Stevie‘s review of Death at the Auction (The Stamford Mysteries, Book 1) by E. C. Bateman
Contemporary Cozy Mystery published by One More Chapter 18 Nov 22
I don’t think I’ve come across many novels set in Stamford, much less cosy mysteries, which is slightly odd, given how many similar towns have more than their fair share of unlikely (fictional) killings. I used to be quite familiar with that corner of England, though less so with the town in question, so I thought I’d give this new series a go. Felicia Grant returns to the town after an absence of eight years to rescue the auction business she set up with her father, after the old man has a fall and is unable to act as auctioneer during his convalescence. Accompanying Felicia is her teenage son, Algernon – seemingly wise beyond his years – and they soon find themselves joined by Felicia’s ex-husband, Dexter, star of a popular TV antiques show, and his film crew.
Dexter is on a hunt for a particular antique that Felicia is about to sell, but the chaos of his arrival is soon overshadowed by the discovery of a dead body hidden inside it. The deceased is soon revealed to be one of Felicia’s father’s business rivals, as well as the star of another TV antiques show, thus putting the whole Grant family onto the suspects list, and stranding Felicia and Dexter, not to mention Algernon, in Stamford until the case is resolved.
Felicia decides to do a little investigating of her own, much to the annoyance of the local police officers, all with the help of Algernon and Cassie – the town’s mayor and Felicia’s long-time friend. The killer, however, is determined to keep their secrets and will kill again to do so, putting Felicia’s family, as well as her father’s employees, in danger, until Felicia is able to team up with the police and help them solve the case.
This book was a bit of a disappointment. I figured out the original murder weapon – though not who had wielded it – very early on, and there were a couple of discrepancies that got explained away far too late in the story for my liking. I also felt that the general disregard for proper police procedure to be stretching things far too much, even in a genre where suspension of disbelief is often a requirement. Not a series I plan on following any further.
Grade: D
Summary:
Murder stalks the cobbles in England’s finest Georgian town…
When an accident forces Felicia Grant back to her family’s auction house in Stamford, she vows it’ll only be a flying visit. But as the gavel falls on the final lot, a hidden secret is revealed—the body of her father’s business rival, murdered during the packed sale!
Soon, Felicia is swept into a mystery that has everyone in the community as a potential suspect―including her.
As the body count rises and with the people she loves under threat, Felicia takes matters into her own hands. But even the most picturesque place has its secrets…
Read an excerpt.
