By Vicki Delany
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Gemma Doyle, relocated Englishwoman, proprietress of the Sherlock Holmes bookshop located at 222 Baker Street, West London, Cape Cod area of Massachusetts and quite possibly a distant cousin of Sir Doyle is a modern day She-rlock Holmes. Being extremely knowledgeable about all things Sherlock including the Great Detective's modus operandi, Gemma is ready to find the facts. Gemma has a great personality, very British and straight to the point. Jayne, her best friend and owner of Mrs. Hudson's Tea Shop (the scene of the strangling) makes a perfect Watson by always going along with Gemma because she would "hate to think what trouble" Gemma might get into without her. It looks like there is plenty of trouble to go around. From the mysterious fire that devastated the local Museum to the death by teacup swag followed by an additional murder and the rehashing of an unsolved murder from years before. Not to mention that regardless of how logical Gemma may be it won't stop someone from violently warning her to mind her own business, much to the chagrin of Gemma's guy, Detective Ryan Ashburton. Poor Ryan, he appreciates her wit and ability to size up a situation as well as a crime scene but he would much rather she not do things to endanger her life. While some people do not do well with Gemma's style of questioning you have to admit that she gets the job done and done well and in a very proper fashion. An excellent story with excellent characters but I do wish there were recipes for those tasty tea related treats that Gemma goes looking for at the daily partners' business meeting.
Can't Judge a Book by it's Murder
By Amy Lillard
Published by Poisoned Pen
This is the first of what I hope to be a long series. Book store/coffee shop owner Arlo Stanley must was planning on selling some extra books when a hometown hero/author returns for a multi-class high school reunion. Arlo didn't plan on him jumping out of her third story window after meeting with Chloe Carter for coffee. Chloe is Arlo's best friend and business partner as well as the mother of Jaden, the jumper's son, whom he gave up rights to before Jaden was even born 9 years prior. Wally, the bad dad and best sellers' list writer had a big ego, perhaps too big to have taken his own life and now Chloe is suspect #1 and is stuck in jail until Arlo and her book club mavens. Arlo is a very personable character and you can't help but like the way she works so hard on behalf of her friend Chloe. The book Club mavens are a hoot, between their fully accessorized fashions to their perfectly colored and coiffed hair. It's not only Chloe's past love that comes into town, Arlo deals with the memory of her high school sweet heart whom she pushed away to protect herself from his dreams of leaving small town to head to college and a football career only to come back as the local law enforcement. The reunion brings another blast from the past as Arlo's other beau, the boy who broke her heart when he left to go to college, Sam Carter, who has decided to rent her third floor office space and stick around to care for his sick Mom. Arlo is a great character, the idea that the child of hippie parents would decide at a young age to stay put and set down roots. Her relationship with the book club ladies is a nice aspect of the story as well. I see a triangle on the horizon that should prove entertaining for many mysteries to come.
Death on the Page (A Castle Bookstore Mystery)
By Essie Lang
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Shelby Cox thought she was doing her aunt a favor by taking a leave of absence from the publishing business. She did not expect to be butting heads with the Castle volunteer coordinator nor did she expect to find her dead in the grotto. A "haunted grotto" that legend says was a meeting place for rum runners. Shelby is sure that there is a smuggling connection and her aunt is sure that groundskeeper Matthew Kressler couldn't possibly be the culprit. The last thing Shelby wants is for her aunt to be worrying while she is recovering from surgery. So what is a girl to do but start investigating much to the chagrin of Coast Guard Special Agent Zach Griffin, handsome Special Agent Griffin that is. Shelby is an engaging character who, much like myself, has an excellent sweet tooth and knows that that books go better with chocolate. The local sweet store is a great place to get the gossip and a truffle or two. Shelby is fitting right in and I could see how this small stint as a bookshop owner could be a full time gig if she was to decide to make her old home her new home, or boat that is.
By Amy Lillard
Published by Poisoned Pen
This is the first of what I hope to be a long series. Book store/coffee shop owner Arlo Stanley must was planning on selling some extra books when a hometown hero/author returns for a multi-class high school reunion. Arlo didn't plan on him jumping out of her third story window after meeting with Chloe Carter for coffee. Chloe is Arlo's best friend and business partner as well as the mother of Jaden, the jumper's son, whom he gave up rights to before Jaden was even born 9 years prior. Wally, the bad dad and best sellers' list writer had a big ego, perhaps too big to have taken his own life and now Chloe is suspect #1 and is stuck in jail until Arlo and her book club mavens. Arlo is a very personable character and you can't help but like the way she works so hard on behalf of her friend Chloe. The book Club mavens are a hoot, between their fully accessorized fashions to their perfectly colored and coiffed hair. It's not only Chloe's past love that comes into town, Arlo deals with the memory of her high school sweet heart whom she pushed away to protect herself from his dreams of leaving small town to head to college and a football career only to come back as the local law enforcement. The reunion brings another blast from the past as Arlo's other beau, the boy who broke her heart when he left to go to college, Sam Carter, who has decided to rent her third floor office space and stick around to care for his sick Mom. Arlo is a great character, the idea that the child of hippie parents would decide at a young age to stay put and set down roots. Her relationship with the book club ladies is a nice aspect of the story as well. I see a triangle on the horizon that should prove entertaining for many mysteries to come.
By Essie Lang
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Shelby Cox thought she was doing her aunt a favor by taking a leave of absence from the publishing business. She did not expect to be butting heads with the Castle volunteer coordinator nor did she expect to find her dead in the grotto. A "haunted grotto" that legend says was a meeting place for rum runners. Shelby is sure that there is a smuggling connection and her aunt is sure that groundskeeper Matthew Kressler couldn't possibly be the culprit. The last thing Shelby wants is for her aunt to be worrying while she is recovering from surgery. So what is a girl to do but start investigating much to the chagrin of Coast Guard Special Agent Zach Griffin, handsome Special Agent Griffin that is. Shelby is an engaging character who, much like myself, has an excellent sweet tooth and knows that that books go better with chocolate. The local sweet store is a great place to get the gossip and a truffle or two. Shelby is fitting right in and I could see how this small stint as a bookshop owner could be a full time gig if she was to decide to make her old home her new home, or boat that is.
by Lauren Elliot
published by Kensington Books
Addie Greybourne, owner of Beyond the Page Bookstore and recent Boston transplant is once again involved in a murder and this time is might just involve pirate treasure. This time the local paper's gossip "gal" is pointing fingers and causing Addie trouble in connection to a local librarian's death. Seems that the local gossip isn't the only isn't the only trouble brewing. Police Chief Marc's manipulating ex fiancé and reporter Lacey is back in town and Addie just isn't sure what she feels or where she stands, not to mention that Serena, Marc's sister and Addie's new best friend and shop neighbor seems to have been effected by Lacey's machinations as well. However the new local Doc Simon is doing his best to keep her mind elsewhere are the two of them work together to clear Addie's good name, ascertain the real killer, and possibly locate a priceless treasure. Looking forward to see where these possible romantic strings go as the next storyline involves Addie's almost father in law which means she will have to deal with her grief and see if she has room in her heart for someone new.
by Ellery Adams
published by Kensington Books
Welcome to Storyton Hall, found in the Village of Storyton. Storyton Hall is known for it's incredible library and grasp of literary history and the end point for any bibliophile's pilgrimage. What people don't know is that it is also a repository of some the most amazing works of literature that is overseen by Jane Steward the Resort Manager and Keeper of the great works. Works that many people and even a secret society known as the Templars would like to get their hands on and are willing to kill for. Jane's twin boys were kidnapped in the previous story and now the Templars are holding Jane's lover Edwin in the famous Biltmore Estate of North Carolina. Jane and one of her Fin protectors, Lachlan, head to the grand estate full of secret passages and countless places to hide a captive. What Jane doesn't anticipate finding is her dead husband. Thought to have drowned one cold winter's night before her boys were even born, Jane must now figure out how to save the Storyton treasures, Edwin her love, and the man she once called husband. All of this while a group of WWI centennial reenactors make use of the grounds of Storyton Hall. But there is much amiss at Storyton Hall and it is will take all of Jane's will and wit to keep her family, friends, and fellow bibliophiles safe. Great story line and an interesting take on the Knights Templar. Jane is an amazing character full of life and a moral compass that is like no other.
Buried in the Stacks (A Haunted Library Mystery)
by Allison Brook
published by Crooked Lane Books
Have you ever wished that someone would just go AWAY? Maybe an annoying coworker, like Carrie Singleton's coworker Dorothy. Carrie is above that sort of thing being the quintessential Sunshine Delegate she goes and visits Dorothy in the hospital following bad fall on some ice. After recovering from the fall, Dorothy is involved in a fatal car accident. Or was it an accident? Dorothy is not short on enemies. The library's own ghost, former librarian Evelyn, and Dorothy's aunt who is only visible to Carrie, implores a little sleuthing on Carrie's part. Carrie is trying to help but is also having to deal with a few of the locals who are cold and homeless and without a place to spend their daytime hours. She finds herself on a planning board that is setting up a shelter that may or may not be the site of some nefarious dealings. Great story line and the solving of not one but two mysteries before the story is finished and who wouldn't like a story that has a library cat named Smokey Joe.
by Allison Brook
published by Crooked Lane Books
Have you ever wished that someone would just go AWAY? Maybe an annoying coworker, like Carrie Singleton's coworker Dorothy. Carrie is above that sort of thing being the quintessential Sunshine Delegate she goes and visits Dorothy in the hospital following bad fall on some ice. After recovering from the fall, Dorothy is involved in a fatal car accident. Or was it an accident? Dorothy is not short on enemies. The library's own ghost, former librarian Evelyn, and Dorothy's aunt who is only visible to Carrie, implores a little sleuthing on Carrie's part. Carrie is trying to help but is also having to deal with a few of the locals who are cold and homeless and without a place to spend their daytime hours. She finds herself on a planning board that is setting up a shelter that may or may not be the site of some nefarious dealings. Great story line and the solving of not one but two mysteries before the story is finished and who wouldn't like a story that has a library cat named Smokey Joe.
Read on Arrival (A Bookmobile Mystery)
by Nora Page
published by Crooked Lane Books
Miss Cleo, librarian with 50 years experience and the captain of the Book It bookmobile is after the one that got away. Or rather the library book entitled Luck & Lore, that is being held hostage by Dixie Huddleston for 40 years not to mention that Dixie "stole" Cleo's birthday wish. Dixie swears that it is the root of her luck as well as the stolen birthday wish. All of a sudden Dixie decides she needs to make amends as her doom looms on the horizon. Well it looks like Dixie's luck has run out when she is found locked in her own pantry, murdered, death by bee sting. It looks like Miss Cleo is the main suspect, seems like everyone thinks she is obsessed with getting the MIA book back on the library shelf. So many suspects, better suspects than Ms. Cleo who is a true delight as a prim and proper bibliophile who is not about to let Belle Beauchamp and her shiny monstrosity of a disco bookless mobile, who is also a suspect.
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