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Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries #4
Memoirs of a Garroter
Murder is bad for business, especially when the hot local crime writer is garrotted between the shelves!
With grudging permission from Heathcliff, Mina Wilde has transformed Nevermore Bookshop. She's running author events, hosting Quoth's art show, and using her creative flair to attract more customers. But when crime writer Danny Sledge is murdered moments before his writing workshop, the bookshop goes from bustling to broke.
No one in the village will set foot inside Nevermore. What if the murderer is targeting the bookshop? What if it's connected to Mina's father and the mysterious room? All Mina knows is that if she doesn't solve the crime soon, she can kiss her livelihood goodbye.
Add in a plague of locusts, an emotional school visit, and a magical visitor from the past, and poor Mina has her work cut out for her. Luckily, she has Heathcliff, Morrie, and Quoth to help... that is - if they can keep their hands off her, or each other...
The Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries are what you get when all your book boyfriends come to life. Join a brooding antihero, a master criminal, a cheeky raven, and a heroine with a big heart (and an even bigger book collection) in this brand new steamy reverse harem paranormal mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes.
With grudging permission from Heathcliff, Mina Wilde has transformed Nevermore Bookshop. She's running author events, hosting Quoth's art show, and using her creative flair to attract more customers. But when crime writer Danny Sledge is murdered moments before his writing workshop, the bookshop goes from bustling to broke.
No one in the village will set foot inside Nevermore. What if the murderer is targeting the bookshop? What if it's connected to Mina's father and the mysterious room? All Mina knows is that if she doesn't solve the crime soon, she can kiss her livelihood goodbye.
Add in a plague of locusts, an emotional school visit, and a magical visitor from the past, and poor Mina has her work cut out for her. Luckily, she has Heathcliff, Morrie, and Quoth to help... that is - if they can keep their hands off her, or each other...
The Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries are what you get when all your book boyfriends come to life. Join a brooding antihero, a master criminal, a cheeky raven, and a heroine with a big heart (and an even bigger book collection) in this brand new steamy reverse harem paranormal mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Steffanie Holmes.
286 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2019
990 people are currently reading
1783 people want to read
About the author
Steffanie Holmes
84 books1,363 followersSteffanie Holmes is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.
Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.
Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
September 16, 2020
The ending of this book was just 😱😱😱!! ( summary) so this is a reverse harem story which is about Mina who gets a job in a cursed bookshop where fictional characters comes to life. She meets Poe’s raven who can transform into a human, Heathcliff and James Moriarty. Together they solve murder mystery that has been happening around them.
This is the 4th book and after solving 3 murder cases Mina was living her best life with her guys and they were trying to make the bookstore more popular , and she suspected that something was between Heathcliff and Morrie but they couldn’t acknowledge the new feelings they had been feeling for each other. But then author Danny gets murdered in the bookshop and people starts to boycott the shop cuz they dont feel safe there anymore and thats why Mina has to solve the murder of Danny, during that she learns more about the Nevermore Bookshop curse and her father whom she has no idea about.
I am seriously so obsessed with this series, each book has a different murder and its so fun reading it. Tho it was really easy to guess who the killer was but i still enjoyed reading how they solved the case. I wont lie but i liked this book less than the other ones cuz it was just wayyy to easy to guess the killer. But what i loved was the new relationship between Morrie and Heathcliff, ugh i love these two together their chemistry? Dont even get me started with that 🔥🔥🔥. I like Morrie and Heathcliff Together more than i like them with Mina.
Quoth on the other hand who is the raven/ human finally acknowledged his talent and is ready to chase his dreams. I love his character the most cuz he is such a sweet but broken boy. Ugh, the new secret that revealed about Mina’s father was kinda shocking and i cant wait to read the next book.
This is the 4th book and after solving 3 murder cases Mina was living her best life with her guys and they were trying to make the bookstore more popular , and she suspected that something was between Heathcliff and Morrie but they couldn’t acknowledge the new feelings they had been feeling for each other. But then author Danny gets murdered in the bookshop and people starts to boycott the shop cuz they dont feel safe there anymore and thats why Mina has to solve the murder of Danny, during that she learns more about the Nevermore Bookshop curse and her father whom she has no idea about.
I am seriously so obsessed with this series, each book has a different murder and its so fun reading it. Tho it was really easy to guess who the killer was but i still enjoyed reading how they solved the case. I wont lie but i liked this book less than the other ones cuz it was just wayyy to easy to guess the killer. But what i loved was the new relationship between Morrie and Heathcliff, ugh i love these two together their chemistry? Dont even get me started with that 🔥🔥🔥. I like Morrie and Heathcliff Together more than i like them with Mina.
Quoth on the other hand who is the raven/ human finally acknowledged his talent and is ready to chase his dreams. I love his character the most cuz he is such a sweet but broken boy. Ugh, the new secret that revealed about Mina’s father was kinda shocking and i cant wait to read the next book.
May 6, 2020
The ending to this was just plain mean!! Give me Prose and Cons right now!
Mina Wilde is living her best life. She's moved in with her quirky best friend, Jo, the county forensic pathologist. Nevermore Bookshop is doing the best it ever has, and Mina has booked them full with several book related events. Her relationship with her boys is sailing smoothly, and if Mina is correct something is brewing between Morrie and Heathcliff.
But when author Danny Sledge is murdered in Nevermore minutes before his writing seminar, things go from bustling to broke. No one will step foot in Nevermore and Jo has accidentally released a plague of locusts in their apartment. Things are getting strained for Mina, but if she can solve Danny's murder, maybe Nevermore will stay in business.
I seriously am living for this series. Each installment is unique and never fails to make me laugh. The dynamic between Heathcliff, Morrie, Quoth and Mina is so loveable and fun. I love their relationships so much, even if there's some tension between Morrie and Heathcliff.
Quoth has come so far in this series from the raven-boy he was in book 1! He volunteers, and even went to look at a local art school. Mina and Quoth's school visit made me so happy for a number of spoilery reasons. They are so sweet to each other and it makes my heart swell.
I can't wait for the next book!
Mina Wilde is living her best life. She's moved in with her quirky best friend, Jo, the county forensic pathologist. Nevermore Bookshop is doing the best it ever has, and Mina has booked them full with several book related events. Her relationship with her boys is sailing smoothly, and if Mina is correct something is brewing between Morrie and Heathcliff.
But when author Danny Sledge is murdered in Nevermore minutes before his writing seminar, things go from bustling to broke. No one will step foot in Nevermore and Jo has accidentally released a plague of locusts in their apartment. Things are getting strained for Mina, but if she can solve Danny's murder, maybe Nevermore will stay in business.
I seriously am living for this series. Each installment is unique and never fails to make me laugh. The dynamic between Heathcliff, Morrie, Quoth and Mina is so loveable and fun. I love their relationships so much, even if there's some tension between Morrie and Heathcliff.
Quoth has come so far in this series from the raven-boy he was in book 1! He volunteers, and even went to look at a local art school. Mina and Quoth's school visit made me so happy for a number of spoilery reasons. They are so sweet to each other and it makes my heart swell.
I can't wait for the next book!
February 18, 2025
Quarto romanzo di Steffanie Holmes dedicato alla libreria Nevermore. Interpreti, una giovane donna, Mina, che lavora in una libreria molto speciale, insieme ai tre proprietari che si chiamano Moriarty, Quoth e Heathcliff. Vi ricordano qualcosa questi nomi? Mina fa di tutto perché il negozio non fallisca, minacciato dalla libreria che non si può nominare (Amazon) e da una serie di omicidi che, guarda caso, si svolgono tra le pareti misteriose della Nevermore.
Unico difetto, a mio giudizio, il troppo sesso a cui la beata Mina si concede. E non è un sesso qualunque, perché si tratta sempre di un ménage a quattro.
VIVIANA GIORGI PER BABETTE BROWN BLOG
Unico difetto, a mio giudizio, il troppo sesso a cui la beata Mina si concede. E non è un sesso qualunque, perché si tratta sempre di un ménage a quattro.
VIVIANA GIORGI PER BABETTE BROWN BLOG
November 11, 2025
Still absolutely loving this series.
While they are somewhat formulaic, there's enough twists and turns to keep someone interested all the way through. The Nevermore bookshop is really going through it with all the murders and mayhem following the main characters around. This series of murders was really cool and I loved all the red herrings.
This book made some huge progress with the overarching plot line of the mysteries of the bookshop and how the literary characters seem to be escaping their books. I loved the whole storyline with Grimalkin turning out to be Mina's grandmother and the reveal that the legendary Greek poet Homer was Mina's father travelling through time to avoid conflict with the gods.
When I read that there was a big bad throughout the entire series, I had an inkling of it being Dracula due to the main lead's name being Mina, but thought that was coming out of left field. So glad to see I was right! I love all the literary connections; they just make me so happy :)
While they are somewhat formulaic, there's enough twists and turns to keep someone interested all the way through. The Nevermore bookshop is really going through it with all the murders and mayhem following the main characters around. This series of murders was really cool and I loved all the red herrings.
This book made some huge progress with the overarching plot line of the mysteries of the bookshop and how the literary characters seem to be escaping their books. I loved the whole storyline with Grimalkin turning out to be Mina's grandmother and the reveal that the legendary Greek poet Homer was Mina's father travelling through time to avoid conflict with the gods.
When I read that there was a big bad throughout the entire series, I had an inkling of it being Dracula due to the main lead's name being Mina, but thought that was coming out of left field. So glad to see I was right! I love all the literary connections; they just make me so happy :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2019
Memoirs of a Garroter by Steffanie Holmes is book 4 in the Nevermore BookShop Mysteries Series. This continues the story of Wilhelmina 'Mina' Wilde. You really should read the previous books A Dead and Stormy Night along with the second book, Of Mice and Murder and the third book 'Pride and Premeditation'. Mina is still dealing with the possibility that she is going blind and she is still working to improved the Nevermore Bookshop which of course things keep happening there but now she may be the one in danger. Mina is still working things through with Morrie, Quoth and Heathcliff.
Spicy mystery read for sure.
Spicy mystery read for sure.
January 13, 2024
Io so che questa serie non è perfetta, ma adoro i personaggi, le loro disavventure, l’umorismo e il loro amore. Moriarty e Heathcliff insieme? ❤️ Devo leggere subito il prossimo libro!
April 9, 2024
This series does not let you down! Mina and her boys solve another murder whilst their relationship deepens, then BAM! SH hits you with this bloody ending! Bring me the next in series!
May 9, 2024
this series is so bad but annoyingly entertaining
April 17, 2020
I knew that the books by Steffanie Holmes would be for me. I just had no idea how much they would be for me. I can't of course speak for her other series yet, one series at a time, but this one was so everything I want and need in books and more. I don't use the word perfection too often, but in my opinion I'm totally allowed to use it now. Because everything about this book and about this series is right.
Firstly because the main heroine, Mina, is just an amazing character. She is intelligent, kind, enthusiast and when she goes for something she goes for it with her entire heart and soul. But, she is also insecure at times, she overthinks situations and makes problems where there are none and she has trouble dealing with the fact that she's slowly going blind. It makes her easy to identify with and easy to fall in love with. She's real. And in a way it feels like she's a lot like me.
Secondly there are these three amazing boyfriends. Moriarty has the charm and the brains and within a few pages he had captured my heart and refused to let it go. Heathcliff seems a little harsh on the outside, but has a golden heart and once he loves he loves so fiercely. And Quoth is just pure kindness, a wonderful soul who wants the best for the world and every human being he meets. And it's so nice that for once his love is returned.
Thirdly I love the setting of these books. The bookshop becomes less dusty and more lively with every book and watching Mina change the place with her bubbly personality is amazing. However, it's still a bookstore with a story and a mystery and so much is revealed in this book without it feeling like a huge info dump.
Fourthly we have the murder mysteries. I love how they are really presented as mysteries, where it's not always easy to catch the killer, but where the clues are all there all the time. Holmes is so great when it comes to give you all pieces of the puzzle along the way and every time I finish a case I want to go back to rediscover all the clues.
And I could list a lot more amazing selling points, but you know what? Just go and read the books yourself if you want to discover those.
Firstly because the main heroine, Mina, is just an amazing character. She is intelligent, kind, enthusiast and when she goes for something she goes for it with her entire heart and soul. But, she is also insecure at times, she overthinks situations and makes problems where there are none and she has trouble dealing with the fact that she's slowly going blind. It makes her easy to identify with and easy to fall in love with. She's real. And in a way it feels like she's a lot like me.
Secondly there are these three amazing boyfriends. Moriarty has the charm and the brains and within a few pages he had captured my heart and refused to let it go. Heathcliff seems a little harsh on the outside, but has a golden heart and once he loves he loves so fiercely. And Quoth is just pure kindness, a wonderful soul who wants the best for the world and every human being he meets. And it's so nice that for once his love is returned.
Thirdly I love the setting of these books. The bookshop becomes less dusty and more lively with every book and watching Mina change the place with her bubbly personality is amazing. However, it's still a bookstore with a story and a mystery and so much is revealed in this book without it feeling like a huge info dump.
Fourthly we have the murder mysteries. I love how they are really presented as mysteries, where it's not always easy to catch the killer, but where the clues are all there all the time. Holmes is so great when it comes to give you all pieces of the puzzle along the way and every time I finish a case I want to go back to rediscover all the clues.
And I could list a lot more amazing selling points, but you know what? Just go and read the books yourself if you want to discover those.
May 1, 2025
Girl, no. Name dropping yourself in the first book was cute in a "wink wink, nudge nudge" slapstick comedy sort of way. Doing it again and so blatantly was not it.
No. Just stop it. Why didn't anyone stop her from doing this‽
This took me totally out of the book, the fact that this is the 4th book in the series and Mina is still a doormat to her mom, Heathcliff still has that major stick in his ass, Morrie spends an insane amount of time just AWOL.
Oh and the cat is the grandmother and the BBEG is Dracula‽ Instead of spending time on this, we're fed another whodunit that was so clear from the jump.
Quoth continues to be the best thing about this whole thing.
By far the worst in series...
“I mean, selling ebooks… I heard about this one author named Steffanie something writing in a genre called reverse harem—”
No. Just stop it. Why didn't anyone stop her from doing this‽
This took me totally out of the book, the fact that this is the 4th book in the series and Mina is still a doormat to her mom, Heathcliff still has that major stick in his ass, Morrie spends an insane amount of time just AWOL.
Oh and the cat is the grandmother and the BBEG is Dracula‽ Instead of spending time on this, we're fed another whodunit that was so clear from the jump.
Quoth continues to be the best thing about this whole thing.
By far the worst in series...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2023
As the fourth instalment of the “Nevermore bookshop mysteries” series, it continues its themes of literary references, confusing murders and great characters. It is a good series, and I’m enjoying it thoroughly.
This book in itself is a good read, fitting the themes and plot of its previous books, whilst also working towards a final conclusion as a side ‘quest’. The murder in itself was thrilling and fascinating, making me wonder at every turn- I do love plot twists.
This book in itself is a good read, fitting the themes and plot of its previous books, whilst also working towards a final conclusion as a side ‘quest’. The murder in itself was thrilling and fascinating, making me wonder at every turn- I do love plot twists.
November 16, 2024
✨✨✨.5
Book 4 dives straight into chaos—starting with a locust infestation and ending with one of the boyfriends in handcuffs (and no, not the fun kind). The story might appear to be a game of chess but the rules being followed are that of checkers...🤯
This fast-paced, steamy murder mystery keeps you on edge, feeding your mind while holding just enough back to leave you wanting more. The dynamic between Mina and her boys, sorry "men" is absolutely addictive...♨️
I cannot wait to unearth the Nevermore Bookstore mystery...✨
Book 4 dives straight into chaos—starting with a locust infestation and ending with one of the boyfriends in handcuffs (and no, not the fun kind). The story might appear to be a game of chess but the rules being followed are that of checkers...🤯
This fast-paced, steamy murder mystery keeps you on edge, feeding your mind while holding just enough back to leave you wanting more. The dynamic between Mina and her boys, sorry "men" is absolutely addictive...♨️
I cannot wait to unearth the Nevermore Bookstore mystery...✨
July 18, 2025
Easy reading, easy to get lost in, just like the others.
Completely batshit crazy though that suddenly after four books it’s revealed that the FMC is the daughter of THE Homer, that her get-rich-quick-scheme obsessed mother is the inspiration for HELEN OF TROY, and that she’s not in fact going blind because of a disease BUT BECAUSE POSEIDON CURSED HER DAD.
oh YEAH. Not to mention the big bad of the series being DRACULA ?!?!? At this point it’s in fact incredibly fun and entertaining because I have literally no idea what is going to happen next.
Completely batshit crazy though that suddenly after four books it’s revealed that the FMC is the daughter of THE Homer, that her get-rich-quick-scheme obsessed mother is the inspiration for HELEN OF TROY, and that she’s not in fact going blind because of a disease BUT BECAUSE POSEIDON CURSED HER DAD.
oh YEAH. Not to mention the big bad of the series being DRACULA ?!?!? At this point it’s in fact incredibly fun and entertaining because I have literally no idea what is going to happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2023
i wasnt as into this book as the other ones so far and i felt like i needed to push myself just to finish it, but i have to say that the ending is a huge shock and cliffhanger that i NEED to read the next book.
May 8, 2024
***ANOTHER WINNER***
Ok, it's absolutely final, Steffanie Holmes is my favourite, cozy fantasy mystery writer. She is hilarious, and her mind is a treasure trove of fantastic witty stories. Love love this series.
Ok, it's absolutely final, Steffanie Holmes is my favourite, cozy fantasy mystery writer. She is hilarious, and her mind is a treasure trove of fantastic witty stories. Love love this series.
July 12, 2019
Larger review to come
July 27, 2022
love it!
This series absolutely amazing! It’s mysterious and has total Sherlock vibes. I’m loving finding out about Mina’s family and the mystery surrounding the bookshop!
This series absolutely amazing! It’s mysterious and has total Sherlock vibes. I’m loving finding out about Mina’s family and the mystery surrounding the bookshop!
April 2, 2023
3.5 out of 5
January 4, 2024
Don't really know why this series is so addictive to me.
I like this book a lot, because I like mystery and murder cases that combine old cases and also parallels to books. Also this wasn't just way to easy to crack like some of the other cases.
The mystery of the bookshop getting more flashed out was also fun. Especially because it is weird and illogical but it knows it is. Not taking yourself and your story to serious is something I really enjoy in books.
Also Mina meeting a blind person for the first time since she is going blind was a great touch and shows why representation matters even in funny stupid weird romance books.
I like this book a lot, because I like mystery and murder cases that combine old cases and also parallels to books. Also this wasn't just way to easy to crack like some of the other cases.
The mystery of the bookshop getting more flashed out was also fun. Especially because it is weird and illogical but it knows it is. Not taking yourself and your story to serious is something I really enjoy in books.
Also Mina meeting a blind person for the first time since she is going blind was a great touch and shows why representation matters even in funny stupid weird romance books.
March 26, 2024
Why is this so good? Also, thank goodness the next book is out because that ending?!?! I would die if I had to wait for it to be out.
December 20, 2024
I’m really enjoying this series
April 23, 2025
Anytime I think this series can’t get any better - it does!
December 10, 2025
Unfortunately, the killer was obvious since the first time the character was mentioned, so I wanted to fast forward to the next book. Still cute and entertaining
December 7, 2023
Silly fun.
June 10, 2025
This series just keeps getting better and better. Steffanie Holmes knows how to spin a well written novel with lovable characters, humor, tension, and a great plot. The ending of this book has me reeling though and I must immediately start the next book in the series because I have to know what’s going on!!!!
August 6, 2025
I'm well and truly hooked on this series at this point! It's bizarre, bonkers and brilliant, with the murder-mystery storyline serving as a great piece of grounding for the reader within each story, the budding romance between our characters giving heart to the series, and the wider mystery of Mina's origins and the magic of the Nevermore Bookshop continuing to develop and draw in elements from the most unexpected and random of places!
I particularly enjoyed this book's plot, with the victim's backstory being very well laid out and the potential suspects all having really good twists and turns in their story to make you believe in their innocence or guilt in turn. For me, this felt like the most fleshed out mystery to date and it got me really invested in that element of the story. It also felt the most true to life of the mysteries too - there was a tangible motive and a clear thread of reasoning behind the events, and each character felt 'normal', untouched by the magic of the bookshop. It does have a satisfying conclusion, although I feel like there is a little bit of an info-dump alongside the reveal to fill in a couple of the missing pieces.
I was already convinced, but this book puts it beyond all doubt; Quoth is my absolute favourite character and I knew I should have bought the plushie of him at RARE. His soul just shines out of the pages, and his quiet support and care of Mina is just beautiful. His sensitive nature is such a counterpoint to the loud and rough antics of Heathcliff and Morrie, it just draws me to him in a completely different way. He also feels like his character is developing in a more rounded way than the others, probably because he has so much more scope to grow - from someone who is essential a hermit who cannot control his shifting, it's been glorious watching him find his feet, his confidence and his own desires.
That being said, Heathcliff and Morrie are on fire in this book. Heathcliff has that possessive, gruff alpha energy, but seeing glimpses of his soft centre makes him incredibly sexy. Morrie is the one who covers his insecurities with brash, extroverted behaviour, and like Mina you are left wondering just what secrets he might be hiding. We do get a glimpse of something in this book that has the potential to take things to a whole other level, and I'm personally just keeping my fingers crossed we get more than a teaser later in the series!
I will admit that I didn't find the latest information regarding the magic of the bookshop the easiest to digest; the different parts of the story we are given make sense individually, but I had a harder time trying to follow the way they all link together. This isn't the easiest to explain without spoilers, but let's just say it wasn't the clearest of paths between the origins of the bookshop and its owner, why the shop brings fictional characters to life, and how the "big bad" came to inhabit that position. I think I probably need to take some time to read that section again just to see if I can make more sense of it.
A couple of other moments that I really enjoyed:-
1. The self-insertion of the author. Very well done, and made me giggle!
2. The nod to indie authors being just as awesome (if not moreso) than trad published authors;
3. Mina's eyes being opened (if you'll pardon the expression) to the fact that losing her sight doesn't mean losing other parts of herself;
4. The little James Bond reference to all-over metallic body paint...
5. That ending!!!
Life has got in the way of my immediately picking up the next book, but I shall absolutely be doing so as soon as I have a good chunk of time to sit and read the whole thing. I NEED to know what happens next!
I particularly enjoyed this book's plot, with the victim's backstory being very well laid out and the potential suspects all having really good twists and turns in their story to make you believe in their innocence or guilt in turn. For me, this felt like the most fleshed out mystery to date and it got me really invested in that element of the story. It also felt the most true to life of the mysteries too - there was a tangible motive and a clear thread of reasoning behind the events, and each character felt 'normal', untouched by the magic of the bookshop. It does have a satisfying conclusion, although I feel like there is a little bit of an info-dump alongside the reveal to fill in a couple of the missing pieces.
I was already convinced, but this book puts it beyond all doubt; Quoth is my absolute favourite character and I knew I should have bought the plushie of him at RARE. His soul just shines out of the pages, and his quiet support and care of Mina is just beautiful. His sensitive nature is such a counterpoint to the loud and rough antics of Heathcliff and Morrie, it just draws me to him in a completely different way. He also feels like his character is developing in a more rounded way than the others, probably because he has so much more scope to grow - from someone who is essential a hermit who cannot control his shifting, it's been glorious watching him find his feet, his confidence and his own desires.
That being said, Heathcliff and Morrie are on fire in this book. Heathcliff has that possessive, gruff alpha energy, but seeing glimpses of his soft centre makes him incredibly sexy. Morrie is the one who covers his insecurities with brash, extroverted behaviour, and like Mina you are left wondering just what secrets he might be hiding. We do get a glimpse of something in this book that has the potential to take things to a whole other level, and I'm personally just keeping my fingers crossed we get more than a teaser later in the series!
I will admit that I didn't find the latest information regarding the magic of the bookshop the easiest to digest; the different parts of the story we are given make sense individually, but I had a harder time trying to follow the way they all link together. This isn't the easiest to explain without spoilers, but let's just say it wasn't the clearest of paths between the origins of the bookshop and its owner, why the shop brings fictional characters to life, and how the "big bad" came to inhabit that position. I think I probably need to take some time to read that section again just to see if I can make more sense of it.
A couple of other moments that I really enjoyed:-
1. The self-insertion of the author. Very well done, and made me giggle!
2. The nod to indie authors being just as awesome (if not moreso) than trad published authors;
3. Mina's eyes being opened (if you'll pardon the expression) to the fact that losing her sight doesn't mean losing other parts of herself;
4. The little James Bond reference to all-over metallic body paint...
5. That ending!!!
Life has got in the way of my immediately picking up the next book, but I shall absolutely be doing so as soon as I have a good chunk of time to sit and read the whole thing. I NEED to know what happens next!
February 4, 2021
Memoirs of a Garroter (Nevermore Bookshop Mysteries Book 4) Kindle Edition
by Steffanie Holmes
I borrowed this book via the Kindle Unlimited program. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
Ms. Holmes has moved up to one of my favorite authors. She has a sly talent for dialogue and a gift with dialects. The dialogue in her books is wonderful. In the Nevermore Bookshop, her talents are brilliantly framed in a gift to all bibliophiles. Who else would understand a mint condition Dickens novel being worth more than ten quid? But with Ms. Holmes, as much as the mysteries are fun and often funny, it is the stuff that goes on between looking for the killer. The conversations, the character development and some of the best dialogue I have ever had the joy of reading.
Mina's growing visual impairment is treated with such beautiful authenticity. This comes through very clearly. Her role as the narrator shows this in frustration, deep sadness and a touch of black humor.
Her sorrow is not the only truth being shared here. Quoth's sadness is palatable and when is starts to lighten, his joy is there as well. The main characters, Mina, Morrie, Quoth and Heathcliff, are prickly because not only is all of this pales to pending economic disaster because the store is slowly sinking into bankruptcy. That is the reason that Danny, our murder victim and fantastically successful, wealthy and frisky author. Mina also finally learns who her father is and we learn who the series long villain will be.
Mina's narrative voice is delightfully British, in the description (some with most divine snark). There is some Brit slang, but even this Yank could understand it!
The love scenes are steamy and, thankfully add the story but don't outweigh the character development, plot or the beauty of the prose itself
I am cutting this review short because I want to read the next in the series. I believe I will probably binge this series.
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Garrot...
by Steffanie Holmes
I borrowed this book via the Kindle Unlimited program. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.
Ms. Holmes has moved up to one of my favorite authors. She has a sly talent for dialogue and a gift with dialects. The dialogue in her books is wonderful. In the Nevermore Bookshop, her talents are brilliantly framed in a gift to all bibliophiles. Who else would understand a mint condition Dickens novel being worth more than ten quid? But with Ms. Holmes, as much as the mysteries are fun and often funny, it is the stuff that goes on between looking for the killer. The conversations, the character development and some of the best dialogue I have ever had the joy of reading.
Mina's growing visual impairment is treated with such beautiful authenticity. This comes through very clearly. Her role as the narrator shows this in frustration, deep sadness and a touch of black humor.
Her sorrow is not the only truth being shared here. Quoth's sadness is palatable and when is starts to lighten, his joy is there as well. The main characters, Mina, Morrie, Quoth and Heathcliff, are prickly because not only is all of this pales to pending economic disaster because the store is slowly sinking into bankruptcy. That is the reason that Danny, our murder victim and fantastically successful, wealthy and frisky author. Mina also finally learns who her father is and we learn who the series long villain will be.
Mina's narrative voice is delightfully British, in the description (some with most divine snark). There is some Brit slang, but even this Yank could understand it!
The love scenes are steamy and, thankfully add the story but don't outweigh the character development, plot or the beauty of the prose itself
I am cutting this review short because I want to read the next in the series. I believe I will probably binge this series.
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Garrot...
October 29, 2023
* Se ci credo che c’è stato un altro omicidio e che un’invasione di locuste ha divorato il nostro giardino di erbe aromatiche? Vorrei poter dire che non ci credo, ma la verità è che… sembra solo un giorno come un altro alla Libreria Nevermore.
* Mia nonna è una gatta,» dissi lentamente, sperando che una certa solennità rendesse quelle parole in qualche modo più credibili. Non fu così.
* Il volto che ha gonfiato mille vele ora sembra piuttosto lo scafo tutto incrostato di una trireme.
* Considera per un momento che la camera da letto al piano di sopra non fosse un portale nello spazio e nel tempo, e che questa magia dei libri, qualunque cosa sia, non portasse in vita personaggi immaginari a caso, e che non ci fosse un nascondiglio di pericolosi libri sull’occulto nascosto nel ripostiglio, né una sorgente di antica acqua mistica da qualche parte sotto le fondamenta. Se la Nevermore fosse solo una normale libreria e tu fossi solo un ragazzo normale, vorresti gestirla?»
«Sì.»
La sua risposta mi sorprese. «Perché?»
«Perché ci sei tu.»
* Quoth ti ama con un amore che è più dell’amore, il tipo di amore che suppongo desiderino i serafini alati in cielo. Non posso competerci.
* Se un personaggio è abbastanza forte, se è stato ferito così tanto da voler lasciare la sua storia, da interromperla prima che sia giunta alla sua conclusione, può infrangere la barriera e diventare reale.
* Per la prima volta, io, Mina Wilde, andavo a convivere. Con i miei partner. Era una cosa grande e spaventosa, ma anche perfetta. Non sapevo cosa mi riservasse il futuro, ma ero certa che non mi importava più cosa il mondo pensasse di me e della mia storia. Eravamo innamorati e ne andavamo fieri, e se la gente aveva dei problemi, poteva comprarsi da leggere altrove.
* Mia nonna è una gatta,» dissi lentamente, sperando che una certa solennità rendesse quelle parole in qualche modo più credibili. Non fu così.
* Il volto che ha gonfiato mille vele ora sembra piuttosto lo scafo tutto incrostato di una trireme.
* Considera per un momento che la camera da letto al piano di sopra non fosse un portale nello spazio e nel tempo, e che questa magia dei libri, qualunque cosa sia, non portasse in vita personaggi immaginari a caso, e che non ci fosse un nascondiglio di pericolosi libri sull’occulto nascosto nel ripostiglio, né una sorgente di antica acqua mistica da qualche parte sotto le fondamenta. Se la Nevermore fosse solo una normale libreria e tu fossi solo un ragazzo normale, vorresti gestirla?»
«Sì.»
La sua risposta mi sorprese. «Perché?»
«Perché ci sei tu.»
* Quoth ti ama con un amore che è più dell’amore, il tipo di amore che suppongo desiderino i serafini alati in cielo. Non posso competerci.
* Se un personaggio è abbastanza forte, se è stato ferito così tanto da voler lasciare la sua storia, da interromperla prima che sia giunta alla sua conclusione, può infrangere la barriera e diventare reale.
* Per la prima volta, io, Mina Wilde, andavo a convivere. Con i miei partner. Era una cosa grande e spaventosa, ma anche perfetta. Non sapevo cosa mi riservasse il futuro, ma ero certa che non mi importava più cosa il mondo pensasse di me e della mia storia. Eravamo innamorati e ne andavamo fieri, e se la gente aveva dei problemi, poteva comprarsi da leggere altrove.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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