Murder on the Hour

February 29, 2016
The TV show Antiques Cymru comes to the Welsh town of Llanelen in Duncan’s well-paced seventh Penny Brannigan mystery (after 2015’s Slated for Death). On filming and appraisal day, Catrin Bellis, a shy, quiet young woman whose parents are recently deceased, brings a family quilt to be appraised. A couple of hours later, a woman who wants to rent a room from Catrin finds her lying on her sitting room floor with her head bashed in. The quilt is missing. Penny Brannigan, the owner of the popular Llanelen Spa, inadvertently ends up working the case alongside Det. Chief Insp. Gareth Davies, who happens to be her former beau. As hidden treasures and family heirlooms are undusted and brought back into the light after years away in the shadows, the secrets of Llanelen’s residents gradually emerge. Penny knows she has to act fast before the culprit gets away or someone else is hurt. Fans of small-town cozies will find a lot to like. Agent: Dominick Abel, Dominick Abel Literary Agency.

February 15, 2016
Murder is an unintended consequence when Antiques Cymru comes to a Welsh town. The denizens of Llanelen have been busy turning out their attics ever since they got the news that the popular TV appraisal show will come to their town. Canadian expat Penny Brannigan, who owns the local health and beauty spa, is helping to organize the event. When the great day arrives, Catrin Bellis is disappointed with the value of her quilt. Farmer Haydn Williams is amazed to find that his long-case clock, complete with half a hidden treasure map, is worth 12,000. The biggest shock comes for Florence Semble, who culled sketches from the trash when she worked at the Liverpool College of Art. Her drawings by Stuart Sutcliffe and John Lennon are assessed at 80,000. Even this excitement is soon overtaken by the discovery of Catrin Bellis dead in her home, her devalued quilt missing. Penny's romance with DCI Gareth Davies may have faded, but he still values her opinions about crimes (Slated For Death, 2015, etc.). So when she's out on a sketching expedition with her latest beau, art appraiser Michael Quinn, and they see a solitary woman Penny recognizes carrying the quilt, they give chase--only to get Michael injured by a careless biker. Even though she's rumored to have been enjoying an affair, it's hard to imagine who would kill Catrin. But Penny knows that something small was hidden in her stolen quilt and is mindful of the missing half of Haydn Williams' treasure map. Could all these little clues add up to a reason for murder? Whatever else you can say about appealing Penny, she doesn't let romance distract her from her search for a killer. Information about appraisals and local color enhance the story's charm but fail to make it very mysterious.

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April 1, 2016

When the Welsh version of Antiques Roadshow comes to Llanelen, residents hope the show will bring some needed cash and panache to their tiny village. But after Phen Catrin Bellis is murdered and her antique quilt disappears, Penny Brannigan and company must figure out who stood to gain the most. In the seventh series outing (after Slated for Death), the vibrant characters of Llanelen are in fine fettle.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2016
Residents of Llanelen, Wales, are excited because Antiques Cymru (think Antiques Roadshow) is coming to town. Catrin Bellis, who is beginning a new life after spending years tending her elderly parents, brings an antique quilt to be valued, but soon Catrin is murdered, and the quilt disappears. With Detective Gareth Davies soon to retire, recently promoted Detective Inspector Bethan Morgan gets the case and is soon in over her head. Meanwhile, spa owner Penny Brannigan looks to solve the mystery of a partial map found in an old clock and begins seeing a new man, after previously breaking up with Davies. When Bethan is needed at home, Gareth and Penny reunite to unravel the mystery of the map and solve Catrin's murder, setting a trap for the killer. The lush landscape of Wales is lovingly described along with details of art, artists, and antiques in this mystery populated with quirky characters set in a charming village. Share with readers who enjoy Jane K. Cleland's Josie Prescott cozies with their similar antiques frame.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)