Unholy Treasure

Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery #9

by S.W. Hubbard

A holy relic of the past unleashes a deadly passion in the present.

When estate sale organizer Audrey Nealon turns over management of a small sale to her trusty staff, she’s not expecting much profit. The ordinary house contains no art, no antiques, not even a collectible Star Wars lunch box. But after the sale, both of her staff members are victims of vandalism.

Unimpressed with the police response, Audrey’s assistant Ty sets out to find the vandal. At the same time, Audrey is stunned to learn a small knick-knack Ty sold at the sale for five bucks has been resold anonymously at Christie’s auction house for half a million dollars. The little house-shaped object turns out to be a medieval reliquary, purported to hold a fragment of the bone of the martyred Saint Stephen.

With her client furious at the costly error, Audrey must discover how this precious reliquary turned up in a suburban New Jersey estate sale. Is Ty’s hunt for the vandal a distraction, or is it linked to the mystery of the reliquary?

Others are equally intent on finding the person who profited from the sale of the reliquary. As the forces of sin, faith, and devotion battle, Saint Stephen might not be the only one who is martyred.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2023

About the author

S.W. Hubbard writes the kinds of books she loves to read: twisty, believable, full of complex characters, and highlighted with sly humor. She is the author of the Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery Series and the Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery Series, as well as the Life in Palmyrton Women's Friendship Fiction Series. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the anthologiesDead Drift, Crimes by Moonlight, The Mystery Box, andAdirondack Mysteries. When not writing, she hikes with her rescue dog, Libby, and her husband. She lives in Morristown, NJ.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a surprise!

I should have seen the ending coming. There were enough hints along the way. Can’t wait for the further adventures of Audrey and Sean!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

always an emotional tug-a-war

Such satisfying writing by SW Hubbard. I was hooked on the story line from the first chapter. The characters’ stories flow to create a mystery for everyone who reads mysteries/cozies for pleasure. I love Audrey! Such a well rounded, intelligent woman in every book in this series.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unholy Treasure - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Audrey Nealon is in the midst of a dilemma in Unholy Treasure, S.W Hubbard's riveting Book 9 conclusion to her excellent Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery series.
She's secured the sale of a prestigious estate's contents and come to an agreement with the elderly owner to help see an old obligation satisfied...without the knowledge of her heirs.
Audrey's Homicide Detective husband Sean is busy on a concurrent case - of murder - and the addition of a connecting factor joins both their actions and further events together.
Can Audrey, Ty and Donna rectify unforeseen mistakes and help Sean save another life?
Get your copy of Unholy Treasure by the remarkable SW Hubbard's today to find out how it all ends - and what's next for your reading delight!

[Sharon Roddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unholy Treasure

I think SW Hubbard has done the right thing putting Audrey and Co to bed, this latest offering was a little tired and at the end seemed a little rushed as though the author just wanted to get it over and done with. The cosy crime series has been very enjoyable though and I’ll miss the characters.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure whether or not she's ending up the series with this one. Hope that's not a spoiler--she doesn't say one way or the other. But it would be an appropriate ending, and if so, I'd be okay with that. I've enjoyed this series very much and I love the characters she's invented--the lead, and estate sale organizer, her husband, her twins, her assistants Ty and Donna; her father and his wife, and so on. Those characters "made" the stories for me along with the whole estate sale business, which was a hoot.

The mysteries were always second fiddle to the personalities. This one in particular, which was intriguing as to the whole "what dunnit" question--where did the box come from? How did it get into the sale? Who knew about it? Had a pretty lame ending. And the whole side plot of the brother-in-law's arrest for theft, well, I don't even remember how it ended. It was pretty much dropped...probably due to lack on interest on the author's part, too.

I'll recommend the series, but only as a cozy for people who like pesonality-driven amusement.

[Diana L. Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this the end…

Life is an Adventure and I’m so glad Ms Hubbard has gifted us with these wonderful stories. I’ve been hooked since Another Man’s Treasure and binged all of them when they were available. This one is full of twists and turns and Oh No moments. Audrey, Ty and Donna have their futures neatly wrapped up and are moving on to new endeavors. Great Read!

[Gaye Hand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant series - great read!

I’ve just spent the month of January reading the Palmerston Estate Sale series, all 10 books! Fabulous! Great plots, great follow through, well written. The most enjoyable and addictive light reading for ages. I’m sad to see Audrey and Sean move to Delaware🙂 but hopefully we will see more adventures soon.

[jim and barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sounded like such a good story idea 🤔

But. . . . . . by chapter 4 I was starting to wonder when the story would begin . . . . . .😙. . . . . .. By chapter 16 I gave it up. . . . . . really didn't care about any of the characters and plot had yet to develop. . . . . . boring and not recommended 😑

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this cozy mystery series and this installment started out strong, but the last third was strangely abrupt. It seemed like the author suddenly decided they immediately wanted to end the story and the series. The ending barely held the mystery together. A disappointing end to an otherwise satisfying series.

[Robin M Rosequist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best series ever!

Please say it's not over! This series has kept me interested, guessing,laughing, crying, and always taken by surprise. No figuring the outcome here! As an avid reader, its not always easy for me to find books that grab, and hold me like this. Thank you for keeping this old lady entertained!

[Sheila Coffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love them all

The Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery Series is a wonderful read. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know all the characters. I’m not sure but it sounds like #10 may be the last in the series. Thanks to S.W. Hubbard, it’s been a great ride!

[Maureen Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series has been so entertaining. I love the twists and turns and the development of the characters over the years. Reading this series has been like visiting with friends. So excited to find out what was going on in their lives. This author really draws you in. Definitely worth reading all S. W. Hubbard's books!

[Staci Popp · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fitting end

I am so sad to see this story end. I fell in love with the town and the characters and the mystery. I pray that there will be more in the Life series so we can keep visiting.

[Sandy birmingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story!

I have enjoyed these characters so much! I have read each of them at least twice and will read them many more. I will sincerely miss not getting any more new Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery's!

[Mary Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh what happed with Sean’s brother Terry?

Did I miss something? What? Who?

Oh no! I had no idea “Another Man’s Treasure” was disappearing!

I will miss Audrey and her intrepid crew.

Thanks for the ride!

[Irene Kerro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palmyrton Estate Sales Series

Great series!!!! Lived the twist and turns ! The dynamics of Sean and Audrey. Audrey ' s persistance. I love Ty and Donna's interactions and personalities.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all of this series

I’m feeling sad because I think the ending of this book (which is great by the way) gives a big hint that this is the final novel in this series. I think I’ve read every book SWHubbard has written. I’ve enjoyed them all!

I sincerely hope there will be more books to come.

[Sarah Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the series!

The characters were well rounded, flawed and gifted. Interesting job as estate clearance business. I'll be settling and sifting my fathers home soon, so good tips and I will try to find someone like AMT to do the job.
Easy summer reads.

[Suzie Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Fine shed This Series

Just read the last book of this series and I absolutely loved it! They all have twists and turns you do not expect with colorful characters! The ending to the series was great except for the loss that happens at the end but it made it more life-like. I highly recommend this book and the whole series!

[THRILLED to read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait! I know it will be amazing!

[Charmain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series and especially the wonderful characters and am sorry to see it end.

[Lisa Shower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I am thrilled after enjoying this latest book in a favorite series of mine but devastated that this was the end! I love Audrey and the gang.....

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific ending to this series!

[Stacey Wright Aumock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like the final book. Will there be more?

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tenth book in the Estate Sale series appears to be the last. It's a fitting finish to an enjoyable series and ends on a satisfactory note.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a way to end the series. An interesting mystery and new endeavors and beginnings for Audrey, Sean, Ty and Donna. I will miss these characters.

[Margaret Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this isn’t the end!

This was such a good, but sad book! I have loved this series abd I hope it isn’t the end!

[Cheryl Maginley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! Wonderful heartfelt characters with twisty plots.
Great read on a cold weekend.

[Ron Fraley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palmyrton Series

Enjoyed all 10 books in the series. 10 was a great end to the series. I can hardly wait for the next series to come out

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

I love this series I will miss these books. Thank you for such an enjoyable series and the wonderful hours reading them.