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Booktown Mystery #2
Bookmarked for Death
What do a stone book and a stabbed cake have to do with Zoë Carter's death?
Once a struggling town, Stoneham, New Hampshire is now enjoying a renaissance—thanks to booksellers like Tricia Miles, proprietor of Haven’t Got a Clue. It’s a great place to find a good mystery to read—or to solve ….
To celebrate her bookstore’s anniversary, Tricia Miles hosts a book signing for bestselling author Zoë Carter. But the event takes a terrible turn when the author is found dead in the washroom. Before long, both police and reporters are demanding the real story. So far, the author’s obnoxious assistant/niece is the only suspect. And with a sheriff who provides more obstacles than answers, Tricia will have to take matters into her own hands--and read between the lines to solve this mystery….
Once a struggling town, Stoneham, New Hampshire is now enjoying a renaissance—thanks to booksellers like Tricia Miles, proprietor of Haven’t Got a Clue. It’s a great place to find a good mystery to read—or to solve ….
To celebrate her bookstore’s anniversary, Tricia Miles hosts a book signing for bestselling author Zoë Carter. But the event takes a terrible turn when the author is found dead in the washroom. Before long, both police and reporters are demanding the real story. So far, the author’s obnoxious assistant/niece is the only suspect. And with a sheriff who provides more obstacles than answers, Tricia will have to take matters into her own hands--and read between the lines to solve this mystery….
Audiobook
First published February 3, 2009
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About the author
Lorna Barrett
24 books1,788 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorna Barrett’s name on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the links to all her works here: http://www.lornabarrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 643 reviews
May 16, 2025
Several year ago, I read the first book 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 relationships. 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 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.
Sisters Trish and Ange have a complex relationships. 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 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.
July 9, 2009
This book was disappointing, mainly due to the contrast between the first and this.
My main point of contention was with the heroine, Tricia. In addition to having absolutely no personality, she's far too efficient for any believability. She has money to do whatever she wants, gives all her employees bonuses, has the guts to talk to everyone, she doesn't like sweets in a convenient move to keep her thin and perky. She's blah. Boring.
Her boyfriend is also boring, and rather unlikable. I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to make of him.
Her sister is amusing, as are some of the more minor characters, but they're overshadowed by the dramatic nature of the text, and the ending wraps up so nice and neat it feels like the end of a family sitcom. Oh! It's okay, I've brought muffins! And Ive brought my long lost mother even though you accused me of murder, but it's totally okay now! And I want to publish your sister's book!!
It's quite ridiculous, and I really was just laboring through till the end.
My main point of contention was with the heroine, Tricia. In addition to having absolutely no personality, she's far too efficient for any believability. She has money to do whatever she wants, gives all her employees bonuses, has the guts to talk to everyone, she doesn't like sweets in a convenient move to keep her thin and perky. She's blah. Boring.
Her boyfriend is also boring, and rather unlikable. I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to make of him.
Her sister is amusing, as are some of the more minor characters, but they're overshadowed by the dramatic nature of the text, and the ending wraps up so nice and neat it feels like the end of a family sitcom. Oh! It's okay, I've brought muffins! And Ive brought my long lost mother even though you accused me of murder, but it's totally okay now! And I want to publish your sister's book!!
It's quite ridiculous, and I really was just laboring through till the end.
March 16, 2023
Cozy mystery set in a small town with long held secrets. The main character is owner of a bookstore that sells mysteries exclusively. Her intentions are good although she comes across as a serious but-in-sky. Disappointing the cat didn't have a larger role in the story.
December 18, 2015
I did get through the book so it gets more than one star. That being said, let's start with what came thiiiiis close to having me put this one down and not finish.
1) No Reason to Like Tricia. Love the premise of a town brought back from the economic brink by turning it into a destination Book Town. A series set in a mystery bookstore? Should be a guaranteed bull's eye for cozy readers. But the author gives me no reason to like almost anyone especially the main character. I think maybe she's supposed to be "independent" but mostly she comes off as just condescending. There are a couple of secondary characters that are written with likeability but not any of the primary.
2) Too Many Characters. If you're going to have this number of characters it would be nice if the author included one of those cheat sheets sometimes included at the beginning of books letting us know who's who. Not only were there an excessive number of characters to sort out, the author just kept piling on. New ones are still being added at nearly the 200 page mark.
3) Descriptive Prose and Lack Thereof. There's lengthy descriptions of actions (picking up phone, feeding cat, wiping stuff off shoes) but little or none developing some essential characters. The result is a book filled with minutia but little to grip about the nuances of major characters. At one point "the woman in the blue sweater" gives a toast with a not so subtle insult aimed at Tricia. Was this person not important enough to have a name when everyone else from people passed on the street to random customers were given names? It was just odd. Perhaps a problem with editing?
4) Recipes Included. This is such an obvious attempt to attract readers of cooking cozies it borders on insulting. This book's main character freely admits she does not cook. Her obnoxious, overbearing sister who somehow readers are supposed like is the cook. To stretch it even further the author includes recipes from the town's baker who, by the way, do NOT call her business a bakery, it's a Patisserie.
5) Goose Poop. I have seen the mess a flock of geese can leave and realize it is troublesome. But over and over and over it's brought up. And the ultimate reason it had importance was gag inducing.
This writer also uses the names Lorraine Bartlett and L.L.Bartlett. The books from Lorraine Bartlett are some of my favorite with well drawn characters and tight storylines. It's almost as if they aren't written by the same person. I'll give the Booktown series another try only because I'm waiting for Lorna Barrett to catch up to the skill of Lorraine Bartlett.
1) No Reason to Like Tricia. Love the premise of a town brought back from the economic brink by turning it into a destination Book Town. A series set in a mystery bookstore? Should be a guaranteed bull's eye for cozy readers. But the author gives me no reason to like almost anyone especially the main character. I think maybe she's supposed to be "independent" but mostly she comes off as just condescending. There are a couple of secondary characters that are written with likeability but not any of the primary.
2) Too Many Characters. If you're going to have this number of characters it would be nice if the author included one of those cheat sheets sometimes included at the beginning of books letting us know who's who. Not only were there an excessive number of characters to sort out, the author just kept piling on. New ones are still being added at nearly the 200 page mark.
3) Descriptive Prose and Lack Thereof. There's lengthy descriptions of actions (picking up phone, feeding cat, wiping stuff off shoes) but little or none developing some essential characters. The result is a book filled with minutia but little to grip about the nuances of major characters. At one point "the woman in the blue sweater" gives a toast with a not so subtle insult aimed at Tricia. Was this person not important enough to have a name when everyone else from people passed on the street to random customers were given names? It was just odd. Perhaps a problem with editing?
4) Recipes Included. This is such an obvious attempt to attract readers of cooking cozies it borders on insulting. This book's main character freely admits she does not cook. Her obnoxious, overbearing sister who somehow readers are supposed like is the cook. To stretch it even further the author includes recipes from the town's baker who, by the way, do NOT call her business a bakery, it's a Patisserie.
5) Goose Poop. I have seen the mess a flock of geese can leave and realize it is troublesome. But over and over and over it's brought up. And the ultimate reason it had importance was gag inducing.
This writer also uses the names Lorraine Bartlett and L.L.Bartlett. The books from Lorraine Bartlett are some of my favorite with well drawn characters and tight storylines. It's almost as if they aren't written by the same person. I'll give the Booktown series another try only because I'm waiting for Lorna Barrett to catch up to the skill of Lorraine Bartlett.
April 21, 2018
It’s been a long time since I visited Booktown in Stoneham, New Hampshire. It’s a whole town with all different types of bookstores. This is the second book in the Booktown Mystery series.
Tricia Miles owns Haven’t Got A Clue which specializes in mystery books. She’s very excited to be hosting a booksigning with popular author Zoe Carter. However, things don’t go over very well when she discovers the author has been murdered in the store’s bathroom.
The local sheriff is not a fan of Tricia’s and closes the bookstore indefinitely. Tricia figures if she wants to stay in business, she better do her own investigating and get her store re-opened. The main suspect is the author’s nasty niece, but Tricia is convinced there is more to this story than meets the eye.
This is a pleasure to listen to. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, makes the perfect companion during my commute to and from work. It’s like listening to a friend tell you a story. It’s a fast-pace book with endearing characters. I won’t be waiting so long for my next visit to Stoneham.
Tricia Miles owns Haven’t Got A Clue which specializes in mystery books. She’s very excited to be hosting a booksigning with popular author Zoe Carter. However, things don’t go over very well when she discovers the author has been murdered in the store’s bathroom.
The local sheriff is not a fan of Tricia’s and closes the bookstore indefinitely. Tricia figures if she wants to stay in business, she better do her own investigating and get her store re-opened. The main suspect is the author’s nasty niece, but Tricia is convinced there is more to this story than meets the eye.
This is a pleasure to listen to. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, makes the perfect companion during my commute to and from work. It’s like listening to a friend tell you a story. It’s a fast-pace book with endearing characters. I won’t be waiting so long for my next visit to Stoneham.
November 3, 2018
After a best selling author returns home for a book signing, and announces her retirement, she is killed in the washroom. The primary suspect is the author's niece, who prevails upon our local amatuer sleuth to clear her name.
So she pokes around and finds all kinds of small town secrets.
Not bad, but not very memorable.
So she pokes around and finds all kinds of small town secrets.
Not bad, but not very memorable.
November 26, 2019
I was really looking forward to book 2 since I found the first in series enjoyable. Bookmarked For Death ended up being a slight disappointment with MC being just too perfect and the overall story didn't hold my interest as the first.
February 6, 2017
Are you kidding me? I was hoping I had found another light hearted mystery series but this was not a fun read. I wanted to strangle both of the sisters if they had half a brain between them they'd be dangerous. Tricia has herself convinced she is better than her sister but she is not. They are both selfish and small people. It's almost like Tricia is one of those people who has to let you know how "rich" she is. It doesn't bring anything to the story this bit about her Lexus or the fact she doesn't have to work for a living but wait wasn't she grousing about having to be closed and missing her income. You are supposed to cheer for the hero of the story but there isn't one to cheer for here. I'm moving on.
December 18, 2020
It's fine, but I think I'm done with this series, because I realized that there's really nothing that I actively like about it. The main character is sort of blandly competent. I don't enjoy her relationship with her overbearing sister. The love interest is uninteresting (I 100% forgot about his existence from book 1). And I find the random antagonism of the local sheriff irritating. I think just not for me.
February 12, 2020
I remember not being wholly impressed with the first one, but that's changed in the sequel.
It's a delight to have the town be bookish theme, although it's dialed back a bit in this one. Tricia has to stay away from her store after a murder takes place, woe is her, and the menace of the sheriff has been further enhanced. Small town, incompetent police force? Check.
Character wise it works. Tricia is flawed but fun, her boyfriend isn't typical and ideal, her sister is moody and downright mean half the time. I'm wondering is Russ will stick around because that has ups and downs. The prejudice with the book club and town adds to the layers of having the characters convincing enough to stick around. Even Bob, as unlikable as he may be, adds to the book.
It's not what I'd call a humorous book but there are some cute scenes. The revenge of the geese, for one thing, the flummoxed Bob as things don't go his way, and of course the rush of pink and screeching rage from the protective sister during a memorable scene.
Mystery wise, it's mixed. Tricia isn't stupid into sticking her nose into things like some cozy sleuths, she gets "it's none of your business", and she has a valid reason for wanting to know these things. There's a twist or two beyond the murder that makes the story intriguing. Unfortunately the villain is a weak motivation, doesn't give enough fair chances of clues until the mid of the book, and seems a bit silly.
I'll definitely continue with the series, mainly thanks to the characters and the book-filled ambience with the town. Tricia is more of an old-fashioned mystery gal who runs Haven't Got a Clue, but she has fun moments recommending food-themed cozies when helping out her sister at The Cookery.
It's a delight to have the town be bookish theme, although it's dialed back a bit in this one. Tricia has to stay away from her store after a murder takes place, woe is her, and the menace of the sheriff has been further enhanced. Small town, incompetent police force? Check.
Character wise it works. Tricia is flawed but fun, her boyfriend isn't typical and ideal, her sister is moody and downright mean half the time. I'm wondering is Russ will stick around because that has ups and downs. The prejudice with the book club and town adds to the layers of having the characters convincing enough to stick around. Even Bob, as unlikable as he may be, adds to the book.
It's not what I'd call a humorous book but there are some cute scenes. The revenge of the geese, for one thing, the flummoxed Bob as things don't go his way, and of course the rush of pink and screeching rage from the protective sister during a memorable scene.
Mystery wise, it's mixed. Tricia isn't stupid into sticking her nose into things like some cozy sleuths, she gets "it's none of your business", and she has a valid reason for wanting to know these things. There's a twist or two beyond the murder that makes the story intriguing. Unfortunately the villain is a weak motivation, doesn't give enough fair chances of clues until the mid of the book, and seems a bit silly.
I'll definitely continue with the series, mainly thanks to the characters and the book-filled ambience with the town. Tricia is more of an old-fashioned mystery gal who runs Haven't Got a Clue, but she has fun moments recommending food-themed cozies when helping out her sister at The Cookery.
July 1, 2023
I am really enjoying this series. I like the characters. And how the sisters seem to be creating more of a bond between each other.
Then towards the end, seems she throws a bunch of people at you. And her endings become confusing, non climactic. Always leaving you wanting or expecting more from the ending. But so far the characters keep me coming back.
Then towards the end, seems she throws a bunch of people at you. And her endings become confusing, non climactic. Always leaving you wanting or expecting more from the ending. But so far the characters keep me coming back.
July 26, 2022
FANTASTIC BOOK AND THRILLED TO BE BACK IN THIS WORLD!
Though it had been a significant while between me rating books one and two in this series, I was really excited to finally get back to it and boy was I not let down. Not for a single moment.
What Lorna Barrett has created in this bookish heaven type world is nothing short of entertaining, and so so, so much fun.
In this one, we continue to follow Trisha, who has invited an author to her store. The author ends up dying and Trisha needs to solve the case an find out who murdered her. I think I was most excited to get back to the world and to the wonderful characters of this world. But what surprised me more than anything else was just how much I actually enjoyed the mystery. And the final reveal was just fantastic!
I plan on reading the next two or three books this year and then completing or getting up to date with the series in 2023, However, with what I've read so far, I'm just so excited an cannot wait to continue on in this world.
Congratulations on a job well done, Lorna Barrett.
5 Stars
xoxo
Though it had been a significant while between me rating books one and two in this series, I was really excited to finally get back to it and boy was I not let down. Not for a single moment.
What Lorna Barrett has created in this bookish heaven type world is nothing short of entertaining, and so so, so much fun.
In this one, we continue to follow Trisha, who has invited an author to her store. The author ends up dying and Trisha needs to solve the case an find out who murdered her. I think I was most excited to get back to the world and to the wonderful characters of this world. But what surprised me more than anything else was just how much I actually enjoyed the mystery. And the final reveal was just fantastic!
I plan on reading the next two or three books this year and then completing or getting up to date with the series in 2023, However, with what I've read so far, I'm just so excited an cannot wait to continue on in this world.
Congratulations on a job well done, Lorna Barrett.
5 Stars
xoxo
November 3, 2018
Tricia is having a book signing with an author who had hailed from their small town. But things don’t go so well, at least not for the author, who is found murdered in the bookstore’s bathroom. Tricia, of course, feels compelled to sleuth out who committed the heinous act, but doesn’t exactly deduce correctly who the killer is, in spite of the clues she uncovers. This fast paced tale will delight and amuse you.
August 13, 2021
This was an okay book. I enjoyed the overall story and was excited when my top suspect turned out to be guilty. I like the book town concept and Trisha's store sounds like one I would like to visit. It's the characters that make me not want to read these too close together. I might not need to put 7 years between them like I just did but I don't think I would want to read them back to back. There were recipes included at the end which I always enjoy. #readforkimberly
September 20, 2020
I really don't have much to say. I wanted a good story, and Bookmarked for Death delivered. Book 2 of the Booktown Mystery series was fast and fun escapism that took only a few days to read. Once again, Lorna Barrett deftly transported me to fictional Stoneham, NH. The pages seemed to turn themselves as I lost myself in this mystery.
4 stars
4 stars
April 10, 2012
Bookmarked for Death is the second book in the Booktown Mystery Series by Lorna Barrett. I loved the first book, and this second one did not disappoint me at all. I enjoyed reconnecting with Tricia and her sister, Angelica, coming back to Stoneham, or otherwise known as Booktown.
Tricia owns and runs a mystery bookstore called "Haven't got a Clue", while her sister owns and runs the bookstore next door called, "The Cookery". Although Tricia and Angelica haven't had the greatest of relationships, it is nice to read along and watch them discover new things about each other and bond and build a better relationship than what they had before.
The town of Stoneham, that was dying out, but revitalized when its focus on book sellers and tourist trade was shaped. It just sounds like a place I would love to visit! A town full of bookstores! I mean really, what could be more perfect for someone who likes to read?
Tricia talks a local author into a book signing at her store, but before the night is over finds the author dead in her bathroom. Of course, Sheriff Wendy Adams is still mad at Tricia, and has alot of problems looking past those issues into the murder, wanting to find Tricia guilty, even when he isn't so of course that just means that Tricia will be doing some investigating. What she turns up, shakes her and the town. The best selling books were not written by the author, but by another woman, with a mystery in her life.
I loved this book. I love the idea of Booktown and I enjoy going there in the books. I enjoyed meeting the townspeople, learning more about ones I already knew and growing the town. It has been a blast. I find the mystery and Tricia to be pretty believable as a person and that makes it easier to get into the story.
Tricia owns and runs a mystery bookstore called "Haven't got a Clue", while her sister owns and runs the bookstore next door called, "The Cookery". Although Tricia and Angelica haven't had the greatest of relationships, it is nice to read along and watch them discover new things about each other and bond and build a better relationship than what they had before.
The town of Stoneham, that was dying out, but revitalized when its focus on book sellers and tourist trade was shaped. It just sounds like a place I would love to visit! A town full of bookstores! I mean really, what could be more perfect for someone who likes to read?
Tricia talks a local author into a book signing at her store, but before the night is over finds the author dead in her bathroom. Of course, Sheriff Wendy Adams is still mad at Tricia, and has alot of problems looking past those issues into the murder, wanting to find Tricia guilty, even when he isn't so of course that just means that Tricia will be doing some investigating. What she turns up, shakes her and the town. The best selling books were not written by the author, but by another woman, with a mystery in her life.
I loved this book. I love the idea of Booktown and I enjoy going there in the books. I enjoyed meeting the townspeople, learning more about ones I already knew and growing the town. It has been a blast. I find the mystery and Tricia to be pretty believable as a person and that makes it easier to get into the story.
October 31, 2016
This book again drew me in because of the people. And to me they are people not characters. They have depth and personality and at times made me forget they were only on paper and I wanted to smack them on the back of the head and say " are you dense" mainly to Angie, Tricia's (MC) sister. That being said, the town of Stoneham, New Hampshire would be the perfect place for any of us. A small quiet town where the main tourist attraction is the specialty book stores. And the Victorian facades.
Of course in this book once again Tricia finds a dead body, a local author, who was doing a book signing at Tricia's mystery book store. Questions come into play when some residents wonder who really wrote the books and why Zoe was killed at this time.
Tricia's sister is also a featured player in this book, since she bought the cookery store next door to Tricia's and slowly but surly we are finding out why Angie gets on Tricia"s nerves so bad.
While I did figure out who the killer was early on, it was fun finding out the other secondary mysteries all of which I had wrong. So much for my powers of deduction.
My biggest complaint about the book, there was to much focus on the goose poop. I know that was made a problem of the small town but really. Enough is Enough.
I started the third book, hope the poop is gone.
Of course in this book once again Tricia finds a dead body, a local author, who was doing a book signing at Tricia's mystery book store. Questions come into play when some residents wonder who really wrote the books and why Zoe was killed at this time.
Tricia's sister is also a featured player in this book, since she bought the cookery store next door to Tricia's and slowly but surly we are finding out why Angie gets on Tricia"s nerves so bad.
While I did figure out who the killer was early on, it was fun finding out the other secondary mysteries all of which I had wrong. So much for my powers of deduction.
My biggest complaint about the book, there was to much focus on the goose poop. I know that was made a problem of the small town but really. Enough is Enough.
I started the third book, hope the poop is gone.
March 15, 2009
When mystery bookseller Tricia Miles hosts a signing for renowned author Zoe Carter, she doesn’t count on finding Zoe’s dead body in the restroom at the rear of her store. Anxious to restore her life to normalcy, she gets on the track of a killer. Quirky secondary characters, a charming small town setting, and more clues than inside the books on her shelves keeps Tricia on her toes and the reader turning pages. A fast-reading, fun traditional mystery.
August 29, 2016
Complice una giornata festiva (e una notte quasi insonne...) l'ho divorato in un giorno solo! Mi è piaciuto e non avevo proprio considerato chi è poi risultato il colpevole. L'unica "pecca", per modo di dire, è che, dopo aver letto valangate di libri in prima persona, mi ci è voluto un po' ad abituarmi a questo, che è in terza persona, anche se segue le vicende della sola protagonista. L'ho detto che ho passato una nottata insonne...
July 4, 2016
It is hard to not enjoy a cozy mystery set in a town full of bookstores with a cat called Miss Marple!
These are quick easy reads with pretty good audio narration. It won't win awards any time soon, but is the perfect book when you are in the mood for something a bit light.
These are quick easy reads with pretty good audio narration. It won't win awards any time soon, but is the perfect book when you are in the mood for something a bit light.
contemplating-its-sins
October 7, 2018I only made it about five pages before deciding I didn't care at all and set it aside.
August 19, 2018
Bookmarked For Death by Lorna Barrett
Award winning mystery writer Zoe Carter holds a talk and book signing at Trish Miles “Haven’t Got A Clue” bookstore, along with her insulting niece, Kimberly. After the last book is signed and sold, the whereabouts of Mz Carter are sought and, of course found. Strangled, sitting on the commode and quite dead.
This is the 2nd dead body Trish has happened upon since she opened her specialty shop just a year ago. Referred to as the town jinx, she hardly relishes the duty of calling the local sheriff, especially after she was the prime suspect in the last murder and bottom rung to the sheriff’s favorite people.
Having to close her store as a crime scene, Trish helps her neighboring sister in her “Cookery” store, as well as her own hired help. Between fretting over the who dunnit, the loss of sales, harassing reporters, and the geese gaggling dilemma outside the Main Street shop doors, Trish frazzled to her limit.
And then things get interesting. The attempts in lives continue, the clues surface, the busses roll in, the relationships strain and mend, and the food continues to be made.
Tricia again works to solve the murder mystery, much to the annoyance of the not too savvy sheriffs department. When the crescendo starts, there’s a slight waiver, but the aria proves worthy. Trish can notch another solved crime to her list of accolades and the cementing of more local friendships is a bonus worth the pain and suffering getting there.
As all the books in this series, the recipes of the food created are shared in the back.
Award winning mystery writer Zoe Carter holds a talk and book signing at Trish Miles “Haven’t Got A Clue” bookstore, along with her insulting niece, Kimberly. After the last book is signed and sold, the whereabouts of Mz Carter are sought and, of course found. Strangled, sitting on the commode and quite dead.
This is the 2nd dead body Trish has happened upon since she opened her specialty shop just a year ago. Referred to as the town jinx, she hardly relishes the duty of calling the local sheriff, especially after she was the prime suspect in the last murder and bottom rung to the sheriff’s favorite people.
Having to close her store as a crime scene, Trish helps her neighboring sister in her “Cookery” store, as well as her own hired help. Between fretting over the who dunnit, the loss of sales, harassing reporters, and the geese gaggling dilemma outside the Main Street shop doors, Trish frazzled to her limit.
And then things get interesting. The attempts in lives continue, the clues surface, the busses roll in, the relationships strain and mend, and the food continues to be made.
Tricia again works to solve the murder mystery, much to the annoyance of the not too savvy sheriffs department. When the crescendo starts, there’s a slight waiver, but the aria proves worthy. Trish can notch another solved crime to her list of accolades and the cementing of more local friendships is a bonus worth the pain and suffering getting there.
As all the books in this series, the recipes of the food created are shared in the back.
June 4, 2018
Lovely, cute, quick read/listen while doing household chores. It's nice to see Tricia work at getting closer to her sister, and the entire group of characters got to show more of their individual quirks of behavior. These cozy mysteries do follow a bit of a formula, and none of them are great literature, yet they fulfill a need in me to have fluffy, feel-good stories when I am doing routine jobs around the house.
The narration was good, especially with some specialized accents toward the end.
Several red herrings were well-placed and I found myself saying "of course, I should have seen that coming" when the culprit of the story was revealed.
I've already downloaded book three from the library.
The narration was good, especially with some specialized accents toward the end.
Several red herrings were well-placed and I found myself saying "of course, I should have seen that coming" when the culprit of the story was revealed.
I've already downloaded book three from the library.
May 31, 2024
A fun, cozy mystery with a bookstore, a bakery, and a cat! I'll definitely read the next one.
December 5, 2021
3.5 stars. Definitely liked the first book better.
September 28, 2016
Stoneham, New Hampshire, thrives as a book town and Tricia Miles' mystery-themed bookstore, 'Haven't Got A Clue' is often the centre of activity as the owner runs a book club that meets weekly as well as having the appeal of coffee on tap for all her customers.
The bookstore also seems to be the main place where any unsavoury incidents take place and in this instance author Zoe Carter is attending to do a book signing session. The place is crowded and everything is going swimmingly well when Zoe goes to the ladies' room ... never to return!
The reason for her non-reappearance is that she is murdered while in there. Tricia, her staff and guests are thrown into chaos and when sheriff Wendy Adams arrives the bookstore is not a place where anyone wants to be. That is because the sheriff is no liker of Tricia and so she immediately suspects that perhaps she was involved in the death of the author.
Of course, she wasn't but, apart from the suspicion about Zoe's niece and part-time secretary, Kimberley, who did not particularly care for her aunt, it is a complete mystery as to who did the dirty deed. Plenty of suspects are bandied around but none of them seem to completely fit the bill so Tricia decides that she should investigate - as much to solve the murder as to get Wendy Adams off her back.
With the aid of sister Angelica, who owns a nearby cookies and other goods store, she pursues many leads, most of them leading up blind alleys. While investigating one of her acquaintances gets attacked and badly injured but Tricia and Angelica, an uninspiring duo in this adventure, do not give up. And Tricia suddenly has a brainwave after suspecting that Zoe's work may well not have been her own; she follows this up in a most unlikely way and lo and behold, the mystery is eventually solved and the murderer is outed.
One or two sub-plots exist as the story unravels but overall it is not quite as engaging a whodunit as the first volume in the series was and the main protagonists do not seem to have the same joie de vivre.
The bookstore also seems to be the main place where any unsavoury incidents take place and in this instance author Zoe Carter is attending to do a book signing session. The place is crowded and everything is going swimmingly well when Zoe goes to the ladies' room ... never to return!
The reason for her non-reappearance is that she is murdered while in there. Tricia, her staff and guests are thrown into chaos and when sheriff Wendy Adams arrives the bookstore is not a place where anyone wants to be. That is because the sheriff is no liker of Tricia and so she immediately suspects that perhaps she was involved in the death of the author.
Of course, she wasn't but, apart from the suspicion about Zoe's niece and part-time secretary, Kimberley, who did not particularly care for her aunt, it is a complete mystery as to who did the dirty deed. Plenty of suspects are bandied around but none of them seem to completely fit the bill so Tricia decides that she should investigate - as much to solve the murder as to get Wendy Adams off her back.
With the aid of sister Angelica, who owns a nearby cookies and other goods store, she pursues many leads, most of them leading up blind alleys. While investigating one of her acquaintances gets attacked and badly injured but Tricia and Angelica, an uninspiring duo in this adventure, do not give up. And Tricia suddenly has a brainwave after suspecting that Zoe's work may well not have been her own; she follows this up in a most unlikely way and lo and behold, the mystery is eventually solved and the murderer is outed.
One or two sub-plots exist as the story unravels but overall it is not quite as engaging a whodunit as the first volume in the series was and the main protagonists do not seem to have the same joie de vivre.
October 26, 2012
So far, this is proving to be quite an enjoyable, fun cozy mystery series. I can't say I like it quite as much as the "Murder, She Wrote" books, but it definitely has its own merits. I love the setting of Stoneham with all its bookstores. What an ideal place that would be to live!
The relationship between Tricia and her sister, Angelica, seemed to develop into a closer, easier one this time around. They didn't butt heads as much as they did in the first one, although there were still times when I found Tricia to be just a little too snarky and mean-spirited where her sister was concerned. An example was when Tricia basically mocked Ange's attempts at writing a cookbook instead of giving her support and encouragement. But, all in all, Tricia seemed more likeable and sensitive to other people's feelings in this book than she was in the first.
I'm not sure how I feel about the relationship between Russ and Tricia. There really didn't seem to be a lot of zing or passion to it, and, frankly, I found it a little boring. Russ, as editor of the local paper, seemed more interested in pumping Tricia for information about the murder than in romancing her. And, Tricia herself didn't appear to harbour a lot of romantic feelings toward him, either. It was all rather blase on both their parts, but maybe their relationship will develop into a better one in the future.
The mystery was a good one and kept me guessing right to the end as to who the murderer was. The motive was a little weak in my opinion, but otherwise the plot moved along at a good pace and was interesting.
I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
The relationship between Tricia and her sister, Angelica, seemed to develop into a closer, easier one this time around. They didn't butt heads as much as they did in the first one, although there were still times when I found Tricia to be just a little too snarky and mean-spirited where her sister was concerned. An example was when Tricia basically mocked Ange's attempts at writing a cookbook instead of giving her support and encouragement. But, all in all, Tricia seemed more likeable and sensitive to other people's feelings in this book than she was in the first.
I'm not sure how I feel about the relationship between Russ and Tricia. There really didn't seem to be a lot of zing or passion to it, and, frankly, I found it a little boring. Russ, as editor of the local paper, seemed more interested in pumping Tricia for information about the murder than in romancing her. And, Tricia herself didn't appear to harbour a lot of romantic feelings toward him, either. It was all rather blase on both their parts, but maybe their relationship will develop into a better one in the future.
The mystery was a good one and kept me guessing right to the end as to who the murderer was. The motive was a little weak in my opinion, but otherwise the plot moved along at a good pace and was interesting.
I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
March 5, 2009
There is so much I like about this book--the setting, which is a mystery bookstore in a town filled with a variety of bookstores, the characters, and the overall mystery is good. I did not see the ending coming, which I like, most of the time.
Here's the "but" paragraph. I thought the main character, Tricia, the mystery bookstore owner, spent waaaay too much time running around town working on solving this crime--it's the usual "the police won't solve it in the time/manner I wish them to, so I will". There were a few too many coincidences. Tricia's relationship with Russ, the local newspaper reporter, is very undefined, and I'm not getting enough for me to see what they see in each other. The wrap-up at the end, as I stated, I did not see coming, but I don't think the author played fair -enough- with the reader.
I'm not sure I'll read another by this author--I've read the first 2 in this series--but we'll see when the next one comes out.
Here's the "but" paragraph. I thought the main character, Tricia, the mystery bookstore owner, spent waaaay too much time running around town working on solving this crime--it's the usual "the police won't solve it in the time/manner I wish them to, so I will". There were a few too many coincidences. Tricia's relationship with Russ, the local newspaper reporter, is very undefined, and I'm not getting enough for me to see what they see in each other. The wrap-up at the end, as I stated, I did not see coming, but I don't think the author played fair -enough- with the reader.
I'm not sure I'll read another by this author--I've read the first 2 in this series--but we'll see when the next one comes out.
August 8, 2020
2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book with a Pun in the Title
With a play on words from the movie "Marked for Death," "Bookmarked for Death" is the 2nd book in the Booktown Mystery Series.
This is a cozy mystery series. It is not true to life or even remotely realistic: as other reviewers have mentioned, Tricia is not a believable character. For me, her finding Nikki's mother (I listened to the audiobook so may be spelling it wrong) on the first try is unbelievable. Also, Tricia is always giving her employees bonuses and drives a Lexus. I may have missed the part in book one when we found out that Tricia was rich, but I highly doubt she is that well off from owning a used bookstore.
Taking those things into consideration, if you are looking for a light mystery and a quick read, this series is up your ally.
With a play on words from the movie "Marked for Death," "Bookmarked for Death" is the 2nd book in the Booktown Mystery Series.
This is a cozy mystery series. It is not true to life or even remotely realistic: as other reviewers have mentioned, Tricia is not a believable character. For me, her finding Nikki's mother (I listened to the audiobook so may be spelling it wrong) on the first try is unbelievable. Also, Tricia is always giving her employees bonuses and drives a Lexus. I may have missed the part in book one when we found out that Tricia was rich, but I highly doubt she is that well off from owning a used bookstore.
Taking those things into consideration, if you are looking for a light mystery and a quick read, this series is up your ally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2021
This series, while a nice premise, is not for me. The characters have no redeeming qualities and Tricia is treated like the village idiot by her sister and the rest of the village. Predictable, figured out the killer halfway through. The Sheriff is useless and vindictive. How this woman gets re-elected is beyond me...If you like this series, I am so glad for you...just not for me.
forgot I had read it and it isn't any better the second time.
forgot I had read it and it isn't any better the second time.
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