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!

Book Review: Murder by the Bookend by Laura Gail Black

Murder by the Bookend is the second book in the Antique Bookshop Mysteries, and my very first visit to Hokes Folly.

Jenna Quinn is gearing up for her grand re-opening party. She's organized a fancy dress event at her bookshop, to celebrate the grand re-opening and everything has been planned perfectly. Or so she thought! On the night, all appears to be going smoothly until one of her guests is found dead near the shop. Who would want to kill Linus, the sweet man with an interest in antique books? Jenna, with the help of her police detective boyfriend, and Linus' dog, Eddy, put their nose to the crime and try to follow the clues, before the killer strikes again!

I jumped right in with this series. I hadn't read the first book in the series, but I wasn't lost at all. The author does a great job of recapping Jenna's life, without the reader feeling too bogged down in details. I immediately felt at home in Hokes Folly, and all the eclectic people that live there. 

The mystery is fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat, rapidly trying to read faster and faster, awaiting the final denouement. I thought I had the killer caught, in my mind, but the author threw in a couple of red herrings that had me guessing until the end!!! 

Murder by the Bookend was a fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the gang at Twice Upon a Time bookstore, and I can't wait to visit Hokes Folly again!

Book Review: For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay

Life is sweet and business is booming at the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery--and the fact that Mel and Joe are getting married is the icing on the cake. Their reception will be held at the swanky resort where Oz works as the pastry chef. The wedding planning is all fun-fetti and games until Mel and Joe meet the head chef at the resort who has been making Oz's life miserable. When the eccentric chef insults Mel's bakery, Oz gets into a blowout argument with the culinary prima donna.

Things turn extra sour when the chef is murdered, and Oz is the police's main suspect. As the countdown to the wedding day begins, Mel, Joe, and the rest of the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew must sift through clues to catch the real killer and clear Oz's name before their wedding plans are totally battered and baked.[summary via Amazon]

It's time for another mystery with the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew! My favourite bakers are back for another tantalizing mystery... this time involving one of their own!

Mel and Joe are getting ready to (finally) walk down the aisle. However, it's not going to be easy, if their past experiences is anything to go by! With Angie mere weeks from giving birth, Mel thinks this is the biggest thing she has to worry about. However, when their friend and fellow baker, Oz, has to heal with an egotistical chef, things go from bad to worse... with Chef Miles turns up dead! Now Mel and her friends will have to solve the crime before her wedding day, lest Oz spend life in prison!

I absolutely love the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries. I've been reading them from the very first book, where I was charmed with the delectable cupcakes and delightful characters. With each book, they're friendships have grown stronger, and new friends have been added. 

While this is a long-running series, the mysteries are kept fresh and interesting. This one involved a new set of characters at the local resort, where Oz now works, and it was interesting trying to solve the murder, alongside Mel and Oz. As many would know, running a kitchen is very high intensity and there were many suspects to choose from, as Chef Miles was very disliked. I didn't solve the mystery before Mel, but I sure had fun trying!

If you're looking for a tantalizing mystery, with memorable characters and mouth-watering cupcakes, then this series is for you. For Batter or Worse is the best in the series (so far) and I can't wait to see where Jenn McKinlay takes the gang next!