Book Fair Secrets

Bookish Cafe Mysteries #7

by Harper Lin

From 3x USA Today bestselling author Harper Lin

Maggie Bell thought Fair Haven’s annual book fair would be all literary gossip, rare editions, and author autographs. But when a famous local writer turns up dead in a hotel elevator, she stumbles into a real-life whodunnit.

Otto Deitz’s explosive new novel lays bare the town’s secrets and scandals, barely disguising the real people behind them. Now, half of Fair Haven has a motive. As the suspect list grows, Maggie finds herself caught between a relentless private investigator, two twitchy bellboys, and a mystery that twists with every chapter.

Armed with nothing but her tote bag of books, her curiosity, and a serious caffeine habit, Maggie must uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.

Read the 7th book in the bestselling Bookish Cafe Mysteries, a cozy mystery series with a dash of romance.

Genres: Mystery

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2025

About the author

Harper 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. 


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www.harperlin.com

Reviews

[Brittany]

HARPER. LIN.

Harper Lin is an instant buy for me for anything Bookish Cafe and Southern Sleuth. Book Fair Secrets (Book 7) has me OBSESSED and INVESTED in this series again. Get ready for the rant.

My journey in this series:

Books 1 and 2 were good! Enjoyable and I want to keep reading the series.
Books 3 and 4 had me questioning why I'm still reading the series.
Book 5 was a gem that gave me faith in this series again.
Books 6 had me exhausted of Maggie and her personality, at this point I didn't even like her. But there was a little seed of intrigue planted when it came to the potential love interest.
Book 7 I am as passionate about this love triangle as I was during my Twilight phase and arguing Team Edward or Team Jacob.

Joshua Whitfield has been dancing around Maggie since Book 1 and it's been a VERY slow burn, but enough for patient readers. It's your typical cozy mystery: a dead body, a crime, some bookish things, and a nosy, amateur snoop that is too shy to go get her man.

But BOOK 7 - A NEW BOMBSHELL HAS ENTERED THE VILLA. This book is MESSY. Fair Haven has become more interesting as some dirty secrets are exposed, and we have a new confirmed male interest for Maggie. Honestly, he's been here THE WHOLE TIME, right under our noses. Book 6 laid the groundwork and Book 7 DELIVERED. Now we have 2 options for Ms Maggie, and if we're not arguing about #TeamJoshua and #TeamGary, you're not a true Harper Lin-Bookish Cafe fan.

Message for Ms Lin: Gary picking Maggie up and putting her feet in the sink to clean her wounds had me swooning.

I'm dying for the Book 8.

[Nicki]

Maggie is excited to be going to the book convention. She is hoping to find some good books for the store but also for her own collection. It does sound like a fun place to see all things books. She even plans to go to the author meet and greet. But not all authors are pleasant. And she finds a dead body. Not the way she planned to spend her time. But she notices things other miss and next thing we know she is involved in solving a murder. I like the story. It is entertaining and kept me interested.
Well worth my time to read this one.

[Darlene C Robold]

I had taken a break from this series and wanted to give it another try. My problem is that the main character is still bulldozing her way through crimes, contaminating crime scenes, jumping to conclusions, mentally convicting people she considers guilty, and clueless about her life. She’s old enough to be more mature. I can’t decide if she’s in her late teens, early twenties, or occasionally in her thirties because of her mental gymnastics. Too annoying for my tastes. I will continue to read other series by the author, but I’m done with this one.

[Carlin]

I enjoy Harper Lin mysteries, but this series is special. Maggie has all the personality traits of ADHD. She has little self confidence, is shy to the point of pathological introversion. She is impulsive but sees the whole picture of the situation, although she often jumps to conclusions. She has no idea that the two important men in her life have romantic notions about her. But in spite of everything, Maggie is brave, jumps into situations without care, and reaches conclusions about murders that send her friend Gary the cop down the path to solving the mystery.

[E]

Murder off the pages

Maggie is excited to attend the book fair that is coming to her town. Walking around it, she meets some interesting authors and other guests. Maggie finds herself walking right into not one but two murders. With Officer Gary by her side will she figure it all out in time? Pick up a copy to find out how it all plays out. Fantastic book & series. I really like the main character and the bookshop she works in. I look forward to the next book.

[Paula]

Love this series!! Maggie just wants to attend the book fair, but her sleuthing skills are called upon once again. The author did a great job of making feel like I am following the clues along with her and Gary. Maggie seems to be gaining self-confidence and learning to speak up and out. Looking forward to her next mystery.

[Lisa DeChiara]

It was a fun read

Mrs.Peacock having fun with her friend was nice to see. She's usually too wrapped up in how things look or how expensive everything is.
It's also good to see Maggie getting braver and not as negative.

[Rhonda Aquila]

As always I loved the book, I so enjoy this series and can't wait for the next book. Yet I was a little confused. Not sure if I misunderstood something from previous book, but why was Maggie once again being asked to 'get her rent on time,' when she was given the little house in book 6?

[Diane]

Maggie is something else....she is bold and speaks her mind. This book has you hanging because two guys are interested in her and she is just now waking up to the fact on how they feel about her.
So will it be Joshua or Gary......

[Angie]

Love this cute cozy series

[Evelyn]

fun read

[Afsheen]

I Like going along Maggie on her crazy journey !

[Wendy]

Maggie and I have a lot in common.

[Kristina]

Cute sweet little cozy read perfect for those times between heavy reads to just relax and enjoy. Love the bookish girl cozy vibe and sweet banter.

[Kelly Methey]

I enjoyed this latest installment in the Bookish Cafe Mystery series. I am a huge Harper Lin fan. Her books are always well written and the plots keep you guessing. This one got Maggie out of the bookstore and into the book fair that she was so excited to attend. She got more excitement than she bargained for with a murder. There are lots of great characters and some rather quirky ones in the book. It was a great read and I recommend it.

[Juliet Minerva Swift]

This book was absolutely better than the previous ones! While I found Maggie annoying at times with all that pulling a face, blushing and looking down, I really enjoyed her here. She started having a little attitude and exchanging fun quips with people.
Joshua is really nice, I definitely would go for him rather than Gary. I don’t get how Maggie doesn’t see it, but I hope she will soon realise he’s into her as well. And I don’t mean that Gary should vanish, but I prefer him as her friend.
The setting at the book fair is also quite cute, but it’s a shame it didn’t last long.
The mystery was cool, I liked how many people were involved and all the talking and snooping, and it had a very fun tense resolution.