Love Charli and the Book Barn (so wish I could visit), one of my favorite series. Such a fun town and characters. So nice to see a good deed woven in (the foster care fundraiser. I also liked learning more about her family history with the secret. Another enjoyed story.

While I will say that I enjoyed this mystery, I did have problems with the characters and the writing that ultimately knocked a few stars off for me. I liked the setting and the idea of the Book Barn, but Charli Rae AKA Princess just didn't do it for me. Her thought processes are often bizarre, and I couldn't relate to her at all. The very first chapter threw me off, where she's making assumptions and then chiding herself, but still, it didn't need to be there.

I also ultimately couldn't get the motives behind the killer, as well as how it all came to light. It was sloppy. Plenty of action though, and a happy ending I guess?

All in all, I enjoyed some aspects but the negatives dragged me down. I would still probably read more from this author, but I'd go in with gritted teeth for another round with Princess. Three stars.