I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this first entry in a new cozy mystery series. It's set in Montana, where one of the MCs. Delta Douglas, has decided to quit her job and use the money her grandmother gave her to buy-in to a stationary shop with her best friend from college. When she arrives, she joins her friend and co-owner Hazel in running a crafting workshop at a local lodge. There is a murder at the lodge and her friend's brother Finn is accused of the crime. Delta works with a local retired policeman turned tour guide to try to find the real killer. Really fun characters and setting.

I have read other titles in other series written by Vivian Conroy and have enjoyed them all so I was eager to read this new series. It's another great read. This is a contemporary series set in the Gold Rush town of Tundish, Montana so there is a bit of the historical in the series. Delta Douglas has decided to make a break with her job and gets her chance with an inheritance from her grandmother. Now is the time to become the co-owner of a stationary store with her college roommate, Hazel. Now she can create her own line of stationary products. Teaching classes, too. All of that sounds like a wonderful life plan until one night when putting on a crafting class at the local hotel, murder makes an unexpected appearance. A body turns up in the bar and there are plenty of suspects on the list but the police focus first on Delta's business partner, Hazel. Knowing that it's not possible for Hazel to be capable of murder, Delta teams up with a retired cop, Jason Nord and his K9 partner, Spud to track down the killer. Adding to the investigative team is the quirky bunch of ladies called the Paper Posse. They all work to keep Hazel out of jail.
Knowing that this is the first in a series I wasn't bothered by the fact that Delta and Hazel weren't as fleshed out as characters as I would have liked. Having read Vivian Conroy's other series I'm sure they will fill out nicely in future books. The possible romantic thread between Delta and Jason is one I'm looking forward to, as well. The pace of the writing and the mystery are well done and there are enough of the red herring and twists in the story to engage me from beginning to the end. I'm adding this series to my list of ones I don't want to miss reading.

Delta Douglas joined her good friend Hazel as the co-owner of the stationery shop Wanted, in the small Montana town of Tundish. She was excited, as when her gran had gifted her some money, it had enabled Delta to follow the dream she’d had for as long as she could remember. Wanted was filled with imaginative and exquisite stationery items which she was determined to add to using her own artwork, sketches and designs.

The night of a crafting workshop at Taylor’s Lodge, there was also a party in a separate section of the hotel. As the evening wore on and the guests mingled and drank, Delta and Hazel continued their workshop. But the discovery of a dead body in the bar toward the end of the evening cast a shadow over everyone there. And when the sheriff arrived with his deputies, Delta’s shock was worsened by his suspicion of Hazel.

Delta and Jonas Nord, along with his retired K9, Spud, quickly began investigating the murder. But would they manage to find the culprit? There were many suspects at the hotel – who really did the deed?

Last Pen Standing is the 1st is a new series, Stationery Shop Mystery, by Vivian Conroy and I quite enjoyed it. It was light and entertaining; there were plenty of twists and misdirections and it was a fun cozy mystery. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Last Pen Standing” is the 1st book in Vivian Conroy's new “Stationery Shop Mystery” series and it’s off to a great start!

Our protagonist Delta Douglas resigns from her graphic design career only to end up co-owner of a stationery shop with long-time best friend Hazel. On the night of the crafting workshop, at the swanky hotel venue, glitter isn't the only thing found sprawled on the floor. A hotel guest is discovered dead in the bar, and amid the confusion, Delta's best friend is suspected of the crime. Can Delta and her sidekicks solve the crime.

Both these characters could be a little more fleshed out but I am assuming this will come in the next instalment. I enjoyed the side characters like the Paper Posse ladies as well as former police detective Jonas and his former K-9 officer Spud!

The mystery is interesting and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Reader Copy from the Poison Pen Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A strong start to a new series. Delta Douglas moves to Tundish, Montana to live her life's dream of producing her own line of stationery products while also being a co-owner of a stationery shop. Immediately things go from "glitter to murder" and now Delta needs to help clear her friend and her friend's brother from bogus charges.

I look forward to getting to know the characters better in future books. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Good things come in threes and with her latest cozy mystery, Vivian Conroy more than delivers a good thing. Last Pen Standing is the first book in Conroy's new Stationery Shop Mystery series.

Vivian Conroy has had a busy summer: releasing 3 new books. First, we had a new installment in the Murder Will Follow series, Honeymoon with Death. Then there was book two in the Merriweather and Royston Mystery series, Death Comes to Dartmoor. Conroy has really shown off her versatility as a writer. While all are cozy mysteries, they couldn't be more different. Honeymoon with Death is part of her Agatha Christie tribute series set in the 1920s and featuring a retired Scotland Yard detective. Death Comes to Dartmoor has become a new favorite series. While set in a time period I don't really read (the 1800s), I absolutely fell in love with Merula and Royston.

And now she has an original, contemporary cozy mystery. There is so much to love about Last Pen Standing, I'm not sure where to start.

It is set in a small western town that has embraced its gold rush heritage. This gives the town a quirky vibe and will allow for equally quirky characters to show up throughout the series as tourists. There are plenty of great characters in the residents as well. The Paper Posse (a crafting group) have the potential to bring their own wackiness to the stories.

At first, I wasn't sure if I would like Delta. Her grandmother has given money so that she can follow her dream. As a former ad executive, Delta wants a more creative career where she can be her own boss. So she becomes the co-owner of a stationary shop, Wanted, with her college roommate. The opening of the novel focuses on this career change and the first impression of Delta wasn't a good one for me. It is difficult to put into words what I felt about her. The word that comes to mind when I think of her is flighty, but I don't think that is quite right. Maybe I just felt she was a bit too idealistic about her career change. Or maybe she felt a bit clueless to me. Like I said, its difficult to describe what I felt about her at first.

However, as the novel progressed I enjoyed getting to know Delta and she kind of grew on me.

While Hazel is her business partner, she doesn't play a big role in the story. Instead, Delta's sleuthing is aided by former police officer turned wildlife guide and photographer Jonas Nord. He is definitely being set up as a love interest for Delta. They would make a cute couple as the chemistry between them was well written and I loved their interactions.

I have a minor criticism. Really it is minor and I wouldn't even mention it, but it kind of annoys me. There is a detail description of the food in the meals, that I felt were a little too detailed for a non-culinary cozy. And it probably wouldn't have bothered except I can tell you about turkey sandwiches, macaroons, almonds, and yogurt, but I can't remember what Delta, Jonas, or Hazel look like. As I said, it's a minor complaint.

I've been reading a lot of historical cozy mysteries in the last few months, so it was a nice change to be in present-day. And Conroy really delivers a great mystery with fun characters that I look forward to seeing again. I think Last Pen Standing is the best all-around cozy mystery I read this summer. It hits all the major points of a great cozy mystery - wonderful, quirky characters, a colorful setting, and an excellent mystery that isn't quickly solved.

Published at Girl Who Reads on September 21 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2019/09/last-pen-standing-by-vivian-conroy.html

LAST PEN STANDING (I adore that catchy title) is the most delightful first entry in author Vivian Conroy's new STATIONERY SHOP MYSTERY series, and a winning entry it is! Delta resigns from her graphic design career serendipitously to co-own a stationery shop with long-time best friend Hazel. A blessed opportunity for Delta's vision and art talent to be funneled into creative designs and comfy small-town friendships, her new career is conflicted by a local murder. Since Hazel is unfortunately drawn in, Delta speeds to cleverly investigate, companioned by a former police detective and his retired K-9, the enterprising Spud. LAST PEN STANDING delves deep, then leaves the reader feeling very satisfied.

This is the first book in a new cozy series. Delta Douglas has used money inherited from her grandmother to buy part ownership in a stationery store owned by her best friend from college, Hazel. During a craft workshop the pair is running at a local hotel, someone is murdered. Investigation leads to Hazel’s brother and ultimately to Hazel. Delta springs into action to find out who the murderer is and to clear Hazel’s name, using her new friends in the area.

This is a good first in a series. I piqued my interest from the get-go. I do wish the author had fleshed out the two main characters, Delta and Hazel, a bit more, but that will probably be coming in another series’ book. Still, I never really felt as if I knew them, after reading this book, though, as I said, I am sure that will come in time. I enjoyed being introduced to the Paper Posse ladies and hope to see more of them in future books. The author has produced a fairly good, interesting book that will hold the attention of readers, who, by chance or intent, come upon it in their reading. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

Delta is new to Tundish, Montana, where she's become a co-owner of the stationary shop with her friend Hazel. Don't you love reading the first in a new series? Fans of crafting cozys will enjoy this one for the fun details involving paper and for the mystery, of course. Hazel and Delta host a crafting event at the local hotel but unfortunately, Vera is murdered. And then Hazel's brother Finn is arrested for the crime and she also ends up in jail as a result of her efforts to free him. Loved the Paper Posse of crafts and Jonas, a retired detective and his dog Spud. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Some twists, some turns, and it's a good set up for future installments.

Oh this was really good! I'd never read anything by this author before, but now I'd like to explore her other cozy series. These characters really grew on me! Hazel and Delta were such good friends and fell right back into how easily they got along in college. Mrs. C of the Paper Posse was a real character, and even though we only met some of the others via text, I could tell that they were fun too. I loved how Delta and Jonas just connected when it came to sleuthing. Even though he was a former police officer, he didn't try to discourage her, and they really worked well together. There wasn't anything romantic whatsoever, but I kinda hope that eventually they'll become a little more than just friends! The idea of Jonas and his former K-9 officer Spud getting other retired K-9 officers acclimated to life as a pet or family dog was just awesome! I kept hoping that Delta would want to adopt a dog like Spud, but maybe given time I'll get my wish. I hope so! I'd like to hear Jonas' story (as I think Delta would too) about how he decided to quit the police force or what made him do that. I'm sure there's something interesting there.

There were quite a few possible suspects, and I didn't really figure it out until Jonas and Delta did. I really enjoyed the trap they set and Spud's role in the take down too. The wrap-up party which was really Wanted's grand opening party was a nice touch that took care of any loose ends and told what the other characters like Hazel's brother would be doing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

It is an idyllic story. You use your inheritance to set up a partnership in an idyllic village background to do what you love to do. This was the beginning of Delta's dream to set up a paper craft business in association with her best friend in an area which was a village but also a tourist destination.
They never expected to find on the their first day of their much anticipated workshop, a body of a well known figure murdered whilst a full scale party was going on, and that her friend's brother seems to be implicated upto his neck in the whole thing. Her friend Hazel trying her best to protect her brother and not divulging very much does not help the scenario and she ends up getting arrested too. It is now upto Delta to try to figure out who had to gain by the death and by a series of elimination work out who was responsible.

With a Chief Constable who is more obstructive than helpful, and not wanting assistance of any kind Delta battles it alone with the help of Jonas an ex cop himself unpopular with the local police.

Complicated plots and characters abound but with all the hallmarks of a good cozy mystery murder this is a good one.

A awesome new cozy mystery series to pick up! Delta and Spud are definitely two of my new favorite sidekicks to read about! Deltas dreams seem to finally be coming true with her new co ownership of Wanted a stationary shop but when she gets the chance to show off her skills by running a crafting workshop things don't go quite as planned when a dead body turns up on opening night. I loved Sassy Delta and her adventures with her dog Spud digging into the crime and trying to clear her friends name it was well written and had some of the best characters in a cozy I've read in awhile!

A graphic designer pools her money with an old friend to run a stationary shop in a small Montana town. When someone dies at a party in the large upscale hotel, our protagonist works with a former cop (and his former police dog!) to investigate. It was a cute, cozy mystery with awesome doggie characters, and quite frankly, they were my favorite part. The cast of characters itself are a little lackluster, especially the wealthy family members who run the hotel.

I requested this book simply because my friend [who is new to the cozy genre] told me I should and because it was about a stationary shop. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love things in the stationary department. In fact, most people I know steer me clear of that area in ANY store because once there [much like a bookstore], I am a lost cause. I am glad to say that this book, much like most of my beloved stationary, did not [mostly] disappoint.

What I liked/loved about this book:
*Delta. She is a great main character. She has a complicated past, but not one that is so beyond the stretch of imagination that it is unbelievable. She is a kind person [who LOVES dogs. Bonus points there] and is willing to dive in and get done what needs to get done when the going gets tough. I never felt she was trying to undermine the moronic sheriff [more on HIM later], she was just trying to save her friend and her friends brother. She also is NOT a swooner, nor does she think she "needs a man to complete her" like so many cozies make their main characters now.
*Delta and Jonas are friends. There is no "tension, friction, side-glances, etc etc" that are so popular in the trope now - NOT all women need a man in their life and most women don't need a man to solve all their problems. I am not a man-hater so just keep your venom to yourself. I just believe not every woman needs or wants a man to "save" her. And the relationship [regardless of where it leads] with Jonas is very refreshing.
*The killer is also very believable. ;-)
*The side characters are a hoot. The town is fun and new. The stationary shop is a stationary lover's dream come true. I SO wish there was a shop like this somewhere. I would be their biggest customer. It has the great small-town vibe, warts [I live in a small town. Gossip is RAMPANT and is even worse now with the internet] and all.

What I DID NOT like [because very few books are perfect]
*The formatting of the book. I am hoping that because this was an ARC that it will be fixed, but it was wonky and tough to figure out who was talking at times and where chapter breaks were.
*The Sheriff. Really? R E A L L Y? Why are all sheriff's either stupid, tough-as-nails and proceed as with blinders on [and alienate everyone they come across] or so good looking that everyone is swooning and you KNOW that he is now going to be the love interest of the MC? I have come across several really well written sheriff's so I know it can be done, but they seem few and far between. I can only hope this one loses reelection and someone who is better written comes into play [hint hint hint].
*Hazel. She is not really someone I would want to be best friends with or someone I would want to go into business with. I cannot say more without spoilers, but I can say that I am not a fan of her and am glad she is not the MC.
*Delta going off with Jonas. WHO goes off with an almost perfect stranger just because your friend says he is okay and you know he was a former cop. Former cops can be killers. BAD FORM DELTA.

Those are all really nitpicky things in reality and not nearly enough to keep me from reading a second one [in fact, I sure hope she is writing #2 because I want that one ASAP!! LOL] - this was simply a delightful book and I am glad to have found a new series!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love pens. I love stationery. I love cozies. I should have loved this books. Didn't. Why? Because it was too damned labyrinthine. I always write the names of characters and salient features as I read a new cozy series. Sometimes I jot a plot point. For this book, I used about 21 sheets of a small memo pad because there were too many similar characters, too many obvious red herrings, and way too much telling instead of showing.

Very disappointing.

I rarely dislike a new cozy series, since I know that the first in a series has to have a lot of explication. But -- not this much. Sorry.

Thank you for the ARC.

After a fast paced and gripping start I find myself stuck and it was hard to end this book.
I'm in two minds because I don't know if I liked it or not.
Even if there's a lot cozy mystery tropes I found that the plot was somehow confused and the characters a bit underdeveloped.
The mystery was interesting but slow and I liked the dogs.
I think it suffers from all the issues of a first instalment in a new series. I'm curious about the next instalment.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Delta Douglas gets some inheritance money from her Gran which allows her to quit her marketing job in the city and move to the small Montana town of Tundish to become the co-owner of WANTED, a stationery shop with her college friend Hazel. Delta and Hazel are hosting a crafting workshop at the historic Lodge Hotel which is also hosting its annual swanky gold miners dinner and dance. The evening turns deadly when hotel guest Vera White is discovered stabbed to death in the bar. The pompous sheriff immediately arrests Hazel's brother Finn and also holds Hazel in custody as an accessory to the murder. With the help of the local crafters (the Paper Posse) and former cop turned photographer and nature guide Jonas Nord, Delta is determined to clear her friends and find the real killer.

This debut mystery did not work well for me. The author has written several other series so I expected a lot more from this book. Unfortunately, many of the characters fell flat and the stationery shop setting was not used for most of the second half of the story.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

A first in a new cozy mystery series, we meet Delta, who is following her paper craft dreams by becoming co-owner of a stationary store with her college pal, Hazel. At their first workshop together, a murder occurs at the same hotel as the workshop, and Delta quickly gets involved in solving the mystery.

I love stationary and all things having to do with stationary, so I really wanted to love this book, but it fell short for me. I would have liked more development with the stationary shop theme, and I found that the concurrent western theme muddied the picture a bit too much. I found the characters to be two dimensional, and the plot dragged. I also oddly felt like there was too much dialogue (is this even possible??). The end was quite enjoyable, though, so that bumped my rating up a star.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC in exchange for review.

An interesting mystery story with some interesting characters. I liked this idea of mixing the crafting shop and their owners along with their dogs to find out the real killer.
It’s a fast paced read and i’m looking forward to other books by the author as I enjoyed the writing and the characters.


Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for my review copy.

Last Pen Standing is a delightful new cozy series by Vivian Conroy with an unexpected wild west twist.
Reading the novel is like sitting down with your favorite unsolved puzzle - as fascinating to experience as it is to solve. Despite a slow start, once the Paper Posse is introduced, the pace picks up, and the excitement begins.

What I Liked:

The classic catch-the-murderer trap utilized. Delta and Jonah create a simple trap to catch the murderer, and though the killer realizes it is a gotcha moment, it is still is a lot of fun. I haven't seen that technique used in a while, and I realize how much I enjoy that particular plot device.

I really connected to the character of Jonah (and his dog Spud), as well as the Paper Posse. One provides professionalism to the story while the other provides laugh out loud humor. Both elements are beneficial to keep the story entertaining.

Wild West references and the overall setting result in a unique tone to the story. Both fun and yet serious at the same time, the play on nicknames and the store being an old jailhouse is simply delightful and unique.

What I Wish:

The first 25-30% of the novel captured my attention more. I almost did not read further, but after looking at other reviews, I felt it must get much better. I am so glad I forged on because it really is a great mystery and enjoyable read.

The sheriff was more redeemable instead of completely and unequivocally odious. I disliked him so much that I was hoping he would get murdered. I don't think that he really adds to the story at all even though he probably should.

There had been something in Delta's character that made her stand out more. Delta Douglas is, so far, very vanilla. I just wanted something more from her – even a quirk or bad habit would have created more interest. Perhaps, as the series progresses, we will see some of her unique traits.

To Read or Not to Read

Even though the novel has a slow beginning, it picks up and becomes a fun read that shouldn't be missed. I can't wait to see more of Delta Douglas, Jonah, Spud, and the Paper Posse in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.