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Novel Idea #1
Buried in a Book
After losing her job as a journalist at the age of forty-five, Lila Wilkins accepts an internship at A Novel Idea, a thriving literary agency in North Carolina. Being paid to read seems perfect to Lila, although it's difficult with the cast of quirky co-workers and piles of query letters. But when a penniless aspiring author drops dead in the agency's waiting room-and Lila discovers a series of threatening letters-she's determined to find out who wrote him off.
285 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 7, 2012
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November 17, 2022
Buried in a Book
, Lucy Arlington’s first book in the Novel Idea cozy mystery series, is a fun and new-to-me series by a new-to-me author. After losing her journalist job, Lila Wilkins accepts an internship at A Novel Idea, a literary agency in North Carolina. She will be paid to read query letters, which seems perfect to her. However, when an aspiring author dies in the agency’s waiting room, Lila is determined to learn who has killed him.
Filled with literary references and quirky characters, I enjoyed this mystery. It has more depth to it than I expected and several of the characters were extremely well developed. While a few things were hard to believe and too much of a coincidence, I still appreciated it and found it charming.
Overall, this book has an enjoyable plot, good characterization, and a writing style that flows well. Readers of cozy mysteries will likely enjoy it.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was January 1, 2012.
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My 3.79 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Filled with literary references and quirky characters, I enjoyed this mystery. It has more depth to it than I expected and several of the characters were extremely well developed. While a few things were hard to believe and too much of a coincidence, I still appreciated it and found it charming.
Overall, this book has an enjoyable plot, good characterization, and a writing style that flows well. Readers of cozy mysteries will likely enjoy it.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was January 1, 2012.
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My 3.79 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
February 19, 2016
I had seen the genre "cozy mystery" all over my goodreads timeline. I would go to the used bookstore and there was a section labeled "cozy mystery". I didn't get what it was. So I looked it up and figured out it was basically a mystery that usually takes place in a small hometown, the mystery is usually almost always solved at the end of the book. There is usually a series of the same sleuth throughout the series solving mysteries, and the sleuth is usually someone that you wouldn't expect to be one... they aren't a detective of any sorts. I've never read very many mysteries at all, so I thought this sounded cute. And it's randomly a huge genre! There are so many cozy mystery books! So I picked this one up from the library. It had a cute cover, and the premise sounded interesting enough.
I loved every part of this book! It didn't move me, which is why I love books the most. But it kept me entertained throughout, and I loved all the characters. I would never have guessed the outcome of the mystery. Lucy Arlington did such a good job of tricking you to believe it was someone when it was really someone else. I loved how Lucy mentioned other authors throughout and other books that the characters were reading. It made them seem more relatable, and the characters I really wanted to be friends with.
Buried in a Book takes place in a town called Inspiration Valley, and the places were named so well. The sandwich shop was called Catcher in the Rye, and the coffee shop was called Expresso Yourself. The town was so picture perfect, and I loved reading it. I am definitely gonna keep up with this series, and I loved it a lot. I'm hoping I start reading more cozy mysteries, because I can see why so many people have been reading them!
I loved every part of this book! It didn't move me, which is why I love books the most. But it kept me entertained throughout, and I loved all the characters. I would never have guessed the outcome of the mystery. Lucy Arlington did such a good job of tricking you to believe it was someone when it was really someone else. I loved how Lucy mentioned other authors throughout and other books that the characters were reading. It made them seem more relatable, and the characters I really wanted to be friends with.
Buried in a Book takes place in a town called Inspiration Valley, and the places were named so well. The sandwich shop was called Catcher in the Rye, and the coffee shop was called Expresso Yourself. The town was so picture perfect, and I loved reading it. I am definitely gonna keep up with this series, and I loved it a lot. I'm hoping I start reading more cozy mysteries, because I can see why so many people have been reading them!
March 29, 2012
Two and a half stars. I picked up this book on a whim because it was a cozy mystery with a literary theme and it was set in North Carolina. Cute, but totally unrealistic. And that's not only because Lila Wilkins, the main character, finds a new job the day she gets fired from her old one, OR that she manages to put her house on the market and sell it in little more than a week - without even painting it, OR that she cleans the house to sell it and packs to move out in one day. What world does Lila live in? Not one I recognize. The cute little town of Inspiration Valley where Lila gets a job at a literary agency is pure Disney. Inspiration Valley is supposedly set in central North Carolina, somewhere near Chapel Hill, something I know a little bit about. And it's near the town of Dunston, where Lila lives until she sells and moves in with her mom in Inspiration Valley. Dunston sounds a little like Durham and its baseball team is called the Dunston Bulls. Sound familiar? However, Inspiration Valley is at the foot of Red Fox Mountain. In central North Carolina? There are some hills in Hillsborough, but I wouldn't call them mountains. At the beginning of the book, Lila takes the Inspiration Express, a train outfitted somewhat like the Orient Express, on the short trip from Dunston to Inspiration Valley. Hmm, total fabrication; she's certainly not talking about Amtrak. Inspiration Valley, nestled below Red Fox Mountain, has an adorable little town center with a lovely square with a huge live oak tree in the middle. I hate to tell you, honey, but there are no live oaks in central North Carolina, much less anywhere near a mountain. OK, so it's supposed to be fiction and there's poetic license and all that. Well, just don't make it near anything that really exists, because it really puts off readers like me. There are other telltale errors - a character is dressed in elegant slacks on one page and on the next she smooths the wrinkles of her skirt. Poor editing as well as poor research. If the authors (yes, Lucy Arlington is two women writers) wanted to set a book in North Carolina, they should have known something about its geography. The mystery is not very complicated and easy enough to figure out. For some strange reason that only works as a plot device, the murder victim has planted clues about his past in bird houses, loose bricks and tree notches around town. No explanation of this weird, but convenient, behavior is forthcoming. And why didn't the victim, who came by the literary agency every day pushing his idea, just try another agency? The plot, which hinged on this, just didn't make sense, rather like the geography. The writing is often cliched. On the plus side, Lila is an engaging heroine, in her 40's with a seventeen-year-old son, though I was a little annoyed with her tendency to get all gushy when any good-looking male came around. Puh-leeze. I guess this is supposed to appeal to the romance genre reader. I liked the literary references, though, and the samples of query letters were pretty funny. And it gets extra points for making the teenage son a Tar Heels fan. However, I won't be visiting Inspiration Valley again.
June 30, 2012
First in A Novel Idea mystery series revolving around Lila Wilkins, a new book agent in a charming little town in North Carolina.
My Take
This book is a dichotomy of writing. Arlington chooses the most beautiful words to mangle with her writing. You will enjoy the story very much if you don't pay much attention to what's being said. If you engage your mind at all in reading this, you will find that Arlington has created a weak-assed, drama queen of a primary character in Lila Wilkins.
She whines and moans about her son's habits and I don't see that she's ever exercised any discipline. I can't believe she intends to fully finance Trey's college attendance. She whines and moans about her embarrassing mother, although she does come to realize what a marvel her mother is. She's so overly dramatic in her new position. I swear, the woman does not live in the real world. So she lost her job and her son is responsible for quite a bit of damage---why aren't the other kids who were involved responsible for any of it?? Why does this necessitate her selling her home? Instead of giving us realistic reasons, Arlington simply leaps to this as an excuse for her to move into her mother's house.
Then there's all the leaping---all this activity should wear off all the danishes and scones she's eating at Espresso Yourself!---Lila does at her new job. She gets an idea in her head and immediately decides it's true. Sure she has some theories and not enough facts, but, dah-dah-dahhh, does this hold back our intrepid investigator? Hell, no! Why wait to confirm anything or even SIMPLY inform Sean of her THOUGHTS when she can leap in and make accusations. It brings up the negative actions so much faster and dramatically. As for the ramifications of inaccurate accusations...well, Arlington just ignores them. That would take work to smooth over. Arlington attempts to create more drama by having Lila---the same Lila so concerned about doing well at her job---neglect her duties to investigate the murder. And, yes, I realize I'm being somewhat unfair...it's an indication of how much Arlington's manipulations irritate me!
It's as though Arlington is connecting the dots in her outline without fleshing anything out. Well, it would require some effort and thought...don't want to do any leaping there!
And, no, I'm not confusing a healthy fantasy life with Lila's stupidity. And that's not fair. It's really Arlington's laziness that I'm bemoaning. She has a lovely concept with great characters living in a lovely village. There are engaging interactions amongst the main and secondary characters which I would enjoy continuing, but I simply cannot accept Arlington's theatrics as she ignores all common sense.
On the plus side, Lila is a fairly typical person with her dreams and how she interacts with her son and mother. She is a decent person and I like her concern about solving Marlette's death. I am enjoying the subplot of Trey's involvement with the co-op. I enjoyed Arlington's insertions and quotes from other authors. A bit show-offy, but that's my prejudice showing.
It's just overboard. Arlington goes overboard on everything. Like she can't bear to let an opportunity go by without showing off her word mastery---I expect she'll come out with a series in which cooking is a primary part of the plot. (I think Arlington is channeling a bit of Diane Mott Davidson.) And she is quite good with choosing words. Admittedly, part of my pickiness could well be coming from my annoyance with her excessiveness.
I did enjoy the actual job that Lila performed when she could get around to it. It was fascinating to read of the many trashed queries with the occasional possibility. Exciting, actually.
The Story
It's Lila's first day at her new job when murder is served up. And it's Lila's compassion which sets her off on the trail of who could have murdered such a nice-seeming man...however, smelly he was. When Lila learns that Marlette had been visiting Novel Idea every day with a bouquet and a query letter, the first glimmering of a motive occurs to her. Query letters generally indicate the existence of a manuscript.
An unexpected dinner with the residents of the Red Mountain Co-op creates several opportunities for the Wilkinses: Trey to explore a cooperative life with the beguiling Iris and Lila discovers a great deal about Marlette's history.
A history that will lead to more murder and a nefarious plot by unscrupulous people.
The Characters
Lila Wilkins has just been laid off from her twenty-year job at the local paper in Dunston, but immediately finds a new position as an intern with a nearby agency of book agents, the Novel Idea Literary Agency---I do love the name!. Trey Wilkins is her college-bound son with the lousy work ethic---can't imagine how that was allowed to develop. The Amazing Althea is Lila's mom and she reads tarot cards for a faithful clientele between baking loaves of chocolate-banana bread.
Ms. Bentley Burlington-Duke owns the Novel Idea Literary Agency and seems rather formidable. She employs Flora Meriweather who deals in children's books with a Tasha Tudor-ish office; Zach Attack, a.k.a., Mr. Hollywood, specializes in dramatic entrances, represents sports writers, and gets screenplays up on movie screens; the sensually bodacious Luella Ardor handles romances and erotica; the grandfatherly Franklin Stafford stands for nonfiction and is hiding a hot secret; and, the gorgeous Jude Hudson represents thrillers and suspense.
Makayla is the barista at Espresso Yourself---I get the impression she owns the place. She's a very welcoming lady with a love for books and soon becomes friends with Lila. Big Ed runs Catcher in the Rye, a sandwich shop, where, instead of a number, he gives you a literary character. Addison Eckhart was the lastest intern who quit Novel Idea and now works at the Secret Garden---notice all the literary references in this?
We meet Officer Sean Griffiths the first time over the death at Novel Idea and he quickly insinuates himself into Lila's life.
Marlette Robbins is a homeless man who haunts the agency with floral bouquets and query letters. Carson Knight is the latest client and he has a potential blockbuster of a book. Sue Ann Grey is a nasty piece of work from Marlette's past.
Jasper is the leader of the Red Fox Mountain Co-op. The fairy-like Iris is Jasper's sister and part of the enticement for Trey.
The Cover
The cover depicts the High Street in Inspiration Valley. For pedestrians only, it's cobbled with a fountain in the center and lined with lovely buildings, a mountain rising up in the background. Just the place for a lovely life.
My guess is that the title refers to how Lila envisions spending her work days, Buried in a Book.
My Take
This book is a dichotomy of writing. Arlington chooses the most beautiful words to mangle with her writing. You will enjoy the story very much if you don't pay much attention to what's being said. If you engage your mind at all in reading this, you will find that Arlington has created a weak-assed, drama queen of a primary character in Lila Wilkins.
She whines and moans about her son's habits and I don't see that she's ever exercised any discipline. I can't believe she intends to fully finance Trey's college attendance. She whines and moans about her embarrassing mother, although she does come to realize what a marvel her mother is. She's so overly dramatic in her new position. I swear, the woman does not live in the real world. So she lost her job and her son is responsible for quite a bit of damage---why aren't the other kids who were involved responsible for any of it?? Why does this necessitate her selling her home? Instead of giving us realistic reasons, Arlington simply leaps to this as an excuse for her to move into her mother's house.
Then there's all the leaping---all this activity should wear off all the danishes and scones she's eating at Espresso Yourself!---Lila does at her new job. She gets an idea in her head and immediately decides it's true. Sure she has some theories and not enough facts, but, dah-dah-dahhh, does this hold back our intrepid investigator? Hell, no! Why wait to confirm anything or even SIMPLY inform Sean of her THOUGHTS when she can leap in and make accusations. It brings up the negative actions so much faster and dramatically. As for the ramifications of inaccurate accusations...well, Arlington just ignores them. That would take work to smooth over. Arlington attempts to create more drama by having Lila---the same Lila so concerned about doing well at her job---neglect her duties to investigate the murder. And, yes, I realize I'm being somewhat unfair...it's an indication of how much Arlington's manipulations irritate me!
It's as though Arlington is connecting the dots in her outline without fleshing anything out. Well, it would require some effort and thought...don't want to do any leaping there!
And, no, I'm not confusing a healthy fantasy life with Lila's stupidity. And that's not fair. It's really Arlington's laziness that I'm bemoaning. She has a lovely concept with great characters living in a lovely village. There are engaging interactions amongst the main and secondary characters which I would enjoy continuing, but I simply cannot accept Arlington's theatrics as she ignores all common sense.
On the plus side, Lila is a fairly typical person with her dreams and how she interacts with her son and mother. She is a decent person and I like her concern about solving Marlette's death. I am enjoying the subplot of Trey's involvement with the co-op. I enjoyed Arlington's insertions and quotes from other authors. A bit show-offy, but that's my prejudice showing.
It's just overboard. Arlington goes overboard on everything. Like she can't bear to let an opportunity go by without showing off her word mastery---I expect she'll come out with a series in which cooking is a primary part of the plot. (I think Arlington is channeling a bit of Diane Mott Davidson.) And she is quite good with choosing words. Admittedly, part of my pickiness could well be coming from my annoyance with her excessiveness.
I did enjoy the actual job that Lila performed when she could get around to it. It was fascinating to read of the many trashed queries with the occasional possibility. Exciting, actually.
The Story
It's Lila's first day at her new job when murder is served up. And it's Lila's compassion which sets her off on the trail of who could have murdered such a nice-seeming man...however, smelly he was. When Lila learns that Marlette had been visiting Novel Idea every day with a bouquet and a query letter, the first glimmering of a motive occurs to her. Query letters generally indicate the existence of a manuscript.
An unexpected dinner with the residents of the Red Mountain Co-op creates several opportunities for the Wilkinses: Trey to explore a cooperative life with the beguiling Iris and Lila discovers a great deal about Marlette's history.
A history that will lead to more murder and a nefarious plot by unscrupulous people.
The Characters
Lila Wilkins has just been laid off from her twenty-year job at the local paper in Dunston, but immediately finds a new position as an intern with a nearby agency of book agents, the Novel Idea Literary Agency---I do love the name!. Trey Wilkins is her college-bound son with the lousy work ethic---can't imagine how that was allowed to develop. The Amazing Althea is Lila's mom and she reads tarot cards for a faithful clientele between baking loaves of chocolate-banana bread.
Ms. Bentley Burlington-Duke owns the Novel Idea Literary Agency and seems rather formidable. She employs Flora Meriweather who deals in children's books with a Tasha Tudor-ish office; Zach Attack, a.k.a., Mr. Hollywood, specializes in dramatic entrances, represents sports writers, and gets screenplays up on movie screens; the sensually bodacious Luella Ardor handles romances and erotica; the grandfatherly Franklin Stafford stands for nonfiction and is hiding a hot secret; and, the gorgeous Jude Hudson represents thrillers and suspense.
Makayla is the barista at Espresso Yourself---I get the impression she owns the place. She's a very welcoming lady with a love for books and soon becomes friends with Lila. Big Ed runs Catcher in the Rye, a sandwich shop, where, instead of a number, he gives you a literary character. Addison Eckhart was the lastest intern who quit Novel Idea and now works at the Secret Garden---notice all the literary references in this?
We meet Officer Sean Griffiths the first time over the death at Novel Idea and he quickly insinuates himself into Lila's life.
Marlette Robbins is a homeless man who haunts the agency with floral bouquets and query letters. Carson Knight is the latest client and he has a potential blockbuster of a book. Sue Ann Grey is a nasty piece of work from Marlette's past.
Jasper is the leader of the Red Fox Mountain Co-op. The fairy-like Iris is Jasper's sister and part of the enticement for Trey.
The Cover
The cover depicts the High Street in Inspiration Valley. For pedestrians only, it's cobbled with a fountain in the center and lined with lovely buildings, a mountain rising up in the background. Just the place for a lovely life.
My guess is that the title refers to how Lila envisions spending her work days, Buried in a Book.
August 28, 2016
I am moving to Inspiration Valley! This place has it all...a community Secret Garden, Espresso Yourself coffeshop, Catcher in the Rye sandwich shop, and of course the Novel Idea Literary Agency that is staffed with some serious characters itself! This new "novel" series is a hit and I am fan. I was hooked on page one, charmed the whole way through, and pleased with the wrap up of who-dun-it.
I was sent an ARC, but completely charmed by the story, that I will buy the book so I can also enjoy the cute cover. Thank you Lucy Arlington...please keep me buried under this series!
I was sent an ARC, but completely charmed by the story, that I will buy the book so I can also enjoy the cute cover. Thank you Lucy Arlington...please keep me buried under this series!
October 7, 2021
I discovered this book while browsing my Libby app, and I'm glad I did! A fun whodunit with a literary theme, this was a great find for my month of mysteries.
December 26, 2014
At 45 years of age, Lila Wilkins gets her first pink slip. As a former newspaper journalist, she accepts a position as an internship at a literary agency called A Novel Idea. When a homeless aspiring author dies on her watch, she wonders exactly what she got herself into.
No one seems too concerned about a homeless person dying, but Lila is very concerned. She’s sure there is more to this story than meets the eye. Lila intends to find out exactly what’s going on.
In the meantime, her teenage son has declared he’s not going to college, her mother convinces her that she’s psychic and the local cop is easy on the eyes. Lila has much on her mind, starting with who killed the homeless guy.
Readers were introduced to quite a few characters but it’s all fun and all good. I enjoyed the quirkiness of each character and I loved the strength of the main character. I can’t wait to read more adventures of Lila. She looks to be a wonderful main character and amateur sleuth. I definitely need to read more of this series and I will – especially since I have them on my e-reader TBR.
I can see this will be a series that I will adore and want catch up on. I have the next two in my TBR and I definitely want to know what’s happening with these characters. Many twists and turns and much drama in this series!
FTC Disclosure:The author/publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Addendum: I did not receive this book for review. I bought it myself for my Nook!
No one seems too concerned about a homeless person dying, but Lila is very concerned. She’s sure there is more to this story than meets the eye. Lila intends to find out exactly what’s going on.
In the meantime, her teenage son has declared he’s not going to college, her mother convinces her that she’s psychic and the local cop is easy on the eyes. Lila has much on her mind, starting with who killed the homeless guy.
Readers were introduced to quite a few characters but it’s all fun and all good. I enjoyed the quirkiness of each character and I loved the strength of the main character. I can’t wait to read more adventures of Lila. She looks to be a wonderful main character and amateur sleuth. I definitely need to read more of this series and I will – especially since I have them on my e-reader TBR.
I can see this will be a series that I will adore and want catch up on. I have the next two in my TBR and I definitely want to know what’s happening with these characters. Many twists and turns and much drama in this series!
FTC Disclosure:
Addendum: I did not receive this book for review. I bought it myself for my Nook!
September 11, 2021
Great first novel of a series by Lucy Arlington of an intern who wants to become a literary agent but discovers a dead body instead. She feels compelled to investigate even though she may receive the ultimate deadly “rejection” letter.
September 10, 2019
This was such a cool and different idea for a main character's job, an intern for a literary agency with hopes of becoming one. Lila was determined that she would stick with this agency unlike her predecessors. When a seemingly homeless man was killed right in their office and no one seemed to care, Lila felt herself needing to find out more about him and hopefully find his killer.
I hadn't guessed the killer, not exactly, until Lila started putting things together. The showdown was dangerous and exciting with the police intervening just at the right time. Lila was brave to keep after this like she did, but in the end it really turned out well for the murdered man's legacy along with a very nice surprise for the town. I'm really anxious to continue this series! Lila had a great ending as far as her career was concerned, and now I'm interested in seeing how things will go with the cop she likes.
I hadn't guessed the killer, not exactly, until Lila started putting things together. The showdown was dangerous and exciting with the police intervening just at the right time. Lila was brave to keep after this like she did, but in the end it really turned out well for the murdered man's legacy along with a very nice surprise for the town. I'm really anxious to continue this series! Lila had a great ending as far as her career was concerned, and now I'm interested in seeing how things will go with the cop she likes.
May 20, 2016
Really 3.5 stars, but I rounded up.
In Buried in a Book Lila is fired from her job as a small-town journalist and finds herself needing a job. That job comes in the form of an internship at the Novel Idea Literary Agency in the nearby town of Inspiration Valley. With a eccentric cast of characters, a great setting, and a good mystery Buried in a Book was a strong start to a series.
I really liked Lila, she was funny, and slightly older than the average cozy sleuth, which I really liked. It seems like 40+ sleuths are prone to less ditzy moments than other sleuths, but that's just what I've seen, especially recently. Lila's mother was also a very strong character. She was absolutely hilarious, and at the same time she gave good advice, without being overbearing, which is a trend that seems to be overtaking the cozy mystery subgenre. However, ;I found Lila's son Trey an absolutely horrible son, he crashes his mom's car and acts like it's no big deal, runs off without leaving a note, and acts like everything is an inconvenience, I know the authors are trying to write a "normal" teenage boy but 90% of the teenagers I know wouldn't do some of the stupid things he did in this book.
The setting and mystery were both good, though the mystery was slightly transparent. Lila does a bit of forceful sleuthing, which isn't my favorite, but in the end it wasn't so bad that it made me hate the book. The killers were kind of obvious, though not glaringly so.
Overall with some really strong funny main characters, however an annoying son, a very strong setting and a wonderful plot idea, yet a semi transparent mystery, Buried in a Book gets 3.5/5 stars.
In Buried in a Book Lila is fired from her job as a small-town journalist and finds herself needing a job. That job comes in the form of an internship at the Novel Idea Literary Agency in the nearby town of Inspiration Valley. With a eccentric cast of characters, a great setting, and a good mystery Buried in a Book was a strong start to a series.
I really liked Lila, she was funny, and slightly older than the average cozy sleuth, which I really liked. It seems like 40+ sleuths are prone to less ditzy moments than other sleuths, but that's just what I've seen, especially recently. Lila's mother was also a very strong character. She was absolutely hilarious, and at the same time she gave good advice, without being overbearing, which is a trend that seems to be overtaking the cozy mystery subgenre. However, ;I found Lila's son Trey an absolutely horrible son, he crashes his mom's car and acts like it's no big deal, runs off without leaving a note, and acts like everything is an inconvenience, I know the authors are trying to write a "normal" teenage boy but 90% of the teenagers I know wouldn't do some of the stupid things he did in this book.
The setting and mystery were both good, though the mystery was slightly transparent. Lila does a bit of forceful sleuthing, which isn't my favorite, but in the end it wasn't so bad that it made me hate the book. The killers were kind of obvious, though not glaringly so.
Overall with some really strong funny main characters, however an annoying son, a very strong setting and a wonderful plot idea, yet a semi transparent mystery, Buried in a Book gets 3.5/5 stars.
January 16, 2016
Meet Lila Wilkens, former newspaper journalist and the newest employee of A Novel Idea. She is a 45 year old intern, but she not only accepts the position because she really needs the job, but also because it is a thriving business in the Utopian town of Inspiration Valley, North Carolina. Lily is an avid reader and can imagine no job better than getting paid to read.
Her first day is quite eventful as she meets her eccentric coworkers, receives a huge stack of query letters to review, and is assigned an extremely small desk. Of course none of that compares to finding a dead body in the waiting room. Even more amazing is that none of her new coworkers seem the least bit concerned that a man died in their office. Most of them just continue on with their day leaving Lila to handle the aftermath including the police.
The journalist in Lila can’t believe that this man died at A Novel Idea randomly so using skills from her previous job she is determined who killed this man and why.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
First things first, I want Lila’s job, I wouldn’t even mind dealing with the dead body. Being paid to read story ideas and novels would be absolutely awesome. Doing it in a place like Inspiration Valley would be caramel on top of my latte!
Lucy Arlington has a winner with this debut. Readers will love to read about the beginning of the publishing process with a murder or two wrapped in a great mystery. The setting is a place everyone will want to visit, from the coffee cafe to the sandwich shoppe. I want to jump right into the cover of the book and tool around the cobblestone streets on my bright yellow scooter.
Lila is quick to make friends, some friendlier than others, her mother is has a unique gift, her son Trey needs a little redirection that the changes in Lila’s life will help create. We are just starting to get to know all the characters and I am very anxious to see where the author takes them.
A first-rate whodunit all cozy fans will enjoy!!
Her first day is quite eventful as she meets her eccentric coworkers, receives a huge stack of query letters to review, and is assigned an extremely small desk. Of course none of that compares to finding a dead body in the waiting room. Even more amazing is that none of her new coworkers seem the least bit concerned that a man died in their office. Most of them just continue on with their day leaving Lila to handle the aftermath including the police.
The journalist in Lila can’t believe that this man died at A Novel Idea randomly so using skills from her previous job she is determined who killed this man and why.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
First things first, I want Lila’s job, I wouldn’t even mind dealing with the dead body. Being paid to read story ideas and novels would be absolutely awesome. Doing it in a place like Inspiration Valley would be caramel on top of my latte!
Lucy Arlington has a winner with this debut. Readers will love to read about the beginning of the publishing process with a murder or two wrapped in a great mystery. The setting is a place everyone will want to visit, from the coffee cafe to the sandwich shoppe. I want to jump right into the cover of the book and tool around the cobblestone streets on my bright yellow scooter.
Lila is quick to make friends, some friendlier than others, her mother is has a unique gift, her son Trey needs a little redirection that the changes in Lila’s life will help create. We are just starting to get to know all the characters and I am very anxious to see where the author takes them.
A first-rate whodunit all cozy fans will enjoy!!
January 4, 2021
Lila is laid off from the local newspaper then lands a job at a literary agency where on her first day she is confronted with a body of a man who was chased out of the agency within an hour of Lila's arrival at the agency. Was it murder or something else?
I liked Lila. The agency has a cast of characters working at it. Their descriptions give a good picture of what each is like. Lila wants to know who the man is and who/what killed him so she decides to investigate no matter the cost to her. She also has a few possible romance partners. Her mother is a hoot and her son should have had a good spanking once or twice in his childhood so he wouldn't be so spoiled.
The story line was interesting. I liked how Lila works to solve the murder. She's wrong at times but keeps at it until she finds the answer. The world building is good. I look forward to more of the series.
I liked Lila. The agency has a cast of characters working at it. Their descriptions give a good picture of what each is like. Lila wants to know who the man is and who/what killed him so she decides to investigate no matter the cost to her. She also has a few possible romance partners. Her mother is a hoot and her son should have had a good spanking once or twice in his childhood so he wouldn't be so spoiled.
The story line was interesting. I liked how Lila works to solve the murder. She's wrong at times but keeps at it until she finds the answer. The world building is good. I look forward to more of the series.
June 18, 2020
Almost 3. It starts cute and is amusing in places. The heroine is likable. I enjoyed so many book mentions. What sunk it is it kept getting more cartoonish and contrived as the pages flipped by. Her mother is supposed to be quirky but is irritating. I liked having an imperfect child for the main character but her son was something else. The mystery is okay, but again cartoonish, and the author relied too much on telling rather than showing when it kept being written why the mc had to investigate
April 9, 2020
I loved every minute of this! Lila gets fired from her newspaper job, so takes on an internship at a literary agency and moves in with her mother. On her first day at the new job, a homeless man, who is trying to get his novel published is found dead in the lobby. It's made to look like an accident, but turns out differently.
Her son Trey is really bad at the beginning, with a "don't care" attitude. I hated how he talked and behaved at the beginning. Also, Lila makes some really stupid decisions, but overall, the story and the writing were really good and I will continue with this series.
Her son Trey is really bad at the beginning, with a "don't care" attitude. I hated how he talked and behaved at the beginning. Also, Lila makes some really stupid decisions, but overall, the story and the writing were really good and I will continue with this series.
February 20, 2012
If you follow my reviews, you know that almost never is there a five-star review of a debut book. The reason is that I usually feel I don't 'know' the characters yet or the book hasn't left me feeling satisfied. 'Buried in a Book' is a five star novel.
I had just expected to pick out a book to read, begin the acknowledgements, and dedications, and perhaps read Chapter one, as it was late at night and time for my cancer medications. I hadn't counted on being drawn into the book from page one.
Allow me to introduce you to Lila Wilkins, a 45 yr old woman with one 17yr old son, who has just been fired from her life-long job with the local newspaper. It is just downsizing...yea right (oh that was my thoughts...sorry.) Lila immediately finds a new position as an intern for a Literary agency. Lila dreams (and who doesn't..oops that's me again,) of being a great Agent and finding fame and glory. I love this character. She feels 'real' and has realistic problems.
The new job is at A Novel Idea Agency, Love that name. Lila enters reality...she is an 'intern.' What I loved about this was the fact that Lila realizes she is going to have to earn her job and that is real again.
Lila goes on a coffee run (I won't spoil the scene for you,) and when she returns, a person with a query is 'dead' on the couch in the reception area. Oh boy...day one! And, the person (who is an amazing character within himself,) was murdered!
Lila is still a newspaper journalist...You mean no one read his Query letter? Something is drastically wrong here.
Meanwhile Lila's personal life is in disarray as well and again it seemed realistic and I was drawn in. In fact, I was drawn in until 5 a.m. this morning...when I finished the book.
Luckily for me, there is soon to be another episode published "Every Trick in the Book" by Berkley Prime Crime and Lucy Arlington. Buy them both! You see there are 5 star books out there!
I had just expected to pick out a book to read, begin the acknowledgements, and dedications, and perhaps read Chapter one, as it was late at night and time for my cancer medications. I hadn't counted on being drawn into the book from page one.
Allow me to introduce you to Lila Wilkins, a 45 yr old woman with one 17yr old son, who has just been fired from her life-long job with the local newspaper. It is just downsizing...yea right (oh that was my thoughts...sorry.) Lila immediately finds a new position as an intern for a Literary agency. Lila dreams (and who doesn't..oops that's me again,) of being a great Agent and finding fame and glory. I love this character. She feels 'real' and has realistic problems.
The new job is at A Novel Idea Agency, Love that name. Lila enters reality...she is an 'intern.' What I loved about this was the fact that Lila realizes she is going to have to earn her job and that is real again.
Lila goes on a coffee run (I won't spoil the scene for you,) and when she returns, a person with a query is 'dead' on the couch in the reception area. Oh boy...day one! And, the person (who is an amazing character within himself,) was murdered!
Lila is still a newspaper journalist...You mean no one read his Query letter? Something is drastically wrong here.
Meanwhile Lila's personal life is in disarray as well and again it seemed realistic and I was drawn in. In fact, I was drawn in until 5 a.m. this morning...when I finished the book.
Luckily for me, there is soon to be another episode published "Every Trick in the Book" by Berkley Prime Crime and Lucy Arlington. Buy them both! You see there are 5 star books out there!
May 24, 2015
This book seems to have taken forever to read. Each character that was introduced by Lucy Arlington came across as flat. There was no depth or interest in seeing what would happen and the death of Marlette was so inconsequential that if it were not for the fact that his name was mentioned repeatedly I would have forgotten what it was.
Lila Wilkins is a mid-forties woman who has recently been let go from her journalist job. She wants to remain in the publishing industry and the only thing that is available to her is an intern position at A Novel Idea that is a town over from where she currently lives. Due to financial constrains she must move in with her mother, the local psychic, and with her son they are determined to make this move work out for both of them.
Yada, Yada, Yada, the first day at the job, Marlette the local bum, dies in the reception area of the literary agency and Lila decides to take up the investigation herself. An unrealistic relationship blossoms between Sean the police investigator and Lila the intern, and it is up to Sean to protect this hapless damsel, before she gets herself killed or solves the crime for him.
I understand that cozy mysteries are supposed to be easy reads, but this one was teetering on boring. Ms. Arlington tried to make the story twisty with the interpersonal relationships, but they were ridiculous. Some revelations as to relationships were not needed and I wonder if she was trying to go for shock value. The names that she gave the characters were even worst. Maybe it is a southern thing, but Marlette being a man and Bentley being a woman just hit me wrong.
This is not a series that I will be continuing, but on a side note, I decided to check out this author. Yet again, it is another pseudonym for Jennifer Stanley, Sylvia May and Ellery Adams which all may boil down to the same Jennifer Stanley, but I was too confused.
Lila Wilkins is a mid-forties woman who has recently been let go from her journalist job. She wants to remain in the publishing industry and the only thing that is available to her is an intern position at A Novel Idea that is a town over from where she currently lives. Due to financial constrains she must move in with her mother, the local psychic, and with her son they are determined to make this move work out for both of them.
Yada, Yada, Yada, the first day at the job, Marlette the local bum, dies in the reception area of the literary agency and Lila decides to take up the investigation herself. An unrealistic relationship blossoms between Sean the police investigator and Lila the intern, and it is up to Sean to protect this hapless damsel, before she gets herself killed or solves the crime for him.
I understand that cozy mysteries are supposed to be easy reads, but this one was teetering on boring. Ms. Arlington tried to make the story twisty with the interpersonal relationships, but they were ridiculous. Some revelations as to relationships were not needed and I wonder if she was trying to go for shock value. The names that she gave the characters were even worst. Maybe it is a southern thing, but Marlette being a man and Bentley being a woman just hit me wrong.
This is not a series that I will be continuing, but on a side note, I decided to check out this author. Yet again, it is another pseudonym for Jennifer Stanley, Sylvia May and Ellery Adams which all may boil down to the same Jennifer Stanley, but I was too confused.
April 18, 2012
This was a very enjoyable cozy mystery, one of the best I've read this year. Lila Wilkins, a newspaper journalist who's been laid off after 20 years on the job, finds a new position as an intern at a literary agency, A Novel Idea, in Inspiration Valley, N.C. She's really looking forward to being paid to read book proposals and perhaps discover the next big best-selling author. But her first day turns out to be more eventful and interesting than she'd bargained for, when the dead body of an aspiring author is found in the lobby.
Inspiration Valley is a fun setting. There's a friendly, enthusiastic, book-loving young woman who works in the Espresso Yourself coffee shop, a nursery called the Secret Garden, and a cafe named Catcher in the Rye, where customers, after ordering their food, are given fictional, or otherwise inspirational, names to be called by when their order is ready, e.g., Miss Marple, Walt Disney, Eliza Doolittle, Rumpelstiltskin, Michelangelo.
The book is full of quirky characters, including Lila's psychic mother and quite an assortment of eccentric agents at A Novel Idea, including Luella Ardor, in charge of romantic books; Flora Meriweather, children's & YA; Jude Hudson, thrillers & suspense; and Bentley Burlington-Duke, the head of the agency. There's also a commune upon the hill, the Red Fox Mountain Co-op, where the penniless murder victim had lived. And a possible love interest for Lila in Officer Sean Griffiths.
Buried in a Book is an entertaining, captivating whodunit for readers who like a well-plotted, light traditional mystery with lively, well-drawn characters. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one in the series.
Inspiration Valley is a fun setting. There's a friendly, enthusiastic, book-loving young woman who works in the Espresso Yourself coffee shop, a nursery called the Secret Garden, and a cafe named Catcher in the Rye, where customers, after ordering their food, are given fictional, or otherwise inspirational, names to be called by when their order is ready, e.g., Miss Marple, Walt Disney, Eliza Doolittle, Rumpelstiltskin, Michelangelo.
The book is full of quirky characters, including Lila's psychic mother and quite an assortment of eccentric agents at A Novel Idea, including Luella Ardor, in charge of romantic books; Flora Meriweather, children's & YA; Jude Hudson, thrillers & suspense; and Bentley Burlington-Duke, the head of the agency. There's also a commune upon the hill, the Red Fox Mountain Co-op, where the penniless murder victim had lived. And a possible love interest for Lila in Officer Sean Griffiths.
Buried in a Book is an entertaining, captivating whodunit for readers who like a well-plotted, light traditional mystery with lively, well-drawn characters. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one in the series.
July 3, 2016
3.5 stars. I enjoyed my trip to Inspiration Valley. Lila was a likeable character caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Some of it probably bordered a bit on the unbelievable side but that's why it's a book and not real life. I'll be interested to see what happens next.
April 17, 2024
Lila Wilkins was shocked the day she received a pink slip, but before she even left the building where she had worked for the past 20 years, she made a phone call. From unemployed to hired, from reporter at the "Dunston Herald" to intern for the Novel Idea Literary Agency, Lila would still be going to work the next day reporting to Ms. Bentley Burlington-Duke.
I loved this literary delight, a blend of great characters of diverse ages who enjoy friendship and new experiences within a mystery of twists.
One of the simple pleasures of reading cozy mysteries is the creativity of each author, who names the local businesses in the towns, which helps to develop picturesque settings as the mysteries take place. Here are a few of my favorites...
Expresso Yourself - coffee shop that is complete with piped-in acoustic guitar music and paintings by local artists on the walls.
Sherlock Holmes Realty - real estate office.
Catcher in the Rye - local sandwich shop.
How Green Was My Valley – organic food store with a mural of a farm scene on the side of the store.
Wonderland Playground – favorite location of the children and their moms.
The Secret Garden – gardening center.
Walden Woods Circle – renovated rental unit cottages were sold as private homes.
I hope you’ll visit Inspiration Valley in North Carolina. I’m looking forward to my next visit!
p.s. My confession: I know you shouldn’t laugh at another woman’s leading man, but when Lila’s mother, Althea, revealed the name of her leading man, I just couldn’t help myself. What a hoot of laughter burst forth from me!
Reviewer’s Note: Lucy Arlington is a pen name used by Susan Furlong.
I loved this literary delight, a blend of great characters of diverse ages who enjoy friendship and new experiences within a mystery of twists.
One of the simple pleasures of reading cozy mysteries is the creativity of each author, who names the local businesses in the towns, which helps to develop picturesque settings as the mysteries take place. Here are a few of my favorites...
Expresso Yourself - coffee shop that is complete with piped-in acoustic guitar music and paintings by local artists on the walls.
Sherlock Holmes Realty - real estate office.
Catcher in the Rye - local sandwich shop.
How Green Was My Valley – organic food store with a mural of a farm scene on the side of the store.
Wonderland Playground – favorite location of the children and their moms.
The Secret Garden – gardening center.
Walden Woods Circle – renovated rental unit cottages were sold as private homes.
I hope you’ll visit Inspiration Valley in North Carolina. I’m looking forward to my next visit!
p.s. My confession: I know you shouldn’t laugh at another woman’s leading man, but when Lila’s mother, Althea, revealed the name of her leading man, I just couldn’t help myself. What a hoot of laughter burst forth from me!
Reviewer’s Note: Lucy Arlington is a pen name used by Susan Furlong.
December 7, 2020
According to Goodreads, this is my 400th book finished for the year 2020. This is by far the most that I've ever read in a year. So it's very fitting that the title of the book is "Buried in a Book" since that apparently describes me this year. LOL!
I did enjoy the book, even though the main character made some poor choices along the way (in my opinion). There was an interesting cast of characters with several possible suspects to make for an interesting mystery.
I enjoyed reading this along with Di from the Youtube channel Disis19 Hearts. She has an audio discussion after every two chapters which definitely enhanced my reading experience of the book.
I did enjoy the book, even though the main character made some poor choices along the way (in my opinion). There was an interesting cast of characters with several possible suspects to make for an interesting mystery.
I enjoyed reading this along with Di from the Youtube channel Disis19 Hearts. She has an audio discussion after every two chapters which definitely enhanced my reading experience of the book.
April 22, 2022
Abandoned. It's just not for me.
February 13, 2012
BURIED IN A BOOK was a fantastic cozy mystery! When we first meet Lila Wilkins, she’s just been “let go” from her job as a journalist at the Dunston Herald. She’s spent the past 20 years there, so Lila is none too thrilled about starting over at age 45. She packs up her things and her 17-year old son and moves to the picturesque town of Inspiration Valley, North Carolina. She moves in with her eccentric mother, a fortune teller, until she can get back on her feet.
Lila takes a job as an intern at a local literary agency. She is assigned the task of reading query letters from authors all day, weeding out the few promising ones from the many that will be rejected. On her first day, a very scruffy and smelly man comes into the agency demanding that his query letter be read. And it’s not the first time he’s done this. Lila turns her back for a few moments, and surprise! The strange man is dead on the lobby sofa.
With another big investigation going on, the police don’t make the suspicious death of a homeless man their top priority. So Lila decides to do some amateur sleuthing to see what she can find out. She discovers that there was so much more than meets the eye when it came to the victim. There are many possible suspects, and someone’s not too happy about Lila’s interference, yet she’s determined to discover the truth and do right by the deceased.
This was an impressive debut by Lucy Arlington. I loved her writing style. She really drew me into the Inspiration Valley with the rest of the characters. I thought is was clever to make Lila’s job be reading query letters and to have a query letter be a big part of the mystery itself. I liked the whole cast of characters. I particularly enjoyed Lila’s budding romance with a certain Officer Sean Griffiths. Let’s just say that Officer Griffiths knows how to kiss.
BURIED IN A BOOK is a witty, captivating read that mystery fans will enjoy. I’m looking forward to my next visit to Inspiration Valley.
Lila takes a job as an intern at a local literary agency. She is assigned the task of reading query letters from authors all day, weeding out the few promising ones from the many that will be rejected. On her first day, a very scruffy and smelly man comes into the agency demanding that his query letter be read. And it’s not the first time he’s done this. Lila turns her back for a few moments, and surprise! The strange man is dead on the lobby sofa.
With another big investigation going on, the police don’t make the suspicious death of a homeless man their top priority. So Lila decides to do some amateur sleuthing to see what she can find out. She discovers that there was so much more than meets the eye when it came to the victim. There are many possible suspects, and someone’s not too happy about Lila’s interference, yet she’s determined to discover the truth and do right by the deceased.
This was an impressive debut by Lucy Arlington. I loved her writing style. She really drew me into the Inspiration Valley with the rest of the characters. I thought is was clever to make Lila’s job be reading query letters and to have a query letter be a big part of the mystery itself. I liked the whole cast of characters. I particularly enjoyed Lila’s budding romance with a certain Officer Sean Griffiths. Let’s just say that Officer Griffiths knows how to kiss.
BURIED IN A BOOK is a witty, captivating read that mystery fans will enjoy. I’m looking forward to my next visit to Inspiration Valley.
January 29, 2012
This is the first book in the A Novel Idea Mystery series by Lucy Arlington. Lila Wlkins is a newspaper reporter and the paper is undergoing a downsizing and she is suddenly unemployed. Looking through the classifieds, she finds an opportunity that appeals to her. An internship at A Novel Idea. She knows she has what it takes to turn that into a literary agent.
The co-workers in this agency range quiet to very outgoing. As the intern, her job is to read out inquiries sent to the agency from hopeful authors. Lila also has a homeless person, Marlette, who stops by every day with bouquet of flowers and asks if anyone has read letter. As scraggy as he looks Lila can't believe that he is capable of becoming an author. On his last visit he is sitting on the sofa in the reception are and Lila notices he hasn't moved in some time. Upon closer inspection with the help of one of the agents, finds that he is dead, possibly caused by a bee sting.
Inspiration Valley, being a small town, also has a small police department. They are in the midst investigating a building fire in which someone has died. Lila feels that the cursory investigation by police is hardly fair to the dead man.
With a little help from the agents in her office, Makayla, who runs Expresso Yourself,and some of the residents of the Red Fox Co-op; Lila is able to track down the story on Marlette and also to find the manuscript that he had written. The manuscript being the reason he was killed. She has enough information gathered to turn it over to Officer Griffithsnd get the killer apprehneded.
I am one who loves to be told a story, as opposed to trying figure out what is in the minds of the characters. The author has great story to tell and has provided a very interesting and beautiful backdrop fot it. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.
The co-workers in this agency range quiet to very outgoing. As the intern, her job is to read out inquiries sent to the agency from hopeful authors. Lila also has a homeless person, Marlette, who stops by every day with bouquet of flowers and asks if anyone has read letter. As scraggy as he looks Lila can't believe that he is capable of becoming an author. On his last visit he is sitting on the sofa in the reception are and Lila notices he hasn't moved in some time. Upon closer inspection with the help of one of the agents, finds that he is dead, possibly caused by a bee sting.
Inspiration Valley, being a small town, also has a small police department. They are in the midst investigating a building fire in which someone has died. Lila feels that the cursory investigation by police is hardly fair to the dead man.
With a little help from the agents in her office, Makayla, who runs Expresso Yourself,and some of the residents of the Red Fox Co-op; Lila is able to track down the story on Marlette and also to find the manuscript that he had written. The manuscript being the reason he was killed. She has enough information gathered to turn it over to Officer Griffithsnd get the killer apprehneded.
I am one who loves to be told a story, as opposed to trying figure out what is in the minds of the characters. The author has great story to tell and has provided a very interesting and beautiful backdrop fot it. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 11, 2013
I have to say that I was fairly impressed with this book. I was pretty interested in the idea that Lila was in her forties, yet wasn't a "mom" character staying home and baking cookies, nor was she a "grandmother" character that does nothing but meddle. It's refreshing to see someone write about a woman and make her older without actually making her old.
The mystery here is fairly good, but what I loved were the little in-jokes and snarks towards the publishing and literary world. Anyone who has read any length of professionally and self-published books will recognize a lot of the stuff Arlington pokes fun at. I have to say that this provided quite a bit of enjoyment for me because the issues as so recognizable, from the pompous and egocentric famous author to the unpublished author that sends in the worst query letter ever. There are mentions of the good ones too, of course.
Arlington's characters are really the best part of this. They're typical for your average cozy mystery, but Arlington does try to make them a little different in some ways. It's the character of Lila that really stood out the most. I have to state again that it's so nice to have a woman in her forties not be a mom, grandmom, or any of the other typical roles that older women play.
The pace in this is initially a little slow at times, but the ending really brought me in. It made me want to read the next book, which I guess is probably the best endorsement of this book. Anything that makes you want to keep reading has to be doing something right. This is absolutely a fun read for fans of the cozy mystery genre.
The mystery here is fairly good, but what I loved were the little in-jokes and snarks towards the publishing and literary world. Anyone who has read any length of professionally and self-published books will recognize a lot of the stuff Arlington pokes fun at. I have to say that this provided quite a bit of enjoyment for me because the issues as so recognizable, from the pompous and egocentric famous author to the unpublished author that sends in the worst query letter ever. There are mentions of the good ones too, of course.
Arlington's characters are really the best part of this. They're typical for your average cozy mystery, but Arlington does try to make them a little different in some ways. It's the character of Lila that really stood out the most. I have to state again that it's so nice to have a woman in her forties not be a mom, grandmom, or any of the other typical roles that older women play.
The pace in this is initially a little slow at times, but the ending really brought me in. It made me want to read the next book, which I guess is probably the best endorsement of this book. Anything that makes you want to keep reading has to be doing something right. This is absolutely a fun read for fans of the cozy mystery genre.
January 3, 2017
Well, I can't say I finished "Buried in a Book" as I got about 70 pages in and had to stop. Too many elements about the characters started to irk me. Lila Wilkins, the protagonist, meets a cop after a murder and she's all attracted to him and flirting with him, says she could fall in love with him and she just met the man, after a murder! If I had wanted a romance, I would have checked out a romance novel. Then there is her son, Trey. God help me if I ever had a kid like that. He ruins her car joyriding with his friends at the school after taking it without her permission and he feels no remorse, or if he does, you don't get a feel for that. He even destroys school property in the process and he doesn't understand the financial ramifications. He has a single parent with a single income who had just lost a job and just started a new one, and he doesn't know about the strain they're in financially? Of course that's also on her, not just him. So little quirks like these made it impossible to continue reading, as part of me couldn't suspend my belief into accepting such emotionally flighty characters.
The author, Lucy Arlington, writes well and is very articulate and descriptive. I like that it's set in a fictional area in North Carolina and it seems like a great concept, the murder of a vagrant and a variety of cast who could all have a motive. If you like these cozy murder mysteries that have a woman who falls madly in love with the first solid male character who is presented in the book, have at this as I'm sure this would be right up your alley.
The author, Lucy Arlington, writes well and is very articulate and descriptive. I like that it's set in a fictional area in North Carolina and it seems like a great concept, the murder of a vagrant and a variety of cast who could all have a motive. If you like these cozy murder mysteries that have a woman who falls madly in love with the first solid male character who is presented in the book, have at this as I'm sure this would be right up your alley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2016
I randomly started reading this one despite having two other books on my currently reading shelf. I really did want to read them, but with recent struggles at work weighing on my mind, I preferred to go with something soothing and familiar. Why not a new cozy mystery?
Of course I love books, and this cozy mystery features them by the truck load. There are plenty of quotes and book appreciation, and I just get the feeling that the rest of the series will be the same. It was enjoyable to love on the love of books, you know?
Lila might grow into a great character as she finds her feet in her new life. She was a little stuffy in this book, but I suppose we'll have to see what happens next. The host of secondary characters make a great supporting cast, and each with their own background will inevitably develop in the future as well.
A fun cozy mystery, four stars.
Of course I love books, and this cozy mystery features them by the truck load. There are plenty of quotes and book appreciation, and I just get the feeling that the rest of the series will be the same. It was enjoyable to love on the love of books, you know?
Lila might grow into a great character as she finds her feet in her new life. She was a little stuffy in this book, but I suppose we'll have to see what happens next. The host of secondary characters make a great supporting cast, and each with their own background will inevitably develop in the future as well.
A fun cozy mystery, four stars.
April 13, 2016
Even before finishing the first chapter I thought: "whoa, slow down woman!" Unfortunately Lila Wilkins did not. Within the first few chapters she is fired, hired, has to pick up her son at the police station, moves in with her mother, falls in love and finds a murdered man in the reception area of her new workplace.
In the pages that follow things get only worse; there is so much going on that the story becomes two dimensional. A pity really for it did have potential, it just needed a little less going on, I think.
I felt like swimming under water and not being able to come up for air.
In the pages that follow things get only worse; there is so much going on that the story becomes two dimensional. A pity really for it did have potential, it just needed a little less going on, I think.
I felt like swimming under water and not being able to come up for air.
November 11, 2013
I enjoyed this start to a new series, actually better than I liked the second. As an author, I liked learning the perspective of an intern working at a literary agency. I kind of wish the sleuth hadn't so easily been promoted to agent. Would have been more interesting to see her struggle in the intern role.
October 24, 2017
Buried in a Book is the first in a book series about a former newspaper journalist turned intern/agent at the Novel Idea Literary Agency. Lila Wilkens is a forty five year old newspaperwoman fired form her job in journalism that she's held for 20 years. She takes a job as an Intern at the Novel Idea Literary Agency in the small town of Inspiration Valley. She moves in with her eccentric, psychic, "hippie" mother house along with evening in toe, including troublesome teenage son, Trey,. on her first day in the office a homeless man named Marlette shows up and then after she leaves him for a few moments, he is found dead on the couch. After she calls the police including Officer Sean Griffins, the assume Marlette died of a allergic reaction and don't further investigate. Lila decides to juggle her new job, her rebellious teenage son and now a murder investigation. I like cozy mysteries and the interesting concepts they come up with. this book and the rest of the series has a good concept of being set in a office of a Literary Agency and having a Literary Agent/Intern as a protagonist. the town is very creative as well and I like it a lot. this a great story with a interesting whodunit with a cast of entertaining characters.
February 6, 2020
So I'm going out there against most of the reviewers of this book and giving it a solid 'meh'.
First in the Novel Ideas series, which is a literary agency that our MC lands at after being made redundant at her newspaper job. On her first day, a homeless guy comes in and dies on the couch. Lila, our MC, decides that the police are too busy with another case, so she has to speak for the dead guy and find the killer. Could it be someone at the Novel Idea agency?
I felt the book was preachy, our MC was sanctimonious, and her teenage son certainly wasn't getting the direction, or punishment he deserves. The only character I liked was Jim Beam swilling psychic momma, who lent color and a down-to-earth quality to the story.
At 45 years old, Lila's dating prospects or past (aside from raising her son as a single mom) are not mentioned, but she sure did jump into kissing not one but two guys just a few days into the story. She must be love starved (or something).....
The whole book did not gel for me. Unless a reading challenge requires it, I won't be continuing the series.
First in the Novel Ideas series, which is a literary agency that our MC lands at after being made redundant at her newspaper job. On her first day, a homeless guy comes in and dies on the couch. Lila, our MC, decides that the police are too busy with another case, so she has to speak for the dead guy and find the killer. Could it be someone at the Novel Idea agency?
I felt the book was preachy, our MC was sanctimonious, and her teenage son certainly wasn't getting the direction, or punishment he deserves. The only character I liked was Jim Beam swilling psychic momma, who lent color and a down-to-earth quality to the story.
At 45 years old, Lila's dating prospects or past (aside from raising her son as a single mom) are not mentioned, but she sure did jump into kissing not one but two guys just a few days into the story. She must be love starved (or something).....
The whole book did not gel for me. Unless a reading challenge requires it, I won't be continuing the series.
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