Bookman Dead Style

In the Utah ski resort town of Star City, the yearly Film Festival is in full swing. Movie stars can be found roaming the streets and shops all over the wintery wonderland. Bygone Alley with its charming boutique shops and The Rescued Word, owned and run by Clare Henry and her grandfather where they restore old typewriters and old books are no exception.

Matt Bane is the latest and hottest movie superhero. When he puts in an appearance in Clare’s shop, he appears to be kind, compassionate and genuine but when the police arrest Matt for murder Clare’s outlook on his superhero character takes a hit. The affable actor is accused of killing his sister, but Clare doesn’t think he fits the part of a cold-blooded killer. Either that, or he is the greatest actor of all time.

---

Series: A Dangerous Type Mystery – Book #2
Author: Paige Shelton
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Berkley

Rating:

Chester, Clare’s grandfather, is a wonderful character it would be interesting to know more about him and his past. Jodie is Clare’s BFF, yet the reader may be left with a feeling that she could be a better friend at times and less of a “cop.” Seth, Clare’s boyfriend, is kind, understanding, with intelligence and charm, he appears to be the perfect fit for Clare. The story revolves around Clare and her ability to snoop into matters that she should stay out of. From stalking a movie star queen from her living room window in the middle of the night to eavesdropping deliberately on private conversations. Clare isn’t above any of it if it means finding out who the killer was before Matt is convicted of his sister’s death.

Paige Shelton has written a very entertaining and authentic mystery book. Her characters are well rounded and are believable. The setting is attractive, and the descriptiveness gives the reader that sense of adventure we all seek in a good cozy.  There are several plot twists all of which lead themselves to add interest to the story even if they do not play a real part in the mystery. However, the investigation conducted by the police is too weak. No murder investigator would allow anyone near a hotel room where a murder took place until every inch of the room and the building inside and out have been thoroughly examined and all evidence photographed, collected and filed. The idea that a fire escape was never looked at as a possible escape route for a killer is virtually impossible.

The ending is reasonable but comes a little too quickly. Although the killer is someone who is interwoven throughout the story and not unlikely, the unmasking is wrapped up too fast and leaves the reader with a sense of not having all the pieces fully explained. This book is fast-paced, fun to read, and entertains the reader.