Title: The Bookshop Mysteries: A Bitter Pill

Author: S. A. Reeves

Genre: Cozy mystery

 

The Bookshop Mysteries: A Bitter Pill by S. A. Reeves takes place in a cozy bookshop nestled in a small town in England, where owner Gemma and her secondhand woman, Mavis, are struggling to keep business bustling in the days of internet sales. To boost their little shop’s success, they invite local author, Dominic Westley, to do a book-signing event, only for everything to go wrong when Westley’s body turns up dead in their restroom. What is assumed to be a mere heart attack becomes something much more sinister when, at the funeral, Westley’s ex, Donna, proposes murder, and who better to investigate than sleuths Gemma and Mavis?

A Bitter Pill is a cozy mystery, and S. A. Reeves certainly sets the stage appropriately for the genre. A bookshop in a small town is the perfect setting. Gemma and Mavis are the ideal protagonists, with their interest in reading mysteries and their Jessica Fletcher vibes. Their conversations often occur over drinks and sometimes a sweet treat, which is a must for a cozy mystery. In addition, S. A. Reeves describes the homeyness of the bookshop, using details like armchairs and reading lamps. The reader can easily imagine being a customer there.

While the novel doesn’t open with a bang, meaning the character’s death, Reeves takes time to set up the reason for the presumed murder taking place within the walls of the bookshop. It is certainly relatable to most owners of small businesses in the internet age to understand the struggle of staying open when people shop online, and this element sets the tension for Gemma to get creative to keep her doors open. Part of the draw of cozy mysteries is the slow, sweet invitation that unfolds as the reader turns the pages, allowing the experience of total immersion to occur.

A Bitter Pill is a straightforward read, the type of novel someone might take on vacation or enjoy over a break from work. The characters are a delight, and the topic of murder never feels too heavy, which is fitting for the subgenre. Gemma and Mavis’s dialogue in particular is reminiscent of listening to a couple of grandmothers chit chat over tea, and the setting in England only adds to the pleasantry.

There are only three main suspects for the murder. This limitation may not do enough to throw the reader off the hunt for the true suspect. Although the author provides clues as to who the actual murderer is, a savvy reader might be able to figure out the suspect early on. Perhaps making the suspect less obvious or providing more potential suspects would help, and Reeves has this opportunity, as A Bitter Pill is the first in a series.

Readers who enjoy a quick, easy plunge into the cozy mystery world should add A Bitter Pill to their to-be-read list. Reeves has set the scene for future novels in a series, which will keep engaged readers coming back to continue their adventures with Gemma and Mavis. The Bookshop Mysteries series is bound to be another solid addition to the cozy mystery genre.

 

 

This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.