Eileen Harris

How did the deceased owner of the old house know so much about Ali Trent, the antique dealer hired to appraise her hoarded treasures? And can she stay alive long enough to solve the mysteries of murder and magic before becoming the next victim?

Antique Magic

Kritika Narula

Alicia Trent's story is an absolute delight, gripping and frightening in equal parts.
Her hometown calls 28-year old Alicia Trent back, but not for the obvious reasons. The house, very old by western standards, the one they joked about as being haunted and spook as kids, has been inherited by the two sons of .
Alicia Trent, or Ali, as she is called for the major part of the book, is the co-owner of an antique store called Eclectic Treasures in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a child she had been inside the house just once. Turns out, that one visit was enough to connect her to the home in unknown, intricate ways. And although that visit had now relegated to the background and faded gradually as a shadowy memory, things change all of a sudden as she gets to apprise and facilitate the bidding for the exquisite collection of antiques that Mrs Hall has left behind. 
Only, it is not as simple as that. Mrs Hall has also left a plethora of mysteries as well. Riddled with clues, magic and a murder to add to the spice, Ali now has a lot of work to do while she is alive in her quest.

It is a gripping read, and since there aren't many books that uncover mysteries related to antiques, or for that matter, revolve around antiques, it is a refreshing read. 
The job of appraisal is huge, Herculean even, and thankfully her co-partner Barry is a very caring and understanding person. Cody and Ned Hall are brothers, Lawrence Hall and Nick are other important characters. Ali stays at the mansion along with the guard Dan, and the cook. What follows is a series of cryptic letters, immensely valuable antiques, suspects themselves getting murdered, and every possible plot twist. 
Although too many characters were a challenge to keep up with, the pace of the plot was steady enough to let the reader take it all in.

An important clue is a list of names left by the deceased, and thereon Ali isn't able to quell her thirst and curiosity. 
Irony can be so cruel, and through interesting twists, we are in for a thrilling culmination. 
It does leave space for s sequel. 
Why I'd recommend this book would be for the love of all things antique and a knack for the paranormal.

Antique Magic

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