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Maggie and Marple Mysteries #2
Body in the Bookshop
A hidden body. A silk ribbon. A bouquet of flowers.
When a body is found in the walled up recess of her bookshop, Maggie’s dead father falls under suspicion for murder. Determined to find the truth about the unidentified victim, Maggie starts her own investigation against the wishes of the local police.
When Marple uncovers a bouquet of flowers and a ribbon in the debris of the demolished wall, Clara is happy to track down their origin to help clear her great-grandfather’s name, and to distract her from worsening relations with her ex, Tyrone.
Then Marple reveals some more disturbing evidence. Can the Mystery Book Club solve the puzzle before long buried wounds are reopened?
When a body is found in the walled up recess of her bookshop, Maggie’s dead father falls under suspicion for murder. Determined to find the truth about the unidentified victim, Maggie starts her own investigation against the wishes of the local police.
When Marple uncovers a bouquet of flowers and a ribbon in the debris of the demolished wall, Clara is happy to track down their origin to help clear her great-grandfather’s name, and to distract her from worsening relations with her ex, Tyrone.
Then Marple reveals some more disturbing evidence. Can the Mystery Book Club solve the puzzle before long buried wounds are reopened?
252 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2025
About the author
Lee Williamson
21 books6 followersAfter spending some time writing in the YA Fantasy genre, I decided to to take a slight deviation and write some more romancy, mystery type books. I hope you will follow along on my journey.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 21, 2025
After re-injuring herself tracking a killer, Maggie seems to have lost her spark, worrying her great-niece, Clara. When renovations in her bookstore reveal a mummified corpse, Maggie is inclined to let the police handle it. Clara wants to investigate with the Mystery Book Club, especially when her great-grandfather is considered a suspect, and possibly a serial killer in Waiawa, during the 1970s & 80s, as a number of girls went missing. Since Maggie knows the truth of at least some of the girls’ whereabouts as well as their reasons for leaving town, she wonders if it’s best to keep those secrets buried. The arrogant detective in charge determined to sully her father’s reputation just might make her reconsider.
Picking up shortly after the events of book 1, Murder in the Manuscripts, Clara is still staying with Aunt Maggie in the small town of Waiawa, NZ. With a lawyer involved in the messy split with ex, Trevor, Clara welcomes the distraction of solving the case and clearing great grandfather, Hamish. Maggie is in a much more introspective place, contemplating her age and life experiences. Her relationship with one of the missing, Daisy, is still controversial in the small town and she’s reluctant to out other girls who might have chosen running away to live freely. The alternating POV of Maggie and Clara moves the story along nicely and adds depth to the characters. The return of the Mystery Book Club members is a welcome addition as well. Golden Retriever puppy, Marple is as charming in this book as in the previous one. Clara has two potential love interests when she finally heals from Trevor’s betrayal. Looking forward to finding out if she stays in Waiawa or returns to her life in Sydney.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Picking up shortly after the events of book 1, Murder in the Manuscripts, Clara is still staying with Aunt Maggie in the small town of Waiawa, NZ. With a lawyer involved in the messy split with ex, Trevor, Clara welcomes the distraction of solving the case and clearing great grandfather, Hamish. Maggie is in a much more introspective place, contemplating her age and life experiences. Her relationship with one of the missing, Daisy, is still controversial in the small town and she’s reluctant to out other girls who might have chosen running away to live freely. The alternating POV of Maggie and Clara moves the story along nicely and adds depth to the characters. The return of the Mystery Book Club members is a welcome addition as well. Golden Retriever puppy, Marple is as charming in this book as in the previous one. Clara has two potential love interests when she finally heals from Trevor’s betrayal. Looking forward to finding out if she stays in Waiawa or returns to her life in Sydney.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
I was excited to see there was another story involving Maggie, Clara, and Marple along with the rest of the gang. This time Marple discovers a body that was hidden in the wall of Maggie’s bookshop and Maggie and Clara are on a quest to clear Maggie’s father’s good name. Bevan’s supervisor seems to have it out for Maggie’s late father, but I had no doubt the girls and the gang would figure it out. I started to consider who the killer actually was near where Clara started to figure it out. To me that is a sign of a really good story if I can’t figure it out until much later in the book! Maggie and Clara weren’t even snooping when they “accidentally” discovered the killer. I was on pins and needles waiting to see how they would get out of the predicament they found themselves in. I try not to give away to much because I am not a fan of spoilers myself, so you have to read it to find out what happens!
I also found myself hoping that Clara decides to stay with Maggie and Marple and doesn’t return home. She has family, friends, and can work from anywhere. I also want to see if something more transpires down the road between her and Bevan. I think Reece is more like a brother to Clara and that there is clearly something brewing between her and Bevan, but we shall see!
This story can be read as a stand alone book, but I highly recommend reading the first story before diving into this one. You would be missing out if you didn’t read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I also found myself hoping that Clara decides to stay with Maggie and Marple and doesn’t return home. She has family, friends, and can work from anywhere. I also want to see if something more transpires down the road between her and Bevan. I think Reece is more like a brother to Clara and that there is clearly something brewing between her and Bevan, but we shall see!
This story can be read as a stand alone book, but I highly recommend reading the first story before diving into this one. You would be missing out if you didn’t read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2025
The Surprise Upstairs . . .
The air has changed and Marple is uncomfortable and senses danger. There is noise overhead and vibrations through the building, but Paul sits at his computer behind the counter completely oblivious. So she squeezed under the table in the reading nook for safety. When Joe from upstairs goes out for coffee, she quietly goes upstairs to see what unearthly thing is up there. The bad thing is in the waal on the other side of the fireplace, so she lets out a mournful howl until Paul runs upstairs. He still doesn’t know what she smells, so she scratched at the peeling wallpaper and he finally understands there is something in there and grabs a tool. Joe returns and agrees to open the wall. He turns on the flashlight and dismisses his crew -- no more work there today! Then he calls the police about the body in the wall and everyone leaves. Marple knows the being cannot leave its body, but there is enough unnatural energy to keep her on edge. Finally, the presence sends, I am found.
Unexpectedly, the Lead Detective Allen on the case, hoping to earn a promotion, is convinced Clara’s deceased great-grandfather Hamish is the guilty party, not only responsible for the unidentified victim in the wall but also a possible serial killer responsible for the missing girls from the 1970s! Maggie and her book club definitely need to be involved in the investigation now! Will they solve the mystery? Or will it lead to something worse?
The air has changed and Marple is uncomfortable and senses danger. There is noise overhead and vibrations through the building, but Paul sits at his computer behind the counter completely oblivious. So she squeezed under the table in the reading nook for safety. When Joe from upstairs goes out for coffee, she quietly goes upstairs to see what unearthly thing is up there. The bad thing is in the waal on the other side of the fireplace, so she lets out a mournful howl until Paul runs upstairs. He still doesn’t know what she smells, so she scratched at the peeling wallpaper and he finally understands there is something in there and grabs a tool. Joe returns and agrees to open the wall. He turns on the flashlight and dismisses his crew -- no more work there today! Then he calls the police about the body in the wall and everyone leaves. Marple knows the being cannot leave its body, but there is enough unnatural energy to keep her on edge. Finally, the presence sends, I am found.
Unexpectedly, the Lead Detective Allen on the case, hoping to earn a promotion, is convinced Clara’s deceased great-grandfather Hamish is the guilty party, not only responsible for the unidentified victim in the wall but also a possible serial killer responsible for the missing girls from the 1970s! Maggie and her book club definitely need to be involved in the investigation now! Will they solve the mystery? Or will it lead to something worse?
January 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)
Body in the Bookshop by Lee Williamson 🕵️♀️📚🐾
Maggie & Marple Mysteries #2
The absolute delight I felt realising I got to spend more time with Maggie, Clara, Marple, and the rest of the Waiawa gang cannot be overstated. These books are quickly becoming my comfort cosy mysteries, and setting them in small-town New Zealand just makes them even better 🇳🇿✨
This one can be read as a standalone, but honestly, I highly recommend starting with the prequels and book one. The emotional depth, character relationships, and ongoing threads hit so much harder when you’ve walked the journey with them. You’d definitely be missing out otherwise.
A body hidden in a bookshop wall, a ribbon, flowers, and a decades-old mystery tied to Maggie’s own family? Yes please. The stakes feel more personal this time, especially with Maggie’s father falling under suspicion, and it adds a really compelling emotional layer to the investigation. Clara continues to shine, balancing loyalty, curiosity, and her own complicated personal life, while Marple remains the very best canine detective 🐶🖤
The characters feel wonderfully well-rounded, the mystery is engaging without being overwhelming, and the pacing makes it very hard to put down “just one more chapter” energy was strong with this one. Add in the Mystery Book Club and a few buried secrets best left uncovered, and you’ve got a fantastic continuation of the series.
A cosy, clever, and heartfelt mystery that’s only getting better with each instalment. I’m already very impatiently waiting for the next one 📖🕯️
Body in the Bookshop by Lee Williamson 🕵️♀️📚🐾
Maggie & Marple Mysteries #2
The absolute delight I felt realising I got to spend more time with Maggie, Clara, Marple, and the rest of the Waiawa gang cannot be overstated. These books are quickly becoming my comfort cosy mysteries, and setting them in small-town New Zealand just makes them even better 🇳🇿✨
This one can be read as a standalone, but honestly, I highly recommend starting with the prequels and book one. The emotional depth, character relationships, and ongoing threads hit so much harder when you’ve walked the journey with them. You’d definitely be missing out otherwise.
A body hidden in a bookshop wall, a ribbon, flowers, and a decades-old mystery tied to Maggie’s own family? Yes please. The stakes feel more personal this time, especially with Maggie’s father falling under suspicion, and it adds a really compelling emotional layer to the investigation. Clara continues to shine, balancing loyalty, curiosity, and her own complicated personal life, while Marple remains the very best canine detective 🐶🖤
The characters feel wonderfully well-rounded, the mystery is engaging without being overwhelming, and the pacing makes it very hard to put down “just one more chapter” energy was strong with this one. Add in the Mystery Book Club and a few buried secrets best left uncovered, and you’ve got a fantastic continuation of the series.
A cosy, clever, and heartfelt mystery that’s only getting better with each instalment. I’m already very impatiently waiting for the next one 📖🕯️
June 21, 2025
Chasing history and mystery
When Maggie decides to get renovations done on her bookshop the last thing she expects is to find a body inside an old wall. When it's found to be from the time her father ran the post office from this location and the police suspect him of being involved Maggie and Clara decide they must clear his name and memory. They begin by looking into many young women who went missing from Waiawa in the 50 years ago time period. A great story with many well rounded characters make this an easy read and hard to put down book. An excellent addition to this series and I look forward to the next book with great anticipation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Maggie decides to get renovations done on her bookshop the last thing she expects is to find a body inside an old wall. When it's found to be from the time her father ran the post office from this location and the police suspect him of being involved Maggie and Clara decide they must clear his name and memory. They begin by looking into many young women who went missing from Waiawa in the 50 years ago time period. A great story with many well rounded characters make this an easy read and hard to put down book. An excellent addition to this series and I look forward to the next book with great anticipation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 19, 2025
‘Yes, Maggie and I are going to clear Grandpa Hamish’s name’
Renovations can be trying at the best of times, and down right murder at others and unfortunately that’s what Maggie and Clara are facing when Marple finds a mummified body in the wall of the bookshop. When the lead detective on the case seems intent on framing Grandpa Hamish for not only that body, but a slew of missing girls from the 1970s, Maggie takes it a wee bit personally and the book club is back on the case. Well crafted with tremendous character development. I can’t wait for book 3 and to find out exactly when Clara realizes she’s not going back to Sydney for good!
Renovations can be trying at the best of times, and down right murder at others and unfortunately that’s what Maggie and Clara are facing when Marple finds a mummified body in the wall of the bookshop. When the lead detective on the case seems intent on framing Grandpa Hamish for not only that body, but a slew of missing girls from the 1970s, Maggie takes it a wee bit personally and the book club is back on the case. Well crafted with tremendous character development. I can’t wait for book 3 and to find out exactly when Clara realizes she’s not going back to Sydney for good!
June 21, 2025
Exactly who was the body in the bookshop and how did it get there?
Once more, we’re back in Waiawa with Maggie and her great niece Clara. When Maggie decides to have some work done in the bookshop, a body is discovered by the workers. When the police try and pin the murder on Maggie’s father, she becomes incensed and decides to figure out who was responsible. I really do enjoy these stories. The writing is excellent, the plots keep me guessing and Marple is adorable! I cannot recommend these Maggie and Marple Mystery stories highly enough.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Once more, we’re back in Waiawa with Maggie and her great niece Clara. When Maggie decides to have some work done in the bookshop, a body is discovered by the workers. When the police try and pin the murder on Maggie’s father, she becomes incensed and decides to figure out who was responsible. I really do enjoy these stories. The writing is excellent, the plots keep me guessing and Marple is adorable! I cannot recommend these Maggie and Marple Mystery stories highly enough.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2025
Body in the Bookshop: A Maggie and Marple Mystery is book #2 in the Maggie and Marple Cosy Mysteries series by Lee Williamson.
They say renovations can be a nightmare and that’s without finding human remains in the wall. Maggie is still healing and that’s a source of frustration for her. Having to deal with the possibility that the body could have something to do with her late father is another. I really like the characters in this book and they seem realistic. And who doesn’t love a furry companion. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
They say renovations can be a nightmare and that’s without finding human remains in the wall. Maggie is still healing and that’s a source of frustration for her. Having to deal with the possibility that the body could have something to do with her late father is another. I really like the characters in this book and they seem realistic. And who doesn’t love a furry companion. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2025
When a body is discovered during renovations, there is a determination to find answers, and the more answers revealed, the more questions there are. The past has come back to haunt the person with the biggest secret to hide. Maggie and the gang are assisted with the investigation by someone unexpected as the twists and turns come together to a satisfying conclusion. This can be read as a standalone.
June 20, 2025
I enjoyed the book; it's entertaining, and I found it engaging to read. The characters Clara, Maggie, and the rest of the book club members are all involved in investigating a murder. How they get their clues is sometimes funny, and the interest of two men in Clara gives a little romance to the plot. It's worth the time reading it, and I recommend it to all cozy mystery fans.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 8, 2025
Maggie and Clara can't help it: they just have to stick their nose where it doesn't belong. And they are so good in solving crimes. I really enjoyed this book. Entertaining, well developed characters, easy to read. I can truly recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy via Booksprout and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy via Booksprout and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
June 20, 2025
I wish I had read the first one first. If you haven't, I recommend it. There are spoilers for the first one in this one. The characters are lovely. The community is well written. I love a good coldcase. A murder book club and older people sleuths are also up there for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2025
A bookshop, murder book club, buried secrets and a murder, what's not to love. This cozy mystery has a body buried in the walls of the bookshop. Great writing, charming characters and a fun and quirky community. Fun to follow Clara, Maggie and Marple as they all investigate. I love this cozy mystery series. Highly recommend!.
June 2, 2025
I think this was a very charming book. The mystery was intriguing, the characters were well written and overall it was an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Enjoyable for a cozy murder mystery set in New Zealand. Kinda wish I read the first book in the series before reading this one as the first one. Whoops.
Enjoyable for a cozy murder mystery set in New Zealand. Kinda wish I read the first book in the series before reading this one as the first one. Whoops.
March 31, 2026
A light, fun mystery with banter, family antics, amateur sleuthing, a cheeky puppy and small town vibes.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews