A Murderous Plot by Sue Minix

A blurb-free decision to add this book to my collection, based solely on the cover. It  is a bit of a fantasy of mine: a quaint little book shop with flowers outside, a bucket of chrysanthemums, some pumpkins, a cat and a Victorian lamp post, wrapped up in a bookish title...how could I not?

Deep down I realised that the story would probably be a cosy crime, but I'm okay with that now and again. Disappointed to see that despite the Victorian scene the book is set in the United States, but I needn't have worried. The language is free from the American thriller buzzwords and definitely has an English charm to it. The pace is slow like a rural market town should be, plenty of time taken over breakfast, too. So far, so good.

This is part of a series featuring a bookshop owner and writer of mysteries, with a part-time hobby of solving crime. It helps that her partner is a police officer so that she can get some insider benefits although she is not technically allowed into crime scenes. Works well as a standalone. This story opens when the couple are taking part in a morning run and an injured man falls into their path. There is a bad head injury and a complete loss of memory. Oh yes, and a dead man who has been threatening the bookshop owner for years so he can develop the area. The suspects are not the correct ones so the bookish amateur detective is forced into action once more despite the protests from the police.

A pleasant, fun and easy read with likeable characters, a starring role for a very lovable dog and an Agatha Christie feel to it. I also enjoyed the interesting insight into running a bookshop. Short enough to pick up another book from the collection.

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Published by Avon on 29 August 2024.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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