Books by Peggy L. Hartman
A Mouse Comes In: The Antiques Shop Adventure
A Mouse Comes In and the adventure begins!
Late one evening, while poking around here and there, a puppet by the name of Mouse finds his way into a shop. But this isn’t just any store, like ones selling T-shirts or TVs. This is an antiques shop, and everything here is very old. Almost everything, that is.
Mouse is fascinated, having the run of the place and happily playing among the antiques, until his path crosses something unexpected. Things may not be what they seem. Or are they?
This wonderfully illustrated book was written for children ages 2-8, but its magical story will be enjoyed by all who love antiques.
A Mouse Comes In was a collaborative effort by a mother-and-son team, Peggy L. and Tod G. Hartman, and of course, Mouse himself.
“I guarantee you’ll fall in love with Mouse!” – Lynn Eddy, VP of Acquisitions, Strategic Book Publishing.
Antiques From Hell
The lure of antiques, an unfolding love affair, mystery and malice, set in an achingly beautiful remote location.
It’s said that Cross County keeps its secrets.
The detective spread out his hands in a gesture of defeat. “They didn’t want our report; they’d do their own investigation. My chief told me to leave things alone, given Cross County’s reputation for insularity and truculence.”
Deep in the Appalachians of southern Pennsylvania lies Cross County, its coal mines closed decades ago, leaving it poor and struggling. Until now.
Thanks to the rich Marcellus Shale gas deposits, the county is having an economic boom, and the financially strapped Colton Area School District is starting to recover.
Then someone sets fire to one of the elementary schools, and among the ashes are found the charred remains of the district Superintendent.
Jerry noted the frenetic activity as he drove into Colton to take the job of Acting Superintendent. This wasn’t your usual down-at-the-heels rural school district, he thought, his interest growing.
Things were buzzing, and as Superintendent he’d get to harness that buzz to make real improvements in education.
And, astonishingly, find himself in love.
But he’d also have to deal with old resentments, new opportunism, entrenched loyalties, and a long tradition of … arson.
By the author of Antiques To Die For, the first book in a series on antiques and murder.
Antiques to Die for
“Sixteen dealers, sixteen keys. What a nightmare!” exclaimed the detective. A body has been discovered in a blanket chest at Cider Run Antiques. Could there be a murderer among the dealers at the popular and picturesque shop? Marv, retired history professor and founding partner, doesn’t think so, even though these are people with strong passions about antiques – and occasionally each other. Things had gone so well the first two years, the historic 18th-century stone building a perfect backdrop to showcase antiques. Everyone was enthusiastic, antiques-savvy, and caught up in their new venture. The shop was a stunning success. Yet there must have been something beneath the surface of high-spirited banter and good times, something unseen that would culminate in tragedy. The dealers decide to hold a marathon talk session to help solve the murder, but will the answer destroy Cider Run? Antiques To Die For is both a mystery and a glimpse into the dynamics of a thriving antiques business. Set in the Appalachians of central Pennsylvania, the story combines history, antiques lore, lively shop interplay, and collectors’ obsessions to tell its tale. P. L. Hartman has been an antiques dealer for 20 years. Her business, The Antique Sideboard, specializes in antiques for dining and décor, and is part of a multi-dealer shop in Pennsylvania.
About the Author
Peggy is an antiques dealer at the shop pictured in the story, and has written two mystery novels about antiques under P.L. Hartman. Tod’s “wild humour” has been published in NW 15, the British anthology of the best new writing in English. Mouse was well known on the social scene in London and Cambridge before moving back to the U.S., where he has continued his career in entertainment.
