Laura Gail Black writes four books in the Antique Bookshop Mystery. The protagonist is twenty-six year old Jenna Quinn who has found herself running from a difficult past in Charlotte North Carolina to an uncle who is willing to give her a safe place to get her life together in Hokes Folly, North Carolina. Her uncle owns a bookstore and the apartment above where he has a two bedroom apartment. Jenna gets in late at night and goes straight to bed. In the morning she awakes to go looking for her uncle whom she finds at the bottom of the stairs dead. It is unfortunate, or fortunate, that her uncle has left her the bookstore and the apartment and building in his will along with some money. Bring in Mason, a young boy who was fired by Paul, Jenna’s uncle. He is arrested for Paul’s murder but is out on bail. Mason approaches Jenna to explain why he stole from Paul due to a drug problem after his mother’s death. Jenna is willing to give Mason a second chance. To make the story more interesting, a man arrives who claims to be the long lost son of Paul.
Jenna is a strong character who develops a strong friendship with neighbor, Rita, and store clerk Mason. The sisters in the antique clothing shop next door provides an interesting duo with a more interesting relationship with Paul. There is of course a miserable police detective whose partner is as hot and sweet as chili.
To give the story another twist, a stranger, Norman, shows up claiming to be Paul’s long lost son. He causes problems for Jenna who was concerned about losing her business. Norman appears to be looking for something. When Norman ends up dead, Jenna is a suspect again.
Jenna receives a threat to go home or she will end up like her uncle and Norman. It is worth the read to find out who caused these murders.
This is a quick read. The writing is good. There is not much about the location other than the bookstore.
Murder by the Bookend, Book 2: Jenna has decided to throw a party for the re-opening of her bookstore now named, Twice Upon a Time. There are new characters introduced in this book with very strong personalities. There was also Eddy, a sweet puppy. I have to admit, I knew who the killer was pretty early on in the book however, there were interesting turns. Jenna gets herself into some precarious situations. It is amazing she survived! Good thing there is a love interest who is around for her.
Bound by Murder, Book 3: Jenna is up to her eyeballs in ……her past!!! Jenna’s ex-fiancé just happens to end up in her little town and in her bookshop with his new fiancé! just add in the “mean girls”, a misfit sister, an ex-boyfriend of the bride to be and a death and you have a story. By the way, the ex-fiancé wants Jenna back! What’s a girl to do?
Caught on the Book, Book 4: Jenna is getting ready to set up a booth to sell her books at the annual Hokes Folly Fishing Tournament and Festival. What could go wrong? Maybe we should ask, “what can go right?” Jenna’s boyfriend and cop, Keith, has an ex-partner, Frank, who has a soon to be ex-wife, Emma, who has a new boyfriend Greg!!! I kid you not! Greg turns up dead! No surprise! Frank is arrested. Read the book to figure out what happens in this engaging mystery.
