Dealing in Murder

Rating:
Summary: brilliant debut novel
Review: "Dealing in Murder" is Elaine Flinn's first mystery novel, and what a debut novel this book has proved to be! From the very first page, Elaine Flinn successfully drew me in, and ensnared me with the events that were unfolding, so that I literally could not put this book down until I reached the final page.

Still reeling from some rather unfortunate and scandalous events from her recent past, Molly Doyle has packed her bags and relocated to Carmel, California in order to manage an antique store for an old friend. But Molly has barely settled into her new life when she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation because she has had the ill luck to discover the dying victim. Now, afraid that the police will conveniently settle on her as the handiest suspect available because of her past, Molly is determined to discover who murdered the unlikable victim (and why) before it's too late...

What I liked about "Dealing in Murder" aside from it's wonderfully intriguing plot premise, was the manner in which the authour depicted and portrayed Carmel in all it's wonderfully rainy, atmospheric glory. Elaine Flinn's character portrayals for the most part were quite good too -- although I personally did find Molly's tendency to fly off the handle a bit trying. However, if you're looking for a good, new "cozy" to curl up with, that's full of atmosphere and if you're into antiques, you're bound to be satisfied with Elaine Flinn's "Dealing in Murder"

Rating:
Summary: The antiques biz is a killer!
Review: A new writer whose name ought to garner a lot of attention is Elaine Flinn, author of the wonderful debut novel Dealing in Murder, which shows just how dangerous the world of antiques can be.

Molly Doyle was a hotshot dealer in New York until her dramatic public downfall and arrest, caused by her husband's scamming and philandering. She is exiled to the Left Coast and a friend sets her up in a ramshackle antiques shop on the Monterey Peninsula.

Doyle is an appealing protagonist, a mixture of anger, savvy and vulnerability. She also seems authentic, the kind of character you could actually know and like. She is a strong woman who can handle herself but never seems like a feminine man, which unfortunately happens with too many female mystery characters.

The well-crafted plot revolves around three sins: murder, fraud and greed. It's complicated enough to keep you interested in finding out what happened and why, but not so convoluted that it leaves you baffled or bores you with its improbability.

Reviewed by David Montgomery, Chicago Sun-Times

Rating:
Summary: One is NOT ENOUGH
Review: Anyone who reads Elaine Flinn's debut mystery will join me in wishing that this woman not only enjoys a long and prolific career, but that she writes fast. If I didn't think it would prolong the arrival of the next book in this series, I would organize a group to picket Flinn's house in Carmel demanding more Molly Doyle ASAP.

Molly is savvy, salty, and fun. She may be down on her luck after her (thankfully) ex-husband's antiques fraud is exposed, but she's no whiner. Given the opportunity to start again at the bottom of the trade, she rolls up her sleeves and starts wheeling and dealing "merch" whenever she's not trolling garage and estate sales for the inventory she'll need to rebuild her reputation.

A chance find lands her in the middle of a murder investigation, which she handles with more aplomb, guts, and polish than any character I've run across since Hollywood started using Technicolor. This is a woman you want to see played by Rosalind Russell or the mature Bacall--a chick who knows from good bourbon and snappy comebacks.

Molly's (and Flinn's) depth of professional expertise makes the Antiques Roadshow look like a La-Z-Boy commercial. If you want learn how to tell Sheraton from Shinola, and tons more besides, this book blows the rest of the antique-mystery subgenre out of the water.

The only caveat I have for potential readers is to hold off on "Dealing" if you've recently quit smoking, or to have plenty of Nicorette on hand while you peruse. Molly and her newfound Carmel gang like their tobacco as much as their banter, and the going is rough for the recently smoke-free.

Rating:
Summary: Drawn into the Pages
Review: Dealing in Murder is an excellent debut novel by new author, Elaine Flinn. From the get-go 'the blood-soaked sweatshirt' draws you into the world of Molly Doyle as she tries to scrape a life together in beautiful Carmel, California. For the present, she lives the life of a small antiques dealer while her past shadows a world of grangeur and decandence. The plot keeps the pages turning and your mind races to the end before you have time to stop and realize you've been drawn into a mystery novel. Before you realize that the reality you've plunged yourself into is the workings of another's mind.

Rating:
Summary: Dashing debut
Review: Elaine Flinn's _Dealing in Murder_ is one of those lucky finds--a debut novel that's compelling and fulfilling. This Agatha Award nominee for best first mystery deserves the honor.

Let's hope for many more mysteries from Elaine Flinn.

Rating:
Summary: Great new character
Review: I loved this book. Molly Doyle is a great new character who's a firebrand with a heart, a true eye for antiques, and a tendancy to get herself into trouble. Elaine Flinn has a wonderful writing style that grabs you from page one and doesn't let up. I read this book in two sittings, and am sad that it's over. Can't wait to read her next one. You'll be glad you read this one.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT First Novel....
Review: I was amazed that this first novel was so good. Elaine Flinn has a wonderful career ahead of her with this series!

"Dealing in Murder" features Molly Doyle (a.k.a. Elizabeth Porter), a Manhattan antique dealer specializing in art, who moves to Carmel, CA to start over after her husband leaves her for another woman. Unfortunately, he takes her reputation with him, as he has been forging art with his new woman and Molly is implicated as well. The art world is very exclusive and elite so Molly devises a 5-year plan where she will be able to make enough money in Carmel to ultimately start a new business in New Orleans.

Almost immediately, Molly inadvertantly visits a woman who has just been fatally stabbed. In the exclusive, posh community of Carmel, murder is rare and Molly immediately becomes a suspect in the eyes of Chief Randall. Coming from a long life of cops, herself - Molly becomes involved in the case.

Flinn has given us AMAZING characters. Molly is bruised, ashamed, and DETERMINED to get back on top in the antique world. She is bitter and has isolated herself from other men. She has something to prove. Chief Randall is a hardened cop who has no illusions about any "goodness" in mankind. For the most part, he just wants to do a good job until retirement.

The array of minor characters is SUPERB as well. Flinn has provided a firm foundation on which to build. I especially was intrigued with Molly and Bitsy's relationship. Most authors would have devised having these women become fast friends and solving the case together. Instead, Flinn has opened the door for a realistic and evolving friendship with Bitsy - that I look forward to reading about in future sequels.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT First Novel....
Review: I was amazed that this first novel was so good. Elaine Flinn has a wonderful career ahead of her with this series!

"Dealing in Murder" features Molly Doyle (a.k.a. Elizabeth Porter), a Manhattan antique dealer specializing in art, who moves to Carmel, CA to start over after her husband leaves her for another woman. Unfortunately, he takes her reputation with him, as he has been forging art with his new woman and Molly is implicated as well. The art world is very exclusive and elite so Molly devises a 5-year plan where she will be able to make enough money in Carmel to ultimately start a new business in New Orleans.

Almost immediately, Molly inadvertantly visits a woman who has just been fatally stabbed. In the exclusive, posh community of Carmel, murder is rare and Molly immediately becomes a suspect in the eyes of Chief Randall. Coming from a long life of cops, herself - Molly becomes involved in the case.

Flinn has given us AMAZING characters. Molly is bruised, ashamed, and DETERMINED to get back on top in the antique world. She is bitter and has isolated herself from other men. She has something to prove. Chief Randall is a hardened cop who has no illusions about any "goodness" in mankind. For the most part, he just wants to do a good job until retirement.

The array of minor characters is SUPERB as well. Flinn has provided a firm foundation on which to build. I especially was intrigued with Molly and Bitsy's relationship. Most authors would have devised having these women become fast friends and solving the case together. Instead, Flinn has opened the door for a realistic and evolving friendship with Bitsy - that I look forward to reading about in future sequels.

Rating:
Summary: Move Over Lovejoy!
Review: If you're an antique lover who loves mysteries...or a mystery lover who loves antiques...this is one of the best I've read in years. Ms. Flinn obviously knows her antiques, more than I can say for some of the other so-called mystery writers using antique dealers as their progagonist. Molly Doyle is refreshing and sassy all at once. A woman of her time, she isn't even intimidated by the former big time cop from L.A. who suspects her of murder. I particularly enjoyed the inside info about artists and how fakes are done. Oh, and what not to do at an auction. Her setting of Carmel, California is great and I can't wait to visit it and look for Tosca's and Daria's restaurant. They probably don't exist, except in the mystery, but I sure wish they did.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You won't be sorry. I can't wait for the next one. Hurry up, Ms. Flinn! I'm tired of Antique Roadshow re-runs.

Rating:
Summary: Not as Good as I'd Hoped For
Review: Molly Doyle is running from her past. Leaving a cheating husband and professional scandal behind her, she accepts an offer from a friend to run his small antique shop in Carmel. Her hopes to keep a low profile are dashed when a woman dies in her arms. With the new police chief making her feel uncomfortable, she decides to follow up on the few clues she's stumbled upon. Molly's only beginning to get a picture when another murder takes place. Can Molly figure things out before she becomes the next victim?

I went into this book with high hopes. I'd heard good things about it and it sounded like a fun story. The plot is decent. There are a few missteps and novice mistakes, but they didn't detract too much. I did think the ending could have been written tighter, but that's a minor quibble.

My main complaint comes from the characters. I was over half way though before I began to like any of them, even Molly. All of them swore excessively. I don't mind a little in the books I read, but this really seemed to go beyond what is necessarily. And, they all smoked like a chimney. Frankly, I found it unrealistic, distracting, and annoying.

If the characters were more likable, I'd forgive the mistakes in the plot and say read it. As it is, I was ready for the book to be done long before it was.