Mystery/Suspense

Chapter & Hearse (A Booktown Mystery)

By: Lorna Barrett
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0425236017
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: July 1, 2010

If there ever was a book written about a murder magnet, Tricia Miles could easily have been the protagonist. Every time a corpse showed up in Stoneham, New Hampshire she had her finger in the pie so to speak, but lately things had been toning down and all was well at her bookstore, “Haven’t Got a Clue.” Her employees were loyal, she was getting along much better with her sister, Angelica, and the most exciting thing that could happen was a tourist bus showing up in the quiet book town. Angelica was the kind of sister who had an ego that wouldn’t quit and that life-sized cutout of her at “The Cookery” was simply aggravating, BUT Tricia was determined to get along with her.

Angelica’s boyfriend, Bob Kelly, was a drip, but that wasn’t her problem. Even though Trish just might have been a tad jealous about Angelica’s upcoming book tour for her new cookbook, all was good. Trish could have hung out a shingle on the side of her store because all of a sudden she unintentionally became a “personal counselor to half of Stoneham.” The chit chat and gossip would soon travel around town faster than a speeding bullet when a sudden explosion rocked the quiet street, right across from “Haven’t Got a Clue.” Jim Roth’s store, “History Repeats Itself,” was blown to smithereens when he lit up. The quiet streets of Stoneham began to stir again and history was repeating itself. A murder history, that is.

Bob Kelly was in that building. Granted, Trish thought Jim was a “spineless mama’s boy” and her opinion of Bob wasn’t much better, but they didn’t deserve this. Things seem to move quickly around Ms. Miles and the hubbub began in earnest. Someone was out to get Angelica, Russ began to stalk Trish, Ginny’s home owning days were going down the tubes, Trish’s ex, Christopher, sent her a gift...what next? Everyone was starting to think she was the “village jinx.” They just might have something there. Even mild mannered Muriel Dexter said, “Well you do seem to be falling over corpses every few months.” Could the next one be hers? Perhaps Angelica’s? Something really weird was brewing in Stoneham and it wasn’t espresso.

This “explosive” Booktown series is now hitting its stride when an explosion rocks the quiet of Stoneham, New Hampshire. Readers who have been following this series right along will take delight in becoming reacquainted with their favorites and making the acquaintance of a few new ones. The character development is beginning to gel nicely and the story line is becoming increasingly interesting. The three coulda dunit characters will tickle your fancy and each one has a good enough motive to keep you guessing.

Quill says: This lighthearted cozy has a bit of romance, plenty of intrigue, just the right amount of fandango and one more explosive murder to keep the reader burning the midnight oil!