The Tell-Tale Homicide - A Review

 Review

THE TELL-TALE HOMICIDE by Daphne Silver
The Second Rare Books Mystery

Juniper Blume is excited and a bit nervous starting her new job for the Calvertons. While she's been a librarian for a few years, even working at the Library of Congress, she's never started a museum from the ground up. She's never even managed staff! Her first day is off to an inauspicious start when she's confronted by protesters at the entrance to the Calverton Estate. Once inside things don't get much better when she learns she only has two staff, one of whom is decidedly unhappy with Juniper's appointment. Not only that, her boss, Leo Calverton, is the only member of the family or board of trustees that is in favor of the museum. After a nightmare of a board meeting she returns to the archives only to discover the body of Big Al Cooley, the town's used book shop owner and one of the protesters who accosted her that morning. The board may not want the museum, but they do want Juniper to find a killer. Will she be able to solve a murder and also sway public opinion in favor of the Calvertons? And herself?  

The second book in the Rare Books Mystery series really hits its stride. The fast paced story is one of redemption, rejection, and revenge. Ever nomadic Juniper is looking to put down roots, mend familial ties and take on a new dream job. But that dream job is turning into more of a nightmare. Insolent staff, stolen books, and being generally looked down upon and unwanted, Juniper may have bitten off more than she can chew. Not to mention that she has to stifle any romantic relationship with Leo, who is now her boss. Of course, everyone thinks they are in a relationship and that's the only reason she has the job. Never quite knowing who to trust, I liked how Juniper navigated the various people she encountered.

I'm a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan so I really loved the ties to his work showcased in the mystery. I'm also glad that Howard has more of a role in this second book. I hope his role continues to expand along with that of his old partner.

THE TELL-TALE HOMICIDE is an exciting mystery full of suspicious characters and literary fun.