Guilty as Sin

Guilty as Sin is a fantastic read that lovers of British mystery will eagerly devour.

Tripping the light fantastic with pensioners is no way to meet eligible young men, but Lina enjoys the exercise and spending time with her adopted father and business partner, Griff. On a weekend getaway combining a dance competition and an antiques show, Lina spots a valuable Japanese netsuke for sale – one described by Griff as belonging to an elderly friend he takes communion to. Then, when she decides to tour a medieval church nearby, she interrupts a set of thieves.

On top of everything, the wealthy – and very married – seller and collector of antiques, who has been pursuing Lina causes an embarrassing scene at the dance competition and breaks a priceless vase.

Through Griff, Lina becomes friends with Dodie, an elderly woman living a lonely existence. Much to Lina and Griff's dismay, someone has been systematically stealing and selling Dodie's belongings. Lina makes it her mission to improve Dodie's life and discover who has been stealing from her.

Meanwhile more churches are being robbed, and Lina has been threatened and attacked. Her forger father is up to something, but he claims it is legit but he can't tell her anything just yet.

Lina is a wonderful character. Although she had a difficult early life, she is honest and compassionate. She doesn't make friends her age easily, but she is caring and considerate to those she does befriend. Doing the right thing is very important to her, whether it be in her relationships or in the pieces of china she restores for collectors.

I really enjoyed this character driven mystery. I loved Lina, Griff, her father, and those close to her. This was the first Lina Townend mystery I have read, and I eagerly look forward to reading more books by Judith Cutler. 5/5

Guilty as Sin is available for preorder and will be released December 1, 2015.

I received a copy of Guilty as Sin from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

–Crittermom

Antiques and mystery combine with a uniquely British flair http://muttcafe.com/2015/10/guilty-as-sin/
10/26/15

“Guilty as Sin” is the latest installment of the author’s Lina Townsend series. Lina is the illegitimate daughter of a lord, but spent much of her youth in foster care. She considers her mentor, Griff Trip, to be her father. In this book, Lina, Griff, and her biological father are involved in a case involving church thefts and robberies of an elderly woman.

I enjoy this author’s police procedural series featuring Fran Harman, but this is the first of this series I have read and it’s very different, but just as well-written. Lina is an antiques dealer who has a natural gift for spotting valuable items, but does some sleuthing on the side. Lina has a fun sense of humor and this mystery is well-written and entertaining. It may have been helpful to read the prior books in the series, because I was sometimes mixed up over who was who in the story and was very confused about the nature of her relationship with Carwyn Morgan, a detective on assignment in France, but things were clarified by the end of the book.

The case at the center of the book held my interest and even when I wasn’t completely clear on the “who’s who” of the book, I enjoyed the story and the situations being described. Readers who have been following the series won’t want to miss this book since several important events happen at the end of the book that will change the direction of Lina’s life. I am interested to find out what is in store for Lina in future books.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Severn House publishers in exchange for an honest review.