Poisoned Pages

Booktown Mystery, Book #12

By Lorna Barrett

ISBN: 9780451489838

Author website: lornabarrett(.)com

 

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Synopsis:

Mystery bookstore owner Tricia Miles learns that nothing kills a good party like a murder in the latest entry in the New York Times bestselling Booktown Mysteries.

Tricia Miles, mystery bookstore owner and amateur sleuth, throws a housewarming cocktail party in her new apartment and has cooked all the food by herself–quite a feat for someone who previously couldn’t boil water. Then one of her guests is poisoned and dies. Tricia’s left to wonder if her cooking is to blame or if there’s something much more sinister at play. Either way, Tricia’s once again in hot water with her ex-lover, Chief Baker.

Meanwhile the charming town of Stoneham is being disrupted by a vandalism crime wave. It’s the hot topic in the race for Chamber of Commerce president which sees Tricia pitted against two bitter rivals. With all that’s going on can she find the killer before she’s the next item on the menu?

Review:

Poisoned Pages is the 12th book in this fun cozy series. Lorna Barrett has been able to keep the Booktown Mystery series entertaining and new throughout its long running time. I loved this installment. Tricia Miles is an educated, strong and enjoyable protagonist. Her family (blood and not) are great characters. Each bringing something completely different to the table. I am so happy her apartment is finally ready for her and her kitty. It is about time with all she and her shop have been through. Who would have thought Tricia’s first try at cooking for all of her friends would end in tragedy? Sure this is a woman who didn’t know how to boil water, but with a sister who is a serious cook/chef/baker/entrepreneur she couldn’t go wrong. It is a true mystery how a man no one really knew ended up dead.

If that is not enough trouble for Tricia and her sister Angelica, vandals are running wild and committing small crimes against the stores in town. And Angelica is facing an outing of her secret identity due to blackmail. What is going on in Stoneham, New Hampshire? Of course Tricia is pulled into the death and all the other happenings in town. Was her guest’s death simply a tragic allergic reaction? No way. Murder rears its ugly head in their quaint little town, just as Tricia is running for Chamber of Commerce president. Seriously though, does Tricia even have a chance of winning with her title of town jinx.

The supporting cast in really does make this series. Quirky characters like Pixie, gentle ones like Mr. Everett and his wife, the whole clan of Angelica’s world, and of course Miss Marple, the store cat. The way they pull together to support each other and find answers is just wonderful. No matter what Tricia can always count on her store being run perfectly, a good meal at her sister’s restaurant, a wonderful chat with that same sister, and a group of friends that are truly tried and true.

Poisoned Pages is a fabulous addition to this entertaining series. You can read it as a standalone, but this series is so good, I would suggest reading all 12 of them. The setting is perfect, especially if you are an avid reader. The characters run the gamut, from odd to downright fabulous. These pages are anything, but poisoned. The characters and storyline jump off the page and into your imagination. Author Lorna Barrett has not let up or rested on the laurels of this great cozy series. Number 12 is even better than the last one. I cannot wait for number 13. If you enjoy fun, heartwarming, intriguing cozies, pick this one up!!

 

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*