loribonesscaswell

Dollycas’s Thoughts

We return to Booktown just in time for bestselling thriller author Steven Richardson’s book signing at Haven’t Got A Clue. Tricia is totally surprised when her dad walks into the signing. He left abruptly his last visit owing a lot of money. Before she has time to worry about him the signing is over and her dad has disappeared. Tricia and Angelica lock up the store and head to the Dog Eared Page for a drink, but see something down the street, a hardcover copy of Steven Richardson’s new book. Tricia picks up the book and looks around and discovers a body. It is Carol Talbot. She was at the signing and had altercations with both her father and Steven. This can’t be good. Both men are going to be prime suspects.

I love this series! Tricia, Angelica, Pixie Poe, and Mr. Everett always make me feel right at home. All the characters are expertly crafted and continue to evolve. Tricia is renovating her space above her store after a fire. Angelica’s businesses are thriving. Pixie Poe is getting married and Mr. Everett and his wife Grace are blissfully happy. The Miles sisters learn more about their dad’s past and their mother comes to visit too. With Tricia and Miss Marple already displaced from their home due to the construction, Angelica just having her loft and most of the other lodging in the town full, it becomes a funny juggling act to accommodate everyone. What I like the best though is the way these sisters work together, take care of each other, and still try to everything they can for their friends and Booktown.

This story is filled with plenty of drama too. The girl’s father goes missing and just when they track him down his is gone again. He really isn’t a nice man. Their mother has taken care of him forever but she had enough and kicked him out. He takes terrible advantage of his daughters and even their friends.

Then, of course, there is the murder and then another murder. Could their father really have killed someone? The victim has a dark past, could the killer know her from then? Twists, turns, spins, this story has it all. The author sets a fast pace and doesn’t let up until all has been revealed.

Lorna Barrett continues to delight me with her writing. Strong characters and fantastic stories. I am excited about the next installment, Poisoned Pages, it releases next month.