In this first book in the new Collectible Mystery series, we meet Molly Appleby as she sets out to report on her first kiln-opening of a new star in pottery-making. Raised by an avid collector and antiques lover, Molly is no stranger to valuable collectibles. She's never been much into pottery until her mother, Clara, decides that Molly should write about local potters for the magazine she works for. When Molly hears that she'll have to get up at the ungodly hour of 4 a.m., she's not too sure she'll be able to appreciate pottery. But work is work, and Clara assures Molly that she'll love it.

Upon arriving, Clara points out the pieces she wants for herself and the other collectors they should avoid. One of them, a rude and aggressive man named George-Bradley, pushes his way to the front of the line and blatantly steals a pot right out of a woman's hands. When he passes out, no one seems to be in a hurry to help him, and when he dies, no one seems very sorry. Except Molly, who saw him just before he died and thinks there's something fishy going on.

When Molly's boss tells her to investigate the death, it gives her the opportunity to get to know her co-worker, Mark, a little better. She's been watching him from afar for awhile now and is giddy at the chance to spend time with him. Molly and Mark quickly learn that George-Bradley did indeed die under suspicious circumstances, and they set out to uncover more evidence.

Through the course of their investigation and through helping Clara and her friend, Lex, auction George-Bradley's collection, Molly finds some of George-Bradley's worst secrets, and she makes an enemy. Molly thinks she knows who the killer is, but is she right?

This book starts out slowly, then picks up the pace a little with the introduction of Mark, but gently winds its way through to the conclusion. I recommend it as an entertaining, pleasant read.