Murder by the Book

AudioBook Review: Stars: Overall 3 Narration 4 Story 3 Set in New England, Addie used to work at the Boston Public Library until an unexpected inheritance provides her with oodles of cash and the family home, Greyborne Manor, set overlooking the harbor in the small town. She’s always been a bookish type, so she decides that the time is right for her to open Beyond the Page, a bookstore on the town’s main street. With plenty of her own books, and a space now available she sets to work to open her shop. But all isn’t smooth: we learn that her father has died recently under suspicious circumstances, she lost a fiancé to murder that is yet unsolved, and she’s just looking to put her life together and start again. Instantly things are starting to look dire as she’s almost run down in front of her shop, both the shop and her home have been broken in to and her new friend and owner of a shop on the street is arrested for murder – when her neighbor Martha, owner of the bakery seems to be doing everything possible to see the bookstore not open. Determined to discover who really committed he murder brings Addie into the mix of dramatics as she hires Paige to work for her: Paige is the daughter of Martha who wants the shop closed, and the niece of Marc, the chief of police. And Marc and Addie have this instant connection and chemistry as she first helps in the investigation with her sharp wits and curiosity, and then is pushed off by Marc because of her lack of experience. But there is murder afoot – and perhaps her family history has something to do with it? Obviously there is far more going on here than in the usual cozy, and the connection and flirtation (and drama) between Addie and Marc is the focus of the story, with clues coming almost too conveniently and the frequent back and forth about her ‘ability’ to investigate and Marc’s seeming to dance between allowing her to help or not. Not quite a romantic suspense-level tensions, but more drama and far more attention paid to character building rather than developing the mystery, this could be an intriguing series if it decides which path it will follow. Writing was solid, if there were moments that brought resolutions too conveniently and the overloaded reliance on one more element to build “Addie’s story of mysteries surrounding her and her family’ did have the story wandering about without clear purpose. Narration for this story is provided by Karen White, and with all of her work, she presents the story clearly – giving each character a distinct and unique presence, using pauses, volume and subtle changes in tone to add emotional context to the story, without overwhelming listeners hoping to find from audible clues alone, who is the culprit. And while the mystery itself was fairly simple to work out and decide on the culprit, the narration added to the questions about characters, providing that sense of agenda and purpose that we all have, without raising big red flags to “listen up here” because this is important. As always, White’s work is solid and shows a familiarity with the text, and an understanding of moments that need highlight or downplay without guiding the listener to a solution, but allowing it to unfold as the relationships develop. I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Murder by the Book by Lauren Elliott is the debut novel in A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery. Addie Greyborne has had a rough year with the murder of her fiancé and the death of her father. Thanks to an inheritance from her great aunt, Anita Greyborne, Addie has relocated to Greyborne Harbor and is ready to open Beyond the Page Books & Curios. Opening day begins by Addie almost getting run over by a black sedan. After opening the bookshop, she meets Serena Chandler who owns SerenaTEA next door. The day spirals out of control when someone uses a distraction to steal a 1961 copy of Alice in Wonderland. Late that night, Addie awakens to a noise and finds that someone has broken into her home. Several of the rooms have been ransacked but Addie has no clue what the thieves are after. When her shop suffers another break in, the local shop owners are less than pleased with Addie. The next day there is a commotion outside Fielding’s Department Store involving Serena. She has been arrested for murdering Blain Fielding. Addie uses her keen eye for detail and sleuthing skills from tracking down rare books and artwork to expose the guilty party behind this nefarious plot. Can Addie clear Serena of the murder charges? Come along for the investigation in Murder by the Book. Murder by the Book is a book full of action. It starts off with a bang with a car almost running down Addie. Addie has lost her fiancé, father and a great aunt in one year. She leaves her job at the Boston Public Library to start over in Greyborne Harbor. In her new home, Greyborne Manor she discovers numerous books which gives her the idea to open a used bookstore. Then someone starts breaking into her home and shop. We are left wondering what the thieves are trying to locate. Then there is the murder and slowly more details are revealed. The mystery is complex yet simple at the same time. There are hidden rooms, rare books, a secret staircase, a black sedan, and unknown thieves. Some details/clues are provided as the story progresses, but others come to light just before the reveal with the remainder explained at the end. I would have liked more clues interspersed throughout the book to allow a reader to play sleuth along with Addie (the best part of a mystery is solving it). Most readers, though, will have no problem identifying the guilty party. Addie quickly becomes friends with Serena and her new employee, Paige. I thought the relationships developed too quickly. It seems Serena became Addie’s instant friend and she trusts Paige despite her disagreeable mother. For some reason, the bakery owner, Martha has taken a disliking to Addie. We are not given Martha’s last name, the name of her establishment or why she dislikes Addie. Actually, very little information is provided on Greyborne Harbor. Addie has been in town three months and seems to have met no one. A prequel to the series would have been beneficial or the author should have started the series with Addie receiving her inheritance. I loved the description of Addie’s Queen Anne Victorian. It sounds beautiful inside and out (period details with antique furnishing including a desk with hidden compartments). I would like to know more about Addie (her growing up years). I appreciated her enthusiasm for books and knowledge of rare books. I hope the author lets the romance build slowly between Addie and Marc especially since Addie is not over her fiancé. I enjoyed reading Murder by the Book. It captured and held my interest which few books have done recently. My rating for Murder by the Book is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I thought it was a delightful beginning to A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, and I look forward to reading Prologue to Murder.

This first in a new cozy mystery series hits the ground running! I like many things about this clever cozy mystery, beginning with the setting of a New England old/ rare books and curios bookstore. The mystery is complex, with plot twists that include outrageous treachery from those who were thought friends. The characters are detailed, especially Addie, who learns a few family secrets. Addie has faced many crises in the past year. The most recent was that her great-aunt Anita Greyborne, who she didn’t even know existed, passed away. It was thought that Anita was the last of family line whose ancestors founded the town until Addie inherited her estate, including Greyborne Manor. As a young woman who had studied about and worked with rare and antique books, when she saw the treasures in the attic, Addie knew she had to start a bookstore. A year earlier, after being “loaned” to the British Museum by her employer, Boston Library, her fiancé David was murdered. The police deemed it a crime of opportunity and blew off her questions. David, like her father, searched for and reclaimed stolen rare books and art for an international company, but police didn’t think the crime rings he busted had anything to do with the murder. Six months later, her father died leaving Greyborne Harbor, and police closed the case claiming he was driving too fast for foggy conditions. Then her great-aunt passed away. Opening day for Beyond the Page arrives, and a car that aims and speeds up, barely missing Addie. Serena, of SerenaTea next door, came to her assistance. As they chat, someone tries to pry into her back door and Martha, the crotchety old baker, threw a bag of trash at him. As they cleaned up, Addie saw that someone had come in and thrown books off the shelf to the floor. Only one book of relatively lower value was missing. Addie faces break-ins, a pair of women who are working together, and her new friend Serena is arrested for murder of a local department store owner. Serena’s brother Marc is the police chief, so he must conduct a completely impartial investigation. As he gets to know Addie, she helps with the investigation as only a researcher of her caliber can do, seeing things that Marc would not have recognized. The trouble and treachery against Addie and her friends heightens. I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it for reasons including: The characters, especially Addie, are as transparent as necessary. I like Addie, Serena, her brother Marc, and Addie’s new assistant Paige for their unique qualities, loyalty, and creative intelligence. They work well together to find the bad guy. The number of characters is limited; each one has an important role. There are no superfluous folks to distract from the case. This is a thorny novel that includes more than one mystery. Addie is certain that everything is interrelated. There are many plot twists, including secret collections, past employers, and treachery. Friendship is a key factor in helping Addie get through the treachery, find who the bad guys and good guys really are. While I had a vague idea of the common thread, I wasn’t sure whodunit and the depth of motive. I was happy to see how my curiosity played out and stunned to see who was behind the murder and thefts. This is the impressive start of a new series that I hope to see much more of! From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.