Splendor in the Glass : A Den of Antiquity Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Splendor is Splendid
Review: This is one of the best books in Ms. Myers' "Den of Antiquity" series. When a pillar of Charleston's society invites Abby to tea and then dies, Abby tries to save her rep by finding the killer. This is the first book that shows Abby in her new home, Charleston, and as a new bride. Mom lives right in with Abby (how could we not have Mozella around?). Friends CJ and the Rob-Bobs visit. The plot is excellent and full of surprises. Additional characters are kept few, interesting and uncomplicated. Ms. Myers' humor does not seem to kick in until the last parts of the book. Again she relies on past phrases that have gotten her laughs in prior books but are now old to us. The paint shaker at the Home Depot & a sandwich short of a picnic were worn and tired phrases several books ago. Her repeated use of "wailed" can get irritating, and I don't know why she brings up "my good friend, Madgalena Yoder" (her main character from her other, Penn-Dutch, mystery series) so often. Once would have been fun. I may sound like an ungrateful reader, and I am not. She continues to be a top favorite. In spite of these flaws that keep me from giving it 5 stars, this is still one of her best. Don't miss it.

Rating:
Summary: Asinine
Review: This is the first and most assuredly the last "book" by Tamar Myers I'll ever read. I'm only grateful I borrowed the book and didn't waste money on it.
How to state adequately how dreadful this little piece of ill-written dreck is? Are publishers so desperate they're now resorting to street sweepings? The plot and situations are moronic, the characters ridiculous, the writing beyond dreadful.
I realize that mysteries are intended to be entertainment, not literature, but this infantile piece of trash makes Black Mask Magazine look like the collected works of James Joyce.

Rating:
Summary: Asinine
Review: This was my first Den of Antiquity mystery and I picked it up only because it is written about my favorite city, Charleston, SC. I found the tidbits about Charleston fascinating! They were funny, they were educational, they were fascinating and they were oh so true. It was great to read about so many of the local spots we frequent (Grace Church, The Market, Magnolia's, Poogan's Porch, The Citadel Mall, etc.). Unfortunately, the mystery was extremely trite. Halfway through, I had more than enough of many of the obnoxious characters including C.J. and Momma. The entire tale was totally unbelievable. I'm a great fan of mystery writers including Grafton, Hillerman, Patterson, Evanovich, Baldacci, etc. Too bad I won't be adding Myers to my list.

Rating:
Summary: Charleston 1 Abby Washburn 0
Review: This was my first Den of Antiquity mystery and I picked it up only because it is written about my favorite city, Charleston, SC. I found the tidbits about Charleston fascinating! They were funny, they were educational, they were fascinating and they were oh so true. It was great to read about so many of the local spots we frequent (Grace Church, The Market, Magnolia's, Poogan's Porch, The Citadel Mall, etc.). Unfortunately, the mystery was extremely trite. Halfway through, I had more than enough of many of the obnoxious characters including C.J. and Momma. The entire tale was totally unbelievable. I'm a great fan of mystery writers including Grafton, Hillerman, Patterson, Evanovich, Baldacci, etc. Too bad I won't be adding Myers to my list.