Hugs hi everyone! *Sassy wavy paws
Welcome to Meet Me at the Bookshelf. Today I am reviewing Spellbound by Murder, a Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery by Stacie Ramey
.I am a dog, and I contribute to the fabulous Anipal Times. These are my impressions of the books Momma reads to me. Hope you like it and you can comment too on the blog.
In this cozy mystery, Veronica Blackthorne, a single mom, must come back from FL to help manage the family book business in New England after her grandmother Alice, the store owner, took a fall.
When she arrives with her 16-year – old daughter, Phoebe, Veronica finds the bookstore is in danger of closing. A big-box store rival, run by Almira Leach, is trying to buy the bookstore. Ms. Leach has been known to rig bestseller lists and let deceptive authors buy thousands of books themselves nationwide to inflate book sales.
Grandmother may have exaggerated her injury just to get the women to come help her. Still, this intergenerational trio strives to save the store despite tragedy and a touch of magic.
Just outside the bookstore window, a fantastic barn owl takes an interest in the new bookstore staff and hoots for attention. She has one foot that is orange and spots around her eyes. She may be protecting the new town booksellers, Veronica and Phoebe.
Phoebe names the owl Stella, and it closely follows them around town hooting in times of danger, so that should be a clue.
Veronica spruces up the bookstore, but seems to lose time and space when she works. She agreed to organize the town’s literary festival for her grandmother. But when the keynote speaker cancels due to illness and on short notice, Veronica needs a keynote fast and asks her good-looking acquaintance and big-time author, Adam Whitford, to be the keynote speaker. He agrees quickly and for a tiny fee.
Leach forces her way to lead the festival committee, despite not living in town, just days before the event and attempts to sideline the keynote. She shares online posts suggesting Adam appears unseemly or perhaps a plagiarist.
Veronica vouches for him. Adam arrives to speak at the festival. He is greeted by many excited town residents, fans, agents, college students, and editors.
Adam asks to meet Veronica in the bell tower after he speaks. Everyone thinks maybe a romance and strong business receipts will be in the future. Nope. Adam is discovered dead at the tower’s base as Veronica arrives for the meet-up. Stella hooted at Veronica the entire way to meet Adam at the tower, offering another clue.
The women then cast a spell to gain insight into who might have killed Adam. As a result of the spell, Stella the owl drops from her orange foot and talon a red and silver amulet that allows Veronica to hear people’s thoughts.
Cool, I say to Momma. I could do a lot with that amulet.
The bookstore staff gave the attendees swag bags with location devices and geo tags so the tech in this book is very forward-thinking and helps solve the mystery.
Veronica does not wear her amulet when she is interrogated by the police because she thinks it may make her act guilty.
Guess who is the primary suspect?Veronica! I woof when Momma asks!
Yep, I am good at this.
Good news, though. Veronica’s grandmother reveals the surprising secret that the bookstore itself is magical and, oops, a love spell by Phoebe and Grandma created this whole mess. A love spell! Momma is laughing until Grandmother is arrested and jailed.
Stella, the barn owl, and Sassy are shocked, I tell you.
I give this book three and a half paws up.
It took some time to start and felt unoriginal, as if I had read it often elsewhere, but it was fun and tech-forward. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman is a better book choice, which was also just released as a movie, part two, with the second generation of women Sept. 10. It still includes Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
This book is very topical, has many pop culture references, and elevated word choices. The characters are likable. I enjoyed the hip language and mashups of words, mainly from Phoebe, like calling things Snarkasm, a mixture of snark and sarcasm. Very clever.
I enjoyed the women at the bookstore casting spells, and I especially loved Stella the owl when she gave Veronica an amulet from her orange talon. Makes me daydream about what I would do with an amulet. I would be super nice to whoever made the dinner. I would know when and where lunch is. I could get bigger shares. Woof.
This book would be perfect for a fast read when taking a break from raking leaves. The story felt light and airy, and a touch of magic keeps the world turning. Nod. Enjoy.
Thanks for joining me. Wuvu.
See you next time for Meet Me at the Bookshelf *Sassy wavy paws
Spellbound by Murder by Stacie Ramey
