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Booktown Mystery #19
A Perilous Plot
Family reunions are killer—literally—in the newest mystery in Lorna Barrett's New York Times bestselling Booktown series.
Everything was going great for Tricia Miles, right up until her estranged mother, Sheila, arrives on her front step with an urn she says contains the remains of Tricia's father.
Shocked and saddened, Tricia and her sister, Angelica, attempt to get to the bottom of what happened. But their efforts for clarity are dashed when Shelia disappears the very next day, leaving without a word.
Naturally, the sisters are upset—especially after they take the remains to the local funeral parlor and discover that not only is the urn filled with kitty litter, but hidden inside is a valuable (and stolen) Rolex watch. Digging deeper, the sisters find their parents are in dire financial trouble and seem to be lurking around Booktown.
Tricia and Angelica can’t help but wonder how many more secrets their mother was keeping...and whether that includes murder.
Everything was going great for Tricia Miles, right up until her estranged mother, Sheila, arrives on her front step with an urn she says contains the remains of Tricia's father.
Shocked and saddened, Tricia and her sister, Angelica, attempt to get to the bottom of what happened. But their efforts for clarity are dashed when Shelia disappears the very next day, leaving without a word.
Naturally, the sisters are upset—especially after they take the remains to the local funeral parlor and discover that not only is the urn filled with kitty litter, but hidden inside is a valuable (and stolen) Rolex watch. Digging deeper, the sisters find their parents are in dire financial trouble and seem to be lurking around Booktown.
Tricia and Angelica can’t help but wonder how many more secrets their mother was keeping...and whether that includes murder.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2025
75 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Barrett
23 books1,788 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorna Barrett’s name on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the links to all her works here: http://www.lornabarrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 1, 2025
This book has the dumbest women & doormats I’ve ever read about !! How they helped their horrible parents is beyond me ! I’m only giving it two stars because I really liked the other characters in the book, including the cat and dog! They also run about 55 businesses between the two sisters 🙄
I did skim the last four or five chapters.
I did skim the last four or five chapters.
September 19, 2025
3.25 stars
This is not the best in the series - too many toxic characters and loose ends. I like the concept of found family, though, since Tricia and Angelica's parents are both pretty horrible.
This is not the best in the series - too many toxic characters and loose ends. I like the concept of found family, though, since Tricia and Angelica's parents are both pretty horrible.
May 13, 2025
Number 19 has Tricia and Angelica puzzling over their absent mother and presumed dead father as they try and solve the murder of an old friend of their mother's. Tricia was more paletable in this one than usual. I still feel like she acts more like she's in her 60s than her 40s. Their mother is probably the worst character I've encountered. She's just awful. Still, this story was fine. It didn't feel like one of the usual mysteries, but it was okay.
Release Date: 9/23/2025
Release Date: 9/23/2025
October 10, 2025
Hmm…how do I review the latest in the Booktown Mystery series???
It wasn’t terrible but at the same time it wasn’t exciting. In the last few books there has been a shift in the series that doesn’t jive with me. I can only describe saying the tone of the books feels dark and heavy.
I love Miss Marple and she rarely shows up in this book.
In book 19 of the series Trisha and Angelica must deal with their mother. Trisha also has to deal with Becky, the police chief’s fiancé and past tennis star. Put that together and who would be happy. Both are people who think they are entitled to everything.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. If I’m honest it’s probably the only reason I didn’t DNF.
It wasn’t terrible but at the same time it wasn’t exciting. In the last few books there has been a shift in the series that doesn’t jive with me. I can only describe saying the tone of the books feels dark and heavy.
I love Miss Marple and she rarely shows up in this book.
In book 19 of the series Trisha and Angelica must deal with their mother. Trisha also has to deal with Becky, the police chief’s fiancé and past tennis star. Put that together and who would be happy. Both are people who think they are entitled to everything.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job. If I’m honest it’s probably the only reason I didn’t DNF.
October 17, 2025
Agree with other reviewers who note the darker tone/bickering between characters is diminishing my enjoyment of this series.
October 11, 2025
In this book, the main character, Tricia and her sister, Angelica, have to figure what their irresponsible parents are up to. It all has to do with money or the lack of money. The book was an easy read.
October 22, 2025
https://openbooksociety.com/article/a...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Stoneham, New Hampshire, aka Booktown, is the place to go for readers and collectors! The primary businesses in Stoneham are bookstores – I wish it was a real place! It is April, and business would soon escalate for the tourist season.
Tricia is the proprietor of a mystery bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue. She and her cat, Miss Marple, have been enjoying a new relationship with a younger man, David, who would soon graduate with a degree in library science.
Tricia’s older sister, Angelica, owns several businesses, including others under the branding of her alter ego, the mysterious, unknown developer, Nigela Ricita. Angelica is almost ready to open Stonecreek Manor, an upscale inn under Nigela Ricita. One of her first ventures, Cookery, is next door to Tricia’s store, and specializes in cookbooks and top-quality cooking gadgets.
Last October, Sheila, the sisters’ mother, came to town briefly. She dropped off an urn that she said held their father’s ashes without explanation, and slipped out of town without a word. Now, in April, they discover another deception. The sisters went to the funeral home to transfer some of their father’s ashes into their memorial charm necklaces.
The director revealed that kitty litter was inside, no ashes. Also, wrapped securely inside was what appeared to be a very expensive Rolex watch. Their mother had done cruel things in the past, but was this a scam? Was John, their father, still alive?
The chief of police, Ian MacDonald, discovered who was the owner of the $18,000 watch. Ian also a warrant for John’s arrest. The watch was reported stolen after a card game he was in with several wealthy gamblers. It wasn’t the first time John faced gambling repercussions, but major theft could put him in prison for life. If he’s even still alive.
Angelica was once very close with their mother, but Sheila ignored Tricia. They lost Tricia’s twin brother to SIDS, and Sheila never forgave her for being the twin to survive. Due to recent business losses, Sheila and John were having difficulty no longer being rich.
Angelica contacted their mother’s long-time friend, “Aunt” Bunny, hoping Bunny knew where Sheila was. Bunny came to visit, then quickly burned her bridges by telling Tricia and Angelica that and she their father had an affair for many years.
Angelica, not wanting Bunny under her roof now, sent Bunny to Stonecreek Manor until it opened. The first night Bunny was there, however, the new innkeeper, Cleo, called; she thought Bunny was dead. There was no evidence of a break-in, but she was murdered in a negligee, as if she were waiting for a special visitor. Angelica was an early suspect, due to an officer misunderstanding something she said.
The following day, Angelica and Tricia helped with cleanup at Stonecreek. Tricia found crumbs and food bits near Bunny’s room. They searched the Manor for possible squatters, starting in the attic. They were horrified at who they found. Their mother was tied up, gagged, and unconscious, lying on the floor.
The hospital advised that Sheila had amnesia from a blow to her head. She didn’t know her name, and denied that the sisters were her daughters. When the hospital released her, she had nowhere to stay. Sheila, at Angelica’s request, stayed at a hotel she was affiliated with. Sheila was as snippy and nasty to both sisters as she used to be with only Tricia, devastating Angelica.
The characters are an eclectic, well-defined group of small-town friends. My favorites include Tricia, David, Pixie, the Everetts, and Angelica. The sisters’ parents lived in a different town, and were once wealthy until a class action lawsuit was filed against their mother’s business. Angelica and Tricia grew up wanting for nothing, except Tricia, who would have traded the wealth for a mother’s love. Realistic conversations and behaviors enhance the characters, including the toxic family they grew up in. While some readers might not understand the family dynamics, others might identify with another family that isn’t quite “normal”, and see their potential for a better future in the sisters.
The partial list of the characters at the beginning was greatly appreciated! The sisters, especially Tricia, are determined to find the killer. She wants Angelica cleared and justice served for the two women. Plot twists and turns made the pages fly! To further complicate the situation, Becca, the police chief’s fiancée, was kidnapped, and the kidnappers wanted a tidy sum of cash in exchange for the former tennis pro.
The culprit(s) was a surprise! To me, this is one of the better mysteries in the series, and the investigation and ending were very satisfying. I highly recommend this – and other mysteries in the series – for those who appreciate suspenseful cozy mysteries, bookstores, and families of the heart.
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Stoneham, New Hampshire, aka Booktown, is the place to go for readers and collectors! The primary businesses in Stoneham are bookstores – I wish it was a real place! It is April, and business would soon escalate for the tourist season.
Tricia is the proprietor of a mystery bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue. She and her cat, Miss Marple, have been enjoying a new relationship with a younger man, David, who would soon graduate with a degree in library science.
Tricia’s older sister, Angelica, owns several businesses, including others under the branding of her alter ego, the mysterious, unknown developer, Nigela Ricita. Angelica is almost ready to open Stonecreek Manor, an upscale inn under Nigela Ricita. One of her first ventures, Cookery, is next door to Tricia’s store, and specializes in cookbooks and top-quality cooking gadgets.
Last October, Sheila, the sisters’ mother, came to town briefly. She dropped off an urn that she said held their father’s ashes without explanation, and slipped out of town without a word. Now, in April, they discover another deception. The sisters went to the funeral home to transfer some of their father’s ashes into their memorial charm necklaces.
The director revealed that kitty litter was inside, no ashes. Also, wrapped securely inside was what appeared to be a very expensive Rolex watch. Their mother had done cruel things in the past, but was this a scam? Was John, their father, still alive?
The chief of police, Ian MacDonald, discovered who was the owner of the $18,000 watch. Ian also a warrant for John’s arrest. The watch was reported stolen after a card game he was in with several wealthy gamblers. It wasn’t the first time John faced gambling repercussions, but major theft could put him in prison for life. If he’s even still alive.
Angelica was once very close with their mother, but Sheila ignored Tricia. They lost Tricia’s twin brother to SIDS, and Sheila never forgave her for being the twin to survive. Due to recent business losses, Sheila and John were having difficulty no longer being rich.
Angelica contacted their mother’s long-time friend, “Aunt” Bunny, hoping Bunny knew where Sheila was. Bunny came to visit, then quickly burned her bridges by telling Tricia and Angelica that and she their father had an affair for many years.
Angelica, not wanting Bunny under her roof now, sent Bunny to Stonecreek Manor until it opened. The first night Bunny was there, however, the new innkeeper, Cleo, called; she thought Bunny was dead. There was no evidence of a break-in, but she was murdered in a negligee, as if she were waiting for a special visitor. Angelica was an early suspect, due to an officer misunderstanding something she said.
The following day, Angelica and Tricia helped with cleanup at Stonecreek. Tricia found crumbs and food bits near Bunny’s room. They searched the Manor for possible squatters, starting in the attic. They were horrified at who they found. Their mother was tied up, gagged, and unconscious, lying on the floor.
The hospital advised that Sheila had amnesia from a blow to her head. She didn’t know her name, and denied that the sisters were her daughters. When the hospital released her, she had nowhere to stay. Sheila, at Angelica’s request, stayed at a hotel she was affiliated with. Sheila was as snippy and nasty to both sisters as she used to be with only Tricia, devastating Angelica.
The characters are an eclectic, well-defined group of small-town friends. My favorites include Tricia, David, Pixie, the Everetts, and Angelica. The sisters’ parents lived in a different town, and were once wealthy until a class action lawsuit was filed against their mother’s business. Angelica and Tricia grew up wanting for nothing, except Tricia, who would have traded the wealth for a mother’s love. Realistic conversations and behaviors enhance the characters, including the toxic family they grew up in. While some readers might not understand the family dynamics, others might identify with another family that isn’t quite “normal”, and see their potential for a better future in the sisters.
The partial list of the characters at the beginning was greatly appreciated! The sisters, especially Tricia, are determined to find the killer. She wants Angelica cleared and justice served for the two women. Plot twists and turns made the pages fly! To further complicate the situation, Becca, the police chief’s fiancée, was kidnapped, and the kidnappers wanted a tidy sum of cash in exchange for the former tennis pro.
The culprit(s) was a surprise! To me, this is one of the better mysteries in the series, and the investigation and ending were very satisfying. I highly recommend this – and other mysteries in the series – for those who appreciate suspenseful cozy mysteries, bookstores, and families of the heart.
November 17, 2025
Author Lorna Barrett's long-running Booktown Mystery series just seems to get better and better with each new book in the series.
Book #19, A PERILOUS PLOT, keeps that streak alive and well with Tricia Miles and her sister Angelica having to deal with the untimely death of their father and the unceremonious way their awful hag of a mother drops both the news and his cremated remains off with them and then just disappears.
If the residues of grief weren't bad enough, Tricia and her sister soon find themselves tangled up in a family mystery when they learn the urn holding the remains is actually filled with kitty litter. Is their father still alive? Having learned their father is essentially a thief and con artist and their mother is pretty much his willingly evil accomplice, Tricia is ready to cut ties and live her life with her chosen family and not let her parents intrude on her life at all anymore.
Easier said than done though. Because a long-lost aunt appears, someone Tricia can't stand but Angelica likes. But when the aunt reveals distasteful family secrets to the two sisters, she quickly wears out her welcome. Then the aunt turns up dead and suddenly, a twisted family tree becomes front and center in a homicide investigation.
Then...their mother turns up. Tied up and held as a prisoner, she's been physically abused and says she can't remember anything. Tricia is more than a little suspicious and now they not only have to figure out who murdered their aunt, but get their mother to tell the truth, something she's genetically incapable of doing apparently. All this to stop a killer from adding to their body count...and to save the "family" that Tricia and Angelica want nothing more to do with.
Look, I really loved the book. There was plenty of menace in the main murder plot and the twists and turns that the story took as it all came to a head sure kept me glued to the page. But man, I can't tell you how many times I wished both sisters would just tell their mother "Go pound sand." and let her fend for herself.
The woman was never a mother to Tricia and her actions in the present finally opened Angelica's eyes to the horror show that her parents are to them both. Maybe because I have no issue with cutting garbage people out of my life, it caused me to want to yell at the sisters to do it too.
But the big story interest of mine beyond catching the killer was the increasing pressure for Angelica to come clean about her secret identity of Nigela Ricita, the businesswoman behind many of the businesses in the town. And her true relationship to Antonio, the man who runs the day-to-day business of her empire.
It's been a long time coming but I think Barrett is about ready to rip the band-aid off as it were and stop the masquerade. I think I will welcome it as it seems to be less and less of a secret anyway to the "Booktown" residents anyway.
Still, the way Barrett brings up all the murder-inducing family drama made for quite the compelling read even if I kept finding myself wanting to yell "Kick her to the curb" when Tricia and Angelica would let themselves get manipulated again by their mother.
Is it too early to wish for the next book in the series? Because I can't wait to see what Lorna Barrett has in store for Tricia and company next.
Book #19, A PERILOUS PLOT, keeps that streak alive and well with Tricia Miles and her sister Angelica having to deal with the untimely death of their father and the unceremonious way their awful hag of a mother drops both the news and his cremated remains off with them and then just disappears.
If the residues of grief weren't bad enough, Tricia and her sister soon find themselves tangled up in a family mystery when they learn the urn holding the remains is actually filled with kitty litter. Is their father still alive? Having learned their father is essentially a thief and con artist and their mother is pretty much his willingly evil accomplice, Tricia is ready to cut ties and live her life with her chosen family and not let her parents intrude on her life at all anymore.
Easier said than done though. Because a long-lost aunt appears, someone Tricia can't stand but Angelica likes. But when the aunt reveals distasteful family secrets to the two sisters, she quickly wears out her welcome. Then the aunt turns up dead and suddenly, a twisted family tree becomes front and center in a homicide investigation.
Then...their mother turns up. Tied up and held as a prisoner, she's been physically abused and says she can't remember anything. Tricia is more than a little suspicious and now they not only have to figure out who murdered their aunt, but get their mother to tell the truth, something she's genetically incapable of doing apparently. All this to stop a killer from adding to their body count...and to save the "family" that Tricia and Angelica want nothing more to do with.
Look, I really loved the book. There was plenty of menace in the main murder plot and the twists and turns that the story took as it all came to a head sure kept me glued to the page. But man, I can't tell you how many times I wished both sisters would just tell their mother "Go pound sand." and let her fend for herself.
The woman was never a mother to Tricia and her actions in the present finally opened Angelica's eyes to the horror show that her parents are to them both. Maybe because I have no issue with cutting garbage people out of my life, it caused me to want to yell at the sisters to do it too.
But the big story interest of mine beyond catching the killer was the increasing pressure for Angelica to come clean about her secret identity of Nigela Ricita, the businesswoman behind many of the businesses in the town. And her true relationship to Antonio, the man who runs the day-to-day business of her empire.
It's been a long time coming but I think Barrett is about ready to rip the band-aid off as it were and stop the masquerade. I think I will welcome it as it seems to be less and less of a secret anyway to the "Booktown" residents anyway.
Still, the way Barrett brings up all the murder-inducing family drama made for quite the compelling read even if I kept finding myself wanting to yell "Kick her to the curb" when Tricia and Angelica would let themselves get manipulated again by their mother.
Is it too early to wish for the next book in the series? Because I can't wait to see what Lorna Barrett has in store for Tricia and company next.
August 7, 2025
This series is like a warm cozy chair that you can't get enough of being in. The last book ended in a cliffhanger: Tricia and Angelica’s mom showed up with an urn and told her daughters that their father had passed away. The book opens with Tricia and Angelica at the funeral parlor where they learn that the urn does not contain the remains of their father but kitty litter and a Rolex watch. When Tricia takes the watch to Ian McDonald, chief of police, she learns the watch was stolen and will be returned to its rightful owner. To get some clarity on just what is going on with their parents, the sisters reach out to their mother’s oldest friend Bunny. But instead of answers, Bunny just ends up overstaying her welcome and making things more confusing. When she’s found murdered in her room at Angelica’s not yet opened Inn, Stonecreek Manor, and their mother is found bound and unconscious in the attic, the sisters have to figure out what exactly were their parents up to and who could have murdered Bunny?
I love this series and have been following it for years. However the last few books haven’t been that great. This book was one of the better ones but there were a few points that I thought could have been better executed. Usually, the plot of the book is a murder happens to someone Tricia barely knows and she starts asking around the village to see if anyone knows anything about the victim. During all the questioning, running her bookstore, and having nightly happy hours with her sister Angelica, she makes the killer nervous and a showdown happens where the killer confesses everything to Tricia. This book, however, follows a different trajectory. The main point of the story is the sisters trying to figure out what their parents were up to. Why did their mother say their father was dead? Why did several people in the village say they say their father recently? What happened to the family fortune? Bunny’s murder, however, was a very small part of the story. The ending felt quite rushed and not as tied up as previous books. I’m hoping that in the next book there is mention of what happened or that there will be a continuation of the story and all the loose ends tied up.
Despite the small flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and devoured it in several hours. The best part of the book was getting to see the sisters grow closer as they dealt with all the family drama. Their relationship is one the best parts of the series and I’m glad to see that they grew closer during the whole ordeal. Still one of my favorite cozy mystery series and now I can’t wait for the next book.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending me the electronic ARC for me to read and provide my honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
I love this series and have been following it for years. However the last few books haven’t been that great. This book was one of the better ones but there were a few points that I thought could have been better executed. Usually, the plot of the book is a murder happens to someone Tricia barely knows and she starts asking around the village to see if anyone knows anything about the victim. During all the questioning, running her bookstore, and having nightly happy hours with her sister Angelica, she makes the killer nervous and a showdown happens where the killer confesses everything to Tricia. This book, however, follows a different trajectory. The main point of the story is the sisters trying to figure out what their parents were up to. Why did their mother say their father was dead? Why did several people in the village say they say their father recently? What happened to the family fortune? Bunny’s murder, however, was a very small part of the story. The ending felt quite rushed and not as tied up as previous books. I’m hoping that in the next book there is mention of what happened or that there will be a continuation of the story and all the loose ends tied up.
Despite the small flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and devoured it in several hours. The best part of the book was getting to see the sisters grow closer as they dealt with all the family drama. Their relationship is one the best parts of the series and I’m glad to see that they grew closer during the whole ordeal. Still one of my favorite cozy mystery series and now I can’t wait for the next book.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending me the electronic ARC for me to read and provide my honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
September 27, 2025
So, I will need to re-read this after I have read all previous 18 books. This one just throws you into the deep end right off the bat. Then it's a bit of a runaway train from then on. I really struggled to get into it. Maybe if I had read the previous books I wouldn't have this issue.
Also, the main character (a woman) dating a man significantly younger than her (in his 20's). Their relationship felt forced at times. He either sounds like an old man trapped in a young man's body with his old man slang or she treats him like her child in how she talks to him. Which, he is young enough to have been her child. I personally don't like age gabs this big in books. Gives teenagers the wrong idea of what's acceptable. The fact he's still a 20 something feels a bit like she's going after a kid still. It be a tiny ity bit different if he was in his 30's. Then he'd at least have earned his old man slang but in his 20's I would be seriously doubting his seriousness about a relationship with a woman in her 40s/50s except that he has mommy issues or wants a sugarmama. I'd say all the same no matter the gender of the characters.
Also, the main character (a woman) dating a man significantly younger than her (in his 20's). Their relationship felt forced at times. He either sounds like an old man trapped in a young man's body with his old man slang or she treats him like her child in how she talks to him. Which, he is young enough to have been her child. I personally don't like age gabs this big in books. Gives teenagers the wrong idea of what's acceptable. The fact he's still a 20 something feels a bit like she's going after a kid still. It be a tiny ity bit different if he was in his 30's. Then he'd at least have earned his old man slang but in his 20's I would be seriously doubting his seriousness about a relationship with a woman in her 40s/50s except that he has mommy issues or wants a sugarmama. I'd say all the same no matter the gender of the characters.
September 3, 2025
When Tricia & Angelica's estranged mother drops off an urn containing their father's remains they are shocked. Even more shocking is discovering that the urn is filled with nothing but kitty litter and a stolen watch. The sisters would like to ask their mother Sheila all about the discovery, but she has disappeared without a trace. Having no choice but to dig deeper into the mystery, Tricia and Angelica uncover a number of secrets about their parents...but is murder one of those secrets?
This series has definitely had its ups and downs (hellloooo book 15) but thankfully this was one of the better ones. Don't get me wrong, I still think Tricia is a pretty terrible character, but she isn't as bad in this installment.
The book dives into how the sisters feel about their messy relationship with their parents and what truly makes a family. I think anyone still along for the ride of this series will enjoy this one.
*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
This series has definitely had its ups and downs (hellloooo book 15) but thankfully this was one of the better ones. Don't get me wrong, I still think Tricia is a pretty terrible character, but she isn't as bad in this installment.
The book dives into how the sisters feel about their messy relationship with their parents and what truly makes a family. I think anyone still along for the ride of this series will enjoy this one.
*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
September 23, 2025
A Perilous Plot by Lorna Barrett is the nineteenth book in the Booktown Mystery series. Lorna Barrett takes family drama, small town charm, and a clever whodunit and spins it all into an entertaining read I could not put down.
The story begins when Tricia’s estranged mother arrives unexpectedly, claiming to have her father’s ashes in an urn. The truth quickly unravels when the urn is revealed to contain kitty litter and a stolen Rolex. When their mother disappears soon after, Tricia and her sister Angelica are drawn into a search for answers that uncovers more family secrets than they were prepared for.
What you’ll find:
🔎 Cozy mystery
📚 Amateur sleuth
👯♀️ Sister duo
🫖 Small town secrets
A Perilous Plot offers a solid mystery with a mix of intrigue and cozy charm, making it an enjoyable addition to the long-running series.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story begins when Tricia’s estranged mother arrives unexpectedly, claiming to have her father’s ashes in an urn. The truth quickly unravels when the urn is revealed to contain kitty litter and a stolen Rolex. When their mother disappears soon after, Tricia and her sister Angelica are drawn into a search for answers that uncovers more family secrets than they were prepared for.
What you’ll find:
🔎 Cozy mystery
📚 Amateur sleuth
👯♀️ Sister duo
🫖 Small town secrets
A Perilous Plot offers a solid mystery with a mix of intrigue and cozy charm, making it an enjoyable addition to the long-running series.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 28, 2025
A Perilous Plot is book #19 in the Booktown Mystery series by Lorna Barrett.
Tricia and Angelica’s mother arrives with an urn that she says contains their father‘s ashes. They were shocked to find out that it was actually kitty litter with a stolen Rolex watch hidden in it. Their mother took off and so they weren’t able to ask what was going on. There were rumors their father had been seen around town so was he actually dead and somebody just switched the ashes or are they are the parents up to something? And as if the family drama isn’t enough, there is a murder to investigate. This book definitely shows that found family can be much better for you than birth family. This was a solid read and I look forward to reading the next book.
Thank you to the author, Berkley, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Tricia and Angelica’s mother arrives with an urn that she says contains their father‘s ashes. They were shocked to find out that it was actually kitty litter with a stolen Rolex watch hidden in it. Their mother took off and so they weren’t able to ask what was going on. There were rumors their father had been seen around town so was he actually dead and somebody just switched the ashes or are they are the parents up to something? And as if the family drama isn’t enough, there is a murder to investigate. This book definitely shows that found family can be much better for you than birth family. This was a solid read and I look forward to reading the next book.
Thank you to the author, Berkley, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 8, 2025
I've read all the books in this series. I found this to be so-so (just like the last installment) and was going to give it 3-stars, but by the end I'd downgraded to 2. It's not at all good. Tricia and Angelica are stuck in the same old loops, with no real growth of either character. This time their parents are thrown in the mix to make things even more unbelievably and frankly, downright annoying. The relationship between Tricia and David is saccharine. The relationship between Tricia and virtually anyone else feels either transactional (how she takes advantage of her employees!), shallow, or both. The other recurring characters have no real role and just muddy the waters. If this series is going to continue, it really needs to develop some kind of new direction - the author hinted at this at the end of the book, but right now, I believe it's bound to be a disappointment.
December 30, 2024
In this newest installment of the Booktown series, Tricia and Angelica are shocked when their mother shows up and hands them an urn which she claims contains the ashes of their deceased father and then disappears. When their mother's best friend comes to town and overstays her welcome with Angelica, she is given a room at the new yet to open manor. Soon she is murdered and Tricia and Angelica's mother ends up in the manor unconscious and bound.
Who is the murderer?
Will Tricia and Angelica learn the truth about where their "deceased" father is?
So many questions to be answered, you'll need to pick up this latest installment to find the answers.
Who is the murderer?
Will Tricia and Angelica learn the truth about where their "deceased" father is?
So many questions to be answered, you'll need to pick up this latest installment to find the answers.
September 16, 2025
A Perilous Plot by Lorna Barrett is the nineteenth A Booktown Mystery. Tricia and Angelica must deal with their shifty parents along with a murdered family friend. Tricia still acts like someone who is much older (she is in her 40s but acts like she is in her 60s) while dating someone twenty years younger. I can certainly understand why Tricia and Angelica dread spending time with their parents, especially their mother, Sheila (she is a piece of work). The story moved at leisurely pace. The mystery was straightforward with a small suspect pool, and the ending was unsatisfactory. I liked the message that there is more than one type of family. There are blood relatives that treat you terribly, and there is the family you create that makes you feel happy and whole. The story lacked action and there were repetitive details. Each day seemed like the one before it (get up, work, eat, drink, deal with mother, eat, etc.). I wish this story were more like the books in the beginning of the series (I believe the series has run its course). A Perilous Plot transports readers to Stoneham, New Hampshire where there is kitty litter trickery, slow sales, missing meat, dishonest parents, box sorting, and a distressed Sarge.
September 23, 2025
Another adventurous trip to Booktown to spend time with Tricia and Angelica.
What would you do if your mother shows up and hands you an urn with your father’s remains?
Tricia and Angelica learn that the urn is actually filled with kitty litter and a Rolex watch. So where are their father’s remains? Is their father still alive?
They find out the watch was stolen.
A dead body, who is the murder? What are their parents really up to this time?
I have loved watching the sister’s relationship develop throughout the series.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
What would you do if your mother shows up and hands you an urn with your father’s remains?
Tricia and Angelica learn that the urn is actually filled with kitty litter and a Rolex watch. So where are their father’s remains? Is their father still alive?
They find out the watch was stolen.
A dead body, who is the murder? What are their parents really up to this time?
I have loved watching the sister’s relationship develop throughout the series.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
October 21, 2025
This continuing sage of Tricia and Angelica had a different slant in this book. Focused on issues with their parents, the supposedly death of their father turns out to be fake. Then the disappearance of Sheila (their mother) causes interesting issues, only to find her in the attic of the inn being renovated. Supposedly Sheila's amnesia meant she did not recognize her daughters only to be a cover for a less than savory scam. The killing of their "aunt" was part of the mystery, but not the focal point.
Unlike previous books this one has a more dark theme, esp as Angelica realizes the extent of their parent's scam.
Unlike previous books this one has a more dark theme, esp as Angelica realizes the extent of their parent's scam.
November 3, 2025
Been a minute
I was losing interest on this series, I don't even remember the last few books. I was on the fence about reading this one, but I'm glad I did. Tricia still gets on my nerves and I personally don't like her relationship with David. Not because of the age difference, but because he seems like a good guy and she just rubs me the wrong way.
It's the mystery that kept my interest. There was so much going on which kept me wanting to read and not give up. I just hope that the series continues to keep my interest. I'm happy that this was worth my time and renewed my interest in this series.
I was losing interest on this series, I don't even remember the last few books. I was on the fence about reading this one, but I'm glad I did. Tricia still gets on my nerves and I personally don't like her relationship with David. Not because of the age difference, but because he seems like a good guy and she just rubs me the wrong way.
It's the mystery that kept my interest. There was so much going on which kept me wanting to read and not give up. I just hope that the series continues to keep my interest. I'm happy that this was worth my time and renewed my interest in this series.
June 23, 2025
This was an interesting story. Tricia and Angelica find out that their father isn’t really dead, even though their mother gave them what was supposed to be his ashes. There were some interesting plot twists. I wasn’t aware that Tricia had a boyfriend 20:years younger than her. I guess I missed the book where she met him.
I thought the ending was odd. Tricia’s parents should be in jail but instead they are in Connecticut where they will eventually be arrested? I didn’t understand that.. Also, what happened to Uncle Leo?
I thought the ending was odd. Tricia’s parents should be in jail but instead they are in Connecticut where they will eventually be arrested? I didn’t understand that.. Also, what happened to Uncle Leo?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
This is a favorite series of mine, but I feel like Tricia is stuck in the past or is a lot older than she is. It's strange. I like the characters and love the setting. However, some of the inner thoughts of Tricia are annoying. I do look forward to the next book, but am not sure this is a must-read for me anymore.
September 30, 2025
I used to love this series, the last few have been ok but not anything that makes me anticipate the next installment. I really don’t care for David and Tricia hasn't really grown much over the series. Will I continue to read the series? Absolutely, however, not with as much enthusiasm as previously.
October 4, 2025
The book was well done and quite interesting. Great plot and storyline. Characters were well developed. It did lack the humor that's normally in her books. The only problem I had with the book was the unreasonable nature of Angelica. There's no way that someone would continue to take care of parents after what their parents had planned. The decisions just seemed too far fetched. Recommend.
November 6, 2025
Lorna Barrett at her best!
Although it took a while before a body dropped in this one, it didn’t hinder the pace of the story one bit! Lorna is a fantastic storyteller, and this book was a fantastic read. I felt there was an unfinished storyline with Angelica and her son, but I’m guessing that’s a thread going into her next installment in this series.
Although it took a while before a body dropped in this one, it didn’t hinder the pace of the story one bit! Lorna is a fantastic storyteller, and this book was a fantastic read. I felt there was an unfinished storyline with Angelica and her son, but I’m guessing that’s a thread going into her next installment in this series.
September 21, 2025
9/21/2025 My least favorite of the series so far. Those brie cups are legit tho! Full review with recipe photos tk at CriminalElement.com.
October 29, 2025
Too not a cozy mystery. Too much nonsense.
Really disappointing. Not all that believable. Just words put together to make a cute story with little substance. Little imagination, intrigue, cozy mystery. Sorry. I expect more from these characters.
Really disappointing. Not all that believable. Just words put together to make a cute story with little substance. Little imagination, intrigue, cozy mystery. Sorry. I expect more from these characters.
November 4, 2025
Not very perilous! Tricia and Angelica should be wizened adults (after all Angelica is a grandmother!) by now but the narrator makes them sound so young. Lorna's done better mysteries for the sisters!!!
May 20, 2025
You would think there would be nothing let to say after 18 previous books but I could not put this book down. I could not wait to find out the ending.
September 26, 2025
Great read! wonderful ending.
September 30, 2025
I will not give away any spoilers but I loved this book in the series and could not put it down. I cannot wait for the next one.
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