Murder mystery books featured at Apple Hill Antiques

STATE COLLEGE — It’s said you can’t tell a book by its cover. Especially a murder mystery. Splashy, lurid artwork is often the case, no matter if it bears little resemblance to the story inside.

But at Apple Hill Antiques in State College, two novels that are exceptions to this old rule are presently being featured at the shop.

“Antiques To Die For” details the interrelationships in an antiques co-op in central Pennsylvania and the repercussions when a body is found in a blanket chest. The newly published “Antiques From Hell,” set in Appalachian Pennsylvania, deals with the aftermath of arson in a school district impacted by Marcellus Shale gas drilling.

On the covers of these murder mysteries are pictured a variety of colorful, interesting antique objects. It’s artwork, but it’s artwork taken directly from photos of real antiques, each of which is representative and plays a role in the stories. You could say they tell it like it is.

There are more than a half a dozen antiques on each cover, and now visitors and shoppers can see these and others in the stories on display during August and September at Apple Hill.

Those who have read the books, appreciated seeing the antiques, which inspired and give the stories flavor. If not, visitors will appreciate these venerable — and genuine — old pieces for themselves.

Apple Hill Antiques is located at 169 Gerald St., State College. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

Both books can be purchased at Apple Hill or they can be ordered through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or any favorite bookstore. Nook and Kindle editions are also available.

For more information, call (814) 238-2980.