A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

I think I start every review of a cozy mystery pretty much along the same lines: they're either horrendous or wonderful, with very little in between. I've even started developing a list of Cozy Cardinal Sins and tropes. Such as - -

1) Heroine is a small business owner
This book/series: check – but it's okay. This little shop sounds like it would be viable in real life; it's run by family; it sells something that legitimately can be lucrative.

2) There's a love triangle
This book/series: check – but it's okay. Normally this is a bad, bad idea – but it works here. The heroine has genuine affection for both men in her life, and it's handled in a way that feels fairly realistic.

3) Heroine is surrounded by wise-cracking family, friends, and co-workers.
This book/series: check – but it's okay. Because it's funny. "'You have a mind like an elephant’s.' 'Yeah, wrinkled, gray, and way too much junk in the trunk. But that’s totally irrelephant.' I rolled my eyes and glared at him. Otherwise, he’d be making elephant jokes all day." That took the joke and pushed it too far – and it's so silly I had to smile.

4) Author thinks she's skilled at sharp, clever, witty
This book/series: check – but it's okay. Because she is. "Cathy’s fictional version was a little more embellished, containing spear guns, spies, bikinis, an occasional zombie, and a whole lot of steamy embraces. She insisted readers would need something spicier." "But Dad had spun his words as adeptly as some cult leader, playing on my pride, my craving for his approval, my sense of justice, and that infernal inherited curiosity. I said nothing, but my next sip of coffee tasted an awful lot like Kool-Aid." (It was Flavor Aid, but that's just quibbling.)

5) Author thinks she's skilled at metaphor and simile
This book/series: check – but it's okay. Because she is. I don't think I've ever come across a description of someone's "stomach tied into a macramé plant hanger" before, and I like it. Oh, and this is lovely: "Jack’s mother was a riddle wrapped in a lemon inside a porcupine." I want to use that in conversation. One more: "If he’d looked any more sheepish, he’d be eating grass in the fields and sprouting a thick wool coat."

6) The plot is filled with red herrings and has elements that are over the top, far-fetched
This book/series: check – but it's okay. Because Barbara Early can write. And she can plot. She can throw in a few left turns and wacky bits, and fold it into a story that hangs together and comes to a satisfying conclusion.

7) At least as important as the plot (if not more important) is the cast of characters
This book/series: check – but it's okay. Because these characters have a depth that you don't usually see in a light read. The family that runs the toy shop at the center of the series has a legitimate history, and it's not all Norman Rockwell and jokes. These folks have been through stuff, and Barbara Early obviously feels a real warmth towards them. The beauty is that she writes them so well that I do too.

The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.

Murder on the Toy Town Express is the second book in the vintage toy shop cozy mystery series. I have to admit I did not realize this was the second book in a series and had not read the first. That being said, I did not feel like I was missing any huge information by starting with this book.

Liz McCall has come to love running her father’s vintage toyshop so when the Train and Toy Show comes to town, she’s all aboard for a fun toy-filled weekend. The only hitch is that her childhood bully Craig McFadden, now local business rival, has set up a booth next to hers. But the fun and games are over when Craig falls from the ceiling in a publicity stunt gone wrong. Liz looks into the stunt and realizes that it was more than a publicity stunt and that Craig may not have been the target.

Book 2 of the Vintage Toy Shop series was every bit as good as the first! This is shaping up to be a go-to series, and not just because I love the setting so much (and I'm with Liz about Sahlen's Hot Dogs, mmmm.) The twisty plot kept me guessing right up to the exciting ending, and there were a few "oh no way!" moments along the way. I love Liz's relationship with her dad, they make a great team and the running puns are always funny.

"You have a mind like an elephant's."
"Yeah, wrinkled, gray and way too much junk in the trunk. But that's totally irrelephant."

I felt bad for Liz in this one. I mean, what's wrong with a woman casually dating 2 guys? Apparently a lot, since Liz's family felt like they needed to nag her about it every 2 minutes. Can't a single girl have a little fun?

It was the plot that really stands out in this book, who killed Comic Book Craig and why? Craig wasn't a likeable guy by any means, and there were plenty of motives and suspects to keep me guessing, and the side plots added both a bit of fun and introduced new characters I hope to see more of in later books. The big plot twist at the end made for an exciting and satisfying conclusion and by the very last page, I was already dying (pun intended) to read the next book (October can't come soon enough!)

This was a cute mystery, I really liked that the setting/murder occurred off site, at the well attended Train and Toy Show. That setting brought about many red herrings for the murder, why certain people would have been there at all made for interesting reading. I like Liz McCall and her relationship with her family, especially retired police chief father Hank. The romantic triangle seemed like it was playing a kind of bit role, and I was worried it would fall into a Lake Eden type quandary. Still not sure how that particular thing will play out, but hopefully it will take more of a back seat to the story next time. This is definitely a series I will continue to check out at my library, the vintage toy info is quite fun.

A clean easy to read cozy mystery. The only problem was that even though the author tried building in some twists and turns, it wasn’t too hard to figure out who committed the murder. The twist in the romance side of the book was a little more surprising and in many respects, disappointing. In fact I totally did not understand or, for that matter, like what happened with that story thread.

I started reading the book, thinking it would be a Christmas book. But, alas it really did get to that point in the story until the book ended. So I can’t even recommend it as a Christmas read. I received a copy of the book in exchange for a review which is my own.

This was a delightful Christmas read! I love model trains to begin with, so I was looking forward to reading this one. I was not disappointed. :) I have not read the first book in the series, but I did not have any trouble following the story line or knowing who each of the characters were.

I enjoyed our main characters. Liz is a great heroine. She does take some risks, but they're calculated and she at least attempts to take someone with her to help with safety, even if that doesn't always work as well as she hopes. I like both Ken and Jack. We'll see down the line who ends up being the winner of Liz's affections.

I enjoyed the setting and the descriptions very much. My best friend lives in Buffalo, NY, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area. It was nice to visit the area in the book and know about some of the places and things they were talking about. The plot line moved along at a steady pace and while I wondered about the villain, I wasn't positive about them until just before it was revealed.

All in all, it was a fun book to read and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series!

Murder on the Toy Town Express is the second installment in the Vintage Toyshop Mystery series set in East Aurora, NY and features vintage toy shop co-owner Liz McCall. The toy and train show is coming to town and the McCall family is having a booth for their shop, Well Played.

Liz isn't too happy to discover that Craig McFadden, the school yard bully and now the owner of the comic book store across the street has a booth set up next to hers. Craig is acting a little bizarre wearing a superhero cape and bragging that he has a big announcement to make. When Craig appears on the catwalk high above the crowd and ultimately plunges to the ground, Liz and her father who is also the retired police chief quickly find themselves in the midst of the investigation.

A fast moving plot line with plenty of suspects, well developed characters and a hint of romance. I have not had the opportunity to read the first in this series but had no troubles following along.

I received an advanced copy of Murder on the Toy Town Express from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books and while not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

Murder on the Toy Town Express: A Vintage Toyshop Mystery
By Barbara Early
Crooked Lane
November 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

A costumed superhero takes a less-than-majestic flight in the second mystery featuring Liz McCall and the Well Played Vintage Toyshop. November’s East Aurora Train and Toyshow in Western New York is a profitable opportunity for Liz and her father to promote their vintage toys before the holiday season, but Liz never expected that her childhood nemesis would be hosting the comic book booth next to her. Craig McFadden tormented Liz since kindergarten, and would continue to bully and abuse her until finally disappearing into the foster system. The Craig’s Comics assistant Maxine seems amenable and willing to coax the feathers he ruffles, although it appears as though the event’s censorious security guard is the one spreading unhappiness throughout such a joyous and nostalgic event.

Craig was suited up as spandex-clad Mr. Inferno presumably as a publicity stunt, but unfortunately flight was not once of his superpowers. After a plunge lands him in the hospital and makes a destruction zone of a train set display, over ninety thousand dollars’ worth of collectable comics go missing from his booth. This makes Craig’s initial fall look more than a little suspicious, especially when a multitude of shady characters seemed to around the toy expo. Not in the least of these was Terry Wallace, a man Liz’s now-retired police chief once arrested for theft and was the reason Jack Wallace ended his relationship with Liz. They’ve since mended their relationship, although this complicates her friends-without-benefits situation with police chief Ken Young.

While many women wouldn’t mind having to choose between two extremely handsome, intelligent suitors, Liz would prefer to assist her father as he becomes the show’s temporary head of security. In the past Liz reprimanded her dad for seeming to have forgotten that he was the RETIRED chief of police, but this time she’s sullen about not being involved. So that explains how she hilariously ends up at a home cleaning product demonstration, meeting her favorite fantasy heroine, and learning more than she thought possible about the comic book industry.

Liz’s acerbic inner dialogue and turn of the phrase will have readers giggling and laughing out loud, while her father’s affection for puns make eyes roll. This latest in the series explores the world of train set collections, the art and business of comic book valuation, and the publishing industry. Liz does make a decisive romantic decision, but the results will not be what she expected. Financial intrigue, a unique Santa, and investigations conducted while playing board games will have readers clamoring for the next toy-centric mystery.

Murder on the Toy Town Express by Barbara Early is the second novel in A Vintage Toyshop Mystery series. Liz McCall and her father, Hank are heading to the East Aurora Train and Toy Show with items from their vintage toyshop, Well Played. They arrive to discover that their booth is next to Craig’s Comics owned by Craig McFadden (who tormented Liz all through childhood). Craig is running around is a caped crusader outfit excited about an announcement he will be making and soon appears up on the catwalk. Unfortunately, Craig plunges to his death and it is believed he was injured in a publicity stunt that went awry. Later that night, Craig dies in the local hospital and the police discover that Craig’s death was not so innocent. Hank and Liz are on the case helping local Police Chief Ken Young. Can they uncover the killer before the train and toy show departs town?

Murder on the Toy Town Express is nicely written and has a good pace. I found it easy to read and I liked the descriptions of the vintage toys (and treats). I would suggest starting with Death of a Toy Soldier before embarking on Murder on the Toy Town Express. Otherwise, you might be a little lost in the beginning. There are some humorous puns in the story that will cause readers to giggle. I wish, though, the author had not put a love triangle into the story, and I thought too much time was devoted to romance. Though, it does look like one of the love interests may have a secret. The mystery was not complicated and the killer can be identified early in the story (insert disappointed sigh). I kept hoping for a good, unexpected twist. My rating for Murder on the Toy Town Express is 4 out of 5 stars. I like the characters (especially Hank), the toy store, the town, and the great toys. There is one revelation that provided a laugh out loud moment (involves My Little Pony). I do find that some details are overlooked or not provided (like Maxine’s last name). I appreciate that Hank and Liz work with the police on the investigation. I will be continuing with A Vintage Toyshop Mystery series.

This book follows Liz and her father Hank as they are spending time at the Train and Toy Show. When funny things begin happening like Craig an old nemesis of Liz's winds up taking a leap into a train track. As Liz and Hank try to put the pieces together which lead to more questions instead of answers! Who killed Craig and why?

This book had so much going on. There were so many puzzles and searching out the clues was a lot of fun. I really found myself following along with Liz wondering where it would lead. Can't wait to see what the author comes up with next!

MURDER ON THE TOY TOWN EXPRESS by Barbara Early
The Second Vintage Toyshop Mystery

Liz McCall and her dad, Hank, hope to sell some of the vintage toys from their shop, Well Played, as they venture out to the East Aurora Train and Toy Show. But it's not all fun and games when Craig, the comic store owner who bullied Liz throughout school, takes a swan dive from the catwalk into the train exhibit! When Hank takes over as head of security for the event, Liz can't help but involved too. Was it an accident or murder? Is the mob really involved and did it have anything to do with Craig's big announcement?

Barbara Early brings plenty of nostalgia with her Vintage Toyshop Mysteries. Fortunately for me, it wasn't the bullying that brought me back, but rather the toys and their spot on descriptions. I still have my Which Witch? game (yes, the original) and its mention made me want to dig it out and play again! Reading about these toys brings back special times remembered with fondness.

Make no mistake, it's not just about the toys, there is a well plotted mystery as well. Rich characterization and subplots about Liz's family as well as her suitors add both complexity and meaning. MURDER ON THE TOY TOWN EXPRESS brings fresh life to old toys and games as Liz McCall hunts for the truth once again in picturesque Western New York.

Murder on the Toy Town Express is a fun read for cozy mystery fans, and anyone who loves retro toys will especially enjoy it. I love all things retro, including vintage toys, and sometimes sell a few vintage toys in my online shop, so I especially enjoyed this book.

Liz works with her father in his vintage toy store in East Aurora, New York. When they work a vintage toy show, she is shocked when her high school bully, now a comic book dealer, dies suddenly. With the help of her father, friends, and semi-boyfriend, Ken (who also is police chief) she becomes involved in working to solve the crime.

This was such a fun read! I couldn't put it down. The characters are quirky, interesting, and likable. And there are twists and then more twists. I am usually pretty good at solving mysteries but did not have this one figured out until I was about 75% in!

This is the second book in the Vintage Toyshop Mystery series. I have not read the first (yet!), but this book worked fine as a standalone mystery.

I loved, loved, loved the vintage toy details in this book. As well as great details about model trains, there are mentions of toys like The Addams Family Card Game, The Beatles: Flip Your Wig Game, Candy Land, Life, Lite-Brite, and more. At one point the characters have a 1970's games night featuring Yahtzee, Risk, Clue, Mousetrap, Rebound, Which Witch, Sub Search, and Manhunt. The party was complete even with '70's candies: Good & Plenty, Milk Duds, Necco Wafers, Chuckles, and Sky Bars.

I enthusiastically recommend Murder on the Toy Town Express to other cozy fans. It makes a great weekend read, and it is really fun!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Choo! Choo! All Aboard for another fun mystery from Barbara Early!!

The toy and train show has come to East Aurora, New York and Liz McCall and her family have a booth to sell their vintage toys. Liz McCall is a little nervous because an awful blast from her past, Craig McFadden, has the booth right next to hers selling his comic books. It is bad enough that he has a store across the street from their toy shop, Well Played, does she have to see him for the whole weekend. She quickly meets his clerk and learns she will be running the booth, because Craig has something special planned. I don’t think dying was what he had in mind, but that is what happened. Accident… publicity stunt… one moment he was on the catwalk, then he was in the air and then he laid among the rubble of the disaster he created to a model train town. Was it murder?? Her dad, the retired police chief finds himself in the middle of the investigation and so does Liz when her high school boyfriend’s brother becomes a prime suspect and she finds her dad may have been the original target.

All the characters I loved in the first story are back. The relationship between Liz and her dad is heartwarming and uplifting. The whole family pulls together to help with the shop and the booth. It is a true family business. They also have many loyal customers that show up for their nightly board game events. Well Played is a family gem in a day of the big box stores.

Now the victim, he was a bully from back in grade school right up until the day he died. He didn’t have any friends and Liz even questioned if he would be missed. He was the perfect victim and while I never wish anyone dead, I was not sorry to see him go.

Ms. Early has written quite a puzzling mystery and I may be off my “game” but she had me so twisted, turned, and off the “track” that I pulled in the station right along with Liz. I had an OMG moment when I read that final twist. The plot was very exciting but the author threw in some funny instances too. There is also a bit of a romantic triangle going on. Liz is dating her high school crush and the new police chief. Her dad is giving her more than a little nudge to finally decide between the two. The author had me on board from the first page to the last.

So we have wonderful characters, a fun theme, an excellent mystery, with humor and romance. For me that chugs this story right into the depot as an absolutely perfect escape. Climb aboard, this is a story you don’t want to miss.

The Toy and Train Expo has come to town, and Liz McCall and her father have a booth for their vintage toy shop, Well Played. Their booth is next to a face from Liz’s past, Craig McFadden, who used to bully Liz in school. Craig has some big announcement to make this weekend, but before he can, he plunges off the cat walk in the convention center. What’s going on?

I never really grew up, so a series set in a vintage toy shop has me smiling from page one. The fact that the story is strong and kept me guessing only helps. The characters are wonderful, and I’d love to meet Liz and her family. There are significant developments in the romantic triangle introduced in the previous book. Add in a strong dose of humor thanks to certain events and Liz’s father’s love of puns, and you’ve got a winning book.

Liz McCall runs a vintage toy shop, Well Played, in East Aurora, NY along with her father. The duo have a booth at the Toy and Train Expo. Liz expects the show to be a busy, but enjoyable event. Until she sees an enemy from her past. Her childhood nemesis, Craig McFadden, has a booth for his comic book shop set up right next to them. And Craig is still a jerk. His employee, Maxine, seems very nice and definitely competent, which makes the situation a bit better.

Liz's dad says that he has spotted some rather shady looking people at the expo. Liz thinks it might just be his former law enforcement career making him see criminals in any large crowd.....but strange things start to happen, culminating in Craig taking a swan dive from the cat walk of the expo building into the train display below. Was his fall an accident? Or something more sinister?

I used to own a comic book shop so all the discussion of comics, grading and selling collectibles was enjoyable for me. :) The author did a great job of portraying the collector crowd....and how they behave, or misbehave, at an expo event. The collectibles market can be fickle. People sometimes think they have a high dollar item and get rather upset when you have to tell them it's a reprint or too damaged to be worth anything. All those reality shows that portray people finding gems worth thousands in their attics made everyone believe they had a mint hidden away in their home. :)

I love the idea of a retired police officer running a vintage toy shop with his daughter. The fact that the father still has his cop intuition was a great addition to the character. He notices people in the expo crowd behaving strangely.....and he was right! Liz is a strong, intelligent and determined main character. All of the side characters are believable and interesting. The toy and comic book background theme didn't overpower the mystery, but added to it. The mystery moved along at a good pace, with plenty of surprises and twists. I did not see the ending coming.....it caught me by surprise. But, it was one of those moments where I had to shake my head and say to myself that I should have seen it coming..... :) All in all, great cozy mystery!!

Murder on the Toy Town Express is the second book in the Vintage Toy Shop Mystery series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.barbaraearly.com/

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Bringing together so many elements I love in a cozy mystery with the added bonus of Liz working alongside her father - I recommend you get onboard and pick up this series.
Even when the victim is someone you can't feel sorry for, or too bad about, the adventure is in following the clues and figuring them out before the police do, while trying not to cross the police because Liz is sort of dating the present chief, while her father is a former police chief.

It is a fast and humorous ride that makes us feel warm and fuzzy with childhood memories.
A well crafted mystery with developed characters with whom we enjoy spending time .

That was puntastic. Seriously, the sense of humor was amazing. I enjoyed the mystery, although it did seem a little over complicated. The characters were wonderful, and everyone had their own unique personality. The toy shop setting was a lot of fun (but demon Santa freaked me out a little, especially after I saw a picture).

Liz McCall runs a vintage toyshop with her family in East Aurora, NY. The bully from high school runs a local comic shop. There is train/toy convention in town. The bully dies. Was it an accident or murder/ If it was murder what is the motive, means, and who had the opportunity? This very well written book has levity, a little romance and a lot of mystery.
I liked the characters, the story and I didn’t suspect the killer. This was a complex story with enough sub-plots to keep you interested and entertained. Along with assisting in solving the murder, Liz needs to choose between the men she likes. Is she going to wind up dating both, one or none? It’ll depend on the twists and turns.
I liked the sense of family an dthe holiday spirit throughout the book. Wish more places had open game nights.
If you like mysteries this is a must read.

Conductor . . . I mean author Barbara Early takes her readers on the ride of a life time! Toot Toot!

Having loved the first book in this series, DEATH OF A TOY SOLDIER, I couldn’t wait to hop on board book two, MURDER ON THE TOY TOWN EXPRESS. Oh my goodness! It was well worth the wait!

Like a kid to a toy store, Barbara Early lured me into this second installment of the Vintage Toyshop Mysteries. From the first line of this book that had me laughing, the exciting mystery throughout, until the last line which left me sighing contentedly, I read this book straight through.

I am besotted with the characters in this murderously delightful series. Liz McCall, and her father, Hank, have a wonderful relationship that causes my heart to smile. Another favorite of mine is Liz’s sister-in-law, Cathy. I would so love working with them in their toyshop, Well Played. I could see us becoming fast friends.

MURDER ON THE TOY TOWN EXPRESS was an exceptional mystery. Even with the victim being someone who deserved what he got, I was wrapped up in the investigation of who killed him and why. Following along one twisting and turning dead end track after another, when I finally reached the end of the line in this story, I couldn’t have been more surprised. Game well played, Ms. Early.

Don’t let anything derail you from reading MURDER ON THE TOY TOWN EXPRESS!