Trisha and all the characters are back after the cliffhanger marriage proposals in the last edition, but one of the men is killed by a hit and run driver. Are the killers now after Trisha? Can she solve the murder?

I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading A Deadly Deletion by Lorna Barrett.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

This was a particularly wild installment of the Booktown mysteries, with revelations about several of the regular characters. I admire the fact that Barrett makes the consequences of the murders in various books linger and return several volumes later.

Tricia Miles receives her second marriage proposal within fifteen minutes. When one of the would be suitors is run over and killed instantly she finds out the man was in the witness protection program and nothing he's told her is true.
A short while later when the same pickup truck almost takes her out she knows something is not right and that she needs to investigate.
Plenty of twists and turns in this long running cozy mystery series in which this is the fifteenth book.

Pub Date: 27 Jul 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A Deadly Deletion is the 15th book in the Booktown Mysteries written by Lorna Barrett. Several years ago when I was sampling new cozy mysteries, I read the first in this collection. I added several series to my TBR and last year, this one hit the queue, so I've been reading a few every month to catch up... finally with this one, I am now current in the series and eagerly awaiting the 2022 release later this spring. It's had a bunch of ups and downs, and I'm truly shocked at the amount of unexpected victims and killers contained within this series - truly, it's usually someone unknown or random, rather than a core character. In the last 5, it's been a major character involved in either situation. And this one is no exception... double wow!

On the positive side, the series is always solid. The writing works. The characters (except for the murdering part) are realistic, complete with attitudes and mixed personalities - never cutesy. The plots generally work and have 2 or 3 potential suspects. The side stories are the best part because of all the people from Stoneham, New Hampshire that we get to know. On the negative side, sometimes the characters do some very peculiar things, and in this one, not only do we lose someone we've known for a few books but the killer is someone we've met many times before too. I couldn't believe how far Barrett took this one... while as a stand-alone book, it was great -- as a piece of the series, it worried me a lot. Too much coincidence. That said, this truly concludes many arcs from the early book in the series; all of Tricia's romantic relationships and the varied people who were somewhat friendly or somewhat mean are now gone! I cannot wait to see what happens in book 16.

When Trish witnesses her lover Marshall killed by a hit and run, she also learns he wasn't who he said he was. This lovely little mystery has plenty of twists and turns. My only complaint is that the two sisters and other characters almost seem too perfect at times.

Bookstore owner Tricia Miles has been proposed to by two different men within a matter of minutes when a speeding truck runs over and kills one of her paramours,. Marshall. It isn't long before Tricia learns that Marshall was in the witness protection program and vows to discover his killer.

This series is lighthearted, and I've mostly enjoyed the relationship between Tricia and her sister, as well as the townspeople (I want to visit The Dogeared Page), but the plot of this latest in the series is all over the place.

Tricia Miles has received not one but two marriage proposals in the matter of fifteen minutes. Sadly, one proposal is not longer on the table, because Marshall is tragically killed walking back to his apartment. Shortly after this, Tricia herself is almost run over by the same vehicle.

Trouble always seems to find Tricia and she's smack in the middle of another murder mystery.

A good addition to the book town mysteries set in a New Hampshire town full of bookshops. All the regulars are back, including the mystery bookshop owner, Tricia, her sister Angelica, Mr. Everett and more. As Tricia finds out her friends with benefits partner Marshall is dead from a hit and run, all hell breaks loose as a crime spree develops around Tricia and her family. I liked it and thought that the many red herrings of ex wives and lovers threw me off the trail. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is book 15 in the Booktown Mystery series and I think you need to read a couple of the previous books to appreciate the story and characters. Trisha has just received two marriage proposals in one evening and is shocked to see one of her friends run down in a hit and run accident. She learns that he's been living a lie after being in witness protection for a number of years. I like the town and characters in this series and there are a couple of yummy recipes included. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lorna Barrett continues Booktown Mysteries with a Deadly Deletion. Tricia Miles, owner of Haven't Got a Clue, has just been asked to marry two men, Marshall who is run over by a truck and killed, and the police chief whom she rejected. Then her family is targeted. Bodies start dropping. Everything is coming apart. Read and find out whodunit.

Welcome back to the quaint town of Stoneham, where the bookstores are charming and the rate of mysterious murders is ever-increasing.

When Tricia Miles receives not one but two marriage proposals in the span of fifteen minutes, she has some serious thinking to do. That is, until one of her would-be suitors is run down in front of her. As Tricia digs into the mystery of who murdered Marshall Chambers and why, she discovers he wasn’t the man she thought she knew at all.

Gripping, cozy, and fun, A Deadly Deletion is destined to be another smash-hit in the Booktown Mystery series!

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Princess Fuzzypants here: Tricia Miles can pick them. Not. At least not when it comes to the men in her life. At the beginning of the book, she is jockeying two marriage proposals within one day. She really is not interested in either one but the decision is taken out of her hands with the first one. Marshall, her friend with benefits, is mowed down by a speeding vehicle outside her store cum home. When the same truck comes barrelling at her later the same night, she begins to wonder. Before it is over, she will have a lot to wonder about. Marshall is not Marshall and he has been keeping more than just his identity from her. He has been a very bad boy. And he has a very complicated past, that becomes even more complicated with the arrival of his heretofore unknown ex-wife.

Bad things continue to happen making Tricia wrack her brain to figure out what connection her family might have to the events. Two more bodies later and it is a regular dog’s breakfast. As if that was not sufficient, she is forced to deal with some difficult and testy people who would challenge the most zen person. It seems no matter what she does, someone is upset with her. And one person is more upset than anyone else and once she twigs, she realizes her life is in danger.

While it would be possible to read this book without having read anything previously but with plot lines that are complex, the reader who has some background information would be better able to sort out the characters and the actions. Four purrs and two paws up.

After the major cliffhanger at the end of the last book, I was very eager to read this one. I was hooked from the beginning and all the way through. I loved being back in Stoneham with my favorite characters, and I love that this story explored not only a murder mystery but familial relationships as well. The ending was epic. I am not sure if I like the direction the ending took, but I still really enjoyed my time reading this.

Oh my word, what a twist towards the end. Loved the book, a little sad as well. I like the characters and who wouldn't like to visit Booktown, USA? I live this author's writing and the stories she comes up with, I find them entertaining.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 15th installment of the Booktown Mystery Series. I think I read the first book many years ago but decided to go ahead and read. I think it may have helped if I had read the prior books, however, I was still able to follow and enjoy this book. Tricia Miles has just received two marriage proposals in one night and one of the men ends up dead hit by a vehicle. That same night the same truck tries to run Tricia over and then a few mishaps hit her family. The other marriage proposal was from the Chief of Police Grant Baker and he asks Tricia if perhaps she has brought some bad luck down on herself. Well add that Marshall the first marriage proposal turned out to be in the witness protection program among other secrets she later unveils and a famous ex-wife who appears and this book is a real roller coaster for Tricia. Tricia is such a kind hearted and remarkable character. This mystery had me on the edge of my seat and I could not believe the ending. I have to go back and start the series all over so I will be completely up to date before the next installment comes out. Wow.

The story has left me saddened. Did not suspect how the story would end. Angelica can be such a meany to Tricia at time.

I was looking forward to reading this entry in the series after the cliffhanger in the previous book. It does get resolved and we get to see more character development.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

If you have enjoyed previous cozies in this series, run, don’t walk to get this one. I think it is the most explosive one, the one from which Tricia’s life will never be the same again. I was captivated by this complex mystery and would never have guessed who the real bad guy was. The descriptions of Stoneham, New Hampshire in autumn were so appealing, and each major character was defined well. Tricia, her family, and staff are engaging, a group anyone would be pleased to call her people.

It was Monday. Need I say more? Minutes after Tricia’s friend Marshall proposed to her and she told him she wanted time to think, he was dead, killed by a speeding pickup truck that purposely picked him off. Her former boyfriend and police chief, Grant, proposed to Tricia moments before the hit and run, but he was a few years too late. Then Tricia is almost run down by the same pickup truck when walking her sister’s pup.

For some, that might be too much drama to open a book with, but for me, it hit the ground running. And it simply gets more intense. A federal marshal came to see Tricia. The man she knew as Marshall was in witness protection and had been keeping a few secrets from her. The feds’ work with him was done when he breathed his last, so the local police would probably take charge of the investigation.

The next unwelcome visitor was Marshall’s ex-wife, Becca. Marshall had said his ex was a jogger and that she had died, but Becca was an internationally acclaimed tennis champion, very much alive and wanting to meet who she was being replaced with. A couple days later, Tricia’s sister Angelica’s daughter-in-law came home from picking up her toddler from daycare. Their home was on fire. Arson. They lost everything. Who is targeting Tricia’s family and friends? What else can possibly happen?

Tricia and Angelica are very different sisters. I like Tricia, but I just can’t warm up to Angelica. She is generous and helps those who have potential and work to fulfill it, yet she also seems arrogant and at times, meddling. I feel much more of a connection with Tricia, perhaps because of her love of mysteries, a fabulous bookstore, and Miss Marple, her cat. All the characters, including the suspects, are defined as well as necessary for their roles.

Almost every plot twist dealt another blow to Tricia and, at times, her family. Just when it seemed like there are no more surprises, another suspect is identified or another lie of Marshall’s is uncovered. I was totally stunned when the real bad guy was revealed. I appreciated how the author tied up all the loose ends and was, with one exception, satisfied with the outcome. I highly recommend this cozy mystery, especially to fans of the series, mystery bookstores, and intelligent, intuitive female protagonists.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!