Buckley's second writer's mystery has an interesting plot but uninspiring characters. For a novel about writers, the characters weren't fleshed out and the description was fairly sparse.

I loved the first book in this series it was mystery within a mystery, I could wait for this one, i should have waited. I don't enjoy it don't mind my female protagonist being silly too a degree that okay for a page or four or even a chapter not the whole bleeping book. Either give them a romance or move them along but the whole I'm going to make him pay because he hurt this people please that was too much for me. This series has potential if we get past this part.

Death in Dark Blue by Julia Buckley is the second novel in A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series. Lena London lives with famous author Camilla Graham in Blue Lake, Indiana. She is happy that her boyfriend, Sam West is returning to town after being gone for the last month. Sam has been in New York searching for his missing wife, Victoria with the help of a private investigator. Taylor Brand, a friend of Victoria’s and a blogger, stated on her blog that she would be coming to Blue Lake to apologize to Sam in person for her accusations (she accused him of harming Victoria). Lena is on her way to Sam’s to drop off a copy of the book she co-wrote with Camilla when she comes across a person in a blue coat in the snow. Lena has discovered Taylor and she will not be making that apology. Once again, Sam is a suspect in a murder and the press are out in full force. Lena needs to find Taylor’s killer and clear Sam from suspicion. She also wants to find a clue that will lead them to Victoria. Lena enlists the help of Belinda, research librarian at the Blue Lake Library. Can they finally discover what happened to Victoria West? The paparazzi are making it difficult for Sam and Lena to spend time together since they are trying to keep their relationship under wraps. Can Lena unravel the clues and uncover Taylor’s killer?

Death in Dark Blue is packed full of action. Lena is busy solving two mysteries, spending time with Sam, and working on Camilla’s latest novel. I thought the book contained good writing and it has a good flow. The pace is medium level. The murder mystery was child’s play to solve. I identified the killer before the body made it to the morgue. The suspect pool is very limited. I give Death in Dark Blue 3.5 out of 5 stars. I suggest that you read A Dark and Stormy Murder before Death in Dark Blue. The first book sets the stage for what occurs in Death in Dark Blue. There is some repetition of information (especially regarding Victoria). I wish the author had not put so much focus on the romance between Lena and Sam. Their relationship has moved too quickly (aka they are already cozy between the sheets) especially since he is technically married and his wife MIA. The story ends with a cliffhanger that will have me reading the next book in the series. I admit that I am curious to see what happens next in the Sam and Victoria saga. Let us hope, though, that Sam does not end up suspected of murder again in the next novel in A Writer’s Apprentice Mystery series.

DEATH IN DARK BLUE is book 2 in Julia Buckley's Writer's Apprentice mystery series. Because this story picks up pretty much where the last one left off, I recommend reading this series in order. Favorite characters from the first book in the series all return for major roles in this installment -- legendary author Camilla Graham, Camilla's collaborator Lena London, Lena's love interest Sam West, and the charming and tenacious Detective Doug Heller. As with the previous book, there are two mysteries in DEATH IN DARK BLUE -- the ongoing mystery surrounding Sam's wife Victoria, and the sudden recent death of Victoria's friend Taylor Brand. Both mysteries kept me guessing until the end and speculating on what way, if any, the two things were connected.

In DEATH IN DARK BLUE, Julia Buckley weaves together elements of cozy mysteries, gothic mystery, and psychological suspense in a very entertaining way. Reporters and librarians play an important role in this story, and each highlight the difference between the two and the way they get information. As Lena and her friends hunt down clues into the whereabouts of Victoria, Lena is unwavering in her support of Sam and her belief in him. For the reader, Sam's absolute guilt or innocence is not totally settled. Julia Buckley leaves enough room for doubt so that it's not totally clear whether something sinister has happened to Victoria, or whether it's more of a GONE GIRL situation. As the mystery surrounding Victoria takes on new overtones and more puzzling facts are revealed, I could completely immerse myself in this fascinating story.

DEATH IN DARK BLUE is a multi-layered, spellbinding mystery with engaging characters, and a drop of romance. Blue Lake has all the charm of a small town, but Julia Buckley expertly drapes a cloak of menace over an otherwise delightful landscape. I hope to see one or two new characters in future books. I can't wait for the next installment of Julia Buckley's Writer's Apprentice mystery series.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, The characters are enjoyable, interesting and likable. My favorite is Sam, although it is difficult to chose between the 4 characters. Additionally, I enjoy reading the snippets of the book the characters are writing. I am now eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

3.5 Stars

Writer Lena London recently moved to Blue Lake, Indiana for the job of a lifetime. She is an assistant to gothic novelist Camilla Graham and actually gets to help her idol write her books. Lena’s boyfriend Sam West has finally been cleared of murdering his estranged wife, but the paparazzi are hounding the two. This situation only gets worse when someone connected to Sam’s wife is found dead behind Sam’s house. It seems like history is repeating itself and throwing more obstacles in the couple’s way. Before Lena and Sam can have a chance at happiness, they must get to the bottom of this new murder case.

Death in Dark Blue is a well-written and interesting mystery, but not particularly unique. I enjoyed it, but couldn’t help being disappointed when comparing it to the first book in this series which was a moody but modern Gothic mystery. This follow-up is good, but isn’t as special without the gothic feel of the first book. Also, the pacing was a little uneven with long stretches in between times when progress was made on the investigation. Lena and Sam’s romance moves slowly, too, since they were trying not to be seen together because of all of the reporters watching everything Sam did to try to spin it into something bad.

The best parts of the book are when Lena is with Sam and when Lena is working together with Camilla. Lena and Camilla are wonderful characters and the book is more enjoyable when the focus is on them. I also loved that each chapter began with the gothic novel that Lena and Camilla are writing. The reader is given a glimpse into their novel and the passages cleverly tie in with events going on in Blue Lake. This installment has an interesting plot and moves Lena and Sam’s story along as well as Lena’s working relationship and growing friendship with Camilla. For that reason, I still plan to follow the Writer’s Apprentice mystery series, but recommend new readers start with the first book, A Dark and Stormy Murder to fully appreciate this excellent series and how talented author Julia Buckley really is.

~ Christine

Will be posted on blog tomorrow

Lena London and her favorite author, Camilla Graham, return in this second novel about writers and romance and murder!

This series is charming and fast-paced, a solid combination for a cozy. The cast of regular characters grows in this installment and I truly like a few of the new additions. #librariansunite

Be warned: the romance is nearly the main focus of this cozy—the mystery certainly relies on the romance—and Lena and Sam’s relationship, while not insta-love, feels rushed. Like, rushed.

I am not a fan of the ending…or the device employed at the ending. As the mystery wraps, readers are moved into the problems of the third novel and left with an over-the-top cliffhanger. Blah.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

ok two in the Writer's Apprentice Mystery series. Lena has gotten comfortable by this point having been with Camilla for a couple of months and she even got her name added to the cover of the last book they wrote together. When the advanced copies show up she rushes to give one to Sam and after leaving it in his mailbox she sees what looks like an animal lying in the snow behind his house. When she looks closer it just happens to be the dead body of Sam's missing wife's best friend making the media go crazy. Lena and Camilla start investigating just to clear Sam's name and the end result was a little surprising as well as the every end of the book (though I cannot say more without spoilers). I really enjoyed this book and thinks its great for fans of cozy mysteries with well-developed characters. I give it 4/5 stars.

The characters in Death in Dark Blue, the second in a series, are charming without resorting to the overly quirky characteristics of many cozy series, and the overall atmosphere is deeper than others in this genre as well, making it feel somewhat different in a unique, welcome way. It's a quick, enjoyable read- Lena is living a life most aspiring writers and readers would dream of- and both the primary and secondary mysteries are interesting. This series is a solid addition to cozy mysteries.

This is the first book I've read by Julia Buckley and while it was a good story and I liked Lena and her boss Camilla it didn't grab me. Maybe if I had read book 1 in the Writer's Apprentice series I would have had a little more background and been a little more sympathetic to Sam and Lena's romance. Cozy fans who like pets in their stories will like the German Shepards and the cat and aspiring authors will appreciate the trials that Lena is facing in her writing career. I would recommend this book to cozy readers.

Suspenseful entertainment and dazzling plotting make this cozy a page-turner! Immerse yourself in this gripping mystery that will leave your heart pounding at the end!

Nestled atop a bluff in picturesque Blue Lake, Indiana, is bestselling mystery author, Camilla Graham's Gothic-like home. Writer apprentice, Lena London, now lives with Camilla and their pets, 2 German Shepard guard dogs, and Lena's cat, Lestrade. For Lena, a long-time aspiring writer, this is the job of a lifetime. The two women quickly bond over their love of writing, researching, hot tea, and animals, just to name a few of their common interests.

Picking up where book one ended, Sam West, Camilla's neighbor and Lena's romantic interest, returns from New York as the search for his missing wife, Victoria, continues. The media is in a frenzy with Sam being suspected of wrongdoing, and the paparazzi are watching him day and night.

Several great new characters are introduced into the storyline along with a few not-so-great ones. I really liked the energy the young research librarian, Belinda Frailey, brings to the pages. One of the reporters is also a champion for the underdog, and I found myself cheering for him. The mysterious and continued absence of Victoria West is centerfold and the location of her current whereabouts becomes even more important as bits and pieces about the reclusive Greek businessman, Nikon, are revealed and concern mounts that her safe return could be at risk. A man with his wealth and power could be very dangerous. A greedy murderer will be revealed. A secret will be stolen. I would give this story far more than 5 Stars, if I could.

A Writer's Apprentice series is absolutely awesome and I'd love to see it made into TV movies!

I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy for NetGalley.

Love this series and the main characters, especially Lena and Camilla. While the media is busy pestering Sam for interviews, they are trying to rescue Victoria from the man holding her captive.
Goodreads

Lena London’s boyfriend Sam has finally been cleared of the murder charges that were hanging over his head. Things are looking up for Lena, Sam is in the clear, Lena is living in the home of best-selling novelist Camilla Graham as her personal assistant and the two women have become fact friends. The small community of Blue Lake feels badly about falsely accusing Sam, and they want to make amends. One blogger goes so far as to travel to his home to thank him in person. But when her body turns up in Sam’s back yard, it’s deja vu, as he finds himself, once again looking at a murder charge. I love this series, Buckley was a huge fan of Gothic greats like Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart and it shows in her delightful books