For Whom the Book Tolls: An Antique Bookshop Mystery

Laura Gail Black

Sep 2020 · An Antique Bookshop Mystery Book 1 · Crooked Lane Books

About this ebook

“A small Southern town, a spirited sleuth, and a cozy bookshop add up to a fast-paced” cozy mystery series debut that “book-loving readers will cheer for” (Elizabeth Craig, bestselling author of the Southern Quilting mysteries).
 
When Jenna Quinn finds her uncle murdered in his antique bookstore, she not only becomes the primary beneficiary of his estate—but the prime suspect of the investigation.

Trouble follows Jenna Quinn wherever she goes. Fleeing some unsavory doings in her hometown of Charlotte, Jenna accepts her uncle's gracious invitation to stay with him in small-town Hokes Folly, NC. In exchange, she'll help him out in his antiquarian bookstore. But soon after she arrives, Jenna finds her uncle’s body crumpled at the base of the staircase between his apartment and the bookstore.

Before the tragedy even sinks in, Jenna learns that she’s inherited almost everything her uncle owned: the store and apartment, as well as his not-so-meager savings and the payout from a life insurance policy...which adds up to more than a million dollars. This is all news to Jenna—bad news, once the police get wind of her windfall. An ill wind, indeed, as a second murder cements Jenna's status as the prime suspect in both deaths.

Jenna can hit the road again, taking her chances that she can elude trouble along the way. Or she can stick it out in Hokes Folly, take over the bookstore, and try to sleuth out her uncle’s killer. On the one hand, she’s made some wonderful new friends, and she feels she can thrive in the genial small-town environment. On the other hand, trouble knows her address—and so does the killer, who is determined to write the final page of Jenna’s story.

Ratings and reviews

I really enjoyed reading this new cozy mystery! Jenna Quinn is escaping her hometown where she was put on trial for murder and then proven innocent. She runs to her uncle who owns a bookstore in Hokes Folley. When she finds her uncle dead in his shop, can she solve the crime before the detective in charge of the case is able to arrest her for a crime she didn't commit? I really liked reading about Jenna. She was a super fun character to get to know. I liked getting to know everyone in the small town and getting to see all of their quirks. I really felt for Jenna and felt a sort of kinship. Not that I've ever been suspected of murder but I totally saw myself in her. She is a really likable character! I honestly did not see the end coming at all. It took me completely by surprise! I totally thought that I knew who committed the murders, but I could not have been more wrong! I can't wait to read more from this series!

I didn't know what to expect when I saw this book. I can't even tell you how I stumbled upon it or how long it has been in my library. What I can tell you is that I loved the cover. The title of the book made me laugh too. I really enjoyed the story very much! Jenna goes to stay with her uncle to get a fresh start. Sadly, her uncle has been murdered before she got there. She's suspected for murdering him. She faces many misfortunes and fortunes from there. (More on blog: Star's Books & Tea)

law-enforcement, murder-investigation, greed, family-dynamics, friendship***** Really good murder mystery with memorable characters. Jenna has already had a VERY negative experience with being falsely accused and incarcerated, so the last thing she needs is finding the body of someone she loves and who believes in her dead in his home and her being accused of his murder by a police detective wanting brownie points to move up further in the ranks. Her uncle's was the first body, and then there's the scammer apparently looking for something in particular. The suspects kept piling up and then there was the next murder. What treasure? I loved it! I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

Laura Gail Black writes cozy mysteries on the beautiful shores of Lake Marion in South Carolina, where she lives with her husband and four rescue dogs. She began collecting antique books when she worked in a used antique bookstore in college. Today, Laura's bookshelves contain many antique books, some of which are close to 200 years old. When not writing or playing with her dogs, Laura creates her own jewelry, crochets, cross-stitches, spends time on the water with her husband, and enjoys all things tea.