Thursday, January 20, 2022

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!

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