What is there not to love about a cosy mystery in a perfectly picturesque little village near Niagara Falls? Especially when the main character is custodian of a magical bookshop with an enchanted tree, books that fly off the shelf to pick their readers, a talking crow and a sweet but very clever little cat.

Although this is the third Magical Bookshop Mystery (and I have not yet read the first two) I had no trouble jumping straight in and getting to know the characters. Violet Waverley, the reluctant caretaker of 'Charming Books', has settled back in her home town of Cascade Springs after running from a bad relationship to college in Chicago. Returning to help out her grandmother, Daisy with running the shop, she was initially reluctant to take over as caretaker but has since discovered that she loves being back in her quaint little home town, where everyone knows each other and everything is within walking distance. When an author is murdered at a book signing and one of Violet's best friends is suspected of killing her, she is forced to find out who really killed her, especially when the bookshop keeps leaving her clues.

Another delightful read. Murder and Metaphors is Book 3 in a series titled “A Magical Bookshop Mystery” and it is a magic bookshop. One with a great tree right in the middle. A gorgeous tuxedo cat, a funny and very intelligent old crow…well you can see this story has all of the elements for a great cozy.

I liked the characters, especially Violet and her grandmother and it wasn’t just that the characters were given substance and description, their living places and surroundings were described to make it so that you could almost live in the moment. See the bookshop, the surrounding businesses all containing their own charming specialty food, vintage things, crepes, pastries, coffee, well, you get the picture.

The cover of this book says “prepare to be charmed" and that’s a better description than I can give. I thought this was a fun read that many of us need often. Something to relax with, take our minds off things and keep our minds working too. This is an author who I have read before and really enjoyed the writing style and stories.

But…there were so many typos in this book. I have only given it a 3 rating because the typos really played havoc with having an enjoyable read. It's definitely a 4 star book; it just needs to be proofed. What a shame to ruin such a charming story with so many errors.

Murders and Metaphors by Amanda Flower is the 3rd book in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series, and a great addition. I love this book/series and highly recommend to all people who enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries. Violet Waverly and her Grandma Daisy run the Charming Books store, where the books have a mind of there own. When a nasty author is found dead after a book signing, and Violet's friend is the main suspect, the mystery begins.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Amanda Flower is one of my new favorite cozy mystery authors. This is the third book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series. This series is set in the quaint village of Cascade Springs, New York.

The author has done a great job of the character development as each character is unique, well written, and some a bit quirky. I enjoy the relationship between Violet and her Grandma Daisy. They are still feeling their way around their new roles since Violet became the new Caretaker of the tree. The blossoming romance between Violet and Chief Rainwater is progressing but there are going to be a few hiccups along the way.

The mystery was well written and carries through the entire story. There were a couple of twists and turns that I didn't see coming which added to the mystery. I did suspect the identity of the killer early on but then changed my mind and I think readers will be surprised who the culprit is.

This series also has a nice hint of the paranormal that runs throughout each story. I don't think it is overpowering and I enjoy how the bookshop sends Violet hints on what she needs to solve a mystery.

This book had me hooked from the beginning and I finished in a couple nights. I hope there will be more books in this series because I am looking forward to seeing how things turn out for a few of the main characters.

* There were several spelling and grammar errors that really need to be amended before it goes to print in February, but that is what we are doing besides reviewing we are proofreaders too.

I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

Murders and Metaphors is book three in the Magical Bookshop series. This is definitely one of my favorite cozy series and I'm so happy to have a new installment!

It was so great being back with all these quirky characters. Faulkner the talking crow and Emerson the cat were just as humorous as always. And Grandma Daisy, my goodness, she was just as ornery and lovable as ever. She's gotta be one of my favorite characters in recent years.

The mystery was great and kept me guessing until the shocking reveal. And, wow, what a doozy! I so didn't see that coming!

I didn't think it was possible for this book to top the previous ones, but it's the best one yet! I highly, highly recommend it! Even if you haven't read the first two books, Murders and Metaphors stands alone great. Go pick up a copy. You won't regret it!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

This is a fun read. There is an element of the mystical to the mystery that only adds to the enjoyment. The characters and story are well written. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

A 200 year-old Birch tree thrives in the middle of a Queen Anne Victorian that houses Charming Books, a magical bookshop in Cascade Springs, NY, where Violet Waverly serves as the tree’s Caretaker and bookshop’s co-owner. Along with her Grandma Daisy, Violet operates the bookshop that finds the perfect book for each customer along with helping the two women solve mysteries by providing clues found in books on the shelves. In other words, Violet and Daisy live and work in an enchanted environment that provides a touch of the mystical in each well-crafted mystery.

The mystery to be solved is the murder of author Belinda Perkins who happens to be the estranged sister of Lacey, who owns LaCrepe Jolie with her husband Adrien Dupont, and is good friends with Violet. Appropriate red herrings and interesting twists are carefully constructed by Amanda Flower along with engaging characters and relationships. Two special characters – Emerson, mischief making cat and Faulkner, poetry quoting crow – live with Violet and Daisy, adding humor and perspective to every story.

In this third volume of the Magical Bookshop Mysteries, Violet, in addition to sleuthing, considers how the issue of being the Caretaker influences her ability to have a serious romantic relationship and share the knowledge of her responsibility with another. Ms. Flower writes bewitching mysteries that continue to captivate readers.

Murders and Metaphors is the third instalment in the its series revolving around Violet Waverly, the caretaker of a magical bookshop and an occasional amateur detective. It blends literature with detective fiction, lightly weaving together the reading of a crime scene/crime story with the reading of a literary work; in this case, Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. The shop's magical essence guides - one would even say forces - Violet to read Little Women in order for her to crack the case, and of course she does in the end, but the relationship between the book and the crime only reveal themselves to her in retrospect. A reader need not necessarily have to have read Little Women to appreciate this book (I still haven't), but I'm under the impression that it would've added to how enjoyable the reading experience turns out.

On the surface, the novel doesn't get too dark despite the murder of Belinda, but we learn that the darkness reveals itself in the murder's aftermath in a subtler manner, be it the Morton family troubles or the strained relationship between Belinda and her sisters. The characters are generally likeable; in some cases, perhaps a little too likeable and nice to a fault. Since this is the third book in its series, it took me a while to orientate myself and familiarise myself with the characters, but Violet is a patient narrator who introduces the reader to the characters in turn, sort of like she's showing a new arrival to the village around. Overall, it was a light, fun read, fit for all ages, and I'd like to see how Amanda Flower had linked other literary texts to the crimes that Violet solved in the two earlier books in the series. A lovely read for any lover of American classics.

This is a cute, whimsical series. Violet helps her grandmother (Grandma Daisy) run Charming Books. Their magical bookstore. The store's essence leaves Violet clues to help her solve crimes. This time one of her friends (Lacey) is the chief suspect. The store keeps throwing <i>Little Women</i> in her path trying to help her find the real killer. It's a fun story and there are plenty of suspects. There is a little romance in the offing and a stalker to boot.

This is my first book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery Series although I have read and enjoyed other books by Amanda Flower. I was able to enjoy this book as a stand-alone and look forward to reading more of this series. This is a very unique and fun background for a character and setting. I loved the relationship between Violet and her Grandmother. I love the idea of a book store being able to find just the right book for its customers. The mystery is well paced and does contain several red herrings to keep you guessing. This book has great characters, setting, and story-line that lovers of mysteries and paranormal will both enjoy.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

Fun easy read. Great characters and story. Love the setting and can't wait to see more by Amanda Flowers.

Murders and Metaphors is the third installment in the Magical Bookshop mystery series and is by far my favorite. What I love about all of Amanda Flower's books but this series in particular are the well developed, spunky characters. It was a delight to revisit them in this story. The mystery centers around a murder that takes place during the course of a book signing that Violet and Grandma Daisy are hosting for Belinda Perkins, a famous author and sommelier. When the police start closing in on one of Violet's close friends, she can't help but start her own line of investigation to uncover the real killer. There are plenty of viable suspects, each with their own motives, and although the bookshop kept throwing Violet clues, the ending came as quite a surprise. The mystery kept me engaged the entire time, with all the twists and turns and I loved learning more about Lacey's background as well. I cannot wait for the next installment in this mystery series.

Wonderful Read!!!

Murders and Metaphors is another incredible book by Amanda Flower! Violet gets hers entangled in proving her Lacey didn't murder her sister, with the Magical Bookshop turn up copies of Louisa May Alcott's at every turn. Not only is Violet trying to solve her friends murder she must decided between Nathan her old boy friend and Chief Rainwater.

Come along with Violet for another adventure in the Magical Bookshop

Amanda Flower's 3rd Magical Bookshop Mystery, Murders and Metaphors, is absolutely charming - which is perfect since the magical bookshop is appropriately named Charming Books! A world class sommelier and former resident of Cascade Springs is found stabbed to death during a local ice wine harvesting, and when one of her best friends is suspected of the crime Violet must investigate to clear her name. With the bookshop dropping Little Women into her lap every time she turns around, and a private investigator dogging her every move, Violet certainly has her hands full! I truly enjoyed this lovely little cozy mystery. A+

The third installment of the magical bookshop series brings back some unpleasant memories for Violet when her friend faces the same kind of unjust accusations that Violet had dealt with years prior.

Belinda was a local girl who made it big, and came back to her hometown for a book signing at Morton Winery. When Violet finds Belinda’s body - clearly murdered - she gets some assistance from the bookshop, Emerson the cat, and Faulkner the crow in sorting through family disputes and hard feelings.

I did not suspect the murderer, although maybe I should have in hindsight, and the bookshop’s choice of book to assist Violet had an unexpected catch to it that I enjoyed. There are a number of light-hearted moments, with Grandma Daisy as some comic relief, but there were serious moments, too, as Violet continues to grapple with her past experiences and hope that her life might have a different romantic path from her grandmother and mother. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens to Violet in the next book!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed Murders and Metaphors. I've read the previous two books in the series and was really glad to hear the series would continue. Violet and Grandma Daisy are fun to read about. The murder mystery was intriguing and had me stumped until the very end. I really hope that Crooked Lane will continue to publish this series so we can read more about Violet and Grandma Daisy.

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

This was my first book in this series by Amanda Flower and it was spectacular. The story behind the Charming Books store is whimsical and engaging. The mystery kept me guessing, the loyalty between Violet and her friends was wonderful to experience and there is a perfect touch of romance. As soon as I finished it I went and got the first two in the series and am thoroughly enjoying them. I'd highly recommend 'Murders and Metaphors'!

Another great Magical Bookshop mystery! I've read all the previous books and really enjoyed them. They blend mystery with a little supernatural very successfully and are always a great read.

Violet is hosting a book signing at the shop when an author is murdered and one of her best friends is the number one suspect. Of course, she steps to solve the crime. The plot is well thought out and the characters are really interesting and well written. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

A charming cozy that digs deep into our characters’ backstories and challenges their perceptions of the past and each other. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

I enjoyed this book. I picked it up because I had read one of Amanda Flower's Magic Garden books and enjoyed it. The framing device of this was similar to the Magic Garden books: a young woman is now the caretaker for something magical that gives her clues on how to solve the case. In this book, the protagonist, Violet Waverly, has recently moved back to her hometown to be a caretaker to a tree watered by a magic spring which gives the bookstore the tree is located in a magical essence. This essence gives Violet clues about what's about to happen and how to solve the case - if only she can decipher them.

Like many cozies, it involved a disagreeable person being killed, and a friend of the protagonist being suspected of the crime. There's also a potential love interest in the form of the chief of police, but the obstacle of Violet being the caretaker: how can she explain the tree and the magic in the bookstore? Is she going to be alone like her mother and grandmother? (Although, I have to wonder how she's going produce the next caretaker without have some companionship? I was also curious how she never noticed the magic of the bookstore growing up; as this is the third book in the series, maybe it was covered in an earlier book?)

As long as the reader accepts the conceit of the magic bookstore, it's a fun book. If magic and mystery don't mix for you, then this probably isn't the book for you.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.com and voluntarily chose to review.