THE SAYERS SWINDLE is book two in Victoria Abbott's Book Collector cozy mystery series. I love this book! THE SAYERS SWINDLE is one of the most entertaining mysteries I've read in a long time. The many mysteries in this story are intriguing, the situations are often hilarious, but the varied and amusing characters make THE SAYERS SWINDLE shine. As a lifelong cozy mystery reader, it is sometimes difficult for me to be truly surprised by the identity or the resolution of a mystery. However, there are so many puzzles and interesting plot twists in this story, that I remained riveted throughout. I enjoyed having no idea what turn the story would take next.

Jordan Kelly makes an interesting amateur sleuth. She starts out hunting down clues, not for a murder mystery, but a missing book mystery. She is employed by wealthy curmudgeon Vera Van Alst to find her stolen and very valuable Dorothy Sayers book collection. The setting of Vera's stately home and the odd interactions between Jordan, Vera, and cook extraordinaire Signora Panetone are priceless. I also loved Jordan's slightly criminal, but very sweet uncles -- Mick, Lucky, and Kev. Rather than make things too cluttered, these supporting characters add to the entertainment value. While there is no love triangle in THE SAYERS SWINDLE, there are two cuties for Jordan to blush furiously over. I'm hoping that she winds up with friendly librarian Lance.

I love the fun use of disguises in this story. Nobody is quite who they appear to be in THE SAYERS SWINDLE. Even the houses are full of surprises - like secret passageways. Jordan's family background gives her a little bit of special knowledge when it comes to dealing with criminal types and generally sneaky behavior. I think this gives her ability to investigate illegal goings-on more credibility.

THE SAYERS SWINDLE is a must read for cozy mystery fans! This book has humor, mystery, great characters, and unpredictable and fun plot twists. By the end of the book I completely adored all the characters and can't wait for the next book in this amazing series.

Book Summary

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.