Antiques Round-Up is the latest installment of the Trash’N’Treasures mystery series. As always, this series is laugh-out-loud funny and a joy to read. Every character in this book is quirky and interesting! Vivian and Brandy are the perfect mother-daughter duo and remind of those mother-daughter chats and debates many of us have with our family (although mine are not about murder)! The road trip was wonderful, although I missed some of the regular characters and hope they will be back in the next book. The ending was amazing and had me laughing and crying at the same time! I can’t wait to see what happens next and maybe have a little more of Sushi next time!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Antiques Round-Up by Barbara Allan—the pseudonym of Max Allan Collins and his wife, Barbara—is the latest installment in the long-running Trash ‘n’ Treasures mystery series. In this new outing, protagonists and narrators Brandy Borne and her eccentric mother, Vivian, find themselves embroiled in yet another murder investigation—this time in Texas.

The duo travels to the quaint town of Tranquility, Texas, drawn by a town-wide yard sale where they hope to stock up on items for their antique store. But, as always in this series, treasure hunting quickly takes a back seat to sleuthing when murder enters the picture.

Antiques Round-Up is predictably enjoyable—in the best way. One of the highlights of the series is the lively and humorous banter between Brandy and Vivian, complete with occasional interruptions from the editor, all of which adds to its charm. The book strikes a satisfying balance between a genuinely suspenseful mystery—complete with some surprisingly brutal killings—and the light, cozy elements fans love. Recipes, adorable dogs, and antique shopping tips round out the experience, with each chapter ending in a helpful treasure-hunting tidbit.

When I’m in the mood for a literary palate cleanser—something memorable, clever, and just plain fun—this series never disappoints. I’m happy to report that Antiques Round-Up ranks among the best of Barbara Allan’s works. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this book can be enjoyed as a standalone entry into a delightfully offbeat mystery world.

I received an advanced reader’s ebook copy via NetGalley, with the suggestion that I leave an honest review, which I endeavored to do so here.

Typical Brandi and Vivian story. I really used to love this series, however, something has changed and it's just not the same anymore.
This one was okay, but I didn't laugh as much as I used to when reading the earlier books.

This is a 3 star review

Vivian is a widowed bipolar antiques dealer who (with her divorced daughter, Brandy) is rather accustomed to solving murders with the assistance of her canine, Sushi. This time they go out-of-state to replenish the stock for their store in Iowa (Trash 'n' Treasures) and wind up in more hilarious predicaments. There's also a recipe and lots of Trash 'n' Treasures Tips at the end of chapters, too.
This book is a perfect antidote to real world worries. It's a punfest with enough humor to keep laughing throughout the whole book!
I requested and received an uncorrected digital copy from Severn House via NetGalley. Pub date Oct 07, 2025
#AntiquesRoundUp by Barbara Allan #TrashNTreasuresmysteriesBk19 @severnhouseimprint
#laughoutloud #cozymystery #mentalhealth #recipes #shopping #antiques #collectibles #vintage

Welcome to another madcap cozy mystery as Vivian and Brandy Borne are on a road trip to murder and mayhem. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review (and rant, and rave and giggle) the latest in Barbara Allan's 'Antiques' series of mysteries. Read all of them, loved all of them, this one is no exception.
So, Brandy and Vivian are on a road trip to purchase stock for their antiques store in Serenity, Iowa. They've found that Tranquility, Texas is holding a city-wide sale, and they're certain that the western-themed items on offer will be just what they require. And when they arrive there, they feel right at home - Tranquility seems to be a mirror image of their hometown.
But of course, Vivian (off her bipolar meds, unbeknownst to her darling daughter) just has to stumble on not one but two suspicious deaths!
Investigations ensue. Mayhem ensues. And of course, Vivian ends up on the wrong side of another police force!
There's just too much going on that would qualify as spoilers, so I'm just going to say, if you've read the other books then you know what you're in for; if you haven't, then buckle up pardner! You're in for a ride.
Highly recommended.