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A Cozy Bookshop Mystery #2
Buried in a Book
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26
Bookshop owner Charley James is plunged into a mystery involving a rare book worth killing for in this new Cozy Bookshop Mystery by award-winning and national bestselling author T.C. LoTempio.
No treats but lots of tricks and murder!
Retired thriller author and current bookshop owner Charley James is preparing for Halloween in her small hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania—what she isn’t prepared for is discovering the body of a woman at the local inn.
Charley recognizes the stranger as a suspicious customer who popped in just to hide a rather peculiar book at her store—did she already know she was about to lose her life for it?
Pursuing this mysterious case, Charley can’t seem to stay out of trouble, and no one knows this better than Detective Hottie, Ian Grant. But Charley has a mind of her own and, together with cat Poe, sets off on another puzzle-riddled quest, unaware that the killer might be someone she knows . . .
“If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to read a Hallmark Mystery movie in book format, wonder no more” (Cozy Crime Mystery). For fans of Laura Childs's Tea Shop Mysteries, Jenn McKinlay's Library Lover's Mysteries, and Ellery Adams's Secret, Book & Scone Society Novels.
No treats but lots of tricks and murder!
Retired thriller author and current bookshop owner Charley James is preparing for Halloween in her small hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania—what she isn’t prepared for is discovering the body of a woman at the local inn.
Charley recognizes the stranger as a suspicious customer who popped in just to hide a rather peculiar book at her store—did she already know she was about to lose her life for it?
Pursuing this mysterious case, Charley can’t seem to stay out of trouble, and no one knows this better than Detective Hottie, Ian Grant. But Charley has a mind of her own and, together with cat Poe, sets off on another puzzle-riddled quest, unaware that the killer might be someone she knows . . .
“If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to read a Hallmark Mystery movie in book format, wonder no more” (Cozy Crime Mystery). For fans of Laura Childs's Tea Shop Mysteries, Jenn McKinlay's Library Lover's Mysteries, and Ellery Adams's Secret, Book & Scone Society Novels.
- GenresMystery
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 3, 2026
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
T.C. LoTempio
26 books760 followersBorn in New York City, T. C. LoTempio is the national bestselling author of Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora Mystery series.
She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade.
While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper.
Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She lists among her favorite mystery/suspense writers Erle Stanley Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson, as well as EJ Copperman, Steve Hockensmith, Victoria Laurie, Ali Brandon, Rita Mae Brown, Miranda James and Sofie Kelly to name only a few!
Toni is also passionate about her love for animals, as demonstrated with her four cats: Trixie, Princess, Maxx and, of course, ROCCO, who not only provided the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!
Toni’s also devoted to miniseries like The Thorn Birds, Dancing with the Stars, reruns of Murder She Wrote and Castle (of course!).
She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.
She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York
She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade.
While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper.
Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She lists among her favorite mystery/suspense writers Erle Stanley Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson, as well as EJ Copperman, Steve Hockensmith, Victoria Laurie, Ali Brandon, Rita Mae Brown, Miranda James and Sofie Kelly to name only a few!
Toni is also passionate about her love for animals, as demonstrated with her four cats: Trixie, Princess, Maxx and, of course, ROCCO, who not only provided the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!
Toni’s also devoted to miniseries like The Thorn Birds, Dancing with the Stars, reruns of Murder She Wrote and Castle (of course!).
She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.
She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mainely Mysteries is a new bookshop in Austin, Pennsylvania which is owned and run by local Charley James. To a chosen few she is also known as thriller author C J Barrett, and her hometown is where she returned when writer's block stopped her successful career in its tracks. With Halloween just around the corner she aand her staff are looking forward to decorating the store for the first time but when a nervous shopper leaves a bag behind Charley follows the clues to locate her. Unfortunately the clues lead her, and best friend Zane, to a dead body in a hotel room and leaves her with way more questions than answers! With links to a valuable first edition Charley knows she is the right person to look into this case even when the devastatingly handsome local police detective, her friends, and even her cat warn her against getting involved. Someone is hot on her trail however, and when the FBI gets involved even Charley begins to wonder what she’s got herself into!
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Severn House, but the opinions expressed are my own. The second book in author T C LoTempio's new series is a really good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are alot of characters involved which could get confusing but a case list at the beginning definitely helps. Charley is an interesting main protagonist and as this is written in the first person her thoughts, deductions, and feelings are clear from the start. I would suggest reading book one first to get a clearer idea of why Charley is now running a bookstore but it's not vital by any means. Recommended for those who enjoy a twisty turny cosy read.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Severn House, but the opinions expressed are my own. The second book in author T C LoTempio's new series is a really good read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There are alot of characters involved which could get confusing but a case list at the beginning definitely helps. Charley is an interesting main protagonist and as this is written in the first person her thoughts, deductions, and feelings are clear from the start. I would suggest reading book one first to get a clearer idea of why Charley is now running a bookstore but it's not vital by any means. Recommended for those who enjoy a twisty turny cosy read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I usually enjoy all the series that this author writes, and I did enjoy the first book in this series. I enjoy that Charley is a mystery author with writer's block who returns home to purchase a book store next door to her friend's bakery. I enjoy her relationship with fellow business owners, her employees, and friends. She is clever, and her entry into our mystery and murder make sense. I do have some serious problems with her behavior in other ways. First, she closes her business whenever it suits her fancy, which is just no way realistic and a way too easy out. Second, she has absolutely no regard for her own safety, that of her friend who gives her a place to live, her cat, or her place of business. Finally, she straight out lies to the police and about really ridiculous things, and she is attracted to the lead detective but obviously has no respect for his abilities. Quite honestly, though, I think Charley is a smart character, I find myself not liking her very much. The reason for the murder is definitely far-fetched, but at that point, the other stuff bothered me more. I enjoyed the first book, and the writing is good, I was definitely compelled to finish and get answers, so I might take a chance on the next book in the series. Thanks to #Netgally #SevernHouse and the author for an opportunity to read. #BuriedinaBook #ACozyBookshopMystery #bookreview #bookidea #retiredreader
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Charley James recently moved back to her home town and opened a book store - Mainley Mysteries. One day, a rare book dealer come in enquiring about a very specific book. On the same day, another customer is acting strangely - and then a body is found. An unlikely chain of events unfolds putting Charley in real danger. Can she solve the case or will she be too late?
This was a really fun read and I was completely bought in from the beginning. I haven't read the previous book in this series but I didn't feel like that held me back at all and I certainly didn't feel like I was missing anything in the back story. The town and its characters are all very sweet and exactly what you would expect in a book like this. The plot was really well thought out, and surprisingly high stakes, there were some genuine 'edge of your seat' moments!
The negatives for me were - honestly, Charley herself for the most part! She's impulsive, which is normal for a lead character in this type of book, but she's also inconsiderate. I think twice she just doesn't bother to tell her friend and flatmate about quite a traumatic scene which is waiting for her - for no good reason. She also commits crime quite regularly and encourages others to withhold information from the police; as far as I can tell, purely to give herself the best chance of solving the case before they do which...isn't OK. There are some minor inconsistencies in the writing too; there are a few examples but the one which stuck with me is a scene where Charley is on the phone with Mandy, and then the text says that Mandy 'lowers her eyes' - it's such a small thing which was only noticeable because I was so bought into the rest of the writing, but a quick proof-read would have picked it up and helped the whole thing hang together better.
Really enjoyably cozy read, with genuine peril and plenty of red herrings. Also honourable mention to Poe - the true hero of the tale in feline form.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
This was a really fun read and I was completely bought in from the beginning. I haven't read the previous book in this series but I didn't feel like that held me back at all and I certainly didn't feel like I was missing anything in the back story. The town and its characters are all very sweet and exactly what you would expect in a book like this. The plot was really well thought out, and surprisingly high stakes, there were some genuine 'edge of your seat' moments!
The negatives for me were - honestly, Charley herself for the most part! She's impulsive, which is normal for a lead character in this type of book, but she's also inconsiderate. I think twice she just doesn't bother to tell her friend and flatmate about quite a traumatic scene which is waiting for her - for no good reason. She also commits crime quite regularly and encourages others to withhold information from the police; as far as I can tell, purely to give herself the best chance of solving the case before they do which...isn't OK. There are some minor inconsistencies in the writing too; there are a few examples but the one which stuck with me is a scene where Charley is on the phone with Mandy, and then the text says that Mandy 'lowers her eyes' - it's such a small thing which was only noticeable because I was so bought into the rest of the writing, but a quick proof-read would have picked it up and helped the whole thing hang together better.
Really enjoyably cozy read, with genuine peril and plenty of red herrings. Also honourable mention to Poe - the true hero of the tale in feline form.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Magical kitty? Maybe magical kitty?
This was a mostly entertaining and at times super high risk bordering on a thriller, cosy mystery. The motive and the stakes were sky high and I was surprised at how dangerous things actually got at times. There was more than just one or two people's lives at stake.
Charley is... well, there isn't really any other word for it, she's annoying. She breaks the law constantly, encourages others to do the same, lies to law enforcement for no reason I can determine beyond thinking she knows better than them.
I'm all for a plucky heroine who is determined to help save the day, but unlike the previous book, she doesn't have the motivation to act like this in this one, no friend to protect and so it has her coming across as a little selfish at times. (at one point, late in the book, an event happens and she just leaves without even considering how scary its going to be for her friend to go to that location with no warning.) I'm looking forward to the point in this series when she's an accepted amateur detective and working with the hot cop, because right now this weird behaviour isn't working for me.
Poe however, utter delight, best thing about the book, I'm more than happy to believe he can do everything its implied he does in this book. More Poe, all the time.
The plot itself, I really enjoyed, it helped that I too am a big Vincent Price fan, so I loved that he was a key part of the story, with it revolving around a book he had signed and all kinds of madness. There was family drama, conflict, hidden identities, it was a whole lot of fun by and large.
There was plenty of action going on and I will want to read the next in this series with the hope that Ian is just going to give in and let her help solve the next case. Because she's going to anyway, and it'll be a much smoother ride.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
This was a mostly entertaining and at times super high risk bordering on a thriller, cosy mystery. The motive and the stakes were sky high and I was surprised at how dangerous things actually got at times. There was more than just one or two people's lives at stake.
Charley is... well, there isn't really any other word for it, she's annoying. She breaks the law constantly, encourages others to do the same, lies to law enforcement for no reason I can determine beyond thinking she knows better than them.
I'm all for a plucky heroine who is determined to help save the day, but unlike the previous book, she doesn't have the motivation to act like this in this one, no friend to protect and so it has her coming across as a little selfish at times. (at one point, late in the book, an event happens and she just leaves without even considering how scary its going to be for her friend to go to that location with no warning.) I'm looking forward to the point in this series when she's an accepted amateur detective and working with the hot cop, because right now this weird behaviour isn't working for me.
Poe however, utter delight, best thing about the book, I'm more than happy to believe he can do everything its implied he does in this book. More Poe, all the time.
The plot itself, I really enjoyed, it helped that I too am a big Vincent Price fan, so I loved that he was a key part of the story, with it revolving around a book he had signed and all kinds of madness. There was family drama, conflict, hidden identities, it was a whole lot of fun by and large.
There was plenty of action going on and I will want to read the next in this series with the hope that Ian is just going to give in and let her help solve the next case. Because she's going to anyway, and it'll be a much smoother ride.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Princess Fuzzypants here: Former best selling author and now bookshop owner, Charley, loves a good mystery. Very few know her alter-ego so they don’t fully understand her compulsion to investigate even when a saner head might step aside and the let the police handle it. It is especially true as Charley has the “ear” and possibly a whole lot more of the chief detective. The two of them dance around their mutual attraction but Charley does have a habit of letting her stubbornness get the better of her wisdom.
A woman acts strangely when she visits the store. When Charley discovers a hidden book in a plastic bag she tries to track down the woman only to discover her corpse in a hotel room. It turns out this book is very rare and has a muddied provenance. What Charley uncovers is the book has been stolen and its great value does not hinge on its rarity but on what might have been hidden within its covers. When it becomes obvious that the book is dangerous, Charley, finally, hands it over to the police. But since the desperate criminals who want it don’t know this, Charley is beset with a number of disturbing occurrences. Things, however, have gone too far and when she wants to be done with it, the baddies have other plans.
There are times when I rolled my eyes a bit but Charley never takes it to the point where she courts disaster. Disaster finds her without any additional help. And while I suspected the chief villain, I did enjoy the way a rather complex plot line evolved. It is a good thing Charley has Poe. He saves the day more than once. But then he is a cat. Five purrs and two paws up..
A woman acts strangely when she visits the store. When Charley discovers a hidden book in a plastic bag she tries to track down the woman only to discover her corpse in a hotel room. It turns out this book is very rare and has a muddied provenance. What Charley uncovers is the book has been stolen and its great value does not hinge on its rarity but on what might have been hidden within its covers. When it becomes obvious that the book is dangerous, Charley, finally, hands it over to the police. But since the desperate criminals who want it don’t know this, Charley is beset with a number of disturbing occurrences. Things, however, have gone too far and when she wants to be done with it, the baddies have other plans.
There are times when I rolled my eyes a bit but Charley never takes it to the point where she courts disaster. Disaster finds her without any additional help. And while I suspected the chief villain, I did enjoy the way a rather complex plot line evolved. It is a good thing Charley has Poe. He saves the day more than once. But then he is a cat. Five purrs and two paws up..
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the second book in Toni LoTempio's Cozy Bookshop mystery series, and having already reviewed and loved the first one, which introduced Charley James, I was all over the second when it became available on NetGalley.
Cover to cover in two sittings, and honestly, if I'd have had the energy, I would have read it in one, but my ability to pull an all-nighter is long gone, no matter how good a book is!
This time around, Charley James has properly settled into the town of Austin (Pennsylvania), where she runs a bookstore next door to her best friend's bakery.
Halloween is approaching, and true to the season, she is asked about a little-known Edgar Allen Poe compendium that also pays tribute to actor Vincent James, who starred in so many of the adaptations.
Not one to be bested when it comes to books, she starts the search only to discover not one but two copies. However, something isn't quite right with one of them, and when the owner turns up dead, Charley quickly realizes that this is a book someone is willing to kill for...
I absolutely loved Buried in a Book. It’s exactly what I want from a cozy mystery - a small town I’d happily visit, a bookstore I’d never leave, and a heroine I genuinely like spending time with.
Great characters, a lovely cat, a touch of romance – this series just keeps getting better. I was genuinely sad to turn the last page because I know I have to wait a year for the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Buried in a Book by T.C. LoTempio in exchange for my honest opinion.
Cover to cover in two sittings, and honestly, if I'd have had the energy, I would have read it in one, but my ability to pull an all-nighter is long gone, no matter how good a book is!
This time around, Charley James has properly settled into the town of Austin (Pennsylvania), where she runs a bookstore next door to her best friend's bakery.
Halloween is approaching, and true to the season, she is asked about a little-known Edgar Allen Poe compendium that also pays tribute to actor Vincent James, who starred in so many of the adaptations.
Not one to be bested when it comes to books, she starts the search only to discover not one but two copies. However, something isn't quite right with one of them, and when the owner turns up dead, Charley quickly realizes that this is a book someone is willing to kill for...
I absolutely loved Buried in a Book. It’s exactly what I want from a cozy mystery - a small town I’d happily visit, a bookstore I’d never leave, and a heroine I genuinely like spending time with.
Great characters, a lovely cat, a touch of romance – this series just keeps getting better. I was genuinely sad to turn the last page because I know I have to wait a year for the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Buried in a Book by T.C. LoTempio in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I typically really enjoy this author but for some reason, this series is just not as enjoyable. I actually know the reason, I don't like Charlie. The idea of her is great and her history as a mystery/thriller author really works well in a cozy mystery lead. The setting is great even though I do forget Austin is not the Texas one. I love the book store and the people around her. However, Charlie seems insufferable sometimes to me. At one point, she is at the police department waiting to speak to the cops and she kind of throws a hissy fit when the vending machine eats her money. Like actually bangs on the machine... at a police department... Then at another time, she calls her friend hoping to get some background information on someone and gets annoyed cause they were just trying to treat her like a friend and tell her a little bit about her day. Maybe if she was really dragging on I could have understood, but her friend had to let her go because a rush came to her store. When she called her back, she was telling her about the rushes of customers had died down a bit before giving her the information she really wanted; it felt like an odd way to treat your friend when you wanted something from them.
But the mystery was really good and I guess 1/3 of it so I feel special.
But the mystery was really good and I guess 1/3 of it so I feel special.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
This second in the series cozy features secret mystery author Charley James, who relocated from New York City to her small Pennsylvania home town after a career-stalling case of writer's block.
She now runs a mostly-mystery themed bookstore with her best friend's bakery next door. Charley is a likable enough main character, although she is unbelievably nosy and interfering when it comes to crime. Naturally, the local homicide detective is handsome and very serious about keeping Charley out of his investigations.
This story revolves around a very rare self-published book about Edgar Allan Poe and particularly the movies made from his books. The book is worth a fortune, there are at least two copies running around, and someone is willing to commit burglary and maybe even murder to get one.
It's a decent read. One quibble -- Charley isn't that old, but sometimes she sounds like it. When one of her young female employees has love life problems, Charley advises her to go shopping for a new outfit and tells her she'll surely find her man someday. Ick.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This second in the series cozy features secret mystery author Charley James, who relocated from New York City to her small Pennsylvania home town after a career-stalling case of writer's block.
She now runs a mostly-mystery themed bookstore with her best friend's bakery next door. Charley is a likable enough main character, although she is unbelievably nosy and interfering when it comes to crime. Naturally, the local homicide detective is handsome and very serious about keeping Charley out of his investigations.
This story revolves around a very rare self-published book about Edgar Allan Poe and particularly the movies made from his books. The book is worth a fortune, there are at least two copies running around, and someone is willing to commit burglary and maybe even murder to get one.
It's a decent read. One quibble -- Charley isn't that old, but sometimes she sounds like it. When one of her young female employees has love life problems, Charley advises her to go shopping for a new outfit and tells her she'll surely find her man someday. Ick.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Charlotte "Charley" James is busy running her bookstore when a woman shows up acting shifty. After closing, Charley finds the bag that the woman had been holding and inside is the same book a rare book dealer had asked about earlier in the day. She and Zane put the book in Zane's safe for safekeeping and head to the inn to see if they can find the woman who left it at the bookshop. They find her alright...dead. Charley can't help but investigate despite Detective Grant asking her to keep out of it.
I could not put this book down. I had not read the first book in this series but it didn't matter, I had no problem keeping up with the characters. The plot was well thought out and keeps you guessing. There were a few reveals that surprised me. The characters are likeable and make you want to be friends with them. And Poe! What a wonderful cat.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC.
I could not put this book down. I had not read the first book in this series but it didn't matter, I had no problem keeping up with the characters. The plot was well thought out and keeps you guessing. There were a few reveals that surprised me. The characters are likeable and make you want to be friends with them. And Poe! What a wonderful cat.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley. Going in, I expected this to be quite predictable, but there were actually a few moments that genuinely surprised me, which helped keep the story engaging.
The characters were generally likeable, and the setting had a cosy, seasonal feel. I did find myself getting a bit annoyed with the main character at times, though. There were moments where she chose not to share information with the police for no real reason, other than wanting to be the one to solve the crime herself. It didn’t feel necessary for the plot and was more frustrating than clever.
Overall, this was still a fun and easy cozy crime read, and it worked particularly well as a Halloween-season book. One to curl up with when you’re in the mood for something light with a mystery at its heart.
The characters were generally likeable, and the setting had a cosy, seasonal feel. I did find myself getting a bit annoyed with the main character at times, though. There were moments where she chose not to share information with the police for no real reason, other than wanting to be the one to solve the crime herself. It didn’t feel necessary for the plot and was more frustrating than clever.
Overall, this was still a fun and easy cozy crime read, and it worked particularly well as a Halloween-season book. One to curl up with when you’re in the mood for something light with a mystery at its heart.
February 20, 2026
This second installment is just as enjoyable as the first. A thriller author struggling with writer’s block opens a specialty bookshop, only to find herself caught up in real-life murders that turn her into an amateur sleuth. The characters are likable, the plot is well-paced and engaging, and there’s a subtle touch of romance that adds extra charm. I loved it and didn’t want to put it down. Highly recommended—I hope there are many more books in this series!
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Severn House and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy via Netgalley/Severn House and I’m leaving a voluntary and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a quick and good read. Not as good as the author’s other series, but it’s hard to best something readers love every time you set out to write a new series.
A few twists and turns were in here, so that made it good. I read this in one sitting. Hoping Charlie becomes a bit more likable for me in future entries. That seems to be my problem with the series when I sit and think about it.
A few twists and turns were in here, so that made it good. I read this in one sitting. Hoping Charlie becomes a bit more likable for me in future entries. That seems to be my problem with the series when I sit and think about it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews