The Tell-Tale Homicide by Daphne Silver

The second of the Rare Books Cozy Mystery series is a delightful step back into the charming town of Rose Mallow. Both the geography and history of the small community make it the perfect spot for librarian and rare books expert, Juniper Blume, to take on the position heading up a new museum for the wealthy Calverton family’s artefacts. It also allows her to be close to her sister and niece in their coastal family home that has been converted to the Wildflower Inn.

The idyllic job turns sour on Juniper’s first day when protesters against the Calverton’s plans for turning Rose Mallow into a modern resort town block her entry to the grounds, and accusations of nepotism assault her because she is purportedly dating her boss, Leo Calverton. But that’s nothing compared to her discovery of the body of a protestor with a stolen edition of an Edgar Allan Poe book. Book lovers and history buffs will appreciate the references to Chesapeake Bay and Poe.

Juniper hopes to reconcile the Calvertons’ ambitions for the town with the citizens’ wishes to keep their quaint atmosphere and family businesses, including her sister’s inn, by preparing a display of the town’s history for the festival. The loving family interaction and the potential romance with Leo Calverton adds a nice touch of hominess to what becomes a murder investigation. With her skill for uncovering facts, Juniper is well-suited to aid the police, whether they want her help or not. Although she is unsure of who to trust, including her employees, Juniper makes an excellent amateur sleuth, brave enough to follow leads and her instincts.

Disappearing books, codes and messages, and secrets that are slowly revealed create intrigue and keep the pages turning. Once again, author Daphne Silver has turned her expertise on rare books and history into a realistic story. Grab a copy and settle in (preferably in a library or museum) for an enjoyable cozy mystery read.