annieb123
Written on Jul 14, 2021
The Bookshop Murder is the first book in a new bookshop cozy series by Merryn Allingham. Due out 26th July 2021, it's 256 pages and will be available in audio and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
I love small-town cozies, historical mysteries, and light British crime. This one ticked a lot of boxes for me. It's capably written with an intelligent and appealing young bookstore owner investigating a murder which occurred in her bookshop. The plot arc is quite linear. Flora and Jack, a local recluse author who functions as her Capt. Hastings, seem to go directly from point to point with very few distractions or false clues. The action does move resolutely forward, and it never drags, so although simple, it's an enjoyable and engaging read. There is no bad language or triggering content and the climax and denouement were satisfying and included a few twists I didn't see coming.
Four stars. This is an enjoyable historical bookshop cozy. Fans of the genre will find a lot to like here.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.