The Worthless Painting
#5 in the Seven Cozy Shorts Collection
Cozy small town mystery
I was watching the Musketeer series on Netflix and my mind wandered off. I imagined a painter in France in the 14th century whose painting ends up forgotten in a family's closet in America. What if this painting would be found and after lots of confusion would bring two people together?
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Cozy small town mystery. When Danielle finally quits her boring accountant job and opens an Antiques & Stuff store, her life changes for the better. But soon happy life starts to spin out of control when the snobbish new owner of the Couture mansion brings a seemingly worthless painting to Danielle’s shop. The ownership of the painting is questionable, and the town’s future is threatened by the plans of the ruthless, rich owner who wants to build a leather factory on the estate, too close to town. An unexpected visitor arrives, and he might have the much-needed solution to everyone’s problems. 
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Listen to an excerpt from the audiobook   |
Read a short excerpt
Danielle Clearwater, a tall, slender woman in her late twenties tried to fish out the key to her small antique store from her handbag. She held a large canvas to her body with her elbow while balancing a paper tray with coffee and bagel in her hand. When she reached into the bag that was hanging by a long strap off her shoulder, the canvas started to slip. She tightened the hold on it which made the tray flip. The coffee cup lid flew off spraying her lilac dress with dark brown spots. Just great! Now I’ll have to wear jeans and tee-shirt all day. She thought but she was grateful for the spare clothes she kept in the backroom.
She didn’t have any customers waiting and didn’t expect anyone until Mrs. Castle’s usual visit at 10 am sharp. The old lady was a regular and always on time, never a minute late. Danielle had always been an introvert when interacting with people her own age and was more comfortable with older people. She loved the stories they told when they came into her store to buy and sell items.
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Danielle lost her father when she was only a toddler and didn’t really remember him. She could only recall moments and sometimes in her dreams she felt his presence. Her mother made sure she was well cared for but didn’t pay much attention to her. Busy with work and in and out of fleeting relationships, Danielle spent most of her time with babysitters.
Danielle passion about art paid off, she applied to art school without telling her mother and was accepted. Her mom was furious and forbade her to go to art school. She enrolled Danielle to a local collage to become an accountant. “You can’t make any money from art. I’m moving to England with Luke, so need a job that provides you with a decent living. I’m not going to support you anymore, and I’m not paying for a hobby you could never make enough money to live on.”
Danielle accepted her mother’s decision and after she got her accountant certification, she started a job at a local tax office. She hated it so much that some mornings her emotional state made her physically ill. She kept pushing herself but after a few months of misery, she couldn’t take it anymore. “I can’t do this, Sarah,” she cried to her best friend since elementary school. “I can’t live my life dragging myself out of bed and hating every minute I spend doing a job I loathe.”
Sarah, who was a nurse at the local hospital, knew that antiques were Danielle’s next passion after art and books. “No, you can’t. You’re miserable! In this digital age bookstores are a dying business. You should open a store and sell antiques and stuff.”
Danielle liked the idea and when a large store space became available on Main Street, she rented it. She painted a sign, Antiques & Stuff, and slowly filled the store with items she’d found in estate sales and flea markets. As she sold pieces, she bought more and the following year she bought some nice antique furniture, household items and paintings as well.
She didn’t have any customers waiting and didn’t expect anyone until Mrs. Castle’s usual visit at 10 am sharp. The old lady was a regular and always on time, never a minute late. Danielle had always been an introvert when interacting with people her own age and was more comfortable with older people. She loved the stories they told when they came into her store to buy and sell items.
***
Danielle lost her father when she was only a toddler and didn’t really remember him. She could only recall moments and sometimes in her dreams she felt his presence. Her mother made sure she was well cared for but didn’t pay much attention to her. Busy with work and in and out of fleeting relationships, Danielle spent most of her time with babysitters.
Danielle passion about art paid off, she applied to art school without telling her mother and was accepted. Her mom was furious and forbade her to go to art school. She enrolled Danielle to a local collage to become an accountant. “You can’t make any money from art. I’m moving to England with Luke, so need a job that provides you with a decent living. I’m not going to support you anymore, and I’m not paying for a hobby you could never make enough money to live on.”
Danielle accepted her mother’s decision and after she got her accountant certification, she started a job at a local tax office. She hated it so much that some mornings her emotional state made her physically ill. She kept pushing herself but after a few months of misery, she couldn’t take it anymore. “I can’t do this, Sarah,” she cried to her best friend since elementary school. “I can’t live my life dragging myself out of bed and hating every minute I spend doing a job I loathe.”
Sarah, who was a nurse at the local hospital, knew that antiques were Danielle’s next passion after art and books. “No, you can’t. You’re miserable! In this digital age bookstores are a dying business. You should open a store and sell antiques and stuff.”
Danielle liked the idea and when a large store space became available on Main Street, she rented it. She painted a sign, Antiques & Stuff, and slowly filled the store with items she’d found in estate sales and flea markets. As she sold pieces, she bought more and the following year she bought some nice antique furniture, household items and paintings as well.
Reviews
Krystyna rated it liked it
One man's trash is another man's treasure
A good read that would have benefited greatly from having been made just a bit longer. A plot of greed, embezzlement and a family torn apart by lies. She is struggling to make a living from her shop whilst painting in her spare time. Her friendship with the locals have led to some great finds that have kept her head above water. Now she has been given a painting that has been painted over by the new owners of the local mansion. Who have plans to build a ...more
Like · comment · see review
Pat Eroh rated it it was amazing
This is a wonderful cozy mystery with fabulous characters. I love Danielle and her antics. This book is well-written with plenty of twists to keep me guessing to the end. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Like · comment · see review
Heather Wamboldt rated it it was amazing
This is a great cozy mystery that is a nice short read. All this fuss over a worthless painting. If the painting is worthless, then why is everyone out to get it?
Danielle wants to get to the bottom of it and find the truth. This was an excellent short story with wonderful characters.
I will be watching for more books by this author.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
One man's trash is another man's treasure
A good read that would have benefited greatly from having been made just a bit longer. A plot of greed, embezzlement and a family torn apart by lies. She is struggling to make a living from her shop whilst painting in her spare time. Her friendship with the locals have led to some great finds that have kept her head above water. Now she has been given a painting that has been painted over by the new owners of the local mansion. Who have plans to build a ...more
Like · comment · see review
Pat Eroh rated it it was amazing
This is a wonderful cozy mystery with fabulous characters. I love Danielle and her antics. This book is well-written with plenty of twists to keep me guessing to the end. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Like · comment · see review
Heather Wamboldt rated it it was amazing
This is a great cozy mystery that is a nice short read. All this fuss over a worthless painting. If the painting is worthless, then why is everyone out to get it?
Danielle wants to get to the bottom of it and find the truth. This was an excellent short story with wonderful characters.
I will be watching for more books by this author.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
Dr. Patricia Eroh
5.0 out of 5 starsexcellent cozy
November 11, 2019 Dr. Patricia Eroh
This is a wonderful cozy mystery with fabulous characters. I love Danielle and her antics. This book is well-written with plenty of twists to keep me guessing to the end. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.
Michelle S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!
November 21, 2019Format: Kindle Edition
The Worthless Painting
Erika M Szabo
This is great. I loved the mystery, and the characters. It was fun and quirky, and entertaining throughout. I really enjoyed it.
Jan Miller rated it really liked it
The Worthless Painting by Erika M Szabo is a very compelling short listen. I loved how the author added so many details that I could visualize with this book. The story pulled me in from the very beginning and I loved the twists that were in the book.I was really happy with the direction this book went and had not expected the ending. Kudos to the author for that great surprise!
Jessica Green did an admirable performance bringing the characters to life with her voice. I found she added the right emotions. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator
Jan 03, 2020Slate R. R. rated it it was amazing
This story I was privileged to read prior to
its release but had to buy and read the fully edited and polished product for full effect. Erika M. Szabo has a brilliant mind, she does it all writes creates covers, formats books publishes them and makes them fan favorites. I don’t want to leak any information but if you want a book that’s easy to glide in, this is for you. Wonderfully written, and such a creative thought process behind her mind. If I could only get her to use it for evil instead of creativity... okay maybe not. However she’d be unstoppable!
Jan 03, 2020Slate R. R. rated it it was amazing
This story I was privileged to read prior to
its release but had to buy and read the fully edited and polished product for full effect. Erika M. Szabo has a brilliant mind, she does it all writes creates covers, formats books publishes them and makes them fan favorites. I don’t want to leak any information but if you want a book that’s easy to glide in, this is for you. Wonderfully written, and such a creative thought process behind her mind. If I could only get her to use it for evil instead of creativity... okay maybe not. However she’d be unstoppable!
Jan 03, 2020Slate R. R. rated it it was amazing
This story I was privileged to read prior to
its release but had to buy and read the fully edited and polished product for full effect. Erika M. Szabo has a brilliant mind, she does it all writes creates covers, formats books publishes them and makes them fan favorites. I don’t want to leak any information but if you want a book that’s easy to glide in, this is for you. Wonderfully written, and such a creative thought process behind her mind. If I could only get her to use it for evil instead of creativity... okay maybe not. However she’d be unstoppable!
5.0 out of 5 starsexcellent cozy
November 11, 2019 Dr. Patricia Eroh
This is a wonderful cozy mystery with fabulous characters. I love Danielle and her antics. This book is well-written with plenty of twists to keep me guessing to the end. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.
Michelle S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!
November 21, 2019Format: Kindle Edition
The Worthless Painting
Erika M Szabo
This is great. I loved the mystery, and the characters. It was fun and quirky, and entertaining throughout. I really enjoyed it.
Jan Miller rated it really liked it
The Worthless Painting by Erika M Szabo is a very compelling short listen. I loved how the author added so many details that I could visualize with this book. The story pulled me in from the very beginning and I loved the twists that were in the book.I was really happy with the direction this book went and had not expected the ending. Kudos to the author for that great surprise!
Jessica Green did an admirable performance bringing the characters to life with her voice. I found she added the right emotions. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator
Jan 03, 2020Slate R. R. rated it it was amazing
This story I was privileged to read prior to
its release but had to buy and read the fully edited and polished product for full effect. Erika M. Szabo has a brilliant mind, she does it all writes creates covers, formats books publishes them and makes them fan favorites. I don’t want to leak any information but if you want a book that’s easy to glide in, this is for you. Wonderfully written, and such a creative thought process behind her mind. If I could only get her to use it for evil instead of creativity... okay maybe not. However she’d be unstoppable!
Jan 03, 2020Slate R. R. rated it it was amazing
This story I was privileged to read prior to
its release but had to buy and read the fully edited and polished product for full effect. Erika M. Szabo has a brilliant mind, she does it all writes creates covers, formats books publishes them and makes them fan favorites. I don’t want to leak any information but if you want a book that’s easy to glide in, this is for you. Wonderfully written, and such a creative thought process behind her mind. If I could only get her to use it for evil instead of creativity... okay maybe not. However she’d be unstoppable!
Jan 03, 2020Slate R. R. rated it it was amazing
This story I was privileged to read prior to
its release but had to buy and read the fully edited and polished product for full effect. Erika M. Szabo has a brilliant mind, she does it all writes creates covers, formats books publishes them and makes them fan favorites. I don’t want to leak any information but if you want a book that’s easy to glide in, this is for you. Wonderfully written, and such a creative thought process behind her mind. If I could only get her to use it for evil instead of creativity... okay maybe not. However she’d be unstoppable!
Audiobook reviews
4 out of 5 stars
The Worthless Painting by Erika M Szabo is a very compelling short listen. I loved how the author added so many details that I could visualize with this book. The story pulled me in from the very beginning and I loved the twists that were in the book.I was really happy with the direction this book went and had not expected the ending. Kudos to the author for that great surprise!
Jessica Green did an admirable performance bringing the characters to life with her voice. I found she added the right emotions. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.
5 out of 5 stars
This is a fun little quick story that is very entertaining story that Jessica narrated very well
5 out of 5 stars
It was fun story, but where is the rest of the book? I need more words
5 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
A not so worthless painting leads to uncovering more secrets and villains and a possible love interest found. A lot in a short story. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator was good.
4 out of 5 stars
This was a fun little storyAn antique dealer gets the contents of a house that leads to more than a good sale. Jessica Green was a fine narratoe.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
4 out of 5 stars
It was a good short story. Lots of happy endings. I do feel like too much was thrown into this short. It should have been longer to have that much of a story.
5 out of 5 stars
Good unexpected ending. I was so sure the story was heading one way but it turned out totally different. The narrator made the story alive
5 out of 5 stars
This is a very well written short story. It covers all the bases with a fantastic plot and well rounded characters. It has it all: Mystery, Romance. Intrigue, Family. If you can't tell, I really liked this book.
- Jan M
- 02-16-20
The Worthless Painting by Erika M Szabo is a very compelling short listen. I loved how the author added so many details that I could visualize with this book. The story pulled me in from the very beginning and I loved the twists that were in the book.I was really happy with the direction this book went and had not expected the ending. Kudos to the author for that great surprise!
Jessica Green did an admirable performance bringing the characters to life with her voice. I found she added the right emotions. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.
5 out of 5 stars
- BigT
- 02-20-21
This is a fun little quick story that is very entertaining story that Jessica narrated very well
5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-29-20
It was fun story, but where is the rest of the book? I need more words
5 out of 5 stars
- Fayeray85
- 10-27-20
4 out of 5 stars
- B.McGrath
- 10-23-20
A not so worthless painting leads to uncovering more secrets and villains and a possible love interest found. A lot in a short story. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator was good.
4 out of 5 stars
- Deedra
- 07-16-20
This was a fun little storyAn antique dealer gets the contents of a house that leads to more than a good sale. Jessica Green was a fine narratoe.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
4 out of 5 stars
- Jess H.
- 04-06-20
It was a good short story. Lots of happy endings. I do feel like too much was thrown into this short. It should have been longer to have that much of a story.
5 out of 5 stars
- Catherine E.
- 03-12-20
Good unexpected ending. I was so sure the story was heading one way but it turned out totally different. The narrator made the story alive
5 out of 5 stars
- Koolaid53
- 03-07-20
This is a very well written short story. It covers all the bases with a fantastic plot and well rounded characters. It has it all: Mystery, Romance. Intrigue, Family. If you can't tell, I really liked this book.