BOOKMAN DEAD STYLE, the second book in the Dangerous Type Mystery series by Paige Shelton, is a terrific addition to the series! I loved catching up with Clare Henry and her grandfather, Chester, at their family store, The Rescued Word. I would adore spending time puttering around this stationery, typewriter and book repair shop. Paige provides so much character to both the people who populate the shop and the town of Star City, Utah that I felt like I’ve been there and met them. She’s also not afraid to tackle controversial issues, such as polygamy, but does it in a sensitive manner so no matter what side of the equation you’re on, it’s not abrasive or insulting. I enjoyed getting a peek at a lifestyle that I know virtually nothing about. The connection between Clare and her boyfriend, Seth, is very sweet. It’s cute “watching” them push their glasses up at the same time and while he’s a numbers person and she’s a word person, they completely compliment each other. With the Star City Film Festival taking place and the town filled to capacity with stars and fans, the fast moving plot has plenty of room to pack in the suspects. It kept me turning pages late into the night and kept me guessing until the suspenseful reveal.

Be sure to read all the way through to the end of the book for a preview of book 3 in this series. But fair warning…if you read it you will be on pins and needles waiting for it to release!

3.5 Stars

Things get more exiting in the small town of Star City, Utah when the annual Star City Film Festival comes to town. Even down-to-earth Clare Henry, who helps her grandfather Chester run The Rescued Word, restoring old books and typewriters, isn’t immune to being in awe of their celebrity visitors. Although happily dating her scientist boyfriend Seth, she has an instant, platonic connection to Matt Bane, one of the visiting movie stars. Soon, at the handsome actor’s request, Clare finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation as she tries to prove that Matt is innocent of killing his sister.

This is the second book in the Dangerous Type Mysteries. The first book gives details on how Clare and her best friend Jodie each met their boyfriends, but it’s not necessary to have read that book to enjoy the latest in the series. This book has some great moments, but there are parts that seem to drag where there is no progress being made at all in the investigation. Clare’s friend Jodie is a police officer, so the times they work together and share information are interesting, but sometimes Clare seems to be going in circles. There are also a few too many varied subplots going on, from typewriter ribbon tins full of cash, to local sister wives, to a group of German visitors to Chester and Clare’s shop. Some of these things to end up tying into the main plot, but others just slow the pace of the investigation even more.

I like Clare as a main character and it’s great that she has good relationships with her friends, her boyfriend Seth, and her family, including her grandfather Chester and her brother and his daughter. The small-town Utah setting is interesting and the film festival provides an excellent way to introduce new characters and provides a unique motive for murder. However, I have a hard time accepting that a popular movie star in town for the first time, would have nobody to turn for help except Clare, who he just met. Since this is a major part of the plot, I kept shaking my head as Matt waited in jail for Clare to help him. Putting disbelief in this part of the plot aside, I like Clare and enjoyed the story as a whole. The book picks up towards the end, and it’s fun to see the main characters included in a glamorous Hollywood-type party. Fans of Shelton’s other series or fans of Sheila Connelly or Lorna Barrett will enjoy this book.

~ Christine