For bargain hunter extraordinaire Sarah Winston, starting life over in Ellington, Massachusetts,has been a true trash-to-treasure success story, except when there’s a run on dead bodies . . . Sarah’s latest client, Alice Krandle, is sure she has a fortune in antiques on her hands. She’s already gotten a generous offer for the whole lot before her garage sale has even begun, but she thinks she can … can earn more with Sarah’s expert help. The problem is that while Sarah’s sorting through items from decades past, her landlady, Stella, faces a clear and present danger. Stella’s kidnapper has contacted Sarah with a set of instructions, and “Don’t call the police” is at the top of the list. But they didn’t say anything about Sarah’s friend Harriet—who happens to be a former FBI hostage negotiator . . . Praise for the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries “There’s a lot going on in this charming mystery, and it all works . . . Well written and executed, this is a definite winner.”— RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars on All Murders Final! “Full of garage-sale tips…amusing. A solid choice for fans of Jane K. Cleland’s Josie Prescott Antique Mystery series.” —Library Journal on Tagged for Death “Incredibly enjoyable.” —Mystery Scene on Sell Low, Sweet Harriet Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
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I’ve never read a book by Author Sherry Harris that I didn’t love! She grand slams another home run with the ninth story of the fabulously entertaining Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series.
Sarah Winston has made great friends and caught the attention of a few enemies since beginning her career as a garage sale organizer. Harriet Ballow, former FBI superagent, is on Sarah’s team now, and she’s a force to be reckoned with. I love the candor and experience she brings to the story.
Harsh reality hits Sarah hard when her best friend, Stella, is kidnapped by a maniac, and Sarah is threatened by this ‘anonymous’ person if she tells anyone; especially, the police which includes Stella’s boyfriend, Awesome. (You know that’s not gonna go over well). The Author creates a creepy character who plays an evil cat and mouse game with Sarah for reasons unknown.
The action; immersed with Ms. Harris’s trademark ability to add amusement in tense situations; scores a fast 5 Star Review from yours truly. I honestly couldn’t tell who was Sarah’s friend, or who was her foe, at times. My heart was in my throat as she trusted someone I felt sure was a killer!
All my favorite re-curring characters were here—such as Sarah’s handsome district attorney boyfriend, Seth; and Mike, ‘the Big Cheese’ Titone; and others, and they were practically running circles around themselves trying to figure out the anonymous kidnapper’s identity. I was absolutely stunned by the ending and the reveal of the evil perpetrator. Oh. My. Gosh!
This is a must read mystery! I highly, highly recommend the entire series to mystery readers.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
Absence of Alice is the 9th in the Garage Sale Mysteries by Sherry Harris. Sarah Winston, who has made a business of organizing garage sales, receives a message that her friend and landlady Stella has been kidnapped. Whoever has taken Stella knows a lot about Sarah and tells her that if she goes to the police (including Awesome Stella’s boyfriend), the D.A. (Sarah’s boyfriend Seth) or Mike (hmmm, possible mobster and the person who often helps Sarah out of a jam), then Stella won’t be returned alive.
The mystery was fast-paced and well-crafted. The suspense almost made me read ahead! I love that Sarah is a resourceful, independent protagonist with strong emotional ties and believable relationships. As Sarah rushed to beat the clock, complete each “task”, and follow the trail of clues, this reader couldn’t help but wonder if this would turn into a deadly scavenger hunt for both Sarah and Stella! I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.