Chapter and Curse (Cambridge Bookshop Book 1)

The last 6 months since the loss of Derek Kimball have been difficult for his wife, Nina, and daughter Molly. Molly has continued to work as an assistant librarian, but Nina hasn’t written a word of poetry as her husband, a literature professor, was her muse. A letter from Nina’s Aunt Violet has returned the twinkles in her eyes as she asks her daughter if she’d like to move from Vermont to Cambridge, England, and take over the family bookshop. That sparkle begins the adventures of life with Aunt Violet at Thomas Marlowe — Manuscripts & Folios. A homecoming for Nina and for Molly introductions to relatives she’s never met and some she never even knew she had.I loved this cozy! The storyline weaves relationships between aunt, niece, and great-aunt, mother and daughter, sister and brother, cousins, and friendships, old and new, including a former MI6 agent. As the history of the bookshop unfolds, it highlights family dynamics. Molly’s social media creation of “Poets in the Wild” glitters as it illuminates British poets and historical places of Cambridge.The mystery began at a poetry reading in a new event room at the bookshop. The suspect list became even longer with the ease of access with multiple doors to the bookshop and living quarters. As part of Molly’s sleuthing, she reads a woman’s diary. The author used the placement of the diary readings very effectively to reveal further insight into the past.All who love felines, especially those who have introduced a new arrival to their residence, will enjoy the descriptions of Clarence and Puck and as Clarence adopts one of Puck’s habits at mealtimes. Adding the romantic sparks beginning in Molly’s and Nina’s lives and many possibilities for the next adventures in Cambridge. I can’t wait to read more!

When Molly and her mother Nina learn they have inherited a centuries-old bookshop in Cambridge, they do not think twice. In a heartbeat they are on their way. Since Molly is a librarian, books are in her blood. Within days of starting their new lives, they host a poetry reading and find themselves solving a murder. Penney has written over two dozen cozies and novels, and the experience shows. This is a step above cozy-writing. The plot is strong; the characters are well-drawn; and writing is excellent. Romance is in the air for more than one character, and it will expand the audience for this charming, old-fashioned mystery. My sole objection is that the title is an attempt to be cute but has no connection to the story.

This is a new series by Elizabeth Penney. I enjoyed the 3 books in her Apron Series. This is an interesting beginning as it takes place in England (Cambridge). It weaves the story well enough and has some interesting characters. So will see what comes next and if any more APron Series adventures which I did enjoy very much. Worth reading.

Hooked from the first page!I love cozy mysteries that take place in England (and Ireland, Scotland, and Wales!). Adorable characters, including a couple of cats, sets up this new series nicely!Penney has a wonderfully smooth storytelling voice, very easy to listen to, in my head, if that makes sense! LOL!I won’t get into what the story is about, as I’m sure readers can read lots of reviews that will have that info.

Good plot, like the series

Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penny is a Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee and with very good reason. Vermont librarian Molly Kimball is a spunky, capable, and confident young woman who answers the call with her mother to help save the family business, a failing vintage bookshop in Cambridge, England. She embraces her new adventure in historic England, depicted by the author in wonderful detail, providing the reader with a tour of historic Cambridge as she creates a social media presence for the business. Molly manages the challenges of a new world, meeting family members she has never met, embarking on new love, and murder with a spirit that, as a reader, I found refreshing. The cast of supporting characters is eclectic and fun. I recommend this read to others.

Librarian Molly and her mum Nina arrive from Vermont to Cambridge, England to help aunt Violet with running the centuries' existing bookshop. Murder occurs during a poet reading in the bookshop. Molly learns and investigates family and friends' mysteries dating 50 years ago which still play role now. The book was interesting, I enjoyed reading it and will probably read the following books in the serie.

Buenos personajes, un lugar a donde quisiera mudarme, un asesinato y romance. Ligera y divertida, la recomiendo mucho