case, however, is much more than one murder and fake antiques. Bitsy is being courted by Oliver Townsens, but really he going after her life and money, drugging her. And Randall discovers, as does Molly, that the antiquest coming into Tacoma are really a front for human trafficking. Worst of all, Carrie is involved. Carrie leaves Emma and $500 telling Molly that Emma is not her thing and is better off with Molly.

Once again Molly's life is at stake when she confronts Oliver at Bitsy's home, only to be taken hostage by the main criminal, Ted Banks, who has been on the sidelines and is not really a suspect for the reader. I love the discussion of various kinds of collectibles, both high end and smalls. The garage sale runs are a riot, and Molly's building relationship with Emma is the highlight of this installment. The merch is a character itself and brings depth and interest to the story. Flinn paints the eccentric and quirky characters well, and tells a entertaining story to boot. Unfortunately, she only wrote four books, of which this is the second.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. The characters from last time are back. Some of the background information from the last book is relevant, but you could read this book without it. The mystery feels a little more thin this time, though. And Emma, a 12 year old character who's introduced, is clearly meant to be wise beyond her years because of her terrible upbringing, but I think the extent of this strains belief. Especially when you combine it with her wishing that the hero and heroine would shack up already and be her new parents.

There were some really nice Kage Baker-style love-for-California scenes — driving around the Big Sur in the fog and visiting Hearst Castle.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This,is the second book in Molly Doyle series. Molly was an antique dealer in New York. In order to escape a major scandal created by her husband; she accepts an offer by a friend to manage an antique store in Carmel, CA. There she attracted to the new chief of police. This book her estranged sister appears with her daughter, Emma Leaving behind her sister disappear.
Molly must solved the murder of an antique dealer with out getting her sister in trouble.
There are four books in this series before the author passed away. I have them all in paperback if someone to exchange them for other books. Betty

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series - it's an older one and sadly, no longer running, but the author does a wonderful job with sense of place - you can really picture Carmel - and the characters are all really well written, each with their own distinct personality. The plot for this particular book is a bit convoluted, and maybe a tiny bit complicated, but overall, it was a very enjoyable read.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book, lots of quick, witty banter. This is the second book in the series and the first I have read so I was confused by some of the character relationships in the beginning. I liked the mystery and was thoroughly surprised at the ending.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Molly Doyle series with this cozy that deals with antique collecting. A delightful good mystery to read.

[Nancy]

Molly Doyle, antiques dealer in Carmel . Sister leaves niece with her. Older friend's "boy toy" is killer. Fake antiques are found.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun mystery - takes place in Carmel and is about the antiques business.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only wish the books were longer.

[Suzan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. I love the fact it takes place in Carmel.

[Alaina Sloo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light murder mystery, part of a series set in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, and following the sleuthing of a local antique dealer. Good window on local culture and the community.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 -Very Good

[Sarah "Kat"]

I love the antique / junkin' theme of this series. Something I can appreciate. Good series and no cheesy "deep pools of blue" eyes.