... 'J' is for...

Contrary to popular belief,  'J' is NOT for J.U.N.K (remember, that is a 4-Letter word!) LOL

and, though 'J' generally refers to this Great Guy, who is currently outside digging us out - on his BIRTHDAY, we must keep on tract with Alphabet COLLECTIONS!!

Todays featured collection goes to....

JONATHAN GASH / JOHN GRANT

and his LOVEJOY Mystery novel series!

Lovejoy is a series of picaresque novels by John Grant about the adventures of Lovejoy, a British antiques dealer and faker based in East Anglia. A less than scrupulous yet likeable rogue, Lovejoy has a reputation in the antiques trade as a "divvie", meaning one with an almost supernatural talent for recognising exceptional items as well as for distinguishing fakes or forgeries from genuine antiques. Lovejoy's first name is never mentioned in the books. In the TV series based on the novels, he insists on being addressed by all solely as "Lovejoy".

ANTIQUES + MYSTERY + BRITISH SETTING (+'bit' of Harlequin) = WIN! WIN!

  I can't remember 'exactly' how I stumbled upon this series, but it was around 2004. Each 'mystery' involves a bit of 'Obscure Antique History', quick/easy reads...  I was hooked!

HOWEVER... The first in the series came out in the late 70's.  You would think they would be a common site at Sales & Thrifts, but (to my knowledge) they have only been published by PENGUIN, and so they aren't common in the USA :(

To date, I have 17 in my posession, most of which were purchased on eBay.  Yes, SHOCKER!, but I enjoy them That Much!! 

Now, we are off to see what we can find for BIRTHDAY FESTIVITIES!

enJOY!

& 

be well