I've started this book not knowing it was a book 2 in a series - but it actually didn't impact my reading experience too much. The previous installment with the "incident" is referenced often enough. Sadly this book didn't resonate with me as much as I would have liked. As an avid book lover and reader who likes their murder mysteries as much as everyone else, I was a tad disappointed with this book.

Most characters aside from the MC are explored in a rather shallow way or reduced to being mentioned in off-hand comments or with a single characteristic. For example, the sister is an inn owner, single (?) mom who is baking blintzes (all the time). The owner of the restaurant is nasty to the MC. Policemen get reduced to being a love interest of the sister. I didnt feel like I got to know anyone properly.

The setting was overall lovely. A small town that is being threatened by gentification and the population sort of fighting back? Color me interested! The general athmosphere was hard to grasp. I wasn't much able to discern the actual season (was it spring? or autumn?), most of what I remember is the MC wearing nice and unconventional dresses.

The writing was well executed and it flowed nicely. It was an easy and entertaining read. Sometimes there were expressions I wasn't familiar with. Some descriptions of Juniper felt rather repetitive, and didn't bring much to the plot or overall athmosphere.

The plot disappointed me the most because I was really hoping for the mystery to have to do with Poe much more than it actually was. The perpetrators were "just" communicating via a poe-inspired cipher and the crime was book stealing and reselling which was all done because of fragile male ego. (At least that is how it read to me). I think the plot lost me somewhere in the middle, when the Juniper decided that being tailgated and pushed offroad by a black unidentifiable car was "nothing to worry the police about" and then a few scenes later a house explodes. These things... just happened and I didn't really feel anything with it. The plausable deniability was just lost at some point.

Which brings me to the intrigue part - it all started out rather benign with a murder in a library, and then somehow spiralled into several sub plots of small town pettiness and drama, old grudges, stealing, medicinal herb poisoning, a reconnection to an old college acquaintance whose dad turned out to be the Big Bad. In my opinion there can be too much of a good thing and i think this applies to sub plots as well. Too much came out of what could have been a rather straightforward murder mystery.

I didn't care much for the relationships between the characters, which is most probably because I haven't read book 1 of this series. The side characters felt woefully underdeveloped to me.

All in all, despite my criticism of this book, it was an enjoyable read, and I had a fun time even though I did get frustrated with several aspects of the story. However, I think for fans of this particular series, I can see this being a stunning and intriguing sequel.
3/5 stars.

Juniper moved to Rose Mallow to become the head librarian for the Calverton Museum. The Calvertons were a prominent family in town and had more money than God. They were proposing to get rid of most of the businesses in town to open pricey boutiques. The whole town was against them, and there were protesters who appeared everyday at the Calverton site. One of the protesters was Big Al.

During Juniper's first few days, Big Al, the owner of Broadway Books, was killed with a poisonous weed. Juniper was implicated, but of course, she was innocent. And then only a few days later, Martha was killed. She had served on the Calverton board of directors. Juniper set out to learn who the murderer was.

Leo Calverton was Juniper's boss, and the grandson to Dorothea Calverton whom the museum was named after. Dorothea was the matriarch of the family and she held most of the money.

Juniper lived with her sister, Azalea, who was the owner of the Wildflower Inn. Azalea was estranged from her husband, Rory, who was doing everything in his power to get back into hers and their daughter Violet's life. There was also Detective Torres, who also had designs on Azalea, but in the end Rory won out. Well, actually, that's not necessarily true. Rory showed up in the end, but it didn't mean he won. No matter, the bottom line was, there were two men in Azalea's life. And Juniper had her heart set on Leo.

Florence and Eric worked with Juniper, and according to her, they became suspects in the murders. But eventually, she was able to rule them out. In the museum library, there were extremely expensive and valuable books. Florence had discovered that there were several books missing, namely, four Edgar Allan Poe books. Big Al had been killed in the library with one of the missing Poe books. Eric lived with his girlfriend, Brandy, and one day he found one of their missing Edgar Allan Poe books in Brandy's collection.

The tale was told in such a way that it was difficult to figure out who the actual murderer was. It was the type of story that compelled the reader to read on for more clues. The author left everything up in the air until the very end. It was a cunning little whodunit that left me satisfied at the close. I gave the book five stars, as I was hard-pressed to discover the culprit.

I liked Juniper's Phryne Fisher vibe and that she was so unapologetically her. I truly didn't know who was the murderer and look forward to reading more books by Daphne Silver.

This is an outstanding second book in the Rare Books Cozy Mystery series. I really enjoyed visiting with Juniper Blume and the wonderful characters of Rose Mallow again and getting to know them all more. You will love your time with Juniper, Violet, Azalea, Leo, and adorable pup, Clover. The author does a fantastic job of pulling you into the action and creating tension right from the start. The mystery was fun, twisty, and kept me guessing till the very end. This is a must read series! Thank you to #NetGalley and #LevelBestBooks for the opportunity to read and review #TheTell-TaleHomicide by #DaphneSilver #cozymystery #amateursleuth

The Tell-Tale Homicide is the fantastic second book in the Rare Book Cozy Mystery series. Juniper has stayed in Rose Mallow, MA. She's happy to be home with her sister and niece. Juniper is also excited to start her new job. She's working with Leo Calverton to open a new museum in Rose Mallow. Not everyone is as excited to have the museum open, though, and Juniper has a rough road ahead. When she discovers a body in the museum on her very first day, the road just a bit rougher.

I really enjoyed The Tell-Tale Homicide. The book has a compelling mystery, wonderful characters (most of them, anyway), and a fantastic setting. I enjoyed being back in Rose Mallow. The mystery wasn't the only thing going on in the book. The relationship between Juniper and Azalea is mending but now Juniper is going head-to-head with what seems like everyone in Rose Mallow. She's put in impossible situations, situations that make her look bad, and is generally being set up for failure. Juniper is a strong character, though, and I had faith that she would work through the adversity and solve the mystery.

The book flows well and is fast-paced. The author did a spectacular job bringing this book to life. I love the overarching historical book theme of the series.

I enjoyed this mystery. I like the characters and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing I look forward to more.

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

This cozy is a little melodramatic, but still enjoyable. I've had some overwhelming first week at work experiences during my life, but, wow. Nothing quite like this drama and disappointment. I especially enjoy the relationship between the two sisters, who are trying to rebuild their closeness. And the cranky Florence makes me laugh. All in all, a fun book.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked meeting Juniper, her sister and little niece along with others Juniper interacted with. I have the first book and totally intended to read it but time slipped away and I'm even a touch late with this review (it's been a busy month).

Either way, I loved that this book had no spoilers and just enough backstory that I never felt lost and felt like I had some new book friends by the end. The showdown was pretty exciting and at least some assistance came when Juniper needed a little help. It was great how the authorities swooped in as well!

I enjoyed the fact that the book didn't just end after the perp was caught and went on telling about some people and what happened with them or their businesses. I'd definitely read the next book since I'm eager to find out the result of something awesome that was supposed to happen.

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

I'd like to add how nicely the book was formatted for this ARC and was very easy to read as opposed to some other books that've been single-spaced and sorta run together

I have mixed feelings about this cozy. I liked the protagonist but the plot didn't really hold my interest. I thought some of the red herrings attempted were downright silly and completely implausible. I have not read the first in the series but since the author essentially gives you the plot of the first book in a nutshell in this book, it feels unnecessary. Unfortunately, this cozy left me feeling bored.

He overall story is interesting, but it felt like something is missing. I felt like it was focusing more on the Calvertons, Leo’s issues & the ending is surprising as there was practically nothing going on with investigating then suddenly she’s being kidnapped & threatening to kill her. It’s like what, where did this come from? #TheTell-TaleHomicide NetGalley

Book 2 in the series of Juniper moving to the hometown of her grandmother, where her sister runs an Inn in the old family home. Being offered a position as the head librarian archivist she keeps running up against corrupt board members and protesters. Finding a key protester dead in her library, she gets pushed into finding out more of what happened. Good story overall, but must admit the toxic women made me start to skim a bit when they appeared. Still though, would recommend.

Juniper is living in Rose Mallow, Maryland as the new director of a potential historic library. She’s living with her sister Azalea in their old grandmother’s house turned inn. Juniper and Azalea summered with their grandmother growing up. But Juniper’s first day on the job is a nightmare. She’s accosted by protestors, finds a small non-welcoming staff, and immediately finds books are missing. Her one true friend Leo in unfortunately her boss. What a mess! When Juniper finds a dead body, she begins investigating. This is the first I have read in this series and I look forward to reading more. Love the cast of characters.
#TellTaleHomicide #NetGalley

This story is about Juniper Blume who takes on the huge task of creating a new museum in Maryland. The museum and the collections inside are owned by The Calverton family, who are loaded but not really interested in the museum moving forward. Only of the family memebers, Leo Calverton sees the potential of the project.

The action doesn’t start until around chapter 6/ 7 when someone dies in the museum and from their the story picks up.

This book had so much potential but from the beginning had continuity issues. On Monday, it was Junipers first day, where she was accosted by the protester, and had Rose Bay (a twist on Old Bay seasoning, a Maryland staple) thrown on her. On Tuesday, when the man was found dead in the library, Juniper and Leo were speaking, Juniper said that the dead man had thrown Rose bay on her that morning, even though it was a new day, Tuesday. There was other things said on that Tuesday that were confusing making it seem like it was still Monday. And that’s just in the beginning of the book. There was a lot of writing issues. Overall the story had so much potential and overall it was a decent book but errors like that and others later on, show that the book wasn’t properly edited and can be frustrating for a reader.

I think that the plot idea was pretty good, I was very invested in the story and characters and wanted to see how things would work out. But the execution left something lacking. I think that the book needs to be edited more. The errors took away from me fully enjoying the story.

This is a bit of an eccentric series, but one I am really enjoying. Juniper is struggling to find her place both whilst living with her sister and her niece as well as in her brand-new job. It doesn’t help that she comes with the baggage of having found two bodies and solved two murders.. when the book opens with body number three Juniper is wary and doesn’t know whether to get involved or step aside. The book has some great touches of life in a town where everybody knows everyone else’s business. As the newbie Juniper has to walk with care as she learns who is a true friend and who she really needs to be aware of. The murder gets solved because of course it does., and it is the unwrapping of the events behind the murder that are the interesting ones.

This is the second book in ‘A Rare Cozy Mystery Series,’ which is a delicious series that has
something for everyone: Of course there are some murders, thievery, some delicious treats
and all in a small town along the Maryland coast. It is a book perfect for a weather storm,❄️🌨️
and to read while curled up in your home library. With your faithful puppy.
I cannot wait for the next book, and I hope to see some romance for Jumiper, some
progress for her sister Azalea, and maybe just one well staged and written murder.
I highly recommend this book for air travel!
My thanks to Level Best Books via NetGalley for the download of this’
book for review purposes.

Daphne Silver is a new author for me and this is her second book in the Rare Books Cozy Mystery series. Unfortunately, I missed the first one, but this one was easily read as a stand alone. I had no trouble keeping up.

Description:
Rare books librarian Juniper Blume lands her dream creating a new museum in her Chesapeake Bay town of Rose Mallow, Maryland. But on her very first day, she makes a shocking discovery—a dead man clutching a book by Edgar Allan Poe, stolen from the collections!

As Juniper gets closer to cracking the coded message hidden inside the book, she realizes someone is desperate to keep its literary secrets buried…even if that means burying her, too.

Dressed in her signature vintage style with rescue pup Clover by her side, the fearless bookworm must hunt down the culprit before becoming the next victim. But can she solve the case without jeopardizing a budding romance with her boss, the dashing Leo Calverton? And can she help her sister Azalea perfect their grandmother's legendary blintz recipe before the Rose Mallow Festival?

A delightfully deadly page-turner, The Tell-Tale Homicide continues the charming Rare Books Cozy Mystery series by Agatha Award-winning author Daphne Silver. Fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay will love tagging along with the whip-smart, book-loving Juniper on her adventures.

My Thoughts:
I think I wil enjoy this series and may go back and read the first book. This has all the elements of a good cozy - a small town, a murder, a likeable bookish character, an investigation, secrets, and a little romance. I enjoyed all the Edgar Allan Poe references. Some of the secrets revealed added intrigue to the story and the investigation. I also liked the romance with Juniper and Leo.

Thanks to Level Best Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I can’t wait for the next one!
Give me a good cozy mystery and I’m happy. Give me a good cozy set in the Chesapeake Bay area and I am thrilled! This one really delivered too, as I was hooked from the very first chapter right up until it the last sentence!

Good book, definitely gave cozy mystery vibes. Great to curl up on the couch with and just read! I had a great time with this one

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Daphne Silver for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Tell-Tale Homicide coming out November 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I need to read the first book in the series. I’m obsessed with cozy mysteries, so I was excited to check it out. I’m obsessed with Poe stories, so I really enjoyed the references to him and his work. The setting in Maryland was perfect. I love that Juniper works as a rare books librarian and has her dream job. The mystery was really fun. I would definitely read more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy book mysteries!

Cozy Crime Caper..
The second outing in the Rare Books Cosy Mystery series and Juniper Blume, rare books librarian, lands her dream job creating a museum in her home town - only to discover, on her first day, a dead man clutching a stolen book. It’s not too long before Juniper is hot on the trail of a killer whilst juggling a plethora of additional issues. A pacy and frothy cozy crime caper with a cast of eclectic characters and a busy plot littered with engaging literary references. A solid follow up to the first in the series.