Can’t Judge a Book by its Murder by Amy Lillard is the first book in the NEW “Main Street Book Club” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, coming October 29, 2019.
Not every murder is by the book. . .
As Sugar Springs gears up for its all-class high school reunion, Mississippi bookstore owner Arlo Stanley prepares to launch her largest event: a book-signing with the town’s legendary alum and bestselling author, Wally Harrison. That’s when Wally is discovered dead outside of Arlo’s front door and her best friend is questioned for the crime.
When the elderly ladies of Arlo’s Friday Night Book Club start to investigate, Arlo has no choice but to follow behind to keep them out of trouble. Yet with Wally’s reputation, the suspect list only grows longer—his betrayed wife, his disgruntled assistant, even the local man who holds a grudge from a long-ago accident.
Between running interference with the book club and otherwise keeping it all together, Arlo anxiously works to get Chloe out of jail. And amidst it all, her one-time boyfriend-turned-private-eye returns to town, just another distraction while she digs to uncover the truth around Wally’s death and just what Sugar Springs secret could have led to his murder.
This was a fun book with an eclectic cast of characters that kept me entertained throughout. The mystery begins with the demise of the local author found on Arlo’s doorstep. When her best friend becomes the prime suspect, Arlo’s book club spring into investigative action and as such Arlo must tread with them to keep them from harm.
The mystery was nicely done with a good multi-arc story line that was tightly woven to keep me involved in all that was happening. There were plenty of suspects to keep me busy sifting through the clues and when I thought I had the culprit narrowed down – the author changed directions which enhanced the telling of this tale. I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere, the never-ending flow of dialogue that at times caused a chuckle or two from me and the interactions within the residents of Sugar Springs, Mississippi, especially the book club ladies (Helen, Camille and Fern). This was a very enjoyable debut and I look forward to the next book in this delightfully charming series.
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FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher.
This sounds very good, thank you
Penney
This sounds like something I would love!