In the Event of Murder - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

IN THE EVENT OF MURDER by Cynthia Kuhn
The Second Starlit Bookshop Mystery 

Everyone in Silvercrest, Colorado is excited for the Silvercrest Library Gala. Emma Stars is preparing for the classic mystery panel to be held at her family's bookstore as part of the event and is excited to attend the gala itself. This year the fundraiser is featuring stars from the popular television series Chasers, including hometown native Whitney Willton. Whitney's niece, Lyra, who also left Silvercrest for Hollywood, is joining her as event planner for the gala and associated events. But excitement turns to tragedy when Lyra is found murdered. However, the show must go on and Emma takes over as the event planner. As she and her nemesis and event chair butt heads, more problems plague the event. Is someone sabotaging the gala? Or targeting the Chasers cast? Emma will do her best to make the event a success as she quietly tries to solve the murder.

I really enjoyed the second Starlit Bookshop Mystery. Emma is a likable protagonist. She's smart, but has a few foibles. I also really like her aunt and sister, even though they have much smaller roles in this story. Meanwhile, Tabitha is the character we love to hate. She's the stereotypical mean girl who continues to believe she's the Queen Bee even as an adult. I admit to some satisfaction seeing her put in her place a few times.

IN THE EVENT OF MURDER is unique in that Lyra's murder is almost secondary to the gala preparation itself. She was murdered and Emma took over her role and the story concentrated on planning and executing the event instead of solving Lyra's murder. 

Despite all the pettiness and character assassinations, there was an element of romance as well. Ryan's transformation of the event space was magical and despite Emma's protestations, there may be romance ahead for her and there's definitely romance for a few other characters!

With Hollywood drama and Colorado common sense, IN THE EVENT OF MURDER is a high spirited mystery of jealousy and ruthless ambition.

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 In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery) by Cynthia Kuhn

About In the Event of Murder

In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Colorado
Publisher: ‎ Crooked Lane Books (August 20, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 304 pages

It’s the star-studded event of the season in Silvercrest, Colorado—but some of the guests might not make it to the last dance alive in the second charming installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from Agatha Award-winning author Cynthia Kuhn.

Nestled on the banks of a breathtaking Rocky Mountain river and dotted with delightful boutiques and galleries, Silvercrest, Colorado, is a book lover’s paradise. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is looking forward to attending the annual Silvercrest Library Gala, a glamorous evening with celebrities including the legendary Whitney Willton, currently on the hit crime show Chasers, and her niece, party-planner-to-the-stars Lyra Willton. Gala Week is full of exciting activities honoring both page and screen, and library board president Tabitha Baxter is basking in the glow of her successful launch—until Lyra is found dead.

With the gala only days away, the board asks Emma for help, despite Tabitha—her longstanding nemesis—bristling over the choice. Emma agrees, even though she is already in charge of a classic mystery panel at her family’s bookstore, Starlit Books, which turns out to have its own challenges. Meanwhile, Whitney, who is aware of Emma’s sleuthing skills, begs her to find the killer. The case grows more complex with the disappearance of several priceless objects, an attack on one of the attending celebrities, and other predicaments. Emma searches for clues while handling every unexpected twist and turn leading up to the extravagant affair. But when the guests step onto the red carpet, a killer still lurks in the shadows—and murder just might become the main event.

About Cynthia Kuhn

Cynthia Kuhn writes the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries, which focus on a bookseller solving crimes in an artistic mountain community, and the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries, featuring a professor-turned-amateur-sleuth. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Diabolical, Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.

Author Links: 

Website: https://cynthiakuhn.net 

Blog: http://chicksonthecase.com  

Twitter/X: http://www.twitter.com/cynthiakuhn  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org - PenguinRandomHouse  

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading In the Event of Murder by Cynthia Kuhn. This book is the second in the Starlit Bookshop Mystery series and was released last week.

Everyone in Silvercrest, Colorado is excited for the Silvercrest Library Gala. Emma Stars is preparing for the classic mystery panel to be held at her family's bookstore as part of the event and is excited to attend the gala itself. This year the fundraiser is featuring stars from the popular television series Chasers, including hometown native Whitney Willton. Whitney's niece, Lyra, who also left Silvercrest for Hollywood, is joining her as event planner for the gala and associated events. But excitement turns to tragedy when Lyra is found murdered. However, the show must go on and Emma takes over as the event planner. As she and her nemesis and event chair butt heads, more problems plague the event. Is someone sabotaging the gala? Or targeting the Chasers cast? Emma will do her best to make the event a success as she quietly tries to solve the murder.

How to Book a Murder - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

HOW TO BOOK A MURDER by Cynthia Kuhn
The First Starlit Bookshop Mystery

Although she has her PhD, Emma Starrs has returned home to help her sister run their family bookstore, Starlit Books. The bookshop is in dire financial straights, so when mean girl, now rich mean woman, Tabitha Baxter comes in bemoaning the fact that her event planner quit, Emma offers to step in. Hoping to get referrals, as well as a healthy chunk of change, Emma organizes the murder mystery portion of the party. The event goes off seamlessly, until Tabitha's husband is found murdered. Now Tabitha is threatening Emma and Nora has become a prime suspect.  

HOW TO BOOK A MURDER is a book about cliques. Mean girls grown up, academic colleagues, businessmen, and friends all have their own hierarchy and the first Starlit Bookshop mystery shows what can happen when people break rank. Emma makes a fine protagonist. She's down to earth, has her own foibles, but does what it takes to help her family and her books. I appreciate the view of academia as well, especially how it ties in with writers. It also makes me glad I didn't choose that career path!

I can't stand Tabitha and people of her ilk and am amazed by the power she holds in that town. Although her arranged protest did make me laugh, for the most part I just wanted to see her taken down a notch or two. My favorite character was Calliope. She may be demanding, perhaps exacting is a better word, but she gets amazing results. And she's fun! I hope we see more of her in future books.

While I enjoyed the story on the whole, the mystery itself was a bit convoluted. The basic reason for the murders made sense, but the reasons leading up to it were overcomplicated and the explanation read more like a thesis defense. Still, I enjoyed reading it and look forward to seeing how Emma's event planning will lead to more murders.

HOW TO BOOK A MURDER takes on mean girls and murder in a solid start to a new series. 

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 How to Book a Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery) by Cynthia Kuhn

About How to Book a Murder

How to Book a Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Publisher: ‎ Crooked Lane Books (December 7, 2021)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages

Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Kate Carlisle, in award-winning author Cynthia Kuhn’s series debut, small-town bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is out to close the book on a killer intent on crashing the party.

To help save her family’s floundering Colorado bookstore, Starlit Bookshop, newly minted Ph.D. Emma Starrs agrees to plan a mystery-themed dinner party for her wealthy, well-connected high school classmate Tabitha Baxter. It’s a delightful evening of cocktails and conjecture until Tabitha’s husband, Tip—hosting the affair in the guise of Edgar Allan Poe’s detective C. Auguste Dupin—winds up murdered.

In a heartbeat, Emma and her aunt Nora, a famous mystery writer, become suspects. Emma is sure the party’s over for Starlit events, until celebrated author Calliope Nightfall, whose gothic sensibilities are intrigued by the circumstances, implores the bookseller to create a Poe-themed launch event for her latest tome. Throwing a bash to die for while searching for additional clues is already enough to drive Emma stark raven mad, but another shocking crime soon reveals that Silvercrest has not yet reached the final chapter of the puzzling case.

Someone in this charming artistic community has murder on the mind, and if Emma cannot outwit the killer, she and her beloved aunt will land behind bars, to walk free nevermore.

About Cynthia Kuhn

Cynthia Kuhn is an English professor and author of the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries and the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications. Honors include an Agatha Award, a William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grant, and Lefty Award nominations. Originally from upstate New York, she lives in Colorado with her family. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.

Author Links: 

Website: cynthiakuhn.net  

Twitter: @cynthiakuhn  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiakuhnwriter  

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/cynthia-kuhn  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/39587.Cynthia_Kuhn  

Blog: chicksonthecase.com  

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2MPiEMh 

 Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Google Play - IndieBound - Bookshop - 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading How to Book a Murder by Cynthia Kuhn. This book is the first in the Starlit Bookshop Mystery series and was released yesterday! 

Although she has her PhD, Emma Starrs has returned home to help her sister run their family bookstore, Starlit Books. The bookshop is in dire financial straights, so when mean girl, now rich mean woman, Tabitha Baxter comes in bemoaning the fact that her event planner quit, Emma offers to step in. Hoping to get referrals, as well as a healthy chunk of change, Emma organizes the murder mystery portion of the party. The event goes off seamlessly, until Tabitha's husband is found murdered. Now Tabitha is threatening Emma and Nora has become a prime suspect.

The Subject of Malice - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Cynthia Kuhn back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Cynthia writes the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery series. The Subject of Malice is the fourth book in the series and was released last week.

Kathy: A literary conference is featured in the fourth Lila Maclean Academic Mystery. Have you ever attended any literary conferences?

CK: As a college professor, I’ve had the opportunity (or requirement, depending on how you look at it) to attend quite a few, including academic conferences, writing conferences, and mystery conferences. They’re always fascinating and educational—and I enjoy meeting new people.


Kathy: Lila hopes she'll do well on a panel presentation. Have you ever been part of a panel?

CK: Yes, I love them. The conversations sparked by interactions among the audience members and presenters can be so compelling!


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for The Subject of Malice?

CK: It was more a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-figure-it-out type of thing than a lightning bolt situation. From the first sketching-out of the series, I’d planned to send Lila to a conference at some point, but once I’d decided that the fourth novel would be “the conference book,” I had to consider where she was in her journey as a character and develop the issues that made the most sense, accordingly. Since conferences tend to have a great deal of activity happening on multiple levels in a short span of time, there were, happily, opportunities for various relevant conflicts.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Lila?

CK: She will definitely be involved in more mysteries!


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

CK: Currently, I’m writing the next Lila book in the series. I can’t say more because some of what happens at the end of The Subject of Malice is actually a catalyst for the fifth book...

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The Subject of Malice (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery) by Cynthia Kuhn 

About the Book

 

The Subject of Malice (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 4th in Series  

Henery Press (July 23, 2019)  

Hardcover: 244 pages  Paperback: 244 pages

The organizers have rustled up plenty of surprises for the literary conference at Tattered Star Ranch. But the murder of an influential scholar wasn’t on the program—someone has clearly taken the theme of Malice in the Mountains to heart. This shocking crime is only the beginning: Other dangers and deceptions are soon revealed.

English professor Lila Maclean has a full agenda: She must convince a press to publish her book (possibly), ace her panel presentations (hopefully), and deal with her nemesis (regrettably).

However, when Detective Lex Archer requests Lila’s academic expertise, she agrees to consult on the case. While her contributions earn high marks from her partner, it could be too late; the killer is already taking aim at the next subject.

As Lila races to keep her colleagues alive, publish or perish takes on new meaning.

About the Author

Cynthia Kuhn writes the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries: The Semester of Our Discontent, The Art of Vanishing, The Spirit in Question, and The Subject of Malice. Honors include an Agatha Award for best first novel and Lefty Award nominations for best humorous mystery. She blogs with Chicks on the Case and is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.

Author Links:
Webpage: cynthiakuhn.wordpress.com  
Blog: chicksonthecase.com  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiakuhnwriter
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/cynthiakuhn  
Twitter: @cynthiakuhn  
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2MPiEMh  

Purchase Links Amazon B&N Kobo

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The Spirit in Question Interview & Giveaway

I'm happy to welcome Cynthia Kuhn to the blog today. Cynthia writes the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery series. The Spirit in Question is the third book in the series and was released last week.

Kathy: The third Lila Maclean mystery has Lila involved with Stonedale University’s production of Puzzled: The Musical. My undergraduate degree is in theatre. Were you involved in college productions?

CK: How wonderful—I hope you’ll tell us about your experiences! I have been in plays but not during college. However, I did work in the Theater Department office for awhile, and they did some terrific productions, so let’s say I was play-adjacent.


Kathy: As any theatre person knows, all theatres are haunted. That's part of the reason for the ghost light. Is the crumbling theatre here based on a real theatre and/or a real haunting?

CK: During the writing process, I remembered a tour I had taken of the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado, which started the wheels turning; then I visited the Central City Opera House, which contributed more atmosphere; then I discovered that a part of the student union on our college campus where we’ve held events—the Tivoli Turnhalle—was originally built as an opera house too! They all have fascinating histories and beautiful architecture. So perhaps I could say that they all had an influence, and they’re all said to be haunted.


Kathy: In The Spirit in Question Lila Maclean faces all manner of paranormal things, including a psychic. Have you ever had a reading from a psychic?

CK: Yes, I’ve had several. They’re so interesting! One told me—long before this even seemed like a possibility—that I’d become a novelist (true) and would have two children (true). Another told me that I had the ability to communicate with aliens (um).


Kathy: Have you ever joined a paranormal investigation?

CK: Only in my house. (Kidding. Mostly. Does it count when you go upstairs to check on sounds for which there are no earthly explanation?)


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

CK: There was a character I loved to write who had been cut from the first two books, and I didn’t want him to be cut from this one. He was a playwright, which led to a play, which led to the theater...and it went on from there.


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Lila?

CK: She will soon be submerged into another mystery!


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

CK: Lila #4 is scheduled to be out next summer. Still hemming and hawing over the title...which can be surprisingly difficult to produce.

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The Spirit in Question (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery) by Cynthia Kuhn

About the Book

The Spirit in Question (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery)  

Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series  

Henery Press (October 2, 2018) 

Trade Paperback | 252 pages

English professor Lila Maclean knew drama would be involved when she agreed to consult on Stonedale University’s production of Puzzled: The Musical.

But she didn’t expect to find herself cast into such chaos: the incomprehensible play is a disaster, the crumbling theater appears to be haunted, and, before long, murder takes center stage.

The show must go on—yet as they speed toward opening night, it becomes clear that other members of the company may be targeted as well. Lila searches for answers while contending with a tenacious historical society, an eccentric playwright, an unsettling psychic, an enigmatic apparition, and a paranormal search squad.

With all of this in play, will she be able to identify who killed her colleague...or will it soon be curtains for Lila too?

About the Author

Cynthia Kuhn writes the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery series: The Semester of Our Discontent, an Agatha Award recipient for Best First Novel; The Art of Vanishing, a Lefty Award nominee for Best Humorous Mystery; and The Spirit in Question. She teaches in Denver, serves as president of Sisters in Crime-Colorado, and blogs with Chicks on the Case. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.

Author Links:

Webpage: cynthiakuhn.wordpress.com  
Blog: mysteristas.wordpress.com  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiakuhnwriter  
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/cynthiakuhn  
Twitter: @cynthiakuhn  

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo BookBub


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