I enjoyed this book but for some reason under 300 pages too me longer than it should have. So maybe it wasn't as exciting as I'd gave liked. I did not read the previous book but that was okay. I didn't have a hard time catching up. Solid three stars

For Letter or Worse is the second book in Vivian Conroy's Stationery Shop Mystery series. Delta Douglas and her best friend Hazel are co-owners of a stationery shop in Tundish, Montana. They have been hired to do a 3D cardmaking workshop at the birthday party of former model and celebrity, Lena Laroy. Delta's friend, Jonas, has been hired for security, so is also in attendance. During the party, Lena finds a threatening message on one of the gifts and the police are called. Shortly after that, her sister-in-law is found dead outside. Delta can't help herself, and with the help of Jonas, decides to do some sleuthing.

This was an enjoyable mystery, with lots of twists and turns and several suspects to keep you guessing. This is one of those cozy mysteries where there is really no reason for the protagonist to get involved that always irks me just a bit. Jonas and Delta seemed to be growing closer, and they made great sleuthing partners once again. The main characters are becoming more developed in this book, but I still want more of a connection to the Paper Posse. There were several secondary characters that became suspects at times and added to the story. The free-spirited poodles that Lana Laroy owned actually came in handy when they helped with a big clue in the case. There was an interesting twist at the end, that I had suspected was coming, but I hadn't guessed the killer. I liked how they went about catching the culprit and everything was wrapped up well at the end. With Delta's Gran selling her home, I am hoping she ends up staying in Tundish, to give more background and roots to Delta. This story has murder, greed, family relationships, secrets, friendship and more. Overall, this was an enjoyable mystery, but the intensity that I expected wasn’t there.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed this mystery and can't wait to read more.

This is the second in the series but my first. The characters are interesting and likable but need a little more character development to be a more well-rounded. The mystery is full of twists and turns to keep you guessing and entertained.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

I adore this series, and this book was a blast. I loved getting to know the characters even more. The setting was fun, and I loved the mystery. I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Delta and her friend Hazel own a stationary shop and are hired to provide a crafting tent at a local celebrities birthday party.

Unfortunately, the birthday girl Lena's sister in law is murdered, is it a case of mistaken identity? Lena has plenty of enemies so there are plenty of suspects. Delta decides to investigate. It would be nice to learn more about the stationary shop and Hazel in the next book in the series.

An enjoyable cosy mystery.

3.5 stars

Personally, I was disappointed in the second book of the Stationary Shop mystery series. It didn't hold my attention. The best part was when Delta's grandmother came for a visit.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

I love the premise of this book - two friends Delta and Hazel open a stationery store. They are tasked with hosting a 3D cardmaking booth at a high society party. When the host's sister-in-law is found dead, Delta sets out to investigate. I would love to see the investigations be more about Delta AND Hazel. Instead I find Hazel to be the most understanding person in the world. Delta is not a fan of actually doing any work. She is always off on her own while Hazel is the one to keep the business going. I do enjoy the setting and the mystery so I am not ready to give up on the series just yet.

This was a quick, fun, light read. I enjoyed it. I liked the characters and would recommend it to others.

A good cozy mystery, engrossing and entertaining.
I liked the well written plot, the likable and fleshed out cast of characters and the lovely setting.
The mystery is solid, full of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing.
It's the second in a series but it can be read as a stand alone.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is part of the Stationery Shop series but I think you can come into this book as a stand alone.

Delta Douglas has achieved her dream of owing a paper goods shop in a small town and is very happy with her work. Being offered a workshop at a socialite's birthday party did not really fit in with the celebrities and people who were the invitees but Delta and her partner Hazel were very happy to be invited. They did not expect the birthday girl to be threatened and for the police to arrive and a murder to take place when the police were actually present on the premises!

In a typical cosy mystery style, the story develops from there with missing items from a museum, missing husbands and daughters set amidst the gossipy ladies of a small town who seem to know everyone's business before they know it themselves. No secrets can be kept in this town.

This was a light hearted mystery murder read, which was ideal reading material in the present pandemic.

FOR LETTER OR WORSE is the second instalment in Vivian Conroy’s Stationery Shop Mystery Series. I’ve already read the first book, LAST PEN STANDING, and found it an absolute delight — a young and fresh cozy mystery — so I was excited to get to this new adventure.

FOR LETTER OR WORSE is a solid cozy instalment and a perfectly good mystery, but it lacked some of the magic of LAST PEN STANDING. It’s still very good — well written and well plotted a- and I think if I hadn’t loved the first one so much I might have rated this higher? Perhaps my expectations go ahead of me?

For me, the heart of this series, the originality of it in a sea of sometimes too similar cozies boils down to a couple of things. The first book had them in spades, while FOR LETTER OR WORSE choses other things to focus on, which just weren’t as intriguing.

Mainly, this was the stationary shop co-run by our protagonists: Wanted. I loved reading about all of the different products and designs in the first book. I loved the way that the stationary became a big part of Delta’s process for organising her sleuthing. This wasn’t as big a part of this book and it felt like the shop was side-lined for Delta’s detective work.

Tundish, the little ex-mining town that’s really leant into that theme is another unique selling point. The museum is mentioned, and we see a couple of new locations, but I really wanted more of the outlaw-inspired town. In the same vein, the Paper Posse of the last book makes only brief appearances. While we’re getting to know Delta, Hazel and Jonas, the Paper Posse still feel very two-dimensional, and I wonder if more time could have been spent letting them get involved in the investigation.

There’s a lot of good things about FOR LETTER OR WORSE too, of course. Conroy’s writing style is great and the mystery itself kept me guessing. There are a couple of new additions to the cast I’m keen to see more of.

While I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first it’s still well worth a read, especially for mystery fans looking for something a little different from bakers and bookshops. I’m hoping that this might be second-book-syndrome, and the third book will win me right over again. Because, I definitely still want to read more about Delta, Wanted and Tundish.

The second installment in a relatively new series. Much like the first, it is a slow start but once it starts to pick up, the reader is in for a treat. Chaos, murder, and everything in between make this a story you will not want to put down once it gets going.

Delta is at the birthday party of a famous former model going through a widely-publicized divorce. Lena Laroy is rich and beautiful, but it seems that someone may want her dead. When a woman who wore a similar dress to Lana's is found dead at the party, police think Lana was the intended target. Could it be her ex-husband, who probably wants more money before the divorce? Or the weird new dog walker who seems to know nothing about dogs and is getting cozy with Lena's brother?

Delta and the Paper Posse of scrapbooking ladies decide to look into the case when the police make an arrest they don't think is correct. It doesn't hurt that Delta's crush is also looking into the case, but she's not sure about his feelings toward her.

I enjoyed Delta's grandmother's appearance in town and look forward to where that storyline goes in future installments. And though I did like this cozy mystery, I didn't like it as much as the first in the series (called "Last Pen Standing"). My issue with both novels is basically the same - I love the idea of a stationary store and I wish more of the plot took place in the store. This story took place almost entirely at a local mansion. The last book took place mostly in a local hotel.

Interesting and different setting and occupation. The notebooks and such sound dreamy. Good mystery. Kept me guessing till the end.

Delta Douglas is part owner of a stationary store with her friend, Hazel. Named Wanted, it has a large local following, especially by the Paper Posse Ladies. Paper crafts are their thing with a side of crime investigation as they help Delta and Hazel track down a killer.
What should have been a fun event - a 3D craft themed birthday event for a local celeb - Lena Laroy - turns out to be anything but fun. During the party a threatening note is discovered followed by the very dead body of Lena's sister-in-law. Not new at sleuthing, Delta, along with Hazel, Jonas and the Paper Posse Ladies start their investigation and the list of suspects gives them a lot to work with. Full of twists, turns and red herrings, this is a well crafted mystery that kept me engaged to the last page.
I will definitely be adding the next in the series to my TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed another book trip to Tundish, Montana and the unique stationery store called Wanted that Delta and her bestie Hazel ran. I loved how the older ladies aka the Paper Posse (business owners in town and customers of Delta's) were very in tune to tech and always started a message chain on their phones when there was a new murder. I could totally feel for Delta and Hazel when no one showed up at the celebrity birthday party to their tent to make cards. I've been at craft shows where I've sold nothing, sort of the same thing, except Delta and Hazel got paid to be there no matter if anyone did cards with them or not.

Jonas and Delta seemed to be growing just a tad closer. And they made great sleuthing partners once more. The free-spirited poodles that the celebrity woman Lena owned actually came in handy when they helped with a big clue in the case. There was an interesting twist at the end, and although I'd sort of seen it coming, I hadn't guessed the killer. I liked how they went about catching the person. Everything was wrapped up well at the end. Gran had come to visit, and I hope given her current circumstances that she'll put down roots and stay in Tundish, at least for a while. I loved Jonas's dog Spud in the first book, but he wasn't around very much at least not in a major way.

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

We’re back in the small, ex-mining town of Tundish, where Delta Douglas moved at the start of Last Pen Standing to follow her dream of running a craft store and designing her own stationary. It’s a sleepy kind of place – expect when people turn up dead, of course! This time the murder is linked to one of the town’s wealthy residents, a former model and her interior designer husband.

The story ticks all of the cosy mystery ‘tropes’, but in a very well written and well balanced way compared to many. Yes, we have a hint of romance – but it feels nicely ‘real’ and down to earth. The police chief is of course unsympathetic, but it doesn’t come across as wilful negligence. And the characters are drawn into the mystery quite naturally.

For me the best bit is that the mystery was well formed. It’s not quite Agatha, but nor was it too obvious or too deus ex machina. The suspects and red herrings lined up nicely.

This was a really great example of a nice, gentle cosy mystery – ticked all the right boxes and was a lovely wee read. I’ll be back for the third installment!

Cozys are extrememly infomative and great way to learn new things such as the uses of washi tape, a crafting tape found at Wanted. This Stationary Shop Mystery involves 3D card making, a socialite birthday party, and murder. Once again stationary store co-owner Delta is asked by former police officer Jonas Nord to get to the bottom of a mystery. Hazel, Delta's friend and business partner has her back and the Paper Posse (Tundra's very active adult ladies) are buring up the cell lines hunting down clues to help. This story was full of action from the get go with plenty of suspects to go around. Is it the over wrought model/wife, the wealthy interior decorator/husband, the young and coquetish dog walker, the local designers who were pushed aside, a golden boy nephew, the mysterious workerman, or the ghost of tragedies past. No need to have read the first book to be able to follow along. Definetly a page turner with a suprise ending, a surprise in so many ways and a little bit of a cliff hanger, but isn't that what makes a cozy so good in addition to the well developed characters and the smidge of potential romance for maybe both of the Wanted gals?

This is the second book in the Stationery Shop Mystery series. I enjoyed the first in series and this was absolutely charming and enjoyable as the first book. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

In this fun next in series we return to our protagnist Delta and her local stationary shop "Wanted". This is a popular shop loved by locals in her small town of Tundish, Montana. I love the local feel of this series and how well the author describes small town Montana to her readers. Delta has a group called the "Paper Posse" that do crafting at her shop on a regular basis and have become her friends.

Delta Douglas and her best friend and partner Hazel are hired to put on a special card-making workshop at the home of a television star. They soon find out none of the wealthy pretentious attendees want anything to do with crafting cards. When a threat occurs and all are on edge a murder occurs. Delta is in the middle of an investigation to find the true suspect and solve the mystery.

This is a enjoyable series with fun crafting included. I look forward to the next in series.