Enjoyed this one, too, but Trish is getting to me a bit. She isn't as nice as I think the author thinks she is. Some of the things she says seem like she's overreacting and obtuse, and the very end with the flowers was a bit over the top...but I still liked it. ( )

3.75 stars

When one of the stores in Stoneham is blown up, the owner doesn't make it out alive. The head of the Chamber of Commerce was also there at the time, but got out with only injuries. Tricia Miles, who owns a mystery bookstore across the street, has a tendency to "help" solve crimes in the area. Meanwhile, Tricia's sister is in and out of town, as she is promoting a cookbook she has written, so Tricia is helping out with her sister's businesses, as well.

I quite enjoyed this 4th book in the Booktown Mystery series. I still love Tricia's cat, Miss Marple. Something else I like about this one - Tricia had a life. She didn't focus solely on solving the mystery - she was super-busy and had lots of day-to-day stuff to do, as well. On the other hand, something that bugged me - why doesn't she just go the police when she finds something out!? I can understand why in the first book or two, but with a different police officer - one she actually gets along with - looking into this one, I just don't understand! Overall, though, I enjoyed it. ( )

Tricia is so busy running around in this novel, she ought to qualify for frequent running miles! Angelica is on a book signing tour and Tricia is overseeing the running of Angelica’s stores as well as her own. When another shop blows up, that owner is killed and Bob is injured. Now Tricia is on the case, helping the owner’s widowed mother and trying to take care of Bob while Angie is away. Besides this mystery, a side story is developing concerning Tricia’s ex-husband. But then Russ wants back in Tricia’s life, though she still is attracted to Deputy Baker, at least to his green eyes. Sigh. It’s an interesting if complicated time in Tricia’s life, and there is never a dull moment in this well-written and fast-paced cozy. ( )

These books are decently written, the mysteries are solid, and the minor characters are likeable. Unfortunately, Tricia, the protagonist, is so unlikable that it makes enjoying this series next to impossible. I just can't get past how much I can't stand her. It's unfortunate because I like everything else about these books. This one was good. But she's loathsome. Meh. I think I'm done with these. ( )

This was one of the better books in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are being developed more in each book, and you are really getting a sense of who Tricia and Angelica are. The discovery of who the killer was and why that person was doing the killing came as a complete surprise! ( )