Death is a Cabaret [Audio CD]

Deborah Morgan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2007

Since Jeff Talbot left the FBI, he's been investigating yard sales as a professional antiques picker. From furniture to books, from old clothes to broken toys, nothing escapes his keen eye for appraisal. But there is one item that he always keeps his knowing eyes particularly peeled to find: a one-of-a-kind French cabaret set commissioned by Napolean for his love, Josephine. It is an item any collector would kill for. Read by Read McColm Length: 6.5 hours

Editorial Reviews

Review

On the heels of the Antique Roadshow's popularity comes an exceptional mystery series that's sure to please and tease the treasure hunter in every reader. First-time author Morgan craftily draws Jeffrey Talbot as a quick-witted, Seattle-based retired FBI agent who's turned his passion for antiques into a lucrative business by becoming a picker, an antique hunter who tracks down specific items for collectors. One elusive item Jeff figures he'll never get his hands on is a French cabaret tea set that once belonged to Napoleon's beloved Josephine. When Jeff hears that the serving pieces might turn up at an exclusive auction held at Michigan's Grand Hotel, he takes off in pursuit of the rare tea service, leaving his agoraphobic wife Sheila (his behind-the-scenes helpmate) to her home shopping, gourmet cooking and Internet surfing. Jeff soon learns that he's not alone in his quest; many people, it seems, are willing to kill to gain possession of the set. As bodies begin piling up, Jeff calls upon his investigative skills to find the killer before the killer finds him. Morgan polishes off this slim cozy with some handy recommendations on antiquing, antique Web sites and home shopping. --Publishers Weekly

From AudioFile

Former FBI Agent Jeff Talbot, now a professional antique picker, is searching for a cabaret set (tea service) gifted by Napoleon to his beloved Josephine. Jeff goes to Michigan to find this priceless treasure, but hes not the only one after it. When murder follows, he finds himself involved in searching for the killer. This first book in the Jeff Talbot Antique Lovers series is a joy to listen to. The characters are quirky, and Reed McColm does a fine job distinguishing each with an easy style and cadence. The historical side trips and details about collectibles are an additional pleasure. Even the recommended list of books on antiques presented at the end is fun listening. This series is snazzy and smart. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: BooksInMotion.com (April 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596078073
• ISBN-13: 978-1596078079
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,959,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating glimpse into the world of antique collectors., November 25, 2001

By 

Sharon Wylie (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death is a Cabaret (Antique Lover's Mysteries (Prime Crime)) (Paperback)

I think one of the characteristics of mystery fans, besides a love of puzzle solving, is a genuine interest in other people, cultures, societies, worlds, etc. Why else would the mystery genre be so popular? We don't read mysteries simply to solve crimes; we read to meet new people, explore new places, and experience the unknown.

Deborah Morgan's new "Antique Lover's" series is a shining example of what the mystery genre has to offer. Her sleuth, Jeff Talbot, is a "picker," someone who patrols garage and estate sales, looking for bargain antiques to sell to antique dealers. Talbot's enthusiasm for his job, his delight in discovering a hidden treasure in someone's attic, is tempered by the dog-eat-dog nature of the business. His chief rival is Frank Hamilton, a hot-tempered picker with a bullying nature and a lack of scruples. A run-in with Hamilton is enough to spoil Talbot's entire day.

When Hamilton turns up dead at an auction in Michigan, an auction that Talbot is also attending, Talbot fears he is the chief suspect. But as a former FBI agent, he is in the position to call in some favors and do some sleuthing of his own. In the intimate world of antique collectors, Talbot soon discovers that Hamilton had many enemies and conspirators with both motive and opportunity. Can Talbot catch the murderer AND obtain the prize antique tea set that is the auction's focal point?

I found this mystery to be thoroughly enjoyable, like stepping into a foreign world where everything is unfamiliar and fascinating. Talbot leads a truly unusual life, living in a mansion filled with antiques, employing a butler to keep things running smoothly, and living with a wife whose agoraphobia keeps her confined to the house (and prevents her from traveling with Jeff). Setting the auction on Mackinac Island in Michigan is an additional stroke of genius and lets the author take the reader into yet another world, where cars are prohibited and jackets required after 6 p.m.

The mystery itself is engaging, although the denouement involves many sudden revelations (this is a pet peeve of mine since it prohibits the reader from solving the mystery herself). The setting is undoubtedly the central delight of this book, but it is so compelling that it compensates for the slight weakness of plot. I eagerly await the next installment.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All things old are new again --, March 14, 2002

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death is a Cabaret (Antique Lover's Mysteries (Prime Crime)) (Paperback)

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm automatically predisposed to like any book set on Mackinac Island. (After all, my own two were set there, although at least one hundred fifty years earlier than this one.) But when I started reading Death is a Cabaret, I didn't know a good portion of it would take place at that grand Grand Hotel.

The book--plot, characters, writing, everything--is entirely worthy of that dignified and unique setting. It's just simply marvelous. And, if I didn't know better, I'd swear the author had been in my car listening as my daughter explained about Michigan's picturesque license plates.

Of course, I also like stories set during the days of Napoleon and Josephine, too, and although this is a modern story, the love of Napoleon for his Josephine plays a major part in the plot. Finally, one more caveat--I love reading books which allow the reader to learn about new things, if the reader is so inclined. This book is brimming over with love-and lore--of the world of antiques, as well as antique collectors.

Jeff Talbot, now in his mid-thirties, had spent his early working years with the FBI, but a lack of action sent him on his way to a new career--becoming a very good antique 'picker'. He's inherited a wonderful old house in Seattle, providing him with a suitable place to keep all his own treasures, plus affording him the background he needs in his new world. He's married to Sheila, one of the more intriguing characters I've ever encountered in the world of fiction, who is certainly a more than able side-kick.

One of Jeff's best customers is the 70-something Blanche Appleby, who, more than almost anything in the world, wishes to reclaim an antique tea set that had been sold out from under her, some fifty years earlier. Of course, it isn't just any old tea set. No, this one had been commissioned by Napoleon for Josephine, and differed from most of the examples of that period in having two cups and saucers rather than just one. This made it a 'cabaret' rather than a 'solitaire' or 'déjeuner'. Replete with swans (for Josephine)and bees (for Napoleon) and gilt (for them both) it was a truly fitting example of the art of Sevres, even if only an imaginary creation, especially for this story.

The Cabaret is to be the highlight at an auction that will end a weekend antique festival held annually on Mackinac Island. Antique lovers and collectors come from around the world to participate, including two of Jeff's acquaintances from Seattle. When one of them is found murdered, Jeff finds himself helping the very capable Island police force to investigate. Another death follows, opening up more of the past history for many of the participants at the festival.

The ending, with the unmasking of the killer was unexpected, and perhaps a tad out of left field, but still satisfactory. Overall, this was a very enjoyable reading experience, and I, for one, eagerly await Jeff's next adventure! And, it is to be hoped, many more after that.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the cozy I thought it would be! Great read!!!!, December 15, 2001

By 

J. Jordan "Editor of Crimespree Magazine" (milwaukee, wi United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death is a Cabaret (Antique Lover's Mysteries (Prime Crime)) (Paperback)

Jeff Talbot is an interesting guy. He used to work for the FBI, and now lives in Seattle making his way in the world hunting antiques as a "picker". I was able to understand much of this because it is very similar to hunting for books. While reading this book, you learn to appreciate the knowledge needed to be a picker. So for this aspect alone, I loved the book.

But the book is much more than that. The characters are realistic and enjoyable, and the story is engrossing. I was drawn into it and stayed up much later than I planned reading the whole book through to it's conclusion.

Jeff is on a quest. He's looking for a tea set with Napoleon ties, an object that has eluded a dear freind of his for years. He travels to an auction on Mackinac Island and plans to be the winning bidder. This being a mystery, of course things don't go as planned. Before long a body shows up. Some one Jeff knows. And he is drawn into the investigation. And then another body. And then some twists and turns and before long the teapot is second on Jeff's to do list.

I really loved this book. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. It seemed that an "antique lover's mystery" would not be my kind of thing. Boy, was I wrong. This book is super, and since it's a paperback, there is no excuse not to buy it and enjoy it for yourself.