Not the Killing Type by Lorna Barrett is the 7th book in the “Booktown” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, July 2013
New York Times bestselling author of Murder on the Half Shelf Lorna Barrett delivers another compulsively page-turning Booktown Mystery in which amateur sleuth and bookstore owner Tricia Miles gets caught up in a local election that turns lethal.
It’s November in Stoneham, New Hampshire, and that means it’s time for the Chamber of Commerce elections. The race is already a bit heated, as the long-standing Chamber president is being challenged by a former lover—Tricia’s own sister, Angelica. Then local small business owner Stan Berry throws his hat in the ring.
Unfortunately, it’s not there for long when he’s found murdered in the Brookview Inn. The murder weapon is a brass letter opener belonging to the inn’s receptionist. Tricia knows there’s no way the receptionist is a killer. And when Angelica asks Tricia to help clear her name and win the election, she sees little choice except to start snooping.
She soon uncovers a ballot box full of lies and betrayals, and a chamber full of people who had grudges against the victim. But were they serious enough to lead to murder? And who truly had something to gain? Tricia will have to do some serious sleuthing before she pulls the lever on a killer.
As always, I’m dazzled by the writing style of Lorna as we get involved in a murder, an election and intrigue as to why Stan was killed. The road to the discovery of the murderer kept me glued to the pages. The author did a good job with supplying us with plenty of suspects with a surprising twist that spun me around. This lighthearted whodunit entertained me from the first page to an ending filled with possibilities. With the addition of Pixie who is a delight, this series gets better and better and I can’t wait to see what happens next with Tricia, Angelica and the rest of the citizens of Stoneham, NH.
Sounds like such a fun series – I am going to start from the first – just downloaded the first in the series on my Kindle and look forward to starting with Book 1 and reading through the series. Thanks for sharing this author and her books on your blog.
What’s not to love in this Booktown series. I have read each of the previous 6 books in this series by Lorna Barrett, and I have enjoyed them all so much. The characters are great and the setting is so perfect. Any books that have New England states with a charming town as the location is a big draw to me and I always order them. I have not yet ordered this 7th book, but it is on my list of those to get very soon. A fabulous series and an outstanding writer made them that way!!!! Keep up the great work.
Thank you Dru.
I have loved the Booktown series from the start, and can’t wait to read this one. The characters get more intriguing with each installment, and the setting is a delight.
I love this new release and was fascinated by the interplay of the characters, the delicately woven plot and of course by Tricia Miles, the delightful heroine. I particularly enjoyed seeing a new side of Tricia in her relationship with her sister, Angelica. Stoneham is a place I would love to visit! Excellent review, Dru. and by the way, the “surprising twist” spun me around too! I read a lot of mysteries, but I didn’t see that one coming. This is what makes the BookTown Mysteries so much fun to read and one of my favorite series.
I love this series and keep rereading it. I cant wait to read this new book.
Thank you for the wonderful review, Dru. I’m glad readers are enjoying seeing a different side of the relationship between Tricia and Angelica. Tricia had tried for too long to be the perfect person: daughter, sister, businesswoman. I think she’ll be much happier in the future. But will she ever find love? Now that’s a different question.
Love this series! Not the Killing Type is on top of to buy list.