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Avery Ayers Antique Mystery #1
Ruby Red Herring
A Mysterious Provenance
After her parents' deaths, Avery Ayers took over the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. A year later, the Museum of Antiquities hires her to appraise a rare, resplendent ruby, and Avery starts to suspect the priceless gem may be connected to her parents’ demise. The ruby bears a striking similarity to a stone in the museum's prized Xiang Dynasty bejeweled dragon medallion, which has long been missing one of its ruby eyes.
But facets of the case remain cloudy. Museum security guard Art Smith is always underfoot but is not what he appears. Another body turns up connected to the appraisal. And Avery receives mysterious notes that begin to put her life in danger. If she can't find the person who polished off her parents and swiped the jewel, Avery might face an untimely demise of her own.
After her parents' deaths, Avery Ayers took over the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. A year later, the Museum of Antiquities hires her to appraise a rare, resplendent ruby, and Avery starts to suspect the priceless gem may be connected to her parents’ demise. The ruby bears a striking similarity to a stone in the museum's prized Xiang Dynasty bejeweled dragon medallion, which has long been missing one of its ruby eyes.
But facets of the case remain cloudy. Museum security guard Art Smith is always underfoot but is not what he appears. Another body turns up connected to the appraisal. And Avery receives mysterious notes that begin to put her life in danger. If she can't find the person who polished off her parents and swiped the jewel, Avery might face an untimely demise of her own.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 28, 2021
115 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Gardner
9 books272 followersTracy Gardner is a multi-award winning mystery and women's fiction author and Edgar Award nominee. Under pseudonym Jess Sinclair, the author's book club fiction book What We Could Have Been won the 2024 Storytrade Women's Fiction Award and USA Southeast Fiction award.
Currently, Gardner's five book Shepherd Sisters Mysteries series is rapid-releasing through Tule Publishing in 2025.
A Detroit native and mother of three, Tracy is the daughter of two teachers. She lives with her husband and best friend of thirty years and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats, and is a strong believer in the power of baked goods, live music, and girlfriend therapy as staples to a happy life.
Currently, Gardner's five book Shepherd Sisters Mysteries series is rapid-releasing through Tule Publishing in 2025.
A Detroit native and mother of three, Tracy is the daughter of two teachers. She lives with her husband and best friend of thirty years and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats, and is a strong believer in the power of baked goods, live music, and girlfriend therapy as staples to a happy life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
February 28, 2021
Wow. This will be a book everyone’s discussing in the coffee lounge at break time. It’s definitely a winning debut cozy mystery series. Tracy Gardner is a new writer to me, and the Avery Ayers Antiques series is now on my automatic buy list.
I enjoyed the setup of a younger protagonist, Avery Ayers, who has big shoes to fill after her parents are killed in a horrific car accident that Avery and her younger sister, Tilly, fortunately survive. Their parents traveled the world appraising rare antiquities and artifacts and Avery’s now been hired to authenticate a 16 carat ruby for a prestigious museum.
The mysteriousness surrounding the ruby; it’s value; and the fact it could be a precious stone stolen from the eye of the priceless Emperor’s Twins medallion sweep Avery, her family, and her business associates into a dangerous and deceptive mystery. The plot is filled with lies, sabotage, and a coven of suspects that kept my eyes riveted to the pages until the satisfying end.
I loved the compelling main characters—Avery, strong and smart; Art Smith, the security guard (& more); Aunt Midge and her Afghan Hound, Halston; and Tilly, young and brave; just to name a few. While there was some technical talk in regards to jewelry appraising I didn’t understand, it didn’t slow my reading down because there was always action moving this well-plotted mystery forward. Anonymous tips in various forms received by Avery, or Tilly, are a brilliant part of the main plot! The story is captivating. Finally, a recap of suspects, the murderer reveal, and a huge surprise ending—Can you guess what it is? 5 Stars, and I’d give it 10 Stars, if I could! I highly recommend this intriguing cozy mystery.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
I enjoyed the setup of a younger protagonist, Avery Ayers, who has big shoes to fill after her parents are killed in a horrific car accident that Avery and her younger sister, Tilly, fortunately survive. Their parents traveled the world appraising rare antiquities and artifacts and Avery’s now been hired to authenticate a 16 carat ruby for a prestigious museum.
The mysteriousness surrounding the ruby; it’s value; and the fact it could be a precious stone stolen from the eye of the priceless Emperor’s Twins medallion sweep Avery, her family, and her business associates into a dangerous and deceptive mystery. The plot is filled with lies, sabotage, and a coven of suspects that kept my eyes riveted to the pages until the satisfying end.
I loved the compelling main characters—Avery, strong and smart; Art Smith, the security guard (& more); Aunt Midge and her Afghan Hound, Halston; and Tilly, young and brave; just to name a few. While there was some technical talk in regards to jewelry appraising I didn’t understand, it didn’t slow my reading down because there was always action moving this well-plotted mystery forward. Anonymous tips in various forms received by Avery, or Tilly, are a brilliant part of the main plot! The story is captivating. Finally, a recap of suspects, the murderer reveal, and a huge surprise ending—Can you guess what it is? 5 Stars, and I’d give it 10 Stars, if I could! I highly recommend this intriguing cozy mystery.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
May 8, 2021
Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner is Ms. Gardner's first book in a new cozy mystery series, Avery Ayers Antique Mysteries. I have read Ms. Gardner's Shepherd Sisters Mysteries and enjoyed every one so I was thrilled to be approved to read this one.
Ms. Gardner's descriptive writing sets the scenes clearly at each location in the book - Lilac Grove, New York, Antiquities and Artifacts Appraised, Manhattan and the Museum of Antiquities, New York City. Avery Ayers, her sister, Tilly, Aunt Midge, Micah, Sir Robert and Detective Art Smith are all well developed characters as they are introduced throughout the story. Each of the secondary characters adds dimension to the scenes through dialogue that I found to be realistic. The plot was smoothly paced and never slowed down through the twists and turns as more clues were revealed regarding the current appraisal and authentication project and a previous appraisal done by Avery's mother and father. Ms. Gardner also touched on Avery's struggle with anger, grief and guilt regarding her parents death one year ago which made Avery a sympathetic character to me as I could understand some of what she was going through. Mystery, suspense, a touch of romance,family ties and some detailed information regarding how appraisals and authentications are done was woven throughout the story as Avery and Detective Smith race to the dramatic conclusion. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Ms. Gardner's descriptive writing sets the scenes clearly at each location in the book - Lilac Grove, New York, Antiquities and Artifacts Appraised, Manhattan and the Museum of Antiquities, New York City. Avery Ayers, her sister, Tilly, Aunt Midge, Micah, Sir Robert and Detective Art Smith are all well developed characters as they are introduced throughout the story. Each of the secondary characters adds dimension to the scenes through dialogue that I found to be realistic. The plot was smoothly paced and never slowed down through the twists and turns as more clues were revealed regarding the current appraisal and authentication project and a previous appraisal done by Avery's mother and father. Ms. Gardner also touched on Avery's struggle with anger, grief and guilt regarding her parents death one year ago which made Avery a sympathetic character to me as I could understand some of what she was going through. Mystery, suspense, a touch of romance,family ties and some detailed information regarding how appraisals and authentications are done was woven throughout the story as Avery and Detective Smith race to the dramatic conclusion. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 11, 2021
Wonderful read.
June 17, 2021
This is the first book in a new series. After her parents are killed in a car crash, Avery Ayers has taken over their antiquities and antiques appraisal business. When Avery and long-time employee and family friend, Micah, are asked to appraise and authenticate a beautiful 16-carat ruby, strange things start happening. Is the ruby somehow related to the Museum of Antiquity’s famous dragon medallion? This book was a real page-turner for me. The characters are well-written and believable. And there were many twists and turns to the story. I highly recommend this book!
May 29, 2021
I found the mystery engaging even though I had it figured out fairly early in the story. The aunt and teenage sister were fun character additions and the protagonist's occupation was unique. I would have definitely rated this story higher if the ending hadn't been so obvious. I will certainly check out the next book in the series. Thanks to Crooked Lane and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 6, 2021
Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner is the debut of An Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series. I enjoyed this stimulating new cozy mystery. Avery Ayers and her sister, Tilly lost their parents in an auto accident a year ago. Their eccentric Aunt Midge moved in with them along with her dog, Halston. Avery began working at her parent’s business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. Their latest assignment has the company appraising a rare ruby that could link to a dragon medallion currently on display at the museum. Before Avery can delve into the job, she receives a threatening note. This is just the beginning of strange incidents and threats. Avery has no intention of backing off the case. She is going to get answers and resolve this matter once and for all. I thought Ruby Red Herring was well-written with developed characters. The author takes the time to introduce our main characters and set the stage for the series. I like Avery, Tilly, and Aunt Midge. They are a close-knit unit. We get to spend time in their home as they go about their lives. Aunt Midge and Tilly provide humor and lightness. There is also Micah, Sir Robert, Art Smith, and Halston, Aunt Midge’s Afghan hound. I am glad the author gave us the characters backstory. The mystery was fascinating and complex. It involves lies, intrigue, threats, a large ruby, and murder. There was plenty of action that kept propelling the story forward toward the conclusion. I had a good time solving this whodunit (I love a challenging mystery). I like how everything tied together along with the satisfying conclusion. It was interesting learning about the appraisal process. It is explained in an easy-to-understand manner. I like how the author addressed Avery’s mental health issues after the death of her parents. She was grief stricken and felt their death was her fault. Avery also has anger management issues. She visits a therapist who gives her coping techniques. I could certainly understand her pain over her parents’ death and the feelings of guilt. Ruby Red Herring is an intriguing cozy mystery with a stimulating stone, terrifying threats, cryptic clues, a cherished canine, an energetic teen, an affectionate aunt, and a murdered man.
June 23, 2021
It's always good to begin a series from the very first instalment and I enjoyed reading this one, Ruby Red Herring immensely.
Avery Ayers has taken over the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised, alongside partners and colleagues, Micah Abbott and Sir Robert Lane. The company has an office in Lilac Grove and a branch in Manhattan. She is living back at home with her younger sister Tilly and their eccentric Aunt Midge and her Afghan hound. Her parent's deaths in a road accident a year ago hit Avery hard but Avery's life is rocked even more when Avery learns that the theft of a priceless ruby may be connected to her parent's demise. Avery is asked to appraise a rare ruby by the Museum of Antiquities that has similarities to a solitary stone in the museum's bejeweled dragon medallion exhibit, which is missing one of its ruby eyes. As Avery is setting off for the meeting, she finds a plain white envelope on her doormat. Opening it she discovers a note warning her off taking the assignment and as Avery and her colleagues suspect they may have the missing gem, another body turns up. Avery receives more mysterious notes and requests the help of possible ally and security guard Art Smith's to find who might have bumped off her parents.
An excellent start to this new series, the characters are entertaining and well formulated. The plot has depth and the mystery held my interest throughout. I liked Tracy Gardner's writing style and I'm hoping to read more about Aunt Midge in the next instalment.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Avery Ayers has taken over the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised, alongside partners and colleagues, Micah Abbott and Sir Robert Lane. The company has an office in Lilac Grove and a branch in Manhattan. She is living back at home with her younger sister Tilly and their eccentric Aunt Midge and her Afghan hound. Her parent's deaths in a road accident a year ago hit Avery hard but Avery's life is rocked even more when Avery learns that the theft of a priceless ruby may be connected to her parent's demise. Avery is asked to appraise a rare ruby by the Museum of Antiquities that has similarities to a solitary stone in the museum's bejeweled dragon medallion exhibit, which is missing one of its ruby eyes. As Avery is setting off for the meeting, she finds a plain white envelope on her doormat. Opening it she discovers a note warning her off taking the assignment and as Avery and her colleagues suspect they may have the missing gem, another body turns up. Avery receives more mysterious notes and requests the help of possible ally and security guard Art Smith's to find who might have bumped off her parents.
An excellent start to this new series, the characters are entertaining and well formulated. The plot has depth and the mystery held my interest throughout. I liked Tracy Gardner's writing style and I'm hoping to read more about Aunt Midge in the next instalment.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
January 21, 2021
I was hooked on this book from the very beginning. Avery and Tilly are such great characters, and I love their aunt.
The story grabbed my attention, leading from the death of Avery & Tilly's parents, to the discovery of a traitor within their tight circle of friends. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book, and I was sad when it ended, however, I’m excited to read more in this fantastic series.
The story grabbed my attention, leading from the death of Avery & Tilly's parents, to the discovery of a traitor within their tight circle of friends. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book, and I was sad when it ended, however, I’m excited to read more in this fantastic series.
July 13, 2021
This is a good start to a new series. It took me a little while to connect to the characters, but once I did the characters are likable, intelligent, and relatable. The mystery is well-plotted and moves at a smooth steady pace. There isn't a large suspect pool, however, there are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader engaged in guessing whodunit.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
March 14, 2022
This book was sooo good! A HUGE thank you to my friend for recommending this book to me. The mystery was so good, I was on the edge of my seat! I loved the characters and cannot wait to be back in their world again.
October 12, 2021
Debut of new cozy series focused on antiques and antiquities full of interesting characters in an well-plotted and researched mystery. While Avery Ayers carries on with her family business of certification and analysis if antiques, mystery and danger arise around a large ruby that could be a missing jewel from a Chinese medallion. Looking forward to reading the next in the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2021
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
When I read the blurb for this one I knew I wanted to read it. It sounded like a fun and exciting read with an interesting mystery. I liked the idea of following an antique appraiser and the mystery she stumbles upon. This book turned out to be exactly that. I had a great time reading this one and enjoyed the mystery as well as the antique theme of the book.
I liked how this book deviated a bit from the standard cozy mystery plot line set up. There is no dead body found at the start and the mystery isn't a clear cut who did it mystery, although it does tie in with a dead body eventually. I liked how the mystery centered around the ruby and possibly related medallion and also how it ties in with the work of the main character and her family in a way that makes it feel natural for her to be part of it. It's more that the mystery comes to her than that she gets involved in the mystery.
The mystery did progress a bit slowly at times and only at the end all the pieces come together. It kept my interest throughout and I also liked the more daily life scenes and work related scenes in between the mystery bits. I liked how the main character got involved in the mystery and it made sense why she kept digging into it as it related directly to her work and family. I liked seeing the mystery progress and the danger and suspenseful vibe it had at times. I also was surprised when the conclusion came to light as I always felt I missed some pieces to make sense of it, but when the reveal is there it does make sense and it's nice to see some of the earlier hints that point in that direction.
Avery was an interesting main character to read about. I enjoyed getting a feel for her characters and the friends and family she surrounded herself with. I liked seeing her interact with her sister and her aunt and how close the three are and ofcourse the dog. There are some interesting side characters as well and a possible romance. I hope to get to know the characters more in future books, but so far I liked what I saw and how the author gave everyone their own personality.
I liked the antique appraisal theme of the book. I don't think I've read a cozy mystery with this theme before and it was fun to learn a bit about how they go to spot the difference between a real and fake ruby and how the process progressed.
To summarize: I liked this book. It kept my attention and I was curious to find out what was going on. The mystery was different than the usual cozy mystery set up and I think that worked here. It was nice how the mystery was closely tied in with the main character's job and her family, whcih made it feel natural how she got involved. While the mystery progressed a bit slowly, with most of the pieces only coming to light toward the end, it did keep my attention and I enjoyed the mystery. The main character was interesting enough and I liked getting a feel for her and the side characters. The antique appraisal theme was a fun theme. I look forward to more books in this series!
When I read the blurb for this one I knew I wanted to read it. It sounded like a fun and exciting read with an interesting mystery. I liked the idea of following an antique appraiser and the mystery she stumbles upon. This book turned out to be exactly that. I had a great time reading this one and enjoyed the mystery as well as the antique theme of the book.
I liked how this book deviated a bit from the standard cozy mystery plot line set up. There is no dead body found at the start and the mystery isn't a clear cut who did it mystery, although it does tie in with a dead body eventually. I liked how the mystery centered around the ruby and possibly related medallion and also how it ties in with the work of the main character and her family in a way that makes it feel natural for her to be part of it. It's more that the mystery comes to her than that she gets involved in the mystery.
The mystery did progress a bit slowly at times and only at the end all the pieces come together. It kept my interest throughout and I also liked the more daily life scenes and work related scenes in between the mystery bits. I liked how the main character got involved in the mystery and it made sense why she kept digging into it as it related directly to her work and family. I liked seeing the mystery progress and the danger and suspenseful vibe it had at times. I also was surprised when the conclusion came to light as I always felt I missed some pieces to make sense of it, but when the reveal is there it does make sense and it's nice to see some of the earlier hints that point in that direction.
Avery was an interesting main character to read about. I enjoyed getting a feel for her characters and the friends and family she surrounded herself with. I liked seeing her interact with her sister and her aunt and how close the three are and ofcourse the dog. There are some interesting side characters as well and a possible romance. I hope to get to know the characters more in future books, but so far I liked what I saw and how the author gave everyone their own personality.
I liked the antique appraisal theme of the book. I don't think I've read a cozy mystery with this theme before and it was fun to learn a bit about how they go to spot the difference between a real and fake ruby and how the process progressed.
To summarize: I liked this book. It kept my attention and I was curious to find out what was going on. The mystery was different than the usual cozy mystery set up and I think that worked here. It was nice how the mystery was closely tied in with the main character's job and her family, whcih made it feel natural how she got involved. While the mystery progressed a bit slowly, with most of the pieces only coming to light toward the end, it did keep my attention and I enjoyed the mystery. The main character was interesting enough and I liked getting a feel for her and the side characters. The antique appraisal theme was a fun theme. I look forward to more books in this series!
November 4, 2021
I enjoyed this book and would like to read more of the series. However, I had trouble connecting to the characters of the story. I did learn some about jewels, grading of jewels, and a few other things, but I have an issue with interest in the storyline. I wish the author would have spent more time on character development.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
April 16, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Avery and Tillie Ayers were in the car when it crashed killing both their parents. Their Aunt Midge and her dog Halsten immediately moved from Manhatten to Lilac Grove where they all dealt with their grief and tried to move on. For Avery that meant stepping into her parent’s shoes in the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. The business has been hired to appraise and authenticate a large rare ruby. A ruby that may be the missing piece from a dragon medallion from the Xiang Dynasty currently being exhibited by the museum. A piece her parents appraised right before their deaths. Avery with assistance from her employee and friend Micah Abbott must first determine if the ruby is real and if it is, analyze if it is indeed the jewel missing from the dragon medallion.
While Avery is trying to concentrate on the jewel she receives a threatening note followed by other strange events including the murder of an art collector. Realizing the danger she faces she knows they must complete the appraisal as quickly as possible but then someone else is attacked. She finds help from an unusual source to keep her safe. They also work together to try to uncover the killer but their luck just may run out before they do . . .
Oh, this was an exciting story.
I am very appreciative that the author took the time to really introduce these characters and give us readers their back story. Avery is a complex protagonist because she is not only dealing with the deaths of her parents on a personal level but on a business level as well. She has some big shoes to fill and she knows it. It is a lot for a twenty-five-year-old to handle so I was happy to see that her mental health was addressed and that she is seeing a therapist. Tilly has a big audition coming up and it could mean a huge step as she starts her college life. She too is in therapy to help deal with her loss. Their Aunt Midge is their rock. She does anything she can for the girls and keeps the grief of losing her brother under wraps. They are a close family unit and for the most part, they are getting on with their lives. These characters all have a genuine feel and I felt it was very easy to care about what was happening in their lives.
The supporting cast features Micah, Sir Robert, and Art Smith. Micah and Sir Robert work for Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised and have known Avery and Tilly their whole lives. Micah comes across as caring and competent. He has suffered his own loss that turned his life upside down before losing his friends, Anne and William Ayers. Sir Robert seems to be very art smart but lacking in life knowledge. He just isn’t really tuned in to what is happening around him at all times. Art Smith is a fantastic character. He is working as a security guard at the museum but he is so much more. Ms. Gardner did of nice job of letting these characters develop over the course of the story.
I love that this mystery was different from most of the cozy mysteries I read. The focus was truly on the ruby with a variety of tentacles building off of it. The mystery was truly challenging and riveting, The museum was a busy place, open for its regular exhibits plus there was a movie being shot in one wing. That added to the intrigue as more people came into play. It also adds to the suspect list. Ms. Gardner had me taking notes about all the connections and interactions as I tried my best to solve the mystery before all was revealed. I was still kept guessing right up until the very end and was thrilled by that.
A wonderfully entertaining mystery full of truly interesting characters inhabits the pages of Ruby Red Herring. I love Tracy Gardner’s writing style and was delighted by the precise way she added humor and romance in all the right places. This book is a real gem! It checks all my cozy boxes!
Avery and Tillie Ayers were in the car when it crashed killing both their parents. Their Aunt Midge and her dog Halsten immediately moved from Manhatten to Lilac Grove where they all dealt with their grief and tried to move on. For Avery that meant stepping into her parent’s shoes in the family business, Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised. The business has been hired to appraise and authenticate a large rare ruby. A ruby that may be the missing piece from a dragon medallion from the Xiang Dynasty currently being exhibited by the museum. A piece her parents appraised right before their deaths. Avery with assistance from her employee and friend Micah Abbott must first determine if the ruby is real and if it is, analyze if it is indeed the jewel missing from the dragon medallion.
While Avery is trying to concentrate on the jewel she receives a threatening note followed by other strange events including the murder of an art collector. Realizing the danger she faces she knows they must complete the appraisal as quickly as possible but then someone else is attacked. She finds help from an unusual source to keep her safe. They also work together to try to uncover the killer but their luck just may run out before they do . . .
Oh, this was an exciting story.
I am very appreciative that the author took the time to really introduce these characters and give us readers their back story. Avery is a complex protagonist because she is not only dealing with the deaths of her parents on a personal level but on a business level as well. She has some big shoes to fill and she knows it. It is a lot for a twenty-five-year-old to handle so I was happy to see that her mental health was addressed and that she is seeing a therapist. Tilly has a big audition coming up and it could mean a huge step as she starts her college life. She too is in therapy to help deal with her loss. Their Aunt Midge is their rock. She does anything she can for the girls and keeps the grief of losing her brother under wraps. They are a close family unit and for the most part, they are getting on with their lives. These characters all have a genuine feel and I felt it was very easy to care about what was happening in their lives.
The supporting cast features Micah, Sir Robert, and Art Smith. Micah and Sir Robert work for Antiquities & Artifacts Appraised and have known Avery and Tilly their whole lives. Micah comes across as caring and competent. He has suffered his own loss that turned his life upside down before losing his friends, Anne and William Ayers. Sir Robert seems to be very art smart but lacking in life knowledge. He just isn’t really tuned in to what is happening around him at all times. Art Smith is a fantastic character. He is working as a security guard at the museum but he is so much more. Ms. Gardner did of nice job of letting these characters develop over the course of the story.
I love that this mystery was different from most of the cozy mysteries I read. The focus was truly on the ruby with a variety of tentacles building off of it. The mystery was truly challenging and riveting, The museum was a busy place, open for its regular exhibits plus there was a movie being shot in one wing. That added to the intrigue as more people came into play. It also adds to the suspect list. Ms. Gardner had me taking notes about all the connections and interactions as I tried my best to solve the mystery before all was revealed. I was still kept guessing right up until the very end and was thrilled by that.
A wonderfully entertaining mystery full of truly interesting characters inhabits the pages of Ruby Red Herring. I love Tracy Gardner’s writing style and was delighted by the precise way she added humor and romance in all the right places. This book is a real gem! It checks all my cozy boxes!
September 14, 2021
An absolutely outstanding cozy mystery debut. By debut I mean a brand spanking new series!
This was absolutely incredible. It felt like a non-stop, action packed adventure in the world of appraisals. There were times I kind of felt like I was forgetting to breath and my eyes were popping out of my head because of the events that were going on. It was SO much fun.
It almost felt like I was watching a movie. It was so descriptive and well fleshed out that I forgot I was reading because I was seeing it all so vividly.
I’ll be sitting here anxiously awaiting the next instalment!
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from Crooked Lane Books on Netgalley. An honest review was provided.
This was absolutely incredible. It felt like a non-stop, action packed adventure in the world of appraisals. There were times I kind of felt like I was forgetting to breath and my eyes were popping out of my head because of the events that were going on. It was SO much fun.
It almost felt like I was watching a movie. It was so descriptive and well fleshed out that I forgot I was reading because I was seeing it all so vividly.
I’ll be sitting here anxiously awaiting the next instalment!
*Disclaimer* I received an eARC from Crooked Lane Books on Netgalley. An honest review was provided.
June 9, 2021
Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner is the first book in her new Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series.
This is a terrific start to the series. I loved the characters, the twists and turns, and the mystery. This is a well-plotted and crafted story. I look forward to spending more time in this community.
Our sleuth is a 25 year old runs an appraisal shop in Manhattan and lives just outside the city.
As per usual in cozy mysteries, there has been tragedy to get her to this stage in her life. Her parents died the year before in a car accident. Could it be related to the ruby she has been asked to appraise? If not, why is she receiving warning notes?
I was given an ARC e-book copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.
This is a terrific start to the series. I loved the characters, the twists and turns, and the mystery. This is a well-plotted and crafted story. I look forward to spending more time in this community.
Our sleuth is a 25 year old runs an appraisal shop in Manhattan and lives just outside the city.
As per usual in cozy mysteries, there has been tragedy to get her to this stage in her life. Her parents died the year before in a car accident. Could it be related to the ruby she has been asked to appraise? If not, why is she receiving warning notes?
I was given an ARC e-book copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.
November 8, 2021
Every once in awhile, a book comes along and just blows you out of the water and goes beyond what your expectations are and I am happy to say that this is one of those kind of books. I really didn't have any expectations when I got this book [my luck with new cozies/mysteries has not been stellar as of late], and to be honest, was a little hesitant [because of said bad luck]. It is rare for me to blown away by a mystery [an author has to be REALLY good to keep me engaged and guessing] and so to find a book that does is just icing on the cake.
There is no real way to review this book though - there is a lot that is going on and any kind of review will give stuff away and ruin it for the reader. I can say that I really like the MC Avery and her sister Tilly and their Aunt Midge. They are a good core group of people and with the additions of Micah and Sir Robert as Avery's co-workers, you have a really good group of people who are believable and makes you want to be friends with them. It is refreshing to have a MC that works in a field that hasn't been told to death and it was very interesting to learn how gems are certified [even if some of the math made my eyes glaze over]. The story is both good and believable and the mystery is really good [I did have a clue of who the bad guy was, but for awhile I was convinced it was someone else, so that was fun too] and the reveal is...well, it doesn't suck. ;-)
That said, this is marketed as a cozy mystery and I am afraid I disagree with this. As with Ellery Adam's series "Secret, Scone, and Bone Society" series, this one also puts one big toe over the line of what is a cozy and what is a regular mystery. This is a longer book, a more detailed story and a much slower pace than a cozy and while there is no gore, the subject matter and some of the language in the book absolutely take it past the cozy genre parameters. NONE OF THIS DETRACTS FROM THE BOOK/STORY. None of it. This is just for the people who are expecting a nice light cozy; this is absolutely NOT that. What it IS, is a really well-written, well fleshed out, story that leaves you wanting MUCH more [Please Ms. Gardner, be writing more. Right now. Please. Pretty please]. We can only hope that there will be more books in this series. I, for one, will be waiting.
Thank you to NetGalley. Tracy Gardner, and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is no real way to review this book though - there is a lot that is going on and any kind of review will give stuff away and ruin it for the reader. I can say that I really like the MC Avery and her sister Tilly and their Aunt Midge. They are a good core group of people and with the additions of Micah and Sir Robert as Avery's co-workers, you have a really good group of people who are believable and makes you want to be friends with them. It is refreshing to have a MC that works in a field that hasn't been told to death and it was very interesting to learn how gems are certified [even if some of the math made my eyes glaze over]. The story is both good and believable and the mystery is really good [I did have a clue of who the bad guy was, but for awhile I was convinced it was someone else, so that was fun too] and the reveal is...well, it doesn't suck. ;-)
That said, this is marketed as a cozy mystery and I am afraid I disagree with this. As with Ellery Adam's series "Secret, Scone, and Bone Society" series, this one also puts one big toe over the line of what is a cozy and what is a regular mystery. This is a longer book, a more detailed story and a much slower pace than a cozy and while there is no gore, the subject matter and some of the language in the book absolutely take it past the cozy genre parameters. NONE OF THIS DETRACTS FROM THE BOOK/STORY. None of it. This is just for the people who are expecting a nice light cozy; this is absolutely NOT that. What it IS, is a really well-written, well fleshed out, story that leaves you wanting MUCH more [Please Ms. Gardner, be writing more. Right now. Please. Pretty please]. We can only hope that there will be more books in this series. I, for one, will be waiting.
Thank you to NetGalley. Tracy Gardner, and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2021
Ruby Red Herring is the first book in the An Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series by Tracy Gardner.
This book deals with appraising antiques and artifacts. Ms. Gardner provided just enough information about the appraising to help me understand the process and not take away from the mystery solving. Another thing that I liked is that the main character, Avery Ayers, actually works at her job instead of letting her employees run the business while she is out investigating.
Avery takes over the family business following the death of her parents in an automobile accident. Avery lives in the family home in Lilac Grove, NY, along with her sister Tilly, their Aunt Midge, and Midge’s Afghan Hound, Halston.
Avery is about ready to sign a contract with the Museum of Antiquities(MOA) to certify and appraise a ruby that Oliver Renell, a collector, sent to MOA. As Avery begins to inspect the ruby, she can’t help but remember the note she had found on her doorstep that morning. The note warned her not to sign the contract, or her life would be in danger, and was supposedly signed by her father, but her mother and father had died in an automobile accident several months before. The ruby might be the missing jewel of MOA’s most precious possession, the Emperor Xiang medallion. It seems that the medallion was the last item on which her parents worked. When Avery and her employees, Sir Robert and Micah, begin to doubt the ruby, they review her parents’ paperwork on the medallion. Before long, someone breaks into her house and ransacks her father’s office, and a couple of days later, Micah’s house is broken into, and Micah is shot in the shoulder, and Renell is found dead in his hotel room. There is also a break-in at the MOA. With the help of Art, the security guard/policeman, Avery set out to find who doesn’t want the ruby to be appraised.
The book moves at a steady pace, and there were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. The book is well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed and believable.
I’ll be looking for the next book in this gem of a new series.
This book deals with appraising antiques and artifacts. Ms. Gardner provided just enough information about the appraising to help me understand the process and not take away from the mystery solving. Another thing that I liked is that the main character, Avery Ayers, actually works at her job instead of letting her employees run the business while she is out investigating.
Avery takes over the family business following the death of her parents in an automobile accident. Avery lives in the family home in Lilac Grove, NY, along with her sister Tilly, their Aunt Midge, and Midge’s Afghan Hound, Halston.
Avery is about ready to sign a contract with the Museum of Antiquities(MOA) to certify and appraise a ruby that Oliver Renell, a collector, sent to MOA. As Avery begins to inspect the ruby, she can’t help but remember the note she had found on her doorstep that morning. The note warned her not to sign the contract, or her life would be in danger, and was supposedly signed by her father, but her mother and father had died in an automobile accident several months before. The ruby might be the missing jewel of MOA’s most precious possession, the Emperor Xiang medallion. It seems that the medallion was the last item on which her parents worked. When Avery and her employees, Sir Robert and Micah, begin to doubt the ruby, they review her parents’ paperwork on the medallion. Before long, someone breaks into her house and ransacks her father’s office, and a couple of days later, Micah’s house is broken into, and Micah is shot in the shoulder, and Renell is found dead in his hotel room. There is also a break-in at the MOA. With the help of Art, the security guard/policeman, Avery set out to find who doesn’t want the ruby to be appraised.
The book moves at a steady pace, and there were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. The book is well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed and believable.
I’ll be looking for the next book in this gem of a new series.
March 26, 2021
Tracy Gardner is a new author to me and Ruby Red Herring is the first book in her new cozy mystery series The Avery Ayers Antique Mysteries. I found this to be a very strong start to a new series. The characters drew me into the story quickly. Avery and her younger sister Tilly survived a car accident that claimed the lives of both their parents. Now, Avery has big shoes to fill as she takes over her parent's role in their antique appraisal business. I liked the diverse cast of characters. They range in age, experience, and diversity. The relationship between Tilly, Avery, and their Aunt Midge, who moved in following their parent's deaths is central to how these young women have coped with their tragedy. There is also a potential love interest for Avery that fits into the cast and plot very well.
I liked that this story didn't start out with murder or the discovery of a dead body. Rather, the plot is centered around a mysterious ruby sent for appraisal by an even more mysterious collector. From there the author weaves in plenty of twists and turns as Avery begins to receive mysterious notes that warn her away from this new assignment. As the story moves along and the mystery around the ruby and Avery's parent's deaths starts to deepen, there is more intrigue, action, and murder. The mystery was very compelling and there is a lot to unravel as the reader tries to guess how this one will end. There are plenty of suspects to choose from and the reader will be very satisfied with how this one ends.
This was a very strong start to a new series and each new book will definitely be added to my TBR list. I think it has everything a cozy mystery reader looks for in a series - strong, diverse characters that are likable, a compelling mystery, great writing, and a swiftly moving plot.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I liked that this story didn't start out with murder or the discovery of a dead body. Rather, the plot is centered around a mysterious ruby sent for appraisal by an even more mysterious collector. From there the author weaves in plenty of twists and turns as Avery begins to receive mysterious notes that warn her away from this new assignment. As the story moves along and the mystery around the ruby and Avery's parent's deaths starts to deepen, there is more intrigue, action, and murder. The mystery was very compelling and there is a lot to unravel as the reader tries to guess how this one will end. There are plenty of suspects to choose from and the reader will be very satisfied with how this one ends.
This was a very strong start to a new series and each new book will definitely be added to my TBR list. I think it has everything a cozy mystery reader looks for in a series - strong, diverse characters that are likable, a compelling mystery, great writing, and a swiftly moving plot.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 22, 2022
This was definitely a good read. First in a series and first by this author that I have read. I like the premise, antiques, the strong characters and an ever growing puzzle and mysteries. There is a great sense of art, real human emotions and lots of strange happening that finally come together to answer the biggest mysteries. Avery is definitely smart and a trooper. I will definitely look forward to book two in the series.
June 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this one! The mystery was very interesting and there was just enough family and work elements to keep me engaged and wanting to find out who the culprit was. With this being about a gemstone, it was especially interesting as I have an interest in gemstones.
Early on in my reading of this one, I was a little concerned that I may not enjoy other installments of this series because I knew I was enjoying this book because of the gemstones. I don't particularly have an interest in antiques, but I can say now that I will definitely be reading the next installment as I really enjoyed these characters.
Early on in my reading of this one, I was a little concerned that I may not enjoy other installments of this series because I knew I was enjoying this book because of the gemstones. I don't particularly have an interest in antiques, but I can say now that I will definitely be reading the next installment as I really enjoyed these characters.
January 27, 2021
This an excellent and exciting book with great characters, lots of intrigue, and a fresh & fun voice!
February 1, 2022
Avery Ayers and her family's esteemed appraisal firm has been hired by a museum to authenticate a rare large ruby that is believed to be the missing ruby eye of an antique chinese dragon medallion in the museum's possession. It's the first significant project herself will be working on since taking over the firm after her parents' deaths a year earlier in a car accident. Also, her parents had authenticated the dragon medallion a year earlier, including the single ruby eye still in its setting. yet no sooner does Avery and her partner Micah start work on the ruby than mysterious notes and calls are delivered to Avery, followed by break-ins and escalating violence. Even the circumstances surrounding her parents deaths and their authentication of the ruby eye in the dragon medallion come into question.
I have a fondness for mysteries set in the world of art, antiques, vintage collectibles and the faking of same, probably stemming from my teen years spent accompanying my mother to estate sales and auctions. There were a lot of those in rural upstate NY in the mid-1970s as newly adopted state laws regulating the sale of raw milk to distributors drove many an aging farmer into retirement and 'selling the farm', literally. However, while this was enjoyable, and I probably will read the next in the series when it's published, something just didn't sit right with me throughout. It might have been the fact that the author never missed a chance to describe what was being worn down to the designer logo. Something about Avery herself didn't sit well with me; maybe she was too young in years for the role she was cast in, maybe her constant need to moderate her emotions and talk to her shrink irritated me. Whatever, I rounded it up to 3 stars because there is one super marvelous heroic greyhound named Halston (oh yeah, author is definitely hung up on designers) in the story.
I have a fondness for mysteries set in the world of art, antiques, vintage collectibles and the faking of same, probably stemming from my teen years spent accompanying my mother to estate sales and auctions. There were a lot of those in rural upstate NY in the mid-1970s as newly adopted state laws regulating the sale of raw milk to distributors drove many an aging farmer into retirement and 'selling the farm', literally. However, while this was enjoyable, and I probably will read the next in the series when it's published, something just didn't sit right with me throughout. It might have been the fact that the author never missed a chance to describe what was being worn down to the designer logo. Something about Avery herself didn't sit well with me; maybe she was too young in years for the role she was cast in, maybe her constant need to moderate her emotions and talk to her shrink irritated me. Whatever, I rounded it up to 3 stars because there is one super marvelous heroic greyhound named Halston (oh yeah, author is definitely hung up on designers) in the story.
March 27, 2021
This is an awesome new cozy mystery by Tracy Gardner! I love her Shepherd Sisters series so I was excited to read this new series and it is just as wonderful. Ruby Red Herring is about Avery Ayers who is an antiques appraiser specializing in gems.. Avery and her teenage sister Tilly lost their parents a year ago in a car accident that the 2 girls survived. Avery now runs the family appraisal business with partners Micah and Sir Robert. Avery and Tilly's Aunt Midge moved in with them to help out. Avery and Micah are hired by the Museum Of Art (MOA) to appraise a ruby that might fit the famous dragon head medallion. It turns out Avery's parents were working on the medallion when they died which is suspicious. Through the museum, Avery meets Art Smith, who is a police Detective and works at the museum on occasion. There is quite a bit going on to keep the reader's interest and the book was hard to put down. Avery receives notes warning her to be careful. There is a movie being made at the museum. Avery finds a dead body. It is a fantastic cozy mystery with likable interesting characters, family, friendship, potential romance, and a very intriguing mystery. This is a unique, well written cozy mystery and should be added to your To Read List. Very enjoyable! I received an advanced copy from NetGalley for an honest review. #NetGalley #RubyRedHerring #TracyGardner #CrookedLaneBooks
June 2, 2021
Oh my gosh this book grabbed my attention right off the bat and didn't let go until the end! It was cozy mystery meets a cozy version of National Treasure or a modern but cozy Indy Jones or possibly Night at the Museum. Not that anyone was running through caves or museums (although the setting was an antiquities museum), but the mystery kept building around a couple of different points. And one of those points led to an amazingly happy ending.
I loved the genuine friendship Avery had with her business partners and how they treated her like a daughter after having lost her dad, their good friend. Tilly and Avery's relationship was great! It was silly, fun and sometimes serious if needed. Avery was an amazing older sister, and Tilly was surprising with some of the insight she had at times. And who wouldn't love Aunt Midge! She wasn't a cuddly type aunt, but she loved the girls so much she'd given up living in Manhattan to stay with them when their parents died. Art should get an award for detective of the century or something for not giving up on his cases. I hope eventually that can include boyfriend of the century! ;)
The dynamics between Avery and Art were great and I loved how even if she didn't listen to him, he didn't make her feel bad but did show his displeasure with whatever it was she did. But he also respected her and didn't just tell her that her ideas were silly when she came to him with a crazy one. The ending was amazing and well-wrapped up as you'll see when you read it--the whole book was just hard to put down and nearly impossible to find a suitable stopping point for things like sleeping or eating, lol. I'm super excited for the next book in this series! Keep 'em coming, Ms. Gardner!
The book releases on June 8. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I loved the genuine friendship Avery had with her business partners and how they treated her like a daughter after having lost her dad, their good friend. Tilly and Avery's relationship was great! It was silly, fun and sometimes serious if needed. Avery was an amazing older sister, and Tilly was surprising with some of the insight she had at times. And who wouldn't love Aunt Midge! She wasn't a cuddly type aunt, but she loved the girls so much she'd given up living in Manhattan to stay with them when their parents died. Art should get an award for detective of the century or something for not giving up on his cases. I hope eventually that can include boyfriend of the century! ;)
The dynamics between Avery and Art were great and I loved how even if she didn't listen to him, he didn't make her feel bad but did show his displeasure with whatever it was she did. But he also respected her and didn't just tell her that her ideas were silly when she came to him with a crazy one. The ending was amazing and well-wrapped up as you'll see when you read it--the whole book was just hard to put down and nearly impossible to find a suitable stopping point for things like sleeping or eating, lol. I'm super excited for the next book in this series! Keep 'em coming, Ms. Gardner!
The book releases on June 8. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
Want to read
June 8, 2021A year after her parents are killed in a car accident Avery is asked by the Museum of Antiquities to evaluate and authenticate a ruby the museum is interested in acquiring for their collection. A possible connection is found between the ruby and the Emperor's Twins which was the last piece Avery's parents worked on before they died in the car accident. The night before Avery accepts the contract she finds an anonymous note that tells her not to accept the contract. The nicknames used for Avery and her sister in the note were once used by her father so who wrote the note? A series of break-ins leads to all documentation on the Emperor's Twins being stolen, and the body of the seller of the ruby that Avery is authenticating is murdered.
Ruby Red Herring is the first book in a new series. While it is a cozy, sometimes it leans towards a suspense thriller genre. I like the relationship between Avery, her sister, and her aunt. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ruby Red Herring is the first book in a new series. While it is a cozy, sometimes it leans towards a suspense thriller genre. I like the relationship between Avery, her sister, and her aunt. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2021
At first, I wasn’t sure where this was going. Was Avery Ayers walking into a business, complete with her college degree in hand but no practical experience, which her parents had spent their lives cultivating, or was she the real deal and more than capable? Not until midway through the book did I have confidence in her -- and I know that wasn’t the point -- but I could now concentrate on the other ongoing escapades surrounding a recently found ruby that has brought misfortune to those who encounter it.
Tracy Gardner stirs up a diverse set of characters; fortunately, they are well defined and easy to follow. Of course, there isn’t a cozy mystery without the requisite love interests and a devoted dog, but they both work without too much stress.
I will keep a lookout for the next in the series since I want to see more Aunt Midge. There is something about her that remains a mystery, and now that one missing piece of the Ayers' puzzle has been found, I am convinced that there are more. And that more will be coming from Midge herself.
Tracy Gardner stirs up a diverse set of characters; fortunately, they are well defined and easy to follow. Of course, there isn’t a cozy mystery without the requisite love interests and a devoted dog, but they both work without too much stress.
I will keep a lookout for the next in the series since I want to see more Aunt Midge. There is something about her that remains a mystery, and now that one missing piece of the Ayers' puzzle has been found, I am convinced that there are more. And that more will be coming from Midge herself.
June 15, 2021
4.5 Stars
This is the first book in the Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series by Tracy Gardner.
This was quite an intriguing read. Avery and her sister Tilly lost their parents to a horrific car accident a year earlier and now the antique they were dealing with during the time of the crash has come back to the forefront and Avery and her team is looking into this bejeweled dragon’s head medallion.
I enjoyed how Avery connected to Detective Art Smith almost immediately and how this is the lynch point that will really keep me reading. I am so intrigued by what might unfold in this relationship in the future.
The mystery was very compelling and it was a long-term operation as you will discover near the end but I won’t give away more than that. There are so many options for a series like this and I can see this morphing into a real action adventure sort of like a female Indiana Jones on the hunt for cursed treasure or something.
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read series for sure!
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.
This is the first book in the Avery Ayers Antique Mystery series by Tracy Gardner.
This was quite an intriguing read. Avery and her sister Tilly lost their parents to a horrific car accident a year earlier and now the antique they were dealing with during the time of the crash has come back to the forefront and Avery and her team is looking into this bejeweled dragon’s head medallion.
I enjoyed how Avery connected to Detective Art Smith almost immediately and how this is the lynch point that will really keep me reading. I am so intrigued by what might unfold in this relationship in the future.
The mystery was very compelling and it was a long-term operation as you will discover near the end but I won’t give away more than that. There are so many options for a series like this and I can see this morphing into a real action adventure sort of like a female Indiana Jones on the hunt for cursed treasure or something.
If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great new must read series for sure!
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.
April 28, 2022
Wow!!! There are so many twists and turns in this book! I never did figure out “who done it.” I don’t know how the author was able to keep track of all the characters and storylines. This is an outstanding book! I loved it!
January 2, 2025
Nice way to spend a cold day. This was actually rather good. Not as cozy as the norm and and with a good amount of surprises. I’m glad this was the first one in the series that I picked up in the library, because I know I’ll be going back for more.
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