A Controversial Cover by Lorna Barrett

 A Controversial Cover

Book Summary

When a famous children's author is murdered at the library, Tricia Miles has to find the killer before it's too late in the latest entry to Lorna Barrett's New York Times bestselling Booktown series.

Tricia Miles is ready to close the book on all her amateur sluething—she's tired of finding dead bodies and being accused of murder. But even the best laid plans often go awry.

Stoneham is all abuzz when Lauren Barker, a famous children's book author, arrives for an event at the local library. Lauren is a Stoneham native, and her new book strikes some members of the town as controversial. But when Lauren is found strangled to death after an altercation at the event, the plot twist throws Tricia right back into the middle of things.

Who could possibly have wanted Lauren dead? Was it Dan Reed, who had to be thrown out of the signing for spouting conspiracy theories and causing a disturbance? Stella Kraft, Lauren’s high school teacher, who thought of the author as a protégé—something Lauren violently disputed? Or the mystery man who spoke to Lauren just before she was found dead? With the suspect count climbing higher and more information about Lauren's past coming to light, will Tricia be able to give this story a happily ever after?

A Controversial Cover by Lorna Barrett is the eighteenth A Booktown Mystery.  The author provides the background information needed for new readers.  A Controversial Cover is easy to read, but it is bland.  Tricia Miles, I believe, is in her mid-forties, but she comes across as older (and stodgy).  Tricia is dating David, a twenty something children’s librarian which is raising more than a few eyebrows in the town.  David’s quirky attire to a funeral caused eyes to widen and tongues to wag.  There are repetitive details in A Controversial Cover.  I lost track of how many times it was mentioned that Tricia (well, technically, her assistant manager) is having trouble tracking down vintage mysteries.  We get an update on Angelica’s dog each time Tricia goes over (which is usually twice a day).  Food is a big topic in the book.  I believe food (as well as David and Tricia’s romance) overshadows the whodunit (Tricia going grocery shopping, Tricia’s bare cupboards, Tricia and Angelica’s having lunch or dinner).  

David wears a shirt similar to this one to a funeral!

The mystery was uncomplicated.  By the halfway point, I was beginning to doubt there would be any investigation.  I felt bad for the teacher that Tricia left dangling in the wind.  The reveal was less than satisfactory.  I was not a fan of the addition of foul language (there was a mild amount, but I would prefer none).  There were some odd sentences in the story as well (such as, “quiet money in the collection containers”).  I like Booktown (I cannot resist a bookshop and a town full of them is nirvana), but this visit ranks low on the happiness meter.  I am sure my next visit to Booktown will have me smiling and curious to see what mystery Tricia finds herself mixed up in. 

A Controversial Cover can be ordered from Amazon* along with the other novels in A Booktown Mysteries.  Don't forget that today is the last Amazon Prime Day (so many deals).  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be sharing my thoughts on Trouble is Brewing by Vicki Delany tomorrow.  It is the fifth A Tea by the Sea Mystery.  My mother had a lovely birthday.  She enjoyed her gifts and her dinner (it was hot in that kitchen).  She drifted off to sleep wearing a new nightgown with Garfield in her arms (from Build a Bear wearing a shirt with a lasagana in one hand) and covered in her new Charlie Brown blanket.  I am off to get some housework done (I would rather read a book--of course, wouldn't we all).  I hope that you have a cheerful day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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