Trouble on the Books is the first book in the Castle Bookshop Mystery series by Essie Lang. It is currently scheduled for release on March 13 2019.
Shelby Cox never intended to become a bookseller, so when the former editor returns to her hometown of Alexandria Bay, nestled in upstate New York’s breathtaking Thousand Islands region, to take over her aunt’s bookstore, she has no idea what to expect. To her amazement, she discovers that she now owns a fifty-percent share in Bayside Books, and will also run the store’s second location in the majestic castle on nearby Blye Island. But just as Shelby is gearing up for the start of the tourist season, the Castle volunteer coordinator is found murdered in the nearby Grotto. Castle caretaker Matthew Kessler is suspect number one, but Shelby thinks the killing may be connected to an earlier era, when violence among Prohibition-era smugglers was rampant in the region. As Shelby launches her own investigation, handsome and unnerving Special Agent Zack Griffin of the Coast Guard Investigative Services tries to quell her smuggling theory and keep her safe. But Shelby is determined to summon all her savvy as a book editor to plot the murder—and find the killer before they strikes again.
Trouble on the Books is an entertaining read, with a god deal od setting and character development. Shelby and her relationships and background were slowly introduced, but there were moments that had me checking back to see if I missed something. I did like that there were hints that there is a great deal more about Shelby to learn as the series continues. I think the mystery itself and the sleuthing were well done with some good twists and turns as well as a better introduction to characters that are almost certainly going to be important later. As the first book in the series there is a great deal of ground work that needs to be laid in order for the small town community members and their relationships to be introduced. I think that this was generally handled very well, setting up some important groundwork that will make later books work very well. I had two things about the book that just did not work, and one of them might be because I am in a bit of a reading slump. I just could not connect to Shelby as a character at all. I did feel like I was getting to know her, but not that I was in her head or that I cared much for her well being. This could totally be because of my headspace rather than the book, but it colored my read and reaction to the story as a whole- so I need to mention it. The second thing that bothered me was the need to introduce one (or more) love interests for our sleuth. Romance is not the end all and be all to ever single lady's life (so says the married romance reader). Maybe let Shelby figure out where she is living and what she wants in the near future, never mind survive the day, before giving her a few guys to try out?
Trouble on the Books is a good read, with a solid mystery. Personally I had some character issues, but I think future installments will be even better than the first.
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