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Book 31, 2016
May. 8th, 2016 12:35 pmOn Friday night, I finished Crime and Poetry, which is the first book in the new "Magical Bookshop" mystery series by author Amanda Flower.
Violet Waverly left her home town of Cascade Springs twelve years ago, after she was wrongfully accused of having something to do with her best friend's death. Now, she is returning home to be with her ailing grandmother, Daisy. However, when Violet arrives, it's to find her grandmother in fine fettle. Daisy merely feigned illness to get Violet to return, so that she can take over being the Caretaker of Charming Books. Daisy tells Violet that the books will "speak" to the Caretaker by mysteriously appearing or flying off of a shelf to land open at a pertinent passage. Of course, Violet doesn't believe in such nonsense, until a particular volume of Emily Dickinson's poetry keeps popping up in unexpected places.
Violet plans to head back to Chicago, until a man is found dead in her grandmother's driveway. Now, with Daisy as a primary suspect, Violet finds herself paying attention to what the books are trying to tell her.
This was a delightful story. I admired Violet's resolve and Daisy's resilience. Violet must deal with lingering feelings she still has for her former boyfriend, now the town mayor, along with the dashing chief of police, with whom she shares an instant connection. She makes some new friends, and Violet gradually begins to come to terms with the death of her childhood friend. Violet also ends up with the victim's cat, a black and white tuxedo named Emerson.
The mystery was engrossing. I had it all figured out, until the end, when I learned I didn't have it all figured out. Ha ha!
Favorite line: I always wondered who'd come up with the idea that the best way to help someone who was choking was to beat the person.
Five stars!
*****
Violet Waverly left her home town of Cascade Springs twelve years ago, after she was wrongfully accused of having something to do with her best friend's death. Now, she is returning home to be with her ailing grandmother, Daisy. However, when Violet arrives, it's to find her grandmother in fine fettle. Daisy merely feigned illness to get Violet to return, so that she can take over being the Caretaker of Charming Books. Daisy tells Violet that the books will "speak" to the Caretaker by mysteriously appearing or flying off of a shelf to land open at a pertinent passage. Of course, Violet doesn't believe in such nonsense, until a particular volume of Emily Dickinson's poetry keeps popping up in unexpected places.
Violet plans to head back to Chicago, until a man is found dead in her grandmother's driveway. Now, with Daisy as a primary suspect, Violet finds herself paying attention to what the books are trying to tell her.
This was a delightful story. I admired Violet's resolve and Daisy's resilience. Violet must deal with lingering feelings she still has for her former boyfriend, now the town mayor, along with the dashing chief of police, with whom she shares an instant connection. She makes some new friends, and Violet gradually begins to come to terms with the death of her childhood friend. Violet also ends up with the victim's cat, a black and white tuxedo named Emerson.
The mystery was engrossing. I had it all figured out, until the end, when I learned I didn't have it all figured out. Ha ha!
Favorite line: I always wondered who'd come up with the idea that the best way to help someone who was choking was to beat the person.
Five stars!
*****
