Monday, June 29, 2015

Murder on the Half Shelf - Review

Murder on the Half Shelf by Lorna Barrett
Rating: 3 Stars
Source: Purchased

Description:  Stoneham, New Hampshire is a haven for bookstores, including Tricia's own mystery shop, Haven't Got A Clue, but is sadly lacking in Bed and Breakfasts.  Pippa and Jon Comfort's Sheer Comfort Inn opens its doors to the public in a week and the couple has offered some locals a free night as a trial run
But what should have been a pleasant overnight stay for Tricia becomes a nightmare when she makes two startling discoveries: Pippa's murdered body in the backyard and the fact that her husband Jon is actually Harry Tyler, a man Tricia loved - and believed dead - for nearly twenty years.
Now Harry is the prime suspect, but Tricia doesn't believe him capable of murder, regardless of her own feelings toward him.  And even though Harry's led a life of lies, Tricia's learning that Pippa had her share of secrets that some people may have not wanted revealed... (from Goodreads)

Genre: Mystery

Why I Picked This Book: I've been reading this series for awhile and always get the newest one when it comes out.  Plus, who can resist a town of bookstores?

My Impression:
Pro:  I always love visiting Stoneham and visiting the different bookstores.  Can you imagine a bookstore that just focuses on mysteries right next door to a cookbook store?  It just sounds fabulous.  The mystery, as always, was well done.  There were a number of red herrings, false leads and very valid suspects.  I did kind of suspect the who but watching it unravel was fun.  The introduction of Pixie has a lot of potential and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of her character in the future.  I always enjoy seeing Tricia in the store and Angelica trying to run her budding cookbook empire.

Con: Every resident of Stoneham needs to relax.  This is a group of seriously prickly people.  There's a scene with Nikki, who owns a bakery, that seemed unnecessarily antagonistic.  With Tricia's relationships with Angelica and Grant already fairly fragile and the reappearance of Jon Comfort/ Harry this kind of seemed like piling on where it wasn't needed.  There is a lot going on with the actual mystery and side plots featuring Mr. Everret and Grace, Angelica, Tricia's past, strange things that are arriving in the mail, and small town politics.  Sometimes it can be a little difficult keeping track of who does what.

Overall:  This wasn't my favorite in the series but it was still a fun read.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes, despite it's flaws this is a series I always enjoy.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  If you like cozies this is a fun series but this might not be the book I'd start with.

26 comments:

  1. Haven't Got A Clue- that's a great name. This looks good, the New England setting and a town full of bookstores. There might be a bit much going on, bit it does fun. The nice thing I'm finding about these is if you like one you have lots more to read- which is nice. :)

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    1. I do love the name. The whole setting appeals to me so much that the series is always fun to read even when there are aspects of the plot I don't love.

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  2. Another one, on my list of to reads.

    Thank you.

    Tessa

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  3. I'm not a big fan of th cozy mystery but I like the sound of the town Stoneham. A book store near a cooking store! Sounds awesome!

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    1. I really wish Stoneham existed. It'd definitely be high on my list of places to visit.

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  4. This series does sound like fun. What a town!!

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    1. I really wish it existed. I'd definitely be busy planning to visit!

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  5. Okay, seriously even though this book wasn't amazing for you, I want to check out this series because the title of this book just cracks me UP!

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    1. I do love the titles on this series. All the bookish puns are so much fun!

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  6. Heard of this author but not read this series so I need to look it up. :)

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    1. It's a fun series! Even when aspects of the story don't work for me I always enjoy the read and look forward to the next one.

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  7. I definitely can't resist a town of bookstores!

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    1. I can't either! I'd love to visit Stoneham though I'm sure my wallet is glad it doesn't exist!

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  8. You would think with so many awesome bookstores these folks would be incredibly zen..lol

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  9. You would think with so many awesome bookstores these folks would be incredibly zen..lol

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  10. I love the titles on cozy books, they always make me giggle! Stoneham sounds like your kind of town but I'd worry about that murder count! :O All those side plots sound a bit confusing but it still sounds like a fun series. I think I'd be prickly too with the body counting rising all the time!

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    1. Cozy titles are always the best - so rich in puns! The body count would make me a bit jumpy. I think 5% of the population is either murdered or a murderer!

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  11. Ooo a town of bookstores?!! I am in! Would love that. That's too bad about them all being a bit too high strung in this one. Will have to check out some of the earlier ones :D

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    1. I do wish they would all relax but it is a fun series. All the books!

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  12. That bookstore name made me smile. That would be so cool to be able to explore a town of bookstores.

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    1. I would love a town full of bookstores! My budget would hate it but it'd be so fun!

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  13. I like the sound of this one! I would love to visit the town, although living there might not be such a good idea. LOL I could at least visit often, right?

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    1. Living there would be terrible for my budget. Visiting would probably be bad too but it'd be so fun!

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