Murder Is Binding

From Publishers Weekly Stoneham, N.H., the picturesque setting of the pseudonymous Barrett's charming first in a new series, boasts a newly renovated main street devoted to a variety of bookstores. When Tricia Miles—mystery bookstore proprietor and city refugee—discovers her unpleasant cookbook store neighbor stabbed to death and a rare book missing, Tricia soon finds herself under the sheriff's surveillance and dubbed the village jinx. Determined to clear her name and track down the stolen cookbook, Tricia enlists a few friendly locals to aid in her investigation. When her difficult older sister, Angelica, arrives unexpectedly, Tricia worries she's in for another headache, but Angelica turns out to be a willing conspirator in Tricia's search for answers. The mix of books, cooking and an engaging whodunit will leave cozy fans eager for the next installment. (Apr.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review "Move over Cabot Cove. Lorna Barrett's new cozy creation, Murder Is Binding , has it all: wonderful old books, quirky characters, a clever mystery, and a cat named Miss Marple!" --Roberta Isleib, author of Preaching to the Corpse and the Advice Column Mysteries "A mystery bookstore in a sleepy New England town, a cat named Miss Marple, a nasty murder and a determined heroine make Barrett's delightful debut mystery everything a cozy lover could want and more. Bravo!" --Leann Sweeney, author of the Yellow Rose Mystery Series