The national bestselling author of The Wolfe Widow presents another spine-tingling mystery featuring rare book collector Jordan Bingham and some Ngaio Marsh first editions worth killing for… Jordan works hard to improve Vera Van Alst’s collection of classic detective stories. So when Chadwick Kauffman—heir to the Kauffman fortune—offers a very good price on a fine collection of Ngaio Marsh first editions owned by his recently deceased stepfather, she is thrilled to meet with him at his fabled summer estate, Summerlea. The next day, Jordan and Vera are shocked to read that Chadwick has died in a fall from the grand staircase at Summerlea. But when the picture in the paper is of a different man, it becomes clear that the ladies are victims of a scam. And they’ll have to unmask the imposter fast, because someone is trying to frame them for murder… Praise for the Book Collector Mysteries “The books continue to delight…[a] celebration of the classic mystery genre.”— Kings River Life Magazine “A courageous heroine…a pleasing puzzle.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch “Great fun for all fans of puzzle plots.” – Toronto Globe & Mail “Amusing one-liners, murder, and a dash of mayhem.”— The Hamilton Spectator “The mystery was first class, the plotting flawless.”— Cozy Mystery Book Review “If you are a book lover of any kind, you will love this series.”— Debbie’s Book Bag Victoria Abbott is a pseudonym for a collaboration between seasoned mystery author Mary Jane Maffini and her daughter Victoria. Mary Jane, a former mystery bookstore owner, is the author of the Camilla MacPhee, Fiona Silk, and Charlotte Adams series. They live outside Ottawa, ONT. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CAST OF CHARACTERS Jordan Kelly Bingham— assistant to wealthy book collector Vera Van Alst Vera Van Alst— a reclusive bibliophile and collector Chadwick Kauffman— heir to the Kauffman fortune and owner of the Country Club and Spa Lisa Troy— his personal assistant Lisa Hatton— office administrator at the Country Club and Spa Miranda Schneider— receptionist at the Country Club and Spa Thomas— a butler Tyler “Smiley” Dekker— police officer, Harrison Falls Police Sammy Vincovic— pricey but effective barracuda lawyer Kevin Kelly (Uncle Kev)— handyman and groundskeeper at Van Alst House, among other things Signora Fiammetta Panetone— cook and housekeeper at Van Alst House Michael Kelly (Uncle Mick)— independent “entrepreneur” Lucky Kelly (Uncle Lucky)— another independent “entrepreneur” Cherie— Uncle Kev’s special friend Karen Smith— Jordan’s friend and Uncle Lucky’s new wife Lance DeWitt— Harrison Falls’s hottest reference librarian and Jordan’s friend Tiffany (Tiff) Tibeault— Jordan’s usually absent best friend Poppy Lockwood-Jones— artist friend of Lance’s Shelby Church— an actress Detective Drea Castellano— new lead detective in Harrison Falls Detective Rob Stoddard— her partner Larraine Gorman— former actress, now teacher Doug Gorman— her husband Lucas Warden— an actor Braydon— young employee at the Country Club and Spa Mysterious dark-haired man Various actors hamming it up CHAPTER ONE BE CAREFUL WHAT you wish for, as they say. Whoever “they” are, they’ve also been known to mutter that the heart wants what it wants. I was desperate to visit Summerlea. That’s what my heart wanted. Wanted it bad. When the first call came, I wondered if it was a mistake. We had an invitation to a very special luncheon at Summerlea, a famous and usually inaccessible grand summer estate that was nothing if not worthy of daydreams. This chance to peek inside a robber baron’s extravagant country home would be a treat. And it would be a first for me aside from seeing it in photo spreads in Elle Decor and Vanity Fair . I was revved up about the invitation to the traditional getaway of the Kauffman family. The family was down to the last member: Chadwick Kauffman, heir to whatever was left. Even if the Kauffman name didn’t conjure up what it once had, it still screamed A-list in our part of the world. I was way beyond intrigued, imagining the treasures, art, books and antiquities. I hoped I’d manage to snoop around. Full disclosure: The invitation was to Vera Van Alst, the curmudgeonly book collector and allegedly wealthy recluse I work for. I had merely handled the details with Chadwick Kauffman’s staff. Although Vera wouldn’t admit this, an invitation of any sort was very good news. She continued to be the most hated woman in Harrison Falls, New York, and surrounding communities, although you’d think that people would be getting over that now. It definitely limited our collective social life. Now Vera was invited to inspect and purchase a collection of Ngaio Marsh very fine first editions. I’d be there to assist her, while perusing and drooling over yet unknown items. I launched into my Web research immediately after the first call and learned that Summerlea was a massive and rambling building with groomed lawns that sloped down to a sparkling lake. This would be the