Title: Murder is Binding
Author: Lorna Barrett
First published April 1, 2008
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780425219584 (ISBN10: 0425219585)
Rating: 3.68
Overview
In the quaint town of Stoneham, New Hampshire, bookstores are a dime a dozen. Tricia Miles, a former city dweller, found herself welcomed with open arms when she moved to the town.
Her mystery bookstore was met with friendly competition, until the day Doris Gleason was found dead in her own cookbook store. The weapon of choice?
A carving knife. With the rare cookbook Doris had recently acquired missing, the townsfolk are quick to point fingers at Tricia.
To clear her name, Tricia must channel her inner sleuth and solve the case before the real killer strikes again.
About the Author
Lorna Barrett is a talented author who has made a name for herself with the Booktown Mystery series, which has become incredibly popular and landed her a spot on the New York Times Bestseller list. However, her writing abilities extend beyond this series, as she has also published under the names L.L. Bartlett and Lorraine Bartlett.
She has been nominated for the Agatha Award and has written other captivating works, such as the Jeff Resnick Mysteries and the Victoria Square Mystery series. In addition to her novels, she has also written various short stories and novellas.
To explore all of her works, click on the links provided.
Editoral Review
Lorna Barrett’s “Murder is Binding,” published in 2008, is a cozy mystery novel that follows the story of Tricia Miles, a small-town bookstore owner, as she unravels a murder mystery that hits close to home. The book combines elements of mystery, drama, humor, and romance to create a delightful and engaging read.
As an established author of cozy mysteries, Barrett sets the tone for her novel with witty humor and a cozy atmosphere that feels like a warm hug from a good friend. The story takes place in the charming town of Stoneham, New Hampshire, a small community that is home to the Haven’t Got a Clue bookstore, which Tricia owns.
Stoneham is also a refuge for a cast of eccentric characters who become entangled in the mystery. The novel’s plot centers around the mysterious death of Tricia’s friend, Doris Gleason, who was found dead in her apartment.
As Tricia investigates the cause of her friend’s death, she gets caught up in a web of secrets, betrayal, and unexpected twists. Along the way, she meets a diverse cast of characters, including her estranged sister, Angelica, who provides an added layer of tension to the story.
Barrett’s writing is smart and insightful, and her pacing keeps the mystery fresh throughout the book. She cleverly uses bookstore jargon and literary references to provide depth to the characters and the plot, which adds to the overall charm of the story.
The author’s attention to detail is praiseworthy, and it shows in the way she describes the quaint setting of Stoneham and the unique personalities of its inhabitants. One of the strengths of the novel is the way Barrett uses themes of friendship, family, and loyalty to provide emotional depth to the story.
Each character’s relationships are explored in a realistic and relatable way, which makes the book more than just a thrilling mystery. The book’s only flaw is its predictability, which is an issue in many cozy mysteries.
The identity of the culprit is not hard to guess, and the eventual outcome feels less surprising than the journey to get there. However, this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel.
Overall, “Murder is Binding” is a delightful and entertaining read that will leave cozy mystery fans feeling satisfied. The author’s attention to detail, witty humor, and relatable characters make the book a standout in the genre.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and heartwarming story. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
