Member Reviews

What a great book, the plot was so interesting with the Hollywood antiques and auction. The writing was so good I got lost in the book and finished it in one night. It’s a must read for cozy and antique loverx

Was this review helpful?

Actor, Atlas Dolan’s antique collection is going up for auction and Molly Appleby can't wait to see what the collection includes. Fortunately, she is friends with Brett Hamilton whose auction house is handling the event and Molly has garnered an invite. The auction is a huge success so when goes to Brett's home to interview him about the results and finds him hanging from a beam, she isn't convinced that it's suicide. Why, she asks, after such a success? Other clues are apparent to her but not the police, after all they didn't know Brett, she did.

Determined to prove that her friend was murdered, Molly enters into the auction world to find the killer.

This book was so much better than the previous one - the characters were more intriguing, and the clues delicately placed throughout.

Was this review helpful?

Molly Appleby is a well-respected reporter for and antique and collectible magazine. She is a new mother who has moved from her hometown in North Carolina due to her husband's medical career. She is assigned a story to cover an auction where a celebrity is auctioning off much of his antique collection. The company belongs to a friend of hers and she is sure this will make his career. After the auction, he is found dead of an apparent suicide. Molly is sure it was a murder and sets out to prove it.

There are a lot of characters in this book from police, the celebrity and his family/entourage, townspeople, and business associates, many of whom are potential suspects with various motives for wanting him dead. Molly tries to investigate, ask questions and poke into the situation, all under the guise of writing her article. There were some likable and several unlikable characters. I pretty much figured this one out, but there were several details that were unveiled at the end that were a surprise. I enjoy the writing and setting in this series. The plot is well developed and even though I guessed who the culprit was, I was still invested in this story. I enjoy this series, the setting and the characters and will continue to follow the adventures of Molly Appleby and her family and friends.

Was this review helpful?

I generally devour Ellery Adams novels, but have come across this series a bit late. I enjoy that all of Adams leading ladies are so different, yet each are enjoyable. Though I consider her novels to be cozy mysteries, there are serious crimes being solved; this novel is no different. This novel has a bit of a thriller feel as you are not sure if Molly is uncovering a serial killer or someone who has decided to become judge , jury and executioner.

Was this review helpful?

While I've read a number of books by Ellery Adams, this is the first one I have read in the Collectible Mystery Series, although this is #7, and thoroughly enjoyed it. While I had no problem keeping up with the story and the characters, there was probably a depth to the interrelationships that I missed. Molly Appleby is a reporter for antiques/collectible magazine who has a penchant for solving murders. She has been invited to cover her friend's auction of the collection of an Hollywood A-lister. Her friend is found dead after the successful event and while initially presumed to be a suicide, it turns out to be murder. And her friend had a number of unsavory relationships and a full collection of suspects. Written with intelligence and wit, the story moves quickly and plays fair with the reader.

Was this review helpful?

"A Bidder End" is book seven in the 'Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries' series. There were secrets aplenty in this great cozy with a unique mystery. With an eclectic bunch of characters, a compelling plot and a few red herrings added to the mix this was a fantastic read that kept me on my toes. I would like to read the other books in this series as I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Well done Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Beyond The Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Molly Appleby is a reporter for Collector’s Weekly and when her friend is the dealer handling the auction of a Hollywood A-lister’s enviable collection of antiques, she’s thrilled for him. This could help his business turn the corner with a successful sale, but then his secretary disappears and the dealer appears to have committed suicide, and things take a dark turn.

Molly is not convinced her friend’s death was a suicide, but believes that he was actually murdered. As she uncovers clues, it appears a lot of people had a motive for murder and there are plenty of suspects!

A series of clues—cookie jars and board game pieces—seems to tease both Molly and the police, and the killer has Molly pegged as the next one to die…

A Bidder End is an enjoyable cozy whodunit with an interesting cast of characters.

Was this review helpful?

I loved, loved, loved this series and this book didn't disappoint. I find the world of antiques very fascinating and this series has kept me curious. I like how the characters are continuing to grow and develop relationships. I also like that it seems like we are getting to see a bit more of Molly's life away from solving crimes.


Twists and turns kept me guessing and I thought the book was well-written. I'm already looking forward to the next one in the series.

Was this review helpful?

A great engaging mystery, constructed to give you developed characters, clues toward the killer. This is my first book from this series but not of this author. I reaĺly like the flow of her writing style, which entertains a reader like me, who is more into the flow of the story than trying to figure out who done it. Spent an afternoon relaxing while my kiddos had an afternoon run around. I'd really recommend this to all cozy mystery lovers.

Was this review helpful?

Well, hello again, Molly Appleby! A Bidder End connects us again with Molly who is now married to Matt. When we begin, they are living in Vermont with their baby, Tyler. Molly writes for an Arts & Collectables magazine and is covering an auction of Atlas Dolan collectibles (prodded by his wife.) and the auction is being run by local Brett Hamilton.

Days after showing Molly an antique gun, Brett is found hung in his home. The authorities assume it was a suicide, but Molly doesn't agree. She leaps into detective mode and begins asking the folks that knew Brett the best.

I love how the story twists and turns as Molly continues working the case with the local Detective. Unlike a lot of Cozy Mysteries, Detective Lombardi is quite friendly with Molly rather than discouraging. And the conclusion was satisfying.

I always love Ellery Adam's mysteries and characters and this is no different. Though this is book 7 and you'll enjoy more if you read earlier books, it still can be enjoyed as a standalone. I am glad she's working with Parker Riggs to bring more books out into the world.

A Bidder's End is an enjoyable way to step away from the real world and lose yourself in a story with characters you can't help but like.

Was this review helpful?

A Bidder End by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is the seventh An Antiques & Collectibles Mystery. Molly Appleby is a reporter with Collector’s Weekly with a penchant for mysteries. Atlas Dolan, retired actor, is auctioning off some of his antique collection and Molly is covering the event. Molly’s friend, Brett Hamilton who owns Laurel Wreath Antiques & Auction House is hosting the auction. After a successful auction, Molly notices Helen Hughes, Atlas’s assistant, looking agitated as she rushes to her car. Brett, Helen’s boyfriend, later calls Molly. He is worried about Helen because she has not answered her phone and has failed to return. Molly puts in a call to Detective Lombardi who will investigate the matter. The next morning, Molly receives an early morning call from Detective Lombardi. Brett was found dead in his kitchen by Helen, and it looks like Brett took his own life. Molly refuses to believe that Brett would commit suicide. She is even more convinced Brett was murdered when she notices a McCoy cookie jar on Brett’s kitchen table with purple pawn inside. Until the coroner makes a final ruling, Detective Lombardi’s hands are tied. However, as a reporter, Molly is free to ask questions. She soon discovers how little she knew about Brett. When another person connected to Helen turns up dead with a cookie jar beside the body, Detective Lombardi gets swayed to Molly’s side. Someone is playing a deadly game. Is Molly up to the challenge?

A Bidder End returns us to Molly Appleby who is happily married to Matt Harrison, a surgical resident, and they are enjoying their ten month old son, Tyler Jerome Harrison. Molly is thankful for Matt’s niece, Starling Harrison who agreed to be their nanny (I am not sure how they can afford her). Molly is thrilled to cover the auction of actor, Atlas Dolan’s antique collection. Atlas, as it turns out, is a fan of Molly’s articles (and her sleuthing). Atlas does not want to sell any of his collection, but his latest wife, Whitney was insistent (she is not a fan of antiques). This auction will put Brett Hamilton’s business on the map. Brett was quite lucky to get this opportunity. It helped that he hired Atlas’s daughter and is dating Atlas’s personal assistant (talk about stacking the deck in your favor). When Brett is found hanging from an old beam in his home, suicide it the automatic assumption. Molly, though, is not buying it. She jumps right into investigative mode and begins questioning those who knew Brett the best. There are multiple suspects in this whodunit and misdirection. I liked the addition of the cookie jars and game pieces which relate back to a board game. I am grateful that Molly works with Detective T. Lombardi and that he is a pleasant character (what a nice change from cozy mysteries I have read recently). Avid mystery readers, though, will have no problem solving this crime long before the reveal (which was disappointing). I enjoyed the friendly characters, the antiques described, the details on the board game and the lovely setting. A Bidder End is well-written, engaging and proceeds at a steady pace. I enjoyed the cozy moments as Molly interacts with her family and friends. A Bidder End can be read as a standalone if you have not read the previous books in An Antiques & Collectibles Mystery series. A Bidder End is a charming cozy mystery with realistic characters, beautiful antiques, and a multi-faceted mystery.

Was this review helpful?

Molly Appleby is excited to be covering the auction of a former Hollywood A-lister’s antiques for Collector’s Weekly. The auction dealer is a friend of Molly’s so when he is found dead and the actor’s secretary goes missing, Molly doesn’t believe that everything is as it appears. Molly starts to ask questions under the ruse she is working on her article. Can Molly find out what is really going on before someone decide she has to be stopped?

This is my first book to read in this series even though it is book 7. I had no problem following the story so it can definitely be enjoyed as a stand-alone book. The characters are interesting and Molly is a likable protagonist. The mystery is full of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing whodunit. I recommend this book to cozy mystery fans. I know I will be reading other books in this series in the near future.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

Was this review helpful?

I always love reading a book by Ellery Adams and her series with Parker Riggs is excellent.
The characters feel like friends and family.
This series never disappoints me.

Was this review helpful?

A Bidder End is the seventh in this series and is a great cozy mystery. Great characters and we'll written. This is the first I read in this series and I will go back and read the rest.

Was this review helpful?

A Bidder End by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is a well-written story featuring Molly Appleby who is a writer for Collector's Weekly magazine, which is a gift because it allows her to live in Vermont with her husband and her 10-month old son despite the fact that the magazine is in North Carolina. Her project today is to visit the barn (auction house) of a friend, Brett, who is auctioning off some of the collection of movie star, Atlas Dolan. As she arrives she runs into Julian Wright. Brett's right hand man and good guy. He shows her an 1861 revolver that Brett is saving for a special buyer, one who collects antique firearms. A fabulous start to a great auction day. Plenty for Molly to write about, not to mention meeting the famous Atlas Dolan. Sadly, the next day Brett is found dead and his girlfriend, Atlas Dolan's assistant is nowhere to be found.

This story is about a bunch of people with problems of various sorts. Makes for a fabulous book, but a bunch of miserable people who turn into suspects. There are plenty of twists and turns and a few red herrings but Molly wends her way through it all. Some of her most interesting articles have been the ones where she solves a crime and showcases collectables. This is a good mystery that kept me turning the pages. Molly is a terrific character who has a supportive husband. This can be a rarity for people who put themselves in dangerous situations. It's always fun to read about a particular pastime and nothing is better than antiques and collectables. I recommend it as a fast and satisfying read.

I received a free ATC of A Bidder End in exchange for a fair and honest review. #netgalley #abidderend

Was this review helpful?

A Bidder End by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is the 7th book in the Antiques and Collectibles Mystery series, and my first book in this series. Once I started this book I could not stop reading it. It was a quick read that kept me guessing. I look forward to the next book in the series, and catching up on the prior books. I recommend this book for all cozy mystery book lovers, you will not be disappointed.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing, LLC, Thank you.

Was this review helpful?

When a retired Hollywood A-lister decides to auction off part of his enviable collection of antiques, reporter Molly Appleby is thrilled to be covering the event for Collector’s Weekly, and she’s certain it will secure the reputation of the dealer handling it, a friend of hers. But soon after the final gavel comes down, the actor’s secretary vanishes and the antiques dealer is found dead, apparently having taken his own life. Molly’s not sold on the coroner’s verdict of suicide, though, and she can’t help but start digging for clues to what she suspects is foul play.


Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience

Was this review helpful?

A Bidder End by Ellery Adams and Parker Riggs is book 7 the Antiques and Collectibles series. This was the first in the series for me though. I was able to get up to speed quickly.
I enjoyed this book as the setting was great and the characters relatable. What I loved was the protagonist was married with a child. There were plenty of suspects to keep you guessing until the end.
I also enjoyed the antiques and hearing about the history. The one thing that stood out with me was the using of the cookie jars. I loved the fact McCoy Pottery and Brush Pottery were used as, I live in the town they were started.
I can't wait for book 8 to come out.
I was given an ARC via Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I do believe Ellery Adams could write a book on accounting and I would find it an amazing read. I have yet to be disappointed in any of her books. I am definitely interested in researching other books by Parker Riggs.

I have only read the first book in the Antiques & Collectibles Mystery Series but was able to pick right up with book 7. That right there shows the true talent of an amazing author. I never once felt lost or confused.

A Bidder End was full of twists and turns that keep me interested right up until the last page. A bonus is learning about the antique and collectible world. I will be moving this series right up my TBR pile so I’ll be ready for book 8.

I received a complimentary copy from Beyond the Page Publishing through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Molly is a determined woman with a pitbull mentality, she staunchly refuses to believe her friend who just had a successful auctioned had committed suicide. It definitely was out of character with his OCD issues, no she just didn’t buy it one bit. She was determined in wanting answers the truth that is. Not waiting around for the police to declare it was murder. Molly took the initiative to do her own investigations. Faced with so many twists and turns situation became baffling, so much so, she almost lost sight of the truth, and the killers.

Was this review helpful?