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Molly Doyle #1
Dealing in Murder
Elizabeth Porter was a top-of-the-line Manhattan antiques dealer until her ex-husband and his lover's flagrantly criminal scam left her reputation in tatters. Now, using a new name, Molly Doyle, she's starting over a continent away in a rundown antiques shop in cozy Carmel, California. Molly is determined to make the best of it. But the early antiques bird sometimes gets more than the worm, and one prompt arrival places her at a murder site with a corpse in her arms. After she turns up at a second seemingly unrelated death, the abrasive new police chief considers Molly the prime suspect. Now the only way to clear her name is for Molly to find her own path to a killer, which will leave her either exonerated ... or dead.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2003
16 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Flinn
6 books7 followersElaine 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 23, 2019
This was a good solid start to the series. A bit overwhelming at times between all the characters and then artist names mentioned as well. Like able characters but my goodness I forgot how much people used to smoke and it made me realize how old this book is.
August 12, 2020
Molly has moved from NY, where she was disgraced by her husband and his lover in a major antiquing scam. While Molly was found innocent (and she was), she felt she needed a new start, so she took a friend up on his offer to run his store of second hand 'treasures' and moved to Carmel, California. After hitting an estate sale and buying a desk, she realized she did not have a key to the desk. Going back to the home where the sale took place, she finds a dying woman, stabbed to death. The police detective has a hard time figuring out whether Molly is his number 1 suspect, or just in the wrong place at the right time.
There's a lot I wanted to like about the book. Although I am not an antique collector, I enjoy reading mysteries around antiquing. There was a lot of 'science' around art and scams in the book, which was interesting. But there were numerous factors that kept me from rating this book higher.
First off, the length. At 368 pages, it's too long to be truly classified as a cozy. Secondly, the sheer number of characters. This is first in series, so there should be a lot of character development going on. I still don't think I understand the relationship between Max and Molly. I think he was her mentor long ago, but it wasn't ever spelled out. Thirdly, everyone smokes. All the time. This book was written in 2003, when I think a lot of public smoking bans were going into effect, so it's not like the 50's when movie stars all smoked and there were ads in magazines. Everyone lighting up just became a distraction.
Finally, I just could not like the MC, Molly. She's unlikable. She's got a temper that knows no bounds. 'Molly was fuming' is a typical sentence in the book.
There are 3 more in the series, but I don't think that I'll be picking up #2 anytime soon. Which is too bad, because when I read the book blurb, it looked like an interesting mystery.
There's a lot I wanted to like about the book. Although I am not an antique collector, I enjoy reading mysteries around antiquing. There was a lot of 'science' around art and scams in the book, which was interesting. But there were numerous factors that kept me from rating this book higher.
First off, the length. At 368 pages, it's too long to be truly classified as a cozy. Secondly, the sheer number of characters. This is first in series, so there should be a lot of character development going on. I still don't think I understand the relationship between Max and Molly. I think he was her mentor long ago, but it wasn't ever spelled out. Thirdly, everyone smokes. All the time. This book was written in 2003, when I think a lot of public smoking bans were going into effect, so it's not like the 50's when movie stars all smoked and there were ads in magazines. Everyone lighting up just became a distraction.
Finally, I just could not like the MC, Molly. She's unlikable. She's got a temper that knows no bounds. 'Molly was fuming' is a typical sentence in the book.
There are 3 more in the series, but I don't think that I'll be picking up #2 anytime soon. Which is too bad, because when I read the book blurb, it looked like an interesting mystery.
March 24, 2016
When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I was going to like it. First off it was 388 pages which is long for a cozy mystery plus I thought the main character was going to be too rough for me. It turns out I loved Molly, the main character, and I could not put the book down. Great mystery, some surprises and of course it takes place in Carmel. Molly was a top notch antique dealer in Manhattan until her husband and his lover decided to cheat people. Luckily Molly was innocent but her reputation was ruined so when Max, a friend, offered to let her manager his antique store in Carmel she took him up on it. Unfortunately, a few weeks in to her new job she has a lady die in her arms and of course with her background, Molly is the main suspect. Between trying to manage the store and stay out of the way of the cop that thinks she did it, she also has to put up with interesting characters that come in and out of her store. Great read. Can't wait to read the next one.
September 22, 2015
this book was so bad... so many cliches, so much hiding evidence from the reader (how are we supposed to feel like we're part of it all if all we know is the main character picked up some damning evidence and she can't wait to share it with the cop character. what is it???) the characters are beyond flawed - they're irredeemable. and the editing was so lax that I'm of half a mind to avoid this editor's work in the future. every few pages I found myself screaming in frustration for one reason or another. and the conclusion was so cliche that I'm regretting sticking it out to the end. How in the world did ANYONE like this book enough to read further in the series, let alone write a positive review? I don't get it.
July 12, 2008
i'd give this a 3 1/2 if that were possible. i did enjoy the story and learned about the antique/art biz. the only real issue i had was the fact that molly was so quick to get furious. she was always throwing up her arms and even when she was holding back, she was seething inside. most of the time, i'd imagine a feeling of frustration or mild irritation would have sufficed, but she seemed to go from 0 to 60 in no time flat. she had mellowed by the end, and amusingly, she even commented that she surprised herself. maybe she'll be more "reasonable" in future novels.
June 5, 2009
I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. I just picked it up at random at the library. The characters were strong and realistic. The antique business was interesting but not overwhelming. Kind of a turn around at end because Molly's first impression of several people didn't pan out. Kept my interest. The love interest between the heroine and the chief of police was full of sparks and conflicts.
April 10, 2013
I've accidentally been reading this series backwards. This, the third I've read is actually the first in the series. Even though I knew that some of the suspicious characters were, in fact, part of the protagonists eventual circle of good friends, it was still very enjoyable and entertaining, as all of them have been. They are not easy to find and I suspect there aren't very many of them, but I've found all of them interesting and enjoyable.
July 3, 2008
We read for the Mystery Book club. I'd actually give it more of a 3-1/2, but the stars don't allow for it. I thought it was a good read, just a little too long for my taste.
May 1, 2012
This was an interesting read. I liked the behind-the-scenes look at the antiques trade the most. The characters were fairly well-drawn.
March 24, 2014
Good book. Picked it up at a thrift store, and had to get the rest of the titles for the series. I enjoyed it, it kept me guessing, and looks like we might get a romance in the next book.
March 31, 2020
SPOILER ALERT
I loved this, the first installment of the series starring Molly Doyle (aka Elizabeth Porter). Molly is recently moved to Carmel, CA, leaving Manhattan under the shadow of a fraud case in her former antiques business. She was with Porter's, a prestigious firm of husband Derek's family. Derek and another employee with whom he fell in love had defrauded customers and Elizabeth/Molly had been implicated by association, though all charges were eventually dropped. She is now hiding in Carmel, not wanting anyone to know, knowing that it would alter her ability to build a new business. Her intent is to make enough money to move to New Orleans. Max Roman a long-time family friend who owns Treasures in Carmel put Molly there to manage the business. Max owns a prestigious firm in San Francisco; he has a lover Pablo who is a shit that Molly has to deal with. It also appears that Pablo may be involved in suspicious dealings. Molly has started updating and cleaning up the shop that had been run by Sid Wells who died. The shop is part of a group in the Courtyard Sueno, that also houses Bennie Infama's Tosca's, a coffee place, and the florist's run by the vivacious Bea Thompson.
When Molly returns to a garage sale to see if the owner has the key to a desk she bought, Lorna Jacobs literally falls into her arms, stabbed and dying. Molly is initially under suspicion from the Police Chief Randall, a jaded and brusque former LA cop in Internal Affairs. He has come to Carmel to escape the violence of LA. He hates antiques dealers though he himself collects French furniture and model trains. He also owns a restaurant in LA. They immediately develop a contentious relationship, though it isn't long before Randall is intrigued by the elegant, strong and mouthy Molly.
Bea, the florist is the next victim, and what follows is a quirky partnership of the Molly and Randall along with the DA Dan Lucero and Daria MeMarco, the owner of wonderful restaurant, to find the killer. More bodies pile up as the investigation progresses.
When Molly opened the desk she found watercolors, a journal and paints. She sees a painting that is similar in the window of the gallery owned by Rhonda Martyn. Rhonda and Dick Jacobs have been having an affair for years. Bea Thompson worked for Rhonda before opening her shop. Using her knowledge of art, Molly figures out that the artist Lawrence Toby, that is being touted as a great example of the California school of Plein Art, and whose work resembles the watercolors is not what he seems. The watercolors she found were also clearly not old. Over the course of the investigation she and Randall figure out that the gallery is perpetrating a scam, and that two of the female artists on show didn't even exist. Molly is in the line of fire. She is also determined to be part of a sting to catch Martyn, who it appears is the killer of many, including her first husband. Molly is stabbed in the process of getting Martyn to enter into a partnership with Molly using Armand, her sister's husband and a talented copyist's work to set Rhonda up.
This was complicated and there was much information on the CA school and art in general that was fascinating and provided interest for the story. I love the characters of Molly and Randall, and the others of the small community of Carmel. I look forward to reading the next, while disappointed that there are only four installments of this enjoyable series.
I loved this, the first installment of the series starring Molly Doyle (aka Elizabeth Porter). Molly is recently moved to Carmel, CA, leaving Manhattan under the shadow of a fraud case in her former antiques business. She was with Porter's, a prestigious firm of husband Derek's family. Derek and another employee with whom he fell in love had defrauded customers and Elizabeth/Molly had been implicated by association, though all charges were eventually dropped. She is now hiding in Carmel, not wanting anyone to know, knowing that it would alter her ability to build a new business. Her intent is to make enough money to move to New Orleans. Max Roman a long-time family friend who owns Treasures in Carmel put Molly there to manage the business. Max owns a prestigious firm in San Francisco; he has a lover Pablo who is a shit that Molly has to deal with. It also appears that Pablo may be involved in suspicious dealings. Molly has started updating and cleaning up the shop that had been run by Sid Wells who died. The shop is part of a group in the Courtyard Sueno, that also houses Bennie Infama's Tosca's, a coffee place, and the florist's run by the vivacious Bea Thompson.
When Molly returns to a garage sale to see if the owner has the key to a desk she bought, Lorna Jacobs literally falls into her arms, stabbed and dying. Molly is initially under suspicion from the Police Chief Randall, a jaded and brusque former LA cop in Internal Affairs. He has come to Carmel to escape the violence of LA. He hates antiques dealers though he himself collects French furniture and model trains. He also owns a restaurant in LA. They immediately develop a contentious relationship, though it isn't long before Randall is intrigued by the elegant, strong and mouthy Molly.
Bea, the florist is the next victim, and what follows is a quirky partnership of the Molly and Randall along with the DA Dan Lucero and Daria MeMarco, the owner of wonderful restaurant, to find the killer. More bodies pile up as the investigation progresses.
When Molly opened the desk she found watercolors, a journal and paints. She sees a painting that is similar in the window of the gallery owned by Rhonda Martyn. Rhonda and Dick Jacobs have been having an affair for years. Bea Thompson worked for Rhonda before opening her shop. Using her knowledge of art, Molly figures out that the artist Lawrence Toby, that is being touted as a great example of the California school of Plein Art, and whose work resembles the watercolors is not what he seems. The watercolors she found were also clearly not old. Over the course of the investigation she and Randall figure out that the gallery is perpetrating a scam, and that two of the female artists on show didn't even exist. Molly is in the line of fire. She is also determined to be part of a sting to catch Martyn, who it appears is the killer of many, including her first husband. Molly is stabbed in the process of getting Martyn to enter into a partnership with Molly using Armand, her sister's husband and a talented copyist's work to set Rhonda up.
This was complicated and there was much information on the CA school and art in general that was fascinating and provided interest for the story. I love the characters of Molly and Randall, and the others of the small community of Carmel. I look forward to reading the next, while disappointed that there are only four installments of this enjoyable series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2020
Molly Doyle is an antique dealer hiding in Carmel after her husband has brought disgrace to their NY business. He ran off with his mistress and cohort in crime before the law arrived.
Molly is exonerated but under suspicion by association. She agrees to run the Carmel shop for her friend and mentor Max and has a victim attacked by a knife collapse in her arms at a garage sale.
She has a run in with the new Chief of Police just in from LA.
She makes friends with the other local business people, and when one of them is killed and her place is burglarized, she changes the locks and takes action.
Entertaining, very well done for a first book.
I own a copy.
Fast read.
Molly is exonerated but under suspicion by association. She agrees to run the Carmel shop for her friend and mentor Max and has a victim attacked by a knife collapse in her arms at a garage sale.
She has a run in with the new Chief of Police just in from LA.
She makes friends with the other local business people, and when one of them is killed and her place is burglarized, she changes the locks and takes action.
Entertaining, very well done for a first book.
I own a copy.
Fast read.
April 6, 2023
If you haven’t discovered Elaine Flinn’s cozy mysteries, you’re in for a treat. They are a fun read with likable characters who have some interesting little quirks. I read the series many years ago and loved that they take place in Carmel and deal with antiques. I told myself I would reread the series if I was ever planning a trip to Carmel. So here I am, rereading as I am planning my trip! (Only wish there were more than just the four.)
January 10, 2024
I really liked this book because it is entertaining and very interesting.
August 21, 2025
I liked the beginning but it kinda went in a couple different directions in the middle. Not all relevant.
For the most part, not a bad murder mystery.
For the most part, not a bad murder mystery.
March 1, 2011
This is the debut of a series. Molly is a spunky and fun heroine, down on her luck after her ex-husband's antiques fraud is exposed. Given the opportunity to start again at the bottom of the trade, she rolls up her sleeves and starts wheeling and dealing "merch" and exploring garage and estate sales for the inventory she'll need to rebuild her reputation. Stumbling into a murder, she meets an abrasive police chief, who will surely become constant in the next books.
February 8, 2022
A great, fast paced beach mystery. Written in 2003, it is a bit heavy with references to smoking and drinking, perhaps in an effort to be a bit "noir", but this is still a good story, with likable characters, and lots of interesting info on antiques. I intend to try Efferdent to clean the mineral water stains from my decanter!
Read
August 7, 2010#1 Molly Doyle book. Carmel, antique dealer, goes to house to find key to desk she bought and woman dies in her arms. Police Chief Randall, DA Lucero, restauranteur Daria. Works for Max. Molly was accused in NY of selling fakes but was not guilty. Her husband and his lover were gulty.
April 20, 2008
This is another good Molly Dolly cozy mystery dealing with antiques. The second out of 4 I believe. Good drama and suspense.
July 8, 2008
Learned somethings about antique dealers
May 23, 2010
RATING: 3.25
April 16, 2011
A nice quick read. Didn't always know who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. A good first book. Will try to find the next.
Read
April 29, 2011Awesome series
November 8, 2011
Bonus Book - April 2004
April 17, 2015
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.
January 1, 2010
The book is set in my hometown, Carmel, California. It's not bad, as lightweight mysteries go.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews