The Crooked Tome

by Claire Robyns

Maddie Crow's life has officially gone sideways. First, her fiancé dumps her. Then there's the call from her grandmother. And now? She's inherited a bookshop in Stratford-upon-Avon that's not just crooked—it has opinions.

Maddie comes from a long line of powerful curse breakers.
She's also spent most of her adult life pretending that's someone else's problem.

Now she's the latest Crow curator of The Crooked Tome, where nothing stands straight, the books reorganize themselves when you're not looking, and the building has stronger opinions than her grandmother. Which is saying something, because Grandmother Evangeline just conscripted her into the family business.

Things get even more complicated when she discovers her great aunt left behind one final a cursed actress whose talent is literally disappearing. Maddie has to figure out how to break the curse while navigating paranormal politics and a distractingly handsome detective who knows magic exists but is utterly convinced it's all smoke and mirrors.

Magic has a way of finding you, even when you're running in the opposite direction.

Start this series of spellbinding mysteries in Shakespeare's hometown, where the real curses happen offstage.

Perfect for fans of cozy paranormal mysteries with British charm and just enough romance to warm the heart with supernatural intrigue, a determined curse-breaker and a sceptical detective who's beginning to question everything he thought he knew about the world.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, British Literature, Cozy

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2025

About the author

Claire Robyns writes mystery, romance and adventure, because sometimes one life really can have it all (between the pages of a book, at least.)

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Reviews

[Christine Errington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully quirky

It was around chapter three that I found myself hoping there would be a sequel. Delighted to find there is a whole series and am greatly looking forward to getting stuck into book two.
Our “heroine” has the right level of sass and determination to solve a knotty curse. A heartbreaking past and, it turns out, a hopeful future.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crooked Tome — 4/5

This was a lovely, gentle, easy read and a perfect palate cleanser. I’ve read quite a few witch and fae books, and I really enjoyed this world and its paranormal elements.

I liked Maddie’s journey of rebuilding her life and moving to Stratford-upon-Avon after her fiancé dumps her. She felt refreshing compared to other FMCs who can be whiny or a bit overbearing. She has some understandable anger, but instead of dwelling on it, she just gets on with things.

Overall, this was a cosy mystery with extra layers beneath the surface, and I can’t wait to unravel more of them as the series continues.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book randomly appeared in my feed, and it was a perfect, lazy Sunday read. How could I resist a witchy adventure set in Stratford-on-Avon? That said, the author has created a vibrant paranormal community that exists in present-day Stratford, living among the mundane and tourists. (Why Stratford? It sits on a powerful ley line.) The sentient Crooked Tome bookshop is as much a character as the witches are, capable of powerful mood swings and gentle caretaking, too. Maddie, the powerful curse-breaker, was also hysterically funny. If you are looking for pure escapism, this book is for you.

[Sharen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 3.5. Not the best book I have ever read…..but, not the worst either.
Lovely descriptive promise (a sentient book store with opinions and a mind of its own!) but, rather slow moving and trite follow through, charming characters, Magick, BOOKS, no editing issues, and no cliffhanger ending.
I may try another of her books another time.

[Amy King · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun story, stunted ending

This was a fun read and then I was taken by surprise that it ended. It felt rushed to the resolution and I was hoping to have a moment with Maddie Crow after her finishing her aunt’s final case. Other than that, this was such an enjoyable world to step into. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[Kirsten Childe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

This book came up as a suggestion on FB. I stated reading it and really enjoyed it. The characters are fun. Love that it is set in Stratford upon Avon and talks about Warwick - both places I knew well as a teenager.

[Judith Korff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful New Series

I found this book to be an enchanting start to what appears to be a delightful new series. I loved the characters - including the irascible Crooks. If you enjoy well-plotted cosy mysteries, I’m sure you’ll find The Crooked Tome series to be great reading.

[K Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

an ok read.

A cosy fantasy that just doesn’t quite satisfy. I felt the MC was quite oblivious and stupid in parts, there were a number of spelling errors and missed words that annoyed me. It was ok but sadly I just don’t really care for the MC.

[Jenette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one read like a prequel novella and while that’s not a bad thing (necessarily) it just felt very underdeveloped and that this was being used to set — wow I’ve already forgotten her name — the FMC up in her position for future books. A lot of potential that never went anywhere.

[Julie Malcolm · Rating 2 out of 5]

started well but fizzled into nonsense.

[Kyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short read. 3.5