Violet Waverly sleuths a Thoreau-ly puzzling Christmastime murder in Agatha Award-winning, USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower's fifth Magical Bookshop mystery.
Christmas is coming to the Western New York village of Cascade Springs, and so is the long-awaited wedding of Charming Books proprietor Violet Waverly and police chief David Rainwater. Grandma Daisy and Violet's best friend, Sadie, go all out to make the nuptials the event of the season--whether Violet likes it or not. But the reception becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons when a woman's dead body floats by on the frigid Niagara River.
Violet is shocked to recognize the deceased as a mysterious woman who visited Charming Books two days before the wedding, toting a rare first edition of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Well aware that a mint condition copy could be worth more than $14,000, Violet told the woman she would have to have the book appraised before she could consider buying it. Most displeased, the woman tucked the precious tome under her arm and stormed out of the shop. Now she's dead, and an enigmatic message scrawled in pen upon her palm reads, "They stole my book."
It's a confounding case, indeed. But fortunately, Violet can draw on the resources of her bookshop's magical consciousness, which communicates clues to Violet via quotes from Walden. With Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow at her side, Violet sets out to recover the priceless book by solving a murder most transcendental.
Industry Reviews
Praise for Crimes and Covers
"A charming combination of mystery and magic."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Whimsical . . . perfect reading for a winter's night when a bit of magic mixes well with a strong dose of murder."
-Publishers Weekly
"[A] satisfying mystical cozy [that] will appeal to fans of Esme Addison's Enchanted Bay mysteries."
-Booklist
"Amanda Flower continues to stun with her attention to details . . . rich writing, [and] an addicting mystery."
-San Francisco Book Review, 5-star review
"Wonderfully original and thoroughly entertaining from first page to last."
-Midwest Book Review
Praise for Verse and Vengeance:
"A scholarly heroine, endearing characters and settings, and enigmatic clues make for a satisfying mystery."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Fans of Nancy Atherton's Aunt Dimity and Carolyn Hart's Bailey Ruth Raeburn will enjoy."
-Booklist
"Whimsical...For those who like...a pinch of magic in their cozies."
-Publishers Weekly
"Another fun mystery from the talented author of the series Amanda Flower."
-Red Carpet Crash
"I give the highest praise to Amanda Flower's intelligent writing and her magical flair."
-MyShelf
"A fun, fast paced, and impressively original mystery by one of the very best."
-Midwest Book Review
"There is so much to fall in love with in this series...Flower knows exactly what to write to have you turning the pages so fast, it will seem like magic."
-Cozy Mystery Book Reviews
"Verse and Vengeance is a humorous, charming, and addicting mystery that has a magical bookshop that is every reader's dream come true, a sweet romance with a handsome chief, and delightful characters guaranteed to make you smile."
-Seattle Book Review
Praise for Murders and Metaphors:
"Charming...Cozy fans will be well satisfied."
-Publishers Weekly
"The master of the charming mystical cozy again provides plenty of quirky characters and red herrings to keep you guessing."
-Kirkus Reviews
"I enjoy this series very much...Treat yourself to another enjoyable visit to Cascade Springs, where you can revel in the magic!"
-MyShelf
Praise for the Magical Bookshop mysteries:
"An enchanting tale of mystery, magical books, and endearing characters. Prepare to be charmed."
-Heather Blake, national bestselling author of The Witch and the Dead on Crime and Poetry
"In her page-turning style, Flower builds effective suspense."
-Booklist
