Off the Books (Novel Idea Mystery #5)
Author: Lucy Arlington/Susan Furlong
ISBN13: 9780425276679
Author website: http://www.susanfurlong.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
Literary agent and amateur sleuth Lila Wilkins is back to seal the deal in the New York Times bestselling Novel Idea Mystery series.
Lila is showcasing some of her biggest authors at a bridal expo. But when the joyous event turns deadly, she’ll have to figure out who penned the perfect crime…
The Novel Idea Literary Agency has planned a wedding-themed week for Inspiration Valley, celebrating not only North Carolina’s best vendors but also some of the agency’s most popular bridal books. The fact that Lila can use the event to plan her own impending nuptials is just the icing on the cake.
But wedding bells turn to warning bells when Lila finds a dead man face down in the frosting. Soon it’s discovered that the victim was connected to several Novel Idea authors, all of whom quickly become suspects in the case. It’s up to Lila and her fellow agents to find the real killer before one of their clients winds up scribbling stories from behind bars…
Review:
Lila Wilkins is the wonderful protagonist in Lucy Arlington’s Off the Books. In the fifth installment of “Novel Idea Mystery” series, set the small book minded Inspiration Valley, North Carolina, literary agent Lila really has come into her own. One of the authors she discovered is coming to town. The Novel Idea Literary Agency is celebrating North Carolina’s wedding vendors and the agency’s most popular wedding and bridal based books. Some of their authors have written non-fiction books on the matter while others have written fiction, including mystery, that feature brides and weddings. Lila hopes to get some ideas for her own wedding, whenever that may be. Things get out of hand when a handy man is found dead in one of the wedding cakes, face down in the frosting.
Lila and her coworkers are forced into action when it is discovered several of their clients are connected to the dead man in some way or another and could be suspected in the murder. One of them even described the death in her book. As one after another agent becomes suspects, the agency team has got to do double duty, working the shindig and trying to clear their authors. Lila’s mom, Amazing Althea, is also at the expo telling fortunes. She is a big draw there and hopefully can hear something useful. Lila’s fiancée, detective Sean Griffiths tries to keep the ladies from harm as usual. He boss Bentley is as bossy as ever, even though she has taken in a terror of a pup hoping to keep herself calmer.
This is another wonderful installment in a fun cozy mystery series. What a great place to live, where everything is literature related. Lila is much more comfortable in her job as literary agent and her life is getting on track. The main characters have all developed even more than they already were and that is very enjoyable. Reading Off the Books was like coming back home and being among friends. The storyline is new and delightful. While the mystery itself is full of cozy suspense, with enough twists and turns and suspects to intrigue Mrs Marple. I was kept guessing for sure. The characters’ loves are interwoven and crisscross with a delicate and perfect balance.
Even if you have never read any of the others in this series, you will have no trouble feeling comfortable with these characters and enjoy the book. They are all wonderful though, so do yourself a favor and read them all. I would definitely recommend Off the Books to any cozy fan that enjoys intelligent and well written mysteries. Fans of the old classic cozies will also enjoy this one. Lucy Arlington is a wonderful writer that continues to produce stellar reads.
*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*
