Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Brought to Book

About the Book

Book: Brought to Book

Author: Barbara Cornthwaite

Genre: Christian cozy mystery

Release Date: June 24, 2020

1- Brought to Book-sm There’s nothing in Emily Post about dealing with murder.

Katrina just wanted to spend time among the books at Frank’s Bookstore. Yes, that’s an unimaginative name for a store, but Frank’s an unimaginative guy–or he was.

Now he and his murder are the reason Katrina is spending her spare time with Wilkester detective, Todd Mason. Or, that’s what she tells herself.

Why would anyone want to kill Frank Delaney? Who would do it? And is Katrina herself even safe?

Mixing faith, literary humor, sweet romance, and a cozy mystery that will keep you guessing, Barbara Cornthwaite’s first Wilkester Mystery has everything you want for a cozy read.

Begin your investigation of Brought to Book today.

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

I enjoy reading cozy mysteries and trying to figure out who the guilty person is. This book has a distinctive feel of old time gumshoe with a touch of etiquette. I loved discovering the rare books from the bookstore and how much history was behind each one. Our victim in the story did not have much of time with us, but his death unravels a lesson in greed, lies and literature.

I would love to work in a bookstore and can understand why Katrina spent so much time at Henry’s Bookstore. It wasn’t a surprise that he had willed the place to her, but it certainly opens doors from the past that collide with an intriguing who is the guilty person plot. It is a clean read and I appreciated the reference to faith several times throughout the book.

Todd is a good detective but I think he was a little distracted by Katrina at times. You can get the sense that a romance is developing between them. Todd has the task of finding Henry’s killer and keeping Katrina safe. There are a few funny moments and references to classic books that I absolutely loved. Katrina is not sure where her future is but she knows that she needs to trust God. I liked how the foster care system was incorporated in the story. It gives a light to something that is rewarding and Katrina ponders if that is where God is calling her.

I liked the story and am happy to know that the author has a new book coming soon. I want to know more about Katrina and Todd. Their relationship will be interesting to follow as they get to know each other better. The mystery is good and I was a bit surprised at who was the guilty person. It is a nice start of a very promising series .

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

About the Author

Barbara Cornthwaite headshot Barbara Cornthwaite lives in the middle of Ireland with her husband and children. She taught college English before “retiring” to do something she loves far more; her days are now filled with homeschooling her six children, trying to keep the house tidy (a losing battle), and trying to stay warm in the damp Irish climate (also a losing battle). She is surrounded by medieval castles, picturesque flocks of sheep, and ancient stone monuments. These things are unappreciated by her children, who are more impressed by traffic jams, skyscrapers, and hot weather.

More from Barbara

Meeting of the Minds

A Wilkester Mysteries Introduction

Detective Todd Mason knew Katrina was the one the first time he met her. The woman had witnessed a murder—if not with her eyes, at least with her ears. She’d seen the man dying and called for help, afraid all the while that the killer would return for her. So much he’d been told before he went into the interrogation room.

“How’s she handling it?” he asked the officer who had arrived first at the scene and escorted her to the police station.

“Not too badly,” said Gary. “She’s in shock, of course, but she’s trying to hold it together. Katrina Peters. She’s in Room 2.”

He’d gone in then and gotten his first look at her. Late thirties or early forties. Brown hair that fell to her shoulders in loose waves. Brown eyes that were red-rimmed from crying. Hands clutching a tissue. She managed a faint smile when he walked in.

“Hello, Ms. Peters. I’m Detective Todd Mason. I need to ask you some questions, if that’s all right.”

“Miss,” she said, almost as a reflex.

“I beg your pardon?” Todd wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly.

“It’s Miss Peters.” She said it firmly, repudiating the term Ms. even at such a stressful moment. Something made her blush then, and he saw her glance at his left hand. “Never mind,” she murmured.

She’s afraid I’ll think she’s trying to advertize her availability. It amused Todd to see the blush—if only she knew how refreshing it was to see a woman who would even be conscious of such a thing. Old fashioned, he thought. In a good way.

She answered his questions as calmly as she could, and even apologized for the tears that insisted on coming out now and then. When she alluded to Daniel in the lion’s den, he knew she really was out of the ordinary, and it took all his self-control not to offer to drive her home himself.

To join the investigation, read your copy of Brought to Book today.