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The Open Book Mysteries #2
A Fatal Footnote
Writer-in-residence Penelope Parish will need to use every trick in her quaint British bookshop to unravel a murderous plot that threatens to ruin a ducal wedding.
The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Upper Chumley-on Stoke has all the makings of a fairy tale, complete with a glowing bride and horse-drawn carriage. But it wouldn't be much of a story without a villain, and as American Gothic novelist Penelope Parish is coming to learn, happy-ever-afters are as fraught in this charming British town as they are in her books.
When the Duke's former girlfriend is found murdered at the reception it's up to Penelope and her newfound family at the Open Book bookshop to catch the killer before they strike again.
The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Upper Chumley-on Stoke has all the makings of a fairy tale, complete with a glowing bride and horse-drawn carriage. But it wouldn't be much of a story without a villain, and as American Gothic novelist Penelope Parish is coming to learn, happy-ever-afters are as fraught in this charming British town as they are in her books.
When the Duke's former girlfriend is found murdered at the reception it's up to Penelope and her newfound family at the Open Book bookshop to catch the killer before they strike again.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 6, 2021
48 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 23, 2021
“A Fatal Footnote” is the 2nd instalment in the "An Open Book Mystery" series by Margaret Loudon. I think this series will be on my must read list, I really enjoy the setting and I really like the main characters. Writer-in-residence Penelope Parish will need to use every trick in her quaint British bookshop to unravel a murderous plot that threatens to ruin a ducal wedding.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it over a couple of days. I love the characters of Penelope and Figgy and Mrs. Danvers the cat.
Overall the mystery was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. I didnt guess the killer before Pen this time!
I can’t wait to read the next book and see how things are at the Open Book Bookstore and Upper Chumley-on Stoke.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it over a couple of days. I love the characters of Penelope and Figgy and Mrs. Danvers the cat.
Overall the mystery was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises. I didnt guess the killer before Pen this time!
I can’t wait to read the next book and see how things are at the Open Book Bookstore and Upper Chumley-on Stoke.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
July 29, 2023
Never a good sign when you are so annoyed you start listing what a “sleuth” shouldn’t do in a cozy mystery:
1. Do not invade someone's privacy, especially on a hunch, by searching their room with a giggling girlfriend while channeling Nancy Drew (Nancy knew better and had more respect for people).
2. Do not go to lunch with someone you barely know and accuse their friend of murder while asking intrusive questions about their private life.
3. Don't be too dumb to live (TDTL).
4. Don't jump to conclusions on the slimmest of evidence and, if you do, don't act on them.
The sad thing is that I really liked the writing and the mystery and even the main character, Penelope (when she wasn't being TDTL) and many of the side characters, though they were wasted and ended up serving mainly just as an excuse to advance the plot. As a whole, the book seemed like a variety of scenes tossed together like a salad, with little sense of real people or circumstances.
I doubt very much that I will bother with the third book in the series. A shame really, as it had good potential.
1. Do not invade someone's privacy, especially on a hunch, by searching their room with a giggling girlfriend while channeling Nancy Drew (Nancy knew better and had more respect for people).
2. Do not go to lunch with someone you barely know and accuse their friend of murder while asking intrusive questions about their private life.
3. Don't be too dumb to live (TDTL).
4. Don't jump to conclusions on the slimmest of evidence and, if you do, don't act on them.
The sad thing is that I really liked the writing and the mystery and even the main character, Penelope (when she wasn't being TDTL) and many of the side characters, though they were wasted and ended up serving mainly just as an excuse to advance the plot. As a whole, the book seemed like a variety of scenes tossed together like a salad, with little sense of real people or circumstances.
I doubt very much that I will bother with the third book in the series. A shame really, as it had good potential.
Penelope signed and went into the salesroom. Being around books always cheered her up—the sight of all the colorful covers, the smell of the pages, and the feel of the glossy jackets never failed to lift her mood.
September 13, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/a...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Margaret Loudon’s sophomore entry in the Open Book Mystery series, A Fatal Footnote, finds protagonist Penelope caught up in the festivities of the local minor royalty’s wedding. Everything goes well until one of the guests is found murdered during the reception ball. The victim is the Duke of Worthington’s former girlfriend, and he quickly becomes a suspect. The duke’s new bride Charlotte turns to Penelope to help clear his name, and Pen finds several people who have reason to wish Cissie, known in the tabloids as the “loo paper princess”, dead. Though sidelined from the investigation by investigators from London, DI Maguire and Pen work together to unmask a killer(s) as the body count rises.
I enjoy this series, and its quirky characters. Penelope is a great protagonist who is intelligent and does not jump to conclusions. Her sister Beryl arrives on the scene in this tale, and even though she and Pen work through some of their issues, I am not sure that I like Beryl very much. Time will tell. Pen’s budding relationship with DI Maguire feels organic, moving along at a nice pace, and there is plenty of chemistry between the two. The supporting characters add lots of local color, and I particularly adore Figgy who operates a tea cart within the bookstore. Loudon paints the small English village setting with vivid detail making my Anglophile heart happy.
The mystery is thoughtfully plotted, and the story moves along at a steady pace. All of the suspects are distinct personalities with unique motives. There are plenty of clues but also a bit of misdirection to keep readers guessing until the very end. I did not put all of the pieces together until Penelope did.
A Fatal Footnote is a delightful romp in the English countryside sure to entertain any cozy mystery reader.
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Margaret Loudon’s sophomore entry in the Open Book Mystery series, A Fatal Footnote, finds protagonist Penelope caught up in the festivities of the local minor royalty’s wedding. Everything goes well until one of the guests is found murdered during the reception ball. The victim is the Duke of Worthington’s former girlfriend, and he quickly becomes a suspect. The duke’s new bride Charlotte turns to Penelope to help clear his name, and Pen finds several people who have reason to wish Cissie, known in the tabloids as the “loo paper princess”, dead. Though sidelined from the investigation by investigators from London, DI Maguire and Pen work together to unmask a killer(s) as the body count rises.
I enjoy this series, and its quirky characters. Penelope is a great protagonist who is intelligent and does not jump to conclusions. Her sister Beryl arrives on the scene in this tale, and even though she and Pen work through some of their issues, I am not sure that I like Beryl very much. Time will tell. Pen’s budding relationship with DI Maguire feels organic, moving along at a nice pace, and there is plenty of chemistry between the two. The supporting characters add lots of local color, and I particularly adore Figgy who operates a tea cart within the bookstore. Loudon paints the small English village setting with vivid detail making my Anglophile heart happy.
The mystery is thoughtfully plotted, and the story moves along at a steady pace. All of the suspects are distinct personalities with unique motives. There are plenty of clues but also a bit of misdirection to keep readers guessing until the very end. I did not put all of the pieces together until Penelope did.
A Fatal Footnote is a delightful romp in the English countryside sure to entertain any cozy mystery reader.
July 20, 2021
I enjoyed this second book in this series, but not *quite* as much as the first book.
I really like this town, the supporting characters and getting to see how a writer writes a book. I like Penelope as our busybody amateur sleuth, al though she did stray a bit farther into TSTL territory than I'd prefer this time around with some of the things she does. Still, Pen is likable and she really does mean well, so I gave her a pass.
I also quite enjoy the connection with "aristocracy" in how the village folks are connected with the Duke of Upper-Chumley-on-Stoke (I giggle a bit every time that comes up in the book - it tickles me to no end!) and his grand estate, complete with servants, wine cellars and gun-rooms. I find all that a complete hoot.
The murder was pretty good this time around as well, and while I never try to figure out who the killer is before the reveal, I feel like there were enough clues to do that if you like that sort of thing.
Plenty of small-town shenanigans and intrigues and the characters really are lots of fun. I will continue reading this series, especially as my library has it.
I really like this town, the supporting characters and getting to see how a writer writes a book. I like Penelope as our busybody amateur sleuth, al though she did stray a bit farther into TSTL territory than I'd prefer this time around with some of the things she does. Still, Pen is likable and she really does mean well, so I gave her a pass.
I also quite enjoy the connection with "aristocracy" in how the village folks are connected with the Duke of Upper-Chumley-on-Stoke (I giggle a bit every time that comes up in the book - it tickles me to no end!) and his grand estate, complete with servants, wine cellars and gun-rooms. I find all that a complete hoot.
The murder was pretty good this time around as well, and while I never try to figure out who the killer is before the reveal, I feel like there were enough clues to do that if you like that sort of thing.
Plenty of small-town shenanigans and intrigues and the characters really are lots of fun. I will continue reading this series, especially as my library has it.
July 21, 2021
Margaret Loudon is the pen name for Peg Cochran. As mentioned in my review of Book 1,
Mabel didn't have as much input this time to the investigation other than as listener and I liked her broader role in Book 1. Figgy continues to serve tea and scones at all the right moments and I never tire of reading of Mrs. Danvers, Pen's tuxedo cat and the descriptions of her disdain when food and water dishes are not filled "on time." The arrival of Pen's sister Beryl does add a new element of interest.
Another delightful English cozy that does leave me wishing Figgy could serve readers her delicious treats too.
"This series seemed the best for my introduction to her writing as I couldn't resist the thoughts of an author experiencing a writer-in-residence position at The Open Book bookstore in Upper Chumley-on-Stoke, England."I pre-ordered Book 2 and it was such fun to return to Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. Penelope (Pen for short) Parish, an American gothic writer and the bookstore owner, Mabel Morris, a former MI6 analyst are attending a wedding of one of Penelope's new friends and the wedding festivities are beyond anything the bride and groom and their guests could have imagined. Pen's sleuthing is in high gear but I did start to tire of the endless trips to Worthington House. They were becoming a little too repetitive and the continued coincidences of Pen not being seen by anyone other than the person she wanted to see during that particular visit became questionable.
Mabel didn't have as much input this time to the investigation other than as listener and I liked her broader role in Book 1. Figgy continues to serve tea and scones at all the right moments and I never tire of reading of Mrs. Danvers, Pen's tuxedo cat and the descriptions of her disdain when food and water dishes are not filled "on time." The arrival of Pen's sister Beryl does add a new element of interest.
Another delightful English cozy that does leave me wishing Figgy could serve readers her delicious treats too.
February 12, 2022
I was sort of underwhelmed by the first one, but I like to give second chances. This one was better, more like a 3.5. There's still a lot of British fan-girling, but it didn't bother me as much this time around. There was a strong plot and fairly placed clues. There's a cat but she exists only for Pen to feed and to glare at Pen, and really doesn't play a role.
February 15, 2022
Excitement abounds with another intriguing multi-layered plot with our engaging American writer in residence settling in and becoming a beloved fixture in her quaint new home in England and of course letting her incessant curiosity get her into the thick of another police investigation. The characters are so well developed that they feel like friends being visited rather than characters on a page. I absolutely love the narrator of the audio as she really helps bring each character more fully to life. This series is absolutely delightful in that it has more meat on the bone and the suspect pool is varied and deep to keep you guessing longer! I can't wait to listen to the next in this series!
May 17, 2021
A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon is the second book in the author's Open Book Mysteries series. This was a fascinating whodunit! Once again Penelope Parrish is looking into murder at Worthington House. It was fun following along as Penelope finds clues. I especially enjoyed Penelope's "light bulb going off in her head" moments when what she has learned really "clicks" so an idea or conclusion feels just right. This story kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
August 7, 2021
This is one of the most charming series I’ve read. If you love bookshops, England, dukes & duchesses & a great cast of quirky characters, than this is the book for you. Pen is invited to the wedding of her friend Charlotte & everything goes awry when the grooms ex (who happens to be the bride’s dress designer) is murdered during the reception. Since she has helped before, Pen is asked to look into the death, to help clear everyone’s name. The characters in this book are so unique & a pleasure to read. I’m a sucker for British mysteries so this is right up my alley. The author has done an amazing job at creating the township & making it feel real & lived in. You can’t go wrong with reading this series & there’s only two books so far so you can easily get caught up!
May 18, 2022
Penelope has been invited along with Figgy to her friend's wedding for Charlotte who is marrying the Duke of Upper Chumley-on Stoke. That evening during the reception the Duke's former girlfriend is found murdered. Charlotte ask Penelope to help find out who did this.
In the meantime, Penelope's sister comes to London because her husband is in jail. So Penelope is trying to unravel what happen to the former girlfriend as well as what is going on with her sister while still working and will the sparks start happening between her and the Detective.
In the meantime, Penelope's sister comes to London because her husband is in jail. So Penelope is trying to unravel what happen to the former girlfriend as well as what is going on with her sister while still working and will the sparks start happening between her and the Detective.
July 27, 2021
Fun sophomore entry in this English village book-centric series. I enjoyed the characters and setting, and the mystery kept me guessing. Perfect for cozy mystery fans and Anglophiles.
September 19, 2021
Interesting mystery and a quick read. Liked it.
July 12, 2022
Easy to solve a crime when coincidences occur every tinet the scene changes.
August 5, 2023
Excellent read. Interesting characters and location and a surprising twist at the end. I shall have to find the previous book.
July 6, 2021
A Fatal Footnote is the second book in The Open Book Mysteries series by Margaret Loudon.
Having become friends with Charlotte Davenport, Penelope Parish has been invited to the wedding of Duke Arthur Worthington and Charlotte at his estate in Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. Fortunately for Penny, Figg, who runs the teashop at Open Book, where Penny is writer-in-resident, has also received an invitation to the celebration. After the wedding, there was a ball at Duke Worthington’s estate. Figg pointed out various guests, and they chatted with a few. Then one of the guests came running into the room screaming that there was a dead body outdoors. The body is that of Lady Cissie Winterbourne. Cissie owns a dress shop, and her shop had designed and made Charlotte’s wedding dress. Several guests saw her go outdoors, but most thought she had gone outdoors for a smoke.
Penny soon begins to listen to the guest’s conversations, trying to learn more about who might have wanted Cissie dead. She will share anything she knows when Detective Brodie Maguire arrives. Penny and Maguire met during a previous case and have become friends. They understand that she may be able to get the locals to share more than the police might be able to obtain.
As the investigation proceeds, it will soon be learned that there are many possible suspects—possibly someone from Cissie’s dress shop, Cissie’s husband, and others. Even Duke Worthington will become suspected, Cissie was his ex-girlfriend, and it turns out his polo mallet was used to kill Cissie.
I love the characters in this series. I like the characters of Penny and Maguire. They seem to enjoy each other’s company and the dinner out and seem not to be rushing into a relationship If there is to be one. Mabel, the owner of Open Book, India, a distant relation of the duke, Gladys, a shop owner, and Figg are all engaging and always there to support Penny, be she editing her latest manuscript or engaging in sleuthing.
The book is well-written and plotted. There were enough twists and turns that I was kept guessing until the end as to who the killer was.
I will be watching for the next book in this beautiful series.
Having become friends with Charlotte Davenport, Penelope Parish has been invited to the wedding of Duke Arthur Worthington and Charlotte at his estate in Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. Fortunately for Penny, Figg, who runs the teashop at Open Book, where Penny is writer-in-resident, has also received an invitation to the celebration. After the wedding, there was a ball at Duke Worthington’s estate. Figg pointed out various guests, and they chatted with a few. Then one of the guests came running into the room screaming that there was a dead body outdoors. The body is that of Lady Cissie Winterbourne. Cissie owns a dress shop, and her shop had designed and made Charlotte’s wedding dress. Several guests saw her go outdoors, but most thought she had gone outdoors for a smoke.
Penny soon begins to listen to the guest’s conversations, trying to learn more about who might have wanted Cissie dead. She will share anything she knows when Detective Brodie Maguire arrives. Penny and Maguire met during a previous case and have become friends. They understand that she may be able to get the locals to share more than the police might be able to obtain.
As the investigation proceeds, it will soon be learned that there are many possible suspects—possibly someone from Cissie’s dress shop, Cissie’s husband, and others. Even Duke Worthington will become suspected, Cissie was his ex-girlfriend, and it turns out his polo mallet was used to kill Cissie.
I love the characters in this series. I like the characters of Penny and Maguire. They seem to enjoy each other’s company and the dinner out and seem not to be rushing into a relationship If there is to be one. Mabel, the owner of Open Book, India, a distant relation of the duke, Gladys, a shop owner, and Figg are all engaging and always there to support Penny, be she editing her latest manuscript or engaging in sleuthing.
The book is well-written and plotted. There were enough twists and turns that I was kept guessing until the end as to who the killer was.
I will be watching for the next book in this beautiful series.
February 1, 2024
I was enjoying this right until the last thirty or so pages, when I got the distinct feeling the author either suddenly got bored and couldn't be bothered to write the denouement scene, or decided to throw a curveball but couldn't be bothered to explain it. It's just reported after the fact. Maybe I missed the clues, but the combination of the apparently random murderer and not writing the confrontation took away from the rest of the book to me.
September 25, 2022
Honestly, I picked this series up because of that beautiful tuxedo cat. It doesn't do much in the story, but kittens are traps for me. That said, I like the cast of this series. I do think Penelope gets into way too much trouble for someone mostly sensible, but then again, she's got Maguire to deal with. I swear I think he got dumber in the second book - in the first, he was on his way to apprehend the killer before Penelope got there. However, in this one she spoon-feeds him every information and still he doesn't get it until she gets captured by the killer, gets out, and tells him who it was. Some cop he turned out to be.
September 2, 2023
I am finding Penelope more annoying as she ineptly continues trying to solve crimes and learning to drive on the “wrong” side of the road. Plus Maguire was sidelined for much of this case, so there was little official investigation to follow. Her sister’s quickly successful job search was also a little hard to believe.
October 6, 2021
This was not quite my cup of tea. I can't really put my finger on it. oh well.
May 17, 2024
American Penelope Parish has been invited to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Upper-Chumley-on-Stoke, after having bonded with the Duchess-to-be since they are both American and writers. During the festivities, Penelope notices some strange behavior centering around a fellow guest, Cissie, who had once dated the Duke. Now, her company has designed the Duchess's wedding dress and there seems to be conflict swirling around her. When she turns up dead in the garden during the post-wedding reception, no one seems to be that grieved. Turns out, in typical cozy mystery fashion, that she wasn't a very nice person.
The Duke and Duchess are asked to postpone their honeymoon until after the investigation, and the situation becomes even more dire when the murder weapon turns out to be the Duke's polo mallet. The Duchess asks Penelope to look into things, which might have caused tension in her new relationship with the local detective, but he is taken off the case since he is only "local" and a big city female detective is brought in for the high profile case. So Penelope goes around asking a lot of questions, searching rooms without permission, and visiting the castle a least 75 times (okay, I made up that number, but it was a lot). There were really too many suspects -- the husband who only married her for her money and who had a lover; the former school friends that she had hurt; the assistant who really designs the dresses, etc.
There were some interesting elements, but at the end the book really lost me. Pen's sleuthing puts her in a life threatening situation that she rather miraculously escapes. Then you have the murderer taking the time to explain all the little details so things can be nice wrapped up. And it turns out that . I also didn't like the sister and the detective boyfriend. So overall, just an okay read.
The Duke and Duchess are asked to postpone their honeymoon until after the investigation, and the situation becomes even more dire when the murder weapon turns out to be the Duke's polo mallet. The Duchess asks Penelope to look into things, which might have caused tension in her new relationship with the local detective, but he is taken off the case since he is only "local" and a big city female detective is brought in for the high profile case. So Penelope goes around asking a lot of questions, searching rooms without permission, and visiting the castle a least 75 times (okay, I made up that number, but it was a lot). There were really too many suspects -- the husband who only married her for her money and who had a lover; the former school friends that she had hurt; the assistant who really designs the dresses, etc.
There were some interesting elements, but at the end the book really lost me. Pen's sleuthing puts her in a life threatening situation that she rather miraculously escapes. Then you have the murderer taking the time to explain all the little details so things can be nice wrapped up. And it turns out that . I also didn't like the sister and the detective boyfriend. So overall, just an okay read.
July 4, 2021
A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon has Penelope Parish attending the wedding of American author Charlotte Davenport and Arthur Worthington, the Duke of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. It is a lavish weekend that ends with a bang when Cissie Emmoth, the Duke’s former girlfriend, is found dead just as the fireworks are about to begin. Charlotte asks Penelope to investigate when her new husband becomes the prime suspect. Penelope asks questions, observes, obtains local gossip, and digs up clues in her quest for the truth. A Fatal Footnote is the 2nd book in The Open Book Mystery series. I recommend reading this series in order. I have not had the opportunity to indulge in Murder in the Margins, and I felt it when I started A Fatal Footnote. There are some entertaining, quirky characters in this series. They go with the quaint town of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. The author captured the setting with her vivid descriptions. The whodunit has a variety of suspects along with misdirection. I enjoyed solving this fun mystery. I liked that it was a lively mystery and that Detective Maguire got one up on the stoic Met detective. I would have preferred a better wrap up because at the end of A Fatal Footnote, I was left with a couple of unanswered questions. When not writing or investigating, Penelope must deal with her sister who arrived unexpectedly. Beryl King is going through a rough time and needed to escape. Penelope is a little surprised (and dismayed) Beryl chose to visit her since they are not close sisters. A Fatal Footnote is a cute cozy mystery an American romance author, an anxious sister, a desperate duchess, a riot of rumors, and tons of tea.
April 5, 2022
It started as a fairytale and ended as a nightmare. The Duke and Duchess were set to have the most beautiful wedding, but not long after the festivities made way, disaster struck. Someone was murdered, and not just anyone, but the Duke’s former girlfriend! Penelope Parrish, writer and employee at a local bookshop, was at the wedding at the time of the incident. Something just isn’t sitting right with her and she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. With time ticking and the murderer still out there, Penelope is digging into all she can to solve the mystery, but can she figure it out before there’s another victim?
Thank you Netgalley, Margaret Loudon and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is the second installment of An Open Book Mystery series. I haven’t read the first one but it didn’t seem to make a huge difference. Cozy mysteries are one of my favorites, even more so when there’s a bookstore involved. That being said I was a little disappointed that the bookstore didn’t play much part in this book. It would be nice to have it included more as the series goes on. I think there’s a lot of potential with this series and I’m eager to see the growth and development of the characters. This was a quick and easy enjoyable book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley, Margaret Loudon and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is the second installment of An Open Book Mystery series. I haven’t read the first one but it didn’t seem to make a huge difference. Cozy mysteries are one of my favorites, even more so when there’s a bookstore involved. That being said I was a little disappointed that the bookstore didn’t play much part in this book. It would be nice to have it included more as the series goes on. I think there’s a lot of potential with this series and I’m eager to see the growth and development of the characters. This was a quick and easy enjoyable book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 10, 2023
The premise of this series is really fun. The main character is a writer in residence at a small bookstore in a rural town in England. She works for a former MI6 agent and is friends with a fellow American writer who's marrying a local royal. The wedding takes place at the beginning of this book but unfortunately the reception ends with the dress designer... having her hat ruined. The main character does some interesting investigating, going to a local girls school and using India's vast magazine collection to dig up clues. There's a lot going on and most of it centers around the Worthington House (House = castle). It looks like there's only one more book in the series but I look forward to reading it.
June 6, 2021
American writer, Penelope has moved to a small English village to assume the position of Writer-In-Residence at the Open Book bookshop in hopes of ending her writer's block. The first in the series found Pen helping in the bookshop, leading reader's and writer's groups, getting to know the citizens of Chumley and solving a murder. Not much time for writing novel #2.
In the second title her publisher is putting on the pressure for the new manuscript but once again, writing takes a back seat to the unexpected arrival of her distraught sister, the wedding of the local Duke and another murder!
The Open Book series is fast-paced and lots of fun with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
In the second title her publisher is putting on the pressure for the new manuscript but once again, writing takes a back seat to the unexpected arrival of her distraught sister, the wedding of the local Duke and another murder!
The Open Book series is fast-paced and lots of fun with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
July 6, 2021
In the second installment of the series, Pen (and the rest of town) continues her infatuation with the minor royals and the wedding to an American, an obvious parallel to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While I liked this book better than the first, I generally found it too obsessed with anglophilia in most cliche ways. While I love a cozy mystery set in a quaint town, especially one set in a bookstore, the bookstore and writer aspects played very little role in the story or how the characters solved the mystery. The characters also had little development or way to distinguish themselves from one another, making the secondary cast difficult to follow.
August 1, 2021
A good followup to Murder in the Margins. The romance is more developed if not still a bit forced. Having read the two close together, there are a few things that began to grate on me, such as the author’s frequent mention of the main character being blessed with the kind of metabolism that lets her eat whatever she wants with out gaining weight and that she frequently forgets to eat. We’re still dealing with tall and skinny as default attractiveness, whether you try to justify that or not. I really enjoy the secondary characters though and hope to learn more of their stories, like how Gladys is doing after the events of book one. Will give Peril on the Page a read when it’s available.
October 6, 2021
American writer-in-residence at a village bookstore in England, Penelope is really lucky to be invited to the wedding of the local duke to an American woman she's befriended. She's a little less lucky to be on hand when one of the guests is found murdered. And her luck really runs out when her oh-so-perfect sister comes flying to England to escape her husband's indictment for the swindling that financed the couple's lifestyle, and moves in with Penelope. Her fashionista sister, however, gets a job in the atelier owned by the murdered woman, which gives Penelope some insight into possible motives for murder.
March 26, 2023
So, I am very stingy with my 5 ratings. This is no joke. Is this the next great classic? No. BUT This is such a cute, fun, story that easily draws readers of cozy readers in. It's like a vacation on a beach. Warm. Cozy. And guaranteed to spark a smile or four.
I found possible links to Harry and Megan (whether intentional or not, it was what I grabbed) Then-- the story swept me into an Agatha Christie whodunit. It was cute. Spunky. And such a delightful short read. If yah need a break from a stressful life, want to laugh, or just want a short fun read, this is the book for you!
Highly recommend.
I found possible links to Harry and Megan (whether intentional or not, it was what I grabbed) Then-- the story swept me into an Agatha Christie whodunit. It was cute. Spunky. And such a delightful short read. If yah need a break from a stressful life, want to laugh, or just want a short fun read, this is the book for you!
Highly recommend.
September 3, 2024
ATY 2024 #48 Another book that fits your favorite prompt
The Duke and his American romance writer bride are getting married! Pen and Figgy have been invited to stay at Worthington House for the duration of the festivities. Unfortunately, the Duke's ex-girlfriend is killed and the honeymoon postponed until the killer is identified. Because of the Duke's involvement, a DCI from the Met is called in to solve the case. Maguire is so frustrated. Did the victim's husband actually love her or did he have other attachments? In the meantime, Pen's sister, Beryl, has arrived in Upper-Chumley-on-Stoke.
The Duke and his American romance writer bride are getting married! Pen and Figgy have been invited to stay at Worthington House for the duration of the festivities. Unfortunately, the Duke's ex-girlfriend is killed and the honeymoon postponed until the killer is identified. Because of the Duke's involvement, a DCI from the Met is called in to solve the case. Maguire is so frustrated. Did the victim's husband actually love her or did he have other attachments? In the meantime, Pen's sister, Beryl, has arrived in Upper-Chumley-on-Stoke.
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July 6, 2021I figured out the killer before the body was discovered but not the motive. The murder victim gave a lot of people reason to hate her. The woman was not the type to forgive or forget a perceived insult, and she didn't care if an innocent got hurt. Even better if the blame was put on the innocent party. We also get to meet Penelope's sister in this book. Wonder if we'll get to meet their mother in the next?
I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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