An Auction of Secrets: A British Cozy Murder Mystery (A Cotswold Antique Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Cotswolds, England
Publisher : Kanga Press
Publication date : May 14, 2025
Print length : 228 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 : 1917168543
ISBN-13 : 978-1917168540
Kindle
ISBN-13 : 978-1917168311
ASIN : B0DNKPHZ6S
Dotty Sayers is back – but some truths should never go under the hammer.
Taking over a prestigious Cotswold auction house should be a dream come true for antiques expert Dotty Sayers. But when a scandal involving its owners hits the headlines, the business teeters on the brink of collapse, and Dotty must fight to keep its doors open.
Amid the cluttered antiques and dusty heirlooms of a routine house clearance, Dotty uncovers a discovery tied to a long-concealed secret. But as she digs deeper, it becomes clear someone will do anything to keep the truth from coming to light.
Dotty’s best friend, Keya Varma, is balancing life as the owner of the bustling Waterwheel Café with her first job as a crime scene manager. But what starts as a nervous first assignment soon pulls her into a case that connects unexpectedly to Dotty’s unsettling discovery.
As the two friends join forces, their search for answers pulls them into a world of long-buried secrets and lies. With threats looming and danger closing in, Dotty and Keya must rely on their courage and the support of their loved ones to uncover the truth before it shatters the quiet heart of rural life.
Going once, going twice… make the winning bid with An Auction of Secrets today!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Dotty Sayers has returned to Cotswold and has been given a great opportunity managing Akemans Auction House. Her job will be far from easy as she not only has to repair the business’s reputation, but the building needs major renovations because it’s literally falling down around them. She has been contacted to clear out the house of a recently deceased man. She hopes this will help the bottom line. She finds a couple of unusual pieces and is surprised by their value after conducting a little research.
Keya Varma, Dotty’s best friend, has a new job with the police department as a crime scene manager. It is hard to take off the investigator’s hat, but this position should free up more time for her to run the Waterwheel Café. In an interesting twist, her first assignment, the murder of a bookshop owner, has connections to the items Dotty found at her house clearance.
Inspector Lynn Lockwood has joined the Cirencester Police Station, and she is assigned to Keya’s first case. She is open to having Dotty consult on the case. So they, along with Constable Warren Sparrow and some help from family and friends, kick the investigation into high gear to get to the truth. Can they do that and stay out of harm’s way? Or will they be led straight into a trap?
I was so happy to see this series spinoff of the Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries. Dotty has grown so much and has had many adventures, and it was time for her to come home. This story has her reconnecting with Keya, Aunt Beanie, and Norman. Zach coming with her allows their relationship to continue, as can his investigation into his family’s history, but he also finds a new opportunity at Akemans. Keya is thrilled to have her friend by her side again. I love her “Oh! toda!” moments. Ms. Tait’s characters feel so genuine, it is very easy to get wrapped up in their lives. I enjoyed the dual points of view of Dotty and Keya.
The plot of the story is full of compelling history from WWII and the aftermath, when so many treasures from people’s lives were stolen. Some of the artwork and objects have been found and returned, but the number of artifacts still out there is crazy. Dotty has had experience with a few items whose provenance was untraceable or unknown, making the items found at the house clearance of great interest to her. She also has contacts who specialize in lost wartime treasures to help with her research. I found the theme very fascinating.
I enjoyed tagging along with Dotty, Keya, Warren, and Lynn as they followed clues all around the countryside. The bookshop with all its treasures and owl theme pulled me right in. I wanted to know more, and Ms. Tait delivered. When Dotty gets an invitation she can’t refuse, the situation gets dicey, but she learns about how everything was set in motion and the motives. Secrets are revealed, as are heartbreaking histories, and then clues all fall into place for Dotty, but it could be too late.
Ms. Tait plotted this story out perfectly. She twisted history with mystery along with the happenings at Akemans and the Waterwheel Café as only she could. An Auction of Secrets is a captivating story containing engaging characters who are facing changes and new challenges, and intriguing mysteries with a historical slant. It’s another Perfect Escape from Victoria Tait.
Book 2 – A Wicket of Lives was just released. I will be reviewing it next week. Book 3 – A Pantomime of Peril will be released later this year.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
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About the Author
Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, where she developed a lifelong love of tea and British traditions. Inspired by the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder, She Wrote, she writes cozy mysteries infused with her signature British charm.
Her determined and hard-working female sleuths are joined by colourful but realistic teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and evocative. With intrigue, surprises, and gentle humour, Victoria’s page-turning stories are the perfect blend of mystery and charm—best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
Author Links
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Find all of Victoria Tait’s books HERE.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways
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