This was the first book I've read by this author and I'm not sure I will read more. I came into the series late and it was difficult to follow the story and to keep track of the characters which the author must have assumed I knew from previous books.

Vivian Borne, sheriff of Serenity County, is still on the hunt for precious antiques and a murderer. After touring a local historic mansion, and drooling over all the priceless antiques, Vivian couldn't never have imagined all of that would go up in flames.

A damaged corpse is identified as the mansion's caretaker, a flame of Vivian's. Vivian suspects there is more going on with this case than just an unfortunate fire. Can Vivian solve this before her reputation goes up in flames?

Well this was a zany bit of fun! I've heard mixed reviews about this series and honestly I can see why. The writing style is very distinct with fourth wall breaking and a story telling feel that is at times heavily shaded by the speaking character's perspective. The story feel reminded me a bit of Tonya Kappes' books so if you enjoy her stories I think you'd like this one. As well for the 14th book in the series I had absolutely no problem jumping in here. The mystery was an entertaining one with some serious hijinks but some solid investigative work. I'm not sure this is a series I'll seek out to finish or read the backlog of but if I see any books by this author on audio I'll definitely give them a try.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and this book was great.the mystery was interesting and funny and the animals adorable

Antiques Fire Sale: A Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery by Barbara Allan
Review by Sandra Murphy

Brandy always worries what her mother, Vivian, will be up to next. Now that Vivian has been elected sheriff, it’s anybody’s guess. At least when she’s working as the theater director, she’s confined to one space—mostly.

Vivian’s been generous in offering roles in exchange for a favor. Of course, she promptly forgets her promise. This time, the wanna be actress quits a good job and moves to town to be the “next big star on Broadway.” Considering the woman clearly has no talent, Brandy isn’t sure how Vivian will pull this off. That, and Vivian turned a known play into a musical—without permission from the playwright.

Offered a tour of the historic Wentworth mansion, Brandy jumps at the chance. Vivian’s seen it a number of times, but it never gets old. Because their business is an antique store, they’re apt to notice more details than most people. The home’s owner explains that he owns the house but the furniture belongs to another heir. The will stipulated the furniture stay in the mansion. It makes for a complicated situation with one person in charge of the expensive upkeep of the building and another responsible for the contents.

Hours after Brandy and Vivian tour the home, fire department sirens blare. The Wentworth mansion is on fire. As sheriff, Vivian feels she has the right to be there (honestly, she feels she has the right to be anywhere she wants). Learning the owner might still be in the house, she rushes in and narrowly escapes being overcome by smoke.

When the flames die down, there is a body inside, burned beyond recognition, assumed to be the owner. Vivian thinks he was murdered. The Chief of Police disagrees. He should know better than to doubt Vivian. She noticed a unique glass antique on the hall table during their tour. However, when she ran into the flames, it wasn’t there. Brandy researches the item and finds it’s a one of a kind—and listed for auction online. As spacey as Vivian can be, she’s right this time.

When they go to see the ruins, Brandy’s Shih Tzu Sushi, runs into the woods and discovers another body in a shallow grave. At least this one is recognizable.

As usual, the clues crisscross and confuse before falling into place to explain just what happened and who did the crimes. And the musical? The shows are sold out after the time Vivian fell off the stage, into the orchestra pit, and got her foot stuck in a tuba. Let’s just say, this performance outdid that.

This is book fourteen in the series. Expect the usual twists and turns plus an ending you won’t want to miss.

This book is the 14th installment of this series. I have not read all of them, but I have read quite a few. ANTIQUES FIRE SALE by Barbara Allen is a delightful cozy mystery with just the right blend of humor and sleuthing to satisfy this cozy fan. I liked this book and look forward to the next installment. I recommend t his book for this serious time we as an.escape into cost fun!

This is one of my very favorite series and the newest installment definitely did not disappoint. In fact I read it in less than 24 hours because the writing just sucks you and is so easy that you don't even realize how much you've read.
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I love this series for many reasons, but for me the humor and snark are the best parts! There are always little pieces of side conversation within the story - to emulate Brandy, Viv, and their editor having a funny exchange while writing the book. Brady is the main POV and she always tells the story with an attitude of almost exasperated reluctance and definite humor and sass. Viv did get to tell a good portion of the story from her POV and even Brandy's son Jake got a chapter. I love distinct the different POVs are and how well the authors embody these characters just from their different storytelling voices.
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The mystery really had me stumped and I enjoyed the role antiques played in the story. I was very surprised by the ending and the plots that were uncovered. I am in love with Viv's detecting style and how she uses her position as Sheriff (which I still can't wrap my head around-ha!). The only thing that I was missing was more of Brandy's story. Even though she is the main POV, we didn't get to see much development or get much into her head, until the ending which I LOVED! Also, I would love love to see more romance, more sparks!
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I already can't wait for the next book! Thank you to the publishers for a Netgalley ARC; my opinions are my own.

The books in the Trash N Treasures series are exactly what every reader needs now and then. A fun to read cozy mystery with characters that can be counted on to do the unexpected and still catch the bad guy in the end. The mother and daughter team of antique treasure hunters always seem to find trouble along their way. Barbara Allan has written some really unique characters and set them into a community full of people and places that will take the reader on a wild ride through an ANTIQUES FIRE SALE.

This was my first exposure to this series, and I found it a nice mix of humor and mystery. Written in first person by the mother and daughter team of antiques dealers, it was an interesting presentation. The mother has just been elected sheriff, and that provides a whole new dimension to the puzzle. At times, it was a little too "kitschy" for me, and it was pretty obvious early on who was the culprit. But easy-to-read entertainment.

Sheriff Vivian Borne and her relative Brandy are involved in the murder of the owner of a mansion with heritage antiques. The latter are missing and insurance is involved. Vivian is also shepherding a play while tracking antiques and criminals. As usual Vivian cannot keep out of mischief and mayhem in pursuit of justice and antiques in Antiques Fire Sale. Comfort reading with humor.

A delightful escape from the real world. A fun method of presenting a story with mother and daughter points of view. Each are a special character with unusual attitudes. A tiny smidgeon of romance. Lots of humor and references to old movies and their long dead stars. The style of writing and humor will not appeal to everyone, but those of us who appreciate it will find several hours of entertainment.

It's always a lot of fun to read this series as the stories are always engrossing and entertaining.
This book was no exception and I liked it.
The quirky characters are as good as always, the plot flows and entertains, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
Can't wait for the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

The 14th book in the "A Trash 'N' Treasures Mystery" series, Antiques Fire Sale from Barbara, Allan is available now. Published by Kensington Books, this book is as quirky as the rest of the series. Unlike many cozies, this one has readers laughing.

First off, I have to say that I did not like the narration of this book. It's a personal issue for me. I do not like the characters to speak to the audience in cozies. It's somewhat unsettling and does not make the story more interesting. It can have the opposite effect and make me less likely to enjoy the book or even finish it. I also do not like the continued use of calling Vivian "mother" instead of using her name; it feels disrespectful and insulting.

The characters in these cozies are well developed, and for the most part, likable. They are definitely not the average characters. They have personalities that can be irritating and endearing at the same time, just like any real human being. Vivian is my favorite character. She has personality in spades. She is unpredictable and easy to like, and always getting into trouble. I'm not overly crazy about Brandy, she's too stiff and seems to dislike everything her mother does. It verges on a teenager's attitude much of the time.

The mystery and murder(s) in this book are exciting, and there are great twists along the journey. Most cozies only have one murder to solve, but in this story, there are several, and none are straight forward. Throughout the novel, readers may get a sense that Vivian already knows who the killer is, and she is just biding her time to find the perfect occasion to unveil the culprit. The story itself is an enjoyable read, filled with Vivian's antics, plenty of evidence, and enough twists to keep readers entertained. I recommend readers who haven't read any of this series start from the beginning. But for those who have read this series, I recommend Antiques Fire Sale

Antiques Fire Sale is the fourteenth book in Barbara Allan’s (a joint pseudonym of husband-and-wife mystery writers Barbara and Max Allan Collins) A Trash ’n’ Treasures Mystery series. I’ve only read one other book in this series; however, the author provided great character background, and it’s easy to understand their backgrounds and relationships. The dialog switches between the two main characters to give both their perspectives of certain events. The mystery is interesting, with a good storyline and no shortage of twists and turns or suspects, and lots of humor.

Brandy Borne, her mother, Vivian Borne, and Brandy’s Shih Tzu, Sushi, live in Serenity, the sleepy little town. Brandy has a teenaged son who lives with his father, she’s dating Serenity’s chief of police, Tony Cassato, and she and Vivian own Trash ’n’ Treasures. Vivian, who is in her mid-seventies and has solved lots of murders as an amateur sleuth, recently became Serenity County Sheriff, and because she’s lost her driver’s license, appointed Brandy as her reluctant unpaid deputy/driver. When the historic Wentworth Mansion, which is filled with priceless antiques, is ablaze, Vivian rushes in in an unsuccessful attempt to save the occupant and notices that a vase is missing. Vivian suspects foul play, and even though it’s not in her jurisdiction, she begins an investigation. As her investigation progresses, Vivian and Brandy discover many facts that don’t line up with the identity of the deceased, find more antiques missing, and unveil lies told by suspects, and Sushi finds a second body.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Book #14 and still going strong, Brandy and her eccentric senior citizen mother, Vivian, are investigating again. Now that Vivian has been made sheriff, Brandy really has her hands full corraling her mother. Vivian lost her driving license and has deputized Brandy as her unofficial deputy - aka chauffeur - and what a team they make. Vivian runs things by her own set of rules and those don't always follow the rules of law. Picky, picky. She is really having fun with being sheriff. Things turn serious when, after they take a tour of the beautiful Wentworth mansion, it burns to the ground and a body is found in the ashes. The investigation is being conducted by the police chief of Serenity who happens to be Brandy's boyfriend. Not that that will in any way stop Vivian from doing her own investigation with Brandy as her sidekick. She is truly a force to be reckoned with. They know their antiques and, having been in the house in the 24 hours before the fire, they are quick to spot items for sale on the internet that were supposed to have burned up in the fire. Homicide with an arson coverup.
This kind of humorous cozy is all that I want to read these days. Pure escape reading and the husband and wife writing team of Barbara and Max Allan Collins has never let me down.

Brandy and her mother Vivian are back. Vivian is still sheriff and lucky Brandy is her unofficial driver. When a local mansion filled with antiques burns, Vivian is tasked with finding the murderer of the owner. Or was it the owner.

Join Brandy in another crazy mystery with some good endings.

This is such a charming cozy series ! I have read the entire series and found this next in series, the 14th great fun to read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley . My review opinion is my own.

Brandy’s Mother Vivian is still the sheriff of Serenity County. She still works with Brandy as a antique dealer and goes with Brandy to find antiques on her down time. They take a tour of the historic Wentworth Mansion enjoying the priceless treasures inside . When the mansion burns down with a corpse inside hours after their tour Brandy and her Mother are on the case. They soon find the corpse was the caretaker and someone that Vivian was once involved with. With the assistance of their trusty dog Sushi they find a second body near the mansion and know the fire was arson to cover up the murder. While being deterred in their investigation by the chief of police they don't take no for an answer and continue their investigation. . Soon they have clues stacking up and suspects abound as some items from the burned mansion show up for sale on the internet.

I loved this next in series and enjoy the Mother Daughter duo that always solves their case. The supporting charcters all add to the series and I look forward to the next in series.

This is a light-hearted cozy mystery. I enjoyed it. It moves along quickly and with the different voices of the two main characters it's quirky. #AntiquesFireSale #NetGalley.

Nope, nope, nope. The author's voice doesn't work for me. This is the second book I've tried and I'm done. Too much rambling, annoying and unnecessary fourth wall breaks, an annoying MC. Nope. I don't mind when an author breaks the fourth wall but this was just obnoxious AF and added nothing to the story. I gave up at 20%. And I'm done with this series and this author.

On the plus side, this book did have less of an obsession with brand names and clothing descriptions than the first book did. Those, at least, were toned down.

A humorous story with a quirky seventy something sheriff, Vivian, and her daughter, Brandy. Because Vivian lost her license due to a DUI she volunteered Brandy to be an ex-officio deputy so she could be Vivian's chauffeur. Thus Brandy finds herself involved in her mother's unorthodox behaviors and questionable crime fighting methods.

The story is funny and fast paced plus I enjoyed how the story was told by both Brandy and Vivian with even a chapter from Brandy's 14 year old son. The editor's notes to Vivian and Brandy added a touch of humor too. A part of A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery series the book also gives helpful hints in buying and selling collectibles. This is the first book I've read in the series but I will definitely be reading the others. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.