What do you think?
Rate this book
Bookish Cafe Mysteries #1
Maggie Bell und die tödlichen Seiten
In der malerischen Stadt Fair Haven, Connecticut, findet Maggie Bell ihre Berufung in der kleinen Buchhandlung. Doch als ihr Chef stirbt, wird ihr Leben von Joshua Whitfield, dessen eigenwilligen Sohn, auf den Kopf gestellt. Sein Plan, einen Teil des Buchladens in ein Café umzuwandeln und Bücher über Vampire und Liebesromane zu verkaufen, entsetzt Maggie.
Als ein Elektriker während der Renovierung des Ladens ermordet wird und Joshua der Hauptverdächtige ist, muss Maggie ihre Bedenken beiseiteschieben und versuchen, seine Unschuld zu beweisen. Während sie sich in die Ermittlungen vertieft, spürt sie eine zunehmende Anziehung zu Joshua.
Doch kann sich eine zurückhaltende Buchhändlerin wirklich in einen rauen Schreiner verlieben, der noch nicht einmal gerne liest?
Auftakt der Cosy Crime-Reihe mit Buchhändlerin Maggie Bell.
Als ein Elektriker während der Renovierung des Ladens ermordet wird und Joshua der Hauptverdächtige ist, muss Maggie ihre Bedenken beiseiteschieben und versuchen, seine Unschuld zu beweisen. Während sie sich in die Ermittlungen vertieft, spürt sie eine zunehmende Anziehung zu Joshua.
Doch kann sich eine zurückhaltende Buchhändlerin wirklich in einen rauen Schreiner verlieben, der noch nicht einmal gerne liest?
Auftakt der Cosy Crime-Reihe mit Buchhändlerin Maggie Bell.
Audible Audio
First published February 11, 2021
1217 people are currently reading
1692 people want to read
About the author
Harper Lin
91 books936 followersHarper Lin is the 3x USA Today Bestselling Author of several popular cozy mystery series—8 and counting!
When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family.
Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR
www.harperlin.com
When she’s not reading or writing mysteries, she loves going to yoga class, hiking, and baking with friends and family.
Be the first to hear about early bird discounts and new book releases by signing up for Harper's Newsletter: https://goo.gl/R7XmFR
www.harperlin.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
May 17, 2024
Maggie Bell had worked for Mr Whitfield for the past six years and books had drawn them together. The elderly Mr Whitfield thought of Maggie as a daughter, while Maggie looked up to him with respect and affection. Mr Whitfield knew all there was to know about the books in his store, the first edition classics, and tomes worth thousands of dollars. But when Mr Whitfield suddenly passed away, Maggie was devastated. Meeting Joshua Whitfield at his father's wake, Maggie wasn't sure whether she still had a job or not.
Renovations to expand the book shop to include a cafe, Maggie wasn't sure she liked Joshua's plans. But when the local electrician died while the renovations were taking place, and the police looked at the new bookshop owner as the main suspect, Maggie knew that wasn't right. She was determined to find the real killer - but would she be able to do so without bringing danger down on her head?
A Book to Kill For is the 1st in the Bookish Cafe Mysteries by Harper Lin and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The blurb is a little wrong (!) but Maggie's deep love and appreciation of books, especially the old classics, shone through. Someone trying to obtain one of those books, by whatever means possible, also added to the fun. An excellent first in the series, I'll be looking at #2 sometime soon. Highly recommended.
Renovations to expand the book shop to include a cafe, Maggie wasn't sure she liked Joshua's plans. But when the local electrician died while the renovations were taking place, and the police looked at the new bookshop owner as the main suspect, Maggie knew that wasn't right. She was determined to find the real killer - but would she be able to do so without bringing danger down on her head?
A Book to Kill For is the 1st in the Bookish Cafe Mysteries by Harper Lin and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The blurb is a little wrong (!) but Maggie's deep love and appreciation of books, especially the old classics, shone through. Someone trying to obtain one of those books, by whatever means possible, also added to the fun. An excellent first in the series, I'll be looking at #2 sometime soon. Highly recommended.
February 4, 2023
Nothing exciting happening here
I reluctantly have given this title 3 stars because I can’t select a 2.5. Strange happenings, but nothing to stretch the excitement strings. A murder, a couple of assaults, ho hum, is it time for my nap yet? The writing was okay and the characters were slightly forgettable overall, but I wasn’t put off enough to stop reading. I’d rate this one lukewarm at best.
I reluctantly have given this title 3 stars because I can’t select a 2.5. Strange happenings, but nothing to stretch the excitement strings. A murder, a couple of assaults, ho hum, is it time for my nap yet? The writing was okay and the characters were slightly forgettable overall, but I wasn’t put off enough to stop reading. I’d rate this one lukewarm at best.
June 21, 2021
A really unlikable MC who seems to be stuck in the 50s and acts like a moody pre-teen most of the time. She has a holier than thou attitude, sneers at everyone who doesn't hold her very particular values, and dislikes anyone who isn't stuck in her backwards 50s world. I just couldn't get into this story and was constantly getting annoyed by Maggie being such a ridiculous obnoxious, rude, unlikable person. I pity Joshua if those two actually end up together because what could be worse than a partner who thinks that she's better than everyone else, and no one can measure up to her. I enjoyed other series by Harper Lin but this was a big miss for me. A one and done for these series.
March 1, 2021
I was so excited to read this new series by Harper Lin. I fell in love with Maggie right away and I rooted for her and the bookstore she loves so much, throughout the whole story. I look forward to reading more books in this series!
January 5, 2025
An easy 5 shiny stars rating from me!!! ✨✨✨✨✨
I was hooked from the first page! It's a real page turner that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I could simply tell you what the book is about, but that's what the description of the book is for. So, I will tell you how I felt reading it.
Maggie Bell worked for Mr. Whitfield in a cozy bookstore in Fair Haven, Connecticut. Maggie loves to read and spoke with Mr. Whitfield about the books they read. Mr. Whitfield is like a father to Maggie. When he passes away, she is heartbroken. I really liked Maggie and her relationship with Mr. Whitfield!! She's the main female character and develops as you read the book. All the characters are well developed and believable! You'll be drawn into this book immediately. At the funeral, a stranger appeared and no one knew who he was. ( I should tell you that it's a small town and everyone knows each other. ) Who is this stranger? It's Joshua, Mr. Whitfields son.
Joshua is handsome and doesn't read books, yet Maggie is falling in love with him as the story goes on. He's trying to renovate the bookstore into a bookstore and a cafe. Shortly after the renovation begins, Bo, the local election is found dead in the store!! Oh no! There is a long list of suspects and Maggie is trying to figure out this case against the advice of the police to stay out of it. Maggie finds herself in dangerous positions with each new chapter. Whoever killed Bo, is trying to kill her and steal a book worth thousands of dollars.
This is one of the best cozy mysteries that I've read so far!! Who killed Bo? Do Joshua and Maggie fall in love? Read this mystery and find out!! It's full of twists and turns throughout the book and keeps you guessing until the end!! I guessed right, which is rare, because I rarely guess the right person. Such a good story by a new to me author! I can't wait to read more of her books.
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨📖
I was hooked from the first page! It's a real page turner that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I could simply tell you what the book is about, but that's what the description of the book is for. So, I will tell you how I felt reading it.
Maggie Bell worked for Mr. Whitfield in a cozy bookstore in Fair Haven, Connecticut. Maggie loves to read and spoke with Mr. Whitfield about the books they read. Mr. Whitfield is like a father to Maggie. When he passes away, she is heartbroken. I really liked Maggie and her relationship with Mr. Whitfield!! She's the main female character and develops as you read the book. All the characters are well developed and believable! You'll be drawn into this book immediately. At the funeral, a stranger appeared and no one knew who he was. ( I should tell you that it's a small town and everyone knows each other. ) Who is this stranger? It's Joshua, Mr. Whitfields son.
Joshua is handsome and doesn't read books, yet Maggie is falling in love with him as the story goes on. He's trying to renovate the bookstore into a bookstore and a cafe. Shortly after the renovation begins, Bo, the local election is found dead in the store!! Oh no! There is a long list of suspects and Maggie is trying to figure out this case against the advice of the police to stay out of it. Maggie finds herself in dangerous positions with each new chapter. Whoever killed Bo, is trying to kill her and steal a book worth thousands of dollars.
This is one of the best cozy mysteries that I've read so far!! Who killed Bo? Do Joshua and Maggie fall in love? Read this mystery and find out!! It's full of twists and turns throughout the book and keeps you guessing until the end!! I guessed right, which is rare, because I rarely guess the right person. Such a good story by a new to me author! I can't wait to read more of her books.
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨📖
December 23, 2022
An irritatingly unlikable female lead and a weak story
February 23, 2021
I had high hopes but was disappointed. The main character, Maggie, drove me crazy. So narrow-minded, so much tunnel vision about her life. Very repetitive and I quickly grew to hate reading the word “handsome”. Most of the story, Maggie seemed to have the emotions and maturity of a 16 year old. Just not my cup of tea
February 16, 2021
Books are an obsession of mine. Visiting bookshops is a hobby of mine. Reading cozy mysteries set in a bookshop is a little bit of perfection! I loved everything about this one, the setting, the characters, and the drama.
Maggie loves her job, she feels she is living the dream of working in an independent bookshop....that is until the owner is murdered. Joshua, the owner's son moves in to take over the shop and make lots of changes for big profits. With a murderer loose in town, everyone is on edge and almost everyone is a suspect.
Harper Lin is a master at the cozy mystery novel and I am very excited to read this new series.
Maggie loves her job, she feels she is living the dream of working in an independent bookshop....that is until the owner is murdered. Joshua, the owner's son moves in to take over the shop and make lots of changes for big profits. With a murderer loose in town, everyone is on edge and almost everyone is a suspect.
Harper Lin is a master at the cozy mystery novel and I am very excited to read this new series.
September 8, 2022
A light-hearted cozy mystery with fun characters in a small town. When Maggie's beloved boss at the bookstore passes away, his son Joshua comes to take over. He has new ideas for the bookstore making Maggie anxious and frustrated. But when he is accused of killing an electrician working on the bookstore changes she has to stop in and help prove his innocence.
May 13, 2025
2,5 Sterne
February 5, 2024
Ich mochte die FMC leider so gar nicht. Ich hatte Hoffnungen in Mr Whitfield aber wie das ausgeht weiß jeder, der das Buch liest 😄
Niemand hatte eine backstory, die Protagonistin war mal 16 und stur und mal 60 und judgy.
Einfach weird irgendwie 😄
Niemand hatte eine backstory, die Protagonistin war mal 16 und stur und mal 60 und judgy.
Einfach weird irgendwie 😄
June 21, 2022
Did not care much for either Maggie or Joshua. Found the book boring and too slow.
February 24, 2024
I don’t feel comfortable about the way books are treated in it.
January 24, 2026
Das Cosy Crime keine hochtrabende Literatur ist, war mir ja schon klar, aber so flach muss sie eigentlich auch nicht unbedingt sein.
Es geht um Maggie Bell, die in einem Antiquariat arbeitet. Als der Inhaber stirbt, muss sie sich damit rumschlagen, dass sein Sohn ein Buchcafé aus dem Laden machen will und dazu auch noch neue, angesagte Titel ins Sortiment aufnehmen will (Skandal!). Weil es ihrer Meinung nach unter angesagten Büchern natürlich nichts gutes gibt und alles nur Schund ist.
Macht den Charakter jetzt natürlich nicht so sympathisch. Ansonsten ist sie ein wandelndes Klischee: der stille, kleine Buchnerd, der mit kaum einem Bewohner der Stadt, obwohl sie schon ihr ganzes Leben dort wohnt.
Spielt aber keine so große Rolle, weil alle anderen Charakter auch nur so vor Klischees strotzen.
Warum die kleine Maggie nur alte Bücher mag und alles andere mit hochgezogenen Brauen etwas überheblich betrachtet, erfahren wir übrigens nicht.
Auch nicht, wie sie zu dem Buch in dem sie die Hauptrolle spielt, stehen würde. Das würde sie nämlich zu recht als Schund betrachten. Es ist wahnsinnig flach und Wiederholungen und Widersprüche wechseln sich immer mal wieder ab.
Lohnt auf jeden Fall der Mühe nicht.
Es geht um Maggie Bell, die in einem Antiquariat arbeitet. Als der Inhaber stirbt, muss sie sich damit rumschlagen, dass sein Sohn ein Buchcafé aus dem Laden machen will und dazu auch noch neue, angesagte Titel ins Sortiment aufnehmen will (Skandal!). Weil es ihrer Meinung nach unter angesagten Büchern natürlich nichts gutes gibt und alles nur Schund ist.
Macht den Charakter jetzt natürlich nicht so sympathisch. Ansonsten ist sie ein wandelndes Klischee: der stille, kleine Buchnerd, der mit kaum einem Bewohner der Stadt, obwohl sie schon ihr ganzes Leben dort wohnt.
Spielt aber keine so große Rolle, weil alle anderen Charakter auch nur so vor Klischees strotzen.
Warum die kleine Maggie nur alte Bücher mag und alles andere mit hochgezogenen Brauen etwas überheblich betrachtet, erfahren wir übrigens nicht.
Auch nicht, wie sie zu dem Buch in dem sie die Hauptrolle spielt, stehen würde. Das würde sie nämlich zu recht als Schund betrachten. Es ist wahnsinnig flach und Wiederholungen und Widersprüche wechseln sich immer mal wieder ab.
Lohnt auf jeden Fall der Mühe nicht.
March 22, 2024
É um livro daqueles para ler com pipocas (salgadas, sempre!) e chocolate quente, enquanto chove lá fora. Mas entretém. E deixa pontas soltas, para quem quiser prosseguir série fora. Não é o meu caso.
September 13, 2025
For someone to be so shy, Maggie talks a LOT.
June 8, 2024
A horrible self-righteous b**** for a main character with zero likeable qualities. She's rude to everyone all the time and if she wasn't the protagonist, you'd think she was the murderer/villain.
This book was obviously not for me.
This book was obviously not for me.
October 9, 2024
2.5⭐️ A cozy little bookshop mystery. Something about reading a book about a bookshop screams AUTUMN so I had to read this.
After read:
Joshua was SO annoying. He has a tendency to jump to conclusions and worried about the wrong things. He neglected seeing his elderly father because he couldn’t handle the shame he felt at his own perceived failure and he assumes a lot of things about Maggie which made him unlikeable.
I sympathized with Maggie so hard over the loss of her old person book bestie and people are just trying to shit on an already shitty situation. However I find her pretty stupid with a lot of decisions here. She was TSTL. Also she liked Joshua for no reason other than he had a nice face. SMH. Don’t think I’ll continue this series.
After read:
Joshua was SO annoying. He has a tendency to jump to conclusions and worried about the wrong things. He neglected seeing his elderly father because he couldn’t handle the shame he felt at his own perceived failure and he assumes a lot of things about Maggie which made him unlikeable.
I sympathized with Maggie so hard over the loss of her old person book bestie and people are just trying to shit on an already shitty situation. However I find her pretty stupid with a lot of decisions here. She was TSTL. Also she liked Joshua for no reason other than he had a nice face. SMH. Don’t think I’ll continue this series.
August 8, 2025
This was an easy, relaxed read. The plot didn’t blow me away, but the cosy small-town vibe really did—it’s warm, familiar, and charming.
It wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t amazing. More like lukewarm tea—nice enough, just not something I’d rush back to.
It wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t amazing. More like lukewarm tea—nice enough, just not something I’d rush back to.
September 26, 2024
This mystery was just OK. It was easy to tune in and out without missing anything important. Maggie (not sure why she is referred to as this; she calls herself Margaret so everyone else should, too) was unlikeable and the worst kind of snob. Every one of the men was described by their physical attributes, particularly their muscular appearance, which was a little annoying. Unsure if I will continue with this series.
October 10, 2022
Een cozy muder mysterie die heerlijk wegleest. Je moet geen diepgang verwachten, maar dat hoeft niet altijd. Entertainment is ook prima.
January 30, 2024
For some reason, this reminded me of my Nancy Drew reading days.
May 19, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded down
I’m reading and enjoying two other series by this author, so adding this to my to-read list seemed like a no-brainer. I usually like cozies set in bookstores or libraries, but this book didn’t live up to my expectations, even though those expectations are generally set lower than usual for the first book in a series.
The setting itself wasn’t the problem, but Maggie, the MC, was incredibly annoying. To call her a book snob would be putting it mildly, and she was quick to judge *and jump to conclusions. I despise book snobs - everyone has personal preferences about what constitutes a good book, and reading is reading. I may not enjoy the books you like, but the world would be really boring if we all liked the same things.
It’s hard to tell which other characters will be returning in future books, but some of them seemed like stereotypical small town residents. I’m not sure I like any of them right now, but maybe that will become more clear after the next book in the series?
The murder in this book happened relatively early in the story, and, other than in Maggie’s mind, there didn’t seem to be many serious suspects for the police to consider. One character set off warning bells for me, but several others seemed just as likely, so I wasn’t sure who the culprit might be until clues in the book started pointing toward one person. The motive, although selfish, made sense.
I will probably read the next book in the series, if only to see if Maggie lightens up, but it won’t be any time soon.
I’m reading and enjoying two other series by this author, so adding this to my to-read list seemed like a no-brainer. I usually like cozies set in bookstores or libraries, but this book didn’t live up to my expectations, even though those expectations are generally set lower than usual for the first book in a series.
The setting itself wasn’t the problem, but Maggie, the MC, was incredibly annoying. To call her a book snob would be putting it mildly, and she was quick to judge *and jump to conclusions. I despise book snobs - everyone has personal preferences about what constitutes a good book, and reading is reading. I may not enjoy the books you like, but the world would be really boring if we all liked the same things.
It’s hard to tell which other characters will be returning in future books, but some of them seemed like stereotypical small town residents. I’m not sure I like any of them right now, but maybe that will become more clear after the next book in the series?
The murder in this book happened relatively early in the story, and, other than in Maggie’s mind, there didn’t seem to be many serious suspects for the police to consider. One character set off warning bells for me, but several others seemed just as likely, so I wasn’t sure who the culprit might be until clues in the book started pointing toward one person. The motive, although selfish, made sense.
I will probably read the next book in the series, if only to see if Maggie lightens up, but it won’t be any time soon.
February 14, 2024
Will definitely be reading the second book in the series ASAP! Whike Maggie didn't exactly solve the murder, it was fun following her and the others in this mystery. She has some good crime solving instincts. Hopefully she's the crime solver in the next book.
April 15, 2024
Poorly written, unlikable characters, and a plot so thin it couldn't stand up without help. No thanks.
July 13, 2024
Bookish shopgirl Maggie is understandably sad when her employer passes away, but her grief is exasperated when the bookshop's rightful heir, the handsome Joshua, comes in with grand ideas for how to make his father's dream turn a profit. Maggie scampers to hide all the oldest books from Joshua's purges, which is how she comes across the body of one of the construction workers Joshua hires to help with the renovations. Certainly, this could have been an accident, but Maggie isn't convinced something more sinister isn't at work.
This book brings together a lot of interesting personalities and a bit of classic small-town gossip. Maggie has some self-esteem issues, unresolved snooping tendencies, and is clearly in denial about her romantic inclinations, but it's kind of cute in a messy way. The mystery was compelling, and there were a lot of fun surprises as the bookshop evolved. Overall, a fun series starter.
This book brings together a lot of interesting personalities and a bit of classic small-town gossip. Maggie has some self-esteem issues, unresolved snooping tendencies, and is clearly in denial about her romantic inclinations, but it's kind of cute in a messy way. The mystery was compelling, and there were a lot of fun surprises as the bookshop evolved. Overall, a fun series starter.
September 20, 2025
i would have dnfed this but i was doing a readathon and listening to the audiobook while crocheting so decided to just finish it. the fmc was awful, complete internalised misogyny talking down about how the women at the beauty store and how they were shallow and makeup obsessed so that made them worse women apparently. hated any book that wasn’t an ancient unheard of classic, so gave of complete holier than thou energy, talking trash about any modern book regardless of genre, and how people that read those kinds of books were inferior. she acted both like a 60 year old woman and a child at the same time, genuinely no redeeming characters beyond being friendly with one old man (but she hated everyone else in the town)
February 28, 2024
3.5 rounded to 4??? I'm not sure, but it was cute and a very quick listen for sure. The romance plot of the "book lover falling for a carpenter" wasn't really there, so that was false advertising. There were stolen looks, but that was it. I am going to read/listen to the next one to see where it goes between Maggie and Joshua
December 27, 2024
I loved Maggie, our story’s protagonist.
I loved Joshua, who is trying to feel his way through a business he doesn’t know much about while also mourning his dad.
And I loved the bookshop.
Great reader. I think she’s the reason this was a 5-star read for me, because she really brought these characters - and the story - to life and kept me engaged.
I loved Joshua, who is trying to feel his way through a business he doesn’t know much about while also mourning his dad.
And I loved the bookshop.
Great reader. I think she’s the reason this was a 5-star read for me, because she really brought these characters - and the story - to life and kept me engaged.
April 11, 2025
A cozy mystery set in a small town where it seems to rain every day. Maggie, a shy introverted young lady works in a bookstore with a kind old gentleman Mr Whitfield. The store contains mainly old classics and does not do much business but when Mr Whitfield suddenly dies and his son Joshua turns up to take over the business things begin to heat up (but not the weather which remains wet and gloomy). A death casts suspicion on couple of people including Joshua, and shy little Maggie is embroiled in trying to help solve the mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews