Book 85, 2024
Murder in the Margins by Margaret Loudon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I completed the book Murder in the Margins last night. It's the first in the "Open Book" cozy mystery series by Margaret Loudon. The main character is Penelope "Pen" Parish.
No one was more surprised than Pen when her first novel turned out to be a bestseller. Now, however, the pressure is on to match that success, and she's hit a serious case of writer's block. Hoping a change of scenery will get her creative juices flowing again, Pen takes the position of writer in residence at The Open Book, a quaint bookshop in a small English village. Things are going well, and Pen is enjoying the slower pace in Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. That is, until a local woman is found murdered during Worthington Fest. When suspicion falls on fellow author and American, Charlotte Davenport, she asks Pen to help her clear her name. After all, Charlotte is engaged to the Duke of Worthington, and a scandal just won't do. Pen isn't sure how she can help, but she's willing to try. She learns that the victim, Regina Bosworth, was in the habit of ferreting out her neighbors' darkest secrets and using them as leverage to get her way. That means there are several potential suspects. Now it's up to Pen to find out just which one of them would kill to keep a secret.
Light and fun story. Pen was a likable character. She and the other characters were three-dimensional and relatable. I especially liked her friend, Figgy. Penelope was shown engaged in activities other than sleuthing, which I always appreciate. The plot was paced well and made sense as it progressed. The author dropped a couple subtle hints that let me guess the identity of the killer, but it was still fun to read along and see how it all played out.
I feel compelled to remark on the name of Pen's cat: Mrs Danvers. Why is this a thing with cats? Mrs Danvers, Mrs Murphy, Mrs Norris. I've never named a cat Mr or Mrs anything. Plus, I don't know as I've ever heard of a dog with a Mr or Mrs name. Puzzling.
Favorite line: "Regina would be mortified if she knew. The poor thing had prepared for every contingency except her own murder."
A pleasant read--four stars.
1. Does the mc work at/as one of the following: baker/bakery/sweet shop/tea shop/coffee shop, library/librarian, antique/vintage shop, book store, fashion/boutique, bed & breakfast? Yes, she helps out at the Open Book.
2. Does the mc live at her (or his) place of occupation? No
3. Is the love interest involved in law enforcement? (Police officer, sheriff, detective, PI, FBI) Ye-es
4. Does the mc have a dog/cat as a pet? Yes, she has a cat
5. Is the mc's BFF either a gay guy or a ditzy/zany woman? No
6. Did the mc find the body? No
7. Did the mc wind up in mortal danger at the end of the book? Yes
8. Is the mc's mother either: dead, absent, far removed, ditzy and dithering, or overbearing/disapproving/meddling? Yes
9. If mother is dead/absent, does the mc have another mother-figure (grandmother, aunt, mom's friend, or an older friend)? Yes
10. Is the mc child-free? (Either no children or else grown children--i.e. no small children to look after) Yes