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Den of Antiquity #6
Estate of Mind
A Faux Van Gogh
When North Carolina antique dealer Abigail Timberlake makes a bid of $150.99 on a truly awful copy of Van Gogh's The Starry Night, she's just trying to win Mama's approval by supporting the church auction. Hopefully, she'll make her money back on the beautiful gold antique frame. Little does she expect she's bought herself a fortune...and a lot of trouble.
A masterpiece to kill for
When her ex-boyfriend shows up and offers ten bucks for the ugly Starry Night, Abby pops the frame and is stunned to discover hidden behind the faux Van Gogh canvas a multi-million dollar lost art treasure. Suddenly she's a popular lady in her old hometown, and her first visit is from Gilbert Sweeney, her schoolyard sweetheart (according to him), who claims the family's painting was donated by mistake. But social calls quickly turn from nice to nasty as it's revealed that the mysterious masterpiece conceals a dark and deadly past and some modern-day misconduct that threatens to rock the Rock Hill social structure to its core. Someone apparently thinks the art is worth killing for, and Abby knows she better get to the bottom of the secret scandal and multiple murders before she ends up buried six feet under a starry night.
When North Carolina antique dealer Abigail Timberlake makes a bid of $150.99 on a truly awful copy of Van Gogh's The Starry Night, she's just trying to win Mama's approval by supporting the church auction. Hopefully, she'll make her money back on the beautiful gold antique frame. Little does she expect she's bought herself a fortune...and a lot of trouble.
A masterpiece to kill for
When her ex-boyfriend shows up and offers ten bucks for the ugly Starry Night, Abby pops the frame and is stunned to discover hidden behind the faux Van Gogh canvas a multi-million dollar lost art treasure. Suddenly she's a popular lady in her old hometown, and her first visit is from Gilbert Sweeney, her schoolyard sweetheart (according to him), who claims the family's painting was donated by mistake. But social calls quickly turn from nice to nasty as it's revealed that the mysterious masterpiece conceals a dark and deadly past and some modern-day misconduct that threatens to rock the Rock Hill social structure to its core. Someone apparently thinks the art is worth killing for, and Abby knows she better get to the bottom of the secret scandal and multiple murders before she ends up buried six feet under a starry night.
312 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1999
19 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Tamar Myers
74 books291 followersTamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 14, 2019
This was a fun book. Everyone wishes their church auctions had such good finds. Abby is just as crazy as ever and I love her persistence and that she follows her intuition. I was definitely surprised at the ending. I also love Abby's Mama, she is a hoot!
August 12, 2021
The series hits a new low when Abigail buys what turns out to be a van Gogh at a church auction, and immediately begins treating everyone in her circle like trash. Yeah, I know money changes everything, but you should at least wait until it's in your hot little hands before transforming into a jerk.
June 7, 2018
Abby Timberlake, divorced antique dealer, bids on a terrible painting for the frame, wins it and then discovers a rare painting beneath it. The painting suddenly has great interest and causes strains on some of her friendships. When an old school friend claims he sold it by mistake and then is murdered, Abby starts looking for connections. I had trouble finishing it. I was turned off by the heroine and most of the side characters. I really have no interest in reading any more in the series.
April 3, 2021
While I am enjoying reading the series of Den Of Antiquity books, there a little things that cause me to pause and think about them. Sometimes Abby is not the nicest person, but I suppose we can all be like that. Also the author has a few words she uses over and over. Like wailed. I don't think it means what she thinks it means.
October 11, 2016
Abby just gets into more crazy things. I enjoy the characters in this series very much.
March 13, 2019
Somewhat amusing, this Den of Antiquity Mystery has the usual stereotyped characters. Although mildly interesting the plot and conclusion are contrived
October 27, 2019
In this book, Abby finds herself in possession of a framed print after bidding on it at a church auction. It turns out the ugly print of The Starry Night concealed a lost work of Van Gogh. She subsequently spends the rest of the book planning how to spend the millions she’ll make selling the painting and isolating all her friends. My breaking point came when Abby is approached by an art investigator who tells her that the painting in her possession has been stolen by a Jewish family by Nazis. Instead of behaving like a sympathetic human being, Abby lies through her teeth about having the painting and goads the woman about having already sold off the print. I think the character does a good job in summarizing herself in saying, “What can I say, Mama? You failed miserably. Your daughter is nothing but a boor.” A boor indeed.
The murder is basically incidental and not worth noting. I’ve grown increasingly weary of this series and this book is the last one I’ll read. Abby is petty, shallow and selfish. She treats everyone she knows terribly yet is easily wounded by mild, or even perceived, slights. I found her attitude in this book particularly reprehensible.
The murder is basically incidental and not worth noting. I’ve grown increasingly weary of this series and this book is the last one I’ll read. Abby is petty, shallow and selfish. She treats everyone she knows terribly yet is easily wounded by mild, or even perceived, slights. I found her attitude in this book particularly reprehensible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2025
Antique dealer Abigail Timberlake bids on a painting at a church auction and is stunned to discover a real masterpiece hidden beneath the cheap copy. Suddenly friends she didn’t know she had are scrambling to buy the piece from her, while she’s dreaming of the fortune coming her way. Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals are also after the painting, which turns out to be a dangerous work of art to own. This humorous whodunit will keep you chuckling with its eccentric characters and southern setting.
October 6, 2019
Tamar Myers has a great talent for writing and for creating a wonderful set of characters. The mysteries are seldom the central focus of the plot but the story is so much fun that I seldom care. This book, like the previous ones in the series is great fun and often laugh out loud funny. No, this is not a deep scintillating mystery but it was never meant to be. It was meant to be a warm fuzzy mystery that is a load of fun, and that is exactly what it is.
March 22, 2019
This was a campy, unrealistic romp through a nursing home and a small town outside of Charlotte, NC. The main characters is size challenged and has a big chip on her shoulder about it, the people around her are nuts and of course she buys a valuable Van Gogh at a church auction.
April 26, 2019
Although I'm not a huge fan of this author, this particular book kept me interested throughout. I find the main character and her mother rather annoying, and quite insane; however the mystery here was quite good, revolving around great works of art, and a completely surprising ending.
June 7, 2019
A story filled with lots action and twists and turns.
July 19, 2019
I complain a lot about Tamar Myers. I think her writing is forced at times, and it’s definitely sexist. “She wailed” about fifty times is no exaggeration. Nevertheless I can’t quit her.
October 2, 2020
These books are NOT great literature...they are silly, strange, and fun!
November 15, 2020
Light and easy mystery
April 10, 2022
I've always been a sucker for a cat cozy with quirky characters.
October 20, 2022
Huge fan but...let's just say her later books are much better
I enjoy her style, her characters are fun and she is knowledgeable but i am finished reading her books.
I enjoy her style, her characters are fun and she is knowledgeable but i am finished reading her books.
May 4, 2023
Main character came across as greedy. Unpleasant.
May 19, 2025
really enjoy this series and the quirky characters.
March 23, 2017
A missing Van Gogh, a mother learning Tshiluba (I never heard of it either), stringing popcorn and a 4'9" antique shop owner all come together in this cozy.
Read
October 9, 2016cute, I will look up her other books.
August 9, 2016
I used to read Tamar Myers' work and couldn't recall why I stopped. I think I just forgot about her. It's light reading, a cross between cozy mystery and humor that is great when you just want to sit back and be entertained. It's not air-headed or insulting to the intelligence, but it also doesn't require a lot of analysis and synthesis on the part of the reader.
I found this at the local library--looked promising--and I am glad I did not buy it instead, because I got a short way into it, having a pretty good time, and then (have you done this?) it began to look familiar. TOO familiar. It wasn't merely fond characters easing back into my reading routine; I had already purchased this, read it, and given it to a friend years ago. Oh, what a crying shame!
I'm going back to the library, and this time I am going to look for this writer in a more recent publication. Wish me well. And for you? If you want a good cozy mystery that amuses--a good beach read, or for a good stormy night by the fire--I recommend this book.
I found this at the local library--looked promising--and I am glad I did not buy it instead, because I got a short way into it, having a pretty good time, and then (have you done this?) it began to look familiar. TOO familiar. It wasn't merely fond characters easing back into my reading routine; I had already purchased this, read it, and given it to a friend years ago. Oh, what a crying shame!
I'm going back to the library, and this time I am going to look for this writer in a more recent publication. Wish me well. And for you? If you want a good cozy mystery that amuses--a good beach read, or for a good stormy night by the fire--I recommend this book.
March 3, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
March 21, 2013
Again, what is with cozy authors making up ridiculous names for characters? Mouse Trap? Who names their kid Mouse with a last name like Trap?!
It's been a few days (weeks?) since my last Den of Antiquity novel. I was really rooting for Abby to get to keep the painting. Drats! Oh well.
This was an interesting story. I'm a little annoyed that Greg popped up again. Hasn't he caused enough trouble yet?
It's been a few days (weeks?) since my last Den of Antiquity novel. I was really rooting for Abby to get to keep the painting. Drats! Oh well.
This was an interesting story. I'm a little annoyed that Greg popped up again. Hasn't he caused enough trouble yet?
September 26, 2025
Estate of Mind by Tamar Myers is the sixth cozy mystery novel in the Den of Anquity Series written by Ms. Myers.
I've read eleven of the sixteen novels that make up the Den of Anquity Series written by Ms. Myers. I haven't read any of the books in chronological order after reading the first novel in the series... but I have had fun reading this series none the less!
'Estate of Mind' is a fun, fast paced read and one I enjoyed reading during this busy holiday season.
I've read eleven of the sixteen novels that make up the Den of Anquity Series written by Ms. Myers. I haven't read any of the books in chronological order after reading the first novel in the series... but I have had fun reading this series none the less!
'Estate of Mind' is a fun, fast paced read and one I enjoyed reading during this busy holiday season.
June 8, 2012
While I love Abby, this outing wasn't my favorite. The actual murder occurred some 260 pages into the novel. Yes, there was another mystery around, but since I wasn't gettin' any of the moolah; I wasn't as interested as the rest of the characters in the book! Though I have to say she is so quick with the quips I almost forgive her her faults, almost! ;]
dnf
December 20, 2014Writing style just didn't work for me: Abby "wailed" and I had Magdalena Yoder flashbacks. The story looked like it could have been a good one though: white elephant sales, WWII era art thefts, missing paintings. Just a style issue for me.
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/106699...
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/106699...
August 23, 2022
A nice find at a library sale.
March 13, 2011
The story had an interesting plot and resolution, but the heroine, Abby, was too greedy, petty and judgmental.
December 6, 2015
Abby's dark side comes out when it appears when she finds a multimillion dollar treasure. Enjoyable cozy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews