Kristina A. reviewed on 12/5/2016 + 1528 more book reviews

Prose and Cons by Amanda Flowers is the second book in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series. Violet Waverly is the new Caretaker and co-owner of Charming Books in Cascade Springs, New York. Violet's grandmother, Daisy is her partner and is teaching her how to be the Caretaker. Violet and Grandma Daisy are getting ready for the Cascade Springs Food and Wine Festival. They will be doing a Poe-try (reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe) with the speakers (the Red Inkers) in costume. On the day of the reading, things are going well. Violet goes searching for the next speaker, Anastasia Faber. Anastasia had asked to change in Violet's apartment. Violet is not a fan of the fellow Red Inker (writing group that meets at Charming Books one night a week). Violet enters the kitchen and prepares to go up the backstairs but Anastasia is blocking the way. Anastasia is on the floor at the bottom of the narrow stairs (they used to be the servant's stairs) and her body is at a weird (meaning very bad) angle. Violet quickly gets Police Chief David Rainwater (to whom Violet is attracted to). Anastasia was not well-liked in the village (that's an understatement), because she was very rude and condescending. Unfortunately, Sadie had an incident with Anastasia the previous night which escalates her to the top of the suspect list. Violet will not let her friend get railroaded for a crime that she did not commit. Plus, Violet needs to clear the name of Charming Books (Anastasia did fall down their stairs). Violet sets out to find out more about Anastasia (she was very private). It turns out that Anastasia was hiding a big secret. She was also digging up dirt on the Red Inker members. The clues that Violet is receiving from the books are cryptic. Violet's sleuthing skills are put to the test in Prose and Cons!

Prose and Cons was a delightful and magical novel! I enjoyed every minute of it (and you know I rarely say this). I like the engaging (colorful and quirky) characters (including the pets), the beautiful setting, and the unique bookshop. Prose and Cons is the second books in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series, but it can be read alone. Amanda Flower gives the reader all the information needed to enjoy the book (but I highly recommend reading Crime and Poetry). The novel is easy to read, well-written and has a good pace. The mystery is complex and utilizes an atypical method of killing. I give Prose and Cons 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). Prose and Cons will make you laugh and smile. I believe the killers identity will catch many readers by surprise. I especially liked the magical aspects of the book (the flying books). I certainly hope there will be many more books in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series.

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