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Booktown Mystery #5
Sentenced to Death
As the owner of Stoneham, New Hampshire's mystery bookstore Haven't Got a Clue, Tricia Miles can figure out whodunit in the latest bestseller long before she gets to the last page.
On Founder's Day in Stoneham, the whole village has turned out to celebrate in the square, including Tricia's friend and festivities organizer Deborah Black. As everyone watches Deborah give the opening speech, a small aircraft crashes into the village gazebo, killing both Deborah and the pilot. While the Sheriff's Department is convinced that it was an accident, Tricia has a feeling that there's more to the story. And when she reads between the lines of the case, what she finds is worse than the most sinister whodunit...
On Founder's Day in Stoneham, the whole village has turned out to celebrate in the square, including Tricia's friend and festivities organizer Deborah Black. As everyone watches Deborah give the opening speech, a small aircraft crashes into the village gazebo, killing both Deborah and the pilot. While the Sheriff's Department is convinced that it was an accident, Tricia has a feeling that there's more to the story. And when she reads between the lines of the case, what she finds is worse than the most sinister whodunit...
327 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 7, 2011
265 people are currently reading
2502 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Barrett
22 books1,788 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorna Barrett’s name on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the links to all her works here: http://www.lornabarrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
February 27, 2022
I must say... the characters in the Booktown Mysteries written by Lorna Barrett are really growing on me. With #5, Sentenced to Death, another bookstore owner bites the dust... leaving us fans worrying what might happen to our heroine, Tricia, and her sister, Ange. A small aircraft is displaying a sign above the village for a Founders' Day celebration that fellow bookstore owner, Deborah Black, is organizing with Bob, the head of the villager store owners. When the plane crashes, Deborah's life is stolen away, and her husband and her mother are left picking up the pieces.
Great kickoff to the book - all the drama happens in chapter one before we get to know the backstory. It really pulls you in, and as we interact with the series regulars in the next few days, it feels like things are back to 'normal,' except there's one less bookseller. We soon find out that her marriage was falling apart, her mother was a bit controlling, and the pilot had some issues too. Toss in the new real estate developer who's been around the last few books (not that we've met her), and there's a giant shadow lingering over Stoneham. What could be going on?
Enjoyed the mystery. Too easy to solve this time... meaning not enough suspects. When there were only 3 possible ones, it became too obvious. But the path to get there was strong, and I love the side stories more than the main mysteries in these books lately. I'll definitely keep reading them as they give you that special warm-and-cozy feeling, especially since I read this installment during a day when we had a blizzard here in NY, all the way up to New Hampshire where the series takes place!
Great kickoff to the book - all the drama happens in chapter one before we get to know the backstory. It really pulls you in, and as we interact with the series regulars in the next few days, it feels like things are back to 'normal,' except there's one less bookseller. We soon find out that her marriage was falling apart, her mother was a bit controlling, and the pilot had some issues too. Toss in the new real estate developer who's been around the last few books (not that we've met her), and there's a giant shadow lingering over Stoneham. What could be going on?
Enjoyed the mystery. Too easy to solve this time... meaning not enough suspects. When there were only 3 possible ones, it became too obvious. But the path to get there was strong, and I love the side stories more than the main mysteries in these books lately. I'll definitely keep reading them as they give you that special warm-and-cozy feeling, especially since I read this installment during a day when we had a blizzard here in NY, all the way up to New Hampshire where the series takes place!
December 18, 2017
4 stelle e mezza
Un'altra buona addizione a una serie che mi sta conquistando sempre di più. Confesso che vorrei dirigere una libreria dedicata ai gialli come fa la protagonista...
Un'altra buona addizione a una serie che mi sta conquistando sempre di più. Confesso che vorrei dirigere una libreria dedicata ai gialli come fa la protagonista...
July 18, 2011
Bookstore owner Tricia Miles is devastated when a close friend is killed in an accident. Well, the police say it was an accident, but Tricia isn’t convinced – the more she learns about her friend’s life the more she is convinced it was murder. While Tricia is investigating the murder, things are changing around her and she begins to wonder if it is time that she too makes some changes.
“Sentenced to Death” is the well done fifth book in Lorna Barrett’s “Booktown Mystery” cozy mystery series – a series that gets better with every book. Barrett has created a wonderfully complex heroine in Tricia Miles – a character I at times sympathize with and at other times dislike. Tricia seems to be at a crossroads in her life and she is a very believable character – flawed yet a good friend to those she cares about. She is understandably upset by the death of her friend and it is nice that she does what she can to solve the case but at times she is blunt and not very tactful, even unlikable when questioning people she thinks may have had something to do with the death. Her relationship with her sister Angelica is also complex – it has grown throughout the series and I'm glad to see the two grow closer in each book. Tricia’s love life is a tangled one and it doesn’t look like it is going to be untangled soon. Barrett has created a wonderful setting in Stoneham, New Hampshire and the characters grow in each book. I’ve come to care for the characters and what happens to them, especially Ginny who seems to continue to have poor taste in boyfriends. The mystery aspects are well done and the murder weapon is certainly a unique one! The mystery has plenty of twists and turns and surprises and while there aren’t a lot of suspects, I still didn’t figure out who the killer was. Besides the murder mystery there is another mystery throughout the course of this series – who is the mysterious Nigela Ricita who is buying up so much of Stoneham? I have some ideas and can’t wait to find out if my suspicions are correct!
“Sentenced to Death” is another well done cozy mystery by Lorna Barrett.
“Sentenced to Death” is the well done fifth book in Lorna Barrett’s “Booktown Mystery” cozy mystery series – a series that gets better with every book. Barrett has created a wonderfully complex heroine in Tricia Miles – a character I at times sympathize with and at other times dislike. Tricia seems to be at a crossroads in her life and she is a very believable character – flawed yet a good friend to those she cares about. She is understandably upset by the death of her friend and it is nice that she does what she can to solve the case but at times she is blunt and not very tactful, even unlikable when questioning people she thinks may have had something to do with the death. Her relationship with her sister Angelica is also complex – it has grown throughout the series and I'm glad to see the two grow closer in each book. Tricia’s love life is a tangled one and it doesn’t look like it is going to be untangled soon. Barrett has created a wonderful setting in Stoneham, New Hampshire and the characters grow in each book. I’ve come to care for the characters and what happens to them, especially Ginny who seems to continue to have poor taste in boyfriends. The mystery aspects are well done and the murder weapon is certainly a unique one! The mystery has plenty of twists and turns and surprises and while there aren’t a lot of suspects, I still didn’t figure out who the killer was. Besides the murder mystery there is another mystery throughout the course of this series – who is the mysterious Nigela Ricita who is buying up so much of Stoneham? I have some ideas and can’t wait to find out if my suspicions are correct!
“Sentenced to Death” is another well done cozy mystery by Lorna Barrett.
July 29, 2014
I love a light hearted mystery and wrongly assumed this would be one. To begin with she killed a character in a completely ridiculous manner, and threw in an early introduction to the victim's 2 year old son. The reasoning seemed to be that the lead in this story was best friends with the victim something that never translated. If we are to believe this woman watched her best friend die I would expect more grieving. As someone who did lose their best friend while I am aware that everyone grieves differently this book seemed to overlook grieving all together. She didn't seem to even experience the shock anyone would have been in. It felt like the author took on a topic far beyond what she was capable of articulating. Plus killing of a character with a young child in my mind requires a lot more compassion and depth which we never felt.
All that aside I had no clue who the characters were most of the time. They seemed really similar to me.
Finally, I never finished the book which is a first for me. Ever. I just found it dull and confusing, and perhaps it hit close to home with the death a woman with a young child but I have to believe the author has never lost someone close to her or else simply failed to draw on that experience. It was really disappointing. I only made it a third of the way through.
All that aside I had no clue who the characters were most of the time. They seemed really similar to me.
Finally, I never finished the book which is a first for me. Ever. I just found it dull and confusing, and perhaps it hit close to home with the death a woman with a young child but I have to believe the author has never lost someone close to her or else simply failed to draw on that experience. It was really disappointing. I only made it a third of the way through.
March 13, 2016
This has to be the oddest mystery I have ever read before. A plane crashes in the middle of the town square, a town square filled with people and kills only one person. Crazier still it was murder and the intended victim was not the pilot but the person on the ground. It made little sense to me how that would work and how no one else was even injured. The plane ran out of gas and so there was no fire but still things fly off planes and buildings in accidents. So with that implausible set up Tricia guessed it was murder, how is beyond me, and proceeds to stick her nose in and badger the rest of the town in the process. Added to the mix are Ginny leaving to manage her own shop, which smacks of nepotism as her boyfriend is technically her boss and Mr. Everett thinking he can disguise himself with a moustache. Then there was poor Deborah who went from being a nice decent character to a liar, cheater and possibly a thief, Tricia's constant brooding thoughts about lack of romance and it was a typical Booktown mystery. However I did like that Tricia is lightening up a bit, eating cupcakes and saying "whatever" but then she blew it by whining about gaining a few pounds and that was over. But still it's a quick easy read and there are enough loose ends to keep me interested in what the next book will bring.
January 23, 2020
So I started this series a little while back and have grown to really hate the main character Trish. And I never liked her sister, who is the second main character. Not winning here....
I don't have any sympathy for Trish, I think she is a self-absorbed, small minded, passive aggressive, bitch to say it lightly. I started the sixth book because I'm interested in the characters. At this point I can't stand her character so much that I'm going to get through this whole series just so I can see her self-pitying failures, and laugh.
In this particular book I was actually surprised that she didn't find the body, which is usually the case. Although she is ALWAYS the suspect. And the manner of the death was different, which was pleasantly shocking for a cozy.
Author- your character is completely lacking in any sort of redeemable qualities.
Main character- Since you're so "filthy rich" maybe you should just provide the funds for the people that are left behind instead of going around town and trying to get the struggling book owners to give you money, and then complain behind their backs that they're not giving enough. This kind of pettiness is ongoing and constant.
At this stage in this particular story, Trish is having an ongoing pity party, and it's hysterical. I'd be shocked if anyone would have an ounce of sympathy.
I don't have any sympathy for Trish, I think she is a self-absorbed, small minded, passive aggressive, bitch to say it lightly. I started the sixth book because I'm interested in the characters. At this point I can't stand her character so much that I'm going to get through this whole series just so I can see her self-pitying failures, and laugh.
In this particular book I was actually surprised that she didn't find the body, which is usually the case. Although she is ALWAYS the suspect. And the manner of the death was different, which was pleasantly shocking for a cozy.
Author- your character is completely lacking in any sort of redeemable qualities.
Main character- Since you're so "filthy rich" maybe you should just provide the funds for the people that are left behind instead of going around town and trying to get the struggling book owners to give you money, and then complain behind their backs that they're not giving enough. This kind of pettiness is ongoing and constant.
At this stage in this particular story, Trish is having an ongoing pity party, and it's hysterical. I'd be shocked if anyone would have an ounce of sympathy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2011
Up until this book I really have enjoyed the series as as whole. I can't figure out the "who dun it" until the end. This one,while still a good mystery, was a little too farfetched for me as a murder. A plane crash that only kills the intended victim and the pilot with no others injured or killed? I mean really! And this mysterious carry over from book 4 had better be addressed soon, or I am going to lose interest. As for Bob, I royally hope he gets whats coming to him. Angelica,the sister is still not endearing herself to me by now I and I think she either needs to be rewritten or written out!
September 5, 2012
Coming off a Vachss ride into the depths of despair of the human race, I needed some little ‘cozy mystery’ to get lost in. Cozy mystery is my definition of a 'no brainer' which I’m sure many cozy mystery fans would emphatically object to.
Trish, owner of the mystery bookstore “Haven’t Got a Clue” in Stoneham, New Hampshire, solves another mystery she’s not supposed to get or be involved in.
And her romance life which is important to her is picking up finally with an officer of the court, a cop, surprise, surprise; all the easier to get the crime gossip/facts for Trish and straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.
Well, I wanted a light read and I got it here, so no complaining from me. Fast and easy; and guys, not to bother. Not to your liking, pretty positive and telling you upfront. You would get more reading a children’s book and in fact, think pre-teens girls would enjoy these simple reads.
Think I'm through with this series, just too boring for my likes.
+++++++++++++
(Cozy mystery defined: A subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.)
Note 1: Charlaine Harris wrote many cozy mysteries which is where I discovered the genre. Harris is the creator of the Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood series. Miss her cozy mystery characters but Harris is making a mint, I’m sure, on Sookie series so why bother with Aurora (Roe) Teagarden who at least had an interesting sex life?
Note 2: First page of reviews: Out of 30 reviews, six were one or two stars; 11, five stars, remaining mostly four stars with a couple of three stars. All but one (a man) posted by women and one, not sure of gender. That in itself says something.
Trish, owner of the mystery bookstore “Haven’t Got a Clue” in Stoneham, New Hampshire, solves another mystery she’s not supposed to get or be involved in.
And her romance life which is important to her is picking up finally with an officer of the court, a cop, surprise, surprise; all the easier to get the crime gossip/facts for Trish and straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.
Well, I wanted a light read and I got it here, so no complaining from me. Fast and easy; and guys, not to bother. Not to your liking, pretty positive and telling you upfront. You would get more reading a children’s book and in fact, think pre-teens girls would enjoy these simple reads.
Think I'm through with this series, just too boring for my likes.
+++++++++++++
(Cozy mystery defined: A subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.)
Note 1: Charlaine Harris wrote many cozy mysteries which is where I discovered the genre. Harris is the creator of the Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood series. Miss her cozy mystery characters but Harris is making a mint, I’m sure, on Sookie series so why bother with Aurora (Roe) Teagarden who at least had an interesting sex life?
Note 2: First page of reviews: Out of 30 reviews, six were one or two stars; 11, five stars, remaining mostly four stars with a couple of three stars. All but one (a man) posted by women and one, not sure of gender. That in itself says something.
June 5, 2011
Sentenced is the 5th book in the "A Booktown Mystery" series. I'm a mystery reader that enjoys being told a story that's not cumbersome to read and has a nice mix of mystery, humor and enjoyable characters. This book and series has all of them.
It is the Founder's Day weekend in Stoneham and a big celebration has been planned. As Deborah Black owner of The Home Domestic shop, is ready to begin the activities as soon as a private aircraft pulling a banner leaves the area. On it's last pass it's engine sputters and crashes into the gazebo where Deborah is standing, killing her. Since an aircraft is involved, the NTSB is in charge of the accident, and there main concern is what caused the plane to crash, not if it wasn't an accident. Then Deborah husband quickly sells The Home Domestic shop, lock stock and barrel to a company that is starting to invest in the Stoneham area. Tricia starts to ask question and finds the Deborah has a dark secret that point to her husband having planned this horrible event. Tricia soon discovers that some inventory is missing from the store and possibly it was someone else. Add to this turmoil, Tricia learns that Grant, a member of the sheriffs department will be retiring and possibly moving away. Tricia was hoping that they could be taking a friendship to the next level.
Stop by Stoneham and see what is happening with Tricia sister, Angelica, and the latest news from Ginny, Tricia's employee. And of course Mr Everett is around too.
It is the Founder's Day weekend in Stoneham and a big celebration has been planned. As Deborah Black owner of The Home Domestic shop, is ready to begin the activities as soon as a private aircraft pulling a banner leaves the area. On it's last pass it's engine sputters and crashes into the gazebo where Deborah is standing, killing her. Since an aircraft is involved, the NTSB is in charge of the accident, and there main concern is what caused the plane to crash, not if it wasn't an accident. Then Deborah husband quickly sells The Home Domestic shop, lock stock and barrel to a company that is starting to invest in the Stoneham area. Tricia starts to ask question and finds the Deborah has a dark secret that point to her husband having planned this horrible event. Tricia soon discovers that some inventory is missing from the store and possibly it was someone else. Add to this turmoil, Tricia learns that Grant, a member of the sheriffs department will be retiring and possibly moving away. Tricia was hoping that they could be taking a friendship to the next level.
Stop by Stoneham and see what is happening with Tricia sister, Angelica, and the latest news from Ginny, Tricia's employee. And of course Mr Everett is around too.
August 24, 2019
Not sure where to start. Apparently the book takes place in some legal limbo. One of the victim’s husband sells her store the day after she dies and the sale is finalized within 3 days with no inheritance proceedings. Similar scenarios happen throughout the book. The main character upon finding a dead body visits her sister and they first discuss what they are going to eat before she tells her sister that she found a dead body (the reason she came there). Most characters just behave like no human behaves. It is completely mesmerizing and total waste of your time at the same time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2021
This series seems to be going dowhill for me. An OK read, though I'm not warming to the characters.
January 19, 2023
The characters of Booktown are growing on me. Another shop owner is killed and Tricia and her sister super sleuth to figure out why. The early to mid part of the book are good with the mystery and keeps the story moving along and thus my interest. The last part the author makes Tricia seem dense all of a sudden to hurry the story along and the mystery is solved kind of out of the blue. There is a A and B story line for character development although each could stand on their own.
The narrator is consistent in the installments and clocks in at 8+ hours.
The narrator is consistent in the installments and clocks in at 8+ hours.
August 3, 2023
These books keep getting better. I am loving the relationship that the sisters are rebuilding between them both. The author has a great writing talent. And the main characters are all likable. But the endings need work. They feel rushed and anticlimactic. Hope the next book is better.
June 5, 2019
Book #5 in series. I feel I have given this series a good effort. I really enjoyed the first two books. The rest have not been nearly as good. Great idea for a series, but it just has not held my interest as I had hoped. I will not continue on. 3 stars
May 13, 2016
All I can say is it's wonderful to find an author you can rely on.
Characters grown with situations. Relationships grow with amateur sleuthing. AS usual Lorna gave me believable characters that interacted with each on a level that was realistic and not overblown. This is a favorite series of mine and thankfully this author has not written herself into a corner. Situations leave openings for further development. A REAL COZY.
Characters: Tricia Miles-owner of Stoneham, New Hampshire's Haven't Got A Clue mystery bookstore.
Angelica -owner of Booked for Lunch (sister of Tricia)
Ginny-Tricia'
s right hand person at the bookshop.
Mr. Everett-Retired Part time worker at Tricia's bookshop.
Deborah Black - owner of the Happy Domestic
Elizabeth Crane- Deborah's mother
The story begins with the first murder(?) and so our amateur sleuth, Tricia, takes it upon herself to find the murderer of her dear friend. But...how much of her friend does she really know? The victim's family situation also begins to unravel as curtains are lifted on reality in the old homestead.
And what about the dynamics at the bookshop? What's changing there? Who's leaving and who's coming in? How will these changes effect the bookshop and Tricia's life?
Tricia's love life...does she have a love life she can count on? Is Captain Baker part of her future? What is going on with her former husband, Christopher?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it did more than hold my interest. I became engrossed in the story plot and the characters.
Characters grown with situations. Relationships grow with amateur sleuthing. AS usual Lorna gave me believable characters that interacted with each on a level that was realistic and not overblown. This is a favorite series of mine and thankfully this author has not written herself into a corner. Situations leave openings for further development. A REAL COZY.
Characters: Tricia Miles-owner of Stoneham, New Hampshire's Haven't Got A Clue mystery bookstore.
Angelica -owner of Booked for Lunch (sister of Tricia)
Ginny-Tricia'
s right hand person at the bookshop.
Mr. Everett-Retired Part time worker at Tricia's bookshop.
Deborah Black - owner of the Happy Domestic
Elizabeth Crane- Deborah's mother
The story begins with the first murder(?) and so our amateur sleuth, Tricia, takes it upon herself to find the murderer of her dear friend. But...how much of her friend does she really know? The victim's family situation also begins to unravel as curtains are lifted on reality in the old homestead.
And what about the dynamics at the bookshop? What's changing there? Who's leaving and who's coming in? How will these changes effect the bookshop and Tricia's life?
Tricia's love life...does she have a love life she can count on? Is Captain Baker part of her future? What is going on with her former husband, Christopher?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it did more than hold my interest. I became engrossed in the story plot and the characters.
November 13, 2011
Bookstore owner Tricia Miles isn’t convinced that her friend Deborah’s death was an accident. During the Founder’s Day celebration, a small private aircraft dove into the gazebo where Deborah was giving a speech and killed her. The pilot died too, and Tricia is surprised when she learns more about him. His death might not have been unanticipated. But who’d have wanted Deborah out of the way? Was she targeted, or was her death an accident as the police believe? One definite suspect is her husband, who promptly sells her shop. Isn’t it awfully convenient that his wife is out of the way? Who else stands something to gain by these circumstances? As Tricia seeks the truth, she learns secrets that may put her own life in danger. Sentenced to Death is another delightful addition to Lorna Barrett’s Booktown mystery series.
November 25, 2021
Audiobook
Convoluted and again, I feel like the author every so often just decides... eh I'm done with this character, how do I get rid of them? Deborah was not a good choice. She served well in the best friend role and kept Tricia from being too hooked solely to Angelica. I did enjoy Michelle and David Black (as he was allowed to be complex) but the rest of the characters were so-so. I don't think they needed to kill the wife but I get they wanted a reason for Angelica to take the dog. I never did understand why the pilot agreed to kill Deborah as well as himself OR why he would have agreed to give the money back to the niece he agreed to do it with. Himself I get- the insurance payout I get- the other made no sense. Maybe I missed something while listening?
Convoluted and again, I feel like the author every so often just decides... eh I'm done with this character, how do I get rid of them? Deborah was not a good choice. She served well in the best friend role and kept Tricia from being too hooked solely to Angelica. I did enjoy Michelle and David Black (as he was allowed to be complex) but the rest of the characters were so-so. I don't think they needed to kill the wife but I get they wanted a reason for Angelica to take the dog. I never did understand why the pilot agreed to kill Deborah as well as himself OR why he would have agreed to give the money back to the niece he agreed to do it with. Himself I get- the insurance payout I get- the other made no sense. Maybe I missed something while listening?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2012
I don't like this series....well, really I don't like Tricia. I think she's pretty much a bitch and can't for the life of me see why everyone loves her. I have credits to burn off at PBS, so got this one from there. I've been carrying it in my purse and it's taken me over a month to read, BUT I did finish it. My credits should be gone long before the next in this series comes out, so I won't be reading any more. A shame, because Lorna Barrett comes across as a really nice person....I just can't stand her heroine.
December 12, 2018
I really enjoy reading this series because I love the characters and the mysteries are always interesting, not to mention that it's focus is around books and food which I'm always keen on. I felt like I didn't enjoy this one as much as previous books in the series but it was definitely one that I enjoyed reading. I even managed to guess part of the mystery which was exciting.
February 10, 2017
I pretty much disliked this book from implausible beginning to the ridiculous ending. Even setting the plot aside, I still would have disliked this book because of the cavalier and cartoonish attitude of the main character toward death and suffering.
March 5, 2019
Hadn't read anything from this series before -it's alright and it does have a good cat (Miss Marple). The town is celebrating Founder's Day and everyone has gathered around the stone gazebo/bandstand for the opening speech when the plane that was hired to tow an advertising banner over the town crashes into the gazebo, killing both the pilot and the event organiser.
It looks like an accident but is it? All the book store owners in this bookstore centred town become involved in rooting out the truth.
I liked the store names (Haven't Got a Clue is particularly good) and the various owners are definitely real people and identifiable but as with any atypical setting things get stretched a bit far. The cookbook writer who has a cafe only open for lunch (but there seems to be a catering arm as well) is a stretch in uncertain economic times and there doesn't seem to be a general purpose bookstore where you could buy general fiction/westerns/non-fiction of any kind. I thought the solution to the mystery was a bit weak.
It looks like an accident but is it? All the book store owners in this bookstore centred town become involved in rooting out the truth.
I liked the store names (Haven't Got a Clue is particularly good) and the various owners are definitely real people and identifiable but as with any atypical setting things get stretched a bit far. The cookbook writer who has a cafe only open for lunch (but there seems to be a catering arm as well) is a stretch in uncertain economic times and there doesn't seem to be a general purpose bookstore where you could buy general fiction/westerns/non-fiction of any kind. I thought the solution to the mystery was a bit weak.
July 12, 2020
The fifth book in the Booktown Mystery series by Lorna Barrett. Tricia lives a small town and runs a mystery bookstore. The town has several specialty book shops that bring in visitors to the town. Tricia is also an amateur sleuth when it comes to local crimes. In this book, a plane crashes and kills a local woman. Tricia suspects the crash wasn't an accident. An entertaining cozy mystery. Light and charming.
February 25, 2021
Tricia is running her bookstore and upset about losing her best worker. They go to a founder’s day festival and while the organizer givers her speech the plane pulling a banner runs out of fuel and crashes into the gazebo and kills her. Tricia thinks it could be murder and gets busy trying to solve it.
February 17, 2024
Dropped back to pick up an earlier title in this series. It was fun meeting the characters I already knew, and thinking "I know what's going to happen to you!" Enjoying the books and recipes in this series.
August 24, 2025
Plenty of scandal and accidental death, or is it murder?
December 18, 2016
What more can one say about a cozy mystery that starts with the victim being killed when a small plane comes down and crashes into a gazebo in the town square while she is given a speech. Stoneham, NH, which has molded itself into a tourist destination by the establishment of a group of used and rare book stores and businesses nearby that have adopted a book theme. Tricia Miles, the owner of Haven't Got a Clue (a mystery book shop) finds herself thrown into the center of another mystery when the town is having it's first Founder's Day celebration. Her friend Deborah, who owns a home goods and decor and crafts shop, is one of the organizers. To celebrate, Bob Kelly, the head of the local business association has arranged for a small plane to fly around the area, trailing a banner announcing Founder's Day.
Things quickly go horribly wrong when the plane seems to sputter and come down. At the time, Deborah is giving a welcome speech in the gazebo to the attendees of the event. Both the pilot and Deborah find themselves instantly dead. At first, it would seem like a simple accident, but Tricia quickly starts to learn some details about Deborah that indicate that she might have no shortage of enemies. Perhaps Deborah was not the nice woman and friend Tricia always thought she was. The town starts to see a rise in other crimes, including further murders, as Tricia gets closer and closer to figuring out who might have been driving it all.
As all of this is happening Tricia is also dealing with a couple of other things. First, her longtime assistant Ginny has been hired to be the manager of one of the other shops. It is a major loss as the two are such close friends, and Tricia had started to take Ginny on as a mentee. Secondly, Tricia receives another surprising gift from her ex-husband, adding some confusion to her already muddled romantic life.
As all of this is going on, Tricia's sister Angelica is still managing to run her little cafe, a cookbook store, and work on her second cookbook. She is just as fun as a side character as she always is.
This really is an example of the best that this series can be. It is a classic cozy with interesting recurring characters and even guest characters for just this volume. I always look forward to visiting Stoneham, or Booktown, when another volume is the next book in my pile. Can't wait for the next one!
Things quickly go horribly wrong when the plane seems to sputter and come down. At the time, Deborah is giving a welcome speech in the gazebo to the attendees of the event. Both the pilot and Deborah find themselves instantly dead. At first, it would seem like a simple accident, but Tricia quickly starts to learn some details about Deborah that indicate that she might have no shortage of enemies. Perhaps Deborah was not the nice woman and friend Tricia always thought she was. The town starts to see a rise in other crimes, including further murders, as Tricia gets closer and closer to figuring out who might have been driving it all.
As all of this is happening Tricia is also dealing with a couple of other things. First, her longtime assistant Ginny has been hired to be the manager of one of the other shops. It is a major loss as the two are such close friends, and Tricia had started to take Ginny on as a mentee. Secondly, Tricia receives another surprising gift from her ex-husband, adding some confusion to her already muddled romantic life.
As all of this is going on, Tricia's sister Angelica is still managing to run her little cafe, a cookbook store, and work on her second cookbook. She is just as fun as a side character as she always is.
This really is an example of the best that this series can be. It is a classic cozy with interesting recurring characters and even guest characters for just this volume. I always look forward to visiting Stoneham, or Booktown, when another volume is the next book in my pile. Can't wait for the next one!
February 15, 2013
This was another well-done mystery in the Booktown series. Tricia Miles continues to grow as a character, as do the others in the small town of Stoneham. Tricia is not always a nice person or the most tactful when questioning people during her sleuthing, but I think that's what makes her so relatable. She has human flaws and less than desirable attributes at times and isn't some perfect super woman solving mysteries right and left. The relationship between her and her sister, Angelica, is complex, complicated and, at times, funny and heartwarming. I still like Ange and think that Tricia's unkind thoughts of her are sometimes unwarranted and exaggerated.
The book started off with a bang...literally. A small plane trailing a banner for the Founder's Day celebrations crashed into the town square gazebo where Tricia's friend, Deborah Black, was about to give the welcoming speech for the festivities. Deborah and the pilot were both killed instantly in what at first looked like a tragic accident. But, Tricia's suspicions were aroused and she set out to investigate what really happened. Unfortunately, she turned up some rather nasty secrets about Deborah that had her wondering just how well she really knew her friend. David Black, Deborah's husband, was a class-A jerk and I found myself disliking him immensely.
Tricia's love life, or lack thereof, left her feeling a little out-of-sorts and depressed and questioning the direction her life was going in. Expensive gifts from her ex-husband only added to her confusion and uncertainty. I sincerely hope she isn't thinking of get back together with Christopher because he, too, seems like a moron and a jerk! But, things may be looking up with Captain Baker in the future, so we'll see what happens on that front.
I had no inkling of the murderer in this one and that's a good thing. Ms. Barrett did a fine job of keeping me in suspense until the end.
No car chase involving Tricia and Angelica in this story, but there was an incident with a hit-and-run driver. And, the usual mass get-to-gether in Haven't Got a Clue at the end did take place again. It's becoming a little bit tedious but not so much so that it takes away from my enjoyment of this series.
The book started off with a bang...literally. A small plane trailing a banner for the Founder's Day celebrations crashed into the town square gazebo where Tricia's friend, Deborah Black, was about to give the welcoming speech for the festivities. Deborah and the pilot were both killed instantly in what at first looked like a tragic accident. But, Tricia's suspicions were aroused and she set out to investigate what really happened. Unfortunately, she turned up some rather nasty secrets about Deborah that had her wondering just how well she really knew her friend. David Black, Deborah's husband, was a class-A jerk and I found myself disliking him immensely.
Tricia's love life, or lack thereof, left her feeling a little out-of-sorts and depressed and questioning the direction her life was going in. Expensive gifts from her ex-husband only added to her confusion and uncertainty. I sincerely hope she isn't thinking of get back together with Christopher because he, too, seems like a moron and a jerk! But, things may be looking up with Captain Baker in the future, so we'll see what happens on that front.
I had no inkling of the murderer in this one and that's a good thing. Ms. Barrett did a fine job of keeping me in suspense until the end.
No car chase involving Tricia and Angelica in this story, but there was an incident with a hit-and-run driver. And, the usual mass get-to-gether in Haven't Got a Clue at the end did take place again. It's becoming a little bit tedious but not so much so that it takes away from my enjoyment of this series.
May 9, 2012
A Booktown Mystery is probably one of my favorite series, and so when I was able to get my hands on book number 5, Sentenced to Death, of course I was all over reading it!
It;s Founder's Day, a celebration that Bob Kelly had cooked up to drive more tourist traffic into town and promote the town. Of course Bob couldn't be bothered to do the leg work or give the opening speech, so Tricia's good friend, Deborah Black is doing it all. There is a plane pulling a banner behind it that is circling all around the town square, some loops are pretty low, and it has Tricia worried. Then Deborah climbs into the gazebo to give her opening speech, but she has to stop three time for the noise of the low flying plane to move out before she can go on. As she is talking Tricia notices the plane looks to be nose-diving the gazebo, and there isn't any sound, the engine is dead, and before anyone can say or do anything, the plane crashes into the gazebo. The pilot and Deborah are both gone in the blink of an eye.
As the days pass on, and Deborah's husband David sells his wife's store even before she is buried, refuses any help from his wife's family aside from leaving his young son with his wife's mother and never having a thing to do with him, then plans a funeral within days of getting his wife's body only for people to show up and realize there is no service, just a mingle time. Tricia has had enough, and she proceeds to give David a piece of her mind about his behavior, then she decides that something is wrong with this picture. She begins to investigate, and it takes her on a multi level trip through the lives of the pilot and his wife, Deborah and David, and the daycare center were little Davey broke his arm just a couple weeks prior.
Another in the series of well-written and enjoyable books by Lorna Barrett. I find myself wanting to be in a town like Stoneham, to be a part of the lives of the people around there. It just draws you in and makes you want to read and enjoy the books. looking forward to the next book in the series.
It;s Founder's Day, a celebration that Bob Kelly had cooked up to drive more tourist traffic into town and promote the town. Of course Bob couldn't be bothered to do the leg work or give the opening speech, so Tricia's good friend, Deborah Black is doing it all. There is a plane pulling a banner behind it that is circling all around the town square, some loops are pretty low, and it has Tricia worried. Then Deborah climbs into the gazebo to give her opening speech, but she has to stop three time for the noise of the low flying plane to move out before she can go on. As she is talking Tricia notices the plane looks to be nose-diving the gazebo, and there isn't any sound, the engine is dead, and before anyone can say or do anything, the plane crashes into the gazebo. The pilot and Deborah are both gone in the blink of an eye.
As the days pass on, and Deborah's husband David sells his wife's store even before she is buried, refuses any help from his wife's family aside from leaving his young son with his wife's mother and never having a thing to do with him, then plans a funeral within days of getting his wife's body only for people to show up and realize there is no service, just a mingle time. Tricia has had enough, and she proceeds to give David a piece of her mind about his behavior, then she decides that something is wrong with this picture. She begins to investigate, and it takes her on a multi level trip through the lives of the pilot and his wife, Deborah and David, and the daycare center were little Davey broke his arm just a couple weeks prior.
Another in the series of well-written and enjoyable books by Lorna Barrett. I find myself wanting to be in a town like Stoneham, to be a part of the lives of the people around there. It just draws you in and makes you want to read and enjoy the books. looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 22, 2011
We have all had 'bad' days, but, the horrific day that our sleuth, Tricia is forced to endure beats them all. Tricia encounters the dramatic and chilling death of a close (or she had thought close,)friend, then her loyal (or was she?)head clerk quits, finally, the man she hopes to grow closer to, announces he may be leaving Stoneham for a new life/job. Honestly, what is a girl to do?
If you found yourself holding your breath as you just read the top paragraph, let me tell you that is nothing to what you will find when you venture into this latest murder novel in the New York Times Best Selling Series, "A Booktown Mystery: Sentenced to Death."
A funeral turns out to have me laughing out loud and reading passages to my spouse. Only an extremely talented wordsmith would be able to craft that scene and it was amazing to read.
This book caused the second forgotten dinner this past week. Soon, this series will be labeled 'warning: contains addictive reading material.'
The shocks, laughs, and dialog kept a steady rhythmic pace and kept me more than satisfied. Did I guess the culprit? No. I wasn't even sure if the crime was a crime and then wow! Multiple crimes presented themselves. The ending was neatly tied up and left me eagerly reading the promotion the next book, which turned out to be for Lorraine Bartlett's upcoming book, "The Walled Flower" which sounds engrossing as well.
Pre-Order this book due out in June 2011. Don't wait as you will want to have a copy to discuss with your reading friends immediately. This is another Best Seller without a doubt.
I was given an "Uncorrected Proof" as a gift and had to write how impressed I was by this novel.
If you found yourself holding your breath as you just read the top paragraph, let me tell you that is nothing to what you will find when you venture into this latest murder novel in the New York Times Best Selling Series, "A Booktown Mystery: Sentenced to Death."
A funeral turns out to have me laughing out loud and reading passages to my spouse. Only an extremely talented wordsmith would be able to craft that scene and it was amazing to read.
This book caused the second forgotten dinner this past week. Soon, this series will be labeled 'warning: contains addictive reading material.'
The shocks, laughs, and dialog kept a steady rhythmic pace and kept me more than satisfied. Did I guess the culprit? No. I wasn't even sure if the crime was a crime and then wow! Multiple crimes presented themselves. The ending was neatly tied up and left me eagerly reading the promotion the next book, which turned out to be for Lorraine Bartlett's upcoming book, "The Walled Flower" which sounds engrossing as well.
Pre-Order this book due out in June 2011. Don't wait as you will want to have a copy to discuss with your reading friends immediately. This is another Best Seller without a doubt.
I was given an "Uncorrected Proof" as a gift and had to write how impressed I was by this novel.
September 27, 2022
Ohhhh boy I have conflicting feelings about this one. But I asked myself some questions:
-This is a cozy mystery, did I find it cozy? Yes, it has a very comfy atmosphere I responded very positively to. 5 stars
-Was the murder ambitious and unique in its convolution? Yes quite unique, in fact, I have never imagined this scenario ever. 5 stars
-Did I like the lead detective like I do Poirot? No. Grew to hate Tricia more and more as the story progressed. She has no charisma and thinks she is smarter than she actually is. She also gets in everybody's business in a very annoying way. She's emotionally inept and has horrid consideration of other people's feelings. I'm surprised she was portrayed as a dick magnet here, no one would touch this biatch with a 10 foot pole IRL. 1 star
-Was the investigation process captivating? Nope nothing groundbreaking. 2 stars
-Was the conclusion satisfying? Nope, did not match the exciting premise. 2 stars
-Were there any bright spots? I like the setting, small village, nosy neighbors. I liked Angelica, Tricia's older sister. I wish she was the primary detective. 3 stars
-Would I like to read more of this series? Nope. 1 star
-Was I able to comprehend everything even if I skipped books 1-4? Absolutely. 4 stars
I would rate this a solid 2.9. Not recommended.
Read the paperback while listening to the audiobook. The narration of the audiobook elevated the material considerably.
-This is a cozy mystery, did I find it cozy? Yes, it has a very comfy atmosphere I responded very positively to. 5 stars
-Was the murder ambitious and unique in its convolution? Yes quite unique, in fact, I have never imagined this scenario ever. 5 stars
-Did I like the lead detective like I do Poirot? No. Grew to hate Tricia more and more as the story progressed. She has no charisma and thinks she is smarter than she actually is. She also gets in everybody's business in a very annoying way. She's emotionally inept and has horrid consideration of other people's feelings. I'm surprised she was portrayed as a dick magnet here, no one would touch this biatch with a 10 foot pole IRL. 1 star
-Was the investigation process captivating? Nope nothing groundbreaking. 2 stars
-Was the conclusion satisfying? Nope, did not match the exciting premise. 2 stars
-Were there any bright spots? I like the setting, small village, nosy neighbors. I liked Angelica, Tricia's older sister. I wish she was the primary detective. 3 stars
-Would I like to read more of this series? Nope. 1 star
-Was I able to comprehend everything even if I skipped books 1-4? Absolutely. 4 stars
I would rate this a solid 2.9. Not recommended.
Read the paperback while listening to the audiobook. The narration of the audiobook elevated the material considerably.
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