The Bookshop Murder by Merryn Allingham is the first book in a new historical cozy mystery.

A smoothly paced plot with likable characters, a legend regarding buried treasure, the murder of a tourist to Abbymeade and only a few suspects to investigate kept the plot interesting. It was somewhat slow due to introductions of the main characters and their backgrounds as well as the Abbymeade inhabitants but the twists as Flora and Jack investigate kept the story moving forward. All in all it was an entertaining mystery.

The Bookshop Murder
By Merryn Allinghan

Flora Steele is running the bookshop her aunt Violet left her. How can a man be dead in her bookshop when it was locked and closed. That’s what she needs to find out when another man is found dead. So she asks Jack the writer to help her solve the mystery. So people will come back to her bookshop before it closes.
It had me going to the end. I loved Flora as a sleuth, she had all going for her. I loved that it was set in the 1950s.

I received the temp e-book from Bookouture and NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I loved the setting and the characters in this book and can’t wait for the next book in this series. It’s a great addition to anyone who loves great mysteries.

Will keep you guessing until the end! Love the country English setting and would like to revisit. The character Flora is highly likeable and quite spirited. Thanks #netgalley and #Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Bookshop Murder takes place in the sleepy English Village of Abbeymead. Life was pretty ordinary for bookshop owner Flora Steele until one day when a dead body is found among the bookshelves. The police are not very experienced in handling a murder investigation as that does not happen often in this small town.

Flora finds out that the victim was staying at the Priory Hotel which is a very nice hotel in the town. A few days later, the gardener suddenly dies on the grounds of the Hotel. Flora wonders if the two deaths are connected. She is determined to solve the murder mystery. There is a handsome reclusive crime writer, Jack Carrington that lives in the village. Flora enlists his help in solving the mystery. He is reluctant to get involved but decides to help her. There are a lot of twists and turns as the investigation continues. I recommend this book..

4.25 stars

One day, a young bookshop owner comes to work only to find a customer waiting for her and a mystery man, dead among her bookshelves. No big deal, right? Just call the cops, and… Nope! Eager for adventure, Flora Steele somehow convinces her customer, writer Jack Carrington, that there is something fishy about this man’s death and decides that they should investigate it, of course! After all, the police seem to think this is an open and close case. Death by natural causes, boom.

I loved this book. Flora is the ultimate amateur sleuth; she is fearless, funny, determined, and defiant. I had a lot of fun trying to solve the mystery with her. The Bookshop Murder is a cozy, heartwarming fast read. It felt like Scooby-doo meets Agatha Raisin. I am here for it!

The main characters are delightful, and Allingham’s depiction of village life was everything I imagined it’d be. The Banter between Flora and Jack was very wholesome. I understand this book is set in the 50s, but I often caught myself forgetting it until I was reminded again. This book is one of those reads that could be set at any time because as it feels timeless, the focus is on the characters and plot; I love mysteries set pre-technology, and even though The Bookshop Murder hit all the spots, I hope to get more of the 50s atmosphere in future books!

I will be checking the next book in the series!

Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Merryn Allingham, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Bookshop Murder (A Flora Steele Mystery Book 1).

Flora is the owner of a bookshop - inherited from her aunt - in Abbeymead. When she and author Jack find a young man in the store - dead - they decide to team up to find why and how he died. The story was quite intricate for a 'cozy' and I never guessed the culprit. Written very well I would not hesitate to buy the next one.

I was a bit dismayed in the beginning to find the story has a 50s setting. I do think that should have been somewhere in the blurb or on the cover. Not that I don't like the 50s, but I like more modern settings.

On to the next!

This first entry in the Flora Steele mystery series is a welcome addition to the cozy mystery genre. A small English village, a great cast of characters and a plot with twists and turns, all make for an interesting read. Set in the 1950's, Flora Steele must find out why there is a body in her bookshop, and enlists the help of recluse author Jack Carrington to dig up secrets from the past.

Flora Steele runs a bookshop, not huge nor modern but in 1955 after years of war and rationing the Sussex village of Abbeymead isn't a bad place to be. Of course, it would be better if her beloved Aunt Violet was still alive but Flora inherited her cottage and the bookshop so, even if she is a little lonely, at least her future is secure. Or it would be if, alongside one of her regular customers, crime writer Jack Carrington, she hadn’t discovered a dead body in the second hand book section! With her clientele leaving in droves, and the police adamant no crime was committed,  Flora has no hesitation in railroading Jack into joining her in finding the truth before her Aunt's legacy is just a memory.

Although I enjoyed what is the first book in this series I did have a few issues with it. Luckily I am a big fan of historical cosy crime mysteries because there was nothing to say that is what The Bookshop Murder is. The other problems include spoilers so suffice to say Flora, as an ex librarian, had a few gaps in her knowledge and some injuries seemed to be rapidly forgotten! I could however, be being a bit picky!

As for Flora and Jack, initially their relationship was strained, and although, in the storyline, they didn't connect at all, their thought processes and scenes together and apart worked well. There was also a gentle humour between them which always appeals. The way ahead looks promising, again with no spoilers, and I will definitely be on the look out for the next book in this series.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this book and think it will herald an ever improving series. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I enjoyed this book. It's set after World War 2 in a small village in England. The characters are well developed and likeable. The setting is lovely. I thought the reveal of the killer was well done. #TheBookshopMurder #NetGalley

This is the first book in the Flora Steele Mystery series by Merryn Allingham. Set in the 1950s, our protagonist Flora owns a bookshop in the sleepy little English village of Abbeymead. Not much happens in her beloved village - that is until one morning when the body of a young man is discovered in her bookshop. The police conclude that he died of a heart attack, but something just isn't sitting right with Flora. How could a fit and healthy young man suddenly die of a heart attack? And why was he in her shop hours after the closing time? Determined to get to the bottom of things, she enlists the help of a handsome and reclusive crime writer named Jack Carrington. Together, they discover that their little village has plenty of secrets.

A fun and intriguing mystery that kept me engaged and guessing until the reveal. Flora and Jack made a great team and I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops and what new cases they'll be working on in future installments. I hope there will be a second book soon because I really enjoyed my visit to Abbeymead. The villagers were interesting, the English countryside setting perfect and rich with history (I hope the town's history will play a role again), and I adore the era that this series is set in. If you're a fan of historical cozy mysteries, I recommend giving this first in a new series a try.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

1950s, small-business, small-town, writers, wry-humor, legend, rural, England, friendship, cosy-mystery*****

Flora is an unsophisticated young woman who runs an inherited bookshop (All's Well) that is in serious financial trouble. Jack is a reclusive but successful crime writer (currently suffering from Writer's Block) living near the village. Kevin is the first body to be found dead of an apparent heart attack. Flora is determined to find the real reason for the death and jollies Jack into helping her. Good plot, great character development, excellent read!
The publisher's blurb is a good hook, and this looks to be a really fun series!
I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

4 Stars
Set in the sleepy town of Abbeymead in 1955, Flora Steele, a young bookshop owner, is shocked when the reclusive crime writer Jack Carrington discovers a dead body in her old store. The police call it a natural death, but Flora is doubtful. When rumors spread about the bookshop being haunted, Flora starts to lose her business and savings.
Having no one to call her own after Aunt Violet’s death, Flora is determined to unearth the mystery behind the death. After all, how can a healthy young man die of a heart attack? Why was he in her bookshop, and when did he even enter?
Flora enlists Jack’s help to get to the bottom of the mystery, only to stumble upon more deaths in the process. Why are people related to the Priory dying, and why is the new owner not bothered about it?
The list of suspects keeps changing, and Flora is even determined than before. How can she let the killer get away? So what if the police are least interested?
The Bookshop Murder is the first book in the series and an engaging cozy mystery set in Sussex. Flora is a 25-year-old single woman, running her deceased aunt’s bookshop (now her own), All’s Well. She has a simple and routine life with the dreams of traveling the world to keep her company during the lonely days.
Jack is a recluse who had no choice but to step out to collect his books from All’s Well when the boy running errands falls sick. He discovers a dead body during his visit to the store, and there starts the story. Torn between writer’s block and the unexpected feeling to help Flora, Jack teams up with her to solve the mystery.
The book stays true to its genre and gives us an enjoyable mystery to solve. It’s neither complicated nor silly. Flora and Jack balance each other rather well. Neither of them is always right or wrong. They have their strengths and weak points.
As the first book in the series, the story gives us quite a bit of detail about the lead characters’ pasts. This adds to the character arc. The subsequent books are likely to have a budding romance between the leads, and yeah, I’m looking forward to it.
The case is solved in this book, and we have a definite ending. Picking it up as a standalone, and you’ll still enjoy it.
Overall, The Bookshop Murders is an engaging book with books, deaths, and amateur sleuths. Don’t expect much except for a nice little crime, and you’ll enjoy it more.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

My first book by this author and it won't be the last. Light but yet complex. Great setting.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this nice cosy mystery story, liked the characters and I look forward to more in the series with Flora Steele

Merryn Allingham’s The Bookshop Murder confused me! It’s set in Sussex but the cover shows Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, fairly close to where I live. Every time I looked at the book, I thought local – but when I started reading, I had to remind myself that’s it really about Sussex!

I confess I had mixed feelings about the book. Let’s get my two big niggles out of the way first… One, it describes itself as “an absolutely gripping cozy mystery”. I’d agree - except that one woman is abused by her husband. Her bruises are mentioned a few times. I know this is irrational: how can I cheerfully accept that “cozy” mysteries can contain murder but be uncomfortable when they show beaten wives? However, I **am** uncomfortable with “cozy” and there it is. Two, the second chapter has Flora and Jack talking across a dead body for how long - probably a good ten minutes? And they grin at each other at one point. No, not realistic – not at all. They would have phoned for the police as soon as they found the body. I don’t care how dismissive they might be of the local bobby, they wouldn’t make small talk over a body first. Nor would Flora phone the police house – the 999 service started in 1937 and she’d have used it.

So, having aired my grievances, what did I think apart from that? The book’s OK – I was interested in the outcome of the developing relationship between Flora and Jack. I was mildly surprised by the denouement, i.e. I hadn’t worked out whodunnit. How we ended up there was very skilful and exciting, although I was exasperated by Flora’s complete lack of self-preservation skills – how could you even think of doing that alone, woman?! I’ll definitely look out for the next in the series.

#TheBookshopMurder #NetGalley

I enjoyed this mystery that takes place in the fifties. Flora Steele owns a bookstore All's Well, in an English village, Abbeymead, Sussex. I really enjoyed Floras character and her spunk. She does find a young guy dead in her bookshop. That sends her on the hunt for his killer.
#TheBookshopMurder #NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of The Bookshop Murder by Merryn Allingham in exchange for an honest review. This story takes place in 1955. Flora Steele owns a bookstore All's Well, in an English village, Abbeymead, Sussex. About once a week, Flora rides her bike, Betty, to deliver books to pensioners who can't always make it into the village. One morning she comes upon a young man, dead, in the back of her bookshop. He had broken in through a window.
This is book one of a new series. With a lot of twists and turns, this cozy mystery holds readers attention. The Bookshop Murder is a page Turner till the last page.

I loved this book. The characters were gradually developed as you learnt their back history. The body in the bookshop is put down to natural causes, a heart attack, by the pathologist and the police but Jack and Flora aren't so sure so start sleuthing themselves. I hope the author writes further novels about Jack and Flora, could the next one be in Cornwall?

I love Flora as a charachter and how she interacts with Jack. fun 'whodunnit' mystery story. Nice and short, so easy to get through.

More like 3.5 stars for this one. The elements of the English village mystery are all here in Merryn Allingham's series debut: mysterious death of an outsider, traditional supporting characters, a mysterious old estate, and a legend that stretches back centuries, which may or may not be true.

The main characters, bookstore owner Flora Steele and reclusive writer Jack Carrington are likable and the mystery has some intriguing elements; however, pacing is a bit slow and there is much telling rather than showing. The length of the book probably could have been reduced by a quarter without the plot suffering.

However, there is lots to do in series debuts: introducing characters, settings, and backstories, etc., so some of these issues may resolve themselves in future titles. I'm certainly willing to read the next one!

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.