Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran is the first book in the new “Read Em and Eat” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, August 2014

Nestled in the barrier islands of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers Beach is home to Mary “Sassy” Cabot and Bridget Mayfield—owners of the bookstore café, Read ’Em and Eat. But when they’re not dishing about books or serving up scones, Sassy and Bridgy are keeping tabs on hard-boiled murder.

Read ’Em and Eat is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch treats, along with quite a colorful clientele. If it’s not Rowena Gustavson loudly debating the merits of the current book club selection, it’s Miss Augusta Maddox lecturing tourists on rumors of sunken treasure among the islands. It’s no wonder Sassy’s favorite is Delia Batson, a regular at the Emily Dickinson table. Augusta’s cousin and best friend Delia is painfully shy—which makes the news of her murder all the more shocking.

No one is more distraught than Augusta, and Sassy wants to help any way she can. But Augusta doesn’t have time for sympathy. She wants Delia’s killer found—and she’s not taking no for an answer. Now Sassy is on the case, and she’d better act fast before there’s any more trouble in paradise.

I love the idea of a bookstore café that becomes the backdrop in this debut novel in this lighthearted whodunit. The tone was comfortable and the pacing was perfect in this engaging mystery where the suspect list was plenty. The author did a great job in pulling it all together in a manner befitting a drama that kept me turning the pages until the end. I adore the cast of characters that includes feisty Sassy, Bridgy, her BFF and the ever-present Ophie. This is very enjoyable and I can’t wait for the next book in this delightfully appealing series.

previously posted on the Cozy Chicks blog