Crimes and Covers (A Magical Bookshop Mystery #5) by Amanda Flower

 

Christmas is coming to the Western New York village of Cascade Springs, and so is the long-awaited wedding of Charming Books proprietor Violet Waverly and police chief David Rainwater. Grandma Daisy and Violet's best friend, Sadie, go all out to make the nuptials the event of the season--whether Violet likes it or not. But the reception becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons when a woman's dead body floats by on the frigid Niagara River.

Violet is shocked to recognize the deceased as a mysterious woman who visited Charming Books two days before the wedding, toting a rare first edition of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Well aware that a mint condition copy could be worth more than $14,000, Violet told the woman she would have to have the book appraised before she could consider buying it. Most displeased, the woman tucked the precious tome under her arm and stormed out of the shop. Now she's dead, and an enigmatic message scrawled in pen upon her palm reads, "They stole my book."

It's a confounding case, indeed. But fortunately, Violet can draw on the resources of her bookshop's magical consciousness, which communicates clues to Violet via quotes from Walden. With Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow at her side, Violet sets out to recover the priceless book by solving a murder most transcendental.

My thoughts:

This book is another fabulous book penned by Amanda Flower.  I have truly loved this series and have grown fond of the delightful characters, the magical book store and the wonderful storyline.  The human characters are awesome, but I have to admit that Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow will always be memorable and special to me.

I was so happy that my favorite bookshop owner, Violette Waverly is getting married to the chief of police, David Rainwater, and it wouldn’t be the same without Grandma Daisy to make the day so special. Oh, things get a little off kilter when a deceased body floats by on the Niagara River, especially since Violette recognizes the woman’s body and it’s her wedding day.  You’ll have to read the book to find out all the particulars but trust me when I say that Ms. Flower’s writing is purely magical and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the story.

I absolutely adored this well-written, perfectly paced cozy mystery.   Highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.