Her mentally ill mother has sold off the family’s antiques to a less than scrupulous dealer and Brandy is determined to get them back. Before she and her little scruffy dog can strong arm Clint Carson into returning the antiques, he is found dead and both her mother Vivian and Brandy confess to the murder, each assuming the other one did it.

Brandy is not surprised to find Clint dead, and not surprised there is a long line of people who would like to see him thus, but can’t believe her mother was capable of doing this. An explosion that destroys what is left of Brandy and Vivian’s life lends credence to their claims of innocence (well, except for a driving with her license suspended that Vivian still has to contend with). With a little help from Brandy, police are soon on the trail of a killer, and Brandy and Vivian are on their way to reclaiming their family heirlooms.

Antiques Roadkill is a light-hearted mystery that sometimes goes overboard with its forced humor, making it awkward to read in places. Brandy has crawled back home, tail between her legs, with a failed marriage, lost custody of her son and the first person she encounters is the woman whose husband she slept with that was the impetus for her return to the assumedly tongue-in-cheek named Serenity.

Vivian is a likable, if almost too ditzy character, and older sister Peggy Sue (Vivian was very much into popular music) takes a lesson from her younger sis and tries to lighten up. Who killed Clint, and who now is trying to kill Brandy and Vivian, is a bit of a puzzle, and there are few clues along the way to lead to answer, with correct motive, ahead of Brandy and Vivian. A cute, forgiving police officer restores Brandy’s short lost faith in men and holds promise for a love interest for Brandy in future outings. Antiquing tips along the way provide added interest for those who enjoy finding treasures in the trash.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry