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Booktown Mystery #1-3
Murder in Three Volumes
Stoneham, New Hampshire, was a dying town until community leaders invited booksellers to open up shop. Now, its streets are lined with bookstores—and paved with murder…
Murder is Binding: When she opened her mystery bookstore, city slicker Tricia Miles met friendly competition. But when she finds Doris Gleason killed by a carving knife, the atmosphere seems more cutthroat than cordial. Someone wanted to get their hands on Doris’ rare cookbook—and the locals think that someone is Tricia.
Bookmarked for Death: To celebrate her bookstore’s anniversary, Tricia hosts a book signing for bestselling author Zoe Carter. But the event takes a terrible turn when the author is found dead in the washroom. With both police and reporters demanding the real story, Tricia will have to take matters into her own hands and read between the lines.
Bookplate Special: After weeks of putting up with her uninvited college roommate Pammy Fredricks, Tricia finally gets fed up and kicks her out. But when Pammy is later found dead in the trash cart, Tricia will need to dive in head-first if she wants to solve the case.
Murder is Binding: When she opened her mystery bookstore, city slicker Tricia Miles met friendly competition. But when she finds Doris Gleason killed by a carving knife, the atmosphere seems more cutthroat than cordial. Someone wanted to get their hands on Doris’ rare cookbook—and the locals think that someone is Tricia.
Bookmarked for Death: To celebrate her bookstore’s anniversary, Tricia hosts a book signing for bestselling author Zoe Carter. But the event takes a terrible turn when the author is found dead in the washroom. With both police and reporters demanding the real story, Tricia will have to take matters into her own hands and read between the lines.
Bookplate Special: After weeks of putting up with her uninvited college roommate Pammy Fredricks, Tricia finally gets fed up and kicks her out. But when Pammy is later found dead in the trash cart, Tricia will need to dive in head-first if she wants to solve the case.
592 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2012
3 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Barrett
24 books1,778 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorna Barrett’s name on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the links to all her works here: http://www.lornabarrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 11, 2015
This is a compilation of the first three books in the Booktown cozy mystery series (Murder is Binding, Bookmarked for Death, and Bookplate Special). The first introduces us to Tricia, who has a fairly new mystery bookstore in a small town in New Hampshire that has been promoted as a book haven. She is surprised by an extended visit from her sister, who is now separated. When she accidentally discovers the body of a fellow bookstore owner specializing in cooking, she gets pulled into the investigation. The plot thickens with a missing rare cookbook. The second book has Tricia in trouble again when a local celebrity author ends up dead in her store after a book signing. As Tricia and Angelica begin to figure out what might have happened, the authenticity of the author’s writing comes into question. The third book involves a former college roommate of Tricia’s that has outlasted her welcome. When she is found murdered in a dumpster, Tricia knows that she must find out what happened to her. At the end of all three books are a series of recipes mentioned in the text. This was a nice introduction to a cozy mystery series.
July 31, 2025
First volumes of this series were impossible to find until I tracked this down at the library. It gave me background into the future volumes I have already read.
December 25, 2013
This particular volume contains the three books: "Murder in Binding," "Bookmarked for Death," and "Bookplate Special."
The series of cozy mysteries involve Tricia Miles, a bookshop owner, her cat- Mrs. Marple, and her sister Angelica Miles. Angelica opens a small restaurant and cookbook shop next to her sister.
Each book was enjoyable, with little repetitive material. They are very similar in type to other cozy mystery novels.
The series of cozy mysteries involve Tricia Miles, a bookshop owner, her cat- Mrs. Marple, and her sister Angelica Miles. Angelica opens a small restaurant and cookbook shop next to her sister.
Each book was enjoyable, with little repetitive material. They are very similar in type to other cozy mystery novels.
October 21, 2012
I loved this book. It is a comfortable mystery, great characters, and set in a mystery bookstore in a small town.kind of an american agatha christie.light reading, but but great.
April 16, 2019
I checked this book out from the library because it has the first three books from the series in it. I already had started a later book in the set but wanted to read the earlier books but needed to get my hands on them. But I only own two of the later books.
I read this book and it was really a page turner. Now you can read the books later in the series as stand-alones but they hint back to some of the earlier books. So if you really want to know what the hints are about you need to go back read. But you can understand the books as they are written without going back to read. I say this as I had read part of Book Clubbed before going into this book.
Murder is Binding
This is were you first meet Ginny, Mr. Everett, Angelica, Tricia and of course Miss Marple.
This is where the first murder and Tricia's nickname comes from. The village jinx. A murder happens right next door and she was the last one to have spoken to her. The sheriff just is narrowing the focus on Tricia because she was the last person to see her. She was also the last person to speak with her about this very valuable cookbook that she had. Now the thing is, Tricia deals in Mysteries and only Mysteries. She has been reading them since the age of ten. They are in her blood so to speak as her Grandmother gave her the love them. Now to clear her name and without the Sheriff wanting to look at anyone else for the murder it is up to Tricia and her sister to clear her name and discover the real person who did it.
Bookmarked for Death
Tricia invited a famous author to do a signing at her store. Sadly before everything was signed and over with, she and one other person found the author dead in the bathroom. Once again the Sheriff is out to drive Tricia crazy. This time by forcing Tricia and Miss Marple from their home and closing down the shop for an unknown time. Once again she isn't wanting to listen to anything that Tricia has found out so it's the sisters together for another adventure in snooping again. But this time Angelica is trying to run her new business of a cookbook store. So Tricia is doing more solo this time. But Angelica is letting Ginny and Mr. Everett work at her store until Tricia can reopen Haven't Got a Clue. Can they discover who really hated Zoe enough to kill her?
Bookplate Special
Pammy from college was just supposed to come for a weekend visit but instead stuck around for a whole two weeks. Tricia has had enough when she discovered that Pammy has helped herself to her checkbook. But later that day Pammy comes up dead and soon more about her college roommate is soon coming to light. But also things from people's lives are starting to come to life. Tricia is starting to discover how much she doesn't know about Ginny and a few others around town then she thought she did. Also Mr. Everett and Grace who we meet later in book one have a big announcement. So many people's lives get turned upside down by the end of this book you need to be ready for the roller-coaster ride.
It only took me this long to read this book because I can't keep reading 24/7. If I could I would have finished it two days I think. This was a good book/s. d
I read this book and it was really a page turner. Now you can read the books later in the series as stand-alones but they hint back to some of the earlier books. So if you really want to know what the hints are about you need to go back read. But you can understand the books as they are written without going back to read. I say this as I had read part of Book Clubbed before going into this book.
Murder is Binding
This is were you first meet Ginny, Mr. Everett, Angelica, Tricia and of course Miss Marple.
This is where the first murder and Tricia's nickname comes from. The village jinx. A murder happens right next door and she was the last one to have spoken to her. The sheriff just is narrowing the focus on Tricia because she was the last person to see her. She was also the last person to speak with her about this very valuable cookbook that she had. Now the thing is, Tricia deals in Mysteries and only Mysteries. She has been reading them since the age of ten. They are in her blood so to speak as her Grandmother gave her the love them. Now to clear her name and without the Sheriff wanting to look at anyone else for the murder it is up to Tricia and her sister to clear her name and discover the real person who did it.
Bookmarked for Death
Tricia invited a famous author to do a signing at her store. Sadly before everything was signed and over with, she and one other person found the author dead in the bathroom. Once again the Sheriff is out to drive Tricia crazy. This time by forcing Tricia and Miss Marple from their home and closing down the shop for an unknown time. Once again she isn't wanting to listen to anything that Tricia has found out so it's the sisters together for another adventure in snooping again. But this time Angelica is trying to run her new business of a cookbook store. So Tricia is doing more solo this time. But Angelica is letting Ginny and Mr. Everett work at her store until Tricia can reopen Haven't Got a Clue. Can they discover who really hated Zoe enough to kill her?
Bookplate Special
Pammy from college was just supposed to come for a weekend visit but instead stuck around for a whole two weeks. Tricia has had enough when she discovered that Pammy has helped herself to her checkbook. But later that day Pammy comes up dead and soon more about her college roommate is soon coming to light. But also things from people's lives are starting to come to life. Tricia is starting to discover how much she doesn't know about Ginny and a few others around town then she thought she did. Also Mr. Everett and Grace who we meet later in book one have a big announcement. So many people's lives get turned upside down by the end of this book you need to be ready for the roller-coaster ride.
It only took me this long to read this book because I can't keep reading 24/7. If I could I would have finished it two days I think. This was a good book/s. d
August 13, 2019
This omnibus includes Murder is Binding, Bookmarked For Death, and Bookplate Special. The titles have very little to do with the story plots, but that doesn't much matter. They are the first three books of the Booktown Mysteries. The protagonist is a middle-aged woman (Tricia) who, after her divorce, sets up a retail store that sells mystery novels in a small village in New Hampshire, which has reinvented itself up as a tourist haven for book lovers. Somehow, in this village that before her arrival was touted as the safest town in the state, she has discovered three dead bodies (one in each of the three books). With little help from an antagonistic sheriff, she goes about finding out who done it.
This got in my TBR stack because I was looking for something like a cozy mystery, something that wasn't all 'action,' and tension and, well, just not much fun. After a couple (more) mass shootings in the news, I wanted something calmer, something more of a refuge from reality. I picked this up at my local library because it was three books in one and I liked the cover. It did its job.
This got in my TBR stack because I was looking for something like a cozy mystery, something that wasn't all 'action,' and tension and, well, just not much fun. After a couple (more) mass shootings in the news, I wanted something calmer, something more of a refuge from reality. I picked this up at my local library because it was three books in one and I liked the cover. It did its job.
June 28, 2018
Murder is Binding is the first novel. I found this book slow to get into and the friction between the sisters was off-putting to me.
The second novel Bookmarked for Death was easier to read. The sisters did better.
Bookplate Special is the final novel and was most interesting. The characters are becoming like friends.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
The second novel Bookmarked for Death was easier to read. The sisters did better.
Bookplate Special is the final novel and was most interesting. The characters are becoming like friends.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
April 27, 2019
This was kind of more of the same in each book. Tricia is the main character, always solving the crime that she is somehow always blamed for and may result in her going to jail for murder! The characters are interesting, but somehow not satisfying. Cute stories, but she takes on way too much trying to solve these murders in this little burg of a town. And whose bookstores are that busy?
January 25, 2019
I liked the first two stories better than the third, but they were all pretty good.
March 29, 2020
I definitely liked the third book the best. Nice cozy mystery series set in a bookstore, my favourite!
October 28, 2020
Nice people solving nasty crimes - very much like the "Murder She Wrote" television series. This is a "chapter book" for adults - engaging, and easy to put down when it's time to fall asleep :-)
September 22, 2021
Much like the Cat Who series, there weren't particularly compelling mysteries, but the town and characters are so cozy you don't really care.
March 1, 2022
3 1/2 stars
Light easy reads.
Easy read entertainment.
Light easy reads.
Easy read entertainment.
May 4, 2024
Finished the second of three volumes. Enjoyed both.
September 28, 2024
Having a book in reserve on my reading table was fun to pick up when I needed something to read whenever I wanted a cozy murder mystery story.
April 23, 2016
This version is actually the first 3 books in the series, so I'll write a review for each as I finish them.
1. Murder is Binding -- 3 stars
Parts of this book were definitely a 2 because they just seemed rather unbelievable, but overall I liked the book. It is setting up the life of Tricia as she sets up a Mystery book shop in Stoneham, a quaint town in New Hampshire. I liked the set of characters that were introduced and look forward to seeing how they develop.
2. Bookmarked for Death -- 3 stars
Again, parts of the book were 2 stars but overall I liked the book. I have to admit, sometimes Tricia annoys me how she treats Angelica when Angelica's behavior doesn't always warrant it, but they do mention the history they have to I can understand it. Though I am enjoying this series, sometimes the writing and plotting doesn't seem very well done. First Kimberly is a little obnoxious person, then suddenly she's everyone's best friend? Also, the final climatic scene I couldn't figure out why Hamilton was there; I guess I missed something. So, to me, the writing is a bit uneven but overall I enjoy the books so far.
3. Bookplate Special -- 3 stars
Both myself and this author seem to be consistent. Parts of the book were only 2 stars, but overall I enjoyed it. This time, however, it seemed to me that Tricia was being defiant of law enforcement. Thankfully she did not have to deal with Sheriff Wendy Adams, but instead with her associate Captain Grant Baker. I know they are setting the ground-work to see if these two will become an item, but Tricia really annoyed me with how she continually disobeyed his "do not look into this any further" statements. That is a direct order from law enforcement -- and someone she freely admits is much more willing to listen to her theories! So why does she continually goes against his direct orders. It was just annoying to me, but I am enjoying these stories.
1. Murder is Binding -- 3 stars
Parts of this book were definitely a 2 because they just seemed rather unbelievable, but overall I liked the book. It is setting up the life of Tricia as she sets up a Mystery book shop in Stoneham, a quaint town in New Hampshire. I liked the set of characters that were introduced and look forward to seeing how they develop.
2. Bookmarked for Death -- 3 stars
Again, parts of the book were 2 stars but overall I liked the book. I have to admit, sometimes Tricia annoys me how she treats Angelica when Angelica's behavior doesn't always warrant it, but they do mention the history they have to I can understand it. Though I am enjoying this series, sometimes the writing and plotting doesn't seem very well done. First Kimberly is a little obnoxious person, then suddenly she's everyone's best friend? Also, the final climatic scene I couldn't figure out why Hamilton was there; I guess I missed something. So, to me, the writing is a bit uneven but overall I enjoy the books so far.
3. Bookplate Special -- 3 stars
Both myself and this author seem to be consistent. Parts of the book were only 2 stars, but overall I enjoyed it. This time, however, it seemed to me that Tricia was being defiant of law enforcement. Thankfully she did not have to deal with Sheriff Wendy Adams, but instead with her associate Captain Grant Baker. I know they are setting the ground-work to see if these two will become an item, but Tricia really annoyed me with how she continually disobeyed his "do not look into this any further" statements. That is a direct order from law enforcement -- and someone she freely admits is much more willing to listen to her theories! So why does she continually goes against his direct orders. It was just annoying to me, but I am enjoying these stories.
July 2, 2015
Murder in Three Volumes is the first three Booktown Mysteries stories packaged in one cozy-mystery book. Though Lorna Barrett's books can be read individually and out of order, the first story lays out the characters and scenery in detail. The third book had an unusual plot and added threads at the end for future stories.
Definitely "safe" murder stories, but with good mysteries that keep you hanging until the end. A must for the summer read list.
Definitely "safe" murder stories, but with good mysteries that keep you hanging until the end. A must for the summer read list.
December 26, 2014
Three books in one. New series for me Tricia Miles owns a book store and it seems that in each of these stories Tricia finds a body and the sheriff in town is very much against Tricia and us determined to make her the killer. Tricia sister buys a store next door to her and they team up to try and solve the murders.
April 23, 2013
Good in between reads.
September 12, 2015
Did not finish. Blech.
March 31, 2015
This was 3 books in one. I enjoyed the characters. It is very 'cozy mystery' and I like that. I look forward to reading more of this series and author!
August 14, 2015
Fun light reading. Really enjoyed the references to other mystery authors.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews