Review: Murder at the Bookstore

Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I finished reading this book on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 10:01 a.m.

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Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix-Notes & Highlights

This is my copy from the library.

I went into the Desert Sage Phoenix Public Library and browsed the book sale, and there was nothing good, per usual. Then I went into the actual library space and walked to the right where the new books section is and browsed there for anything good to read. I found this book and liked the book cover, so I thought that I would enjoy it.

From Libby

1. Went to return book
2. Drove to Fairway Library and got physical card and checked out short book
3. Went to Main Library to check out Ale book to read w her separately (what happened to goodbye Sarah dessen)

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* I love the little kitty on the book cover, the coffee aspect, and that it takes place in a bookstore. I also really love that the bookstore on the cover says, “Ravenous Readers.” That is so adorable!

* I just noticed that the pages of this book remind me of those magic treehouse books I used to read. I really liked the book pages from those books.

* I smelled the book pages, and since this is a new released book that was in the new books section of the library and was released this year, the book pages smell like new book pages, a hospital, and a nursing home for some reason. Very nice! It smells like an office building too.

* Damn! I’m only five pages into this book and it’s already a big mood!

* Large coffee mood in here too!

“In a display of coordination I’d never even experienced in my dreams, she settled with a dancer’s poise into the seat opposite me and placed a cardboard cup of coffee on the table. ‘Here’s another round. Cream, two sugars, the way you like it.’

I hefted it toward my lips, and the picture that always made me smile caught my eye. Aletha in an oversized wingback chair with a tiger-striped kitten asleep in her lap and an open copy of To Kill a Mockingbird in her hands. Ravenous Readers in cloud letters floated above her head and below: Books Make the Best Friends.

‘Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.’ Steam tickled my nose, and just one small sip instantly warmed me all the way down. Perfect” (2-3).

I love the coffee cozy vibe and the bookstore name!

“Aletha had named her new bookstore Ravenous Readers with the hope Riddleton actually had some. She’d lined the walls with hand-hewn cherry bookcases, giving the place the feel of some rich guy’s private library” (4).

I like how that bookcase looks! It’s like the one on my wish list.

“In the front of the store, more tables, and a comfy couch with a couple of wingback chairs covered in low-key brown-and-gold-striped fabric tempted folks to settle in for a good, long read.

‘I love this place.’ Circulation restored, my bottom reunited with my well-padded seat. ‘You’ve made it personal, not like one of those chain stores.’ I twirled my not-so-lucky monogrammed pen on the table. ‘You have a gift for atmosphere, and I can’t imagine writing anyplace else” (4-5).

The atmospheric description here is perfect. From the chairs and tables, this really sets up the story!

* This book reminds me so much of Gilmore Girls!

“I took a large swallow from my cup. With luck, the caffeine would travel straight to my brain” (6).

“A hint of coffee mixed with ink filled each breath” (63).

* So I have started listening to the audiobook for this book, and the narrator keeps putting on a country accent for any other character that’s not the protagonist. I find that very annoying of her to do. It’s like she doesn’t know how to do any other kind of accent!

“I inhaled the bouquet as if the mug contained expensive red wine instead of store-brand java” (131).

“I paused at the steam spiraling out of my cup, but ventured a careful sip” (132).

* I love that Jen and Russell went to Burger King when they went for lunch in Savannah! I love Burger King! Now that I read that I want some Burger King damn it! Haha! XD Jen said that she got fries and a Whopper Junior. Russell got a Double Whopper. I would have gotten an Impossible Whopper if I joined them in on their lunch.

* I love the part at the end where Olinski gave Jen a puppy from that dog who saved her. I thought that was so cute!

“The past had no place in my new future” (326).

I like that quote! <3