Murder’s in the mix for mystery bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Tricia Miles, in the latest entry to Lorna Barrett’s New York Times bestselling Booktown series. 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 … 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….
more
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Business is better than ever at Haven’t Got A Clue Bookstore. Pixie Poe’s is an excellent assistant manager and Mr. Everett is an excellent clerk. That means it isn’t necessary for Tricia to spend much time in her store. To fill her time she wants to become a board member for a local animal rescue shelter. Since she has almost been baking the snacks for the store she also decides to enter the Great Stoneham Bake-Off going up against her star baker sister Angelica.
Also in her efforts to move on and fill her time she follows her therapist’s advice to pick up a steamy romance novel. Instead, when she enters the romance bookstore she finds her friend Joyce Whitman in an argument with her neighbor Vera Olson. Thoughts of a romance novel are quickly forgotten when Vera leaves as she starts discussing garden options for her balcony with Joyce. Joyce invites her to come to her home to see her gardens. They are both surprised to find Vera in the garden, dead.
Tricia just can help herself, she just keeps finding bodies, maybe she truly is jinxed.
Stoneham/Booktown is a true small town with its hosts of small-town problems. Empty storefronts, chamber of commerce issues, and of course small-town feuds and gossip. It also has more than its share of murders. Murders Tricia always finds herself in the middle of. Ms. Barrett has created an extraordinary town with dynamic characters. Tricia has grown so much over the course of this series. Angelica too, but in totally different ways. I love this sister relationship.
This time we meet several unique characters and the story twists in ways that I totally didn’t expect. Although that is what I should expect from Lorna Barrett, she always has great plot twists up her sleeve. As always, the story was well-written and the mystery was well-plotted. A mystery that kept me guessing right up to the end.
Engaging characters, a little bit of sibling rivalry and a fun mystery to solve. You will find it all in A Killer Edition and more. There are cupcakes too!
This is one of my favorite series. The character development over the series is stellar which is why I always recommend this series be read from the beginning. The author does a great job to make each book stand on it own, but you are really missing all the trials and tribulations that Tricia and Angelica have endured bringing them to where they are today if you don’t read about them from the start.
Tricia is feeling at odds, every since giving her assistant Pixie more responsibility she isn’t needed much at the bookstore leaving her with the perception that she is unneeded. With so much time on her hands Tricia realizes she would love to give back and decides to join the board of the local animal rescue. Tricia also decides that she would love to show off her new cooking skills and enters a local baking competition. Her sister has also entered the competition and the rivalry between them is jovial and fun. Tricia is enjoying trying out different recipes, wondering all the while which would be best to enter into the contest, her employees have made great taste testers so all she needs to do now is choose one. Trying to become a member of the board is another matter entirely, it seems that the president doesn’t care for her and is making it difficult for her to join. She isn’t quite sure what his problem is but she isn’t ready to give up on the idea yet. Tricia would also like figure out the best way to grow some vegetable for herself so when the local romance book store owner says she would be happy to help her Tricia can’t wait. While visiting Joyce’s house Tricia trips over the body of Vera Olson, Joyce’s neighbor, who turns out to be dead. Tricia knows that the two had an argument earlier in the day, could Joyce have killed her neighbor? If not Joyce than who? After talking to several people Tricia learns that not everyone like Vera, but it also come to her attention that Joyce was a huge advocate for animals. Vera even volunteered for the animal rescue that Tricia has been doing her best to come a part of. Not everyone appreciated Vera’s love for animals and it soon becomes apparent that she had quite a few enemies. Will Tricia be able to find some truths in all the gossip that she is hearing? Follow along as Tricia soon fills up her time investigating Vera’s death hoping to figure out who the killer is and why they would do such a thing. This is a lovely series that is always filled with a wonderful whodunit, interesting characters, and a local that I would love to visit.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Love this entire series. Like characters, but main character complains about her situation a little too much. Still it’s enjoyable.
First, let me say I wholeheartedly disagree with all the negative nellies out there. This book is a great addition to the series. It is a bit different in that we have a lot more characters portrayed in not liking Tricia but that is what makes it more real. Not everyone is going to like our favorite sleuth.
My only disappointment is that there was not a lot of mention of what Tricia was reading. My disappointment is purely selfish in that I like to find new books and authors this way. It is no way affects the story or my love for it.
I got the feeling new experiences are coming for Tricia (will Marshall become more?) and I am up for the adventure with her.
Thank you the Jefferson County Public Library for letting me check out this excellent read.
Never one to disappoint, Author Lorna Barrett, continues to keep the excitement alive in her 13th book in the Booktown Series! Tricia is finding she has too much time on her hands now that Pixie has taken over as manager of her Haven’t Got a Clue Bookstore. Trying to find ways to fill her time, she is wanting to volunteer on the Pets-A-Plenty Board of Directors, but for some reason the director, Toby Kingston has taken an instant dislike to Tricia, for reasons unknown to her. There is also going to be a baking competition in Stoneham that Tricia has decided to enter. Thanks to Angelica, Tricia has taken an interest in cooking, so she feels she has just as good a chance as anyone else in the bake-off. Of course, there is always a curve ball when it comes to everything working out right for Tricia. While visiting Joyce Widman, owner of the romance bookstore in Stoneham, with the promise of fresh vegetables from her garden, Tricia is in for a surprise when she finds more than lettuce and tomatoes in Joyce’s garden. Tricia knows she will not rest until she finds the answers she is looking for, but will she be able to survive her constant snooping? Is there a connection with Pets-A-Plenty animal rescue and the murder? Will Tricia be the big winner at the bake off competition or will she be the biggest loser of all? Author Lorna Barrett had me hooked on the Booktown Series from book one. A cozy mystery that includes lots of laughter and maybe some tears, this is one series that I never want to end! I am looking forward to what’s next from this very talented Author!
Tricia is looking for tasks to occupy her time, now that Pixie has expanded her role as Assistant Manager in the Haven’t Got a Clue Bookstore. She wanted to join the board of directors for the Pets-A-Plenty animal rescue, but its president doesn’t seem to like her. So she has decided to sign up for the Great Booktown Bake Off. Her cooking and baking skills have drastically improved and she has time before the event to practice making a cupcake that would rival those of professionals. But of course, in typical Tricia jinx style, she once again finds a murder victim. Though she vows to keep out of it, she just can’t help asking questions. This is a series best read in order to fully appreciate the growth of all the characters, not just the main characters of Tricia and her sister, Angelica. I like how Tricia’s character is expanding her horizon, not just because she is entering a baking contest, but because she is more comfortable with herself, as witnessed by her new relationship with Marshall compared to the previous failed ones with Russ and Chief Baker. I think it is sad that these last two and a few others in the community carry such a grudge against Tricia, but that is the nature of small towns. This mystery took several interesting turns, and the final solution came as a complete shock (I am normally good at figuring out the clues way before the end.) Will the next story see Tricia traveling abroad? Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book received through Net Galley and all opinions are strictly my own.
Tricia Miles has more time on her hands these days since she promoted Pixie to assistant manager. Tricia makes up her mind to fill this time by joining the board of an animal rescue but is getting some resistance from one particular member. While deciding what to do next she makes plans to enter an amateur baking competition. But in between her plans Tricia stops by Joyce Whitman’s book store looking for a new book with a little romance and suspense but what she finds is an argument between Joyce and Vera Osborn. Hours later Tricia arrives at Joyce’s house for a gardening lesson and to pick some fresh vegetables only to find Vera’s dead body. Tricia can’t help but get pulled into the investigation.
This is one of my favorite series. I mean how could it not be, it’s about a town of bookstores and the protagonist owns a mystery bookstore. The books can be enjoyed as part of the series or stand-alone mysteries. The aforementioned setting of Booktown has a small-town cozy feeling. Author Lorna Barrett spins a well-written story with well-developed complexed characters. My favorite character, Tricia and Angelica have a wonderful relationship. They support one another but sometimes can get on one another nerves and have a healthy sense of sibling rivalry like the baking competition. I felt bad for Tricia in this book because she seems so lost and doesn’t know what to do with so much free time. The mystery has great pace with several well placed red herrings. All this and some tasty recipes included for the food lovers.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
I LOVE reading the latest Tricia / Angelica saga. I love these two sisters, and I also enjoy the other main characters in these books. I’m always so happy to return to Booktown to find out what is going on in their lives. There’s always a murdered person for Tricia to discover and try to figure out whodunit. Along with a little love sprinkled in. And other things for Tricia to figure out. All in all, this is a great addition to this series. A very enjoyable read!
This is book 13 in The BookTown Mystery series, with recipes at the end.
Now that Pixie is the assistant store manager Tricia has found a lot of time free to get her hands into other activities.
An animal shelter, a baking competition, gardening on her balcony don’t seem to be enough to keep Tricia occupied.
Once again Tricia finds herself in the middle of a murder. Can she discover the truth with out putting herself in danger?
I always enjoy my time back in Stoneham, and Tricia and Angelica.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. Opinions are my own.
Love this series
The protagonist runs a bookstore – Without a Clue – that specializes in vintage mysteries. She has a history of stumbling across dead bodies and in this tale discovers that volunteerism can be hazardous to one’s health. The author does a good job of providing her characters with distinct personalities, and there’s an especially warm relationship between the protagonist and her sister.
This is not one of my favorite mystery series. The main characters of Tricia and Angelica can be a bit unlikable. That said, I was excited to have this come in at the library and enjoyed the book despite the suspected animal abuse subplot. Thankfully, it didn’t go into much detail, but when it did come up I kept reminding myself these weren’t real animals.
Most of the usual background characters had a tiny role. I also saw glimmers of character development on couple of fronts which was nice.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book, Handbook for Homicide.
I’ve loved this cozy series from the get-go, and Killer Edition was another terrific addition. Looking forward to reading the next installment!
While visiting Joyce Widman’s Have a Heart Romance bookstore, Tricia Miles witnesses an altercation between Joyce and her next door neighbor, Vera Olson. Vera is yelling and threatening Joyce, when Officer Cindy Pearson steps in to diffuse the situation. When Vera is found dead in Joyce’s back yard, Joyce automatically becomes the prime suspect. Tricia is not convinced that Joyce is the killer and tries to remain neutral, despite Joyce’s pleas for help.
Meanwhile, with a new manager for the bookstore and extra time on her hands, Tricia makes a last-minute decision to participate in the Booktown Bake-Off. The charity she chose to sponsor is Pets-a-Plenty, an animal rescue center. When she visits the charity, she learns that Vera Olson was an animal enthusiast and very active at the facility. One of the volunteers also voiced some concerns regarding the Pet Rescue facility and a firm called Monterey Bioresources, that is rumored to be selling animals for medical research.
Who killed Vera Olson? Why was she killed? What is the true story with the pet rescue? How will Tricia fare in the bake-off? Can Tricia figure out the mystery?
Lorna Barrett has created another good mystery, but it seems to drag a little in some places. The characters and situations are very realistic with wonderful detail. Stoneham, a.k.a. Booktown, would be a wonderful place to visit.
Notice: I received an ARC copy of A Killer Edition from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Tricia and Angelica are back in this quick, compelling read, and it’s always a pleasure to be back in Stoneham. Pixie’s shining as the assistant manager at Haven’t Got a Clue—so much so that Tricia’s feeling a bit unnecessary. After Tricia decides to visit another bookshop in the village, she’s shocked to find a corpse in the shop owner’s backyard. Who could have killed Vera, and did it have anything to do with a dispute over a garden? Or was the victim’s estranged family behind the killing? Tricia has plenty of time on her hands to find out.
This was a fun read, although it seemed a bit short to me. There was a bit of a clunky note around a possible same-sex relationship. However, It was refreshing to see someone in a cozy mystery actually know how to use Facebook and Google to find things out, though. I definitely recommend this book, and this series, to any cozy mystery fan.
Series: A Booktown Mystery – Book 13
Author: Lorna Barrett
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Bookshop
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 318
Publishing Date: August 13, 2019
The newest addition in the “A Booktown Mystery” series written by Lorna Barrett is A Killer Edition. Published by Berkley. This is the thirtieth cozy book in this series.
Tricia is an unusual business owner. She has far too much time on her hands and has allowed her assistant manager to take over running everything. She fears she is losing control of her store. Tricia also fears that she no longer knows what is going on in her own business, but more than that, she fears she is no longer needed. A lack of work to do allows Tricia to get involved in things she should stay out of, like a murder investigation.
The characters in this cozy book series are well established. Their personalities are complementary, and each one has a way of making readers care about their lives. Tricia’s sister keeps things interesting and moving forward. Readers will enjoy reading about the many bookstores in Booktown, but I did not feel that Tricia spent enough time at her business, and she spent far too much time doing nothing.
The murderer in A Killer Edition is unexpected, yet not necessarily inappropriate. Tricia catches the killer but mainly due to chance. There does not appear to be any type of real investigation, and it looks as if the police do not feel the need to look beyond their original suspect. There is little to no evidence in the book to point to anyone, not even the suspect.
Overall this was an easy, cozy book to read, with developed characters and relationships. Although not as good as I had hoped, it wasn’t awful. If readers have read the other twelve books in the series, they will enjoy the slower pace of this addition. New readers will most likely need to go back to previous books to catch up on who the players are and their function. The recipes in the back will make your mouth water.