Publisher's Weekly Review
Set in the small town of Grenville, Conn., Atkins's promising first in a new cozy series introduces widows Lillian Campbell and Ada Straus, both residents of a local retirement community. Before their good friend Evie died of Alzheimer's disease, Lil and Ada tended her at home during her decline. Now Lil and Ada, who's the executrix of Evie's estate, face the daunting task of packing up her house and selling off her valuable antiques as well as "an extremely desirable work of American Impressionism" by Childe Hassam. But can they find a trustworthy dealer to help them? Meanwhile, someone shoots antiques dealer Paul Conroy in the forehead and cuts off one of Paul's fingers-which somehow winds up in the bottom drawer of an old dresser up for auction. Soon Lil and Ada are involved in a baffling mystery that will keep readers turning the pages until the dramatic conclusion. Agent: Al Zuckerman, Writers House. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
Charming little Grenville, CT, an antiques mecca, has been clobbered by a vicious crime wave. A killer is targeting antique dealers. Needless to say, the community is freaking out, and a state police detective, Mattie Perez, has been brought in to help the local force. Widows Ada and Lillian are neighbors and friends in the thick of things. They are valuable sources of local information, and Mattie gains their trust. Mattie notices that the antiques dealers have a system of inventory markups that might tie in with the murders. When Lil's persistently annoying crank phone calls take on a decidedly more sinister tone, it takes a village to figure out who is behind all the murder and mayhem in the harrowing finale. VERDICT This series debut fires on all cylinders, introducing a postmenopausal detective team whose dedicated sleuthing is enhanced by the members' growing love for one another. Atkins, a practicing psychiatrist, writes expertly styled psychological tension (Mother's Milk). [See Prepub Alert, 3/21/12.] (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
