Kristina A. reviewed on 4/4/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower is the first book in the new cozy mystery series titled A Magical Bookshop Mystery series. Violet Waverly rushes home to Cascade Springs, New York when her grandmother, Daisy calls her and states she is dying. Violet arrives to find Grandma Daisy working and very well! It was a ruse (a very effective one) to get Violet home. Violet has not returned home since she left when she was seventeen. It is time for Violet to take her place as the new Caretaker at Charming Books. Grandma Daisy explains the family history and what happens at the store, but Violet is not sure she believes it (seeing is believing). The next morning Benedict Raisin, carriage driver and Grandma Daisy's boyfriend, is in their driveway in his carriage. Unfortunately, he is dead! Grandma Daisy is the number one suspect in the murder (at least according to Officer John Wheaton). Violet sets out to prove her grandmother's innocence. Who wanted to hurt Benedict (who seems well liked) and why leave him in Grandma Daisy's driveway? When the case is over, will Violet stay in town (as Grandma Daisy wants) or will she return to Chicago?

Crime and Poetry was just delightful. I enjoyed the characters (especially Faulkner, the crow, and Emerson, the cat). The setting sounds like it is just beautiful and a place that I would love to visit. The magical element was very light. I hope there will be more of it in future books. The author did a good job of keeping the reader guessing on the identity of the killer. I knew who the killer was as soon as the character was introduced, but that is just me (I read quite a few mysteries and suspense novels). Crime and Poetry has a good mystery, entertaining characters, beautiful setting, a little romance (the possibility), and magic! Amanda Flower did a wonderful job combining these elements into a charming cozy mystery. I give Crime and Poetry 4.5 out of 5 stars (I marked down because I was able to solve the mystery). I cannot wait for the next book in A Magical Bookshop series.

I received a complimentary copy of Crime and Poetry through NetGalley (courtesy of the publisher and author) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

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