Murder on the Books (A Cozy Bookshop Mystery) by Toni LoTempio
About Murder on the Books:
Murder on the Books (A Cozy Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting - Pennsylvania
Publisher : Severn House
Publication date : July 1, 2025
Hardcover Print length : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 1448315263
ISBN-13 : 978-1448315260
Digital ASIN : B0DTYF8XYF
ISBN-13 : 978-1448315277
Newly retired mystery writer Charley James returns to her small hometown only to find herself amidst a real-life murder mystery in this first book in the brand new Cozy Bookshop mystery series by award-winning and national bestselling author T.C. LoTempio.
Thirty-year-old Charlotte James, better known to her mystery fans as C.J. Barrett, decides to take a break from writing her popular Steve Sheppard mystery series. Leaving New York City, she moves back to her hometown of Austin to wind down, recuperate, and maybe come up with some new ideas for her books.
Settling into her new life, Charley reunites with her long-term friend and baker Zane who is about to open a charming double store front. But while Zane is ready to open her café, her business partner Sheila unexpectedly departs town, bailing on her bookshop and leaving nothing but a note behind.
Charley is more than happy to take over, but when she finds Sheila’s body in a chest in the store’s basement, things take a dramatic turn. Now Charley has to juggle the opening of her bookshop, a stoic but attractive Philadelphia detective, and a stray cat, all while solving Sheila’s murder Sheppard-style before the killer can strike again!
Fans of Jenn McKinlay, Ellery Adams, Lucy Connelly, Lauren Elliott, and Ellie Alexander will love this cozy mystery “featuring a plucky, likable heroine, plenty of suspense [and] unexpected twists” (Booklist).
“I was hooked from start to finish!” Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop mysteries, on Eat, Drink and Drop Dead
My Review:
Murder on the Books is the first in a new series by Toni LoTempio. Featuring an author with a need to keep her author alias a secret, a body in the basement, and a grumpy but hot detective, Murder on the Books takes the reader on a wild ride.
Author Charley James is facing the dreaded writer's block and burnout so she leaves the writing world behind (maybe temporarily, maybe permanently) and goes home to Austin, PA. When her bestie Zane's business partner, Sheila, suddenly leaves her high and dry, Charley steps in to take Sheila's place. As Charley is getting settled in the bookstore, she stumbles across the body of Zane's former business partner stuffed in a trunk in the store's basement. Now, to keep her friend out Detective Grant's crosshairs, Charley channels her inner Steve Sheppard, the main character from her book series, and attempts to unravel the mystery surrounding Sheila's death.
Murder on the Books is one of the best cozy mysteries I've ever read. I love, love, love the story. I enjoyed the incognito author aspect of the story. I loved meeting the characters, and will admit that Poe stole the show. The character development is well-done. The setting perfectly described and I felt like I was in the middle of the book with Charley. The writing is smooth and conversational, with fast-pacing but not too fast that you get lost.
I am so happy that I was able to read Murder on the Books and cannot wait for the next story.
I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
My Rating:
About Toni LoTempio:
- T.C. LoTempio is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. Born in New York City, she now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her two cats, Maxx and Rocco. Rocco prides himself on being the inspiration for her Nick and Nora series! For more information, check out her and her cat Rocco's blog at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com and visit her website at www.tclotempio.ne
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/toni.lotempio.5
- TWITTER/X: ROCCOBLOGGER
- WEBSITE: https://www.tclotempio.net/
- Purchase Links: Amazon - B & N - Bookshop.org - Kobo -
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