. . . Reviews . . .

Publishers Weekly
"Stoneham, N.H., the picturesque setting of the pseudonymous Barrett’s charming first in a new series, boasts a newly renovated main street devoted to a variety of bookstores. When Tricia Miles—mystery bookstore proprietor and city refugee—discovers her unpleasant cookbook store neighbor stabbed to death and a rare book missing, Tricia soon finds herself under the sheriff’s surveillance and dubbed the village jinx. Determined to clear her name and track down the stolen cookbook, Tricia enlists a few friendly locals to aid in her investigation. When her difficult older sister, Angelica, arrives unexpectedly, Tricia worries she’s in for another headache, but Angelica turns out to be a willing conspirator in Tricia’s search for answers. The mix of books, cooking and an engaging whodunit will leave cozy fans eager for the next installment."

The Cozy Library
"Lorna Barrett has conjured up a dream of a cozy locale and populated it with great characters to give readers a fun-to-read story that will have them begging for more 'Booktown Mysteries.' Tricia and Angelica come from a deliciously dysfunctional family, one that will have readers thanking their lucky stars for their own more normal siblings."

Mystery Gazette
"Fans of regional amateur sleuth cozies will want to visit the bookstores of Stoneham guided by Tricia as she learns first hand that MURDER IS BINDING."

Merrimon Reviews
"Lorna Barrett gives readers a delicious mix of small town and family jealousies and undercurrents beneath the surface, complimented by heart-warming scenes, all brought together by Doris Gleason's murder. Readers might just find themselves hoping that this small town will forever shed the distinction of 'safest town' to make way for more Booktown mysteries!"

 

Miss Marple says "Yow!"