What do you think?
Rate this book
Starlit Bookshop Mystery #3
Save the Date for Murder
Not yet published
Expected 11 May 27Love—and murder—are in the air in the third installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from Agatha Award–winning author Cynthia Kuhn.
Wedding bells are ringing in the cozy mountain town of Silvercrest, Colorado. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is helping her newly engaged sister Lucy design the day of her dreams. They hope to take inspiration from two local celebrity weddings held during Valentine’s week, until Winnie Claxton, wedding planner extraordinaire, is found dead at the reception of the first ceremony, sending the second into peril.
The bride is a friend of Lucy’s, and at her insistence, Emma agrees to take over the Romeo and Juliet–themed affair. Yet Hannah Fallon and Clay Hartson’s imminent nuptials are not Emma’s only problem. During the week of the celebration, one problem after another threatens to ruin the activities—and even puts the lives of the bridal party at stake.
It soon becomes clear that someone is trying to prevent Hannah and Clay from tying the knot. Searching for answers while dealing with sabotage and keeping events on track is quite a challenge, but Emma vows to solve the case before this love affair ends in tragedy.
Wedding bells are ringing in the cozy mountain town of Silvercrest, Colorado. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is helping her newly engaged sister Lucy design the day of her dreams. They hope to take inspiration from two local celebrity weddings held during Valentine’s week, until Winnie Claxton, wedding planner extraordinaire, is found dead at the reception of the first ceremony, sending the second into peril.
The bride is a friend of Lucy’s, and at her insistence, Emma agrees to take over the Romeo and Juliet–themed affair. Yet Hannah Fallon and Clay Hartson’s imminent nuptials are not Emma’s only problem. During the week of the celebration, one problem after another threatens to ruin the activities—and even puts the lives of the bridal party at stake.
It soon becomes clear that someone is trying to prevent Hannah and Clay from tying the knot. Searching for answers while dealing with sabotage and keeping events on track is quite a challenge, but Emma vows to solve the case before this love affair ends in tragedy.
- GenresMystery
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 11, 2027
About the author
Cynthia Kuhn
12 books500 followersCynthia Kuhn writes the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries and Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Literary Mama, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Save the Date for Murder by Cynthia Kuhn
Save the Date for Murder was a lovely and interesting addition to the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries. One thing I realised while reading this book is that I would probably enjoy and understand the characters even more if I read the earlier books in the series, as there's clearly more to their stories and relationships.
I really liked the pacing of this book. It wasn't rushed, and the author allowed the mystery to unfold at its own pace. I particularly appreciated how Emma approached the investigation. She wasn't deliberately running around looking for clues; instead, she tried to find answers subtly while managing everything happening around her. It made her investigation feel quite natural.
The wedding preparations, unexpected complications and growing danger kept things interesting. I also loved how the climax unfolded, especially the unexpected revelations about certain characters and the villains behind everything. It was satisfying to see how the different pieces came together.
And now, I really hope Emma and Jake finally go on that date in the next instalment! Their story deserves a little progress too. After all, love can be dangerous, especially when murder seems to follow wherever you go!
Overall, this was an enjoyable, well-paced cozy mystery with interesting characters, unexpected revelations and a satisfying conclusion. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next in Silvercrest.
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Save the Date for Murder was a lovely and interesting addition to the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries. One thing I realised while reading this book is that I would probably enjoy and understand the characters even more if I read the earlier books in the series, as there's clearly more to their stories and relationships.
I really liked the pacing of this book. It wasn't rushed, and the author allowed the mystery to unfold at its own pace. I particularly appreciated how Emma approached the investigation. She wasn't deliberately running around looking for clues; instead, she tried to find answers subtly while managing everything happening around her. It made her investigation feel quite natural.
The wedding preparations, unexpected complications and growing danger kept things interesting. I also loved how the climax unfolded, especially the unexpected revelations about certain characters and the villains behind everything. It was satisfying to see how the different pieces came together.
And now, I really hope Emma and Jake finally go on that date in the next instalment! Their story deserves a little progress too. After all, love can be dangerous, especially when murder seems to follow wherever you go!
Overall, this was an enjoyable, well-paced cozy mystery with interesting characters, unexpected revelations and a satisfying conclusion. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next in Silvercrest.
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had enjoyed the first book in this Colorado-set cozy mystery series so was excited to read the second. Bookshop owners and sisters Emma and Lucy are back for this wedding-focused mystery, driven by the death of a wedding planner and then a number of other mysterious happenings that all seemed designed to stop a local celebrity wedding. Emma’s sleuthing skills prove key again as she sorts out bad behavior on several sides while trying to also help Lucy plan her own wedding. All is resolved in the end, almost a little too neatly, but the characters and setting remain real draws for the series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A charming Colorado mountain town, a bookstore, wedding preparations, and an unexpected murder? This sounds like such a fun setup for a cozy mystery.
Save the Date for Murder follows bookseller and event planner Emma Starrs as she becomes involved in a wedding celebration that takes a dangerous turn.
I especially like the combination of a literary setting and wedding festivities, with plenty of opportunities for secrets, suspicious behavior, and unexpected discoveries.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Emma balances solving a mystery with keeping the wedding celebrations from falling apart.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Save the Date for Murder follows bookseller and event planner Emma Starrs as she becomes involved in a wedding celebration that takes a dangerous turn.
I especially like the combination of a literary setting and wedding festivities, with plenty of opportunities for secrets, suspicious behavior, and unexpected discoveries.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Emma balances solving a mystery with keeping the wedding celebrations from falling apart.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would recommend reading the previous books in the series before picking this one up. As a newcomer, I found myself a little lost with the sudden introduction of so many characters, and it took me some time to keep track of everyone.
However, the wedding with a Knights of the Round Table theme sounds absolutely fascinating! I especially enjoyed this setting while reading during October. It gives the story a fun, atmospheric feel that makes it a fitting read for the spooky season.
Overall, an interesting mystery with a very intriguing wedding theme. I would probably have enjoyed it even more if I had been familiar with the series beforehand.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
However, the wedding with a Knights of the Round Table theme sounds absolutely fascinating! I especially enjoyed this setting while reading during October. It gives the story a fun, atmospheric feel that makes it a fitting read for the spooky season.
Overall, an interesting mystery with a very intriguing wedding theme. I would probably have enjoyed it even more if I had been familiar with the series beforehand.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
October 19, 2026This is another fast paced cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Emma is helping her sister Lucy plan her ideal wedding. They hope to get ideas from wedding planner extraordinaire Winnie Claxton, who is planning to celebrity weddings back to back.
When one of the brides realizes her idea was used in the previous wedding, she falls apart, and not long after, Winnie is found dead.
Now it's up to Emma and Lucy to put the clues together, neither of them believing a friend could commit such a crime.
Emma is helping her sister Lucy plan her ideal wedding. They hope to get ideas from wedding planner extraordinaire Winnie Claxton, who is planning to celebrity weddings back to back.
When one of the brides realizes her idea was used in the previous wedding, she falls apart, and not long after, Winnie is found dead.
Now it's up to Emma and Lucy to put the clues together, neither of them believing a friend could commit such a crime.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Super cute cozy Colorado mystery. She’s a wedding designer and now has to solve a crime with her friend! What a fun read figure out if they solve it in time. Must read if you like a clean cozy mystery.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews