The third page-turning installment in the acclaimed mystery series featuring striking, sarcastic antique dealer Molly Doyle, set in picturesque Carmel, California. Mackie O'Brien, an accomplished Carmel artist, has recently returned from a painting retreat in France after learning her parents died in an auto accident. An only child, Mackie is the heir to the small but exclusive Inn her parents owned, along with their stunning Spanish style seaside villa, Casa Del Alegria. The O'Brien's were former Hollywood set designers and their home is filled to the rafters with antiques and movie memorabilia worth a fortune. Distraught over her the death of her parents, Mackie decides not to live in the house as it's too full of memories. She calls upon Molly to create a register of the contents of the home for an estate sale. While cataloging the items, Molly discovers more than priceless antiques and movie memorabilia. The mummified body of Hillary Thornton, a local fledging actress last seen at the villa decades earlier greets Molly when she has a gigantic bibliotheque unbolted from a wall in the home.
I am a mystery buff and I especially enjoy those that feature art, or antiques. I bought the first three Molly Doyle mysteries and started the first one, but couldn't really get into is so I was a bit disappointed. Then I started reading this one because the plot sounded so interesting, with the connection to old Hollywood films, and I was hooked. Flinn has a great way of keeping the reader in suspense, and on the edge of your seat nearly the entire time. It also doesn't hurt that there is a little romance going on between Molly and the chief of police. This is also a great book for anyone who loves Carmel or the Central California coastal areas.
Great antiques mystery series
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Molly Doyle is hired to help Frances O'Brien sell off all her parents' antiques. She is unsure of taking the job, but once she sees all the treasures, she can't say no. Frances is very difficult to deal with, and Molly often regrets taking the job. But not as much as she does when a mummified human corpse is found behind the walls. Molly's niece Emma that recently came to live with her is such a great addition to this series. Her knowledge of antiques is proving to be a real asset in this book. There are so many items to catalog. Plus Emma keeps Molly from dumping this job more than once. Randall, Chief of Police, and Molly have worked together to solve a few other murders. Most of the time Randall is trying to keep Molly out of things. This is no exception. Molly feels compelled to find out who the killer is, especially when her friend Daria becomes a suspect. I really enjoy this series. I'm not an antiques lover, but I have really grown to love Molly and the rest of the characters created by this author. They are so believable and entertaining. I would love to go to Carmel and meet them all. If only I could! I can't wait for the next book to be written and published. It's like hearing from an old friend when I read a book in this series. The author has done a wonderful job with the plot, setting, characters, and pace. Keep them coming! I highly recommend this book.
Another great one by Elaine Flinn
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Elaine Flinn has done it again with another wonderful story. The atomosphere and characters are so life-like, I feel as if I'm living the story along with the others in the book. Great tempo with lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing long into the night. Flinn once again shows why she's an award-winning author. If you haven't read the first two in this series, do yourself a favor and buy all three...read the first, and you'll just want more! Can't wait for the next one to hit the stores. WH Watford
I want MORE, please...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
I've been waiting a year for Elaine Flinn's third Molly Doyle mystery to come out - it was worth it! She just gets better and better with each book. Thanks for keeping your writing fresh, and making the plots a little more complex with each book. I love it. When's that 4th book coming out?? And congratulations on winning the Barrie Award for Best Paperback Original for 2004! That's so damn cool! (for those who might not know it - these awards are voted on by the readers of Deadly Pleasures magazine...kinda like getting an Emmy!)
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