Book Review: Handbook for Homicide by Lorna Barrett

Haven't Got A Clue bookshop owner Tricia Miles's relationship is on the rocks. After a not-so-fun vacation with her on-again-off-again lover, Marshall Cambridge, Tricia's hoping for smooth sailing back in Stoneham. Unfortunately Booktown greets her not with blue skies but with another body. 

When Tricia's assistant manager, Pixie, finds homeless vet Susan Morris's body behind Haven't Got A Clue, Pixie's checkered past makes her the prime suspect. Tricia sets out to clear Pixie's name armed with only an anchor insignia earring found at the scene of the crime. 

As Tricia digs deeper she discovers Susan was involved in a scandal right before retiring from the Navy—but since nobody in the village knows Susan, even Tricia's one lead is in danger of drying up. With family drama brewing in the background and all of Stoneham convinced her manager is a murderer, Tricia knows she has to get to the bottom of the case soon before Pixie's life is sunk.[summary via Amazon]

Lorna Barrett is back with her 14th book in the Booktown Mysteries! I've been reading the Booktown Mysteries since the very first book, Murder is Binding. This series and the Cupcake Mysteries (by Jenn McKinlay) were two of the first cozy mystery series that I discovered, and I've kept up with every new release... and been delighted with every single one!

Mystery aside, what delights me about this series is the complex relationship between Tricia Miles and her sister Angelica. I have enjoyed watching their relationship develop and change, and I love how close they have become. Lorna Barrett has written a believable relationship between these two, and I think anyone with a sibling or close family will enjoy reading these mysteries and follow along with Tricia and Angelia's adventures.

The mystery itself is first rate! It's not Tricia that finds the dead body this time, but her assistant manager, Pixie. With Pixie's colourful past, she's concerned that she is going to be wrongly accused of the crime and enlists Tricia to help solve the mystery!! The mystery touches on the troubling aspects of homeless vets, and I really liked how a difficult, and often overlooked, topic was introduced and what Tricia does to help the situation. It definitely made me more aware of what I could do in my own area to help, and I'm glad Lorna Barrett covered the topic in this book.

Handbook for Homicide is at times a heart-breaking tale, but it is delivered with superb writing and delightful characters. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat, and I absolutely loved the ending (no spoilers!) Needless to say I can't wait for the next book in the series! If you're a fan of bookstore-themed cozy mysteries you need to read this series!!

Book Review: A Killer Edition by Lorna Barrett

With her assistant, Pixie, picking up more responsibility around the shop, Tricia Miles suddenly has a lot more time on her hands. Tricia decides to join the local animal-rescue board and enter the Great Stoneham Bake-Off, but neither pans out as smoothly as she’d hoped.

Balancing a bake-off that’s heating up with a frosty reception from the board, Tricia stops by Joyce Whitman’s romance bookstore looking for a book to get her fired up. She stumbles on something hot, but it’s an argument between Joyce and her neighbor Vera Olson instead of a steamy read. When Vera turns up dead in Joyce’s garden hours later, Tricia has to wonder—could Joyce be the killer? Or is the culprit still lurking in town?

One thing is for sure, someone in Stoneham is stirring up something more sinister than sweet. Tricia is determined to win the cutthroat cooking contest, but first she will have to make sure no one else is in danger of getting burned....[summary via Amazon]

It's time to visit Stoneham again in Lorna Barrett's latest mystery, A Killer Edition.

Tricia is feeling a little lost. Her assistant manager, Pixie, has everything under control at her shop, Haven't Got a Clue, so Tricia is trying to fill her time. Unfortunately the frosty reception she receives when she tries to join the board for a local animal shelter, isn't making her feel any better. However, life is about to get interesting again when she uncovers a dead body and enters a local baking contest.

The Booktown Mysteries is the only series that I've stayed up to date with over the last 10 years of reading cozy mysteries. I absolutely love the release of every new addition to the series, and look forward to visiting Stoneham again and again!

The mystery itself is top-notch. While I had a feeling the cause of the murder, I was completely surprised when the murderer was unveiled. I love that Lorna Barrett always keeps me on my toes with a good mystery to unravel!

More than the mystery, I love the development of not just the relationships but life in Stoneham. A Killer Edition is the 13th book in the series and a lot has happened in Stoneham over the last 13 books. I really feel that Lorna Barrett develops this series at a realistic pace. Friendships and relationships go up and down, as life takes its course, and you can see this in this series. I love seeing  the development in  the relationship between Tricia and her sister, Angelica. They have grown closer, but there is still some rivalry there, as evidenced by each of them wanting to win the Bake-Off!

A Killer Edition is another fantastic instalment in this series and I absolutely can't wait for the next one!

Giveaway: Title Wave by Lorna Barrett

Have you discovered the Booktown Mysteries? Today we shared a review of the latest book in the series, Title Wave, and now we're giving away a copy in a special giveaway:

While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in deck chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.

But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...[summary via Amazon]

Today we're giving readers the chance to choose between a Hardback, Kindle eBook (both delivered by Amazon) or a audiobook (from Audible) of Title Wave.

To enter: 

1. Leave a comment with your choice of hardback, Kindle ebook or audiobook and your email address. 

2. Giveaway ends on July 5, 2016 and the winners will be contacted by email. 

3. Giveaway is open USA/Canada.

Audiobook Review: Title Wave by Lorna Barrett

While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in deck chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.

But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...[summary via Amazon]

Lorna Barrett's Booktown Mysteries are on my auto-buy list. I buy every new book in this series, and lately I have been starting them without even reading the synopsis on the back. Why would I dive into a book without knowing what the story was about? Because I know whatever Tricia and Angelica Miles are up to I'm going to love it! Whatever course Lorna Barrett has put my two favorite booksellers on, I'm going to enjoy every single minute of it. And, I'm pleased to report that in Title Wave I was proven correct once again, as Lorna Barrett delivers a stunning, unputdownable mystery!

I love Stoneham, New Hampshire, where every booklover's dream comes true. An entire picturesque town full of bookstores, with a store to cater to even the pickiest reader! However, after the rollercoaster that was the previous book in this series, I was delighted that Lorna Barrett chose to take our favourite characters out to sea for some much needed R&R. Of course, where Tricia goes trouble seems to follow! What starts as R&R (which of course is reading & relaxation!) turns into murder, when an author on the cruise turns up dead.

After I turned the last page (or in my case heard the last words of the audiobook) I felt like Lorna Barrett really outdid herself with this one. Stoneham is a booklover's paradise and the cruise ship was like reader's paradise, as we discover more about authors, how they interact with other authors, publishing and meddlesome readers too! I'm always curious about the world behind the cozy mysteries I love so much, and I love how we get a sneak peek into it, in Title Wave. 

While I enjoy the thrill of discovering new series, I love sinking back into a long-running, much loved series and for me the Booktown Mysteries are the epitome of that. Not only have readers watched murders be solved, but we've watched characters evolve, meet, get married and even have children. We've followed their lives, and delved into their backgrounds more. I love that Lorna Barrett never shies away from adding color and complications to her characters. Tricia and Angelica seemed to not be close to begin with, when Angelica first arrived in town, but they've spent more time together and their relationship has grown and blossomed. In Title Wave we saw what brought about some of the tension in their lives, and I enjoyed reading more about their past.

I enjoyed listening to Title Wave on audiobook, as it took me away on a cruise, where trouble runs amok. Whether it's in print or audiobook, this series doesn't disappoint and I can't wait for the next book!

Cozy Mystery Audiobook Round-Up!

Today we're doing a round-up of recent releases on audiobook. I love listening to cozy mysteries on audio while I'm cleaning the house, driving in the car and even knitting. If you love cozy mysteries the chances are you will love them on audio too!

Here are a few of recent releases:

Bones on the Bayou by Carolyn Haines

Book 14.5 of Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries

at Audible

Cure or Die by Jennifer L Hart

a Damaged Goods Mystery

at Audible

Slay It With Flowers by Kate Collins

Book #2 in the Flower Shop Mysteries

at Audible

Title Wave by Lorna Barrett

Book 10 of the Booktown Mysteries

at Audible

Book Review: A Fatal Chapter by Lorna Barrett

New York Times bestselling author Lorna Barrett presents another page-turning chapter in her Booktown Mystery series. This time mystery bookshop owner Tricia Miles is about to find out murder is no walk in the park…

While out walking Sarge, her sister’s bichon frise, Tricia is led by the agitated dog to a man lying in a gazebo. She’s startled when she recognizes Pete Renquist, the president of the Stoneham Historical Society, who appears to be suffering from cardiac arrest. When Pete later dies in the hospital, the discovery of a suspicious bruise and a puncture mark on his arm suggests he may have been murdered.
Haunted by Pete’s enigmatic last words to her, Tricia begins to consider who had a motive to kill her friend. Did Pete take his flirting too far, only to have a jealous husband teach him a lesson? Or did he discover something in the town’s historical records that his killer wanted kept secret? Tricia is determined to get to the bottom of things before someone else becomes history…[summary via Goodreads]

The Booktown mysteries were some of the first cozy mysteries I read when I discovered cozies beyond the Agatha Christie novels I loved. They certainly were the first that I read in order, and realized the beauty of the cozy. Since those early days I've always looked forward to reading each story in the Booktown mysteries. I've watch Tricia settle into Booktown and her sister join her then. Along the way there has been murder, mayhem and secrets, but none so like the latest book in the series.

Tricia stumbles upon the body of Pete enquist, the president of the Stoneham Historical Society, while taking her sister's dog for a walk! As she investigates the murder, she discovers more about Pete's life than she ever knew, making it hard to narrow down the suspects.

I did enjoy the whodunnit a lot. For me, part of the thrill of mysteries is trying to find out who the murderer is. I really enjoy it when no matter how hard I guess, I can't figure out who do it. This was the case with the murderer in A Fatal Chapter. I definitely didn't figure it out before Tricia.

However, what I really love about this series is all the secondary stories, involving Tricia, her sister and the residents of Stoneham. In A Fatal Chapter the identity behind NRA Realty is revealed, and that certainly took me by surprise! Lorna Barrett has been leading up to this, and it was interesting watching it unfold. Lorna Barrett tells a good story, and all the storylines combined together to keep me on the edge of my seat through the entire story, and the ending left me completely breathless.

I never hesitate in recommending this series. It's a great cozy mystery series, with a memorable cozy town, and one that you readers will want to visit again and again.

Book Review: Book Clubbed by Lorna Barrett

In the 8th mystery in the Booktown Mysteries Lorna Barrett takes readers on a new suspenseful adventure. It’s winter and all is quiet in “Booktown” Stoneham, New Hampshire. However, with Tricia’s sister, Angelica, running two businesses and being newly-appointed President of the Chamber of Commerce her life is anything but dull. Particularly since her Chamber of Commerce receptionist, Betsy Dittmeyer, likes to stir things up by constantly reading everyone the riot act and causing trouble. When Betsy is found dead, crushed under a bookcase, Angelica and Tricia are sad but not surprised. However there was more to Betsy than met the eye, and Tricia is intrigued enough to investigate and see if she can hunt down a killer!

The Booktown Mysteries were one of the first modern cozy mysteries series I ever discovered. Each year I settle in to enjoy the latest offering and every time I’m not disappointed. With the release of Book Clubbed, Lorna Barrett has kept up this wonderful tradition of keeping me thoroughly entertained.

From the first book, Murder is Binding, to this book I’ve enjoyed watching Tricia adapt to life in Stoneham. Her life has had many ups and downs, especially in her romantic life. Her ex-husband, Christopher, has now taken up residence in town and she’s no longer dating Police Chief, Grant Baker. She seems to be enjoying life on her own. Just her and her darling cat, Miss Marple. However there is one relationship in her life that is blossoming and that is the one between Tricia and her older sister, Angelica. When we were first introduced to Angelica I wasn’t sure about her. She seemed to rub Tricia up the wrong way and they didn’t get along at all. I’ve really enjoyed watching the two get closer, and in Book Clubbed they share some wonderful, close moments. Anyone with a sister or a brother in their life that is also their best friend, will appreciate the direction that Lorna Barrett has taken these wonderful sisters. It is heart warming and beautiful, and I’m so glad that Angelica is not just a part of Booktown, but a big part of Tricia’s life too.

Lorna Barrett never fails to offer a suspenseful cozy mystery. The mystery certainly kept me on my toes and right up to the denouement I was holding my breath, waiting to see how it would all my play out.

Fans of this series will rejoice at another wonderful instalment in their favourite cozy mystery series. Lorna Barrett provides a entertaining, highly enjoyable new mystery for readers to solve, and I can’t recommend Book Clubbed enough. If you haven’t read this series yet I recommend picking up Murder is Binding and beginning what will quickly become one of your favourites.