The Treacherous Teddy
Table of Contents
Praise for the Bear Collector’s Mysteries
“An unusual—and pleasant—hybrid of cozy and police procedural.”
—Cozy Library
“You don’t need to be a bear collector to enjoy this lively and well-plotted series.”
—CA Reviews
The Clockwork Teddy
“An exceptional mystery and highly recommended.”
—Mysterious Reviews (One of Mysterious Reviews’ Best Mysteries of the Year)
“The author sprinkles clues and red herrings throughout, making the mystery potentially but not easily solved by the reader. This well-done mystery will keep readers “bear”-ly hanging on.”
—The New Mystery Reader
“There’s some amazing twists and turns that keep the reader guessing almost to the end . . . The book may center around teddy bears but that doesn’t mean you don’t get adventure, suspense, and a convoluted mystery to keep you turning the pages.”
—Gumshoe Review
“The Teddy Bear Collector’s Mysteries uniquely meld the cozy with the police procedural, yielding a strangely intriguing amalgam . . . If the hardcore elements of this mystery don’t appeal, you might find satisfaction in its cozy components.”
—Mystery Scene
“Very tightly plotted . . . The change in location makes this a great place for newcomers to start, and longtime readers will enjoy watching Brad in his old stomping grounds.”
—CA Reviews
“The best yet. John J. Lamb’s writing and plotting continue to be top-notch—and he really ratcheted up the suspense in this story. Mr. Lamb’s many fans (and I’m one) hope this series has a long, long life.”
—Cozy Library
The Crafty Teddy
“Don’t be fooled by the teddy bear theme. Lamb’s mysteries are full-bodied police procedurals, and the identity of the primary villain will come as a real surprise.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
“A page-turner . . . [with] plenty of action. This is an original, refreshing change in the overcrowded amateur-sleuth genre.”
—Romantic Times
“Be warned that if you pick this book up, you won’t put it down until you’ve finished reading it . . . You’ll want to read every one of the books in the series—and jump into the world of teddy bear collecting, murder, and intriguing mystery.”
—Armchair Interviews
“The story skips along with plenty of humor, interesting and unusual characters, recognizable scenery, and quick-paced action.”
—The Fredericksburg (VA) Free Lance-Star
“Full of interesting information on teddy bear lore (including a profile of a genuine teddy bear artisan at the end of each novel), a complex and interesting mystery, and a macabre and twisted sense of humor.”
—Gumshoe Review
The False-Hearted Teddy
“With a quick-moving plot that’s neither too cozy nor too hard-boiled, a likable sleuth, and an original premise, Lamb has another honey of a mystery.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
“A quirky but surprising read, and one that readers who prefer a little plush to gore should relish.”
—The Carlisle (PA) Sentinel
“A fast-paced trip . . . Mystery fans will follow the twists and turns of this tightly woven tale with pleasure.”
—Teddy Bear and Friends
“A fast and fun romp into murder and mayhem . . . An enjoyable read.”
—Armchair Interviews
“Both story and dialogue are fast paced . . . I finished
The False-Hearted Teddy
in one lazy afternoon because
I couldn’t put it down.”
—Cozy Library
“John J. Lamb will drive you absolutely ursine with his series of Bear Collector’s Mysteries.”
—Raleigh News & Observer
“
The False Hearted Teddy
can’t help but make you smile and want to read more of this series.”
The Mournful Teddy
“Once you start, you can’t bear to miss a teddy mystery.”
—Rita Mae Brown, New York Times bestselling author of the Mrs. Murphy Mysteries
“A smart debut.”
—Mystery Scene
“[Lamb] provides readers with a delightful whodunit that more than just bear collectors will enjoy.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Skillfully blends elements of the traditional cozy with the gritty instincts of a tough but tender ex-homicide detective . . .
The Mournful Teddy
is one teddy bear you won’t take for granted.”
—Ellen Byerrum, author of the Crime of Fashion Mysteries
“
The Mournful Teddy
is a cozy police procedural, an unusual but not unheard-of combination. The author has pulled it off so well . . . I look forward to many more in the series.”
—Mystery News
“Entertaining . . . A fun romp . . . [Lamb] evokes the beauty of the valley while creating characters and a puzzle worthy of the setting. Fans will need to bear patiently the wait for the Lyons’ next outing.”
—Richmond Times-Dispatch
“
The Mournful Teddy
is a fur ball of fun. There’ll be no hibernating once you start reading it. Best of all, it’s the first in Lamb’s Bear Collectors’ series.”
—Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News
“This is the start of a series and already I want to know more about these people and their lives; so I look forward to the next adventure and to learning more about bears.”
—Gumshoe Review
“The unique mystery surrounding collectible teddy bears provides this cozy an element of fun that is hard to find. The author’s personal experience as a police officer shines through the tale and lends an air of unmistakable authority.”—
The Romance Readers Connection
“
The Mournful Teddy
is a cozy police procedural . . . The author has pulled it off so well—and with subtle humor—that I predict readers of both subgenres will find it more than satisfying.”
—Cozy Library
Berkley Prime Crime titles by John J. Lamb
THE MOURNFUL TEDDY
THE FALSE-HEARTED TEDDY
THE CRAFTY TEDDY
THE CLOCKWORK TEDDY
THE TREACHEROUS TEDDY
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.