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Booktown Mystery #8
Book Clubbed
New York Times bestselling author Lorna Barrett is back in town—Booktown, that is—with another page-turning mystery. This time bookstore owner Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, put their own problems on the shelf to catch a killer who turns a bookcase into a murder weapon…
Cranky Chamber of Commerce receptionist Betsy Dittmeyer is done reading people the riot act. After she’s crushed by a fallen bookcase, the next item to be read is her last will and testament—which is packed with surprises. It soon comes to light that Betsy was hiding volumes of dark secrets behind that perpetual frown of hers—and one of them just might have been a motive for murder.
While Tricia tries to help Angelica—the newly elected Chamber of Commerce president and Betsy’s boss—solve the mystery, she discovers a hidden chapter in her own family history that rocks her to her very core. And with her ex-husband and the chief of police vying for her affections, it’s doubly hard to focus on who might have buried Betsy in a tomb of tomes.
But as Tricia and Angelica try to read between the lines, they need to watch their step…and make sure the killer doesn’t catch them between the stacks.
Cranky Chamber of Commerce receptionist Betsy Dittmeyer is done reading people the riot act. After she’s crushed by a fallen bookcase, the next item to be read is her last will and testament—which is packed with surprises. It soon comes to light that Betsy was hiding volumes of dark secrets behind that perpetual frown of hers—and one of them just might have been a motive for murder.
While Tricia tries to help Angelica—the newly elected Chamber of Commerce president and Betsy’s boss—solve the mystery, she discovers a hidden chapter in her own family history that rocks her to her very core. And with her ex-husband and the chief of police vying for her affections, it’s doubly hard to focus on who might have buried Betsy in a tomb of tomes.
But as Tricia and Angelica try to read between the lines, they need to watch their step…and make sure the killer doesn’t catch them between the stacks.
308 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
176 people are currently reading
1863 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Barrett
22 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 364 reviews
July 5, 2014
I wrote it. I like it.
January 18, 2025
Book Clubbed is the 8th book in the Booktown Mysteries written by Lorna Barrett. Sisters Tricia and Angelica run bookstores in a charming New Hampshire town where murders take center stage all too often. In this installment, Angelica's ex-boyfriend, Bob, is on the run for potentially being involved in a crime, and his former assistant now works for Angelica. Unfortunately, the nasty woman finds herself in the line of sight of a killer, and this time, Angelica finds the dead body - just outside her apartment. What was going on? I enjoy this series because of the bookish themes and the varying personalities of the recurring characters. Barrett is extremely strong at making each character come alive and remain pertinent to each successive book. Sometimes the personalities change a bit, which can be a bit jarring, e.g. Nikki was good, then she was horrible to Tricia over petty things, never apologized, and in this book she's trying to get everyone to love her. The transitions are slightly off to me, but maybe I'm being too picky! That said, the mysteries are engaging, and while there are usually only three possible suspects, you never quite know until the end what will turn out. On to #9 next week.
August 11, 2014
Okay, so I have read all of these Booktown Mysteries. I like cozies and I like the sense of returning to characters I have come to know. Having said that-why am I being given a main character who is sooo unlikeable? Trisha is smug, judgmental, prissy, prudish, and full of herself. I thought that was maybe going to change. I thought that she would get through her grief over her failed marriage and learn to loosen the heck up and enjoy her life again, but apparently not. I can see no reason why so many men are fussing over someone so boring she eats the same bland lunch every day and who is so buttoned-up she can barely function in a relationship, yet I am expected to believe they are absolutely fighting it out over this wench in Booktown. Why? I guess the town is really small-but surely there are other women who aren't so dull and prissy. At first when I was reading these books it seemed like all of the characters were so hard to like, but then I realized since this is written from Trisha's POV it is actually Trisha who is unlikeable. We are constantly exposed to her judgmental attitudes about all the other characters, so it initially made them all seem unpleasant because we hear her judgey meanness about them. For someone who has been referred to as a "goody-two-shoes" on more than one occasion in these books she actually seems quite hateful much of the time. I guess only we know how awful she is-since the other characters can't know (as we do) what is going on in her head. She is just so uncharitable and stuck-up and I really hoped she would pull it together and change. This woman is so prissy she refers to sex as "the act" even internally. She hires a former prostitute but cannot bring herself to discuss "THE ACT with someone who used to perform it professionally". Seriously? It could only do her some good and maybe she'd be less of a supercilious prude. The author doesn't really give us much to go on when it comes to what Trish looks like (maybe she did in the first book or so and I just don't remember) but I always imagine her looking like she simultaneously sucked a lemon and smelled a fart, since that is how her personality comes off in these books. Lighten up, Frances.
June 18, 2015
I was very excited when this finally came out. I have loved this series, but I am not loving Tricia lately. And I can't say that this was one of my favorite books. Tricia has become so bitter, she really needs to fall off that high horse of hers. I find it very hard to believe that all these men are really fighting over this ice queen. Are there no other nice women in Stoneham? I didn't care for Angelica early on, but I would hang out with her over Tricia any day. I really hate the way she treats Pixie as well. Yeah, she has a past but so what. She has been nothing but nice and giving towards Tricia. What I wouldn't give to have Pixie grab a heavy book and smack Tricia upside the head with it. I'd hang out with that broad too.
The mystery was ok, I didn't feel like there were enough clues to really have me guessing the murderer on my own. And what was with that ridiculous Bob part of the story? After all the silliness... Tricia is a sucker for those green eyes??
Sorry Lorna, you just weren't on your game this time around.
The mystery was ok, I didn't feel like there were enough clues to really have me guessing the murderer on my own. And what was with that ridiculous Bob part of the story? After all the silliness... Tricia is a sucker for those green eyes??
Sorry Lorna, you just weren't on your game this time around.
June 28, 2015
Meh. Too many convenient occurrences, boring love triangle, very soap operaish, and just why exactly is she involved in the investigation? The police did very little and the dispatcher is incompetent.
July 5, 2014
Oh, how I love Stoneham, New Hampshire, AKA Booktown, It has a picturesque setting and has some quirky and charming characters and with and another murderer lurking in the town, no one is safe. Chamber of Commerce receptionist, Betsy Dittmeyer keeps to herself and has some deep, dark secrets to hide, she was not very well liked with some of the residents in Booktown either. It is really no shock that she is found suddenly crushed by a falling bookshelf. Could her secrets be the reason why someone wanted her dead?
Angelica owns many businesses in Booktown and wears many hats, her latest hat she is the newly elected Chamber of Commerce President and also as Betsy's boss she and her sister, Tricia, Owner of Haven't Got A Clue, a vintage mystery bookstore in Booktown feel obligated to help solve the murder. If that isn't enough Trisha is rocked to the core after hearing a family secret of her own and also with her ex-husband and the police chief, Baker competing for her undying love and affections but her priority lies in finding Betsy's murderer.
This is the very first cozy mystery series I have ever read and it's very near and dear to my heart and it will always be a favorite. Since then I have never turned back from reading cozy mysteries. The characters are very endearing and I love revisiting them year after year. Book Clubbed is filled with surprises and a few tears, and you can never forget the murder and mayhem. This is the one book in the series you will never forget and i'm happy to say i'm caught up on this one. If your starting out reading cozy mysteries or if you haven't already done so I highly recommend this series as I always have to everyone, Can't wait until the next in the series !!!
March 17, 2025
Trisha and her sister Angelica are two busy bodies in Stoneham, MA. A book themed town. The Chamber of Commerce secretary is killed and they insinuate themselves in the case.
The narrator does nothing for these cozy mysteries other than making them sound incredibly snobby. Picture a soap opera.
The narrator does nothing for these cozy mysteries other than making them sound incredibly snobby. Picture a soap opera.
August 16, 2014
My Take: This is going to be fairly short. Book Clubbed caught my eye on the New Arrivals shelf at the library. I mean, what's not to love? A mystery bookstore owner as amateur sleuth. With a cat named Miss Marple. A corpse killed by a fallen bookcase. A clue in a family Bible. Books everywhere you look. I was in need of just six more library books to fulfill the I Love Library Books reading challenge and this seemed like a perfect entry--a quick, cozy read.
Yeah...no. At first I thought that maybe the reason I wasn't connecting with Tricia Miles and her sister Angelica (and about 95% of the rest of the characters) was because I hopped on the Booktown Mystery Train at stop number 8, but a glance through other less favorable reviews by readers who have been on board from the beginning lead me to surmise that it wouldn't have mattered much. Tricia apparently has been in a weird funk from her divorce (and other man troubles) all along. She's being stalked by her ex--I don't care what anyone says. The fact that he watches her every move from a window that looks down on her store and straight across from her apartment is very creepy. And, it's not enough that she's got hang-ups over men. She's also got her troubled relationship with her mother.
Quite honestly, living inside her head and seeing the other characters from her point of view is no treat. She's labeled a goody two-shoes, but she's not particularly charitable in her thoughts about most of the others. When tragedy strikes at the end, I'm not even invested enough in her character to feel terribly sorry for her. The most sympathetic characters--in my opinion--are her employees. Unfortunately, we don't see nearly enough of them. And let's not even talk about the dialogue...mostly flat, almost always at cross-purposes, and sometimes I'm left thinking "what-the-heck?" because the subject has just been changed abruptly for no discernible reason.
The good points? Decent mystery and plotting, although not enough clues displayed so the reader could possibly arrive at the solution on their own. Booktown atmosphere is also a plus. But not enough good points to entice me into reading any more of the series.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Yeah...no. At first I thought that maybe the reason I wasn't connecting with Tricia Miles and her sister Angelica (and about 95% of the rest of the characters) was because I hopped on the Booktown Mystery Train at stop number 8, but a glance through other less favorable reviews by readers who have been on board from the beginning lead me to surmise that it wouldn't have mattered much. Tricia apparently has been in a weird funk from her divorce (and other man troubles) all along. She's being stalked by her ex--I don't care what anyone says. The fact that he watches her every move from a window that looks down on her store and straight across from her apartment is very creepy. And, it's not enough that she's got hang-ups over men. She's also got her troubled relationship with her mother.
Quite honestly, living inside her head and seeing the other characters from her point of view is no treat. She's labeled a goody two-shoes, but she's not particularly charitable in her thoughts about most of the others. When tragedy strikes at the end, I'm not even invested enough in her character to feel terribly sorry for her. The most sympathetic characters--in my opinion--are her employees. Unfortunately, we don't see nearly enough of them. And let's not even talk about the dialogue...mostly flat, almost always at cross-purposes, and sometimes I'm left thinking "what-the-heck?" because the subject has just been changed abruptly for no discernible reason.
The good points? Decent mystery and plotting, although not enough clues displayed so the reader could possibly arrive at the solution on their own. Booktown atmosphere is also a plus. But not enough good points to entice me into reading any more of the series.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
November 9, 2023
I love this series. The story gets better with each book to the series. I am enjoying the close relationship the sisters are building with each other. All the guy’s chasing Trisha have to go. A bit unrealistic, if you ask me. And takes time away from the mystery we are initially here for. I think this was the best story in the series so far. Looking forward to the next book.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Hang on tight! This book gets off to a fast start and had this reader tuned in from page one.
Angelica is trying to start out on the right foot with the Chamber but Betsy Dittmeyer is not happy about it. Her point of view ceases to matter very quickly when her death has Angelica and sister Tricia trying to find out who helped bury Betsy under that pile of books. She wasn’t well liked so there ate quite a few suspects. It seems Betsy also has a few secrets that could have led to her demise.
Lorna Barrett does it again. My emotions were reeling with this story. I had tears in my eyes at one point.
Haven’t Got A Clue is a very special bookstore with very special employees. I love these characters. Pixie continues to shine and Mr. Everett is the perfect gentleman. Tricia is so lucky to have them by her side handling the ups and downs or not only the bookstore but Booktown as well. The are some changes coming to Booktown with Angelica leading the Chamber and Nigela Ricita Associates taking on a larger role in the properties in town there. Some other characters have some special announcements too that will be changing their lives.
Then of course there is Tricia’s love life or lack of a love life to add a little more to the story.
What I really enjoyed was that Tricia and Angelica continue to get closer as a family secret is revealed. It is time for these sisters to stick together and support each other.
The author has packed this pages with so much that I challenge anyone to put it down once you start reading. I truly hated for the story to end. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
November 19, 2016
This story takes place in Stoneham, New Hampshire
better known as "Booktown". Two sisters, Tricia and
Angelica Miles have opened shops there. Tricia owns
a mystery bookstore and lives with Miss Marple, her
cat. Angelica owns the Cookery store, a cute little
dog and is the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
The secretary for the Chamber of Commerce is
discovered dead under a bookcase in the temporary
storeroom of Angelica's shop. How did the bookcase
fall on her? An accident or was it murder? Who would
want to kill her and why?
Fast read. Colorful and quirky characters will keep you
entertained while solving the mystery.
This is the eighth book in the Booktown Mystery series.
It can be read as a stand alone.
better known as "Booktown". Two sisters, Tricia and
Angelica Miles have opened shops there. Tricia owns
a mystery bookstore and lives with Miss Marple, her
cat. Angelica owns the Cookery store, a cute little
dog and is the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
The secretary for the Chamber of Commerce is
discovered dead under a bookcase in the temporary
storeroom of Angelica's shop. How did the bookcase
fall on her? An accident or was it murder? Who would
want to kill her and why?
Fast read. Colorful and quirky characters will keep you
entertained while solving the mystery.
This is the eighth book in the Booktown Mystery series.
It can be read as a stand alone.
February 5, 2017
Did anyone else hope that when Tricia's shop burned down that she would leave town and that would be the end of this series?? Because that's what I hoped for. This woman is a judgy, goody-two-shoes b***h.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2019
Another great book by Ms. Barrett.
October 31, 2022
3.5 stars
Tricia’s sister Angelica is now president of the town’s Chamber of Commerce. Unfortunately, they don’t have a real place to work out of, so the secretary (Betsy) is working in Angelica’s business space. It’s not long before there is a ruckus in the back and Tricia and Angelica discovery Betsy’s body in the back crushed by a book case! Betsy wasn’t well-liked, so when it’s discovered it wasn’t likely an accident, there are a number of people who might have done it. Tricia, as usual, chats up people around town to see what she can find out.
I liked this one (although I’m not sure there are any in this series I have disliked yet). It’s the 8th book in the series, and I really enjoy many of the characters, though there are definitely some odd “ducks” in the crowd! Tricia’s (current lack of) love life is a bit creepy, though, as two former suitors are still interested and trying to win her back. But really, I think this series (at least for me) is just as much about the characters and their relationships to each other as the mysteries themselves. There was one extra worrisome (and surprising) bit in the book toward the end.
Tricia’s sister Angelica is now president of the town’s Chamber of Commerce. Unfortunately, they don’t have a real place to work out of, so the secretary (Betsy) is working in Angelica’s business space. It’s not long before there is a ruckus in the back and Tricia and Angelica discovery Betsy’s body in the back crushed by a book case! Betsy wasn’t well-liked, so when it’s discovered it wasn’t likely an accident, there are a number of people who might have done it. Tricia, as usual, chats up people around town to see what she can find out.
I liked this one (although I’m not sure there are any in this series I have disliked yet). It’s the 8th book in the series, and I really enjoy many of the characters, though there are definitely some odd “ducks” in the crowd! Tricia’s (current lack of) love life is a bit creepy, though, as two former suitors are still interested and trying to win her back. But really, I think this series (at least for me) is just as much about the characters and their relationships to each other as the mysteries themselves. There was one extra worrisome (and surprising) bit in the book toward the end.
October 26, 2025
Glad the sisters are getting along. Can't stand how the "guys" are fighting over MC.
April 7, 2021
No surprises in this mystery, and predictable who would be elected the Chamber of Commerce President... and clearly evident Bob is becoming more unhinged.
April 12, 2017
Never ever again.
Tricia spends more time, obstructing the police investigation, by not sharing pertinent information than she does "assisting" them with investigations. I laughed out loud the first time that I heard that phrase being used in this novel. Tricia may want to solve crimes but it is only so that she can be credited for doing so, she has no interest whatsoever in seeing that criminals are brought to justice.
For instance, when she and her sister find the murdered victim's home broken into, she never alerts the police and makes a deal with a potential suspect to make sure that they do not call the police either.
Tricia has pertinent information that would affect the official investigation. She never tells the police but overshares it with the local supposed newspaperman to prove that she knows more about "the case" than he does. She has a total disregard for law enforcement and it get tiresome. I think the author envisions Tricia as a younger Mrs. Fletcher type but Angela Lansbury never tampered with evidence (as Tricia does repeatedly in this novel) nor does she ever withhold information from the police.
I am also astounded by how diligently this author seems to be working to make Tricia as unlikable as possible. Tricia has a really lovely new worker in her store. Tricia goes out of her way to demean her and keep this woman at a distance, even as the worker tries to become her friend. She is a nasty snob, which I knew in earlier works( in this series) but she is so unkind in this one it just underscores what a hateful person Tricia is.
Tricia and her sister rush a woman out of an establishment that the woman is managing so that they can riffle through more evidence that they have uncovered. Tricia says, she does not want the woman to know what they have found. That was highhanded, offensive (as the person in question is a person of color and Tricia has proven to be a snob is she also a bigot and thinks the woman might try to keep the money Tricia has found), and illegal. She should have called the police and reported what she found but of course that does not happen.
Another problem with these "works", they are not good enough to be labeled novels, is that the author never follows through on a storyline. The last time we see Nikki she is screaming at Tricia to get out of her store and not to come back, when we see her this time she is running in to Tricia's store and announcing her pregnancy. Tricia then strolls into the bakery Nikki owns, days later, and they never discuss the blow up or how to move past it or that they have.
The supposed stalker storyline was ridiculous, on it's face, I also dislike how now that the stalker has moved on to another relationship he and Tricia can now be friends. That is the most ridiculous thing that I have ever read. How does anyone read any of these works without rolling their eyes almost constantly I do not know.
The author tries to add backstory that would make Tricia more sympathetic but Tricia is such an awful person, I cannot begin to care about what supposedly happened to her in the past.
I did not mean to listen another of the works in this series. Unfortunately, my library does not have many cozy mysteries available to download on Overdirve but I honestly will listen to almost anything else before I waste another moment on this mindless drivel. If the author cannot at least be bothered to tie up loose ends affectively from book to book, I cannot be bothered to try to follow another. I would recommend people reading or listening to almost anything other than this series. I am dumbfounded by all of the high reviews. (less)
Tricia spends more time, obstructing the police investigation, by not sharing pertinent information than she does "assisting" them with investigations. I laughed out loud the first time that I heard that phrase being used in this novel. Tricia may want to solve crimes but it is only so that she can be credited for doing so, she has no interest whatsoever in seeing that criminals are brought to justice.
For instance, when she and her sister find the murdered victim's home broken into, she never alerts the police and makes a deal with a potential suspect to make sure that they do not call the police either.
Tricia has pertinent information that would affect the official investigation. She never tells the police but overshares it with the local supposed newspaperman to prove that she knows more about "the case" than he does. She has a total disregard for law enforcement and it get tiresome. I think the author envisions Tricia as a younger Mrs. Fletcher type but Angela Lansbury never tampered with evidence (as Tricia does repeatedly in this novel) nor does she ever withhold information from the police.
I am also astounded by how diligently this author seems to be working to make Tricia as unlikable as possible. Tricia has a really lovely new worker in her store. Tricia goes out of her way to demean her and keep this woman at a distance, even as the worker tries to become her friend. She is a nasty snob, which I knew in earlier works( in this series) but she is so unkind in this one it just underscores what a hateful person Tricia is.
Tricia and her sister rush a woman out of an establishment that the woman is managing so that they can riffle through more evidence that they have uncovered. Tricia says, she does not want the woman to know what they have found. That was highhanded, offensive (as the person in question is a person of color and Tricia has proven to be a snob is she also a bigot and thinks the woman might try to keep the money Tricia has found), and illegal. She should have called the police and reported what she found but of course that does not happen.
Another problem with these "works", they are not good enough to be labeled novels, is that the author never follows through on a storyline. The last time we see Nikki she is screaming at Tricia to get out of her store and not to come back, when we see her this time she is running in to Tricia's store and announcing her pregnancy. Tricia then strolls into the bakery Nikki owns, days later, and they never discuss the blow up or how to move past it or that they have.
The supposed stalker storyline was ridiculous, on it's face, I also dislike how now that the stalker has moved on to another relationship he and Tricia can now be friends. That is the most ridiculous thing that I have ever read. How does anyone read any of these works without rolling their eyes almost constantly I do not know.
The author tries to add backstory that would make Tricia more sympathetic but Tricia is such an awful person, I cannot begin to care about what supposedly happened to her in the past.
I did not mean to listen another of the works in this series. Unfortunately, my library does not have many cozy mysteries available to download on Overdirve but I honestly will listen to almost anything else before I waste another moment on this mindless drivel. If the author cannot at least be bothered to tie up loose ends affectively from book to book, I cannot be bothered to try to follow another. I would recommend people reading or listening to almost anything other than this series. I am dumbfounded by all of the high reviews. (less)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2016
Cranky Chamber of Commerce receptionist Betsy Dittmeyer is done reading people the riot act. After she’s crushed by a fallen bookcase, the next item to be read is her last will and testament—which is packed with surprises. It soon comes to light that Betsy was hiding volumes of dark secrets behind that perpetual frown of hers—and one of them just might have been a motive for murder.
I love Lorna Barrett's Booktown series. The cozy town of Stoneham, New Hampshire is all about books. All of the businesses in Stoneham have book themed names. Things are slow during the winter but the warm months find the town deluged with book lovers. The thing I like best about the Booktown series as well as Lorna Barrett's other series is they are always clean and cozy reminding me of the Murder She Wrote TV series and books. Never a worry about profanity, violence, too graphic, or too much information.
The two main characters in the series are Tricia (the #1 sleuth) and Angelica, her sister. Tricia owns the local book store. Across the street, Angelica owns the Cookery Bookstore (all things cookbook) and the retro cafe, Booked for Lunch. Angelica has also just been chosen President of the Chamber of Commerce. So these two single ladies are busy as bees. But not so busy they can't find time to do some sleuthing when Angelica's cranky Chamber of Commerce secretary is murdered. Filled with the usual red herrings, the mystery definitely kept my attention. But, as always, Barrett gives an totally unexpected twist to the ending with the guilty party a true surprise.
Recommended to readers who like clean, small town, cozies.
I love Lorna Barrett's Booktown series. The cozy town of Stoneham, New Hampshire is all about books. All of the businesses in Stoneham have book themed names. Things are slow during the winter but the warm months find the town deluged with book lovers. The thing I like best about the Booktown series as well as Lorna Barrett's other series is they are always clean and cozy reminding me of the Murder She Wrote TV series and books. Never a worry about profanity, violence, too graphic, or too much information.
The two main characters in the series are Tricia (the #1 sleuth) and Angelica, her sister. Tricia owns the local book store. Across the street, Angelica owns the Cookery Bookstore (all things cookbook) and the retro cafe, Booked for Lunch. Angelica has also just been chosen President of the Chamber of Commerce. So these two single ladies are busy as bees. But not so busy they can't find time to do some sleuthing when Angelica's cranky Chamber of Commerce secretary is murdered. Filled with the usual red herrings, the mystery definitely kept my attention. But, as always, Barrett gives an totally unexpected twist to the ending with the guilty party a true surprise.
Recommended to readers who like clean, small town, cozies.
Read
March 6, 2016Book Clubbed made me feel very at home with the characters. The story is set in Stoneham, New Hampshire, aka Booktown, a town that sprang back to life with several book themed businesses. Lorna Barnett made the characters real for me. This is the eighth in a series and it does well as a standalone. Tricia Miles is the owner of Haven’t Got A Clue, a very unique used bookstore. Angelica, her sister owns a café, Booked for Lunch and is the new President of the Chamber of Commerce. Betsy Dittmeyer is the receptionist for the Chamber of Commerce and she is never welcoming and her current and past life is loaded with many dark secrets. Pixie Poe and Mr. Everett work for Book Clubbed and are great and lovable employees.
Betsy Dittmeyer has plenty of enemies, an ex-husband her sister, Joelle and most of the town. One day, a lot of commotion is heard upstairs. Betsy is found dead, crushed under a bookcase. With a pause for revelations about Tricia Mile’s mother that seems to explain a lot, the story plunges in the murder mystery. Some of the scenes are firmly etched in my memory and I didn’t want them to end! The author’s talent shines through this tale for connecting people, creating the deepening friendship between the two sisters and the friendships. I am now so hungry for the rest of the books in a series. I definitely love the characters, all unique and having their own histories.
I highly recommend this exceptional cozy mystery.
Betsy Dittmeyer has plenty of enemies, an ex-husband her sister, Joelle and most of the town. One day, a lot of commotion is heard upstairs. Betsy is found dead, crushed under a bookcase. With a pause for revelations about Tricia Mile’s mother that seems to explain a lot, the story plunges in the murder mystery. Some of the scenes are firmly etched in my memory and I didn’t want them to end! The author’s talent shines through this tale for connecting people, creating the deepening friendship between the two sisters and the friendships. I am now so hungry for the rest of the books in a series. I definitely love the characters, all unique and having their own histories.
I highly recommend this exceptional cozy mystery.
January 21, 2021
Okay, while I enjoyed this audiobook, I found that the twist at who was the killer and why was impossible to predict. I didn't like that, as I like trying to figure out whodunit. There's practically no way that any reader can figure this one out until the reveal happened near the end of the book.
I did, however like the characters, and the book itself was well written. The plot was a little to be desired, though, for my liking. I also felt that the reveal on who the killer was and why he/she did it was unrealistic.
Overall I gave this book 3 stars, and I think I'll read more of the series before I decide I come to a decision on whether I enjoy this author's work or not.
Trigger warnings: death of a child (although not on page.)
I did, however like the characters, and the book itself was well written. The plot was a little to be desired, though, for my liking. I also felt that the reveal on who the killer was and why he/she did it was unrealistic.
Overall I gave this book 3 stars, and I think I'll read more of the series before I decide I come to a decision on whether I enjoy this author's work or not.
Trigger warnings: death of a child (although not on page.)
July 10, 2014
I enjoy catching up with Tricia and the crew, and the latest in the Booktown series even added a few details to the history of the Miles sisters. The plot had a lot of twists and turns and although I guessed the who in whodunit early on in the book, I didn't foresee the why. A fun, quick read, but I fear this is heading towards the dreaded love triangle that has ruined a few series for me (Hello? Joanne Fluke?)I really hope some fantastic non-stalking not-busy prince on a horse gallops up in the next one to put a stop to any long drawn-out battle for the fair Tricia's affections. She's got enough to deal with.
August 25, 2016
Excellent as usual. The story is driven by the personalities of the victim and the other characters. Tricia Miles helps out her sister, Angelica in this episode. The Chamber of Commerce must relocate and quickly, this is not aided by their receptionist, Betsy Dittmeyer. Someone else doesn't care for Betsy either.
We are off on a hunt into what drove this woman to end up dead with Tricia leading the way. The ending was fulfilling but also had me a bit sad. You can not read this series without growing attached to the three-dimensional characters, who become more real each volume.
The entire Stoneham crew is present, make sure you join them.
We are off on a hunt into what drove this woman to end up dead with Tricia leading the way. The ending was fulfilling but also had me a bit sad. You can not read this series without growing attached to the three-dimensional characters, who become more real each volume.
The entire Stoneham crew is present, make sure you join them.
July 16, 2016
Loved this book! Can't wait foe the next installment !
April 28, 2017
Use your little gray cells for this one.
This is a story filled with twists and even if you figure out the killer discovering the motive might be a little harder.
While Tricia, Angelica and Frannie are chatting with the postman there is a commotion upstairs.
Then the crushed body of Betsy Ditmeyer is found under a book case.
Naturally Tricia, along with Angelica decide to find the killer even though Betsy Ditmeyer was not liked by anyone.
When Tricia's ex-husband Christopher tells her Betsy was a multi-millionaire and cut her sister Joelle out of the will, they need to find out why.
Bob Kelly is still avoiding the police, and his business is suffering.
Then NRA has decided to open up a reality company and giving Bob Kelly a run for his money.
And it seems something is in the water because babies are coming.
What I enjoyed the most though was the ending. Not only who the murderer is but the motive was something I wouldn't have guessed in a million years.
The only thing that still bothers me is Tricia's whiny and her deciding when she gives the sheriff information about the case she has discovered.
I know it's the main part of a cozy but Tricia drives me nuts at times that I just wish Grant would lock her up for a day or two.
As always Angelica has included some of her wonderful recipes for us. Can't wait to try them.
This is a story filled with twists and even if you figure out the killer discovering the motive might be a little harder.
While Tricia, Angelica and Frannie are chatting with the postman there is a commotion upstairs.
Then the crushed body of Betsy Ditmeyer is found under a book case.
Naturally Tricia, along with Angelica decide to find the killer even though Betsy Ditmeyer was not liked by anyone.
When Tricia's ex-husband Christopher tells her Betsy was a multi-millionaire and cut her sister Joelle out of the will, they need to find out why.
Bob Kelly is still avoiding the police, and his business is suffering.
Then NRA has decided to open up a reality company and giving Bob Kelly a run for his money.
And it seems something is in the water because babies are coming.
What I enjoyed the most though was the ending. Not only who the murderer is but the motive was something I wouldn't have guessed in a million years.
The only thing that still bothers me is Tricia's whiny and her deciding when she gives the sheriff information about the case she has discovered.
I know it's the main part of a cozy but Tricia drives me nuts at times that I just wish Grant would lock her up for a day or two.
As always Angelica has included some of her wonderful recipes for us. Can't wait to try them.
April 8, 2022
This is better than a 3 but not quite a 4. I'm impressed with most of the characters because they're more complex than is usual in some cozies. I like that Trisha is self-aware about her relationships and ready to end and move on if need be. I really like that she and her sister are in a good place; I like her shop assistants, especially Ms. Poe, and I love Tricia's devotion to her cat, Miss Marple. Love all the book references both in store names--what a dream town!-- and in context of books. I didn't feel that it was quite a fair play mystery, either, and there are some disagreeable for the sake of being disagreeable characters. I will probably read another, even so; there are some good bones here on which to build a very readable series.
July 18, 2022
I have a (possibly unreasonable) dislike of main characters who are irresistible to the opposite sex. It's not out of jealousy or resentment; personally I don't think I'd want former lovers trailing around after me. Tricia has at least four of them that we know of. It just seems like lazy writing. I also don't like characters who resent a situation but refuse to consider possible solutions. Add to this mushy sister reconciliations, a Biblical sin and unlikable characters and I came away from this series entry disappointed. Frankly, the thing I like most about the books is that the main character is almost as intolerant of annoying people as I am. It's a relief sometimes to have someone who isn't perfect as the protagonist.
February 28, 2022
There aren’t enough clues scattered in the mystery for readers to guess who the murderer is until the very end. Still, there are twists along the way, a major secret that Angelica exposes to Tricia, and some life-changing events concerning the the characters of the town - plenty to keep readers engrossed in the story. It may not be the best of the series, but it is still plenty good.
August 13, 2024
When the former secretary of the Chamber of Commerce is murdered in the storage room of the new Chamber president, tongues are wagging in town. Of course, Angelica Miles is very freaked out, but so is Tricia Miles. Quite a shocking ending to this novel!
May 31, 2019
I think I am done with this series. I was so bored to tears. Repetition, repetition, repetition. Obviously the author needed to fill some pages.
April 9, 2018
I don't know what Trisha is turning into, bookstore owner who never is at the bookstore, sleuth but is in no hurry to let police boyfriend know what she found....and police boyfriend who is so put out when Trisha's does find out info that he's always mad, then trying to make up to her for being mad...and ex husband proclaiming his love for her even though he is the one who left her...add femme fatal to list of professions trishia is trying out....can u see I'm confused... ,!
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