Friday, July 11, 2025

Murder on the Books - A Review & Giveaway

 Review


MURDER ON THE BOOKS by T.C. LoTempio
The First Cozy Bookshop Mystery 
 
Burn out and a case of writer's block cause Charlotte (Charley) James to turn her back on New York City and life as bestselling author C.J. Barrett, much to the dismay of her agent. Deciding on an extended stay in her hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania Charley is delighted to spend time with her good friend Zane. When Charley learns Zane's business partner left abruptly she offers to take over the bookstore portion of the business allowing Zane to open her dream bakery. But when a trip to the basement leads to the discovery of a body and Zane becomes a suspect, Charley puts her mystery knowledge to use while getting closer to the grumpy and taciturn detective on loan to the town.
 
I really enjoy when the protagonist of a mystery happens to be an author of mysteries and such is the case in the first Cozy Bookshop Mystery. Not only that, she's going to own a bookstore! It's fun seeing the insider knowledge come out, but what makes it even more fun in this book is that hardly anyone knows that Charley is an author. I can't wait for people discover the truth and I have a feeling she won't be able to hide this fact from Detective Grant for long. I love the dynamic of high school acquaintances grown up and forced to deal with each other for better or worse and it's especially fun to see Barbie as a police officer and watch her attempt to rise in the ranks while keeping her man hunter ways. The addition of Poe is delightful and I hope Charley pays attention to his opinions of other characters. I appreciated how the mystery played out, especially the ending.
 
A smart protagonist, an intriguing detective, and a lucky black cat make MURDER ON THE BOOKS a delightful series opener. I can't wait to see the new shops flourish and watch Charley and Ian get cooking, both literally and figuratively!
 
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 Murder on the Books (A Cozy Bookshop Mystery) by Toni LoTempio

About Murder on the Books

Murder on the Books (A Cozy Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Pennsylvania
Publisher: ‎ Severn House
Publication date: ‎ July 1, 2025
Hardcover Print Length: ‎ 240

Newly retired mystery writer Charley James returns to her small hometown only to find herself amidst a real-life murder mystery in this first book in the brand new Cozy Bookshop mystery series by award-winning and national bestselling author T.C. LoTempio.

Thirty-year-old Charlotte James, better known to her mystery fans as C.J. Barrett, decides to take a break from writing her popular Steve Sheppard mystery series. Leaving New York City, she moves back to her hometown of Austin to wind down, recuperate, and maybe come up with some new ideas for her books.

Settling into her new life, Charley reunites with her long-term friend and baker Zane who is about to open a charming double store front. But while Zane is ready to open her café, her business partner Sheila unexpectedly departs town, bailing on her bookshop and leaving nothing but a note behind.

Charley is more than happy to take over, but when she finds Sheila’s body in a chest in the store’s basement, things take a dramatic turn. Now Charley has to juggle the opening of her bookshop, a stoic but attractive Philadelphia detective, and a stray cat, all while solving Sheila’s murder Sheppard-style before the killer can strike again!

Fans of Jenn McKinlay, Ellery Adams, Lucy Connelly, Lauren Elliott, and Ellie Alexander will love this cozy mystery “featuring a plucky, likable heroine, plenty of suspense [and] unexpected twists” (Booklist).

“I was hooked from start to finish!” Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop mysteries, on Eat, Drink and Drop Dead

About Toni LoTempio

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