The Music Box Murders by Larry Karp, 1999 Worldwide paperback, mystery, first in Dr. Thomas Purdue series
Having read an review of this book by Walter Albert in February, I tracked down a used copy and gave it a try. Walter and I both enjoy art mysteries, and as he said in his review this mystery will probably interest anyone who collects just about anything. In this case it’s music boxes, but it will in fact strike a chord (ouch) will all of us who find joy in hunting and finding items to add to the collections that hold our interest.
Dr. Thomas Purdue is a music box collector; as such he takes personal interest when desirable items become available or change hands between one collector and another. He is a member of the New York Music Box Collectors Society. So he is surprised and concerned when he hears that one of the premier collectors in the city has been murdered, and a rare box stolen. He’s more concerned when a box he buys shortly afterward from a dealer he has considered reputable appears to be the stolen box.
In the best tradition of the amateur sleuth, he decides to investigate, which leads to trouble, involvement with some unsavory types and personal jeopardy.
I liked this one and ripped right through it, then found the next in the series as well. Very enjoyable.
Tip the Wink 
This sounds good! I’m ordering it right now!
I enjoyed it, George.
I remember when this came out thinking I really should try it, but somehow I lost track of it and never did read it. How many were there in the series? I remember at least two.
Never mind, checked Amazon. There were three and then he wrote a “historical trilogy” stating in 1899, plus a standalone set during World War II.
Thanks for doing the research, Jeff.
I’ll have to check this one out, Rick.
I like the sound of this too. I will check into finding a copy of this first book.
Not an easy task, but you may enjoy it.
I wonder how many straight detection novels (as I gather this is) Worldwide published over the years, vs. the men’s adventure fiction most people would associate with them. And if any writers thus on their roster made the jump to Mira, when mutual owner Harlequin got serious with mystery/cf publishing with that imprint.
I still think of Harlequin as those silly romance paperbacks my mother read in her elder years.
Those short pink paperbacks in the ’70s sold a Lot of copies.