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Den of Antiquity #10
Tiles and Tribulations
Abigail Timberlake Washburn would rather be anywhere else on a muggy Charleston summer evening -- even putting in extra hours at her antiques shop -- than at a séance. But her best friend, "Calamity Jane," thinks a spirit -- or "Apparition American," as ectoplasmically-correct Abby puts it -- lurks in the eighteenth-century Georgian mansion, complete with priceless, seventeenth-century Portuguese kitchen tiles, that C.J. just bought as a fixer-upper. Luckily, Abby's mama located a psychic in the yellow pages -- a certain Madame Woo-Woo -- and, together with a motley group of feisty retirees known as the "Heavenly Hustlers," they all get down to give an unwanted spook the heave-ho. But, for all her extrasensory abilities, the Madame didn't foresee that she, herself, would be forced over to the other side prematurely. Suddenly Abby fears there's more than a specter haunting C.J. And they’d better exorcise a flesh-and-blood killer fast before the recently departed Woo-Woo gets company.
319 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2003
12 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Tamar Myers
74 books291 followersTamar Myers was born and raised in the Belgian Congo (now just the Congo). Her parents were missionaries to a tribe which, at that time, were known as headhunters and used human skulls for drinking cups. Hers was the first white family ever to peacefully coexist with the tribe, and Tamar grew up fluent in the local trade language. Because of her pale blue eyes, Tamar’s nickname was Ugly Eyes.
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
Tamar grew up eating elephant, hippopotamus and even monkey. She attended a boarding school that was two days away by truck, and sometimes it was necessary to wade through crocodile infested waters to reach it. Other dangers she encountered as a child were cobras, deadly green mambas, and the voracious armies of driver ants that ate every animal (and human) that didn’t get out of their way.
In 1960 the Congo, which had been a Belgian colony, became an independent nation. There followed a period of retribution (for heinous crimes committed against the Congolese by the Belgians) in which many Whites were killed. Tamar and her family fled the Congo, but returned a year later. By then a number of civil wars were raging, and the family’s residence was often in the line of fire. In 1964, after living through three years of war, the family returned to the United States permanently.
Tamar was sixteen when her family settled in America, and she immediately underwent severe culture shock. She didn’t know how to dial a telephone, cross a street at a stoplight, or use a vending machine. She lucked out, however, by meeting her husband, Jeffrey, on her first day in an American high school. They literally bumped heads while he was leaving, and she entering, the Civics classroom.
Tamar now calls Charlotte, NC home. She lives with her husband, plus a Basenji dog named Pagan, a Bengal cat named Nkashama, and an orange tabby rescue cat named Dumpster Boy. She and her husband are of the Jewish faith, the animals are not.
Tamar enjoys gardening (she is a Master Gardner), bonsai, travel, painting and, of course, reading. She loves Thai and Indian food, and antique jewelry. She plans to visit Machu Pichu in the near future.
Series:
* Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
* Den of Antiquity Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2019
This is a fun series with wacky characters, and that makes a really good series even better!
February 27, 2022
This was probably the least plausible storyline yet, capped off by the most eye-rolling ending ever.
Oy vey!
Oy vey!
November 5, 2020
This is the 10th book in the "Den of Antiquity" mystery series, featuring 40-something Abigail Timberlake Washburn. Abby owns a successful antique shop called Den of Antiquity. I believe I've read one other book in the series, so I'm obviously not reading them in any semblance of order. Fie on that.
When Abby's BFF and employee, Jane Cox (aka Calamity Jane aka CJ) wants to hold a seance to rid her recently-purchased home of its resident haunt, Abby reluctantly agrees to attend. After the medium, Madame Woo-Woo, drops dead, Abby is determined that CJ won't take the fall for murder. She needs to find out who else may have had a motive, and discovering several priceless antiques and fixtures in CJ's house may be a big clue. Abby takes it upon herself to visit and question everyone else who had attended the seance, but when she gets too close to the truth, Abby may find herself joining Madame Woo-Woo on the other side.
This story was hilarious! I love Abby's sarcasm and quick wit. Characters were fully realized, from Abby herself to her gay friends, the Rob-Bobs, her pearl-clutching mama, and even the nosy lady who lives across the street from CJ's house. Abby manages to talk her way into and out of several predicaments, and the plot clipped along at a fast pace. Loved the book, and I will certainly seek out more in the series. Five stars!
When Abby's BFF and employee, Jane Cox (aka Calamity Jane aka CJ) wants to hold a seance to rid her recently-purchased home of its resident haunt, Abby reluctantly agrees to attend. After the medium, Madame Woo-Woo, drops dead, Abby is determined that CJ won't take the fall for murder. She needs to find out who else may have had a motive, and discovering several priceless antiques and fixtures in CJ's house may be a big clue. Abby takes it upon herself to visit and question everyone else who had attended the seance, but when she gets too close to the truth, Abby may find herself joining Madame Woo-Woo on the other side.
This story was hilarious! I love Abby's sarcasm and quick wit. Characters were fully realized, from Abby herself to her gay friends, the Rob-Bobs, her pearl-clutching mama, and even the nosy lady who lives across the street from CJ's house. Abby manages to talk her way into and out of several predicaments, and the plot clipped along at a fast pace. Loved the book, and I will certainly seek out more in the series. Five stars!
October 10, 2025
The author has a great way with words and constructing sentences. Love alliteration. But I found most of the cast to be annoying. I don’t like to be hit over the head by obvious points over and over. What I would like is a motive for the killing. The book took its time until the ending. That just seemed to be tacked on and it was ridiculous. Can’t say I’ll be interested in reading more of this series.
January 18, 2020
A little better than the previous book in the series, as the ridiculous humour has been toned down a step. The characters are, as usual, larger than life. And another of the MC’s cronies has followed her to pastures new.
February 14, 2018
Too frivolous for me.
July 15, 2018
Another wacky cozy from Tamar Myers. The heroine in this book is Abigail Timberlake Washburn with the assistance of her southern belle mother, Mozella.
August 26, 2022
A fun romp through Charleston, S.C., as colorful characters and crazy situations abound in this cozy mystery.
November 7, 2022
This book was so underwhelming I’ve already forgotten whodunit. The writing is fun and quirky but the story is bad.
February 15, 2017
Abigail Timberlake Washburn is forced to attend a seance at her friend, C.J's new home. She is certain that her house is haunted and that the spirit is even doing repairs around the house for her. C.J. hires a psychic and with a group of retiree friends of Abby's Mom tries to find out why the spirit is still there. Abby figures out early on that the psychic isn't all she appears to be, but when Madame Woo-Woo is found dead, Abby becomes a suspect.
December 19, 2016
Just not a fan of this series, it is more irritating than humorous.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
January 25, 2013
This is a good example of a cozy mystery appropriate for any audience. The reader has done a wonderful job of creating the Charleston 'southern' culture and setting, and the eccentric circle of family and friends who are swept up in the mystery when a murder occurs in an 18th century house. The amateur sleuth is a bit unusual in that she is middle aged and has a delightful 'voice' as she goes through her interviews of those who were present at the time of the murder. The author rushed the climax, I felt, providing the solution after the fact rather than in real-time which was disappointing, however, overall the plot worked and the characters were entertaining.
August 12, 2020
Tiles and Tribulations by Tamar Myers is a humorous uncovering of a murderer at a seance. The house is haunted by a ghost who has been doing house repairs, a seance is planned to move this ghost along to the other side. (Although the repairs are not finished)
The main character, Abby, is smart and sarcastic which makes for some interesting dialogue. She is determined to uncover the murderer even though she has been told to leave it to the police. Oh yeah, she’s sneaky too.
The cast of characters are an interesting bunch and all add to the story.
The main character, Abby, is smart and sarcastic which makes for some interesting dialogue. She is determined to uncover the murderer even though she has been told to leave it to the police. Oh yeah, she’s sneaky too.
The cast of characters are an interesting bunch and all add to the story.
April 2, 2008
This series and the Penn Dutch mysteries are very silly but they are quick fun reads for a mindless day! Certainly not classics, but funny! The Den of Antiquity heroine is an antiques dealer and the penn dutch one is a mennonite bed and breakfast owner.
March 29, 2013
Is she ragging other cozy mystery authors? For shame! Haha.
Wynnell is missing from this book.
Interesting mystery. I didn't guess who or even why. I did like the story, though. It's interesting seeing the storylines unfold as everyone migrates to the coastal regions of S Carolina.
Wynnell is missing from this book.
Interesting mystery. I didn't guess who or even why. I did like the story, though. It's interesting seeing the storylines unfold as everyone migrates to the coastal regions of S Carolina.
July 14, 2014
Tkhis was a great book for a rainy afternoon. I felt like I didn't really know all the little details of the characters but I now realize this was #10 in the series. So, I will seek out #1 and learn more about this crazy shop.
March 21, 2009
I got this because it is set in Charleston- but was sadly disappointed. It is set here, but doesn't capture the vibrancy of *my* Charleston.
September 5, 2009
Easy reading i would call it...
June 12, 2011
"I had no idea where I was, but it was as dark as a stack of black cats."
I'm a sucker for mysteries set in the South. Especially in South Carolina.
I'm a sucker for mysteries set in the South. Especially in South Carolina.
April 8, 2012
Murder of psychic Madame WooWoo leads to mayhem. Fun read.
December 13, 2013
Fluffy mystery.
December 5, 2015
Full of puns, folksy expressions and fun alliteration. Enjoyable read and good cozy mystery
January 28, 2014
Better than her Mennonite series but some of her little bits - such as Jane's stories - get old. The plot is good but some of the other bits get stale.
Read
June 19, 2010charming, as all her mysteries
February 21, 2014
A quick read, and light blend of comedy and murder-
October 15, 2017
Fun, light, and silly cozy mystery. Just what I needed!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews