I’m excited to host the cover reveal for the first book in Daphne Silver’s new mystery series, coming November 2023 and now up for preorder.

Publication Date: November 21, 2023
Publisher: Level Best Books
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Name of Series: Rare Books, Book #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Author Website: daphnesilver.com

Book Synopsis
Rare books librarian Juniper Blume knows this much… an ancient Celtic manuscript shouldn’t be in a Maryland cemetery.

But that’s exactly what her brother-in-law claims.

Last year, Juniper saw the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells in Ireland. She learned how their bejeweled covers were stolen centuries ago, never to be seen again. So how could they have ended up in Rose Mallow, a small Chesapeake Bay town? Being Jewish, the Book of Kells might not be her sacred text, but as a rare books librarian, the ancient book is still sacred to her, making it important to Juniper to find out the truth.

Rose Mallow is the same place where Juniper used to summer with her sister Azalea and their grandmother Zinnia, known as Nana Z. Ever since Nana Z passed away, Juniper’s avoided returning, but her curiosity is greater than her grief, so she heads down in her vintage convertible with her rescue dog Clover.

Juniper discovers that her sister Azalea has transformed their grandmother’s Queen Anne style mansion into the Wildflower Inn, backing up to the Chesapeake Bay. Although Juniper isn’t much of a cook, Azalea has kept their grandmother’s legacy alive, filling the house with the smells of East European Jewish treats, like sweet kugels and tzimmes cake. Will coming back here feel like returning home or fill Juniper with a deeper sorrow? Can she apologize to her sister for not being there when she was needed most?

Check out the trailer for Crime and Parchment

Purchase Link

Meet the author
Daphne Silver is the author of the Rare Books Cozy Mystery series starting with Crime and Parchment. She is also the author of three local history books under her legal name Lauren R. Silberman, including Wild Women of Maryland (History Press, 2015), Wicked Baltimore (History Press, 2011), and The Jewish Community of Baltimore (Arcadia Publishing, 2008). When not writing, she is the Director of Development for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Sign up for her e-newsletter and get the free short story “A Midsummer’s Night Scheme” at daphnesilver.com.