Trish Esden loves museums, gardens, wilderness, dogs and birds, in various order depending on the day. She lives in Northern Vermont where she deals antiques with her husband, a profession she's been involved with since her teens. Don't ask what her favorite type of antique is. She loves hunting down old bottles and rusty barn junk as much as she enjoys fine art and furnishings.
2023 Silver Falchion Award Finalist: Best Mystery
Category
Praise for The Art of the Decoy:
“Captivating . . . rich historical and cultural background.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Realistic and absorbing.”
—Midwest Book Review
“An intriguing and entertaining mystery. A sensational debut for
this series.”
—Escape with Dollycas
“You’re going to love spending time with antiques dealer, Edie
Brown! With characters who face real and relatable issues, from
Edie's conflict with her mother and uncertainty about a romance to
her Uncle Tuck's desire to focus on his gardening, not a business
he doesn't want to run, this complex, twisty tale of betrayal and
deception is a winner! Trish Esden is a gifted wordsmith, crafting
prose that is evocative, raw, and meaningful. Sit back and prepare
to lose yourself in this Northern Vermont wonderland filled with
priceless folk art and people you want to know.”
—Jane K. Cleland, award-winning author of Jane Austen's Lost
Letters, the 14th Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery
“All I can say is WOW! With this first novel in the Scandal
Mountain Antiques Series, author Trish Esden has knocked it out of
the park. With an evocative rural Vermont setting, an intriguing
main character with a complicated past, an engaging cast of
supporting characters, and a twisty plot that will keep you turning
pages, The Art of the Decoy is as close to perfect as they
get.”
—Connie Berry, award winning author of A Dream of Death
“A well-drawn Vermont setting, a satisfyingly deep dive into the
art and antiques world, and an expert and tricky mystery make this
a must-read debut for Esden's clever antiques dealer Edie Brown.
Bring on Edie's next adventure!”
—Sarah Stewart Taylor, Vermont author of the Maggie D’arcy mystery
series
“The Art of the Decoy by Trish Esden is an exciting start to a new
mystery series, featuring intriguing characters, a charming New
England setting, and a fascinating deep dive into the world of
antiques and folk-art. Like the valuable decoys of the title, this
book is both unique and authentic, offering an intelligent and
intrepid heroine who’s not afraid to face danger to sleuth out the
truth. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy well-developed
characters, sophisticated plotting, and a bit of edginess and
adventure in their mysteries.”
—Victoria Gilbert, author of the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series
and the Booklovers B&B mystery series
“Welcome to the world of folk art antiques, where the competition
to acquire a priceless piece is so cutthroat it might just lead to
murder. With its tenacious and endearing female sleuth, a mystery
that captivates, and a vibrant cast of suspects, The Art of the
Decoy entices from the first page. A winning start to a new mystery
series that’s as rare as the art Edie Brown has in her sights. I
can’t wait to return to Scandal Mountain.”
— Tessa Wegert, author of Death in the Family and The Dead
Season
“With its likable characters, high stakes mystery, and immersive
setting, The Art of the Decoy is a great start to a fresh new
series.”
—Elizabeth Penney, author of the Cambridge Bookshop Series
“A thrilling, fast-paced mystery with memorable characters and as
many twists and turns as the back-country roads of its rural
Vermont setting. Highly entertaining, with the added bonus of an
in-depth introduction to the fascinating world of the antique
business.”
—Hank Parker, author of CONTAINMENT: A Thriller
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