Shadows At The Fair

Antique Print #1

by Lea Wait

Ignorance is truly bliss for recently widowed Maggie Summer, owner of Shadows Antiques, when she arrives at the prestigious Rensselaer County Spring Antiques Fair. Sadly, she won't remain ignorant of the suspiciously high mortality rate among her fellow antiques dealers for long.

Rumors are everywhere. The most recent victim, John Smithson, died of poison at a show just last week, and many of the same dealers are here at Rensselaer. They make the identical circuit year after year, so they know each other well. Or do they?

Murder is still far from Maggie's mind as she arranges her Shadows booth: some Currier & Ives prints here, Winslow Homer wood engravings on the hack wall, other prints arranged on tables and easels by category. With eleven years' experience, she knows her stock. So far the worst thing that has happened was putting the wrong price tag on a Homer engraving and having to sell it for $170 instead of $1,700.

Maggie doesn't intend for that to happen again, and she doesn't intend to worry about murder. This show's security is tight. But she can't help observing her colleagues with fresh eyes. Some, Eke Gussie White in the booth next door, are dear friends, and Gussie's assistant, her twenty-year-old nephew, Ben, who has Down's syndrome, is a delightful new acquaintance. Others, however, even people she's known for years, suddenly seem suspect.

The opening night wine has hardly stopped flowing when death claims another victim. Maggie will still sell a few antique prints, but she'll spend most of her time looking for a killer and trying to save a vulnerable young friend. Will Maggie herself become a potential victim? The answer may be in one of Maggie's prints, but she has hundreds in her booth. Where should she begin?

With its riveting behind-the-scenes glimpse of antiques shows and its revealing data on antique-print values, Shadows at the Fair introduces a captivating new series that unveils the powerful mysteries of antique prints even as it entertains.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Adult

252 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Maine author Lea Wait writes the NYT-praised 8-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, the latest of which is SHADWS ON A MORNING IN MAINE, and the USA Today best-selling Mainely Needlepoint series which debuted with TWISTED THREADS in January, 2015, and was followed by THREADS OF EVIDENCE in August, 2015, THREAD AND GONE, in January, 2016, DANGLING BY A THREAD in late October, 2016, and TIGHTENING THE THREADS in March, 2017. Wait also writes acclaimed historical novels for ages 8 and up set in 19th century Maine, the latest of which, UNCERTAIN GLORY, takes place in a small northern town during the first two weeks of the Civil War. Lea's LIVING AND WRITING ON THE COAST OF MAINE, about being an author and living year 'round in Maine with a husband who's an artist also includes writing tips. Lea did her undergraduate work at Chatham College (now University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her graduate work at New York University. While she was raising the four daughters she adopted as a single parent she worked as a manager for AT&T. Now she writes full time and speaks at schools and libraries. She loves rowing, visiting historical sites, and, of course, reading and writing. See her website,
www.leawait.com, and the blog she writes with other Maine Mystery writers, http://www.mainecrimewriters.com, friend her on FB and Goodreads, and, if you'd like to be on her email list to find out when her next book will be published, send her your email address write to her at leawait@roadrunner.com

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows At The Fair is book one in the Antique Print series by Lea Wait. Time again for The Prestigious Rensselaer County Spring Antiques Fair Maggie Summer owner of Shadows Antiques decided to attend this year fair. However, Maggie Summer recently widowed and only recently back on the fair circuit did not realise the number of the regular dealers have passed away. On opening night another dealer dies, and Maggie Summer recognises that there is a killer at the fair. The readers of Shadows At The Fair will continue to follow Maggie Summer to find the killer.

Shadows At The Fair is the first book I have read of Lea Wait, and it is an enjoyable cozy romance book to read. I love Lea Wait portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other. Shadows At The Fair is well written and researched by Lea Wait, and I will read other books in this series. Lea Wait did a fantastic job I describing her settings that engaged me with the plot.

Shadows At The Fair highlights the life of mobile antique dealers who travel to antique county fairs. Also, the readers of Shadows At The Fair will learn about antique-prints and their values to collectors.

I recommend this book

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[C. (Comment, don't blank click reviews). · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mistook “Shadows At The Fair” for a ghostly series but embraced the theme of collectible prints. Unfortunately, the mystery wasn’t at the forefront where it belonged. It hadn’t begun to resemble a mystery at 52 pages. There’s a way to establish the essential background, while mounting suspense. Mentioning a death isn't enough. This could be general fiction about salesladies at a fair. It was especially noticeable that no chapter closed enticingly. Maggie is a young widow from an estranged husband; a back story that sounds like it will effect other volumes. There’s a murderer in a frequently reuniting circle of craft sale artisans.

This premise has promise. However it was so focused on their craft sale routine and sitting at their booths, that my interest had no juice. The pieces and seams were always in more evidence than the story they intended to construct. It wasn't properly told, or SHOWN. It was a daily agenda recited in dialogue, with a few shocking moments hoping to create a mystery. Touching upon grief and loss gripped me, otherwise the balance exemplified attempting to move a story through “false action”, instead of feelings. The last thirty pages were exciting, as the closing of a novel should be. Alas, they arrived too late and weren’t evocative in themselves. Truly, most of this story sees Maggie walking around with peers at their craft sale, attending to customers as she ponders murders.

The identities of the villains succeeded at being disturbing and climactic but their reasons hinged on an extremist’s justification of twisted beliefs. I liked the botanical premise, whether or not it carried across this plot smoothly. There are more in this series, so Lea Wait must have found her stride if she’s still being published. I will give her second novel a try.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable cozy mystery taking place in the antiques world. A new venue for me but the same tried and true components of a good cozy. Our heroine Maggie is a professor and also sells prints at antique shows. Lots of fun descriptions of historical prints and little tidbits of info along the way.
Maggie is attending her first antique show since her husband passed the previous year and is warmed to see old friends and trying hard to move forward with her life. When one of her fellow vendors discovers the body of her husband following the opening night gala the mystery begins. One of Maggie's friends is, at first, fingered for the murder and she gets to work to prove the police wrong. Maggie is dogged and resourceful in her investigation and even experiences a hint of possible romance to come.
The ending was good (and one I suspected as the story progressed which I like better than surprise endings!) and set up some little enticing bits of info that make me want to read the next in the series.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lea Wait cannot write a bad book or uninteresting characters!

In this, the first of the series, Maggie has come to terms with the death of her husband (he died of a series of strokes on the same day she found out he was having an affair!) and she has rejoined the Antique circuit with her stock of original prints. There is a new person at the fair this time as the week before at a different show one of the dealers died from ingesting poison, the other dealers are assuming this was a one off and settle in to have a decent weekend of sales, only that night another dealer ends up dead, this time from the classic blunt instrument.  The only problem is that Maggie's good friend Gussie's nephew is in the frame for the killing, he is a young man with Down's Syndrome and both Maggie and Gussie are certain that Ben wouldn't hurt anyone, but the police are sure they have their man.  Only then there is another poisoning and no-one is sure what to think anymore, the one thing is everyone seems to have something to hide and Maggie is determined to get to the truth, even if it means putting herself in the sights of a killer!

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Booth number and admittance card?"

Maggie Summer is surprised at the increased security at the Renssleaer County Spring Antiques Fair until she hears of the death of a dealer the week before. Maggie was just returning to the circuit after being widowed in the Winter.

This was a lovely start to the series. Antiques has always been a bit of a dreaded theme for me because i couldn't find a series that spoke to me. I do believe that I have found it.

I really enjoyed reading the tidbits of information about prints before each chapter. I thought the characters were well developed and presented in a believable manner.

I did have some issues with the use of the word "retarded" for a young man with Down Syndrome. I looked back and saw that the book was published in 2002 and realized we have come quite a ways in political correctness since then.

I had suspicions of the culprit about halfway through the book but couldn't figure out the why. The reasoning was very sad and I felt bad for the murderer.

This is a delightful series that I look forward to continuing.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more like a 3.5 Stars, not bad but I like her needlework cozy mysteries better. I couldn’t give it 4 Stars because the story was predictable in the end. Though I love soap operas this just read too much like one- like a soap opera that was a half hour long and not one that has time to develop the storylines. The book lacked extra details that would of lengthened the book but made the mystery have more sense- everything was just tied together loosely at the end. I will have to try another in this series someday.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older series that Lea Wait did; it did not disappoint. As a first in series, I look forward to getting to know the characters better.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story but I didn’t like the ending. The person who committed the crime was hardly discussed or featured in the story at all until the end.

[Larinmtz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ever read a mystery and reach the point where you've figured it out without really trying? I read mysteries to relax, so I don't often spend a lot of time worrying about figuring them out, but that has happened to me twice recently. The first time was in a book that was enjoyable for many other reasons, but unfortunately I can't say the same for this book. I can also tell you that this review will contain SPOILERS, so if you don't want any, read no further.


I was actually enjoying this book, for the most part, up until it hit me who the killer was. Some of the other reviewers have mentioned being offended by how the boy with Down's Syndrome is portrayed and discussed in the book, and I have to agree that it wasn't sensitive or comfortable. However, since unkind people exist in the world, I was willing to overlook it the first time with one character. Unfortunately the derogatory terms used continued with other characters for the rest of the book. The main character was likeable enough, as was the supporting cast. I have to confess that there were several times when I found statements that made me think the author had just contradicted what she had previously written, but I was too lazy to go back and double check. Even then I was willing to suspend my doubts, until the moment when it occurred to me that I knew who the killer was.

Why should that be so problematic in a mystery? Because the killer was a cliche. All the clues were neatly pointing to someone else, when one character said something that mentioned her faith, and I thought, "Wait, don't tell me--it will end up being the person who professes to believe in God." I told myself to stop being so cynical, but sure enough, that's exactly who it turned out to be. Worse, in the last 10-15 pages the killers revealed that they were actually religious zealot, serial killers with a vengeful mission given by God. But it didn't stop there--the cliches continued. Cliches like all Christians hate homosexuals, God condones such killings, and once kind neighbors burning crosses on lawns while children die. Oh please. Nowhere did the book mention that the killers lived near the Westboro Baptists. One might suspect that the author's only experience with people of faith is the television set, where anyone who believes in God is a villain. Cliche, cliche, cliche. (And if you don't like this part of my review, then stop reading. Don't waste time sending me poisonous messages; I won't respond. Read the book and write your own review. Are there unpleasant Christians in the world? Of course. There are also unpleasant non-believers, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, etc. There are unpleasant PEOPLE in the world, period.)

The parts about the antique fair were interesting, as were the bits about selling rare prints. As an art teacher and art enthusiast, I enjoyed those moments. The almost romance was pleasant enough, too. There was a nice amount of false trail laid out. I would have continued in the series, but the end was such a cop-out that I will pass. There are better books for my time.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Shadows at the Fair' was an impulse grab at the library and that turned out to be a great read. I really enjoyed this one, mostly because I actually really liked the main character, Maggie. She almost reminded me of myself; probably because we are a similar age and I also like antiques, but she seemed to have a similar mindset to me as well.

None of the characters were super well fleshed out, but considering the length and genre of the book, the author did a nice job giving the reader enough information to work with without being overwhelming. The relationships were a little confusing, but exactly the right amount of complicated for a mystery. We learn about them as Maggie learns about them, a bit here and a bit there, so we ourselves are piecing together the puzzle alongside our heroine.

The mystery turned out really interesting too. I didn’t actually guess who the murder was until close to the end and I had no idea WHY they were killing people until they explained it to Maggie. I always love it when the author can surprise me!

The romance (because there is ALWAYS a romance in cozy mysteries) was rather downplayed in this book. I liked that. It was nice that Maggie didn’t just jump into a romance, especially with a suspect. Considering her backstory, it made perfect sense that she would want to get to know a man before deciding he was the one for her. Logic isn’t usually close at hand for cozy mystery romances, so it was a nice change.

The only thing that bothered me about this book was the repeated use of the word “retarded” and the complete dismissal most of the characters had about mentally challenged people. I can get what the author was trying to do (when you read it in context, it KIND of makes sense) but the fact that everyone except Maggie just shrugged and said “you know those kind of people are unpredictable” really, REALLY bugged me. Considering the book isn’t that old (published in 2002), I would have expected a few more open-minded people.

Overall, this was a nice, quick read. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for a fun, easy mystery. I’ll likely pick up the next in the series the next time I’m at the library.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I wouldn't reccomend it.  However, I enjoyed the antique vendor atmosphere and I really enjoyed the ending.  I found two mistakes that totally irked me.  Other than that, not having the first body until ... what was it ... chapter 11 ... KILLING ME.  The second one was even harder to wait for.  I was correct in the couple that was doing it but wasn't actually correct about the ringleader and the explanation as to why was even better than what I had figured.  All in all a good book.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in Wait’s series involving several deaths of Maggie Summers’ fellow antique dealers. I was a bit uncomfortable with the bigotry expressed by some of the characters about people struggling with AIDS and Down Syndrome; had this been my introduction to Wait, I may not have gone on to the second mystery.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning about the antique print trade, antique prints, and antique fairs, mixed with interesting characters. You can tell this was written in the early part of 2000's as there is some "politically incorrect" language describing one of the characters, but getting past that I found it enjoyable.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars. Truly wish Goodreads would have a half star category.

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the tidbits of antique print at the beginning of each chapter. Great story.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

She had walked from one room to another, seeing Michael in the choice of colors and furniture; the lavender and magenta vase his parents had given them that both of them hated. The Civil War histories he read, the jazz he listened to, the burgundies he had preferred in the wine rack.

She'd felt smothered by physical possessions that represented whole years of memories. Michael would never be really gone from her life; he would just not be present.

Now Susan would have to live through the same realization. Being a widow meant starting down a new road, but it also meant carrying the weight of what was, and what might have been.



~~A woman sits at the back of her antique stall. I had a hard time finding a photograph matching the description of the antique fair described in this novel--where Maggie scrambles to solve a murder mystery. Most pictures seem to be of outdoor fairs, or barn type events with scattered tables. Wait describes a much more sophisticated fair with established stalls that have walls. This photograph showcases the mystique and (dare I say) chaos of antiques.

First two sentences: "Booth number and admittance card?" The man looking through Maggie's van window was a far cry from the student in faded jeans and Grateful Dead T-shift whom Vince usually hired to check in vans at the dealer entrance to the Rensselaer County Spring Antiques Fair.

Meet Maggie. She's a recently widowed antique dealer who supplements the income from her shop with booths in fairs. She specializes in antique prints and engravings. This weekend as she enters the fairground, she notices increased security--see the first two sentences. The normal "Grateful Dead" kid has been replaced with a police officer. Turns out that just last week an antique dealer was poisoned at a fair.

Then late Saturday night another dealer turns up dead--bludgeoned with a blunt object. Maggie's friend Gussie, confined to a wheelchair most of the time, has enlisted the help of her nephew, Ben, (who happens to have Down Syndrome) to help her man her booth. Ben is out jogging on the fairground track late Saturday evening when he hears two people arguing. Ben is worried for the woman, and comes to her aid. Then, later in the evening, the man is found dead. Naturally Ben is the prime suspect. And naturally, Maggie must get involved as an amateur sleuth to prove Ben is innocent. Read to find out what happens.

My two cents: Or don't read it. This is quite possibly the most poorly written book that I've read in two years. I'm surprised it was published, but even *more* surprised that it still sits on the shelves of my library 20!!! years later. The prose is full of long sentences with multiple dependent clauses. The dialogue is even worse. It was actually painful to read at times. Horrible writing aside, the story arc drags, the characters are poorly developed, and the mystery reveal left me scratching my head--possible....I guess. But not likely or believable. Then there's the treatment of Ben. I lost count of how many times he is referred to as "retarded". I'm sure the author was not trying to be rude, but it came across as jarring. And he is treated like a child. Overall, it was an unenjoyable read, and I can't recommend it. Given 0.5 stars or a rating of "Very Bad."

Example quote: They decided to go ahead and have dinner since they could do nothing for Susan that the hospital wasn't already doing, but the relaxation spiced by touches of sexual tension that they had both anticipated was gone, despite the dusky candlelit country inn Will had found.

Further reading: For those who want to learn more about Down Syndrome from a valid source. https://www.ndss.org/

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will never guess who did it !! Never....never....never !!! And that is perfectly okay and normal for most readers. If you are like me, your main focus on reading a good cozy mystery is to just go along for the ride, hoping to not get in trouble, and enjoy the story....some readers are lucky that they can figure out the who and why.....but me, I'm good with letting the story grab me.

And in Shadows at the Fair, the first book in Lea Wait's Antique Print Mystery series, that is exactly what Lea does.....she GRABS you !!

In Shadows at the Fair main character Maggie Summer is participating in a very popular Antiques Fair and being that this is not her first, she has friends and knows quite a few of the other dealers so she is hoping for a good time. Unfortunately a good time is the farthest thing that she has. There is a cloud over the dealer circle because there have been a few dealers who have died during a few recent shows so there is a heavy police presence at this fair. That does not stop someone from killing one of the dealers that Maggie considers a friend......and when there is another suspicious death, Maggie takes it upon herself to find out what is going on !!

Lea will have you on the edge of your seat throughout this first book in this series and boy is it an amazing start to what can only be a memorable series. I, for one, cannot wait to dive into the next book and I hope you will follow me......

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an good start to the series. Some of the plot points are outdated. With all the emphasis on covid-19, I think we sort of forgot about AIDS. This book reminds us that it was once an almost 100% fatal disease. Even though significant progress has been made in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, people are still dying from it, especially those in 3rd world countries. I hope the stigma and discrimination towards those diagnosed with it has improved. The setting of an antique show is very familiar to me because I had an aunt who collected and sold antiques at mall shows. My mom and I would help her out during the work week since she couldn't leave her day job as an administrative assistant at a local hospital. (I was in college at the time and didn't have Friday classes. I lived close enough to campus to commute.) Instead of art prints, my aunt specialized in clocks, kerosene lanterns, and furniture. The book reminded me the fun and frustrations of dealing with the public! I liked the main character and her friends at the antique show. I hope the author finds a way to continue to include Gussie and Ben in future books even though they don't live close together and only see each other twice a year at the antique shows.

I definitely plan to continue the series. I loved the author's Mainely Needlepoint series. I'm frustrated that the second book is not available in Kindle or other e-book format. I have trouble reading the small print in paperbacks.

[Terri]

A rare DNF at 1/3 - 1/2 way through. The characters are all likeable enough but nothing happens plotwise for the first 10 chapters - not a fatal flaw but just an FYI for those who want more "mystery" in their cozy mysteries - and then when a murder finally happens the main character inserts herself into the investigation for no discernible reason. If I found a dead body, I would report it to the police... and then go home and leave it to them. Instead, the MC decides, while the police are there on the scene questioning everyone and collecting evidence, that she needs to get to the bottom of who killed the deceased. Why? She has no background in policing, investigations, etc. She's an antiques dealer. What makes her qualified to look into the murder? Why does she even care? And the police are actively looking into it (if the police had closed the case or were ignoring it or bungled it then that would make sense. But she decides this WHILE the police are fact gathering at the crime scene before the body is even removed from the scene). It was at this point that the story lost me.

[Christine (KizzieReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I liked the story and the mystery, I cannot give this more stars. The constant use of the R word towards a person with Down Syndrome was just awful. This was written in 2002, so that should not have been even a thing. The author was constantly having everyone call Ben the R word. Not one character defended him, including his aunt. Although, I don't think any one said it in front of her.

Antique dealers doing a show were upset and being heavily guarded as there were a few deaths at other antique shows and it was assumed that a serial killer might be around. Harry is found dead on the opening night and the police arrest Ben because he had been obsessing over Susan all day and heard Harry yelling at her and tried defending her by hitting Harry, whom he thought he killed. Harry was found at a different location, so they thought Ben was still the killer. Maggie is sure that Ben would never have been able to do something like that, so she tries to figure out what's going on. It was a good book, except for that issue.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

BK 1 of Antique Print mysteries
Recently widowed, Maggie Summer has taken a booth at the Rensselaer County (NY) Antique Fair to sell her vintage prints. Her stall is next to her good friend, Gussie White, there with Ben, her Downs Syndromes nephew to do the heavy lifting and carrying she can’t manage in her motorized wheelchair. There is extra security arranged by the Show’s promoter Vance after the murder of a dealer at the Westchester show two weeks before. Abe and Lydia have the stall across from them and Buffalo dealer Will Brewer is filling the space just down from them. Rumors are rampant. Susan, splitting from Harry who prefers book dealer Joe, is involved with Vance. As dealers are leaving their Friday night setups and previews, a dream pierces the night as Susan discovers Harry’s body. Ben is accused of the murder. There are a lot of secrets to be uncovered.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Antique Print series. Maggie sells antique prints and is just getting back on the trade fair circuit after an absence due to her husband’s death. She meets up with some good friends at the show and is surprised to hear of some deaths at prior shows. Her friend Gussie has hired her nephew Ben to help with setup and teardown of her booth as she has some physical disabilities. Ben has Down’s Syndrome and is glad to be working with her. When another death occurs and Ben finds himself on the suspect list, Maggie is determined to find the real killer. The book contains descriptions of prints and provides an interesting introduction to both the characters and the hobby of print collection.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable and well-written book. Ms. Wait, through her author biography, is a 3rd generation antique dealer, with over 25 years experience of owning her own antique print business at the time of this publication (2002). The mystery was solid and there was a complexity in that department which I won't "spoil." Plenty of suspects with multiple motives and clever red-herrings.

I know very little about antiques, much less antique prints but I did not feel "left out" of the facts. Ms. Wait does a great job of description of Maggie's items for sale and I learned a lot about the subject. I definitely plan on continuing this series!!

[Lisa Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the antique show business - especially since I went to a craft/antique show this weekend. The book was a fun read, but I found what the police allowed Maggie to do toward the end to be a little unrealistic. In addition, some of the relationships seemed a bit forced/unrealistic as well. Supposedly, Maggie and Gussie were very good friends, but Gussie kept making inappropriate comments about Maggie’s husband because she “wasn’t thinking”. I tried starting the second book in the series, but again, the relationships and the characters did not seem realistic enough to draw me in,

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie Summer owner of Shadow Antiques is headed to the County Spring Antique Fair but is dubious after hearing of another death of a fellow antique store owner. It does not take long after the dealers are set up when another murder is discovered and Maggie and her colleagues are worried. Suspicion is put on a mentally challenged young man but Maggie knows this is not true and sets out to help find the real killer.

[Shala · Rating 3 out of 5]

In typical cozy fashion, this book contains murder, a main character who decides to become a sleuth, and lots of friends to help her. However, there were several elements that weren't very cozy-like. The motive of the murder was rather demented and some of the antiquated language used for the downs-syndrome character made this book just a three-star read for me. I will read book 2 to see if those elements are a one-time occurence.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. The shifting focus from one possible suspect to another is graceful. The inclusion of folks with disabilities is sensitive but realistic. Learning more about old prints is painless. And the ending is satisfying.
It sets up a transition to a next book without the device of a cliffhanger.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from my local library because I had read the Mainely Needlepoint Series and wanted to read more by this author. This is the story of 2 murders at a local antique dealers show. Wonderful characters and a good mystery. Really enjoyed this series and will be reading more of the series. Another winner by Lea Wait. Highly recommend this book.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cote cozy mystery. I learned a lot about antique shows and now I'm curious about antique prints. Kept me second-guessing about who dunnit.
My only concern is that too often in books, tv, movies, any Christians are portrayed as crazy/mentally ill. These two really were nuts, but it would be nice to see an occasional level-headed gracious Christian. Just sayin'...