Book Review: A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St James

Tru Beckett succeeded in building a secret book room in her now bookless library, where book lovers from lovely Cypress, South Carolina, can rejoice in the printed word. Now she's working hard to maintain the little library downstairs while keeping her "real job" upstairs in the bookless technology center. The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn't steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves. 

A patron of the secret book room tells Tru that there have been creepy goings-on at the library for years, especially in the basement where the secret book room is located. He's heard rumors of a poltergeist that haunts the library, determined to scare off readers. Tru is certain it's hogwash, but she's at a loss to think of who might be vandalizing the beautiful books she fought so hard to protect. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it's not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover.[summary via Amazon]

A PERFECT BIND is the second book in the Beloved Bookroom Mysteries, and I've devoured both of them this month! I absolutely can't get enough of this series! Why? Because they are a mystery wrapped within a mystery, and they are such a delight!

The main mystery revolves around the death of local mechanic, Owen Maynard, when he is found dead behind the library. Owen is found with one of Tru's "secret" library books. How did he get it and does his death tie into the secret bookroom?

Beyond the mystery, we have the secret of the bookroom, in the basement of the library. A small recap if you missed the first book: when the library was turned into a "book-free" library, Tru saved as many books as she could and put them in the bunker downstairs, and operates it as an illicit library. For me, this is the best secret within a secret that I have ever seen in a book! I just love the idea of a library of physical copies, underneath a library. Naturally Tru and her friends don't want too many people to know about the library, especially not Detective Jace Bailey.

The mystery was a lot of fun, and there were some tantalizing edge of your seat moments, as Tru, Flossie and Tori try to find the killer. I did guess the killer early on, but it never took anything away from the story. The final denouement was thrilling to say the least, and I liked how all the storylines tied together in the end. I won't give too much away, but I definitely loved the final chapters of the book. 

A PERFECT BIND delivers a cleverly crafted mystery, with such interesting characters. It leaves the reader satisfied, but still wanting just a little bit more. Like will we ever know what genre of books Flossie writes? Will head librarian, Mrs Farnsworth, ever find out about the secret bookroom?

If you haven't picked up this series yet, I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed.

Book Review: How to Book a Murder by Cynthia Kuhn

To help save her family’s floundering Colorado bookstore, Starlit Bookshop, newly minted Ph.D. Emma Starrs agrees to plan a mystery-themed dinner party for her wealthy, well-connected high school classmate Tabitha Baxter. It’s a delightful evening of cocktails and conjecture until Tabitha’s husband, Tip—hosting the affair in the guise of Edgar Allan Poe’s detective C. Auguste Dupin—winds up murdered. 

In a heartbeat, Emma and her aunt Nora, a famous mystery writer, become suspects. Emma is sure the party’s over for Starlit events, until celebrated author Calliope Nightfall, whose gothic sensibilities are intrigued by the circumstances, implores the bookseller to create a Poe-themed launch event for her latest tome. Throwing a bash to die for while searching for additional clues is already enough to drive Emma stark raven mad, but another shocking crime soon reveals that Silvercrest has not yet reached the final chapter of the puzzling case. 

Someone in this charming artistic community has murder on the mind, and if Emma cannot outwit the killer, she and her beloved aunt will land behind bars, to walk free nevermore.[summary via Amazon]

Anyone that knows me knows that I love books about books! They are my absolute favourite. They make my little, cozy heart scream with joy! Whether it is a bookstore, library or antiquarian setting, I absolutely love them! I especially love discovering new series that fit into this category, such as my latest read... the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries!

This series centres around Emma and Lucy, who along with their Aunt Nora, run the Starlit Bookshop, a family-run business. The mystery itself was really fascinating, especially as it occurred during a .... murder mystery party! With this key setting, I felt like I was in a Poirot whodunnit, as Emma and Nora put their detective skills to the test [both being mystery writers] and solve the mystery.

How to Book a Murder is the perfect blend of drama and cozy town, and hit all the right notes for me! Being a debut, I was introduced to all the key people in Silvercrest, and they do provide a little drama... especially the relationship between Emma and high school bully, Tabitha, whose husband ends up dead. I feel like there will be a lot to unravel in future books and I can't wait!

This debut was a perfect whodunnit, and I can't wait to read the next one!

Book Review: Death & Sensibility by Elizabeth Blake

DEATH & SENSIBILITY is the second book in the Jane Austen Society Mysteries. Bookshop owner, Erin Coleridge is visiting York with her friends, attending the Jane Austen Society Conference. Disaster strikes when the keynote speaker turns up dead, from an apparent heart attack. However, Erin puts her amateur sleuth nose to the case, and is convinced that the speaker was murdered. When other suspicious events happen to confirm this theory, Erin [along with her friends' help] must try to flush out the killer, before they strike again.

I picked up this book, without reading the first book in the series. In my mind, that is usually major mistake, as I like to follow the sub-plots as well as the main mystery. However, I was so keen to dive into the series that I jumped right in! Am I ever glad I did!

Right away, I felt at home with the characters, and liked them instantly. I love the friendship between Erin and Farnsworth, and their friendship with Hetty and Pru. Elizabeth Blake makes the reader feel right at home among them, almost to the point that you wish they were your friends!

While it is not mandatory, if you're a "austenophile" you will truly love this book! With a quote on every page, it's a delight to my Jane Austen-loving heart! Especially the comparisons of the Pride & Prejudice adaptions [truly my favourite Jane Austen book].

The mystery was very enticing, and the final denouement was quite thrilling. If you're looking to cozy up with a mystery about books, then this one is for you! A true delight from beginning to end, even Jane Austen would be proud!

A little side note: I love that there is a reason for Erin feeling compelled to get involved in murder mysteries, beyond the usual "nosiness". I feel like Erin has a lot of growing to do, and I definitely can't wait to join her on her adventure! Especially if it involves a handsome man or two, on the side!