Book Review: Prose and Cons by Amanda Flower (Magical Bookshop Mysteries #2)

Stars: 4 out of 5

Pros: Charming setting and a good mystery

Cons: Some characters come across a bit flat

The Bottom Line:

Reading turns deadly

Second magical entry

Another fun read

Charming Sequel Book

I am in love with Charming Books, a book store where the proper book chooses you.  I mean, that is every reader’s dream, right?  To pick up a book and know you’ll love it.  That’s why I was so glad to revisit the store in Prose and Cons.

Charming Books is run by Violet Waverly and her grandmother Daisy.  The duo are always looking for ways to draw more people into the store, and they think they’ve hit on a great idea.  During the town’s annual Food and Wine Festival, held in mid-October every year, they will host a Poe-try reading.  They’ve asked the Red Inkers, a critic group that meets in the shop, to dress up in costumes and do readings from the work of Edgar Allan Poe.  And judging from the size of the crowd, they’ve hit upon a winner of an idea.

However, one of the Red Inkers is missing.  Violet sent Anastasia to change into her costume right before the event started, and when Violet goes to check on her, she finds Anastasia dead at the bottom of the shop’s steep back stairs.  But tragic accident soon begins to look like murder, with the police focusing on Sadie, Violet’s friend who provided the costumes.  Violet knows that Sadie couldn’t have done it, but unfortunately, all the evidence points to her.  Anastasia wasn’t a nice person, so there have to be other people with motive to kill her.  Can Violet find these other suspects and figure out which one actually did kill her?

Of course, Poe is a reoccurring theme in the book as the shop keeps trying to give Violet clues based his works.  I am sadly unfamiliar with the inventor of the detective genre, but anything we need to know based on these stories is explained to us.  So don’t let that keep you from jumping into the book.

The mystery is strong, with several viable suspects and motives.  The author keeps us guessing until we reach the climax where everything falls into place for Violet and us.

I do feel like the characters could be a little stronger.  I felt that a couple did get some nice development here.  On a whole, they are real enough for us to care about the outcome, but they are missing that pop that makes them seem real.

Are you wondering where the magic that drives the bookshop comes from?  This book hints at the answer, but it doesn’t explain everything like the first book does.  If that part intrigues you, be sure to back up so you can see just how it all works.  And yes, I really do wish I could visit this shop in person.

There is a hint of a love triangle in the book, although I think it is obvious which direction Violet is going to go.  (I did call it a hint, after all.)  With how this book ended, I am quite curious to see how relationships develop.

It’s rare I delve into the magic end of the cozy spectrum, but I’m glad I made the exception for this series.  Pick up Prose and Cons today and be prepared to be charmed.

Let the rest of the Magical Bookshop Mysteries choose you.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner next Thursday, December 14th, so please leave your comment before 12:01AM Pacific Time on 12/14.  You will have until midnight on 12/20 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 12/21.