Barbara Allan Knihy

"That local theater diva of a certain age, Vivian Borne--a.k.a. Brandy's mother--is sheriff of Serenity County now, but still hot on the trail of precious antiques. On a tour of the historic Wentworth Mansion, the two dedicated dealers are aglow at the treasure trove of priceless objects--never dreaming everything will turn to ashes hours later. A charred corpse in the ruins is identified as the mansion's caretaker, a one-time flame of Vivian's. But Tony Cassato--Brandy's beau and Serenity's chief of police--throws cold water on Sheriff Vivian's suspicions of murder"--

When long-suffering antiques store owner Brandy Borne is rudely awoken by her eccentric mother, Vivian, and invited on a late-night, surreptitious shopping trip, the idea is less than tempting. But she smells trouble, and soon the mother and daughter sleuths aren't just buying dead stock at the dead of night - they're finding dead bodies too ...

Set just days before Christmas, a former sheriff and her daughter, both amateur sleuths, find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery when a socialite collapses into her dessert at a holiday luncheon. As they juggle their antique presentation and the chaos of the season, they must solve the case while navigating the quirky dynamics of small-town life. This cozy mystery blends humor, mother-daughter teamwork, antique tips, and festive recipes, making it a delightful read for any time of year.