What do you think?
Rate this book
A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery #4
Antiques Bizarre
The fourth work in the widely acclaimed, laugh-out-loud Trash n' Treasures series by the husband-and-wife writing team, "New York Times"-bestselling author Max Allan Collins and mystery-writer Barbara Collins.
Spring has sprung a major leak in far-from-serene Serenity, as the Mississippi River drops in for an extended stay. With homes and businesses flooded, how better to help the town recover than by staging a church bazaar?
Brandy Borne knows her mother Vivian's plan, however, is more likely to lean towards Bizarre, especially when she hears Mother wheedle a reclusive Russian heiress into donating the last Faberge egg ever created! When the winning bidder turns up mortally scrambled, Brandy and Mother cook up a plan to crack the case of this killer...who is one seriously bad egg!
Spring has sprung a major leak in far-from-serene Serenity, as the Mississippi River drops in for an extended stay. With homes and businesses flooded, how better to help the town recover than by staging a church bazaar?
Brandy Borne knows her mother Vivian's plan, however, is more likely to lean towards Bizarre, especially when she hears Mother wheedle a reclusive Russian heiress into donating the last Faberge egg ever created! When the winning bidder turns up mortally scrambled, Brandy and Mother cook up a plan to crack the case of this killer...who is one seriously bad egg!
232 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2010
154 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Allan
54 books187 followersBarbara Allan is a pseudonym used by Barbara Collins and Max Allan Collins
Max Allan Collins is a writer of mystery novels, screenplays, comics and historical fiction. Collins has collaborated on numerous short stories with his wife writer Barbara Collins. Together they also write the successful “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” mysteries – their Antiques Flee Market (2008) won the Romantic Times Best Humorous Mystery Novel award in 2009.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Max Allan Collins is a writer of mystery novels, screenplays, comics and historical fiction. Collins has collaborated on numerous short stories with his wife writer Barbara Collins. Together they also write the successful “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” mysteries – their Antiques Flee Market (2008) won the Romantic Times Best Humorous Mystery Novel award in 2009.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 6, 2017
This fourth entry in the series has our detective duo organizing a charity Bazaar to raise funds for flood victims. One of the items up for auction will be a faberge egg, owned by a Russian lady. Of course, she dies, the egg disappears, and other start dying, too. Our heroines have to solve the murder.
Pretty good stuff, even though Vivian only gets one chapter this time.
Pretty good stuff, even though Vivian only gets one chapter this time.
April 29, 2012
Let's just say I am very glad this book was free. I am not sure why this book has so many positive ratings because I cringed while reading this book. I had to force myself to complete this excuse for literary fiction. I'm sure the author is aware of her heavy-handed use of parenthesis so I won't rant about it. Suffice it to say, we, the readers, are not idiots. We didn't need her to remind of us of something we just read the page before on the next page in parenthesis. The writing was choppy, the story was all over the place and yet predictable, run-on sentences galore! Here's a tiny example, it is by far not the worse infraction:
"We went to the “cop shop,” as Mother insisted on calling it, which is to say the police station, and had a conversation with Tony in his office that lasted better than two hours."
One sentence should have been broken down into three to four sentences, instead it was a block of unwieldy text. I would not read another story by this author even if it were free.
"We went to the “cop shop,” as Mother insisted on calling it, which is to say the police station, and had a conversation with Tony in his office that lasted better than two hours."
One sentence should have been broken down into three to four sentences, instead it was a block of unwieldy text. I would not read another story by this author even if it were free.
May 3, 2010
Perhaps I'm just really not cut out for "cozy" mysteries. I keep on trying them from time to time because I like a good mystery novel that doesn't get too gruesome or horrific (e.g., that time I read a Robin Cook novel about horrible things being done to pregnant women... while I was pregnant. Not the smartest thing I've ever done.). But inevitably I find the characters obnoxious to the point that I would probably murder them if I was in their world. And then we'd have another cozy mystery!
Particularly annoying in this novel: the mother. And the way the daughter just went along with her. And... well, I've been trying to be a little less harsh in my reviews lately. I have already failed, but at least I don't have to make it any worse by going on with the list.
Rating: PG, sort of. The events in the novel themselves were quite squeaky clean (I mean, obviously not the murders, but the other stuff). Pretty much no swearing. But then again, our main character is divorced because she really, really messed up, which she doesn't seem particularly bothered by. And you just get the impression that morality isn't all that big a deal.
Particularly annoying in this novel: the mother. And the way the daughter just went along with her. And... well, I've been trying to be a little less harsh in my reviews lately. I have already failed, but at least I don't have to make it any worse by going on with the list.
Rating: PG, sort of. The events in the novel themselves were quite squeaky clean (I mean, obviously not the murders, but the other stuff). Pretty much no swearing. But then again, our main character is divorced because she really, really messed up, which she doesn't seem particularly bothered by. And you just get the impression that morality isn't all that big a deal.
November 17, 2017
I am hooked! I love this quirky cozy series!
June 10, 2011
To answer the question, What did you think?, I must reply rather so-so about it all. The characters are vivid but I do have a few qualms about them. The main character, Brandy Borne, is 31, living at home with her Mother, running a small antique business and we learn, carrying a baby for her best friends. Ok. Actually there is nothing wrong about this except her attitude about her Mother's mental illness. My discomfort may be due to my not having lived with a Manic-Depressive, but, I am not at ease with the sarcasm and going around saying to all (the Sheriff etc.) in general, Mom is nutty.
I also do not feel at ease with the best friend's attitude towards Brandy when Brandy is giving her such a tremendous gift of carrying her child. It didn't feel right to me.
The mystery? A Faberge Egg stolen and a man murdered for it. Good plot but felt like it was just thrown in to me.
So, you say, 'why even 3 stars?' Well, because I laughed out loud in places, I saw the great potential in the story line, and I like the characters individually but not together. There is much to like about this book but I felt it fell short of my expectations in this case. I have bought the next book, "Antiques Knock-Off" and am sure I will enjoy it more.
I also do not feel at ease with the best friend's attitude towards Brandy when Brandy is giving her such a tremendous gift of carrying her child. It didn't feel right to me.
The mystery? A Faberge Egg stolen and a man murdered for it. Good plot but felt like it was just thrown in to me.
So, you say, 'why even 3 stars?' Well, because I laughed out loud in places, I saw the great potential in the story line, and I like the characters individually but not together. There is much to like about this book but I felt it fell short of my expectations in this case. I have bought the next book, "Antiques Knock-Off" and am sure I will enjoy it more.
February 27, 2011
Basically liked this book, but I'm not sure if I'll read anything more by this author. Like the book I just read before this one, it has a character that is so self-centered, so convinced she knows more than anyone else and is a top amateur detective that she is bordering on unlikable. I'm sure the author is trying to be amusing. I guess I just don't find these kind of characters funny - they're annoying to me.
The mystery was good and there were other characters I find more likable, so it wasn't a disaster for me. But the warning signs apparently are there for me.
The mystery was good and there were other characters I find more likable, so it wasn't a disaster for me. But the warning signs apparently are there for me.
August 22, 2012
This cozy mystery fit the title quite well as it was a bit "bizarre." I think it could have been an excellent storyline, but the writing involves so many asides and unconnected pieces that IMHO it detracted from the storyline. Both the mother and the daughter crime team are supposed to have mental issues; and at times, I felt like I was nutcase trying to follow their thought processes. Also I figured out "who done it" fairly early in the story line so wasn't too surprised at the ending.
May 6, 2012
A fun read but the huge amount of "named" products was a little frustrating. I have to say that if you get anoyed by someone taking twice as long to tell a story because he/she makes too many aside comments this book, and probably the series is not for you. This is a strong part of the main character's personality. A little frustrating but consistent.
I'd recommend this for a light read.
I'd recommend this for a light read.
May 9, 2011
I enjoy the light and breezy style to these books by Barbara Allen.
April 5, 2018
Having enjoyed Antiques Frame so thoroughly, I'm now working my way through as many volumes of the series as my library system carries. (Again...why do libraries refuse to provide an entire set? There are only 4 books available. Alas.)
As with the last entry for Antiques Flee Market, I'm glad I read Frame first, or I wouldn't have pursued the series. Although Bizarre is a trifle better than Flee Market, it still doesn't attain the wit and pace of Frame. Maybe this is a maturing process in the authors' collaboration? Hard to say. But Bizarre was a pleasant read. I was sucked in more than usual by the image of a Faberge egg on the cover, and was a little disappointed when my expectations of descriptive passages fraught with gems and precious metals and lyric designs wasn't met. But, I suppose a bona fide Faberge egg would be less credible than the wooden prototype we're offered in the story.
What put me off more than anything, though, were the numerous references to movie stars and music and other social hallmarks that I've never encountered. It made me think this series was written for someone in their 70s or 80s. Or someone more versed in social icon history, perhaps.
What I also missed in this installment was the presence of Vivian as a writer. She's given a bit more page-time than the previous Flee Market, but not enough. The balance of humor and the fleshing out of the character by letting her inner dialogue take over occasionally made Frame more enjoyable. Still, I'm not quitting on the series. My library can offer one more: Antiques Knock-Off.
As the series gets closer to the time Frame was written, it does become more enjoyable. Nice holiday, cozy, improbable mystery.
As with the last entry for Antiques Flee Market, I'm glad I read Frame first, or I wouldn't have pursued the series. Although Bizarre is a trifle better than Flee Market, it still doesn't attain the wit and pace of Frame. Maybe this is a maturing process in the authors' collaboration? Hard to say. But Bizarre was a pleasant read. I was sucked in more than usual by the image of a Faberge egg on the cover, and was a little disappointed when my expectations of descriptive passages fraught with gems and precious metals and lyric designs wasn't met. But, I suppose a bona fide Faberge egg would be less credible than the wooden prototype we're offered in the story.
What put me off more than anything, though, were the numerous references to movie stars and music and other social hallmarks that I've never encountered. It made me think this series was written for someone in their 70s or 80s. Or someone more versed in social icon history, perhaps.
What I also missed in this installment was the presence of Vivian as a writer. She's given a bit more page-time than the previous Flee Market, but not enough. The balance of humor and the fleshing out of the character by letting her inner dialogue take over occasionally made Frame more enjoyable. Still, I'm not quitting on the series. My library can offer one more: Antiques Knock-Off.
As the series gets closer to the time Frame was written, it does become more enjoyable. Nice holiday, cozy, improbable mystery.
April 20, 2025
"Antiques Bizarre (A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery #4)" by Barbara Allan is not an Easter themed cozy mystery despite what some online lists would have you believe. Yes, there is a Faberge egg, various chapter titles with Easter Egg related names, and a mention of someone looking like an Easter Bunny. However, it is not set at Easter time or an Easter event.
That little heads up over, this is an interesting cozy mystery about a local fundraising bizarre/auction featuring a Faberge egg and lots of potential well off bidders. Brandy's mom is in charge of the group responsible to do the auction for the Faberge egg. Unfortunately half the attendees get severely ill and two people end up dead. Of course Brandy's mom has to investigate and drag a pregnant Brandy along too.
My only complaint about the actual story is there are moments when the mother "writes" her point of view supposedly after the chapter where Brandy "writes" about talking to her bio-mom about her bio-day. They then agree to not talk to the mom about Brandy actually knowing about their situation. Then the mom "writes" in her chapter like she read the previous chapter. So clearly she would know that Brandy knows.
That little heads up over, this is an interesting cozy mystery about a local fundraising bizarre/auction featuring a Faberge egg and lots of potential well off bidders. Brandy's mom is in charge of the group responsible to do the auction for the Faberge egg. Unfortunately half the attendees get severely ill and two people end up dead. Of course Brandy's mom has to investigate and drag a pregnant Brandy along too.
My only complaint about the actual story is there are moments when the mother "writes" her point of view supposedly after the chapter where Brandy "writes" about talking to her bio-mom about her bio-day. They then agree to not talk to the mom about Brandy actually knowing about their situation. Then the mom "writes" in her chapter like she read the previous chapter. So clearly she would know that Brandy knows.
January 31, 2021
Thirty-one-year-old Brandy Borne, along with her seventy-something, eccentric, dramatic mother, Vivian, are once again drawn into another murder investigation when a charity auction that they've organized in their small town of Serenity, Iowa, goes terribly wrong.
On the personal side of things, Brandy is going through morning sickness in the early months of pregnancy, which is keeping the local town gossips quite busy, as Brandy is single and recently divorced, although most of the gossips don't know the true reason behind her pregnant state. Brandy may also have a new man in her life, which Vivian is thrilled about, as she believes the relationship would be helpful in their investigations.
Once again, I enjoyed the humorous shenanigans of these two amateur sleuths, as they continue to discover one murder victim after another in their otherwise quiet little town along the Mississippi River.
On the personal side of things, Brandy is going through morning sickness in the early months of pregnancy, which is keeping the local town gossips quite busy, as Brandy is single and recently divorced, although most of the gossips don't know the true reason behind her pregnant state. Brandy may also have a new man in her life, which Vivian is thrilled about, as she believes the relationship would be helpful in their investigations.
Once again, I enjoyed the humorous shenanigans of these two amateur sleuths, as they continue to discover one murder victim after another in their otherwise quiet little town along the Mississippi River.
Read
July 21, 2023DNF at Ch. 9
Far be it from me to advise the writer to change anything about this successful "quirky" cozy mystery series. I am not the audience as what draws others to this series pushes me away.
The problem with cozy mysteries is that the amateur sleuths commit crimes in order to solve one and screw up evidence in such a way as to make the case un-prosecutable. This book is no exception. The fact that the author and characters acknowledge this doesn't make the illegalities any more palatable.
I did not find the characters likeable or plausible. Which is not to say that loyal fans won't love this story. I'm just not one of them.
Far be it from me to advise the writer to change anything about this successful "quirky" cozy mystery series. I am not the audience as what draws others to this series pushes me away.
The problem with cozy mysteries is that the amateur sleuths commit crimes in order to solve one and screw up evidence in such a way as to make the case un-prosecutable. This book is no exception. The fact that the author and characters acknowledge this doesn't make the illegalities any more palatable.
I did not find the characters likeable or plausible. Which is not to say that loyal fans won't love this story. I'm just not one of them.
July 11, 2017
A cute, fun, light-hearted murder mystery! Now that seems odd, doesn't it? Honestly, this author's style is comfortable and puts you right in the story. You can't help but like Brandy and her mother, even her crazy, blind, diabetic, dog is fun and lovable. She doesn't dwell on grizzly details, instead she crafts a mystery that has you guessing and second-guessing the guilty party. Her first person telling (including overuse of parentheticals) keeps you chuckling while you try to solve the latest who-done-it in their quiet little town.
August 20, 2021
This is the second book I have read in this series and it was just as good as the first one I read. In this book, Brandy Borne is being a surrogate for her best friend, who cannot have children because she had cervical cancer. Brandy's mother, Vivian Borne decides to hold an auction to assist flood victims in Serenity, but things go away when people are poisoned and there are two deaths. Vivian decides she will investigate and when she and Brandy put their heads together, they along with the police chief, unmask the killer. Really enjoyed this book.
August 5, 2023
Book 4 in the series.
The time is Spring in Serenity, Michigan. Brandy is in the early stages of being a surrogate to her best friend Tina & her husband. She is no longer taking her prescription medication.
Her mother Viviane is helping to raise money for the flood damaged town and asking one of its oldest residents for a donation to auction. It happens to be a faberge egg, one of the last ones made for the Tsar of Russia.
The ladies are once again involved in a suspicious death scene and the adventures and laughs begin.A fun, clue solving big weekend for the town.
The time is Spring in Serenity, Michigan. Brandy is in the early stages of being a surrogate to her best friend Tina & her husband. She is no longer taking her prescription medication.
Her mother Viviane is helping to raise money for the flood damaged town and asking one of its oldest residents for a donation to auction. It happens to be a faberge egg, one of the last ones made for the Tsar of Russia.
The ladies are once again involved in a suspicious death scene and the adventures and laughs begin.A fun, clue solving big weekend for the town.
December 22, 2018
I admittedly waffled between a 3 and a 4 for this installment. I think it boils down to needing to be in the right mood for the ADD screwball comedrama and I just wasn't feeling it after having just finished a Flavia deLuce story. Neither here, nor there, but I do enjoy this series even though Brandy and Vivian sometimes leave me more melancholy than not--perhaps wondering if I am as annoying as Brandy sometimes. That said, I now have an overwhelming desire to reread some Nero Wolfe.
April 24, 2019
With all the flooding going on right now, I decide to read this book where the town has been flooded. Now Brandy Borne's mother (Vivian) has a great idea to help the town by having a bazaar to raise money. Vivian manages to a reclusive Russian heiress to donating a very rare item and also get the church to hold the bizarre. Million dollar bids show up and lo and behold a murder and the missing item.
October 6, 2021
Who stole the egg?
This is the second book in this series that I have read having read the previous one. I thoroughly enjoyed both. This kooky story about a missing Faberge egg has equally kooky characters which kept me laughing out loud and also a good mystery story which kept me guessing till the end! I will be reading the next.
This is the second book in this series that I have read having read the previous one. I thoroughly enjoyed both. This kooky story about a missing Faberge egg has equally kooky characters which kept me laughing out loud and also a good mystery story which kept me guessing till the end! I will be reading the next.
November 3, 2022
As a Catholic, this book was very upsetting. I kept reminding myself that it's fiction, but the sacrilege that went on in the church was still horrifying. It was even pointed out, but blown off, which made it worse. Either the research done was very bad or the authors intended to be offensive, or so it seems. I'm done with this series.
January 31, 2026
Antiques Bizarre (A Trash 'n' Treasures Mystery Book 4)
Brandy and her mother Vivian are into auctioning a Faberge Egg for the local church and instead are pulled into a murder of the woman offering the Egg for auction. Meanwhile Brandy has dinner with Tony the detective and is in search of finding her biological father. Another fast moving Trash 'n ' Treasure Mystery!
Brandy and her mother Vivian are into auctioning a Faberge Egg for the local church and instead are pulled into a murder of the woman offering the Egg for auction. Meanwhile Brandy has dinner with Tony the detective and is in search of finding her biological father. Another fast moving Trash 'n ' Treasure Mystery!
June 17, 2019
Good read
Brandi and her mom get pulled into another murder. This time it's a mass poisoning at a auction of a Faberge egg. Where Vivian is in charge. It was a fast quick read and I enjoyed it.
Brandi and her mom get pulled into another murder. This time it's a mass poisoning at a auction of a Faberge egg. Where Vivian is in charge. It was a fast quick read and I enjoyed it.
June 24, 2019
Read it electronically
Read on a kindle or tablet to take advantage of the many references and idiomatic saying in these books. You can easily look them up. Including pictures of all the eggs ...
Read on a kindle or tablet to take advantage of the many references and idiomatic saying in these books. You can easily look them up. Including pictures of all the eggs ...
July 17, 2017
A cute cozy mystery with a crackpot mother daughter team
August 20, 2018
Didn't like book 1 in series, so didn't read, even though had purchased it.
December 10, 2018
I recently discovered Barbara Allan's books. They are very entertaining and fun cozy reads. I love the characters and feel like I could fit right in with them.
January 20, 2019
Vivian, ever caring for her community, gets the town to have an auction to aid the flood victims. Greed leaves us with many suspects--including the out-of-towners.
February 2, 2020
I like the understory of Brandy's heritage, and also her relationship with the Chief.
March 28, 2020
This is a really good book and series. This book had some surprises. I am thoroughly enjoying this series.
July 2, 2021
Cute, laugh out loud cozy mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews