Guest Review: Hidden Treasures (A Pinx Video Mystery #2) by Marshall Thornton

It’s about a dress. A valuable blue sequined dress worn by a famed actress in a film from the 1940s. For some reason everyone thinks video storeowner Noah Valentine has it. Which might not be a big deal except that it’s connected to the murder of a prominent Hollywood costumer.

In the second of the Pinx Video Mysteries, Noah attempts to solve the mystery of the dress. To do so, he must confront a legendary film icon Wilma Wanderly, hunky police Detective Javier O’Shea, the dowager Queen of Watts and a couple of bitter ex-friends.

Reviewer: Annika

I wasn't particularly fond of the first book in this series and pretty much decided early on that Night Drop was going to be both the first and last book I'd read of that series. But then, the last chapter happened and I just couldn't wait to know more. I needed to know more. So I was a happy little reader when Hidden Treasures arrived in my waiting hands.

And what can I say more than; I loved it! I was hooked to this book from the very beginning and enjoyed every page of it. I do believe that this book could work as a standalone, but you'd miss out on some of the details from the first book and I don't think it will be as engaging as it was. You need that background, but you don't need it to be able to follow the story, it will only add more depth and meaning to it.

Noah still struggles with everything going on in his life and the last thing he needs is to solve another mystery, let alone a murder. But then, when has things ever gone his way? Especially since he practically has a line of people demanding to sell them a dress he’s never seen. One they claim he has in his possession.

So far this series is not a romance story. Sure there is an interest there, but there are circumstances that prevents that interest to become more than wishful thinking. And by that, I don’t mean there shouldn’t be something building in the future, just that Noah is so far from anywhere near being ready that it’s not even on the map. That’s why there shouldn’t be anything more, at least not yet, it really wouldn’t fit. So no sexy times anywhere near these books (so if you’re looking for something hot and heavy, you are out of luck), they are more of a whodunit type of books. And I find them very refreshing.

I loved that we got to know Noah a bit more, and I just loved the fact that he was engaging the world again. He's far from a socialite, mind you, but he's a bit more present if you know what I mean. It was nice to see him opening up more to his friends, but also dealing with his past. He still has a long way to go, but he is moving forward and you can see the possibilities opening up before him. As for the mystery part of it all, I really enjoyed it. There were some twists and turns, many possible suspects and as many motives and hidden agendas. Who would've thought that one blue dress could cause so much trouble?

Hidden Treasures is very well written with engaging characters and interesting plot. But what’s more is that they have the feel of a cozy mystery but with a hefty dose of reality of it. They are incredibly atmospheric, they will take you back to the early 90's and everything that entails. You feel that atmosphere, almost taste it. Hidden among these pages is a tiny piece of time machine taking you back to the 90's, a place where you might just get asked if you want lube with your video rentals.
I can't wait to find out more about these characters, it will be interesting to know how the gang manages to find themselves in the middle of trouble next time. But now I’m going on another nostalgic trip; I’m going to dig out my old video tape of The Addams Family and have a nice walk on memory lane.

A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.