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Antique Bookshop Mystery #2
Murder by the Bookend
Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn sleuths again when a pair of glass bookends puts an end to a librarian's life, in this second installment of Laura Gail Black's cozy series.
The quaint warehouse district of Hokes Folly, NC, is hopping despite the drizzly November chill. The occasion? The mountain town's beloved antiquarian bookstore, Twice Upon a Time, is throwing a bash for its grand reopening. But bookseller Jenna Quinn's peace of mind is shattered when the local library's Director of Antique Books turns up dead in the parking lot—his head bashed in by a glittering pair of vintage glass bookends.
As they examine the murder scene, Jenna and her police detective boyfriend happen upon the only witness—the victim's dog, who flees the scene leaving a trail of bloody footprints behind. If only dogs could speak, Jenna might be able to make quick work of the murder case and get back to stocking her bookcases.
Alas, finding the killer won't be so easy, even though this is not Jenna's first murder investigation—indeed, she inherited Twice Upon a Time from her slain uncle. The suspect list is voluminous--the late librarian had not-so-friendly run-ins with numerous guests—but suspicion eventually centers on three unsavory individuals who left the party shortly before the victim did.
Now, Jenna must edit her inventory of suspects from three names to one, before the bloodthirsty bookend-wielder becomes the author of Jenna's demise.
The quaint warehouse district of Hokes Folly, NC, is hopping despite the drizzly November chill. The occasion? The mountain town's beloved antiquarian bookstore, Twice Upon a Time, is throwing a bash for its grand reopening. But bookseller Jenna Quinn's peace of mind is shattered when the local library's Director of Antique Books turns up dead in the parking lot—his head bashed in by a glittering pair of vintage glass bookends.
As they examine the murder scene, Jenna and her police detective boyfriend happen upon the only witness—the victim's dog, who flees the scene leaving a trail of bloody footprints behind. If only dogs could speak, Jenna might be able to make quick work of the murder case and get back to stocking her bookcases.
Alas, finding the killer won't be so easy, even though this is not Jenna's first murder investigation—indeed, she inherited Twice Upon a Time from her slain uncle. The suspect list is voluminous--the late librarian had not-so-friendly run-ins with numerous guests—but suspicion eventually centers on three unsavory individuals who left the party shortly before the victim did.
Now, Jenna must edit her inventory of suspects from three names to one, before the bloodthirsty bookend-wielder becomes the author of Jenna's demise.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2021
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859 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
September 6, 2021
This is a good follow up to For Whom the Book Tolls, the first book in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series. It was fun to get to know Jenna, Keith, Mason and Rita better and to see Sutter get a taste of his own medicine!
In Murder by the Bookend yet another murder occurs near the bookshop and again the unpleasant Detective Sutter suspects Jenna. Luckily she now has Keith to stand interference for her but she is still forced into playing sleuth to find out what really happened.
There is an amazing number of possible murderers and the author points equally at all of them as the story progresses. I changed my mind several times as to who it was and was still surprised at the result - especially why they did it.
It was nicely written with a core group of friendly, interest characters. The addition of Eddy was excellent. One can never have too many lovable dogs or charming cats in a good cosy story. The ending is sweet. Well worth reading and I look forward to more.
My thanks to Netgalley for he opportunity to read and review this book.
In Murder by the Bookend yet another murder occurs near the bookshop and again the unpleasant Detective Sutter suspects Jenna. Luckily she now has Keith to stand interference for her but she is still forced into playing sleuth to find out what really happened.
There is an amazing number of possible murderers and the author points equally at all of them as the story progresses. I changed my mind several times as to who it was and was still surprised at the result - especially why they did it.
It was nicely written with a core group of friendly, interest characters. The addition of Eddy was excellent. One can never have too many lovable dogs or charming cats in a good cosy story. The ending is sweet. Well worth reading and I look forward to more.
My thanks to Netgalley for he opportunity to read and review this book.
January 18, 2025
An excellent sequel. I loved the first book but this expands on the characters and the town. I love Jenna and can't wait to see more of her.
September 7, 2021
Jenna Quinn was holding her reopening launch of the bookstore she’d inherited from her Uncle Paul; she’d renamed the shop Twice Upon A Time as a nod to the many antique books which were housed inside the store. Mason was her store manager, and doing a great job, and Rita, her best friend, was by her side, helping as she always did. Among the many guests was Linus, director of Antique Books at the local library and his devoted dog Eddie (short for Edition) It was when the party was almost over, and the guests had mostly gone, that Jenna and her policeman boyfriend, Keith, saw Eddie bolt past the front of the store, and found Linus dead by his car in the parking lot.
Detective Frank Sutter was his usual obnoxious self, so Jenna decided to investigate Linus’ murder herself. With Keith a reluctant helper plus Mason and Rita sifting through clues, Jenna could see there were plenty of suspects. But would they be able to weed out the murderer? Or would it be too late for someone else?
Murder by the Bookend is the 2nd in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series by Laura Gail Black and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, plenty of twists as well as laugh out loud moments, Murder by the Bookend was just what I needed. Eddie is adorable, Jenna a feisty, strong woman who acts before she thinks, therefore putting herself in danger, and Keith is perfect for Jenna. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Frank Sutter was his usual obnoxious self, so Jenna decided to investigate Linus’ murder herself. With Keith a reluctant helper plus Mason and Rita sifting through clues, Jenna could see there were plenty of suspects. But would they be able to weed out the murderer? Or would it be too late for someone else?
Murder by the Bookend is the 2nd in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series by Laura Gail Black and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, plenty of twists as well as laugh out loud moments, Murder by the Bookend was just what I needed. Eddie is adorable, Jenna a feisty, strong woman who acts before she thinks, therefore putting herself in danger, and Keith is perfect for Jenna. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2021
Murder By the Bookend is the second book in the Antique Bookshop Mystery. I haven't read the first book in the series but the author has lent enough information to explain the background story.
Jenna Quinn has a grand re-opening event for Twice Upon a Time, an antique bookstore she inherited from her late uncle Paul Baxter. Except for a couple of minor verbal incidents between patrons in attendance, the event seems to go well enough until a senior librarian, Linius Talbot is found dead in the parking lot soon after the event, his head bashed by one of the pair of bookends he won in the event's raffle draw.
With a great set of characters, story, setting and ofcourse a mandatory four pawed character added in the mix (a dog called Eddie-short for Edition) this is another cosy mystery series that I know I am going to very much enjoy reading. Looking forward to more of the series.
P. S.: The cover design is pretty eye catching as well.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Laura Gail Black for the e-Arc of the book.
Jenna Quinn has a grand re-opening event for Twice Upon a Time, an antique bookstore she inherited from her late uncle Paul Baxter. Except for a couple of minor verbal incidents between patrons in attendance, the event seems to go well enough until a senior librarian, Linius Talbot is found dead in the parking lot soon after the event, his head bashed by one of the pair of bookends he won in the event's raffle draw.
With a great set of characters, story, setting and ofcourse a mandatory four pawed character added in the mix (a dog called Eddie-short for Edition) this is another cosy mystery series that I know I am going to very much enjoy reading. Looking forward to more of the series.
P. S.: The cover design is pretty eye catching as well.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Laura Gail Black for the e-Arc of the book.
August 22, 2021
Murder by the Bookend, second in the series, is another great mystery for the series set in Hokes Folly, North Carolina. New bookshop owner Jenna Quinn is having her grand re-opening with a new name, Twice Upon a Time, in the small downtown area. The celebration is a little rocky with some heated confrontations between guests and then a murder occurred in the parking lot afterwards. Jenna feels responsible to find the killer since it happened at her event especially since this is not the first one. With help from a few friends, Jenna does some sleuthing into who would want to kill the nice man and finds herself in some close calls. And she ends up with a dog in the process. With a fun setting, great characters, and an interesting mystery to solve, this is another page turner and highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary ARC from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
I received a complimentary ARC from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
February 13, 2022
Book 2 is just as good as book 1. What a great series!! It was fun getting to know Jenna, Keith, Mason & Rita more. Poor Eddy's story tugged at my heart strings but I love that Jenna took care of him. Looking forward to more :)
July 2, 2021
I got this one off Netgalley awhile ago but it got buried on my Kindle thanks to all the Book Bingo books I added a few months ago. I'm sorry I waited so long to finish it, it was a great book!
The second book in the Antique Bookshop series has Jenna presiding over the grand re-opening of the antique/used bookstore she inherited from her uncle. All seems to go well until one guest - Linus Talbot, an antique book expert - has several run-ins with other guests during the party. As the evening draws to a close, Jenna finds Linus dead in his car in the parking lot, murdered with his antique bookends and the only witness is his dog, Eddy. With several suspects and almost no clues, can Jenna find the murderer?
I enjoyed the first book in this series and came to really like Jenna, Mason and Rita and Keith and the juicy plot in this one (gasp THE DRAMA! clutches pearls) as it wound its way among the suspects and unraveled all the clues - which were right there all along but in the end the culprit was still surprising. Just as in the first book, I suspected and then discarded a suspect or two, only to be surprised at the end. *sigh* Fooled me again!
Another great entry into what's shaping up to be a really great series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
The second book in the Antique Bookshop series has Jenna presiding over the grand re-opening of the antique/used bookstore she inherited from her uncle. All seems to go well until one guest - Linus Talbot, an antique book expert - has several run-ins with other guests during the party. As the evening draws to a close, Jenna finds Linus dead in his car in the parking lot, murdered with his antique bookends and the only witness is his dog, Eddy. With several suspects and almost no clues, can Jenna find the murderer?
I enjoyed the first book in this series and came to really like Jenna, Mason and Rita and Keith and the juicy plot in this one (gasp THE DRAMA! clutches pearls) as it wound its way among the suspects and unraveled all the clues - which were right there all along but in the end the culprit was still surprising. Just as in the first book, I suspected and then discarded a suspect or two, only to be surprised at the end. *sigh* Fooled me again!
Another great entry into what's shaping up to be a really great series and I'm looking forward to the next book.
Read
November 2, 2021⭐⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed this one a lot. It was well written and well paced. Held up well as a standalone. Had an interesting plot that kept me engaged throughout. I will say, I did figure out the "whodunnit" about halfway through the book, but I was still enjoying the story, so that took nothing away from it. The characters were likable, and the ending was satisfactory. The author leaves us with a dangling thread regarding one character. I assume we'll hear more about what is going on with him in future books(?). All in all this was a fantastic cozy and I can't wait to see what comes next for these characters.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I enjoyed this one a lot. It was well written and well paced. Held up well as a standalone. Had an interesting plot that kept me engaged throughout. I will say, I did figure out the "whodunnit" about halfway through the book, but I was still enjoying the story, so that took nothing away from it. The characters were likable, and the ending was satisfactory. The author leaves us with a dangling thread regarding one character. I assume we'll hear more about what is going on with him in future books(?). All in all this was a fantastic cozy and I can't wait to see what comes next for these characters.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
March 1, 2022
I'm really digging this series! Is it weird that I am jealous of the main character, Jenna, for not only owning, but basically living in a bookstore? I love the cast of friends she has curated around her and her developing connection to the small community that she has made her home in. The mysteries are quite intriguing and have enough red herrings to make you wonder if you have guessed correctly or to even guess incorrectly who the real villain is. While she has an ally on the police force, she also has a nemesis who is determined to hate her and find her guilty of anything and everything. It makes finding the real killer all that more difficult when he won't believe that anyone would commit a crime over an old book. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
June 1, 2023
Jenna is happily settled in Hokes Folly and becoming a part of the community. She's busy getting her store ready to reopen under the new name with a grand reopening party. She's invited her Uncle Paul's old contacts from the book world and with the help of her employee, Mason, and her best friend Rita, she may be able to successfully relaunch the store and erase the association with her uncle's murder. Unfortunately for Jenna, she's invited the town's biggest egos to her party and those egos clash big time when a guest brings his dog to the party. While Jenna is charmed by the well-behaved pooch, not everyone is dog friendly. Eddy, the uninvited guest, does not take a liking to some of the humans he meets at the party and tempers flair. It seems there is bad blood between Eddy's human, Linus Talbot, the town's director of antique books and the library director's wife, Selina March and also local politician Bradford Prescott. Oh dear! After the party, Jenna thinks she can breathe easily but then Eddy returns to the shop covered in blood! Linus Talbot was murdered in the parking lot after the party and Detective Frank Sutter is determined to pin the crime on Jenna in spite of numerous witnesses including her boyfriend, Detective Keith Stokes, stating she was in the store the whole time. Will Detective Sutter solve this one on his own and go off to retirement in a blaze of glory? It's doubtful. Can Jenna figure out who killed the rare books librarian and clear her own name?
This story was SO much better than the first. There was enough rare book content to please me and it sounded plausible too. I'm not sure why a small town public library has a rare books collection but OK. The plot was engaging enough to keep me reading for the most part. It got a little repetitive in spots when Jenna rehashed events of the past or went over clues again and again. I figured out whodunit and part of the motive but I wasn't totally sure. The full motive was a real doozy I didn't see coming! Wow!
Jenna is much more likable in this book. She's adjusted to small town life and now considers the town her home. She loves the store and wants to keep it going to honor her uncle's memory. Jenna still has trauma from past events which remain unresolved (even though it was SO obvious) but she's moving forward. She's a kind, generous employer and a caring girlfriend. In this story, she quickly falls in love with Eddy (an Irish Setter maybe? Setter mix?) and bonds with him quickly. He's a great dog and so polite. He's mourning the loss of his owner and Jenna understands what it is like to lose someone you love unexpectedly. She is sympathetic and wants to help Eddy. She's smart about it and even wants to call the vet to ask for an opinion instead of spoiling and bribing the dog! There's some of that too, who can resist?
I like Jenna's romance with Keith too. He's kind to her and stands up for her. He wants to do the right thing and be on the right side of the law but also wants to support his girlfriend. He never tells her she can't do something, just asks her to be careful. He's clearly smitten but is having difficulty saying that three-word phrase! Jenna is old-fashioned and wants to wait for him to say it first. Girl! Get with the 21st century, ignore your Mama and say it! Especially if you're going to be nosy. Tell the man how you feel now before you lose the chance because you're dead!
Rita is a good friend too. She's a ride or die friend and eager to join in the amateur investigation. I still quibble at her job but I guess these women are so used to wearing makeup and having their hair done that going without in the name of historical accuracy is a no go. After meeting Selina March, I TOTALLY understand why Rita has an anachronistic job. Another friend is Phillie Stokes. Now her sister is deceased, she can move on from the vintage store and Mayburyesque lifestyle her sister was obsessed with. Phillie is planning to open a garden shop and she'll be excellent at it. She's elderly but has a twinkle in her eye that shows she's younger than her years inside.
Mason Craig, Jenna's only employee, is an exemplary young man. He's trying to turn his life around and works hard. He's smart, capable and doesn't get flustered easily. Mason is also very proud and doesn't want Jenna just to help him achieve his goals by giving him money. That's very mature and selfless of him. I admire that. I have a feeling Jenna is going to want to help him conquer his shyness around females and find a girlfriend next.
There are a whole lot of rich people in this town and they aren't all that pleasant. Of course I like Linus Talbot. He's a rare books specialist who also does conservation. That would be unlikely in a larger library but in a small library I guess employees wear many hats. He seems like a nice man. He was friendly with Jenna's uncle and helped her evaluate a few books as she was setting up the shop. He's a good dog dad and you can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his dog! Linus Talbot's death sounds like it was a tragedy for the town. For everyone except the killer anyway. Who did it?
There's Mr. Douglas March, the library director and his wife Selina. He's pleasant but so, so weak. He can't stand up to his horrid wife and continually has to apologize for her behavior. Did he kill Linus because Linus and Selina had an altercation? Did Douglas do it because Selina told him to or to protect the woman he loves? HOW HOW HOW can he love her? Look up "rich bitch" in a slang dictionary and you will see a picture of Selina! Holy cow! She is entitled, spoiled, wants to be wealthier than she is so she can live an ultra lavish lifestyle. Selina wears furs to flaunt her wealth, continually name drops the brand of her luxury car and thinks her money and status gives her permission to be rude to everyone else. She blames everyone else for HER horrid behavior. She blames Linus for something SHE did as a teen that "ruined" her life. Selina is SO unhappy with a husband who is devoted to her, shells out money for her left and right that she must drink way too much. She is an alcoholic and no one calls her on it. Her devoted husband can't even see it to try to get her help. This is one bizarre couple. I can believe Selina is the murderer but she'll blame it on Douglas or someone else so the case may never be solved! I hope she is the murderer because she needs to go to jail to get a reality check!
Then there's Bradford Prescott who is running for state legislature. He is running on a progressive platform that includes animal rights and more money to seniors for retirement yet he comes across as a sleazy politician. Though his rival is corrupt, I couldn't vote for Bradford Prescott either. He's too sleazy. When secrets are revealed, it gives him a VERY good motive for murder. I'd like to see him do the deed with Selina as accessory and have them both go to jail. His wife, Becky, gives Selina a run for her money in the rich *itch department. All Becky cares about is how things look. Appearances for appearances sake. She's the worst mother and only seems to support her husband because his reputation gives her a good image. This state position is a stepping stone to her husband becoming president some day. She'll stop at nothing to move to Washington and become a leader in Washington society. I think she could be the killer. Linus was about to trash her husband's reputation and she can't have that now can she? oh no! Thankfully their daughter is a good egg and passionate about animals. I feel so very bad for her and if I were her, I'd totally go to the media and share everything! I'd go to the police too.
Alice King was once an employee at the library in the rare books department. She loves books and is knowledgeable about them. Sometimes she seems like a sweet old lady and other times she comes across as mean and nasty. Which is the real Alice? Could she be developing dementia or is she normally hot and cold? If she's nice, she could be a friend and an asset to Jenna but if she's not nice, she could be a murderer. She has a strong motive. I STRONGLY object to the description used for her though, "plump woman" is lazy writing and rude too. She's one of the only people who didn't like Linus.
Detective Frank Sutter is just awful and needs to be stopped. He's rude, arrogant and like a bulldozer when he gets an idea in his head. For some reason, he loathes Jenna and is determined to pin a crime on her ignoring all evidence. He won't listen when she comes to him with a possible crime. He's too focused on finding evidence that makes her a murderer. Sutter is clearly not a reader or bibliophile. He doesn't care for books and he doesn't understand how some are valuable. He doesn't even understand the value of reading. He is not a good detective. LaTisha Riddick is an awesome person and much better detective. I hope they hired her permanently once Sutter is retired. I also object to her being described as "African-American." Let's try to do better next time! Dark skinned is still lazy but better.
I look forward to reading the next one soon!
This story was SO much better than the first. There was enough rare book content to please me and it sounded plausible too. I'm not sure why a small town public library has a rare books collection but OK. The plot was engaging enough to keep me reading for the most part. It got a little repetitive in spots when Jenna rehashed events of the past or went over clues again and again. I figured out whodunit and part of the motive but I wasn't totally sure. The full motive was a real doozy I didn't see coming! Wow!
Jenna is much more likable in this book. She's adjusted to small town life and now considers the town her home. She loves the store and wants to keep it going to honor her uncle's memory. Jenna still has trauma from past events which remain unresolved (even though it was SO obvious) but she's moving forward. She's a kind, generous employer and a caring girlfriend. In this story, she quickly falls in love with Eddy (an Irish Setter maybe? Setter mix?) and bonds with him quickly. He's a great dog and so polite. He's mourning the loss of his owner and Jenna understands what it is like to lose someone you love unexpectedly. She is sympathetic and wants to help Eddy. She's smart about it and even wants to call the vet to ask for an opinion instead of spoiling and bribing the dog! There's some of that too, who can resist?
I like Jenna's romance with Keith too. He's kind to her and stands up for her. He wants to do the right thing and be on the right side of the law but also wants to support his girlfriend. He never tells her she can't do something, just asks her to be careful. He's clearly smitten but is having difficulty saying that three-word phrase! Jenna is old-fashioned and wants to wait for him to say it first. Girl! Get with the 21st century, ignore your Mama and say it! Especially if you're going to be nosy. Tell the man how you feel now before you lose the chance because you're dead!
Rita is a good friend too. She's a ride or die friend and eager to join in the amateur investigation. I still quibble at her job but I guess these women are so used to wearing makeup and having their hair done that going without in the name of historical accuracy is a no go. After meeting Selina March, I TOTALLY understand why Rita has an anachronistic job. Another friend is Phillie Stokes. Now her sister is deceased, she can move on from the vintage store and Mayburyesque lifestyle her sister was obsessed with. Phillie is planning to open a garden shop and she'll be excellent at it. She's elderly but has a twinkle in her eye that shows she's younger than her years inside.
Mason Craig, Jenna's only employee, is an exemplary young man. He's trying to turn his life around and works hard. He's smart, capable and doesn't get flustered easily. Mason is also very proud and doesn't want Jenna just to help him achieve his goals by giving him money. That's very mature and selfless of him. I admire that. I have a feeling Jenna is going to want to help him conquer his shyness around females and find a girlfriend next.
There are a whole lot of rich people in this town and they aren't all that pleasant. Of course I like Linus Talbot. He's a rare books specialist who also does conservation. That would be unlikely in a larger library but in a small library I guess employees wear many hats. He seems like a nice man. He was friendly with Jenna's uncle and helped her evaluate a few books as she was setting up the shop. He's a good dog dad and you can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his dog! Linus Talbot's death sounds like it was a tragedy for the town. For everyone except the killer anyway. Who did it?
There's Mr. Douglas March, the library director and his wife Selina. He's pleasant but so, so weak. He can't stand up to his horrid wife and continually has to apologize for her behavior. Did he kill Linus because Linus and Selina had an altercation? Did Douglas do it because Selina told him to or to protect the woman he loves? HOW HOW HOW can he love her? Look up "rich bitch" in a slang dictionary and you will see a picture of Selina! Holy cow! She is entitled, spoiled, wants to be wealthier than she is so she can live an ultra lavish lifestyle. Selina wears furs to flaunt her wealth, continually name drops the brand of her luxury car and thinks her money and status gives her permission to be rude to everyone else. She blames everyone else for HER horrid behavior. She blames Linus for something SHE did as a teen that "ruined" her life. Selina is SO unhappy with a husband who is devoted to her, shells out money for her left and right that she must drink way too much. She is an alcoholic and no one calls her on it. Her devoted husband can't even see it to try to get her help. This is one bizarre couple. I can believe Selina is the murderer but she'll blame it on Douglas or someone else so the case may never be solved! I hope she is the murderer because she needs to go to jail to get a reality check!
Then there's Bradford Prescott who is running for state legislature. He is running on a progressive platform that includes animal rights and more money to seniors for retirement yet he comes across as a sleazy politician. Though his rival is corrupt, I couldn't vote for Bradford Prescott either. He's too sleazy. When secrets are revealed, it gives him a VERY good motive for murder. I'd like to see him do the deed with Selina as accessory and have them both go to jail. His wife, Becky, gives Selina a run for her money in the rich *itch department. All Becky cares about is how things look. Appearances for appearances sake. She's the worst mother and only seems to support her husband because his reputation gives her a good image. This state position is a stepping stone to her husband becoming president some day. She'll stop at nothing to move to Washington and become a leader in Washington society. I think she could be the killer. Linus was about to trash her husband's reputation and she can't have that now can she? oh no! Thankfully their daughter is a good egg and passionate about animals. I feel so very bad for her and if I were her, I'd totally go to the media and share everything! I'd go to the police too.
Alice King was once an employee at the library in the rare books department. She loves books and is knowledgeable about them. Sometimes she seems like a sweet old lady and other times she comes across as mean and nasty. Which is the real Alice? Could she be developing dementia or is she normally hot and cold? If she's nice, she could be a friend and an asset to Jenna but if she's not nice, she could be a murderer. She has a strong motive. I STRONGLY object to the description used for her though, "plump woman" is lazy writing and rude too. She's one of the only people who didn't like Linus.
Detective Frank Sutter is just awful and needs to be stopped. He's rude, arrogant and like a bulldozer when he gets an idea in his head. For some reason, he loathes Jenna and is determined to pin a crime on her ignoring all evidence. He won't listen when she comes to him with a possible crime. He's too focused on finding evidence that makes her a murderer. Sutter is clearly not a reader or bibliophile. He doesn't care for books and he doesn't understand how some are valuable. He doesn't even understand the value of reading. He is not a good detective. LaTisha Riddick is an awesome person and much better detective. I hope they hired her permanently once Sutter is retired. I also object to her being described as "African-American." Let's try to do better next time! Dark skinned is still lazy but better.
I look forward to reading the next one soon!
September 10, 2021
Murder by the Bookend by Laura Gail Black has Jenna Quinn having a grand reopening of the bookshop she inherited from her uncle. She is renaming the store to Twice Upon a Time. The party has a few bumps along the way, but it seemed to go well. That is until Linus Talbot is found dead in the parking lot. Jenna must deal with disagreeable Detective Frank Sutter once again since her beau, Keith Logan is a witness. Jenna is told to stay out of the investigation, but she has no intention of obeying. Linus was a kind man with a sweet dog, and he was killed in her parking lot. Plus, Jenna does not trust Detective Sutter. Jenna begins gathering information that will lead her to Linus’ killer. Murder by the Bookend is the 2nd book in An Antique Bookshop Mystery series. I believe it can be read as a standalone. A summary of the main details from For Whom the Book Tolls is included. It contains good writing with steady pacing. I like the small town of Hokes Folly, North Carolina. The author provided vivid descriptions of the town along with the residents. We are introduced to quite a few people in the beginning of the book as they attend the grand reopening. There are a couple of individuals who I would have preferred as the victim instead of the Linus Talbot (maybe in the next book). There are several suspects in Linus’ death. There is a good misdirect to lead readers away from the true culprit. The clues are there to help readers solve the crime. I was left with an unanswered question regarding the mystery at the end. I just loved Linus’ dog, Eddy (full name Edition). He is a sweet dog. There is a little violence in the story as well as a small amount of profanity. I did have some trouble relating to Jenna which meant I was never able to become fully immersed into the story. I also felt the romance between Jenna and Keith Logan progressed too quickly for a cozy mystery. Murder by the Bookend is a quaint Southern cozy mystery with a cute canine, blown glass bookends, a departed antiquarian, a banged-up book, a disgruntled detective, and a sleuthing bookseller.
September 5, 2021
OMG! I loved it even more than the first book. This is one of my favourite series
Murder by the Bookend" the 2nd instalment in the "An Antique Bookshop” Mystery series by Laura Gail Black. I thought this was a great follow up to book one!
Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn sleuths again when a pair of glass bookends puts an end to a librarian's life!
I really loved this story, there was a dog named Eddie, romance and murder. What’s not to like! I read almost in one sitting but finally succumbed to sleep with only a few chapters left.
The mystery moved at a good pace, was interesting and I thought well plotted. I loved the characters living in Hokes Folly especially Jenna’s BFF Rita. I did suspect whodunnit fairly early but was never 100% sure. Overall I found it to be a very entertaining read.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I’m looking forward to book three to find out what Jenna does next.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Murder by the Bookend" the 2nd instalment in the "An Antique Bookshop” Mystery series by Laura Gail Black. I thought this was a great follow up to book one!
Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn sleuths again when a pair of glass bookends puts an end to a librarian's life!
I really loved this story, there was a dog named Eddie, romance and murder. What’s not to like! I read almost in one sitting but finally succumbed to sleep with only a few chapters left.
The mystery moved at a good pace, was interesting and I thought well plotted. I loved the characters living in Hokes Folly especially Jenna’s BFF Rita. I did suspect whodunnit fairly early but was never 100% sure. Overall I found it to be a very entertaining read.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I’m looking forward to book three to find out what Jenna does next.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 17, 2024
Some books are just to die for. Fortunately for cozies, author Laura Gail Black's Murder by the Bookend is another solid mystery helping keep the genre alive.
In the second entry in the Antique Book Mystery series, Jenna Quinn is set to reopen her deceased uncle's bookstore with a party. However, there's not much to celebrate when Linus Talbot, a rare book expert, is found dead in the parking lot, apparently bludgeoned by a bookend. Black opens the story with a bang and things don't slow down until the killer is unmasked some 300 pages later, as Jenna finds herself thrust into the middle of yet another investigation.
One of Black's most successful choices is complicating Linus Talbot's background. In cozies, it's not uncommon for the victim to be the most despicable character in the book. Here, Linus is outwardly charming to Jenna, and his death does serve as an early surprise. Yet there's also no shortage of individuals who downright despise him, and some of the best moments of the book involve Jenna unraveling exactly how someone could be so polarizing. This adds complexity to the overall mystery, muddying up exactly what motive someone would have for killing him. And even though the individuals who hate him hate him, it's often a genuine tossup when deciding who the killer could be. Ultimately, this makes the answers more enjoyable.
However, the real highlight here is Jenna herself. While Murder by the Bookend works fine as a standalone, Black has continued to develop Jenna in a way that's even more satisfying after reading the first book. While Jenna still has some insecurities about her past and her mother's cutting voice weighs heavily in her mind, she's also found more confidence. Perhaps being connected to multiple murders does that to a person. This does mean her investigative techniques might be a little unorthodox and she often runs into dangerous situations, but that's all part of coming into her own as a cozy sleuth.
Toss in a wonderfully quirky set of secondary characters, a genuinely sound mystery, and a cute (if traumatized) dog, and Murder by the Bookend is just to die for. And as to the series: it has a lot of life left in it.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
In the second entry in the Antique Book Mystery series, Jenna Quinn is set to reopen her deceased uncle's bookstore with a party. However, there's not much to celebrate when Linus Talbot, a rare book expert, is found dead in the parking lot, apparently bludgeoned by a bookend. Black opens the story with a bang and things don't slow down until the killer is unmasked some 300 pages later, as Jenna finds herself thrust into the middle of yet another investigation.
One of Black's most successful choices is complicating Linus Talbot's background. In cozies, it's not uncommon for the victim to be the most despicable character in the book. Here, Linus is outwardly charming to Jenna, and his death does serve as an early surprise. Yet there's also no shortage of individuals who downright despise him, and some of the best moments of the book involve Jenna unraveling exactly how someone could be so polarizing. This adds complexity to the overall mystery, muddying up exactly what motive someone would have for killing him. And even though the individuals who hate him hate him, it's often a genuine tossup when deciding who the killer could be. Ultimately, this makes the answers more enjoyable.
However, the real highlight here is Jenna herself. While Murder by the Bookend works fine as a standalone, Black has continued to develop Jenna in a way that's even more satisfying after reading the first book. While Jenna still has some insecurities about her past and her mother's cutting voice weighs heavily in her mind, she's also found more confidence. Perhaps being connected to multiple murders does that to a person. This does mean her investigative techniques might be a little unorthodox and she often runs into dangerous situations, but that's all part of coming into her own as a cozy sleuth.
Toss in a wonderfully quirky set of secondary characters, a genuinely sound mystery, and a cute (if traumatized) dog, and Murder by the Bookend is just to die for. And as to the series: it has a lot of life left in it.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
January 5, 2025
Not as strong a story as the first book, but still very enjoyable.
I had fun listening to this book, but at times I felt like the calm, steady (really brilliant) voice of the narrator didn't really match the sometimes rather neurotic main character. Jenna is 27 years old (strongly going on 40, at times), but the narrator sounds so much more mature. It's kind of funny. 😂
Selina was a really unpleasant character. Kind of deep into "Umbridge Territory", which is saying a lot, but not quite as evil. Anyway, I loved to hate her. 😜
In terms of cosy mystery this was a good book and I will look forward to the next time I swing by Jenna, her book store, her friends, and new dog.
I had fun listening to this book, but at times I felt like the calm, steady (really brilliant) voice of the narrator didn't really match the sometimes rather neurotic main character. Jenna is 27 years old (strongly going on 40, at times), but the narrator sounds so much more mature. It's kind of funny. 😂
Selina was a really unpleasant character. Kind of deep into "Umbridge Territory", which is saying a lot, but not quite as evil. Anyway, I loved to hate her. 😜
In terms of cosy mystery this was a good book and I will look forward to the next time I swing by Jenna, her book store, her friends, and new dog.
March 5, 2022
DNF at 28%
Find better ways to describe plus size people. “Her double chin jiggled as she shook her head”. Really? Gross! All you could say about the character is how fat she was and how she wanted to be young. Way to show off your fat phobia. Grab a thesaurus and be better.
Find better ways to describe plus size people. “Her double chin jiggled as she shook her head”. Really? Gross! All you could say about the character is how fat she was and how she wanted to be young. Way to show off your fat phobia. Grab a thesaurus and be better.
August 13, 2021
Ah I loved this book so much! It's so refreshing to read a cozy mystery that has everything different in the storyline and The main character. As a antique lover I totally was hooked! Jenna is hosting a reopening for her bookstore when someone ends up dead it puts a damper on the festivities. Jenna and Detective Keith most find the killer before it's too late. Will they both figure it out? I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more books by This author.
October 9, 2022
Jenna Quinn has given her late uncles bookstore, including giving it a new name, Twice Upon a Time. While she is hosting a grand re-opening celebration, one of her patrons ends up dead, with an ornate book end to the head. Jenna is dating one of the local lawmen, but as he happened to be present at the grand reopening, he is not allowed to head up the case. This leads Jenna to start investigating on her own.
I am really enjoying this series. I like how generous and passionate Jenna is. I am enjoying watching the characters develop.
I am really enjoying this series. I like how generous and passionate Jenna is. I am enjoying watching the characters develop.
September 23, 2021
This is becoming a favorite series for me. The characters, the setting -- all of these things contributed to my enjoyment.
Jenna, the primary character, is such a fun character and, of course, any book with a bookstore and a murder just makes my mouth water! Everything was on point for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
Jenna, the primary character, is such a fun character and, of course, any book with a bookstore and a murder just makes my mouth water! Everything was on point for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
September 21, 2021
A solid follow-up to the first book.
Jenna is teaching me that old and rare books are dangerous. Poor girl cannot catch a break. Her grand reopening proves to have a killer of an ending. Now she must find the killer before her livelihood and town are destroyed.
My favorite was the addition of Eddy, the victim's dog. He was a treat. I hope his character presence increases in the series. He brings out an even sweeter side of Jenna.
You can read this book without reading the first but as always with a series, you get more if you start from the beginning.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above are entirely my own.
Jenna is teaching me that old and rare books are dangerous. Poor girl cannot catch a break. Her grand reopening proves to have a killer of an ending. Now she must find the killer before her livelihood and town are destroyed.
My favorite was the addition of Eddy, the victim's dog. He was a treat. I hope his character presence increases in the series. He brings out an even sweeter side of Jenna.
You can read this book without reading the first but as always with a series, you get more if you start from the beginning.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above are entirely my own.
March 10, 2023
I was disappointed that this book was not as entertaining as I had hoped it would be. I like the bookshop setting very much, and I enjoyed the personalities of both Jenna Quinn and her assistant at the bookshop. I also enjoyed the mutual attraction between Jenna and the junior policeman. I also enjoyed her interaction with her middle-aged friend, Rita, who works at the local inn. However, some of the other characters were less than believable to me, especially the ones that were new to the series. Their personalities appeared to be somewhat forced. Still, the plot was very good. There were multiple suspects who each had motives to kill the victim. It's possible that I will eventually read the next book in the series, but there are plenty of other books on my TBR list right now.
April 10, 2021
At first I was not sure if I would like this book. As I got into it and got to know the characters I enjoyed it very much. The story line was interesting and easy to follow The relationship between Jenna and Detective Keith was easy to relate to. I wanted to start the series from the beginning so I took out the first book For Whom the Book Tolls out of the library. I look forward to continuing this series with Book No. 3.
Thank you Netgalley, and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
Thank you Netgalley, and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
September 6, 2021
This mystery is a delightful read in every way…well, except for the murder and attempted murders. Second in a new series, it can be read as a standalone with the backstory included. I plan to read the first one since I enjoyed this so much! It is October in a charming North Carolina town. The characters range from the wealthy to the average working person, most of whom are friendly and welcoming. Our protagonist, Jenna, owns the bookstore she inherited from her uncle. I really like her and her new friends as they are down-to-earth, kind, and caring people.
Jenna is hosting a grand re-opening event for the bookstore, renamed Twice Upon a Time. Most of those invited were Uncle Paul’s best customers, those who regularly purchased antique or rare books. There is a grand-reopening sale for the following week for all customers. Mason, her only employee, is there, as are boyfriend Keith and best friend Rita.
Linus, an older gentleman who has helped Jenna with values of collectible books, arrived with his dog, Eddy. There were at least three people who seemed quite put out with Linus, his pup, or both. One was Blake, who was running for state congress. Part of his platform was for animal rights. He claimed to love animals, but when Eddy growled at Blake and his wife, he said he typically loves animals, but Eddy is vicious and needs to be put down. Jenna overheard part of their conversation in which Linus said that the next day, everybody would know where Eddy came from.
Another troubling person is Selina, who tries to impress everyone with the money she wishes she had. Her husband is a kindly man, while she is a snob. She dislikes most people, but when Eddy growls at her, she despises both man and dog. Then we meet Alice, who seems like a lonely older lady who tends to stay out of the limelight. Jenna spoke with her for a few minutes, and from a run-in between Alice, Selina, who purposely damaged a book in front of them, and Jenna, Alice’s hatred for Linus was evident.
After the party, Jenna saw a streak run past that looked like Eddy. Keith went to catch him. They noticed blood on his paws and his loving owner was not in sight. Keith, a detective, and Jenna went to look for him and found him in the nearby parking lot. He was dead, having been hit on the head with one of the pair of antique blown glass bookends he won at the event.
Keith didn’t want Jenna to look into Linus’s death, as she was almost killed the last time she helped. Her hands were already full, especially since she adopted Eddy. Once the media spun the story about Linus’s death being the third murder associated with the bookstore, she felt she had to see what she could learn about the case. The secrets she uncovers show more than one person likely to have killed Linus, but the detective in charge has a different spin.
This well-plotted and executed cozy mystery drew me in from the beginning – what is there to not love about a bookstore? It held my attention throughout due to the primary characters, the mystery, and the LOL humor. It kept me guessing to the end, which had quite a surprising twist! I highly recommend this novel to those who love well-written cozy mysteries that include bookstores, antique books, and dogs.
From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Jenna is hosting a grand re-opening event for the bookstore, renamed Twice Upon a Time. Most of those invited were Uncle Paul’s best customers, those who regularly purchased antique or rare books. There is a grand-reopening sale for the following week for all customers. Mason, her only employee, is there, as are boyfriend Keith and best friend Rita.
Linus, an older gentleman who has helped Jenna with values of collectible books, arrived with his dog, Eddy. There were at least three people who seemed quite put out with Linus, his pup, or both. One was Blake, who was running for state congress. Part of his platform was for animal rights. He claimed to love animals, but when Eddy growled at Blake and his wife, he said he typically loves animals, but Eddy is vicious and needs to be put down. Jenna overheard part of their conversation in which Linus said that the next day, everybody would know where Eddy came from.
Another troubling person is Selina, who tries to impress everyone with the money she wishes she had. Her husband is a kindly man, while she is a snob. She dislikes most people, but when Eddy growls at her, she despises both man and dog. Then we meet Alice, who seems like a lonely older lady who tends to stay out of the limelight. Jenna spoke with her for a few minutes, and from a run-in between Alice, Selina, who purposely damaged a book in front of them, and Jenna, Alice’s hatred for Linus was evident.
After the party, Jenna saw a streak run past that looked like Eddy. Keith went to catch him. They noticed blood on his paws and his loving owner was not in sight. Keith, a detective, and Jenna went to look for him and found him in the nearby parking lot. He was dead, having been hit on the head with one of the pair of antique blown glass bookends he won at the event.
Keith didn’t want Jenna to look into Linus’s death, as she was almost killed the last time she helped. Her hands were already full, especially since she adopted Eddy. Once the media spun the story about Linus’s death being the third murder associated with the bookstore, she felt she had to see what she could learn about the case. The secrets she uncovers show more than one person likely to have killed Linus, but the detective in charge has a different spin.
This well-plotted and executed cozy mystery drew me in from the beginning – what is there to not love about a bookstore? It held my attention throughout due to the primary characters, the mystery, and the LOL humor. It kept me guessing to the end, which had quite a surprising twist! I highly recommend this novel to those who love well-written cozy mysteries that include bookstores, antique books, and dogs.
From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
September 2, 2021
Murder By The Bookend is the second book in the An Antique Bookshop Mystery by Laura Gail Black.
Jenna Quinn inherited her uncle’s antiquarian bookstore three months ago and has decided to rename it Twice Upon A Time. She has invited some of her and her uncle’s better customers to her grand reopening celebration. For the celebration, Jenna has called on her friend and neighbor, Rita, her assistant, Mason, and her close friend and detective, Keith, to help with the party.
The last item on the agenda is the awarding of raffle gifts, and the final one is a pair of vintage glass bookends. The winner was Linus Talbot, the Director of Antique Books at the town’s library. Shortly after, everyone left, and as Jenna was about to lock the front door, she saw Talbot’s dog, Eddy, race by the door. Keith takes off after Eddy, noticing that he is leaving bloody paw prints. Keith catches Eddy and brings him back to Talbot’s car, where they find Talbot’s body that someone had bludgeoned with the book ends.
Jenna, Rita, and Mason will experience difficulty investigating as Keith has been removed from the case as he had been at the crime scene; his partner, Detective Frank Sutter, will be in charge of the police investigation. Jenna had trouble with Sutter in her uncle’s murder investigation. Jenna had seen at least three angry discussions during the evening. As Jenna and her friends start comparing, they find no shortage of possible suspects. They will be centering their investigation on the candidate for the state legislature, Prescott Bradford, the director of the community library, Douglas March, socialite wannabe and wife of March Selina, and Alice King, an unemployed bookseller.
This book is an excellent follow-up to the first, For Whom The Book Tolls. I found the book to be well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed and believable. I particularly like Jenna and Keith. They work well together with their sleuthing and seem in no hurry to proceed into a relationship.
I’m very looking forward to the next book in this enjoyable series.
Jenna Quinn inherited her uncle’s antiquarian bookstore three months ago and has decided to rename it Twice Upon A Time. She has invited some of her and her uncle’s better customers to her grand reopening celebration. For the celebration, Jenna has called on her friend and neighbor, Rita, her assistant, Mason, and her close friend and detective, Keith, to help with the party.
The last item on the agenda is the awarding of raffle gifts, and the final one is a pair of vintage glass bookends. The winner was Linus Talbot, the Director of Antique Books at the town’s library. Shortly after, everyone left, and as Jenna was about to lock the front door, she saw Talbot’s dog, Eddy, race by the door. Keith takes off after Eddy, noticing that he is leaving bloody paw prints. Keith catches Eddy and brings him back to Talbot’s car, where they find Talbot’s body that someone had bludgeoned with the book ends.
Jenna, Rita, and Mason will experience difficulty investigating as Keith has been removed from the case as he had been at the crime scene; his partner, Detective Frank Sutter, will be in charge of the police investigation. Jenna had trouble with Sutter in her uncle’s murder investigation. Jenna had seen at least three angry discussions during the evening. As Jenna and her friends start comparing, they find no shortage of possible suspects. They will be centering their investigation on the candidate for the state legislature, Prescott Bradford, the director of the community library, Douglas March, socialite wannabe and wife of March Selina, and Alice King, an unemployed bookseller.
This book is an excellent follow-up to the first, For Whom The Book Tolls. I found the book to be well-written and plotted. The characters are well-developed and believable. I particularly like Jenna and Keith. They work well together with their sleuthing and seem in no hurry to proceed into a relationship.
I’m very looking forward to the next book in this enjoyable series.
October 5, 2022
The story was fine, but - just as the first one, I was turned off by the unnecessary comments regarding weight / body size (and how much weight one would gain from eating too much). Also, her "mother's voice in her head" started to get annoying.
August 8, 2021
Jenna still has a few issues but has come a long way since she inherited her uncle’s antique bookstore. A new name, Twice Upon a Time, and a whole new system so Jenna and customers can find the books they are looking for has helped tremendously. But when Jenna holds a grand reopening party and a party goer ends up dead in the parking lot, killed with a bookend that Jenna gave away as a prize, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation once again. Murder by the Bookend is aptly named and with plenty of twists and turns to lead readers to a resolution that will make their heads spin.
It doesn’t take long to figure out who the suspects are, and the weapon of an antique bookend is a great way to kill a book lover. Readers will be stunned to find that figuring out who the killer is, isn’t as easy as it may appear at first. The victim is liked and disliked in equal measures, but no one is sure why. He was kind and helpful to Jenna when she needed a friend and seems to have been a genuinely nice guy. Yet, there are rumors that he was a cold, callous man who only loved his dog and his books. Not a bad combination if you ask me. When the killer is unveiled after some harrowing maneuvers, readers wonder why it took them so long to work it out.
I enjoyed the basis of this addition to the series. Cozy readers are drawn to books, bookstores, libraries, and anything book-related; make the books antiques and throw in some bookends to die for, and you have a lively and entertaining mystery that will make readers happy. There is plenty of growth throughout the story with the characters. The friendships are becoming relatable, and the overall feel of this series is getting to be more fulfilling. My only complaint is that we still haven’t learned enough about Jenna’s past to really get to know her as a person. I hope this gets resolved in the next book. Murder by the Bookend is a cheerful story that readers will savor. I am thrilled with the direction this series is headed and look forward to the next installment.
It doesn’t take long to figure out who the suspects are, and the weapon of an antique bookend is a great way to kill a book lover. Readers will be stunned to find that figuring out who the killer is, isn’t as easy as it may appear at first. The victim is liked and disliked in equal measures, but no one is sure why. He was kind and helpful to Jenna when she needed a friend and seems to have been a genuinely nice guy. Yet, there are rumors that he was a cold, callous man who only loved his dog and his books. Not a bad combination if you ask me. When the killer is unveiled after some harrowing maneuvers, readers wonder why it took them so long to work it out.
I enjoyed the basis of this addition to the series. Cozy readers are drawn to books, bookstores, libraries, and anything book-related; make the books antiques and throw in some bookends to die for, and you have a lively and entertaining mystery that will make readers happy. There is plenty of growth throughout the story with the characters. The friendships are becoming relatable, and the overall feel of this series is getting to be more fulfilling. My only complaint is that we still haven’t learned enough about Jenna’s past to really get to know her as a person. I hope this gets resolved in the next book. Murder by the Bookend is a cheerful story that readers will savor. I am thrilled with the direction this series is headed and look forward to the next installment.
September 9, 2021
It was a pleasure to continue this new cosy mystery series and this second instalment, Murder by the Bookend written by Laura Gail Black certainly lived up to my expectations!
Jenna Quinn, the star of the show, has waved goodbye to her hometown of Charlotte and has inherited her Uncle Paul's bookshop, now called Twice Upon A Time, located in the small town of Hokes Folly, North Carolina. She is preparing for the store's reopening in drizzly November and after the event, a body is found in the parking area, their head caved in by a pair of vintage glass bookends. It's the local library's Director of Antique Books, Linus Talbot...
I thought this was a highly entertaining continuation of the series. I really like Laura Gail Black's wonderful characterisation of Jenna and the author has also built a good cast of others including Jenna's boyfriend, Detective Keith Logan who she met during her sleuthing in book one and Rita Wallace, her next-door neighbour and a supportive close friend. This book was such a fun read and I was on a merry-go-round of doubt as I puzzled over the variety of suspects.
The writing was comfortably and smoothly paced, and the mystery itself was very well executed, with snippets of humour and abundant red herrings to sustain my interest. All in all, Murder by the Bookend is a top-notch instalment and a great read with a cute dog added to the mix. I will certainly be returning to see what Jenna is getting herself into next in the third 'An Antique Bookshop Mystery'. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Jenna Quinn, the star of the show, has waved goodbye to her hometown of Charlotte and has inherited her Uncle Paul's bookshop, now called Twice Upon A Time, located in the small town of Hokes Folly, North Carolina. She is preparing for the store's reopening in drizzly November and after the event, a body is found in the parking area, their head caved in by a pair of vintage glass bookends. It's the local library's Director of Antique Books, Linus Talbot...
I thought this was a highly entertaining continuation of the series. I really like Laura Gail Black's wonderful characterisation of Jenna and the author has also built a good cast of others including Jenna's boyfriend, Detective Keith Logan who she met during her sleuthing in book one and Rita Wallace, her next-door neighbour and a supportive close friend. This book was such a fun read and I was on a merry-go-round of doubt as I puzzled over the variety of suspects.
The writing was comfortably and smoothly paced, and the mystery itself was very well executed, with snippets of humour and abundant red herrings to sustain my interest. All in all, Murder by the Bookend is a top-notch instalment and a great read with a cute dog added to the mix. I will certainly be returning to see what Jenna is getting herself into next in the third 'An Antique Bookshop Mystery'. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 30, 2021
"Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn sleuths again when a pair of glass bookends puts an end to a librarian's life, in this second installment of Laura Gail Black's cozy series.".
First of the bat I have to say WOW! It doesn't happen quickly that I am so drawn into a book that I finish it in 2 days.... It's the second book in this series and I have to say that I did not read the first book (which I am going to do now), but it did not matter for the storyline in this book. There are a few times when there is a reference to events in the first book, but nothing even to really spoil it. So you don't need to read the first one to read this second one.
So as a newbie to this series, I got to know the characters without introduction. I really liked our sleuth Jenna. She's very nice and the ways she wants to help Mason are awesome. That something is blossoming between her and Keith is clear from moment one and you are waiting for it. I also liked the interactions she had with Rita. The librarian that is murdered had a dog and Jenna decides to take him in as a short term solution, but it was so clear that he was going to stay with her. They are so cute together!
I loved the way the mystery was build up. Not too much, not too little and certainly kept me guessing who did it. I went all over the board to figure out it was and I had so many suspects. Also really enjoyed the writing style and that there were a variety of characters but not too many.
I give this one a 5 star as I really enjoyed it and as I said, I finished it in 2 days. Now onwards to get book 1 and read that!
First of the bat I have to say WOW! It doesn't happen quickly that I am so drawn into a book that I finish it in 2 days.... It's the second book in this series and I have to say that I did not read the first book (which I am going to do now), but it did not matter for the storyline in this book. There are a few times when there is a reference to events in the first book, but nothing even to really spoil it. So you don't need to read the first one to read this second one.
So as a newbie to this series, I got to know the characters without introduction. I really liked our sleuth Jenna. She's very nice and the ways she wants to help Mason are awesome. That something is blossoming between her and Keith is clear from moment one and you are waiting for it. I also liked the interactions she had with Rita. The librarian that is murdered had a dog and Jenna decides to take him in as a short term solution, but it was so clear that he was going to stay with her. They are so cute together!
I loved the way the mystery was build up. Not too much, not too little and certainly kept me guessing who did it. I went all over the board to figure out it was and I had so many suspects. Also really enjoyed the writing style and that there were a variety of characters but not too many.
I give this one a 5 star as I really enjoyed it and as I said, I finished it in 2 days. Now onwards to get book 1 and read that!
August 6, 2021
Jenna Quinn is hosting her grand re-opening of the bookstore she inherited after her uncle was murdered when this story begins. She has invited all of his best customers to this event not suspecting that murder would be on the program.
When librarian Linus Talbot is found bludgeoned to death with a bookend he won as a door prize, Jenna and her friends Rita and Mason go on the case to discover the murderer (and keep her bookstore from gaining a reputation as the murder capitol of Hokes Folly.) Besides, Linus has left behind his cute rescue dog Eddy who was with him when he died.
As Jenna investigates, she discovers a politician who had a grudge against Linus who threatened to go to the newspaper about his hypocrisy regarding animal rights, a former employee who had a crush on him but whom he busted for stealing and selling rare books, and a would-be socialite who blamed Linus for lack of wealth and power.
Each of the suspects has what they consider good reasons for wanting Linus dead. But which of them took action?
Jenna is a great character who wants the best for her friends and clients. She is uncertain about her new relationship with Detective Keith Logan but generally happy. She is reluctant at first to add a dog to her life but Eddy wins her over with his charm and personality. However, she also finds herself in lots of danger in this story because the murderer doesn't want anyone in their way.
This is the second book in the series. I like the way Jenna has grown in confidence and the way she has gathered a new circle of friends.
When librarian Linus Talbot is found bludgeoned to death with a bookend he won as a door prize, Jenna and her friends Rita and Mason go on the case to discover the murderer (and keep her bookstore from gaining a reputation as the murder capitol of Hokes Folly.) Besides, Linus has left behind his cute rescue dog Eddy who was with him when he died.
As Jenna investigates, she discovers a politician who had a grudge against Linus who threatened to go to the newspaper about his hypocrisy regarding animal rights, a former employee who had a crush on him but whom he busted for stealing and selling rare books, and a would-be socialite who blamed Linus for lack of wealth and power.
Each of the suspects has what they consider good reasons for wanting Linus dead. But which of them took action?
Jenna is a great character who wants the best for her friends and clients. She is uncertain about her new relationship with Detective Keith Logan but generally happy. She is reluctant at first to add a dog to her life but Eddy wins her over with his charm and personality. However, she also finds herself in lots of danger in this story because the murderer doesn't want anyone in their way.
This is the second book in the series. I like the way Jenna has grown in confidence and the way she has gathered a new circle of friends.
May 19, 2021
This was a solid 3.5 star read for me.
Murder by the Bookend is the second book in Ms. Black's Antique Bookshop Mystery. It is a solid entry in this series and an easy read. Jenna is a likable protagonist and in this installment we find her settling into Hokes Falls as the new owner of her late uncle's bookshop. Having rebranded, Jenna is in the middle of a re-grand opening when one of the guests at the party is found murdered in a parking lot down the block. Jenna is joined by a good cast of secondary characters, including her employee Mason, her best friend Rita, and her love interest and police detective Keith. Jenna is also joined by Eddy, the dog belonging to the deceased, who eventually becomes hers. The one character I do not care for in the series is Detective Sutter. However, based upon this book, it doesn't appear that he will be around much longer.
There are several suspects that stand out with both motive and opportunity. The author does a good job of laying out clues that had me switching between suspects never quite putting my finger on one definitive person. Jenna is not what I would call a reckless sleuth, but she does tend to find herself right in the middle of danger. This time around, she is in the middle of danger, including a good reveal. While the identity of the killer was not a surprise, for me this person was not a foregone conclusion either.
I enjoyed this installment and found this to be an enjoyable entry. I will be continuing with this series to see where the author takes the characters and what they will encounter on their next adventure.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Murder by the Bookend is the second book in Ms. Black's Antique Bookshop Mystery. It is a solid entry in this series and an easy read. Jenna is a likable protagonist and in this installment we find her settling into Hokes Falls as the new owner of her late uncle's bookshop. Having rebranded, Jenna is in the middle of a re-grand opening when one of the guests at the party is found murdered in a parking lot down the block. Jenna is joined by a good cast of secondary characters, including her employee Mason, her best friend Rita, and her love interest and police detective Keith. Jenna is also joined by Eddy, the dog belonging to the deceased, who eventually becomes hers. The one character I do not care for in the series is Detective Sutter. However, based upon this book, it doesn't appear that he will be around much longer.
There are several suspects that stand out with both motive and opportunity. The author does a good job of laying out clues that had me switching between suspects never quite putting my finger on one definitive person. Jenna is not what I would call a reckless sleuth, but she does tend to find herself right in the middle of danger. This time around, she is in the middle of danger, including a good reveal. While the identity of the killer was not a surprise, for me this person was not a foregone conclusion either.
I enjoyed this installment and found this to be an enjoyable entry. I will be continuing with this series to see where the author takes the characters and what they will encounter on their next adventure.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
September 1, 2021
This is a charming mystery series set in a small town in North Carolina. I enjoy the culture and atmospheric setting of this cozy series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
Murder by the Bookends is is the 2nd book in the Antique Bookshop Mystery by Laura Gail Black.
The protagnist Jenn Quinn is celebrating the opening of her business, " Twice Upon a Time Bookstore" in Hokie Folly in North Carolina. She recently moved home after her family member died. She inherited the bookstore and has finished renovations. Jenn is a likable protagnist , smart savvy and independent.
Linus Talbot a librarian is found murdered near the bookstore during the opening. The victims dog was the only witness. Jenna and her friends decide to investigate the murder . The local detective does not seem pro active in the case and Jenna wants to solve the murder both for the victim and to bring closure to the town.
This was a fun read with a well crafted sleuth that kept me guessing. I love the supporting charcters that all add to the series. This is a new cozy series I look forward to returning to .
Murder by the Bookends is is the 2nd book in the Antique Bookshop Mystery by Laura Gail Black.
The protagnist Jenn Quinn is celebrating the opening of her business, " Twice Upon a Time Bookstore" in Hokie Folly in North Carolina. She recently moved home after her family member died. She inherited the bookstore and has finished renovations. Jenn is a likable protagnist , smart savvy and independent.
Linus Talbot a librarian is found murdered near the bookstore during the opening. The victims dog was the only witness. Jenna and her friends decide to investigate the murder . The local detective does not seem pro active in the case and Jenna wants to solve the murder both for the victim and to bring closure to the town.
This was a fun read with a well crafted sleuth that kept me guessing. I love the supporting charcters that all add to the series. This is a new cozy series I look forward to returning to .
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