A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard

A Murder Like No Author

Book Summary

Bookstore owner Arlo and her Friday Night Book Club sleuths are going to have to read between the lines to solve this mystery!

It's movie time in Sugar Springs and the whole town is pitching together to get the historical Coliseum Theater ready for the event of the year—the premiere of Missing Girl, local author Wally Harrison's bestselling novel turned film.

Thrilled to bring tourists to Sugar Springs, the town comes together to host the late author's event. But when a stranger arrives, boasting he has definitive proof that Wally didn't write Missing Girl...well, drama leaps from the page into real life. Mishaps start taking place around the theater—and then the stranger is discovered dead in his hotel room right before his press conference.

Can Arlo and her Friday night book club to sleuth out the killer and solve the mystery before the town's Hollywood dreams go up in smoke?

My Thoughts

A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard has Arlo and the book club group try to solve the murder of a visitor who was causing a ruckus in town.  The town of Sugar Springs is getting ready to host the movie premiere of Missing Girl.  The film is based on the bestselling book by the late Wally Harrison.  The victim claimed he had proof that the author’s assistant really authored the novel.  He was killed before he could produce his evidence.  Arlo and the Friday Night Book Club (which is now meeting every day and rarely discusses books) set out to solve the crime before the movie premiere.  Arlo has her hands full this time trying to wrangle the ladies to keep them out of mischief and out of the Chief of Police’s hair.  Matters are further complicated by a series of incidents at the theater.  Fern claims it is ghosts, but Arlo has her doubts.  Can Arlo and the book club ladies get to the bottom of the murder? 

A Murder Like No Author is the 3^rd book in A Main Street Book Club Mysteries.  I suggest reading the books in order as each book builds upon the previous one.  It will allow you to understand the characters and their relationships.  The characters are developed and unique.  Arlo is a kind woman who is always there for her friends.  She has the patience of a saint.  She tries so hard to wrangle Helen, Camille, and Fern.  They can be a handful especially when they have an idea.  Mads Keller, the Chief of Police, is a good man who is rapidly losing patience with the senior sleuths.  Sam is going through a tough family situation.  Arlo feels for him and wishes there was more she could do for him.  My heart went out to Sam.  I understand what he is going through very well. The town of Sugar Springs is charming.  It is full of quirky residents and quaint shops.  I love the bookstore, though, I do not how Arlo can listen to Faulkner all day.  The mystery was thought out and there are good clues to help readers solve the crime.  I liked the red herring. The crime can easily be solved long before the reveal if you do not let Helen, Camille, and Fern’s antics distract you.  Everything comes together for a satisfying ending.  The Wally Harrison storyline which has been running through the first three books is finally put to bed.  There is plenty of humor in this cozy mystery that will have you chuckling and shaking your head.  I could do without the repetition.  It is a bit much after a while.  I also am not a fan of the sort-of love triangle between Arlo, Mads, and Sam.  I am hoping that Arlo will get with Mads.  Their relationship makes more sense to me, and they are a cute pair.  A Murder Like No Author is a spirited whodunit with a departed rebel rouser, hilarious hijinks, a cross chief, a lady in scarlet, and an overburdened bookstore owner.

A Murder Like No Author is available from Amazon*.  The first two books in A Main Street Book Club Mysteries are Can't Judge a Book by It's Murder (on Kindle Unlimited) and A Murder Between the Pages.  You can find Amy Lillard's other novels here. Amy Lillard has Marry Me, Millie publishing on December 28.   It is the first book in the Paradise Valley series. Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Shelley Shepard Gray have An Amish Quilting Bee releasing December 7.  I hope that you cheerful day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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