The title, and even the blurb, for Susan Mallery’s The Bookstore Diaries are a little deceiving. I liked the characters and the premise of the novel, however the diaries themselves are not the main focus of the story. They do change several lives, but the blurb makes the book sound more scandalous and secretive than… Continue reading The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery
Tag: Bookstores
All My Bones by P.J. Nelson
I may be responsible for my reaction to P.J. Nelson’s All My Bones since I read the book in fits and starts over the Christmas holidays. Although I like the characters, the plot seemed a little disjointed. And, I still have the same complaint about the protagonist, Madeline Brimley. The amateur sleuth seems to go… Continue reading All My Bones by P.J. Nelson
Earl Grave Tea by Gretchen Rue
I’ve been reading cozy mysteries for so long that the cover artists have retired. Mary Ann Lasher was an outstanding cover artist, but Adrian DKC did an excellent job with Gretchen Rue’s latest mystery, Earl Grave Tea. Then, there’s what happens with some of my favorite series. Gretchen Rue evidently lost her publisher after the… Continue reading Earl Grave Tea by Gretchen Rue
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
I’m going to start my comments about Satoshi Yagisawa’s Days at the Morisaki Bookshop with a little background, including a lengthy quote from the translator, Eric Ozawa. This was an award-winning book and hit movie in Japan. Most of the book takes place in Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood, home of more than 170 bookstores, most of… Continue reading Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Murder on the Books by T.C. LoTempio
I’m going to kick off my review of T.C. LoTempio’s Murder on the Books by quoting an author, Kim Hays. “The plot sounds quintessentially cozy: heroine’s return to hometown, meet-up with childhood friend, decision opening a shop. Cue cat and descriptions of baked goods, plus a useful policeman and the dead body of someone we… Continue reading Murder on the Books by T.C. LoTempio
Booked for Revenge by Karen Rose Smith
Well, there’s something I seldom do. I read Booked for Revenge by Karen Rose Smith, the second book in a spin-off series, and I didn’t read the first book or the Daisy’s Tea Garden series where this came from. However, this cozy mystery works, with a strong cast, a little romance, and an amateur sleuth… Continue reading Booked for Revenge by Karen Rose Smith
Kate & Frida by Kim Fay
Kim Fay’s novel, Love & Saffron, was published in 2022, one of my favorite novels that year. It was subtitled “A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love”. I picked it up at the time because it was an epistolary novel, told in letters, and I’ll always take a chance on one. Fay’s new book, Kate… Continue reading Kate & Frida by Kim Fay
Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson
P. J. Nelson’s Booked for Murder has one of the most impulsive amateur sleuths I’ve ever read about. Madeline Brimley ignores all attempts to rein her in, which will drive some readers nuts. On the other hand, the book has some of the most beautiful writing and phrases I’ve read. Despite Madeline’s behavior, I loved… Continue reading Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson
The Grim Steeper by Gretchen Rue
It’s hard to go wrong with a cozy mystery featuring a tea shop/bookstore, a bookstore cat, and a witch. The Grim Steeper is the third in Gretchen Rue’s Witches’ Brew series. I like the setting, a small town in Washington. I also like the characters, Phoebe Winchester, her coworkers and friends, as well as her… Continue reading The Grim Steeper by Gretchen Rue
Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay
I’ve read many of Jenn McKinlay’s mysteries, and all of her last four romantic comedies. She upped her game with her latest romcom, Love at First Book. It’s sexy, romantic, and gut wrenching. Of course, I picked this one up expecting to like it. It features a librarian who heads to Ireland to take two… Continue reading Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay