A Body in the Bookshop by Helen Cox

A Body in the Bookshop

by Helen Cox

Paperback, 416 pages

Expected publication: May 19th 2020 by Quercus Publishing

Goodreads synopsis:

A PAGE-TURNING COSY MYSTERY SET IN THE PICTURESQUE CITY OF YORK. PERFECT FOR FANS OF BETTY ROWLANDS, LJ ROSS AND FAITH MARTIN.

Librarian Kitt Hartley and her friend Evie Bowes thought their life had gone back to normal after the shocking events of Murder by the Minster. Then DI Malcolm Halloran breaks some bad news: DS Charlotte Banks has been suspended from duty, on suspicion of assaulting the suspect in the burglary of a local bookshop.

Evie wants justice for Charlotte, who she is sure was not the attacker, and how could any self-respecting librarian turn down the chance to find missing rare books? The two friends team up once again to investigate the rarefied world of York's bookshops and antiques dealers and find out just who has framed their friend.

But Kitt and Evie will soon learn that there are some books people will kill for - will this story have a happy ending?

***

4.75 Stars

This is the second book in a series set in York, England featuring all the same characters but from different points of view. Book one: MURDER BY THE MINSTER featured Kitt and DI Mal Halloran’s romance and mystery. This book centers on Kitt’s friend, Evie Bowes and Mal’s partner DS Charlotte Banks.

Banks has been suspended for assault after a burglary in a bookshop of some rare first editions. We know it’s all a bunch of BS from the very beginning and Evie jumps in and tries to figure out what is really going on. In her mind, if Kitt can solve a mystery, why not her? So, the hunt is on for the missing first editions.

There is a pretty great scene at an auction where DI Mal Halloran, my favorite character of the year, sprints across chairs like Indiana Jones and tackles a suspect. Classic! There is definitely not enough Mal Halloran in this book for me. And I wonder if this series needs a name and a central focus. This could morph into a DI Halloran and DS Banks mystery series fairly easily since they are the main detectives here. Above I called it a series set in York. Maybe Picturesque City of York series would be a good moniker.

I really enjoy this series and was pretty surprised that book two came out so quickly after book one. Usually we have to wait for book two for over a year, so when this popped up, I was excited to dive into it. I am in love with this series world and characters. So ready for book three!

If you love police procedurals and detective fiction with a taste of romance, definitely check this series out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.