Dollycas's Thoughts
Chapters Bed and Breakfast is all set to welcome popular romantic fantasy author Amanda Nobel. The author is really coming to get some downtime but has agreed to a book signing at Bookwaves, a meet-and-greet tea, and a small cocktail party to promote her new release. Three of her fans have won a stay at the B&B and some one one-on-one time with the famous author. Lisette Bradford is the head of a major Amanda Nobel fan club and a fan fiction author. Harper Gregg and Mollie Zeleski are huge fans of the author. All three are excited about their win.
After the meet and greet, Charlotte's guests go their separate ways but Lisette was the only one that didn't return. The next morning Detective Amber Johnson calls with bad news. Lisette's body was pulled out of the water near the Beaufort docks. There was obvious trauma to her head not consistent with a fall. The police and Charlotte already have a suspect in Lisette's ex-husband but they quickly find there are others that could have killed her. Charlotte and her neighbor Ellen along with Ellen's Yorkshire terrier, Shandy quickly start their own investigation to ferret out the killer.
Charlotte has one more concern . . . Who is the man staying with Ellen? She never lets anyone stay at her house.
Former school teacher Charlotte Reed is a strong protagonist. Her years as an English teacher have prepared her well for hosting authors from various genres. The skills also aid her when she starts sleuthing. Her neighbor, Ellen has some great skills from her previous job as well. They make a great team when trying to catch a killer. Charlotte has Alicia to help her at the B&B. She kinda came with the place and they are finally figuring out how to work together and even become friends. Damian is a wonderful chef who works for Charlotte when there are guests at the B & B and at most of the events she hosts. Julie Rivera owns Bookwaves. She and Charlotte are friends who work together on literary events. We meet several new characters and revisit others who were in the first book, Booked for Death. All of Ms. Gilbert's characters are cleverly crafted, have a purpose in the story, and feel true to life.
I was entertained by the mysteries that unfolded in this book. As an avid reader, I found the themes of fan fiction, ghostwriters, pitfalls in publishing, and stress when writing a long-running series to be very captivating. Ms. Gilbert did an excellent job of blending them all together in a compelling murder mystery. I did my best to follow all the clues but I was surprised when the guilty party was revealed. The showdown was tense and a little help came in an unexpected way that made me smile.
A subplot deals with something from Ellen's and Charlotte's great-aunt Isabella's past. That was interesting too. It gives us a little more of Ellen's backstory but does detract just a bit from the main mystery.
If Chapters Bed and Breakfast were a real place I would visit often and probably stay until they kicked me out. Being surrounded by Isabella's collection of books would be absolutely fabulous. Add to that the visits by authors and all the other literary events and it would make me very happy and content. Helping to solve a murder mystery or two would be icing on the cake.
Reserved for Murder was a very enjoyable read. I am excited to see who visits Chapters Bed and Breakfast next and what Ms. Gilbert has in store for them.
Chapters Bed and Breakfast is all set to welcome popular romantic fantasy author Amanda Nobel. The author is really coming to get some downtime but has agreed to a book signing at Bookwaves, a meet-and-greet tea, and a small cocktail party to promote her new release. Three of her fans have won a stay at the B&B and some one one-on-one time with the famous author. Lisette Bradford is the head of a major Amanda Nobel fan club and a fan fiction author. Harper Gregg and Mollie Zeleski are huge fans of the author. All three are excited about their win.
After the meet and greet, Charlotte's guests go their separate ways but Lisette was the only one that didn't return. The next morning Detective Amber Johnson calls with bad news. Lisette's body was pulled out of the water near the Beaufort docks. There was obvious trauma to her head not consistent with a fall. The police and Charlotte already have a suspect in Lisette's ex-husband but they quickly find there are others that could have killed her. Charlotte and her neighbor Ellen along with Ellen's Yorkshire terrier, Shandy quickly start their own investigation to ferret out the killer.
Charlotte has one more concern . . . Who is the man staying with Ellen? She never lets anyone stay at her house.
Former school teacher Charlotte Reed is a strong protagonist. Her years as an English teacher have prepared her well for hosting authors from various genres. The skills also aid her when she starts sleuthing. Her neighbor, Ellen has some great skills from her previous job as well. They make a great team when trying to catch a killer. Charlotte has Alicia to help her at the B&B. She kinda came with the place and they are finally figuring out how to work together and even become friends. Damian is a wonderful chef who works for Charlotte when there are guests at the B & B and at most of the events she hosts. Julie Rivera owns Bookwaves. She and Charlotte are friends who work together on literary events. We meet several new characters and revisit others who were in the first book, Booked for Death. All of Ms. Gilbert's characters are cleverly crafted, have a purpose in the story, and feel true to life.
I was entertained by the mysteries that unfolded in this book. As an avid reader, I found the themes of fan fiction, ghostwriters, pitfalls in publishing, and stress when writing a long-running series to be very captivating. Ms. Gilbert did an excellent job of blending them all together in a compelling murder mystery. I did my best to follow all the clues but I was surprised when the guilty party was revealed. The showdown was tense and a little help came in an unexpected way that made me smile.
A subplot deals with something from Ellen's and Charlotte's great-aunt Isabella's past. That was interesting too. It gives us a little more of Ellen's backstory but does detract just a bit from the main mystery.
If Chapters Bed and Breakfast were a real place I would visit often and probably stay until they kicked me out. Being surrounded by Isabella's collection of books would be absolutely fabulous. Add to that the visits by authors and all the other literary events and it would make me very happy and content. Helping to solve a murder mystery or two would be icing on the cake.
Reserved for Murder was a very enjoyable read. I am excited to see who visits Chapters Bed and Breakfast next and what Ms. Gilbert has in store for them.
