A Day in the Life of Jordan Kelly Bingham by Victoria Abbott

Oh boy. Jordan Bingham here. You may know me from Victoria Abbott’s four (soon to be five) book collector mysteries. It’s a wonderful life being in these books: I enjoy the historic house in upstate New York. I revel in the wonderful meals prepared by Signora Panetone, the live-in cook. And, of course, I love my job, helping my book collector boss improve her fabulous collection of first edition mysteries from the Golden Age of Detection. I have even become fond of that same boss, Vera Van Alst, although she’s a total curmudgeon and the most hated woman in Harrison Falls, NY. Never mind, we have found common ground and achieved peace, most days. Have I mentioned lovable Walter the Pug? What about not always lovable Good Cat and Bad Cat? They make life interesting too. I am also blessed (and possibly cursed) to have an on-again, off-again relationship with Officer Tyler “Smiley” Dekker. As I am the first person in my family to go straight, adding a cop to the mix has distressed my relatives. In their eyes, it’s just plain wrong, not to mention inconvenient. It was a waste of all that training when I was young (Thanks for all the lockpicks and balaclavas, Uncle Mick!) and the lovingly transmitted family legends of crimes gone by. With all this in the mix, it’s hard for Tyler and me to trust each other and share, but we’re working on it.

All to say, usually it’s easy to write about a day in my life as Dru has asked. But this time and for this book—The Hammett Hex, the fifth book collector mystery—all bets are off. In an effort to help up work through our issues, Tyler has sprung for airfare (non-refundable) and accommodations for the two of us in San Francisco, the fabled city of Dashiell Hammett and a place I’ve always wanted to visit. Golden Gate Bridge! Cable Cars! San Francisco Bay! I’d be happy to recount a typical day in my life there, but so far on this trip there’s nothing typical. At all. This day in my life is like no other, ever!

For one thing, I’ve not only been pushed out of a cable car, but I’ve also discovered that an entire bookstore can vanish and I’ve learned that “Smiley” has been keeping a BIG secret from me. Nobody in San Francisco seems to be who they appear. And, as in those great books from Dashiell Hammett, no one can be trusted, no matter how sweet and innocent they look. I get the shivers just thinking about it.

Maybe we can work it all out, but first we have to stay alive. One good thing, those skills and all the Kelly family legends are going to get a work-out as I try to stay alive and make sure other people do too.

In the meantime, ‘a day in the life’ might turn out to be ‘a day in the death’. Wish me luck, lovely readers. I will need it.

Hope you get to read this latest adventure. Then we can talk about what’s happening. Oh yes!

The Hammett Hex came out on October 4, 2016. We’ll see if Jordan makes it. Victoria Abbott is happy to give one brave commenter a copy of the The Hammett Hex, wherever you live.

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The Hammett Hex is the fifth book in the Book Collector mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, October 2016.

The national bestselling author of The Marsh Madness takes rare book collector Jordan Bingham on a trip to San Francisco—home to Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled heroes—where nothing is as it seems.

On a getaway to the City by the Bay, book collector Jordan Bingham becomes entangled in a mystery with more twists than Lombard Street. . .

Jordan has been able to swing a romantic trip to San Francisco with Officer Tyler “Smiley” Dekker on one condition—she must return with a rare copy of Dashiell Hammett’s Red Harvest for her irascible employer, Vera Van Alst. For his own part, Smiley is full of surprises. He’s a Dashiell devotee himself—excited to be in the city of Hammett’s hard-boiled heroes like Sam Spade and the Continental Op—and also announces he plans to visit his previously unmentioned estranged grandmother, who lives in an old Victorian in Pacific Heights.

But the trip goes downhill fast when Jordan is pushed from a cable car and barely escapes death. And when a dark sedan tries to run the couple down, it’s clear someone’s after them—but who? Just like in Hammett’s world, nothing is quite what is seems. . .

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About the authors
That shadowy figure known as Victoria Abbott is a happy collaboration between the artist, photographer and short story author, Victoria Maffini, and her mother, Mary Jane Maffini, lapsed librarian and award-winning author of three mystery series and two dozen short stories.

Their contemporary and humorous book collector mysteries draw from the beloved authors of the golden age of detection. There is no extra charge for the crooked Irish uncles or the pug. The good news is that while they’ve written five books together, they haven’t killed each other. Yet.

In other good news, their fourth book collector mystery, The Marsh Madness, won the 2016 Bony Blithe award for ‘mysteries that make us smile’.

You can find more at: www.victoria-abbott.com or www.maryjanemaffini.com.

You can sign up for their e-newsletter (contests, book news, dog fashions, nonsense and recipes) through either website.

All comments are welcomed.

Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win. The giveaway ends October 8, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!

Jordan Kelly Bingham’s Maybe Perfect Day by Victoria Abbott

Is this the best job or what? I wake up with a warm pug and an equally warm Siamese (that’s Good Cat) on my bed. Sun streams through the window of my attic accommodation, lighting the faded cabbage rose wallpaper. If I am lucky I will manage to shower and get dressed without being decorated by the sharp claws of the other, not quite so cuddly, Siamese: Bad Cat. One of these days, I’ll learn to tell them apart.

I race down from the third floor and along the endless corridors of Van Alst House. I try not to look at Vera’s unattractive (such a mild word) relatives who glare at me from portraits on the walls. Walter the Pug will be at my heels and the Siamese will have managed to precede me to the Conservatory where we breakfast at eight. I know better than to be late. I am always properly dressed. I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the best job in the world.

My employer, Vera Van Alst—well-known as the most hated woman in Harrison Falls, New York—may look up from her New York Times crossword puzzle or she may not. I am lucky to get a grunt today. Never mind, Signora Panetone is thrilled to see me and before I take my seat she will have filled my cup with fragrant espresso and stacked my plate with goodies. Today she’s serving blueberry pancakes with maple syrup. Eat! Eat!

I need my strength because, as well as helping Vera with her magnificent collection of first editions—think secure, climate-controlled, rosewood-lined room, Aubusson carpets and rare books from floor to ceiling— there’s also Uncle Kev to consider. Uncle Kev, the world’s largest and most dangerous child, keeps me on my toes because when he’s around because you just never know when something will explode or collapse. That kind of thing. Never mind. He means well. And it appears he can eat a half-dozen pancakes this morning.

Today, Vera and I are invited to lunch at Summerlea, the grand summer home of the Kauffman family. It’s a dream come true for me and I have the perfect deep raspberry vintage dress picked out. Vera is as excited as she ever gets, although, naturally, there is no visible indication of it. But that’s Vera. Deep down, I know she must be happy because the purpose of our visit to Summerlea is for Vera to acquire a valuable and rare complete collection of first editions by the great mystery writer Ngaio Marsh. We have the money with us (quite a bundle) and we’ll get lunch in a beautiful, historic property. I predict elegance!

(painting by Victoria Maffini)

With so much turmoil (and yes, even murder) to deal with in the last couple of years, it’s wonderful when I can keep my mind on my job which is to help Vera build her magnificent collection of mystery first editions. This day will be a bit of a reward.

I’m not sure if I mentioned that I’m the first person in my family to find a legal way to make a living. I’m proud of that, even though, with my Kelly relatives, it’s not always easy going straight. . . For sure, life might be smoother if I wasn’t dating Officer Tyler “Smiley” Dekker of the Harrison Falls Police. The thing is, while I find him irresistible, my uncles are horrified. Plus I’m pretty sure I cause problems for “Smiley” at work. Oh well. The heart knows what it wants.

To get back to our scheduled trip, for some unknown reason, Uncle Kev seems to be included in the visit, but if I keep my eyes on him, well, in a place like Summerlea—steeped in old money on a gracious and secluded property, crammed with art and artefacts—what could possibly go wrong?

The answer to that, of course, can be found in The Marsh Madness. We hope that it will keep you up past your bedtime. Because we love being here at Dru’s Book Musings, we’re offering a ‘giveaway’: a copy of The Marsh Madness. We’ll mail it to Canada, the USA or wherever you are on the planet. Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on Thursday, September 24 for the chance to win.

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You can read more about Jordan in The Marsh Madness, the fourth book in the “Book Collector” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first three books in the series are The Christie Curse, The Sayers Swindle, and The Wolfe Widow.

About the author
That shadowy body known as Victoria Abbott is actually a dangerous collaboration between artist and photographer Victoria Maffini and her mother Mary Jane, author of thirteen mysteries in three other series. So far, they have managed to stay alive during the writing of their four book collector mysteries and expect that to continue during the completion of the fifth, The Hammett Hex, September 2016. When not writing, they can be found lurking mysteriously on the outskirts of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada’s capital. Most likely they will be surrounded by dogs, including Peachy the Pug.

You can find out more at www.victoria-abbott.com or www.maryjanemaffini.com

My Musing ~ The Wolfe Widow by Victoria Abbott

The Wolfe Widow by Victoria Abbott is the third book in the “Book Collector” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2014

As Thanksgiving approaches, Jordan Bingham is grateful for her job researching rare books for Vera Van Alst, the infamous curmudgeon of Harrison Falls, New York. But when an uninvited guest makes an appearance, much more than dinner is disrupted—and Jordan is thankful just to be alive. . .

Vera Van Alst doesn’t normally receive visitors without appointment, but she agrees to see the imperious Muriel Delgado upon arrival. Shortly thereafter, Jordan is told that her position is being terminated. Evicted from the Van Alst House, Jordan is determined to find out what hold Muriel has over her erstwhile employer.

It seems Muriel has designs on Vera’s money and property—not to mention a particular interest in her collection of Nero Wolfe first editions. When Jordan discovers a deadly connection between Muriel and the Van Alst family, it’s up to her to put the house in order and stop a killer from going back to press.

This was a very enjoyable read that was hard to put down from beginning to end. I loved how the mystery was presented and how it all played out in the end. The drama had a nice flow from chapter to chapter and I liked how the author kept me engaged in all the action. Another great read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

A Day in the Life of Jordan Kelly Bingham by Victoria Abbott

Thanks so much for inviting me to dru’s book musings. I know you love books and I am always happy talking about my job, because I am very lucky in my world of books.

Sometimes I think that life can’t get any better. Take today: it started as a typical morning at Van Alst House where I work as a researcher for Vera Van Alst, reclusive book collector and the most hated woman in Harrison Falls, New York. I awoke in my attic room with the cabbage rose wallpaper and edged my way out from under the flower-sprigged quilt. Walter the Pug, who continues to visit, offered a panting good morning smile. Good Cat purred at the end of the bed. Apparently cat and dog and woman can co-exist in peace.

I cannot believe my good fortune that this wonderful little apartment comes as part of my compensation ‘package’ as well as the two fabulous meals a day. It’s the best job in the world. I’d kind of hit rock bottom after my former boyfriend maxed out my credit cards and drained my bank account. I had to delay my dreams for grad school until I put my life back in order. But after limping home to my uncles and spending some time in my childhood bedroom (back to Hello Kitty and My Little Ponies too) I landed this dream job. It’s a real break for me, as I am the first person in my family to go straight. But that part of my life is a story for another day, as they say.

Now, I’m working on upgrading Vera’s collection of Nero Wolfe mysteries, by the great Rex Stout. I think they should be called the Archie Goodwin books because that dashing and witty Archie is my favorite character. Vera hates it when I say that, but I can’t resist teasing her across the vast Sheraton table over dinner. She, herself, is more than a bit like Nero Wolfe without the charm.

So besides finding fine first editions for Vera’s collection of mysteries from the Golden Age of Detection, I also get to live in a huge, historic home, and eat in the grand dining room every night. If I remember to wear my high leather boots and avoid ankle swipes from Bad Cat, it’s pretty close to heaven. Tonight, we’re having a mountain of gnocchi with fresh grated Parmesan. Signora Panetone, Vera’s cook, is quick to heap our plates. Everything smells wonderful.

Outside, the wind howls and the snow swirls. The temperature plummets. The windows rattle a bit.

But with a sweater on, it’s warm and cozy inside Van Alst House this late November night. In fact, things are perfect until the doorbell rings. But it’s just a doorbell, right? It’s not like a simple DING DONG! could cost a girl her dream job and bring death and destruction all around. Is it?

In retrospect, perhaps if I hadn’t answered it . . .

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You can read more about Jordan in The Wolfe Widow, the third book in the “Book Collector” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is The Christie Curse.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on September 18 for the chance to win a print copy of THE WOLFE WIDOW. The giveaway is open to everyone.

About the author
That shadowy figure Victoria Abbott is a collaboration between artist and photographer, Victoria Maffini, and her mother, Mary Jane Maffini, author of three mystery series. Their Book Collector series blends contemporary mystery, humor and classics from the Golden Age of Detection. Of course, there are also dogs and cats. The Christie Curse, The Sayers Swindle and The Wolfe Widow (September 2014) will be followed by two more book collector mysteries: The Marsh Madness is taking shape now. Be warned!

You can keep up with their characters on the thirtieth of the month over at Killer Characters and their culinary adventures at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen or by signing up for their newsletter at www.victoria-abbott.com or www.maryjanemaffini.com.

The Sayers Swindle by Victoria Abbott

The Sayers Swindle by Victoria Abbott is the second book in the “Book Collector” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, December 2013

Jordan Kelly is delighted to make money tracking down rare and valuable mystery novels for her employer, Vera Van Alst, an avid collector and the most difficult woman in Harrison Falls, New York. But now her boss’s complete set of Dorothy Sayers is missing, and finding them may lead Jordan to a murder suitable for Sayers’s esteemed sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey.

When Jordan manages to locate her boss’s missing books, they are in the possession of Randolph Adams, an elderly man in a nearby town. Offering a valuable Hemingway first edition as an incentive, Jordan thinks she’s about to seal the deal—but some of Randolph’s relatives think he should hold out for more.

Then the entire family disappears—and a dead body shows up. It’s up to Jordan to collect the clues—and make sure a killer gets booked.

There’s no sophmore slump in this second book in this delightfully charming series. Jordan is after the Sayers collection and run across some folks who are up to no good. With assistance from her uncles, Jordan will thwart attempts to run off with a collection that is necessary for her life aspirations. A good read with a great cast of characters and a mystery that peaked my interest from beginning to end. The dialogue was entertaining and I enjoyed the antics of her uncles and despite being cast as a meanie, I like Vera.

Living The Dream With Jordan Bingham by Victoria Abbott

Welcome to my world. I’m Jordan Bingham and it’s a typical day at Van Alst House, the immense pile of granite the wealthy Van Alst family build three generations ago. Now it’s owned and ruled by Vera Van Alst, a curmudgeonly book collector, last of the clan, and the most hated woman here in Harrison Falls, New York. And she’s also my boss.

I am Vera’s researcher and book scout. It’s the best job in the world and it’s allowing me to save to return to grad school after a financial disaster related to an ex. But that’s a story for another time.

As Vera never leaves the house, I’m the one who attends the book fairs, combs the second hand stores and bazaars, and does battle on the Internet to get the best deals on the rare fine first editions that Vera covets. I protect her from cheats and scam artists and other lowlife. I can spot them. I am, after all, the first member of my family to go straight.

I also put up with Vera’s moods, gravelly voice and whims. By the way, try not to be alarmed by the portraits of Vera’s unappealing ancestors in these hallways. It’s not their fault they look like that.

And watch out for the cats. One of them is quite … oh, sorry about that. We’ll, um, pick up a bandage when we get to my apartment.

I hope you didn’t mind the two story climb! I get these accommodations in the attic as part of my employment. A hundred years ago, this was maids’ quarters. Don’t you love that cabbage rose wallpaper and the flowered quilt on the bed?

I enjoy my little space. But it’s not even the best part. Let’s head to the library where the collection is. Vera has given permission for me to show you, but we should pick up the pace in case she changes her mind. It happens.

Yes, it is a long walk. I call this the endless corridor, but we’re here now. I’ll just key in the security code and we’re in. Right, I gasped too, the first time I saw it. Don’t you just adore the smell of the old leather bindings and the rosewood and beeswax? That’s an Aubusson carpet too. There are ten thousand volumes here between this main level and the mezzanine. Vera’s favorites are the classics from the Golden Age of Detection: Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh and all the greats. I love them too. Only Vera is allowed to sink into that leather chair and read them though. Just so you know.

We’ve just had quite an experience filling in the missing Dorothy L. Sayers collection. I didn’t think any of us would live to tell the tale. But now we should head back. I know that Signora Panetone has made some coffee and a plate of her famous almond cookies for you in the conservatory. Here it is now. Enjoy them, and understand that she’ll insist that you take a cookie tin of them home with you. Don’t bother to fight it. Resistance is futile.

Every morning at eight (and we are never late) the signora serves breakfast to Vera and me and my Uncle Kev who is the handyman, gardener, and whatever else is needed around the place. Uncle Kev takes a little getting used to. I’ll just mention that in case we run into him. Just keep an eye on your handbag.

Let’s step into the dining room. Isn’t it spectacular? I love that mile-long Sheraton table and the sterling candelabra. The black oak sideboard is magnificent.

So it’s dinner here every evening at eight on the nose. I can’t believe my good luck as I grew up on KD and beans and franks. Vera parks herself at that end of the table and I’m down here at other end. I always wear my high dress leather boots because of the cats. You can understand that. Since Kev has joined us, he eats half-way down the table. Vera doesn’t blink when he pours himself a tumbler of her best cognac. But then she thinks the sun shines—

Oh look at the time. I have an appointment shortly to negotiate for a lovely leather bound edition of Wilkie Collins The Moonstone. Vera has to have it and she doesn’t like the price. I’ll be in warrior mode.

Please take a look at the gorgeous grounds before you go. Be careful in case Uncle Kev’s on the tractor. He can be playful.

I’m glad you could join me. It’s the best job in the world, for sure, but sometimes it can be murder. We spill the beans on all that in The Sayers Swindle, the second “Book Collector” mystery.

GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on December 21, and you will be entered to win a signed copy of The Sayers Swindle. One winner will be chosen at random. open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

Meet the author
That shadowy figure known as Victoria Abbott is a collaboration between the always very funny and creative artist, photographer and short story author, Victoria Maffini and her mother, Mary Jane Maffini, award-winning author of three mystery series and two dozen short stories. Their first book in the series, The Christie Curse, has received excellent reviews and the second, The Sayers Swindle, recently hit the shelves this month. They are hard at work on the third installment: The Wolfe Widow (September 2014) and haven’t killed each other yet.

You can keep up with their characters on the thirtieth of the month over at Killer Characters and their culinary adventures at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen or by signing up for their newsletter at www.victoria-abbott.com or www.maryjanemaffini.com.

The Christie Curse by Victoria Abbott

The Christie Curse by Victoria Abbott is the first book in the new “Book Collector” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, March 2013

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared—making headlines across the world—only to show up eleven days later at a spa under an assumed name. During those eleven days, did she have time to write a play?

Jordan Bingham needs a new job and a new place to live. She’s back in Harrison Falls, New York, living with her not so law-abiding uncles, in debt thanks to a credit card–stealing ex and pending grad school loans.

Enter the perfect job, a research position that includes room and board, which will allow her to spend her days hunting down rare mysteries for an avid book collector. There’s just one problem: her employer, Vera Van Alst—the most hated citizen of Harrison Falls.

Jordan’s first assignment is to track down a rumored Agatha Christie play. It seems easy enough, but Jordan soon finds out that her predecessor was killed while looking for it, and there is still someone out there willing to murder to keep the play out of Vera’s hands. Jordan’s new job is good…but is it worth her life?

I love the concept in the new debut series of a missing play that could have been written and the search for it. Enters Jordan who needs this job and will do most anything to keep it. I love that her nefarious uncles are there to lend assistance in a law-abiding sort of way that helps Jordan as she becomes involved in a murder, assault and thievery. The author did a good job in teasing us with clues that included a few surprises that I did not see coming not even when the killer’s identity was revealed. Love it! Jordan is a great heroine surrounded by a quirky cast of characters that I want to know more about. I love the two main inhabitants of the Van Alst mansion and I look forward to what I hope is a long running series. Bonus recipes are included and be prepared to have your appetite whetted.

FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book, in hopes I would review it.

previously posted on the Cozy Chicks blog

Collecting With Jordan Bingham by Victoria Abbott

Welcome. I’m Jordan Bingham and I’m thrilled to give you a glimpse of a day in my life and the perfect job. It’s fun and fascinating and should help me save enough to return to grad school. Thanks for coming so early.

Please join me as we tour my home and workplace. First, step this into the massive granite dwelling that is Van Alst House. It’s crammed with rare books and priceless antiques. A dream for me! Sorry, we’re taking the back entrance. The front is more impressive, but you’re traveling with the help.

Before we get too far, I need to mention that discussions of my relatives are strictly off limits, no matter what you’ve heard. For the record, my uncles raised me and I love them to bits, but I am doing my best to be a solid citizen. Nuff said. Aside from that, feel free to cut in with questions. What’s that? Any problems with the job? Okay, I admit my employer, Vera Van Alst, is the most hated woman in Harrison Falls, New York. She’s also grumpy, frumpy and secretive.

Step up this way. Oh, didn’t I mention I live in the third-floor attic? It’s just two flights, although they are a bit narrow. Worth the effort. There are some issues with Vera’s Siamese cat so watch your ankles.

Glad we made it! I love my Victoria garret, with its sloping walls. Yes, I do realize the cabbage rose wallpaper is peeling, but just look at that amazing view of the grounds. I adore the iron bedstead and the flowered quilt. Sure, that moody Siamese cat keeps getting in, but there’s plenty of room for my mostly vintage wardrobe. Lucky for me, retro is trendy now because everything I can afford is from a church bazaar, Goodwill, or inherited from my mother. I don’t remember much about her, but I do love her sense of style.

I am required to eat breakfast at eight with Vera Van Alst and outline my plans each day. Let’s head there now. It will seem like two miles but the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee will help.

The conservatory is lovely and bright, and here’s Senora Panatone, Vera’s cook, serving a mountain of French toast, smothered in maple syrup. Eat up. Have fresh coffee. It will make her happy. Vera won’t pay the slightest bit of attention to you. As usual, she’s caught up in the Times crossword. I generally use this time to invent some positive spin on my work.

Speaking of, my current challenge is to locate an unpublished, unproduced and, in fact, unknown manuscript—a play that Agatha Christie, may have written during her mysterious eleven-day disappearance in 1926. Vera is obsessed with this idea. She doesn’t make finding it easy.

To get an idea of Vera’s obsessions, let’s head off to the library. The senora will come along, just in case. I trust you implicitly, but Vera’s … well, Vera.

It’s a long walk. Good to work off breakfast. But those portraits of long-dead Van Alst portraits give me the creeps. All Vera’s relatives must have suffered from constipation.

Now I’ll key in the code and … yes, it is breathtaking. Inhale the scent of old leather, aged paper and rosewood. You’re right. The carpet is an Aubusson, faded but real. There are more than ten thousand books on the main and the mezzanine level. The classic mysteries in this collection are the best editions that money can buy. That explains the high degree of security. Vera doesn’t take chances.

Heading back, we’ll pass the grand dining room. Dinner’s at eight, and I gaze at Vera down the mile-long antique Sheriton table. Senora Panetone creates a food miracle every night. Vera barely eats a spoonful, but I hate to hurt the senora’s feelings.

Although Vera always wears a ratty beige cardigan with frayed elbows and wrists, I am required to dress for dinner. I wear boots with my vintage dresses, so the cat can’t shred my ankles. That reminds me, I apologize for any injuries you have received on our tour.

Time for me to get to work. Frankly, the search isn’t going well. Discovering that my predecessor died in tragic circumstances threw me a bit. Vera should have mentioned that when she hired me. But I’m not a quitter.

It would be easier if that police officer, Tyler Dekker, didn’t find me quite so interesting. He’s everywhere. I’m surprised he didn’t weasel into this tour. What’s that about? In my family we don’t bring home cops to meet the relatives. Talk about awkward.

Never mind, as I said, I have the perfect job. And I get to be an honest citizen. Most of the time.

Thanks for coming. Hope to see you again!

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Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of THE CHRISTIE CURSE to give away. Contest open to US residents only and ends March 7. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher.

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Read the rest of Jordan’s adventure in The Christie Curse: a book collector mystery, coming March, 5, 2013. The Sayers Swindle, the second book collector mystery will be out December 2013!

Meet the author
Victoria Abbott is a collaboration between the always very funny and creative artist, photographer and short story author, Victoria Maffini and her mother, Mary Jane Maffini, award-winning author of three mystery series and two dozen short stories. Their four miniature dachshunds are understandably outraged that a pug and some Siamese cats have wiggled their way into the series. Visit them at www.victoria-abbott.com or www.maryjanemaffini.ca or on Facebook.

And check Jordan’s Pinterest!

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.