Pick a Favorite: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #10
By Maggie West
()
About this ebook
Antiques to die for.
Sherri and Carol grab some great pieces at the Paradise Farm and Home museum auction. But when someone is found dead under the museum's antique chandilier the next morning, Sherri smells a rat.
Can she, with the help of her friend and picking partner Carol, figure out if it was just an accident or murder? All signs point to the victim having enemies at every turn.
Carol is still working on her wedding plans but has time to help find the culprit.
For a fun escape with antiques and vintage items center stage, read Pick a Favorite now.
Pick a Favorite is a clean, short read perfect for lovers of cozy mysteries set in a small town that feature an amateur sleuth.
Pick a Favorite is the tenth short book in the Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mysteries series, and is a complete mystery that you can read in an hour or two.
As a clean read, it does NOT contain strong language or graphic violence. Just Sherri and her sidekick Carol. Oh and Sherri's husband Ralph and their sweet cat, Kitty Jo, and of course Leon, Carol's new fiancé.
Be sure to check out the rest of the books in the Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery series, Picked to Death, Cotton Picking Murder, Picked On, Pick a Letter, Fatal Pickings, Pick a Tune, Picked Clean, Easy Pickings, and Pick a Secret Santa for more small town fun and crime solving in the close-knit community of Paradise.
Read more from Maggie West
Lily Thistle Cozy Mystery The Marriage Deadline Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSame Old Same Old Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Pick a Favorite
Titles in the series (10)
Picked to Death: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Cotton Picking Murder: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPicked On: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPick a Letter: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #4 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Picked Clean: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #7 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Pick a Tune: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFatal Pickings: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEasy Pickings: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPick a Favorite: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #10 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPick a Secret Santa: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #9 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
Pick a Secret Santa: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #9 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPicked Clean: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #7 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Picked On: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPick a Letter: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #4 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Pick a Tune: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFatal Pickings: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEasy Pickings: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCotton Picking Murder: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPicked to Death: Antique Pickers in Paradise Cozy Mystery Series, #1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Red Velvet Cupcakes to Die For: A Liana Campbell Cozy Mystery, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNever Say Pie: Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series, #14 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Electile Dysfunction: Gotcha Detective Agency Mystery, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCookies, Chamomile, and Corpses (A Cookies & Chance Mysteries Novella) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBait and Snitch: A Ponderosa Pines Mystery, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiamonds, Dunes, & Death: Port Sunset Mysteries Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Heart Of The Murder: Mother Earth's Kitchen Cozy Mystery Series, #4 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Tangled Mess: An Annie Addison Cozy Mystery, #2 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Wrong Stuff: A Jane Wheel Mystery Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Nothing to Bite Home About Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bad Hair Day Mysteries Box Set Volume Four: The Bad Hair Day Mysteries Box Set, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPreserving the Evidence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinal Roasting Place Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Knee Deep in Dough Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeath By Trombone Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Choc Chip Murder: A Bite-sized Bakery Cozy Mystery, #7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne for the Road and Death Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bamboozled: Mah Jongg Mysteries, #2 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Caught in the Frame: A Ponderosa Pines Mystery, #3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Scones, Skulls & Scams: Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series, #8 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Cozy Mysteries For You
Color Me Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Accidental Alchemist: An Accidental Alchemist Mystery, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Poirot's Early Cases Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Eight Perfect Murders: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Moon Over Soho Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Murder at the Vicarage: A Miss Marple Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Word Is Murder: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murders at the Montgomery Hall Hotel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side: A Miss Marple Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All Her Little Secrets: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Epitaph: A Gripping Murder Mystery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Line to Kill: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death by Dumpling: A Noodle Shop Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Quiche of Death: The First Agatha Raisin Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Marlow Murder Club: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Secret of Poppyridge Cove Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures: a joyful and heart-warming novel you won't want to miss Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Gone with the Ghost Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death Du Jour: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Murderous Affair at Stone Manor: A Completely Gripping Cozy Murder Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Murder Under a Red Moon: A 1920s Bangalore Mystery Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sleeping Murder: Miss Marple's Last Case Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Gaudy Night Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Golden Spoon: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Secret, Book & Scone Society Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Murder Is Announced: A Miss Marple Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rivers of London: 10th Anniversary Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mistletoe and Murder Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Pick a Favorite
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Pick a Favorite - Maggie West
Chapter 1
L ook at this crowd!
Carol O’Brien turned to Sherri Green, her friend and antique picking partner. Carol frowned as the pair stopped just inside the historic building near Paradise’s small downtown.
Sherri shrugged out of her jacket. Inside the Paradise Farm and Home Museum, a crowd had gathered and it was warm inside. Outside, the spring air still had a bite to it. The air in the small, crowded brick building was like an oven.
The crowd rivaled that of the annual fall chili supper the town of Paradise held each year to benefit local victims of tragedy. The previous year the proceeds had gone to help a family rebuild after a house fire started when one of the kids had lit a candle before bed. No one had noticed it burning, and the candle burnt down so low it caught a newspaper on fire. Luckily no one was hurt, but the house was a complete loss. The people of Paradise had rallied together to help the family.
Now, Sherri took in the same people who looked more like vultures ready to attack then the good-hearted folks she knew most of them to be.
What a good turnout.
Sherri looked over Carol’s shoulder at the crowded main room where the auction would be held. It looks like everybody and their dog is here. I wonder if we’ll even be able to get in there to look at things before the auction starts.
Carol huffed and said, Well, I am. Come on.
She grabbed Sherri’s hand and said, Excuse me
or Pardon me
every couple of seconds as she plowed through the crowd toward the items on display that were due to be auctioned within the hour.
Wonder why Mr. Culler is having this auction?
Sherri wasn’t sure if Carol heard her over the constant chattering, but when Carol abruptly stopped in front of a long table full of kitchen crocks, dishes, and other wares she turned to Sherri.
I heard he’s having financial issues.
Carol’s attempt at whispering was just that, an attempt. But Sherri was used to Carol’s inside voice sounding more like a full-blown outside voice and figured with all of the noise, chances were good that no one had heard her response.
Carol furrowed her brow as she examined the wares on the table. There’s some nice stuff here. I think that’s a McCoy crock.
She pointed at a large stoneware crock with a number 8 on the front. The words ‘Sanitary Stoneware’ circled the number.
Yep, looks like McCoy to me. Where’d you hear that?
Sherri lowered her voice then said, About his financial issues?
Sherri perked up as she took in the array of cream and brown pottery. This is all really nice.
Before Carol could respond, a young man approached the women.
Carol nodded and said, Hi, Dusty. What are you up to?
She smiled at the young man who was eyeing a mantle clock on a shelf across the room.
He brushed his blond hair to the side. Hey, Carol. Sherri.
Dusty Black was a recent addition to the Pope County Pickers Club. He’d jumped into the antique picking world with both feet after he’d inherited his uncle’s estate. Looking at that clock.
He nodded toward the walnut clock across the way.
I wonder if it’s for sale. I think everything for auction is down here.
Sherri gestured at the tables arranged in a U shape.
I ain’t looking to buy it. It’s rightly mine.
Dusty’s nostrils flared and a scowl settled on his face. Talk at ya later.
When Dusty was out of earshot, Carol turned to Sherri and said, Wonder what he meant by that?
Sherri shook her head. No idea. So, tell me. Where did you hear that Mr. Culler was having financial trouble?
Carol explained that she’d heard at Freddy’s the day before that Eugene Culler, the owner and curator of the Paradise Farm and Home Museum, hadn’t paid his taxes in years. He was holding the auction to raise the needed funds.
I wonder if that’s because of his wife’s illness. Before she died, evidently she’d been in and out of the hospital for a few years. Maybe he had medical bills or —
Sherri’s voice faded as she looked around the crowded room.
Carol cut in. There he is.
A stooped man with thin gray hair that did its level best to cover a bald pate was speaking with a younger man.
Carol pointed at the pair, and Sherri slapped her finger down. Stop pointing!
Carol laughed. Sorry! But is that Eugene’s son? The young man he’s talking to?
She inched her way through the crowd till she was a few feet away from the pair. Sherri reluctantly followed.
Sherri nodded when Carol finally stopped and stood in one place. She lowered her voice and said, I think so. Sam. He lives over in Blossom Prairie but has been around more lately helping his dad. That’s what Deb said when I was at Freddy’s last time. I guess he’s been in there a lot more in the past few months. Evidently Sam never came to visit his mom and dad much in the past.
Ah ha.
Carol lowered her head and said, Look at them. Doesn’t look like they’re all that friendly.
Sherri watched as Mr. Culler spit words at his son and finally raised a bony finger,