Treacherous Toys

Praise for the Renaissance Faire Mysteries

H
ARROWING
H
ATS

“The reader will have a grand time. This is an entertaining read with a well-crafted plot. Readers of the series will not be disappointed. New readers will want to glom the backlist so they don’t miss a single minute.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“The Renaissance Faire Mysteries are always an enjoyable read…Joyce and Jim Lavene provide a complex exciting murder mystery that amateur-sleuth fans will appreciate.”

—Midwest Book Review

D
EADLY
D
AGGERS

“The Lavene duet can always be counted on for an enjoyable whodunit…Filled with twists and red herrings,
Deadly Daggers
is a delightful mystery.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“Will keep you entertained from the first duel to the last surprise…If you like fun reads that will let you leave this world for a time, this series is for you.”

—
The Romance Readers Connection

“Never a dull moment! Filled with interesting characters, a fast-paced story, and plenty of humor, this series never lets its readers down…You’re bound to feel an overwhelming craving for a giant turkey leg and the urge to toast to the king’s health with a big mug of ale as you enjoy this thematic cozy mystery!”

—
Fresh Fiction

G
HASTLY
G
LASS

“A unique look at a renaissance faire. This is a colorful, exciting amateur-sleuth mystery filled with quirky characters who endear themselves to the reader as Joyce and Jim Lavene write a delightful whodunit.”

—
Midwest Book Review

W
ICKED
W
EAVES

“Offers a vibrant background for the mysterious goings-on and the colorful cast of characters.”

—Kaye Morgan, author of
Celebrity Sudoku

“This jolly series debut…serves up medieval murder and mayhem.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“Fast-paced, clever, delightful.”

—John J. Lamb, author of
The Treacherous Teddy

“A creative, fascinating whodunit, transporting readers to a world of make-believe that entertains and educates.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“[A] new, exciting…series…Part of the fun of this solid whodunit is the vivid description of the Renaissance Village; anyone who has not been to one will want to go…[C]leverly developed.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“[A] terrific mystery series…A feast for the reader…Character development in this new series is energetic and eloquent; Jessie is charming and intelligent, with…saucy strength.”

—MyShelf.com

“I cannot imagine a cozier setting than Renaissance Faire Village, a closed community of rather eccentric—and very interesting—characters, [with] lots of potential…[A] great start to a new series by a veteran duo of mystery authors.”

—
Cozy Library

Berkley Prime Crime titles by Joyce and Jim Lavene

Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries

PRETTY POISON

FRUIT OF THE POISONED TREE

POISONED PETALS

PERFECT POISON

A CORPSE FOR YEW

Renaissance Faire Mysteries

WICKED WEAVES

GHASTLY GLASS

DEADLY DAGGERS

HARROWING HATS

TREACHEROUS TOYS

Missing Pieces Mysteries

A TIMELY VISION

A TOUCH OF GOLD

A SPIRITED GIFT

T
REACHEROUS

T
OYS

Joyce and Jim Lavene

BERKLEY PRIME CRIME, NEW YORK

ALWAYS LEARNING

PEARSON

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-­one

Twenty-­two

Twenty-­three

Twenty-­four

Twenty-­five

Twenty-­six

Twenty-­seven

Twenty-­eight

Twenty-­nine

Ye Olde Village Crier

C
hristmas at Renaissance Faire Village and Market Place was like a greeting card come to life. The Village staff had created a winter wonderland that would last about four weeks, until Christmas Eve at six
P.M
. There was a light snow blanketing most of the ground and the rooftops. Icicles hung from the trees.

An ice skating rink was set up in the middle of the Village Green. Already, children were skating there—amazing considering the temperature was a balmy sixty degrees. After all, the Village was located in the heart of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Even in the winter, there was rarely cold weather here, much less snow and ice.

Of course, none of it was real—from the icicles to the sparkling white snow. The skating rink was frozen from beneath with cooling coils that would maintain the six inches of solid ice even if the temperature around it were eighty degrees. I wasn’t sure how they’d managed the icicles.
I knew the snow was made several times a day to keep it fresh.

There were wreaths on all the doors and candles in every window. Carolers in beautiful costumes wandered down the cobblestone streets and through the paths, adding a touch of spirit to the festive season. The scent of pine from Sherwood Forest mingled with the smell of cinnamon rolls baking at the Monastery Bakery. It felt like Christmas should in a Renaissance Village. That was all that mattered to me.

It was my first time attending the Faire during the holidays. Normally, I’d be back in Columbia teaching history and grading papers. But not this year. This year, the University of South Carolina had furloughed me for the next six weeks. I had yet to discover if I’d still have a job after the first of the year.

I probably should have gone out and looked for work that paid better, or at least came close to what I made as an associate history professor. But the opportunity to spend Christmas at the Village was too hard to pass up. I’d seen the pictures and heard the stories since I’d started coming here when I was in college. This was my first opportunity to experience it in person.

“Jessie!” My good friend and the Faire’s resident giant, Bart Van Impe, greeted me at the snowy entrance to the Village. “Think fast!”

He threw a snowball at me as I came under the Main Gate. I moved too slowly and it caught me in the shoulder. Bart, and several of the lord and lady greeters, had a good laugh at that. I didn’t mind. I was amazed that the cold wet stuff
felt
like real snow.