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It is my pleasure to feature In the Event of Murder by Cynthia Kuhn today!
In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery)
by Cynthia Kuhn
About In the Event of Murder
In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Colorado
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books (August 20, 2024)
Hardcover : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639100709
ISBN-13 : 978-1639100705
Digital https://amzn.to/3xRh1X8
It’s the star-studded event of the season in Silvercrest, Colorado—but some of the guests might not make it to the last dance alive in the second charming installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from Agatha Award-winning author Cynthia Kuhn.
Nestled on the banks of a breathtaking Rocky Mountain river and dotted with delightful boutiques and galleries, Silvercrest, Colorado, is a book lover’s paradise. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is looking forward to attending the annual Silvercrest Library Gala, a glamorous evening with celebrities including the legendary Whitney Willton, currently on the hit crime show Chasers, and her niece, party-planner-to-the-stars Lyra Willton. Gala Week is full of exciting activities honoring both page and screen, and library board president Tabitha Baxter is basking in the glow of her successful launch—until Lyra is found dead.
With the gala only days away, the board asks Emma for help, despite Tabitha—her longstanding nemesis—bristling over the choice. Emma agrees, even though she is already in charge of a classic mystery panel at her family’s bookstore, Starlit Books, which turns out to have its own challenges. Meanwhile, Whitney, who is aware of Emma’s sleuthing skills, begs her to find the killer. The case grows more complex with the disappearance of several priceless objects, an attack on one of the attending celebrities, and other predicaments. Emma searches for clues while handling every unexpected twist and turn leading up to the extravagant affair. But when the guests step onto the red carpet, a killer still lurks in the shadows—and murder just might become the main event.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Silvercrest, Colorado is a book lover’s dream on the banks of the Rocky Mountain River and readers arrive just in time for the annual Silvercrest Library Gala. The event has brought celebrities from the hit crime show Chasers including the legendary Whitney Willton to town. Her niece, Lyra Willton, party planner-to-the-stars is in attendance as well. Library Board President Tabitha Baxter was thrilled with the success of the events until Lyra Willton’s body was found dead behind the scenes. Tabitha panics because Lyra had organized much of the gala and the board asks her arch-enemy Emma Starrs to take over. She accepts knowing that dealing with Tabitha will be a challenge but she would do anything for the library.
Whitney also begs Whitney to find her niece’s killer. Soon another celebrity is attacked and priceless items go missing. Can Emma untwist the clues and catch the killer before the main event starts? or will the killer be in attendance for the big event?
I am not sure why there was such a big gap from the first book, How to Book a Murder (December 7, 2021) to this one (August 20, 2024) but it took a few chapters to get back in the groove with the core characters. In this story, like the previous Emma steps in to replace a party planner while trying to save the family bookshop. Again her nemesis Tabitha Baxter is in charge and driving Emma crazy. Emma, her sister Lucy, and her aunt Nora, all feel true to life and relatable. Tabitha pushes my buttons as much as she does Emma’s.
The murder mystery is set after Christmas with several activities ending with the gala on New Year’s Eve. Before that is a screening of an episode of the TV show Chasers at Bluestone complete with cocktails which was very well attended and the scene of the murder. That means plenty of suspects but both Emma and I pared those down quickly. The mystery was not as complex as I expected. There was a lot of focus on the event and its planning. There was a bit of repetition as Emma worked through the clues while at Tabitha’s beck and call. Emma had the patience of a saint and behaved much better than I would have. The guilty party was at the top of my list and the confession revealed a very petty person.
Ms. Kuhn does an excellent job at setting each scene. An unfortunate event put the gala in jeopardy and I was thrilled with how Emma handled it and the help she received. The space was so aptly described I felt like I was right there peering over Emma’s shoulder.
In the Event of Murder was an enjoyable read with characters I want to get to know better. Silvercrest and Starlit Books sound like my happy place being a book lover’s paradise. I could easily spend days, months, or years traveling from shop to shop. I am anxious to return. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next installment of the Starlit Bookshop Mystery Series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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About Cynthia Kuhn
Cynthia Kuhn writes the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries, which focus on a bookseller solving crimes in an artistic mountain community, and the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries, featuring a professor-turned-amateur-sleuth. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Diabolical, Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.
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Also Written by Cynthia Kuhn
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Great Escapes Praise for In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery)
by Cynthia Kuhn
In the Event of Murder is the second in the Starlit Bookshop Mystery series. Sorting out what was part of the murder and what wasn’t kept me on my toes. I love the author’s writing style and look forward to the next book.
~Sapphyria’s Books
The plot was solid with an unexpected resolution, a pleasant read.
~Cassidy’s Bookshelves
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
, so he will be playing 
in the game. But he soon finds himself playing the role of the deceased when he is found dead and the murder in the game goes unsolved, This is definitely not good for the host, it could also mean the end of the Starlit Bookshop when Tabitha accuses both Emma and her aunt, a famous author and college professor, of the murder to anyone who will listen. Of course, everyone at the event is on the suspect list including Tabitha Baxter.
we meet Emma Starrs, her sister Lucy and their aunt Nora. All three are trying to save the bookshop but Nora also teaches at the local college. I found all three to be likable and genuine.
. Unique characters, a marvelous setting and a really stirring mystery all come together for a very intriguing read. I am excited to see where the author takes these characters next after this enjoyable debut.
