Prologue to Murder

Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, Book #2   

By Lauren Elliott

ISBN:  9781496720207

Author’s Website:  laurenelliottauthor(.)com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

After a career working with rare books at the Boston Public Library, Addie Greyborne is back in her seaside New England hometown—where unfortunately, murder is not so rare . . .

Gossip columnists love a bold-faced name—but “Miss Newsy” at Greyborne Harbor’s local paper seems to specialize in bald-faced lies. She’s pointed a finger of suspicion at Addie after librarian June Winslow never makes it home from a book club meeting. And when June’s found at the bottom of a steep flight of stairs, Addie’s not only dealing with a busybody, but a dead body.

It’s a good thing the guy she’s dating is the police chief. But both the case and her love life get more complicated when a lanky blonde reporter from Los Angeles shows up. She’s trying her hardest to drive a wedge between the couple . . . as if Addie doesn’t have enough problems dealing with angry townspeople. Despite all the rumors, Addie doesn’t know a thing about the murder—but she plans to find out. And the key may lie in a book about pirate legends that June published. Now she just has to hunt down the clues before she becomes a buried treasure herself. (Goodreads)

Review:

Prologue to Murder is the second book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore series by author Lauren Elliott. 

While not necessary, I suggest reading book one, Murder by the Book first as this allows the reader to get a sense of who the characters are and their relationships to each other, providing a bit of a foundation.

Addie Greyborne has returned to her home town of Greyborne Harbor and owns and runs Beyond the Page (a book and curio shop). She has also in the past, solved a murder. This installment of the Beyond the Page Bookstore series sees Addie being hounded by the town gossip columnist Miss Newsy when a member of the local book club (the town librarian in fact), June Winslow, goes missing after the latest meeting. Unfortunately for Ms. Winslow, she later on turns up dead. 

Marc Chandler, chief of police and Addie’s beau is probably what keeps Addie from being the prime suspect in June’s murder. As with all cozy mysteries, Addie takes it upon herself to investigate in order to find the killer and take away suspicion from herself.  We do learn that June’s death may involve a book she penned many, many years ago and pirates.  Pirates you say!  Yup….and the fun does not stop there as when pirates are involved, there must be hidden treasure! 

As Addie tries to unravel the mystery of the missing book and the murder of June, the reader is lead through a thoroughly enjoyable story where there are many potential suspects. Addie efficiently and methodically leads us through the maze of suspects and finally pieces together the culprit. All I must say was that I was stumped as to whodunit – just the way I like my mysteries – at least until the very end.

There is more to this cozy mystery then a murder. We have a bit of romance stuff happening – another reporter has her sights set rekindling her romance with Addie’s beau (don’t you just love a good love triangle). Or, Simon, the town doctor has also caught Addie’s attention. Hmmm – love running amuck. 

As well, this reader wondered why, in the book that June wrote, pieces of history have been suppressed. What is the town trying to hide? The story behind the hidden tunnels also contributed to the intrigue in the storyline. I shall say it again, don’t pirates add a bit of mystery to a mystery?

Another plus for me is that I really like the cover art. It just drew me in and made me want to curl up with this good book and read~

I will patiently wait for the next book in the series, Murder in the First Edition.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*