Starlit Bookshop Mystery: In the Event of Murder
Starlit Bookshop Mystery: In the Event of Murder, by Cynthia Kuhn
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.
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
Welcome to your tour of Starlit Bookshop! My name is Emma Starrs, bookseller and literary event planner, and I’ll be your guide.
Starlit Bookshop is in a gray stone building on the main street of Silvercrest, Colorado, alongside a variety of shops and boutiques. The town is known for its artisan community, and you can find all kinds of unique gifts for anyone (including yourself) here.
The first thing you’ll notice about Starlit Bookshop is that the glass front is divided by a gorgeous stained glass window that has every color of the rainbow and a star for every member of our family who has worked here. My father, an artist like many of the folks in our little town, created it. The bookstore itself is a family affair: my grandparents founded it, then my parents Austen and Nina ran it, and now my sister Lucy and I—along with our aunt Nora—have taken over.
Indoors, there are rows and rows of books, with a ladder that runs along an iron track to retrieve them. You’re welcome to rest on any of the damask armchairs that are available here and there—or you may prefer to read at one of the tables in the back. Anne Shirley, our beloved cat, may even grace you with a visit.
When you’re ready, you can use the spiral staircase or the elevator to reach the second-level mezzanine, which has arched windows along the sides and many more books, of course. Note the glowing lights shaped like stars that hang from the ceiling—also handmade—we hope you find them as charming as we do! They lift our spirits every day, as do the framed pictures of authors behind the register.
Behind the store, we have a cozy nook of a porch with wrought iron furniture and tons of cushions. The river beside it burbles all day long. You couldn’t ask for a more peaceful spot! Please take in the spectacular view: the Rocky Mountains create a stunning backdrop for the river, as well as for the nearby wildflowers and trees.
Finally, we have appreciated our neighbors over the years but right now we may be in our Ultimate Era, with the best coffeehouse in the world—Riverside Coffee, owned by our friends Diandra and Ariadne—on one side and our friend Vivi’s Silver Blossom catering company on the other. We are literally surrounded by deliciousness.
Come see us again soon!
I would LOVE to come and visit! Thanks for spending time with me and my readers!Starlit Bookshop Mystery Author 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.
To learn more about Cynthia, click on any of the following links: Blog, Twitter/X, Website.Visit all the Stops on the Tour!
August 20 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT
August 20 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
August 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
August 21 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
August 22 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
August 22 – The Mystery of Writing – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 23 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
August 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
August 24 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 24 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT
August 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
August 26 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – REVIEW
August 26 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
August 27 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST
August 27 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
August 28 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW
August 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
August 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
August 29 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 29 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
August 30 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
August 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 31 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW
August 31 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
September 2 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW
Elena Taylor/Elena Hartwell
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