Welcome. I’m Jordan Bingham and I’m thrilled to give you a glimpse of a day in my life and the perfect job. It’s fun and fascinating and should help me save enough to return to grad school. Thanks for coming so early.
Please join me as we tour my home and workplace. First, step this into the massive granite dwelling that is Van Alst House. It’s crammed with rare books and priceless antiques. A dream for me! Sorry, we’re taking the back entrance. The front is more impressive, but you’re traveling with the help.
Before we get too far, I need to mention that discussions of my relatives are strictly off limits, no matter what you’ve heard. For the record, my uncles raised me and I love them to bits, but I am doing my best to be a solid citizen. Nuff said. Aside from that, feel free to cut in with questions. What’s that? Any problems with the job? Okay, I admit my employer, Vera Van Alst, is the most hated woman in Harrison Falls, New York. She’s also grumpy, frumpy and secretive.
Step up this way. Oh, didn’t I mention I live in the third-floor attic? It’s just two flights, although they are a bit narrow. Worth the effort. There are some issues with Vera’s Siamese cat so watch your ankles.
Glad we made it! I love my Victoria garret, with its sloping walls. Yes, I do realize the cabbage rose wallpaper is peeling, but just look at that amazing view of the grounds. I adore the iron bedstead and the flowered quilt. Sure, that moody Siamese cat keeps getting in, but there’s plenty of room for my mostly vintage wardrobe. Lucky for me, retro is trendy now because everything I can afford is from a church bazaar, Goodwill, or inherited from my mother. I don’t remember much about her, but I do love her sense of style.
I am required to eat breakfast at eight with Vera Van Alst and outline my plans each day. Let’s head there now. It will seem like two miles but the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee will help.
The conservatory is lovely and bright, and here’s Senora Panatone, Vera’s cook, serving a mountain of French toast, smothered in maple syrup. Eat up. Have fresh coffee. It will make her happy. Vera won’t pay the slightest bit of attention to you. As usual, she’s caught up in the Times crossword. I generally use this time to invent some positive spin on my work.
Speaking of, my current challenge is to locate an unpublished, unproduced and, in fact, unknown manuscript—a play that Agatha Christie, may have written during her mysterious eleven-day disappearance in 1926. Vera is obsessed with this idea. She doesn’t make finding it easy.
To get an idea of Vera’s obsessions, let’s head off to the library. The senora will come along, just in case. I trust you implicitly, but Vera’s … well, Vera.
It’s a long walk. Good to work off breakfast. But those portraits of long-dead Van Alst portraits give me the creeps. All Vera’s relatives must have suffered from constipation.
Now I’ll key in the code and … yes, it is breathtaking. Inhale the scent of old leather, aged paper and rosewood. You’re right. The carpet is an Aubusson, faded but real. There are more than ten thousand books on the main and the mezzanine level. The classic mysteries in this collection are the best editions that money can buy. That explains the high degree of security. Vera doesn’t take chances.
Heading back, we’ll pass the grand dining room. Dinner’s at eight, and I gaze at Vera down the mile-long antique Sheriton table. Senora Panetone creates a food miracle every night. Vera barely eats a spoonful, but I hate to hurt the senora’s feelings.
Although Vera always wears a ratty beige cardigan with frayed elbows and wrists, I am required to dress for dinner. I wear boots with my vintage dresses, so the cat can’t shred my ankles. That reminds me, I apologize for any injuries you have received on our tour.
Time for me to get to work. Frankly, the search isn’t going well. Discovering that my predecessor died in tragic circumstances threw me a bit. Vera should have mentioned that when she hired me. But I’m not a quitter.
It would be easier if that police officer, Tyler Dekker, didn’t find me quite so interesting. He’s everywhere. I’m surprised he didn’t weasel into this tour. What’s that about? In my family we don’t bring home cops to meet the relatives. Talk about awkward.
Never mind, as I said, I have the perfect job. And I get to be an honest citizen. Most of the time.
Thanks for coming. Hope to see you again!
Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of THE CHRISTIE CURSE to give away. Contest open to US residents only and ends March 7. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher.
Read the rest of Jordan’s adventure in The Christie Curse: a book collector mystery, coming March, 5, 2013. The Sayers Swindle, the second book collector mystery will be out December 2013!
Meet the author
Victoria Abbott is a collaboration between the always very funny and creative artist, photographer and short story author, Victoria Maffini and her mother, Mary Jane Maffini, award-winning author of three mystery series and two dozen short stories. Their four miniature dachshunds are understandably outraged that a pug and some Siamese cats have wiggled their way into the series. Visit them at www.victoria-abbott.com or www.maryjanemaffini.ca or on Facebook.
And check Jordan’s Pinterest!
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Hmm, Canadian authors (one who lives just a few kilometres from me) and the contest is US only. What’s wrong with this picture? 😉
It had to do with the publishing house that is located in the US.
I love anything to do with books in a mystery. Thanks for the chance to win. Dee
I would have loved to have Jordan’s job when I was younger: working in an old house with a room(s) full of books. Today though, I’m not sure I could handle grumpy Vera. I love Agatha Christie. I hope she does find a long lost play.
Very cute and very cordial character. Vera, on the other hand, is character you love to hate. They make a great pair.
Okay I’m hooked! Thanks for the chance to win this book.
This sounds like a wonderful new series! Senora Panatone – you can cook for me anytime! 🙂
You’ve got my attention!!!!!
Sounds like a fun new series! Thanks Dru Ann! 😀 ladychrisa(at)hotmail(dot)com
Would love to win!
This sounds like a great read and I would love to win this book!
I like the sounds of this book.
I would love to win. This sounds like a great mystery book.
I pre-ordered this one so I’m only here to share how many nose-prints I’ve already left on my door glass looking for the mail person.
Someone who really likes her job but yet she works for the most hated woman in the county—I’m interested already.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sounds delightful. Once I’m hooked on the protagonist, I just keep coming back for more.
Sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read this book. elisanabby at gmail dot com
After just finishing her biography, I love how Vicotoria has blended fact and fiction for her debut novel. I believe I have read every Christie novel 10 times, and can honestly say, I haven’t looked forward to a book like this in a long time.
This sounds like a promising series and it’s definitely been added to my book list. Thanks for the update!
Already have this on my wish list 🙂 Sounds great!
Looks like a great read !
As a longtime fan of Mary Jane’s books and her daughter’s short stories, I’d love to receive a copy of this new work of theirs! 🙂
I would love to receive this book.
Characters sound interesting!~ Sounds like the perfect job except the part of her predecessor being killed.
I would love to embark on a new series. I belong to a cozy book club and we devour these books and are always on the lookout for something new. It sounds like a great read from what you’ve teased us with. Would love to win it.
I love a new series and the mystery about a mystery writer sounds great!
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks!
Sounds like a perfect job for me too…aside from Vera. I can’t wait to read this book!
Nice premise for a series. Please enter my name. Thanks.
Looking forward to reading this series:)
Thanks for the chance to win this book, astart of a great mew book. thanks Dru
Sounds like a quirky new mystery series which is right up my alley!
Would love to read your book! Thanks so much for the chance to win! 🙂
I haven’t read a mother/daughter collaboration yet. Sign me up. Thanks.
judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Truly looking forward to reading your new mystery series. I sure can relate when it comes to being a “book collector” that is for sure!!! 🙂 I think that is so fantastic that a mom and daughter work together. My best wishes for a big success with this new venture. Thank you for this possibility of winning a book. Sincerely,
Cynthia
Can’t wait to find this. Sounds good, and I already love Mary jane’s books. Please enter me, thanks.
I am a fan of Mary Jane Maffini already so I am looking forward to read this book!
Oops, my email is sweetcandi32010@yahoo.com
Thanks Victoria and Jordan for stopping by and giving us a glimpse into your day.
Great title, thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
This series sounds wonderful. I love mysteries that include pets.
Looks like another great cozy mystery.
Love it!!
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome.
This sounds wonderful and I love the descriptions of the house!