Thursday, October 15, 2009

Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett

Title; Bookmarked for Death
Author: Lorna Barrett
ISBN: 9780425226414, Berkley Prime Crime, 2009
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, #2 Booktown mystery
Rating: B-

First Line: Crowded behind a table with her two employees and her guest author, Tricia Miles, owner of the Haven't Got a Clue mystery bookstore, held the left end of the sheet cake and flashed her most winning smile.

Tricia Miles is celebrating the first anniversary of her bookstore, Haven't Got a Clue in the "booktown" of Stoneham, New Hampshire. She's been doing well, and if it weren't for the fact that her sister runs through employees as though there's an endless supply, everything would be close to perfect. Well... except for the influx of Canada geese which means all the business owners have to go out several times a day to clean goose poo off the sidewalks.

It's quite a coup when Tricia manages to snag reclusive writer Zoƫ Carter for a book signing, but she has good reason to change her mind when Carter's body is found in the book shop restroom. Once again town sheriff Wendy Adams has an excuse to make Tricia's life miserable, and Tricia knows that the only way she'll be able to re-open Haven't Got a Clue is to conduct her own investigation.

Reading Bookmarked for Death is a good way to spend a pleasant afternoon. There's nothing too complicated going on, and although the characterization is a bit stereotypical, I enjoy these people. Tricia is very likable, I want to choke her sister occasionally, and I sincerely hope that Stoneham gets rid of its sheriff. Wendy Adams is the one character that brings this series down for me.

When I first began to read a high percentage of mysteries, a lot of the books I read were cozies like this. My reading tastes have gradually changed over the years, and now the mysteries I read are mainly police procedurals and darker fare. However, from time to time I enjoy reading something that's not so complicated-- something light and fun. This is one of the wonderful things about mysteries: they cover such a broad spectrum that, no matter your mood, you can find a whodunit that will fill the bill.

When you're in the mood for something light, something with a good sense of humor, try Lorna Barrett's Booktown mystery series. They should hit the spot!

15 comments:

  1. Cathy,

    You hit it perfectly. These are books that fit a particular mood.

    Have you tried John J. Lamb's Teddy Bear mysteries? I was expecting extremely cozy. Instead, they are police procedurals, with a cozy atmosphere. But, Brad has a legitimate reason for investigating - he's a retired homicide investigator. I'll admit, it's stretching it in most cozies for the lead character to investigate.

    Lesa - http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

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  2. I agree, there is definitely a time for a good cozy!

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  3. I started off reading a lot of cozy mysteries too but over the years I've moved to more gritty mysteries. I think cozies are nice but for a while there I was running into a lot of "fluffy" ones. This series I wouldn't mind trying though because of the whole "bookish" factor to it. Glad you liked it. I've got the first book in the series on my shelf so I'm looking forward to it.

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  4. I really enjoy these Booktown mysteries. I just wish there really was a Stoneham, NH where I go retire!

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  5. This is definitely my style - most of the time. I love a good cozy

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  6. I have never heard of this series before but they seem to be my kind of mysteries. I added the first book to my TBR list and I am looking forward to discovering it.

    Thanks :)

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  7. Love the name of the bookstore in this one. There seems to be an endless supply of "cute" names for mystery bookstores. This sounds like a good book for a bad day.

    Barbara

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  8. I haven't read these yet, but I do love a good cozy -- my all-time favorite escape reading.

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  9. Lesa--Off I go to check out this series. Thanks for the recommendation!

    Jenclair-- I just can't read Serious all the time!

    Iliana-- I hope you enjoy it!

    Molly-- I'd rather have my Booktown here in Arizona!

    Margot-- Lots of people do, or there wouldn't be so many of them.

    Kay-- You're welcome!

    Barbara-- Yet if I were trying to come up with a good name for my own mystery bookstore, I wouldn't be able to think of one! LOL

    Beth-- Usually if I have to escape, I need something besides a cozy. Different strokes 'n' all that! :)

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  10. I feel exactly the same way. I grew up reading cozies, beginning with Agatha Christie. Most of the mysteries I read nowadays are police procedurals or the more complex, psychological kind of mysteries, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for cozies. When I want a comfort read, I'm more likely to reach for a cozy mystery - and this one, set in a mystery book store, sounds good for when I'm in that kind of a mood!

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  11. I was just thinking I hadn't read a cozy mystery in a while, and I don't have any on my shelf right now either.

    Not that I really need any more books, but I might pick this one (or probably the first of the series) up for the read-a-thon.

    Thanks!

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  12. Belle-- I have a feeling that it would fill the bill. :)

    Laura-- It would be a great choice for the readathon. Good thinking!

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  13. Glad to see you enjoyed the 2nd in the series! I can't wait to get to it myself.

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  14. Thanks so much for the lovely review. And fear not, Sheriff Adams is history in BOOKPLATE SPECIAL, which will be released on November 3rd.

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  15. Kris-- This is a series that's very easy to get attached to, isn't it?

    Lorna-- Thanks so much for stopping by my blog...and with such wonderful news. You made my day!

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