I glad I gave this cozy mystery a try, but I didn't really like the antique aspect of the mystery. So I don't think I'll be continuing with the series.

This is a good start to a new series. It took me a little while to connect to the characters, but once I did the characters are likable, intelligent, and relatable. The mystery is well-plotted and moves at a smooth steady pace. There isn't a large suspect pool, however, there are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader engaged in guessing whodunit.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

I really enjoyed this one! The mystery was very interesting and there was just enough family and work elements to keep me engaged and wanting to find out who the culprit was. With this being about a gemstone, it was especially interesting as I have an interest in gemstones.

Early on in my reading of this one, I was a little concerned that I may not enjoy other installments of this series because I knew I was enjoying this book because of the gemstones. I don't particularly have an interest in antiques, but I can say now that I will definitely be reading the next installment as I really enjoyed these characters.

This is the first mystery in a new series. It took me a while to get engaged with the plot. Avery, the heroine, has taken over her parent's business of appraising antiquities and artifacts after their untimely death. The plot is methodical and slowly paced. There is not a murder until about half way through. Much of the narrative centers on the technique of appraisal and everything that is involved. The next time I go to a museum I'll have a new appreciation of the work necessary to establish the validity of the items on display.

It took me a while to get engaged with the characters, especially Avery. She's an anthropology major and how she quickly and successfully takes over the appraisal business seemed a bit unreasonable. I would have expected her to rely more on her co-worker Micah and his long term expertise. Aunt Midge was the most likable character for me and I'd like to see more of her.

Some of the plot seemed somewhat unreasonable, especially the bit about Avery's father. I also thought it unreasonable that Detective Art could spend so much time with Avery. There is some suspense and some budding romance in the book. Readers mostly interested in an informative novel will appreciate this one.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner is the debut of An Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series. I enjoyed this stimulating new cozy mystery. Avery Ayers and her sister, Tilly lost their parents in an auto accident a year ago. Their eccentric Aunt Midge moved in with them along with her dog, Halston. Avery began working at her parent’s business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. Their latest assignment has the company appraising a rare ruby that could link to a dragon medallion currently on display at the museum. Before Avery can delve into the job, she receives a threatening note. This is just the beginning of strange incidents and threats. Avery has no intention of backing off the case. She is going to get answers and resolve this matter once and for all. I thought Ruby Red Herring was well-written with developed characters. The author takes the time to introduce our main characters and set the stage for the series. I like Avery, Tilly, and Aunt Midge. They are a close-knit unit. We get to spend time in their home as they go about their lives. Aunt Midge and Tilly provide humor and lightness. There is also Micah, Sir Robert, Art Smith, and Halston, Aunt Midge’s Afghan hound. I am glad the author gave us the characters backstory. The mystery was fascinating and complex. It involves lies, intrigue, threats, a large ruby, and murder. There was plenty of action that kept propelling the story forward toward the conclusion. I had a good time solving this whodunit (I love a challenging mystery). I like how everything tied together along with the satisfying conclusion. It was interesting learning about the appraisal process. It is explained in an easy-to-understand manner. I like how the author addressed Avery’s mental health issues after the death of her parents. She was grief stricken and felt their death was her fault. Avery also has anger management issues. She visits a therapist who gives her coping techniques. I could certainly understand her pain over her parents’ death and the feelings of guilt. Ruby Red Herring is an intriguing cozy mystery with a stimulating stone, terrifying threats, cryptic clues, a cherished canine, an energetic teen, an affectionate aunt, and a murdered man.

It's always good to begin a series from the very first instalment and I enjoyed reading this one, Ruby Red Herring immensely.

Avery Ayers has taken over the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised, alongside partners and colleagues, Micah Abbott and Sir Robert Lane. The company has an office in Lilac Grove and a branch in Manhattan. She is living back at home with her younger sister Tilly and their eccentric Aunt Midge and her Afghan hound. Her parent's deaths in a road accident a year ago hit Avery hard but Avery's life is rocked even more when Avery learns that the theft of a priceless ruby may be connected to her parent's demise. Avery is asked to appraise a rare ruby by the Museum of Antiquities that has similarities to a solitary stone in the museum's bejewelled dragon medallion exhibit, which is missing one of its ruby eyes. As Avery is setting off for the meeting, she finds a plain white envelope on her doormat. Opening it she discovers a note warning her off taking the assignment and as Avery and her colleagues suspect they may have the missing gem, another body turns up. Avery receives more mysterious notes and requests the help of possible ally and security guard Art Smith's to find who might have bumped off her parents.

An excellent start to this new series, the characters are entertaining and well formulated. The plot has depth and the mystery held my interest throughout. I liked Tracy Gardner's writing style and I'm hoping to read more about Aunt Midge in the next instalment.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Ruby Red Herring is the series debut in Tracy Gardner’s Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series. Avery Ayers returned to her Lilac Grove home after the death of her parents in an auto accident about a year ago. With the same education and expertise in certifying valuable items as her parents, Avery has stepped up to fill in as best she can in the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised, alongside her parents’ partners Sir Robert Lane and Micah Abbott.

Just as a new certification contract is ready to begin a mysterious note appears through their home letter slot warning her off. Of course Avery pays little attention to this odd note but it is not the last. As Avery and Micah work together at the Museum of Antiquities they come to believe that the large ruby may be the missing eye from the Emperor’s Twins Medallion, the last item worked on and certified before her parent’s deaths.

When continued warnings come Avery’s way she becomes more guarded. Then her home and office are broken into with the apparent goal of removing all information regarding that last certification of her parents. One such note tells Avery to trust Art, but she doesn’t know anyone by that name. She will, however, find him before more odd and threatening things happen.

What a well written mystery!! With twists and turns and surprises no one could anticipate, this new Tracy Gardner series hits it out of the park! I did enjoy this book and I very much recommend it!

This is the first installment of the Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series. Avery Ayers has taken a place in her parents Antique Appraisal business (who have partners Micha and Sir Robert) after her parents are killed in a car crash one year ago. One year ago, Avery was back for the weekend to talk to her parents William and Anne about potentially going into the family business when that evening after dinner the vehicle they were in with her sister Tilly crashes and only Avery and Tilly survived. Avery’s Aunt Midge moves in the family home to help out. Avery works from home as well as traveling to the Manhattan office. Avery is about to leave the house for a new assignment at the Museum of Antiquities (MOA) in Manhattan to authenticate a ruby the museum wants to acquire, when she finds a mysterious note left in the mail slot that warns her from this new assignment. Avery is on her guard, however, they need the job as since losing her parents the business has slowed down and she is trying to get the business back on track. Strange things begin to happen as she receives other note and someone is trying to lead her and her sister to believe perhaps her Father is alive but that could not be possible as Avery was in the vehicle and at the hospital and funeral. She was in shock for months and is still in therapy. Avery and Micah begin the very methodical work to authenticate the ruby and believe it may be a match for a missing ruby in the eye of a famous dragon medallion that is currently on display in the museum. A Hollywood movie is being shot in the museum and soon Avery is being asked out by a handsome actor who has a lot of questions about the ruby. Lots of people are coming out the woodwork and Avery learns her parents worked on the medallion authentication and it was their last case. Avery is left a note to seek out an ally at the MOA who is a security guard. This mystery was riveting and kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat the entire time. I could not put this book down and I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the relationship with Aunt Midge, Tilly and all the family friends Micah, Noah etc.. Avery is a great heroine. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series. Highly Recommend.

Ruby Red Herring by Traci Gardner is a well written mystery romance story and first book in Avery Ayers series.

The debut was really good,
The characters are likable, down to earth and very relatable. There was also a touch of romance which was done very well and it didn't deter from the main story.
The setting was interesting as it combines New York atmosphere with the small town vibe.
The story was interesting, there were many twists and turns and it kept me entertained.
I am looking forward to the next installment to see how our amateur sleuth will get involved in solving mysteries again, as this one was connected to her family and she naturally fell into investigation.

At first, I wasn’t sure where this was going. Was Avery Ayers walking into a business, complete with her college degree in hand but no practical experience, which her parents had spent their lives cultivating, or was she the real deal and more than capable? Not until midway through the book did I have confidence in her -- and I know that wasn’t the point -- but I could now concentrate on the other ongoing escapades surrounding a recently found ruby that has brought misfortune to those who encounter it.

Tracy Gardner stirs up a diverse set of characters; fortunately, they are well defined and easy to follow. Of course, there isn’t a cozy mystery without the requisite love interests and a devoted dog, but they both work without too much stress.

I will keep a lookout for the next in the series since I want to see more Aunt Midge. There is something about her that remains a mystery, and now that one missing piece of the Ayers' puzzle has been found, I am convinced that there are more. And that more will be coming from Midge herself.

I enjoyed the story, the characters and the mystery. My only question is why everyone missed the father more than the mother when they died. Mother got mentioned very little. However, I did find it an interesting read and would read more in the series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a solid start to this new series. The characters are entertaining and well developed. This is a good mystery with enough going on to keep you engaged throughout. The subject of gem and antiquities authentication and appraisal added interest and depth to the storyline. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.

4.5 Stars

This is the first book in the Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series by Tracy Gardner.

This was quite an intriguing read. Avery and her sister Tilly lost their parents to a horrific car accident a year earlier and now the antique they were dealing with during the time of the crash has come back to the forefront and Avery and her team is looking into this bejeweled dragon’s head medallion.

I enjoyed how Avery connected to Detective Art Smith almost immediately and how this is the lynch point that will really keep me reading. I am so intrigued by what might unfold in this relationship in the future.

The mystery was very compelling and it was a long-term operation as you will discover near the end but I won’t give away more than that. There are so many options for a series like this and I can see this morphing into a real action adventure sort of like a female Indiana Jones on the hunt for cursed treasure or something.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read series for sure!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

Every once in awhile, a book comes along and just blows you out of the water and goes beyond what your expectations are and I am happy to say that this is one of those kind of books. I really didn't have any expectations when I got this book [my luck with new cozies/mysteries has not been stellar as of late], and to be honest, was a little hesitant [because of said bad luck]. It is rare for me to blown away by a mystery [an author has to be REALLY good to keep me engaged and guessing] and so to find a book that does is just icing on the cake.

There is no real way to review this book though - there is a lot that is going on and any kind of review will give stuff away and ruin it for the reader. I can say that I really like the MC Avery and her sister Tilly and their Aunt Midge. They are a good core group of people and with the additions of Micah and Sir Robert as Avery's co-workers, you have a really good group of people who are believable and makes you want to be friends with them. It is refreshing to have a MC that works in a field that hasn't been told to death and it was very interesting to learn how gems are certified [even if some of the math made my eyes glaze over]. The story is both good and believable and the mystery is really good [I did have a clue of who the bad guy was, but for awhile I was convinced it was someone else, so that was fun too] and the reveal is...well, it doesn't suck. ;-)

That said, this is marketed as a cozy mystery and I am afraid I disagree with this. As with Ellery Adam's series "Secret, Scone, and Bone Society" series, this one also puts one big toe over the line of what is a cozy and what is a regular mystery. This is a longer book, a more detailed story and a much slower pace than a cozy and while there is no gore, the subject matter and some of the language in the book absolutely take it past the cozy genre parameters. NONE OF THIS DETRACTS FROM THE BOOK/STORY. None of it. This is just for the people who are expecting a nice light cozy; this is absolutely NOT that. What it IS, is a really well-written, well fleshed out, story that leaves you wanting MUCH more [Please Ms. Gardner, be writing more. Right now. Please. Pretty please]. We can only hope that there will be more books in this series. I, for one, will be waiting.

Thank you to NetGalley. Tracy Gardner, and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time getting into Ruby Red Herring at first. The world building proceeded for about 1/3 of the book. This felt like a pretty slow pace. I didn’t come to care for Avery until farther into the book.
All the elements for a good cozy mystery are present - flawed heroine, potential love interest, a dead body and other unknowns to be solved, a niche interest (antiques), and a small town (Lilac Grove). In this case the author manages to give us a small town with access to New York City so that the main character’s business will work.
The premise starts with a large supposed ruby that needs evaluation. That’s intriguing but all the actual scientific details and process weigh down the story a bit at the beginning.
The book has mysteries past and present to solve. The author does a good job bringing the mysteries to light and solving them. There are some good action sequences in the climax of the story. The book doesn’t just stop when the mysteries are solved. It leads us further into the characters lives.
Once things got going, and I settled into the writing style and pace I really enjoyed the book. It can’t be more than 4 stars though given how I felt about the beginning.

I'm not sure why but this cozy just didn't work for me. I struggled to connect to the characters, the surprise twist was not surprising to me at all, and the pacing felt off. Yet, I think the problem lies mostly with me and not the actual book. If I had read this last year or next year, I may have absolutely loved it instead. Because it is actually a solid cozy mystery with well developed characters, a decent mystery, and interesting details about gemstones, appraising, etc.

Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner is the first book in her new Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series.
This is a terrific start to the series. I loved the characters, the twists and turns, and the mystery. This is a well-plotted and crafted story. I look forward to spending more time in this community.

Our sleuth is a 25 year old runs an appraisal shop in Manhattan and lives just outside the city.
As per usual in cozy mysteries, there has been tragedy to get her to this stage in her life. Her parents died the year before in a car accident. Could it be related to the ruby she has been asked to appraise? If not, why is she receiving warning notes?

I was given an ARC e-book copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

This new series is off to a roaring start. (May it have a long run). Avery and her younger sister, Tilly, have survived an awful car accident that took the lives of their parents. Avery carries survivor guilt on top of stepping into the family business of appraising for museums. Soon it becomes very clear that there is danger ahead for the family business that includes threats on Avery's life, attacks and a death. It's a lot to juggle along with the grief. They are wonderfully supported by their aunt Midge who comes to live with them and the two store employees, Sir Robert and Micah. Add a very nice detective and Aunt Midge's Afghan Hound, Halston and you have a good cast of recurring characters. They are people I would like to call friends.
On top of a well plotted mystery the reader comes away with some knowledge of gems and the business of appraising antiques. That was the main hook for me and it was presented in a very manageable way so the reader wasn't overwhelmed. I'll say no more so I don't give anything away. When I got to the last page I knew that the next book in the series had to have a spot set aside on my TBR list. It's that good.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately Ruby Red Herring was archived 2 months before it was published and I had not realized this, so I was unable to read the book. From all the reviews that I have read though, I think it would have been one that I enjoyed, especially the way that Tracy Gardner dealt with a character with mental health issues, which is something I believe needs to be discussed more. I also would have enjoyed the antiques part of the book, since reading about them always fascinates me.
Perhaps I will get the book from the library and be able to read it.

A year after her parents are killed in a car accident Avery is asked by the Museum of Antiquities to evaluate and authenticate a ruby the museum is interested in acquiring for their collection. A possible connection is found between the ruby and the Emperor's Twins which was the last piece Avery's parents worked on before they died in the car accident. The night before Avery accepts the contract she finds an anonymous note that tells her not to accept the contract. The nicknames used for Avery and her sister in the note were once used by her father so who wrote the note? A series of break-ins leads to all documentation on the Emperor's Twins being stolen, and the body of the seller of the ruby that Avery is authenticating is murdered.

Ruby Red Herring is the first book in a new series. While it is a cozy, sometimes it leans towards a suspense thriller genre. I like the relationship between Avery, her sister, and her aunt. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.