Customer Reviews

The False-Hearted Teddy: A Bear Collector's Mystery

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Brad and Ashleigh Lyon are excited about the Baltimore teddy bear show. They each have bears to enter. It's a major event, and they hope to really establish their Lyon's Tigers and Bears business with the contacts they make.

But before they can even get unloaded, they find trouble. Brad stumbles across a couple having a major fight. He intervenes before it gets physical, but neither the husband nor the wife seem to appreciate it.

The couple turns out to be Jen and Tony Swift, creators of the Cheery Cherub Bears, a highly popular line of angel themed bears. Their business is about to really take off with an offer to mass market their designs.

At breakfast the next morning, Jen gets an asthma attack. After her inhaler does no good, she dies. But Brad notices some things that raise his suspicions. With the local police refusing to take anything he says seriously, Brad once again dons his homicide detective hat to find the real killer. Can he do it before the convention ends?

The first book in this series was easily my favorite debut of last year. This book is equally as good. The first chapter is a little slow, but once we move beyond that, things pick up rapidly. Once again, I found the book hard to put down. And once again, Brad and Ashleigh were a complete delight to be around. Their since of right and wrong is only topped by their sense of humor. I laughed my way through the book, cheering them on often.

The series is a mix of cozy and police procedural. It doesn't follow all the conventions of either sub-genre completely, but it is a mix that works. I loved every minute of it and can't wait for the next in the series.

John Lamb -- the newest addition to my personal list of favorite mystery writers. His first teddy-bear novel was good but too often the first is the best or only really good work a writer seems able to produce. Not so with this author.

His second, A False-Hearted Teddy, easily equals the first. The writing style itself is tight and readable; no padding, no meaningless meandering to fill more space. The plot, believable, tighly woven and engrossing, is a page turner.


The characters are believable and excellently crafted. There are no caricatures here--only realistly drawn people with both virtues and flaws. (Although some, of course, have much more of one than the other.)

Please, Mr. Lamb, keep writing!

After serving on the force of the San Francisco Police Department for twenty-something years, former homicide detective, Bradley Lyons, realized that it was time for a change. Crediting his injured knee and his desire to spend more time with his beloved wife, Ashleigh, as the reason for his retirement; Brad and Ashleigh headed to the countryside of the Shenandoah Valley to spend the rest of their years creating stuffed animals - namely bears - for their new business, Lyon's Tigers and Bears. But Brad knows better than anyone that you can take the homicide detective off the force, but you can't take the homicide detective out of the person.

When Brad and Ashleigh decide to head to Baltimore to attend the Har-Bear Expo, the two are hoping for a few days of relaxation, surrounded by fellow bear lovers, and perhaps a prize or two for their original creations. The last thing they expected to encounter was murder. But before they've even checked into their hotel room, Brad has born witness to a marital dispute between Jennifer and Tony Swift, the creators of the Cheery Cherub Bears. According to rumors, Jennifer and Tony have just signed a six-figure deal with Winton Toys to create a Care Bears like empire for the Cheery Cherub Bears, and not everyone is happy with the news. This revelation comes to a head when Jennifer and Tony are involved in a second altercation in less than twenty-four hours. This one starring a fellow bear designer who point-blank accuses the Swift's of stealing the idea for the Cheery Cherub Bears from her. The argument and accusations are enough to send the entire bear making community into an uproar, and leave Jennifer in the throes of a life-threatening asthma attack. After enlisting the help of her inhaler, however, the attack only intensifies, leaving Jennifer clutching her throat, before she keels over...dead. Brad knows that there is something sinister abound, and resolves to solve the case before it's time to head back home. But to do that, he'll have to muddle through a slew of suspects, and gain the cooperation of a few dirty cops who are looking to pin the crime on just about anyone...including Brad.

I am a stuffed animal fanatic, and am the proud owner of countless teddy bears, so I couldn't resist delving into the second BEAR COLLECTOR'S MYSTERY. John J. Lamb is a talented new author who crafts a compelling mystery that appeals to both males and females - whether they like teddy bears or not. His characters are well-drawn and appealing, with wise-cracking puns, quips, and pop culture tossed in at every turn. Bradley Lyon comes off as gruff, but, once you get to know him, you see that he's nothing more than a big teddy bear - no pun intended. His wife, Ashleigh, while not as prevalent of a character, is just as lovable. Her caring, nurturing nature makes her a mother-type figure that you truly adore; while her over-protectiveness of Brad provides a humorous addition to the tale. The information about bear crafting, shows, and artisans is extremely interesting; while the cutthroat nature of the business leaves the reader slightly apprehensive, but even more eager to learn more about this thriving community. A cuddly sequel you'll be more than happy to curl up with!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This is the first of the series that I have read and will probably not go on to read the rest of them. It is amusing how transparent the author is! He's a Robert B. Parker (the "Spenser" series) wannabe! Only thing is -- Brad and Ash are no Spenser and Susan Silverman by a long shot. I'm halfway through the book and will probably finish it, but it's a poor imitation of the Spenser series.

Much to my delight the book was in my hands within a week of the order. John Lamb has written another winner. Thank you for the continuation of the adventures of this couple who love teddy bears.

I have nothing but praise and admiration for this book, the main character, and the author.

The book: This book is a very entertaining, high-quality book of superb talent that is cleverly and perfectly written. The writing style and the quality of it is amazing. I admire the similes; the explanations and descriptions when need be (but not too much - just the perfect amount); the entertaining writing style (not boring) - just enough but not too much is written; and just plain ole Bradley Lyon's (the main character) way of story-telling.

This book is teddy bear-themed. The teddy bears are because Bradley and Ashleigh enjoy them - they are not there for money/profits, but just for the cuddly, cozy, sweet effect that teddy bears can bring.

This book is very cleverly plotted. Bradley Lyon (the main character) and his wife Ashleigh are teddy bear enthusiasts. After retiring from the Police Force, Bradley and Ashleigh move back home to Virginia and start collecting teddy bears. The bulk of this particular book takes place at a Teddy Bear Show in Maryland. Because this is a murder mystery, there is a murder, and Bradley is determined to solve it. At a teddy bear show, you would not think there would be a murder . . . This book is so wonderful and clever, you just have to read it for yourself!

You do not have to be a teddy bear enthusiast to enjoy this book. In fact, even if you don't care for teddy bears (I don't really care for them that much now that my kids are all almost grown), you can enjoy this book, because of the other factors. I will say, there is a lot of police work (but not too much). I will get scared away from a book if it has too much police work (which is boring to me); but the police work in this book is no where near boring - and it's not too much, but just the right amount. (Some cozy, fluffy mysteries have little to no police work - which I like because I love fluff!) This book is cozy but not fluffy (except for the teddy bears!)

The main character: Bradley Lyon - I admire him because he is deeply in love with his wife of (I don't remember how many) years. Bradley Lyon sets the example of love, loyalty, etc. that lots of people need to follow! He loves, respects, cherishes, and takes care of his wife.

Not only does he love his wife, he also is a good, honest man who cares about other people.

He is a refreshing reminder that there are still good people in this world, even though he is fictional.

The author: Of course, I do not know the author, but I think the author's "personality" usually shines through the main character. I admire the author just for "creating" Bradley Lyon.

This is the second book of the series. As much as I loved the first book (it deserved many more than five stars!), I love this one even more. It's hard to believe I could love a book even more than I loved the first one: "The Mournful Teddy".

Just as a side note: Deputy Tina is an awesome character that I really love and admire. She did not have a big role in this book; she had a bigger role in the first book. Anyway, I just thought I'd mention her because she is so awesome.

Anyway, this book is perfect. Highly recommended.

Book arrived in timely manner and in condition stated.
This book was a fun read and held my interest.
Author great. Recommend!

John J. Lamb really hits his stride with this second entry in his Bear Collector's Mystery series. Although I enjoyed the first book (The Mournful Teddy), the pacing in The False-Hearted Teddy was more consistent, so that the book held my interest the whole time.

In this book, retired homicide detective Brad Lyon and his artisan teddy bear maker wife Ashley leave their Shenandoah Valley hometown for a bear convention in Baltimore. While there, they become embroiled in a domestic dispute, the theft of intellectual property, and even a murder!

As in the first book, Lamb continues to poke fun at the cozy genre and his description of one of Ash's favorite (fictional) cozy series is laugh out loud funny. He also finds humor in the series almost unbelievable premise: that a tough retired cop could learn to enjoy a life filled with mohair bears, the sewing of bear clothes, and attending conventions filled with bear-crazed women. I also enjoy that Lamb incorporates real people from the artisan bear community into his stories.

Those who are easily offended should be warned that Lamb's writing might be considered risque for a genre whose stereotypical protagonists are spinsters who enjoy scrapbooking or baking... his characters swear (and by swearing I don't mean saying "darn!") and make sexual innuendos fairly frequently. Rate this one a PG!

I read this one not realizing it wasn't the first. Yes, I'm usually one of those who likes to go by the numbers. I can say, having finished The False Hearted Teddy, that I will most definitely go back and read the first in the series. It took about 50 or 60 pages for me to get swept up into the storyline. Up to that point, I wasn't sure how crazy I was about the author or protagonist. Then it hit me like the proverbial ton... I got into Brad's knowledge of the police procedural process and the book vacillated between being cozyish and a procedural. I'll readily admit I had a difficult time putting it down. The only drawback for me--what kept it from getting 5 stars--is what I considered an unrealistic depiction of a quarter century marriage. I may be jaded but, I'm sorry, couples who have been married for over 25 years do not regularly gush over each other like newlyweds. As humans, we don't have that long term capacity for high energy and emotionalism. And every trip to the bedroom is not "fourth of July". However, this is fiction and it's a nice fantasy. The storyline was very good.

Brad and Ashleigh Lyon have been settling into their new home and new lives after the events of The Mournful Teddy. They're off to a bear show in Baltimore and Brad has made his own bear, Dirty Beary, to display at the show along with Ashleigh's Confection Collection. They had barely arrived when Brad needs to step between Jennifer and Tony Swift in the midst of a domestic dispute verging into physical abuse. Later they watch a noisy confrontation between Jennifer and Donna Jordan who accuses Jennifer of stealing her bear design. When Jennifer later dies after an asthma attack that turns out to have been murder, Brad feels he has to step in since the local police seem to think Brad is the number one suspect.

Even in the wonderful world of bears, their creators, and the people who love them, people are still at heart people with the same motivations, drives, and ambitions. As a bear collector myself, I felt the same shock and anger as did Brad and Ashleigh that murder, betrayal, and greed would spill into this wonderful world. Nevertheless it did, and luckily for the bear world, Brad was there to step in. Not that the police couldn't handle it but, as with so much, it's easier to see connections from the inside than it is from the outside relying only on what you've found out by asking nervous eyewitnesses. Because we all know that things are not what they seem.

While the murder and it's motivations may be tied up with the bear community, Brad is as much an outsider as the reader. We follow along as he learns who the players in this drama are. What we don't know is how the facts fit together but we have the same ones that Brad and Ashleigh gather. There's some deep philosophical questions wrapped up in this story, not the "what is life" kind, but questions about the meaning of friendship, loyalty, trust, and honor. Actions we take every day can have an impact on the lives of others and come back to haunt us.