Another cozy mystery set in New York. One of my favorite cities. But a burglary at a bookshop has two friends set on their own investigation into these high end valuable books. One friend is dating a detective. It definitely tests their friendship. Not a keep me going book. Lacking interest

This is the first book I have read by Helen Cox and was most impressed and shall read her previous one (a little late really, should have read it first) and any future books written by her. It kept me engrossed from first page to the last with the twists and turns.

I read so much crime (it’s my favourite genre) and working in a bookshop I always wondered what it would be like to find a dead body in the shop and then I saw this. It was such a good read. I read it in a day the storyline had me hooked.
Great mystery and great characters.

A lovely cozy crime series that I could see being a good tv series. Both books have been really popular with library customers. Highly recommended.

A Body in the Bookshop by Helen Cox -“Librarian Kitt Hartley and her friend Evie Bowes thought their life had gone back to normal after the shocking events of Murder by the Minster. Then DI Malcolm Halloran breaks some bad news: DS Charlotte Banks has been suspended from duty, on suspicion of assaulting the suspect in the burglary of a local bookshop. Evie wants justice for Charlotte, who she is sure was not the attacker, and how could any self-respecting librarian turn down the chance to find missing rare books? The two friends team up once again to investigate the rarefied world of York's bookshops and antiques dealers and find out just who has framed their friend.” I enjoyed this recent book by Helen Cox. Having the elements of books, bookshop, combined with some romance, and of course, murder is a fantastic combination. This book had well plotted characters and a great plot. I recommend this well-written book. Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced reader’s copy.

A cozy mystery with a little adult interactions thrown in. Our favorite librarian finds herself investigating the theft of valuable books and the accusation that one of her friends would attack the theft suspect. Helen Cox has developed a well rounded community of characters with best of intentions. The troubles they encounter while investigating will keep readers turning the pages quickly to find out the who and why.

Another excellent book from Helen Cox. Following the theft of rare books from her favourite book shop Kitt and her friend Evie are once again on the trail of a murderer. There are many false leads but I have to say I did not expect the ending. The wonderful setting of York adds to the overall enjoyment.

This is the second book in a series set in York (where I lived for three years when I was at University) and it features a kick-ass librarian. So far, so right up my street! Although the book makes a lot of (very necessary) references back to the events of the first book - which introduced librarian Kitt to her lover, DI Halloran, and left her friend Evie scarred both physically and emotionally - it wasn't a problem to follow. There has been a burglary at one of York's many (and wonderful) second-hand bookshops - some valuable books have been stolen - but the police seem to have a good idea who was responsible. But then Halloran's colleague, DS Charlotte Banks, is suspended - suspected of attacking the alleged book thief - and Kitt and Evie decide they need to help out. Banks had played a large part in rescuing Evie from near death so she feels that she needs to help clear her name. And Kitt is on a mission to rescue the lost books because, well, a librarian is all about the books. But it soon becomes apparent that some of the secrets they begin to reveal are worth killing for and the obvious suspects aren't always as obvious as they first seem.

This is a fun take on modern cosy crime (which are never totally cosy - a lot more sex, violence and downright nastiness than would make me comfortable in real life) with books at its heart. I feel that I will be going back and reading the first in the series and looking out for Kitt and Evie's next adventure

I love a good cozy mystery with a side of romance. The plot and characters are wonderful. The book kept guessing until the ending twist.

This is the second book in the Kitt Hartley series, but it works as a stand-alone (I haven't read the first book, but I had little difficulty in picking up the threads of the characters). I found Kitt's friend, Evie, to be the more compelling character which is good as the book is centered on her. Evie has been left physically scarred after the events in the prior story, and spends time re-considering who she actually is. She is outraged to hear that DS Charlotte Banks has been suspended on charges of police brutality and she makes it her mission to set things right. Some interesting twists and turns and an enjoyable read. I hope that Evie continues to grow and perhaps she can take center stage in future books as well.

I received a digital ARC from Quercus Books via NetGalley.

'A Body In The Bookshop' is the second book in the series featuring librarian and amateur sleuth Kitt Harley. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first book in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this second book too, but more about that in a bit.
I couldn't help but take to the character of Kitt Harley from the first time I met her. She is a librarian and she is also an amateur sleuth. She has a habit of finding out more information than the police could. Kitt is kind and compassionate, sensitive, sensible, clever, funny and she is fiercely loyal. When her friend DS Charlotte Banks is accused of a certain crime, Kitt totally believes in her innocence and together with Evie, who is another of her friends, they endeavour to prove Charlotte's innocence and hopefully apprehend the guilty party. Do they do this? Well for the answers to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It didn't take me long at all to get into 'A Body In The Bookshop'. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first few pages, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat with this book and I would find it increasingly difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. I must be psychic because that is exactly what happened. I immersed myself fully into the story to the extent that I lost track of time and I also lost track of just how quickly I was getting through the book. The first time I looked up to check how much I had read, I was staggered to realise that I had read over a third of the story and that was in just one reading binge. I seemed to race to the end of the story and I had to say a temporary farewell to Kitt and Evie.
'A Body In The Bookshop' is well written. The book is described as a 'cozy' mystery and I couldn't have described it better myself. Helen certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and she keeps that attention throughout the story. I genuinely felt as though I was right by Kitt's side and helping her to solve the case and that's all thanks to Helen's very vivid and realistic descriptions.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A Body In The Bookshop' and I would definitely recommend this book and this series to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Helen's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

When DS Charlotte Banks is suspended from the police on suspicion of assaulting a suspect in the burglary of a local bookshop, librarian Kitt Harley and her friend Evie Bowes refuse to believe she is guilty. They are determined to find out why she is being framed. With Charlotte's boss DI Malcolm Halloran unable to help, Evie decides to take matters into her own hands. Kitt takes little persuading to get involved. From the tightknit community of York's booksellers, to the most gossipy bus route in the country, Kitt and Evie leave no stone unturned to get at the truth behind the burglary.
This is the second book in the series & again it is a very well written book that drew me in from the start, plenty of twists & turns & a budding romance all added to my enjoyment. Whilst Kitt isn’t my favourite character she is growing on me, I really like Evie & Mal & I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is the second book in the Kitt Hartley Yorkshire Mystery series, and a cheap cozy mystery, if you're being self-quaranteened, as it is only $2.99 right now, and the first book The Manor House Murder, is the same price as well (so you can read the whole series cheaply!). I had not read the first book, so I was a bit lost at first, trying to figure out if Kitt was a PI or detective, and then realized it was her boyfriend who was the ppolice officer, and she was just nosy! LOL. Kitt and Evie are best friends who happen to stumble into a murder literally, and then end up putting themselves into the investigation (and harms way) during it. While it's a simple mystery, it's a fun read. BUT having said that, I think too much time was spent on Evie trying to figure out herself- at her age, she would have already KNOWN, and I feel like that part of the book was forced to be 'current', and took up half the book. So if you want a LBGT coming out story mixed with a more traditional British cozy mystery, you've found it. As for me, I'm probably not going farther with the series, as it feels too contrived and I like a solid mystery. But for others, this may be a welcome series.

When I read the first book about Kitt Harteley, I thought this would be a series worth following - and I wasn't wrong!

When a local bookshop in York is burgled, that alone piques Kitt's interest; despite the warning from Inspector Halloran to stay out of it, Kitt and Evie want to get involved - even more so when they find out that suspicion of an assault has fallen on DS Charlotte Banks. With things going from bad to worse at breakneck speed, both women are soon immersed in the case.

This is a very good mystery! With plenty happening, a plethora of twists and turns and red herrings popping up along the way, it is a cleverly written and perfectly plausible story. I love the characters - each and every one has their own style and identity and enough flaws to keep them both human and interesting. I was convinced of the guilt of several people before all was revealed and feel that my grey matter has had a thoroughly good workout. I'm sure there will be plenty still to discover about the sleuths in this novel - both professional and amateur - and look forward to continuing with this terrific series. A superb example of the genre, and totally worth all five sparkling stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I was kept guessing on the mystery and why it was done. It was quite the twist. I enjoy the characters and the setting of York.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A cosy crime story combining murder and romance about a trio of friends who turn amateur detectives. I picked it for the setting in York and this didn’t disappoint. The visual details are pleasing. However, I found the characters a little twee and the tone somewhat uneven. This was a foray into new territory for me and I don’t think I ‘belonged’, so don’t let me put you off if you like your crime sweet and eccentric with just a touch of grit (and smut).

I enjoyed this book until about 40% through the book when the book took a turn I did not expect. It was one I, as a Christian, did not wish to read about in detail. I took a break for a few days and returned to the book but when the theme picked back up immediately, I knew it was time to abandon the book. Nothing about this appeared in the book's description, and I will not be reading previous or future installments. I received an advance electronic copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

Great book in a fun, cozy mystery series.
A bookstore has been robbed of some rare books, a man has been beaten, and a dear friend of Kitt's has been murdered. When evidence points to the inspector from the last book, Banks, Evie and Kitt know they must try to clear her name. As the plot thickens, evidence points to several different individuals, all with moties to commit the crimes, and the police department is once again left needing the assistance from Kitt, Grace, and Evie if they are to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt.
Loved the book and the series. Can't wait for the next one!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

England, law-enforcement, murder-investigation, theft, librarian, amateur-sleuth, friendship, procedural

Super twisty!
Kitt is a librarian with sleuthing tendencies, Evie is her best friend and her past is on her face, DI Halloran is Kitt's interest, and DS Banks is in the frame. At first there was just a major theft, the murders came later. Extremely twisty plot and I don't want to do spoilers. Just start with the publisher's blurb and get drawn in! Enough background material is slipped in during the first twenty per cent that I was never lost. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Quercus Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I enjoyed this story very much and felt like I knew each character personally due to the description of them. I enjoyed the storyline. This is not my usual genre but in this instance I am extremely pleased and grateful for opening up my mind to something totally different. Thanks again.