I'd actually forgotten a lot about this series since it’s been nearly three years since the first book came out, but it didn't take long at all to remember what I liked about the different characters…or didn't like as in mean girl Tabitha's case lol.

I hadn’t guessed whodunit and enjoyed the low key showdown, although there'd been plenty of drama to make up for that throughout the book. I love the relationship Emma and Lucy have with their aunt Nora who lives with them in their childhood home where she raised them. Lucy had an amazing ending and the other two as well.

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

When I received the ARC of 'How to Book a Murder', the first book in the series, I absolutely enjoyed it! I had found it engaging and well written with interesting characters and looked forward to reading more in the series.

But the thing is, that was almost 3 years ago and it's only now that the second book has been published. So while I did enjoy reading 'In the Event of Murder', it took me a while to recap all the characters and their back stories in my head and even then I wasn't able to recall all the details. I can only hope the author and publisher do not wait too long to publish the next book because this cozy mystery series does have potential.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Cynthia Kuhn for the e-Arc of the book.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I will be checking out her other books. This is also book 2 of this series but I did not have any trouble keeping track of characters or events.
This is a cozy mystery that takes place in a small town in Colorado. Emma owns the local bookstore and winds up stepping in at the last minute as an event coordinator for the biggest event of the year after the previous coordinator was murdered.
There was a lot going on in this book between crimes committed, personal conflicts between different characters, romances, potential romances, etc. There was never a dull moment. I liked many of the characters that I hope will be regulars in future installments. I can’t wait to see what happens with some of the storylines left hanging at the end of this book. And the ending did make me smile. It was an Awwwwwww! moment.
I did receive this book as a free ARC from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

It’s the final week of the year, which means it is time for the annual fundraiser for the library in Silvercrest, Colorado. Like the rest of the town, Emma Starrs is thrilled that the cast of Chasers, the popular mystery TV show, is coming to town to headline the events. However, when murder threatens the event, Emma is asked to step in and help make sure the gala on New Year’s Eve goes off without a hitch. Can she do that?

It's been a couple of years since the first book in this series came out, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d remember about the characters. Fortunately, I was able to slip back into their world without too much effort. Sadly, the mystery was disappointing. The emphasis was more on the planning for the event, and those scenes grew repetitive. We did reach a solution, but parts of it felt forced to me. On the other hand, the characters were charming. I really did enjoy seeing Emma and her family and friends again. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was mixed for me.

In the Event of Murder is the second installment of the Starlit Bookshop Mystery series by Cynthia Kuhn.
A great new cozy mystery series.
Engaging and well written, the series is set in Denver, Colorado. With characters who are interesting and quirky.
The mystery itself was well done and I found myself lost in the story.
I'm excited to recommend this book to all cozy mystery fans.

Thank You NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The Silvercrest Library Gala was famous for honoring book authors and screenwriters. With celebrities in attendance, Gala week was off to a spectacular start with exciting activities. When one of the visitors, an event planner to the stars, got murdered two days before the big red carpet day, that sparkling light began to look dim. Emma found herself roped into the investigation amidst her busy schedule, now, she was in a race with time, trying to find the killer before the great day.

This is a wonderful read. The mystery is great and the characters are very well imagined. This is the first book I’ve read by Cynthia Kuhn and I look forward to reading more.

This is the second in the charming series "Starlilt Bookshop Murder Series"
by cozy author Cynthia Kuhn. Thank you to the publisher, Net Galley and the author for the opportunity.
My review opinions are my own. This is a endearing series with a beautiful Rocky Mountain setting of a small town. This is a exciting addition to the series

Our protagnist Emma will be attending a gala at the local library. She and the invited guests are first attending a tea a few days before the main event. When a famous guest caterer is murdered at the tea the board committee votes for Emma to take over. the event She is determined to investigate the murder while taking on new duties. Her most disliked person has also asked her to please investigate the murder. As attacks continued on the celebrity guests and a fire occurs Emma is challenged to not only put on the successful gala but solve the mysterious death and attacks on others attending. A fun sleuth that kept me guessing to conclusion. This was a exciting read with much action and growth for our protagnist Emma. Well done to the author.

This is a fantastic continuation in this cozy mystery series! I love the theme of the murder mystery scene turning into a real murder mystery and the chaos that ensues. Kuhn avoided a lot of the irritating cozy tropes, and her characters and writing had substance. I really enjoyed this one, and I look forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in a cosy series about Emma Star. I loved it. The mystery was pretty good, and we got to know the main characters better. It is not necessary to read the first book although doing so will provide more context about Emma, her family, and their situation. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

This was an enjoyable easy to read book. Even though this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I personally like to read a series from the beginning though. Things I liked: - the setting, the focus on family and community, at least one character that you just love to hate, a murder mystery and an amateur sleuth. Things that I would have wanted to be different: - more in-depth character development, a bit less focus on Tabitha and Emma’s contentious relationship (sometimes it was just too over the top) and more focus on the murder investigation and less on the library fundraising gala. All in all, I think this is a good series and cozy mystery readers will find lots to like in the series.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is the second in a cozy mystery series about a book store. This one follows Emma as she prepares to go to a gala at the library. When the caterer is found dead, Emma is the new replacement with only three days until the gala. But there is still a killer on the loose.

This was a fun cozy mystery! I love the bookish elements for this one and I enjoyed reading this one. I think Emma is a good main character to follow. The mystery kept me interested and engaged throughout the book as well.

I didn't read the first one in this series but I don't think it took away from my enjoyment.

I would recommend!

I had enjoyed the first installment as an audiobook and found the voice narrator's talent excellent, successful in bringing the characters to life. For this new book in the Starlit Bookshop series, I experienced a similar feeling in terms of vibes (small town, bookstore, etc), but the plot was a bit less compelling than the previous one.

I missed the first book and so enjoyed this as a standalone which saw Emma, who works in a bookstore, spending more time trying her very best to run a gala but also solving a murder and finding a missing antique! Oh, and dealing with a mean girl in Tabitha, who tries to undermine her at every turn. Fans of the cozy genre know that there's something more going on with the gala than meets the eye and that Emma will have to sort through suspects. This adds in visitors from-wait for it- Hollywood. It's funny in spots (always a good thing) and the characters are good. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'll look for this series again.

I tried really hard to get into this book but I think it simply wasn't for me. I don't want to give it a poor rating because someone else might really love it. It was just a little slow for me and I wasn't really connecting with it. I would advise cozy lovers to give it a try because it might be for them...

In the Event of Murder by Cynthia Kuhn is the second book A Starlit Bookshop Mysteries. I had not read How to Book a Murder, and I was lost in the beginning as a variety of characters are introduced. It became easier as I got further into the story, and I learned more about the main character as well as her family. Dr. Emma Starrs is helping her sister with the family bookstore. I admit that I am a little baffled as to why she is not using her Ph. D. to teach at the local college and help out part-time at the bookstore (her Aunt Nora seems to juggle teaching with writing). I quickly tired of Tabitha, Emma’s old high school nemesis, and Emma’s bickering. It seems that they have yet to leave their high school behavior behind them. Their interactions were overdone and, unfortunately, their bickering detracted from the story as it became the focus quite often. I found there to be a lack of character development. The mystery took a backseat to the gala and the squabbling. The investigation did not begin until after the halfway point (I was beginning to wonder if they would ever look into the murder). The whodunit pops up here and there as the story progresses. I felt the story lacked cohesion and some elements felt forced. I liked the town of Silvercrest as well as Starlit Books. Tabitha and Emma’s childish interactions did not make In the Event of Murder an enjoyable reading experience.

Literary Cozy Mystery featuring a Colorado bookseller, literary event planner and aspiring writer who turns sleuth after the library's star-studded gala's caterer is murdered.

5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Kuhn's Starlit Bookshop Mystery series, it's a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Colorado and features a literary event planner and aspiring writer who who works with her sister and aunt at the family bookstore. After the library's star-studded gala's caterer is murdered, she takes over the job and when the victim's actress aunt asks her to look into the death she agrees to investigate. But her sleuthing job won't be easy, someone's determined to sabotage the gala week events so she'll have to work fast to save the gala and catch the killer. Kuhn has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, Kuhn's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Emma, her family, the staff at Starlit Bookshop and the folks of Silvercrest. Emma's a great character and I love seeing her figure everything out. Oh and I have to say I love how she handles her longtime nemesis, Tabitha. And of course, one must not forget one of the best named bookstore cats... Anne Shirley, the red tabby. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, How to Book a Murder.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This second Starlit Bookshop book is a fun, entertaining read. Emma fills in for the event planner for the library's gala fundraising week and works to solve the crime.

The first book in this series I've read but I enjoyed "meeting" these wonderful characters. The plot had some interesting twists as well. I've now picked up a copy of the first book in the series.

Recommended to mystery fans.

This was a fun who done it story. It was great how the author described the characters so well that I could imagine people in my life that reminded me of them. Especially Tabitha unfortunately lol. It would be cool to see pictures of the ballroom, Viv's party location and the bookstore. Thank you for sharing your story!

I was initially drawn to this book because the cat on the cover looks like my own but I also love mysteries. Overall I liked this book, but murder (and solving murder) definitely was not the main event. It felt like all the characters forgot their friend/family member had been murdered because everyone was so obsessed with this gala. There were just passing comments about it compared to chapters of gala details until the case was all neatly wrapped up at the end.