3.5 stars! Several years ago, I read the first book in the Booktown Mysteries written by Lorna Barrett. I’d been sampling several dozen cozies before settling into which series I would read. I caught up on most and then it was time to return to this one with the 2nd, Bookmarked for Death. Who wouldn’t love a town in New Hampshire where the main shopping area has tons of bookstores, each with its own theme? I fell easily back into the rhythm of the series and will continue reading it. There are ~15 currently, so I will have a lot to catch up on in 2022.
Sisters Trish and Ange have a complex relationship. They fight, they make up… everyone loves Trish. Ange can be a real ballbuster (for lack of a more suitable word)! When a hometown author does a book signing in Trish’s shop, everyone’s excited, except the woman’s assistant / niece is equally as obnoxious as Ange, well maybe more so. You’d think she would end up dead, but nope… it’s the writer herself. Oops! Who had it in for the woman? Another author? Her niece, the agent, an editor? Perhaps the real writer of the stories or one of the people she victimized years ago in a different job?
Barrett is a good writer and I enjoyed the relationships, setting, and overall book theme. I have some concerns about Ange’s character. While I think she is a good foil / counter for Trish, she seems to go from nice to mean rather quickly. When confronted, she promises to be better, but still, she definitely feels a bit unstable. If she has a condition that causes it, totally okay – I like seeing that represented in books. But… here, it’s almost like it’s either too extreme or meant to be funny but missing the mark. It’s not enough to turn me off the series, and I’m hoping within another book or two, her personality becomes more navigable. Another niggle in this one was the culprit… so many good suspects, albeit obvious… and when the truth begins to unravel, I got excited. Except at the last minute, an unknown slips in and everything is quickly resolved. It felt too swift and unexpected, and I was somewhat perplexed at why the person would do it.
So… although I liked a lot in the book, it only gets 3.5 stars from me. Still ordering book 3, but a caution to those looking for a more tidy cozy. The series might need to settle in a bit more before it shines.
Author
sonnysmom
2 years ago
This time we find Tricia hosting a book signing for Stoneham’s most famous resident, author Zoe Carter.
When Zoe turns up dead in Tricia’s store,she once again finds herself under suspicion from Sheriff Adams.
So to clear her name and be able to reopen her store, Tricia decides she needs to solve this murder.
Well written plot with twists that make you think you know who the killer is,only to find out your wrong.
Favorite characters are back.
Looking forward to the next book in this series!
Author
trixiesilvertale
2 years ago
While this is the second book in this series, have no fear, you do not need to read the first book to jump right into this mystery.
This story follows the lives of two sisters, Tricia and Angelica. This story does offer some sentimental moments, not deep dives – but a nice emotional context. Trish is a strong smart lead, and witty, which I always enjoy. She also has some incredible detective skills, adding another interesting layer to the story. Ange’s character is more abrasive and very unaware, which sets up fantastic, tumultuous relationships with pretty much everyone. That said, the love/hate/love relationship between Trish and Ange is realistic and relatable, giving the emotional level of the story a captivating twist. There is a large cast of supporting characters and I’m assuming some of them will make appearances in future installments. This tale didn’t spend much time on the emotional aspect of the minor characters, but instead focused on the underlying mysteries to be solved.
Overall the book is an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. If you are looking for a book that draws you in and makes you want to come up with your own case notes, I think this book could be for you.
Just a quick note on “tech” this setting is a little older and some of the references and technology could seem dated, but the vision of the book is timeless. I think this series has great potential, and I will be excited to see what ideas this author has in store.
Author
markbaker
2 years ago
When Tricia hosts a best selling author for a book signing, she is shocked to find the woman dead in the restroom. The book slowed a little in the second half, but I really enjoyed this second visit with the characters.
By lornabarrett
3.5 stars! Several years ago, I read the first book in the Booktown Mysteries written by Lorna Barrett. I’d been sampling several dozen cozies before settling into which series I would read. I caught up on most and then it was time to return to this one with the 2nd, Bookmarked for Death. Who wouldn’t love a town in New Hampshire where the main shopping area has tons of bookstores, each with its own theme? I fell easily back into the rhythm of the series and will continue reading it. There are ~15 currently, so I will have a lot to catch up on in 2022.
Sisters Trish and Ange have a complex relationship. They fight, they make up… everyone loves Trish. Ange can be a real ballbuster (for lack of a more suitable word)! When a hometown author does a book signing in Trish’s shop, everyone’s excited, except the woman’s assistant / niece is equally as obnoxious as Ange, well maybe more so. You’d think she would end up dead, but nope… it’s the writer herself. Oops! Who had it in for the woman? Another author? Her niece, the agent, an editor? Perhaps the real writer of the stories or one of the people she victimized years ago in a different job?
Barrett is a good writer and I enjoyed the relationships, setting, and overall book theme. I have some concerns about Ange’s character. While I think she is a good foil / counter for Trish, she seems to go from nice to mean rather quickly. When confronted, she promises to be better, but still, she definitely feels a bit unstable. If she has a condition that causes it, totally okay – I like seeing that represented in books. But… here, it’s almost like it’s either too extreme or meant to be funny but missing the mark. It’s not enough to turn me off the series, and I’m hoping within another book or two, her personality becomes more navigable. Another niggle in this one was the culprit… so many good suspects, albeit obvious… and when the truth begins to unravel, I got excited. Except at the last minute, an unknown slips in and everything is quickly resolved. It felt too swift and unexpected, and I was somewhat perplexed at why the person would do it.
So… although I liked a lot in the book, it only gets 3.5 stars from me. Still ordering book 3, but a caution to those looking for a more tidy cozy. The series might need to settle in a bit more before it shines.
This time we find Tricia hosting a book signing for Stoneham’s most famous resident, author Zoe Carter.
When Zoe turns up dead in Tricia’s store,she once again finds herself under suspicion from Sheriff Adams.
So to clear her name and be able to reopen her store, Tricia decides she needs to solve this murder.
Well written plot with twists that make you think you know who the killer is,only to find out your wrong.
Favorite characters are back.
Looking forward to the next book in this series!
While this is the second book in this series, have no fear, you do not need to read the first book to jump right into this mystery.
This story follows the lives of two sisters, Tricia and Angelica. This story does offer some sentimental moments, not deep dives – but a nice emotional context. Trish is a strong smart lead, and witty, which I always enjoy. She also has some incredible detective skills, adding another interesting layer to the story. Ange’s character is more abrasive and very unaware, which sets up fantastic, tumultuous relationships with pretty much everyone. That said, the love/hate/love relationship between Trish and Ange is realistic and relatable, giving the emotional level of the story a captivating twist. There is a large cast of supporting characters and I’m assuming some of them will make appearances in future installments. This tale didn’t spend much time on the emotional aspect of the minor characters, but instead focused on the underlying mysteries to be solved.
Overall the book is an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. If you are looking for a book that draws you in and makes you want to come up with your own case notes, I think this book could be for you.
Just a quick note on “tech” this setting is a little older and some of the references and technology could seem dated, but the vision of the book is timeless. I think this series has great potential, and I will be excited to see what ideas this author has in store.
When Tricia hosts a best selling author for a book signing, she is shocked to find the woman dead in the restroom. The book slowed a little in the second half, but I really enjoyed this second visit with the characters.