"A story of a young girl sent out to steal for her parents. A remarkable, frightening novel from an author who lived it herself. From her parents' 1970s tenement council flat ten-year-old Robyn soon becomes so skilled at shoplifting her reputation spreads. She takes her punishment at school but is much more scared of the vicious threats of her father; and as frightened for her mother's safety as for her own. Her fun-loving grandmother offers her comfort, wisdom and hope that Robyn might be different from her parents. But as her father's random cruelty intensifies, she has to seek refuge in her nan's flat and in the homes of friends, even joining her mother in a women's shelter to escape her 'father'. All this time she is learning more about the unpredictable ways of the people around her and her own potential. She'll need all of this precocious wisdom and the assistance of Nan, to face up once and for all to the twisted violence in her home and engineer a way out of this childhood to reach a place of safety and freedom. This moving story is told in a wonderfully vivid child's voice - her resourcefulness and courage will break your heart"

Since Jeff Talbot left the FBI, he's been investigating yard sales as a professional antiques picker. From furniture to books, from old clothes to broken toys, nothing escapes his keen eye for appraisal. But there is one item that he always keeps his knowing eyes particularly peeled to find: a one-of-a-kind French cabaret set commissioned by Napoleon for his love, Josephine. It is an item any collector would kill for... So when it's about to be auctioned off — and rival collectors start turning up dead — there are plenty of suspects to choose from. Suddenly Jeff finds himself polishing up his old crime-solving skills as the search for a cabaret set becomes the search for a killer. But can he pick out the right clues before the killer adds him to the collection of dead bodies?ReviewOn the heels of the Antique Roadshow's popularity comes an exceptional mystery series that's sure to please and tease the treasure hunter in every reader. First-time author Morgan craftily draws Jeffrey Talbot as a quick-witted, Seattle-based retired FBI agent who's turned his passion for antiques into a lucrative business by becoming a picker, an antique hunter who tracks down specific items for collectors. One elusive item Jeff figures he'll never get his hands on is a French cabaret tea set that once belonged to Napoleon's beloved Josephine. When Jeff hears that the serving pieces might turn up at an exclusive auction held at Michigan's Grand Hotel, he takes off in pursuit of the rare tea service, leaving his agoraphobic wife Sheila (his behind-the-scenes helpmate) to her home shopping, gourmet cooking and Internet surfing. Jeff soon learns that he's not alone in his quest; many people, it seems, are willing to kill to gain possession of the set. As bodies begin piling up, Jeff calls upon his investigative skills to find the killer before the killer finds him. Morgan polishes off this slim cozy with some handy recommendations on antiquing, antique Web sites and home shopping. --Publishers Weekly From AudioFileFormer FBI Agent Jeff Talbot, now a professional antique picker, is searching for a cabaret set (tea service) gifted by Napoleon to his beloved Josephine. Jeff goes to Michigan to find this priceless treasure, but hes not the only one after it. When murder follows, he finds himself involved in searching for the killer. This first book in the Jeff Talbot Antique Lovers series is a joy to listen to. The characters are quirky, and Reed McColm does a fine job distinguishing each with an easy style and cadence. The historical side trips and details about collectibles are an additional pleasure. Even the recommended list of books on antiques presented at the end is fun listening. This series is snazzy and smart. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Professional antiques picker and ex-FBI agent Jeff Talbot is fishing for a killer obsessed with antique lures-and who has kidnapped Jeff's wife as bait...