After having read several of Tamar Myers' mysteries, I am coming to find them formulaic and a bit too self-conscious. While reading "So Faux," I found that I could predict what would happen next. Though the content differed from previous novels, the structural elements remained pretty much the same. Once again (as in another of Myers' novels), there was the reference to a "frizzy-haired" writer of mysteries, who I assume is to be the author, herself. This type of self-consciousness in a writer can distance the reader from her work and shatter the suspension of disbelief that is so necessary to the enjoyment of a book of this kind.

Myers' humor failed to make up for the thin plot, the one-dimensional characters and the lack of a well-defined place. This was simply an unsatisfying read.

What a delight! When Abby finds someone is selling reproductions as the real thing, her sleuthing takes her to Hernia, PA. Abby meets Magdalena - the main character from her Penn/Dutch mysteries. I couldn't wait till she got there. The book is fun reading all the way thru, with Ms. Myers staying on top of her trademark humor. However, a couple things are bothersome. A look-alike for Abby is added into this book, which was better suited to save for another book - it seemed like too many coincidences in the story, having that plus Hernia. The handling of Greg Washburn does not make a lot of sense and makes us like Abby less, which is not good for series writing. This book also made me wonder if the editor was on vacation. Quite a few typos, which were distracting. Still it gets high points for the entertaining read that it is. I hope Abby and Magdalena meet again some day.

Author Tamar Myers hits her stride in this 4th. book of the Den of Antiquity series. Her heroine, Abigail Timberlake, is about to be married to a handsome detective. Her mother delivers a wedding present to her on her way to join a convent. Abby's joy turns to concern when she sees that the tea set she has just received is identical to one she purchased at an auction as a one-of-a-kind, expensive silver set. Her concern is deepened when her engagement announcement is found in the pocket of a dead man in Pennsylvania. Abby decides that she must investigate this situation up close and personal, so she and her three dearest friends drive to Pennsylvania to look into the matter and hopefully to puchase some antiques and quilts. Their culture shock at being "north of the Line" is very amusing as is the interaction of these roommates who were not made in heaven. The plot has the usual twists and turns and the guilty party is truly a surprise!

As an avid reader of Tamar Myers, I have to say this was probably the weakest of all of her books. I had to look at the page numbers to make sure I wasn't missing a chapter. In one chapter Abby (the main character) is at the mercy of the killer and the next chapter she is safe at home. How did she get away? Where's the rest of the story? It's almost as if Ms. Myers had a deadline and had to finish the book without putting any thought into the ending. It was very disappointing. Still, I gave it two stars because the rest of the book is amusing. Just not her best work. Not by a long shot.

Tamar Myers has written the Den of Antiquity Series with clever puns as titles and a delightful heroine in Abigail Timberlake Washburn. In this entry to the series, antique-dealer Abby is invited to come to a seance at the home of her friend CJ. Although she is not enthusiastic at the prospect, she agrees after her mother's persuasive argument that CJ needs her friends to come in order to rid her house of an unwanted ghost. Unfortunately Madame Woo-Woo, the medium who is running the seance, is poisoned during the event. Everyone present is a suspect since the poison is found on a tape recorder which was present in the room at the time of the seance. Even Abby comes under suspicion as she had occasion to handle the tape recorder. She pursues the investigation with her usual enthusiasm and has some hilarious meetings with the suspects. Finally, she goes too far, and the murderer keeps her prisoner until......well, guess you'll have to read the book to find out what happens.

This is the best "Den of Antiquity" mystery Ms. Myers has written in a while. All her jokes and witticisms are fresh! No more paint shaker/Home Depot stale one-liners. When a medium is killed at a seance she is attending, Abby has her pick of suspects from an array of fascinating characters. It was a little stretch how she figures out the killer's identity. But the climax was good. A good, cozy and finally funny read.

This book is alright as a quick read, but I was not very impressed. It never let me know exactly how old the main character was.. As I read through the book, she could have been anything from 30-60 years old. When "questioning" suspects - she would just roll up to someone's house with a ... excuse and people would actually answer her questions. The other characters were interesting, but the main character has to get you interested to keep buying the books.

Abigail Timberlake, the intrepid owner of the Den of Antiquity, is pleased to be able to acquire a beautiful four-piece set of furniture at an estate sale. When the set is delivered, she discovers a dead body in the armoire. The set was purchased from an eccentric family, the Barrases, who provide Abby with an interesting list of suspects. As in most families, there are varying degrees of greed and lust and Abby spends most of her time conjecturing as to who could have committed the murder. The author further develops some of the characters from the first book, such as Rob and Bob, and introduces some new ones such as C.J. (Calamity Jane.) The narrative and plot are smoother in this second novel, and the author, although injecting humor does not push it too far. A fun read!

Ms Myers has done it again. This is a fine mystery story. I do wonder what happened between Larceny and Old Lace and this one to Tony who was supposed to own her aunt's old shop and was her mother's boy friend. In this second in the series we have Calamity Jane owning the store and no mention of Tony - what happened to him? We also seem to have lost some of the other antique store owners. The book still does a fine job, but a little more continuity might be in order to keep readers coming back for more. Please, tie up the loose ends so we know what happens to some of the characters that seem to have disappeared.

Magdalena Yoder, owner of the PennDutch Inn is back again in the ninth book of the Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series. This time Hernia's worst cook, Lizzie Mast, is poisoned by some crepes. Magdalena's guests are always under suspicion and this time they include an African-American couple, a TV star and his wife, and a very tall PE teacher who is recruiting for her high school basketball team. Magdalena decides that she might as well solve the murder because her brother-in-law Melvin, who is Chief of Police, seems incapable of solving anything. This book contains the usual puns and jokes and will appeal to most of Myers' fans.

Though it's the 9th book in her Penn-Dutch series, Ms. Myers does it again with yet another delightful page-turner. Frankly I didn't expect a 9th book to be as strong in plot or humor as the others, but I was happily surprised to find "Crepes..." every bit as good as the rest. Drugs come to Hernia (oh my!) and Melvin asks Magdalena's help in solving a murder as he runs his policital campaign. This book does not disappoint.

In Hernia, Pennsylvania, lives large Amish and Mennonite populations with tourists from around the world converging on the small area. Most visitors stay at the Penn-Dutch Inn run by Magdalena Yoder, a keen businessperson who has managed to turn a failing farm into a profit making enterprise. Magdalena has also an uncanny ability to solve homicide cases.

Her brother-in-law, the local police chief, asks Magdalena to help him solve the murder of Lizzie Mast, a devout Mennonite married to a Viet Nam veteran. Lizzie died from an overdose of Angel Dust. Apparently, just before she died, Lizzie received a threatening note that the postmaster saw. However, a hit and run driver deliberately kills the postmaster. Magdalena learns that some local teens are experimenting with illegal drugs and concludes that their supplier provided the Angel Dust to Lizzie. Magdalena must identify the seller in order to stop more deaths form occurring.

Every book that Tamar Myers writes in her wonderful "Pennsylvania Dutch with recipes" series contains much humor and insight. However, the current tale, THE CREPES OF WRATH, is just plain funny while providing even more understanding of the communities than the strong previous entries. The witty repartees and double entendres allow readers to feel good even while murder and drugs serve as the focus of the mystery. The characters are likable while the mystery is well drawn and executed. On a scale from one to five, this regional amateur sleuth novel is a ten.

Harriet Klausner

Magdelena Yoder has always been the nemesis of police chief Melvin Stoltzfus. It might have something to do with the fact that she tends to solve crimes before he does. In this addition to the Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery series, Melvin decides since he can't beat her, he'll ask her to join him. Magdelena is called upon to be a temporary deputy in order to help Melvin solve the murder of an Asian visitor who has been strangled and then run over by an Amish buggy. Magdelena has her usual group of interesting guests at the PennDutch Inn and they are suspects along with some local teenage boys who love to drive their buggies around town late at night. She is unwittingly aided by her father-in-law who is in search of aliens and flying saucers and who helps her uncover some important evidence. This one is a bit thin as to the plot, and the murderer's motive is pretty shaky, but it's still good fun if you're a "cozy" fan.

I don't know how she does it, but Ms. Myers has written yet another truly entertaining book in this - her 5th in her Penn/Dutch mystery series. Her new marriage ends in this one, which is an important reason to read these in order (so why doesn't the publisher put the Number on them?). Each page is engaging; her writing and wit superb. However in this book I found it to be somewhat weak in plot (that's why the 4 stars). The book is not a disappointment, though, as she carries it thru with her unique sense of humor and just plain talent. Don't miss it!

I had missed this one in my collection, so I had to buy it and fill in the blanks. As always, Ms. Myers kept me chuckling the whole way through. Once I got started, I literally couldn't put it down. I was glad to find out the details about what happened to Aaron (the rat!). I love her characters (especially Freni) and the humor is terrific. I'm ready for another one!

There were many elements I enjoyed about this novel; the main one: the language. Author Tamar Myers has a wonderful sense of wordplay and wit that makes many passages a joy to read. However, in my opinion, this element detracts from the rather flimsy plot: returning home from a vacation, protagnist Abigail Timberlake finds her business -- the Den of Antiquity antique store -- burgled, and her finances in shambles. Depressed, she accepts an offer from Tradd Latham, part of an old Southern family with loads of money, not to mention the requisite odd relations, to join him for a possibly profitable adventure. The plot concerns a contest, in which participants have to find a specific antique hidden by the family matriarch. What's found first, however, is a dead body: the sluttish maid. Abigail's dim friend, CJ, confesses to the murder, and that sends Abigail, Tradd, and a host of other colorful characters looking for the real murderer. The resolution of the plot is standard, with the wit overshadowing everything (favorite witty moment: Tradd's number of children sprinkled throughout the community, referred to as 'Traddpoles'). Entertaining, but not for the hardcore mystery fan.

Another page-turner by Ms. Myers, who has taken the top slot as my favorite author this past year. Abby takes part in a "find the missing antique" game weekend, given at a wealthy woman's mansion. Someone ends up dead, and poor "C.J." - an ongoing character who is at times hilarious - confesses. Abby meets a new boyfriend, quite different from the drop-dead gorgeous types she always seems to get - a character I hope remains in the series in whatever capacity is his fictional fate. It's starting to get just a little bit unbelievable that Abby keeps getting these fabulous looking guys one right after another. This deviation from her usual path makes it a little more down to earth. I have to say I don't like Abby as much as I do the heroine of Ms. Myers' "Pennsylvania Dutch" mysteries, Magdalena Yoder. She is a little on the nasty side more times than I care for. She gets sympathy for her husband having left her and taken everything from her. Maybe that's why Ms. Myers makes her a little tough. In any event, this book does not disappoint. It's worth every penny.

I've never written in about an author before, but I have to now -- Tamar Myers has done it again! "Baroque..." is another 'can't-put-it-down' mystery. Her excellent writing style and great sense of humor had me chuckling all the way through Abby's treasure hunt at the Latham mansion. (And I learned a bit about antiques along the way! Always a bonus!) How do you keep doing it, Tamar? I wish both her book series ('Amish' and 'Antiques') would come out more often -- it's hard to wait between publishings. (And I'm particularly anxious to see her African story at the booksellers sometime soon.) Keep it up, Tamar!

This is one of the best books in Ms. Myers' "Den of Antiquity" series. When a pillar of Charleston's society invites Abby to tea and then dies, Abby tries to save her rep by finding the killer. This is the first book that shows Abby in her new home, Charleston, and as a new bride. Mom lives right in with Abby (how could we not have Mozella around?). Friends CJ and the Rob-Bobs visit. The plot is excellent and full of surprises. Additional characters are kept few, interesting and uncomplicated. Ms. Myers' humor does not seem to kick in until the last parts of the book. Again she relies on past phrases that have gotten her laughs in prior books but are now old to us. The paint shaker at the Home Depot & a sandwich short of a picnic were worn and tired phrases several books ago. Her repeated use of "wailed" can get irritating, and I don't know why she brings up "my good friend, Madgalena Yoder" (her main character from her other, Penn-Dutch, mystery series) so often. Once would have been fun. I may sound like an ungrateful reader, and I am not. She continues to be a top favorite. In spite of these flaws that keep me from giving it 5 stars, this is still one of her best. Don't miss it.

Tamar Myers specializes in the "cozy" mystery, full of one-liners and over-the-top characters. In this book Abby Timberlake Washburn has moved her Den of Antiquity Shop to Charleston, where her new husband, Greg, can pursue life as a shrimper. Abby quickly discerns that coming from "off" (anywhere other than Charleston) immediately puts a person down on the social scale. However, when socialite Mrs. Amelia Shadbark invites her to tea, she feels that her social status is assured. Mrs. Shadbark's invitation is more business than social, and she invites Abby to sell her priceless Lalique glass collection. Abby is only too glad to oblige, but before she has the opportunity to start, Mrs. Shadbark is found dead. Because she was the last person to see Mrs. S. alive, Abby becomes a prime suspect. She does some of her own investigating, as is her custom, and discovers several suspects. How she pins down the real murderer, while avoiding becoming the next victim, constitutes the rest of this amusing tale. Myers has a new setting for her stories, but brings along most of Abby's pals, such as C.J. and the Rob-Bobs, whom we've grown fond of during the series.

Tamar Myers latest novel is a delighfully fun read!! What a pleasure to read a mystery and get to giggle all the way through! Living just outside of Charleston myself I can assure you that Mrs. Myers has it right - names that are spelled one way and pronounced another, old society, being from "off" and "way off," and lots of crazy characters! I am more than happy to welcome Abby Timberlake Washburn and her quirky friends and relatives to Charleston and I hope they stay for a very long time. I've recommended this book to all my friends and am eagerly awaiting the next installment!

This book is just plain awful. Ms. Myers started out with a nice idea and produced an acceptable first book. But the rest have been trash. They are badly written, poorly edited and they are just plain silliness (and not in a cute/funny way)! There are far to many inconsequential characters clogging up the storylines, the most extreme overuse of a word that I have ever seen (wailing), and too many references to being one's own relative. I can't believe her books get 3, 4 and even 5 star ratings from readers. I will never trust the rating scale again.

In this Penn-Dutch mystery, Magdalena gets involved in murders revolving around a cheese factory. Once again, Ms. Myers' wonderful sense of humor and colorful characters make for a most cozy read. Though this is the third in the series (it's a good idea to read them in order, as the characters' subplots progress) it's as fresh as the first.

Magdelena Yoder, Mennonite proprietess of the PennDutch Inn and her less-than-reverent sister, Susannah, take to the road as they travel to Farmersburg, Ohio for the funeral of their second cousin twice removed. This unfortunate man was found floating, nude, in a milk tank on his dairy farm. Magdalena knows that any self-respecting Amish man would never be found in this compromising position, and she grows more suspicious when she discovers that one of his partners died under suspicious circumstances during the previous week. A conflict seems to center around competitors who are trying to produce the best Swiss cheese in the area. Susannah has a romance with the head of the competition's business and Magdelena fears that her sister's life is in danger. The web of evidence grows until Magdelena is kidnapped by the murderer who has her pegged as the next victim. Fans of the Pennsylvania Dutch books will enjoy this 3rd. novel of the series.

This is my first Tamar Myers PennDutch book, which is of the type that my family categorizes as "potato chip books." You know - no nutritional value, but tasty to eat anyway.

Magdalena's adventures were quite tasty, but I found myself nearly screaming out loud with irritation at Myers' repetitious use of the word "wailed" throughout the book. In fact, so often does the word appear that, to the detriment of the story line, the reader begins anticipating the next "she wailed", which creates a sense almost of boredom right in the midst of even the more exciting parts of the book. Futhermore, Myers' overuse of "wailed" made the otherwise acerbic, assertive, and funny Magdalena sound like, well, a whiny old spinster.

I plan to read at least one more book in the Magadalena series with the hope that the annoying "wailing" mannerism is a one-book phenomenon. The character is funny enough to rate 4 stars if only Myers would consult a thesaurus the next time she has the urge to have Magadalena wail.

Having read this series from the beginning, I constantly look forward to new installments from the "lives and times of Magdalena Yoder" and this book did not disappoint. While "Mags" tries to solve the mystery of the missing baby, she ends up in some hysterical situations--this book had me laughing out loud. If you are looking for some lighthearted, entertaining reading, then I recommend you buy this book--the chuckles you get from it will be good for what ever ails you.

This time our favorite sleuth, Magdalena, is snooping in a different kind of mystery. Was there a third baby? If so, where did it go? What's going on over at the gorgeous doctor's house? And who is that mysterious celebrity hiding out in Room 6? Myers's writing is so effortlessly funny, I found myself laughing out loud more than once. I must say, in the genre of comic mysteries, Magdalena takes the cake! (And the pie -- Freni's Butterscotch Chiffon Pie, recipe on page 37.) The Pennsylvania-Dutch references give it a real sense of place. I believe the Penn-Dutch series began with "Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth," but you don't have to read the previous books to enjoy this one.

Is Ms. Myers winding down her Den of Antiquity series? This one was the worst yet. Abby over-reacts a lot (as she does in several of the later books) and once again the humor is just not there. The victim in this story is Tweetie, Abby's ex-husband's wife. It took about 50 pages before we know there's been a murder, as the author takes us through chapters of unnecessary prose that went nowhere. Abby's involvement in this murder sounds contrived, and we don't really care when there is a second victim. Abby's sleuthing is poor, and her realization of who the killer is is barely sensible. The killer him or herself is revealed at the end with not much to lead up to it, though Abby's face-off with him or her was enjoyable. Abby moves to another town at the end of this book. Let's hope her move benefits the entertainment value in the series.

This was my first Den of Antiquity book and I almost didn't stick with it through the first few gossipy chapters, but once the body was found, stuffed in a medieval suit of armour, the story began to pick up. Abby can't stand to be the object of suspicion, so off she dashes in a frantic effort to find the real killer. The ending isn't wholey satisfying (motive?), but still, this would be a good choice for casual, summer pool-side reading.

NIGHTMARE IN SHINING ARMOR happily continues the Den of Antiquity series. In fact, it's one of the smoothest and most fun in the comic mystery series that began with LARCENY AND OLD LACE. The rip-roaring plot is lots of fun. The book is easy to read, flows quickly and smoothly, and has a fullness and a completeness to it. In other words, it's a satisfying read. But a surprise plot turn makes you wonder -- is this the end of the series? But no! Check out the next one: SPLENDOR IN THE GLASS. Nicely done.