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 Zoë 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!

Review-- The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library

Title: The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library
Author: Alice Kimberly
ISBN: 0425212653/ Berkley Prime Crime, 2006
Genre: Mystery, #3 in the Haunted Bookshop series
Rating: C

First Line: Baxter Kerns the Third called Jack Shepard at noon and invited him to dinner at six.

Rhode Island bookseller Penelope Thornton-McClure has a problem. Her bookshop, Buy the Book, is haunted by the spirit of a 1940s private eye who was murdered there and can't seem to leave. Pen's the only one who can see and hear him, and thankfully she no longer walks around looking as though she's talking to herself.

In this third installment of the series, Pen and her aunt are invited to Prospero House, a death trap of a decrepit mansion that Pen takes one look at and says, " Looks like the architect couldn't decide whether his client was the Addams Family or JP Morgan." Once inside they are given a rare set of the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe--a set that is believed to contain a code that leads to a buried treasure. When word spreads about the collection now at Buy the Book, Pen finds herself selling volumes of it for thousands of dollars each. Trouble is, whoever buys dies, and the purchased books go missing. Pen is definitely going to need the help of her ghostly private eye to crack this case.

As I read the description of Prospero House, I was definitely creeped out. I was also puzzled. From the description of the place, I don't think any book housed there for any period of time would be in a sellable condition. Yes, I know. I'm being nit picky! While I enjoy the characters in the book and the snappy repartee between Pen and Jack, I really don't find myself wanting to continue with series. I'm not quite sure why. Perhaps it has something to do with Kimberly's attempts to prevent the series (and the character of Jack) from being limited strictly to the confines of the bookshop. Whatever the reason, don't let my personal quirks put you off this series. I do enjoy the characters and the dialogue, and the Haunted Bookshop series may very well be the perfect cup of tea for you!

If you've read and reviewed this book, please let me know so I can include a link to your review. The best informed readers are ones who have access to all opinions of a book!