Grand Opening, Book Launch, and Murder
I’ve enjoyed the absurd mysteries in the By the Book Mysteries from Tamara Berry. The things that her character finds in this small Eastern Washington town are crazy in a fun way. So I was happy when I had the chance to pick up Murder Off the Books, the third in the series.
This series features bestselling author Tess Harrow who relocated from Seattle after she inherited a cabin and hardware store from her grandfather. She’s turned the hardware store into a bookstore, and it is ready to open just in time for the launch of her newest thriller, based on what happened while they were renovating the store. Tess is planning to celebrate the two events at the same time, and her teen daughter, Gertrude, is helping with the catering.
The last thing Tess expected was her mother to show up in town. Close on Bee’s heels is her new, much younger boyfriend, Levi, who just happens to be an accused serial killer preying on older women who has been let out on a technicality. Tess goes into panic mode, naturally, but the next morning Levi is the one who is dead. With the podcaster who made her name on Levi’s case in town and pointing fingers at Tess and Bee, she has no choice but to jump in and solve things. Can she figure out what is really happening?
I know what you’re thinking. I promised something wacky, and this doesn’t sound that wacky. I’ll admit, this wasn’t quite as out there as the first two books, but this does have a few unusual twists that make for a fun and different story. But, in the context of the book, everything works and makes perfectly logical sense. That includes the climax, which wraps everything up nicely but teases what could be a wild next adventure for the gang.
Speaking of the characters, we have quite an assortment of them, and they add to the fun. Tess’s mother makes a great addition to the cast here, and all the regulars are up to their usual antics. Likewise, the suspects kept me guessing.
I do have to point out the inclusion a few times of some needless political comments in the narration. If they had been left out, we would have had the exact same book. I feel like they were put in so the author could show she was attuned to the current movements. I’m talking about only a handful of lines, but they threw me out of the story and made me roll my eyes.
As with previous books in the series, the book had plenty of humor, and I found myself laughing at the characters, their interactions, and the situations they found themselves in. Maybe I’m getting used to their antics or it was my mood, but I didn’t find the book quite as funny as the first two. Part of that was because I found some of the character interactions that are supposed to be funny a little annoying at times. Again, this could just be me, and it is minor.
The first couple of books have had some pretty dramatic implications for the characters. The author does a great job of mentioning where the characters are now without outright spoiling the plots of the earlier books. Still, by necessity, some spoilers are teased here. Keep that in mind if you decide to jump in here.
Overall, I enjoyed visiting Tess and the rest in Murder Off the Books. If you are looking for a light, fun series, you’ll be glad you picked up these books.
I've only read the first one in this series. I agree about political comments. There's more than enough of that in the news already. I read to escape those kinds of things. Glad you enjoyed the book otherwise! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun series though I do agree about the political comments. I could definitely do without that but thankfully it was a minor enough issue.
ReplyDeleteI got this one for review, so I haven't read the first ones but I really liked this!! I enjoy a good bookish cozy.
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net