Cover Image: Mint Condition Murder

Mint Condition Murder

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I love this series and think this one of the best installment as it's gripping, highly entertaining.
I was happy to catch up with the fleshed out characters, the solid plot kept me guessing and it's full of twists and turns.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Was this review helpful?

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have not read anything by either author, so I found this novel to be a well written introduction. This is book nine in the series, but I did not necessarily feel lost. There were mentions of previous cases, but they were brief and had no bearing on the current settings.

Molly Appleby is preparing to write an article about Charlotte Blair, and arrives at Charlotte's antiques store only to discover her body instead. Knowing that there is still a story about Charlotte, and wanting to get justice for her, Molly decides to investigate alongside Detective Lombardi. However, Molly soon has more trouble than she realized when her estranged father comes to town wanting to finally meet her, and his new wife is linked to Charlotte. Dealing with her own personal issues and wanting to discover the truth, Molly has quite a balancing act on her hands.

I enjoyed this novel. I loved the support Molly had with her husband Matt, as well as her mother and stepfather. I also really enjoyed the camaraderie between her and Detective Lombardi. I feel too many amateur detective novels don't allow their written police force an opportunity for growth towards the amateur. It was refreshing to see a change in style for once. I also liked that Lombardi wasn't arrogant about his own failings, and maintained a healthy friendship with Molly.

I also liked the description of the antiques. I liked the fact that this was a world that Molly knew about, but she grew from it. She isn't fully knowledgeable and brings other, more experienced individuals around. Molly's personality is down to earth and curious. I really liked and related to her.

The ending was a bit off to me. I had an idea of the murderer, but the way it went about felt abrupt. I was hoping for a bit more flow.

Overall I rate this novel 4 out 5 (I wish the system could do half, 4.5 out 5) and will follow both Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a nail biter of a page turner. A great read. I loved the Storyline. The plot was very well written and I cannot wait for another book. This was from a new to me and great author. I really enjoyed the book. Will definitely recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing.

Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs team up to bring us another book in this series, where the antique trade can be murder. The storyline is set up in Vermont, with a transplanted southerner from North Carolina. Molly Appleby is a reporter/writer for Collector's Weekly with a skill for solving murders.

"When the female antique dealer she was meant to interview turns up dead, Collector’s Weekly reporter Molly Appleby can’t help but wonder why anyone would kill a woman so new to the area. Before she can spend much time pondering the means or motive, Molly discovers that the father she never knew is keen on reconciliation. And while it seems unlikely that his sudden interest and the death of the dealer are connected, Molly soon learns otherwise."

This is the second book by this pair that I read, although not my first Ellery Adams. In this story, Molly has to deal with reconnecting with a father she never knew while solving the murder of an antiques dealer with a "Checkered Past" which coincidently is the name of her store in Vermont. As Molly delves into the murder, more suspects appear, including ties to her father.

I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to lovers of cozy mysteries.

Was this review helpful?

Mint Condition Murder by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is the ninth instalment in their Antiques and Collectibles series. Although I have not read the entire series, I was able to easily follow the characters and plot.

In Mint Condition Murder, the reader catches up with the courageous protagonist Molly Appleby in Vermont, a place wonderfully and vividly brought to life by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs. Collector’s Weekly reporter and antique lover Molly along with her mum, Clara are on their way to interview the owner of a new antique shop, 'A Checkered Past'. The woman, Charlotte Blair is from Boston but when Molly and her mum arrive, they find her dead under a glass-topped table with a pool of blood spread around her head.

As the mystery deepens, suspects and clues abound. Molly is a terrific character: clever, outgoing, loving, and thoughtful. However, her intrepid sense of curiosity frequently gets her in trouble. She has a supportive and considerate husband, as well as the respect of Detective Tony Lombardi. As well as the murder, Molly has other issues to deal with including something that is troubling Clara.

Mint Condition Murder, is a compelling, twisted little mystery, and this is a very enjoyable series: one that I confidently recommend to cozy readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Beyond The Page Publishing via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fun, cosy murder mystery.

The plot line was a little bit obvious but overall a fun read. This is in a series however you don't need to have read the ones before to get a good understanding of the plot and characters. I could have had more of the personal storyline as the main characters family is fun.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an arc.

Was this review helpful?

Found Treasure!
I loved Mint Condition Murder because it is one of the few cozy mysteries in which the protagonist, Molly, is a happily married woman and mother. It is also evident that the author, Ellery Adam’s, has done significant research into the world of antiques and collectibles. Her knowledge definitely enhances the story. Molly once again stumbles across a dead body-a woman opening an antique store in Molly’s bucolic Vermont town. That gruesome discovery leads Molly to find a tin of rare antique coins in a secret compartment of an antique desk. The historical significance of the coins, is fascinating plus it plays a role in the investigation as to who killed the antiques dealer - who was harboring many secrets. A great, fun read. #mintconditionmurder #netgalley

Was this review helpful?

Mint Condition Murder is an entertaining and well written cozy mystery . Great plot and character dynamics. Mystery fans will love this book.

Was this review helpful?

Ellery Adams is an auto-buy author for me. It doesn't matter what it may be I will pick up her books and recommend them to everyone that I come in contact with. And to have a series that is about book about bookish items is brilliant!

Was this review helpful?

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Beyond The Page Publishing, in return for an honest review. This is the 9th book in this series and can be read as a stand-alone. Molly Appleby writes for a popular magazine, Collector’s Weekly, focusing on antique stores and their owners. Living in New England with her doctor husband and young son, Molly is especially close to her mom and stepfather. Molly’s mom, Clara, raised her as a single mother when Molly’s dad left immediately after her birth. In this story, Molly and her mom are driving to a new antique shop when two unexpected things happen. First, Molly’s mom announces that Molly’s dad is in the area and wants to connect with her. Second, their arrival at the shop has them finding a murdered proprietor! Luckily, Molly has a long history with the local police force when she investigates.
There are things about this book I enjoyed very much and one thing that I didn’t. The characters are well written; it’s a solid and enjoyable cozy; the reasons for the murder fit well and I’d enjoy reading more in this series. My only hesitation recommendation is that there is no explanation for why Molly is allowed such leniency and access to police information. She’s not a crime reporter or affiliated with the police department, yet they allow her access to cold case files, etc. Why? I’m sure the other books set the backstory for this, but this is one thing that needed to be clarified for believability to this book to make it at the tops.

Was this review helpful?

Molly Appleby is a New England reporter for an antique collector's magazine. But when she finds her next interview subject dead, she's once again plunged into a whodunit. Now, solving a murder mystery is enough of a challenge, but she's about to be hit with the reappearance of the dad that abandoned her and her mom when Molly was still a newborn. And then, a long-cold unsolved case starts to weave its way into the mystery. Complicated? You bet. Heaps of suspects? Absolutely. Family drama? Loads of it! 

I found the story's convoluted path led to to a satisfying conclusion. And I have to give a special round of applause for the classic ending scenario. I won't give it away, but it's one of those tropes that should be executed perfectly or not at all. I found it done to perfection—much like all the yummy food, especially baked goods, enjoyed by the characters.

My thanks to authors Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs, NetGalley, and Beyond the Page Publishing for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Molly Appleby is a character you will love immediately. Molly and her mom discover a murdered lady Molly was suppose to interview. Love the series very well written.

#MintConditionMurder #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

9th book in this series

We are back with Molly who is getting ready to write another story for her magazine, but that’s easy said than done. The woman she was supposed to interview is as dead as the story.

Molly can’t leave the investigation to the police, as always she needs to help find the killer, but what she finds instead will turn her life upside down.

This was a great addition to the series, I can’t wait for Molly’s next adventure. If you like a fun enjoyable read this book is for you!!

Was this review helpful?

This is a great series and the characters bring the story alive. However it’s a series that you don’t need to start from the beginning. There is spots where you may get bored but it’s good enough to keep you interested. Having characters that are relatable is what makes you want more. Look forward to the next book in the series

Was this review helpful?

I love all Ellery Adams' books but the Antiques and Collectibles Mystery series is a sentimental favorite because it was the series that introduced me to Ellery Adams. Molly Appleby and her mother are traveling to a new antique shop to interview the owner who has moved from Boston to open a store in Vermont. Unfortunately, Molly doesn't get her interview because she finds the woman's body. Old coins, vintage jewelry and murder lead Molly into another investigation with Detective Lombardi. This series is wonderfully written with characters the reader can't wait to learn more about, good and bad. The mystery always keeps me guessing I always enjoy each new installment and eagerly await the next book. I highly recommend Mind Condition Murder and the whole Antiques and Collectible mystery series to all mystery lovers.

Was this review helpful?

Molly Applegate goes to interview Charlotte, an antique dealer who has opened a new store in Vermont. Instead of getting an interview, Molly and her mother find Charlotte dead.
The unraveling of this mystery was very interesting. Molly had to travel into the past to find the motives for what happened in the present day. Along the way she helps to solve a cold case.
This is book 9 in the series. I haven't read the previous books but I was able to read this as a standalone with the backstory that is given as the book progresses. Some of the events mentioned may inspire me to read previous books.
Molly is an engaging character. She is lucky to have a police detective who is willing to take her ideas and theories seriously. I like all the supporting characters in the book as well.
If you like antiques and mysteries, this will be a fun read.

Was this review helpful?

Mint Condition Murder by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is the 9th book in the Antiques and Collectibles Mysteries series. This is a great author collaboration and it works well with this interesting series centered around antiques and murder. Thank you to the author, the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.

Molly Appleby writes for a magazine called Collector's Weekly which is about antique stores and antique deals. She lives in New England with her own family and near her Mother and Stepfather of whom she is close to. Of late most of her articles are about murders of antique dealers. So many murders have occurred that Molly is concerned. Molly is a savvy investigator who does not hesitate to get involved where murder is concerned. She and her mother go to a new antique store for the newest interview . They walk in on a dead owner who had just been murdered. While they wait outside for the police her Mother confesses her long lost Father is back in her life and wants to know his daughter. The family secret reveled and another murder has Molly busy piecing together not only her own life but the red herrings of the murder.

I enjoy this series . The charcters all add depth to the central plot and the sleuth was very well crafted. A enjoyable cozy and I look forward to the next in series.

Was this review helpful?

Mint Condition Murder by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is a great installment to the Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries series. I enjoy reading these books because I am transported away for a brief time and am immersed in a solid mystery with interesting characters.

Was this review helpful?

This was such an enjoyable read! It wasn’t hard to get caught up, even though I’d never read any of the previous books in the series. The characters were all pretty well rounded, even the suspects, and the mysteries (one led to another) were well done with a good amount of clues if you were trying to figure it out yourself.

Was this review helpful?

I had my suspicions on who did it. But I had no idea why or how, so that made for an enjoyable read. I liked the characters and their relationships.

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

Was this review helpful?