Monday, August 3, 2020

Cozy Mystery Review ~ A Just Clause (Booktown Mystery, Book #11) by Lorna Barrett @BerkleyMystery


Print Length: 313 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B01MA58VW8
Amazon

Tricia Miles, mystery bookstore owner and amateur sleuth, is in for a surprise when her ne’er-do-well father, John, comes to town—and promptly becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a woman with her own scandalous past. Even Tricia’s faith in the old man is shaken when the Stoneham police break the news that her father is a known con man who has done jail time.

But what about bestselling thriller author Steven Richardson? Is it a coincidence that he arrived for a book signing just before the crime or that the victim was found with a signed copy of his latest bestseller?

From merlot to murder, Tricia is determined to clear the family name before another body shows up and ruins Stoneham’s first—and highly anticipated—wine and jazz festival.


A Just Clause is my first experience with Lorna Barrett's Booktown Mystery series. I found Tricia to be a great heroine and amateur sleuth. She is reunited with her father after he skipped town earlier in the year, only to quickly have him accused of murder. During the investigation, Tricia and her sister Angelica also discover their father is not who they thought he was. John is a man with scandalous past including being a con man and serving jail time. To add more into the mix, a best selling author comes to town just prior to the murder. To top it off, the murder victim is found clutching a copy of the author's must recent release.

The author created a wonderful town with wonderful characters. While I'm new to Stoneham, the author, even in the 11th book, made the characters and town seem like the reader has always know them. I felt like I was inside the story, partnering up with Tricia as she worked hard to clear her father's name. The murder was interesting and had several viable suspects.

I enjoyed the book and will be going back and starting from the beginning.

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