Little bookshop of murder

Shakespearean professor Summer Merriweather, who ran off to do research in England after an embarrassing episode at work, returns home to Brigid's Island, North Carolina, after her mother's death. Summer can't understand how her healthy mother, Hildy, with no previous symptoms, died of a heart attack. After learning that Hildy, owner of the bookstore Beach Reads, had received threatening messages demanding that she sell the store, Summer begins to believe her mother may have been murdered. The chief of police, with whom Summer has had past issues, declines to investigate, so, with the assistance of her Aunt Agatha and cousin Piper, Summer begins to look at those closest to her mother, including Hildy's book-group members. An arson attempt and an attack on Summer support her suspicions. Summer identifies the killer and must rush to save Aunt Agatha. The engaging cast and the appealing bookstore frame compensate for an easily identifiable villain. Watching Summer learn the joys of reading romances only adds to the pleasure!

This charming series launch from Blackburn (The Jean Harlow Bombshell as Mollie Cox Bryan) introduces Summer Merriweather, who returns after years away to her hometown of Brigid's Island, N.C., to attend the funeral of her mother, Hildy. Summer's aunt, Agatha Merriweather St. Clair, tells her that the cause of death has yet to be determined, though Summer doubts her healthy 64-year-old mother died of natural causes. At Beach Reads, the bookstore Hildy owned, Summer is alarmed to find notes threatening Hildy if she won't sell her beloved store. Summer suspects Rudy Irons, owner of the arcade next door, is behind the threats, but the local police chief isn't going to be any use to her since he's hated her ever since she left his son at the altar. Fortunately, she finds allies in Aunt Agatha, Agatha's daughter, and granddaughter, not to mention the ladies in the Mermaid Pie Book Club, in her effort to unmask a killer. Plenty of booklore (Beach Reads has three shelves of werewolf romances) enhances the sleuthing. Cozy fans will be delighted. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary. (July)