From the Queen

Carolyn Hart

Aug 2015 · Bibliomysteries Book 22 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

The next story in the Bibliomysteries series, penned by MWA Grand Master Carolyn Hart.

Everyone dreams of stumbling upon a long-lost treasure in the attic or inheriting a fortune from some distant relative. But for Ellen Gallagher, the impoverished owner of a thrift shop in South Carolina, that dream comes true. She finds in her possession a first edition of Agatha Christie’s Poirot Investigates that has been signed by the author . . . and inscribed to the Queen of England. When the book disappears from her shop, Ellen must call on her friend Annie Darling, owner of the mystery bookstore Death on Demand, to track it down.

The Bibliomysteries are a series of short tales about deadly books, by top mystery authors.
 

Ratings and reviews

From the Queen by Carolyn Hart is a Death on Demand short story (extremely short). Annie Darling is alone this week while her husband is away at Pebble Beach (for golf tournament). Annie is about the close the bookstore for the day when Ellen Gallagher comes in quite excited. Ellen owns the second hand store called Ellen’s Keepsakes. Ellen received a book that she thinks might be worth a little money. It is a first edition of Poirot Investigations signed by Agatha Christie to the Queen (of England) in 1925. If the book is authentic it could be worth over $100,000. Annie promises to contact the right person for authentication for Ellen. The next day the book is gone. Ellen left it in her store on a shelf (a store without security alarms, cameras, and a window with a broken latch). Ellen told three people (she should have kept her mouth shut about the book). Annie decides to set a trap and catch the culprit. Annie is lucky that Officer Hyla Harrison knows Annie cannot resist an investigation and keeps an eye out for her safety. I enjoyed reading From the Queen. It is a nice, well-written story. It is a very short story and the mystery is quickly solved. The only thing I did not like was Ellen. I found her to be a complete idiot (sorry, but it is very true) and very naïve. Otherwise, a cute cozy mystery! I like Annie Darling and look forward to reading more books in this delightful series. I give From the Queen 4.5 out of 5 stars. From the Queen can easily be read without having read any of the other books in the series. I received a complimentary copy of From the Queen from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Carolyn Hart is the author of 55 novels, 49 of which are mysteries. She is a native of Oklahoma City, a Phi Beta Kappa journalism graduate of the University of Oklahoma, and a former president of Sisters in Crime, of which she is still a member. She is also a member of the Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, the International Crime Writers Association, the International Thrillers Association, and the American Crime Writers League. Hart taught professional writing at the University of Oklahoma School of Journalism from 1982 to 1985. She has won three Agatha Awards for Best Novel, two Anthony Awards, and two Macavity Awards.