Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penney is an excellent cozy mystery that is the start of what is sure to be an excellent new series. I really loved it.

This is a great start to this new series. We get to meet Molly Kimball and her mother when they move back to her mum’s childhood stomping grounds of Cambridge, England. They find out that they are included into the ownership of a historic book store that is owned by her Aunt Violet and by her beloved and recently passed uncle Tom. There are additional mysteries and questions regarding her estranged family that add another fascinating layer of complexity to the development of the characters and to the wonderful plot. After losing her Dad a few months earlier, both Molly and her Mum have nothing to lose by escaping Vermont and trying it all out.

After arriving, they are caught up in some tight financial issues with the struggling bookshop and a murder of a not extremely pleasant neighbor in their own backyard during a book reading. Molly’s Aunt Violet is a prime suspect and it is up to the rag-tag bunch that includes neighbors and fellow business owners George, Daisy, Tom and Kieran, and Sir Jon to help discover the true culprit.

I loved the complex murder/mystery and the amazing character cast. Everyone was truly likable, realistic, and had great chemistry. The setting is perfect, and there is plenty of material to use for future books.

I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

A great start to a new series set in a bookshop in Cambridge, England. Well developed characters, interesting setting, and mystery. Looking forward to the next.

I enjoyed this book. It's a very interesting story with likeable characters. I was surprised by who the killer was. I enjoyed the ending the most. #ChapterandCurse #NetGalley