Not the Killing Type (A Booktown Mystery)
Mystery bookstore owner Tricia Miles begins her seventh adventure with a contentious chamber of commerce meeting. Her sister, Angelica, owner of a cookbook shop and café, is determined to unseat the president but has to run against Stan, another contender, who wants to slash costs. Tricia finds Stan dead in the hotel bathroom during a break in the meeting, stabbed with a hotel worker’s fancy letter opener. Tricia and Angelica ask questions while campaigning for Angelica and learn several secrets about fellow business owners. Stan’s estranged son, Will Berry, comes to town after inheriting his father’s business and seems attracted to Tricia, but she already has her romantic hands full with her ex-husband and newly ex-boyfriend, who seem to be trying to get her back. Veteran genre author Barrett delivers another appealing mix of mystery and small-town affairs starring a small yet energetic cast of characters. Fans of book-themed mysteries may also enjoy Lucy Arlington’s Novel Idea series. --Amy Alessio