A Deadly Deletion is the latest in the long-running Booktown mysteries featuring Tricia Miles and her sister Angelica. Tricia runs a vintage mystery bookstore in Stoneham, New Hampshire and her sister runs several businesses in the village. When the book begins, Tricia has unexpectedly received two marriage proposals, one from her “friend with benefits” Marshall Cambridge and the other from her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Grant Baker. Before Tricia can give Marshall an answer, he is killed in a hit-and-run accident. When Tricia and her family also seem to be in danger, Tricia starts asking questions to get to the truth of what’s going on, especially when it becomes clear many people are keeping secrets.

The story caught my attention from the very beginning. There isn’t a slow, gentle build-up to a mystery in this book – it starts out with a lot of action and kills off a recurring character right at the beginning. Tricia knows everyone in town so she knows just where to go to get information to investigate the case. In between investigating, the reader gets to see Tricia running her bookstore and interacting with her sister and friends.These scenes add depth to the story and allows us to get to know Tricia better. I was really interested in the plot and intrigued by a couple of new characters who are introduced in the book so it will be interesting to see if they stick around Stoneham for future books.

This book isn’t perfect, but overall I really enjoyed it. It is downbeat for a cozy, but does have lighter moments to keep it entertaining. Tricia has a tendency to take on responsibilities, but then complain about them. There is also a family riff that doesn’t make sense and doesn’t add much to the already full story. However, I like Tricia’s intelligence and generosity and her relationship with Angelica, when things are going well between them. I was completely shocked by the very dramatic and surprising ending to the case. I am curious to see what is in store for “Booktown” in future books. Readers who have been following the series won’t want to miss this game-changing installment. Fans of Marcia Talley’s Hannah Ives mysteries would enjoy this book.

~ Christine

While Tricia is weighing a potentially life-changing decision, her friend is killed by a hit-and-run driver whose aim looks intentional. The details that come out after his death make her realize she didn't know him as well as she thought she did, and she is determined to learn the truth, no matter what.

This is book #15 in the Booktown series, which I've enjoyed right from the start, although there were a few times when I wanted to shake some sense into some of the main characters, especially Tricia. I love the idea of an entire town adopting a book theme for its businesses and shops and would love to spend some time browsing and meeting the shopkeepers. I've enjoyed watching relationships grow and change as the series has progressed, although I was shocked by some of the developments in this book. The mystery was well-done, with quite a few viable suspects to consider. I did not figure out whodunnit until Tricia started putting the pieces together, perhaps because I didn't want that character to be the guilty one. I look forward to learning what happens now in the book in this series.

A Deadly Deletion by Lorna Barrett takes readers back to Stoneham, New Hampshire to the town full of bookshops. This is an eventful cozy mystery. I loved all the action that kept me wondering what would happen next. Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica are warm, friendly characters. They are developed and realistic. I like that they are mature characters. It is great that the sisters are close (talk frequently, have lunch and dinner together, look out for each other). I like how they want to help others and make their town a success. There is a great cast of secondary characters. I especially love Pixie, Tricia’s bubbly employee who loves to dress uniquely. A Deadly Deletion has a dark, complex whodunit. I enjoyed following Tricia’s investigation. The action kept things lively and interesting. There are clues to help readers solve the mystery before Tricia arrives at the solution if you pay close attention. I like that the mystery was multifaceted with a solution that will surprise most readers. There is a secondary story line involving the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce. It is in a disarray thanks to their former nefarious leader. The members still left would like Tricia to become president, but a newcomer to town has a different agenda. A Deadly Deletion is the 15th A Booktown Mystery. While A Deadly Deletion can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and the town. I hope Tricia has some joy coming her way soon. She deserves some happiness after what happened in A Deadly Deletion. A Deadly Deletion is a hectic and gripping whodunit with chamber of commerce kerfuffle, unpredicted proposals, slagging book sales, tasty thumbprint cookies, a determined dentist, an orderly abode, and a shocking solution.

4.5 stars

What the what? This book kept me surprised from beginning to end. This is a series that I will not read anything about the new book until after I finish reading it. I like the surprise of what it is going to be about. I was in no way prepared for all the happenings that occurred. I am still in shock and surprise.

We see sides of characters that you would never expect. What I will say, is what we see makes the characters and their lives seem very real.

I am very interested in seeing how Tricia moves forward and what is next.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

I hope you're ready, because A Deadly Deletion has a lot going on within it's pages. For starters, it literally picks up where it's predecessor, handbook For Homicide leaves off. So, right off the bat Tricia gives her answers for the two marriage proposals she's just received. As this story unfolds, people Tricia thought she knew turn out to be the opposite. By the time you read the last word, secrets are uncovered and a long standing character from the series dies. All of this leaves Tricia dazed and confused.

Marshall's death leaves her emotions raw. She was very confident in the answer she gave him and knew it was the right one. But that was all before he died and secrets from his past- and present- come to life. As it turns out. she didn't know Marshall at all. It doesn't take long for those secrets to unravel in the form of government officials and people from his past to show up with answers to the questions she never knew she needed to ask.

But all those revelations still don't explain who killed him and why? was it even connected to his past, or could it just be an accident? Turns out that answer comes with it's own mind blowing revelations. Ones with deadly ends. By the time the climax of the story arrives, Tricia has no clue who she can trust. Family was always her safe place, but a falling out takes that away from her.

This was a great story, but a heavy one. A Deadly Deletion isn't a light hearted addition to the series. The ending was not what I thought it would be. The "bad guy" wasn't who I thought it was going to be. I was shocked to see the ending play out. It didn't leave me warm and fuzzy, but it did what a mystery is meant to do: keep me guessing and turning the pages.

It has been a while since I have visited Stoneham, New Hampshire and the Haven't Got A Clue bookstore. Tricia's ex boyfriend is run down just minutes after he asks Tricia to marry him. Then Tricia is almost run down herself when she takes her sister's dog for a walk. Tricia starts investigating after a federal marshal informs her the her ex was in witness protection. The thing that attracts me to this series is the characters. They really are family to each other and I love the family dinners each week and how the sisters have dinner almost every night. The mystery was good. I was not expecting the killer at all. I really look forward to more stories about Tricia and her family. I received this book from netgalley and Berkeley publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine if you saw the man who just proposed to you killed by a hit and run driver? That's what happens to Tricia. Then Kirby, a US Marshall, tells her that Marshall Chambers wasn't Marshall Chambers - he was in the witness protection program. Tricia's sister Angelica (a kind of a pain btw) isn't much help in a crisis and her other suitor Police Chief Chet Baker, well, the less said the better. Things get worse - she's almost run over and then she finds.. I like that Tricia is a more mature heroine and I liked the concept of the book town (if only!). I'd not read any of the preceding books in what is clearly a long running series but was able to fully enjoy this. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fans will be pleased and new readers like me will discover a new cozy.

I really enjoyed this latest installment in the booktown series. Tricia and Angelica are great characters, and I always enjoy their banter, friendship, and sisterhood. Also, this is definitely a series that is not afraid to go against convention when it comes to cozies and what can happen to well-known characters. I won't provide any spoilers here about that, but it is an interesting decision that has me intrigued to see what will happen next in this series. This is a fun series that keeps things feeling fresh, and I hope there are many more in the future.

It was great visiting Tricia, her sister and the rest of the characters. So much happened in this book, quite a few twists and turns that I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what would happen next. Still shook by the events that occurred at the ending! Wow! Great reading, amazing thriller! Must read if you’re a fan of this series! If you’re new, you need to start at the beginning of the series! Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

Within the hours Tricia has received 2 proposals and accepted neither. Then one of her suitors is run down right in front of her. Tricia feels like murder follows her, but why?

Tricia is not an appealing character, and it has gotten worse through the series.
The mysteries and whodunits are much darker in tone than I expect from a cozy.
The earlier books are far better in my opinion.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Wow! Talk about a roller coaster ride! A Deadly Deletion is the BEST book in this fantastic series by Lorna Barrett. I’ve read this series since the very beginning and I have grown to love Tricia, her sister Angelica, and the rest of the crew.
To say this book is good does not do it justice. I was literally on the edge of my seat, I could not believe the author was weaving such an incredible story, and the twists the story took left me absolutely flabbergasted.
In my mind, I’m still processing it all and I’m wondering what is going to happen next.
I can’t recommend this book enough! It belongs at the very top of your TBR pile and if you haven’t tried this series yet, I urge you to start immediately.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#ADeadlyDeletion #NetGalley

I loved this book. It has great characters and it is great to see what happening in their lives. There's a lot of tragedy in this one. The ending made me sad. I was very surprised by who the killer was It's a fast read. #ADeadlyDeletion #NetGalley

A series that has long been a favorite of many. The story gripes the reader from the start and doesn't let go! With well developed characters and a intriguing plot. Highly recommend! Always a treat to read this series! Thanks #netgalley and #BerkleyPublishingGroup for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Tricia head is spinning as she gets not one but two marriage proposals in less than fifteen minutes. One from her friend with benefits and her ex lover the police chief who will she choose?

But before she makes her decision she will see her friend with benefits get killed by a pickup truck aiming for him as he walked back to his apartment. She now feels guilty how she left things with him.

She will soon learn that her friend was not quite who she thought he was as she is visited by a federal marshal who tells her that he was in the witness protection. Could his cover been blown and his death was planned? Is Tricia life in danger as well as she hunts for the killer?

A moving read as you never know anyone.

I love this series by Lorna Barrett. You get to know the characters well and they become your friends. I am always recommending Lorna Barrett books to my friends and family. Great series to get caught up in.

At the end of the last book, Tricia's friend with benefits, Marshall, shocks her and asks her to marry him. This book takes up just after the proposal. Before she can give Marshall an answer he's killed by a hit and run driver. Throughout the book Tricia struggles with her past relationships and all the lies that Marshall has told her. Including that he was in witness protection and he was divorced. She still feels that she has to discover who killed him to put the past to rest.
I've never liked Tricia or her sister Angelica and with Angelica's childish behavior and Tricia's moping in this entry in the series does not endear either one of them to me.
If you haven't read her books before, I highly recommend you choose another book to start with. If you have read her books, this one will finally end an ongoing story arc, but it's certainly not her best effort.
#ADeadlyDeletion #NetGalley

I have been a long time fan of this series, and this author is always one that I recommend to customers looking for new cozy mystery titles.
All the elements that I enjoy with this series are present and accounted for: Tricia, her sister, their family and friends/co-workers, and four legged friends as well! It seems that Tricia has been at a crossroads in her personal life for some time, and this latest entry certainly seems to be clearing the deck for some new experiences. Without giving anything away, let me just say that I did not see the killer coming! It left me with my jaw hitting the floor. And, in the end, that is why I keep coming back. This author knows how to weave a good story.

A Deadly Deletion Lorna Barrett is the 13th book in the Booktown Mystery series. Tricia Miles has just turned down a marriage proposal from friend Marshall Chambers when he leaves her store and is killed by a hit-and-run driver. The police chief, Grant Baker, also asks Tricia to marry him just before this accident. Lorna Barrett cleverly weaves a story with many twists and turns and several new characters. It will leave you guessing until the very end.

I've been reading this series from the beginning, and it honestly gets better with each book. At this point in the series, I no longer care as much about the mysteries. I mostly care about Tricia and her sister and what is going on in their lives. I think these are best read in order, because the books really do bring the characters through some issues, but it is still perfectly fine to recommend this title to a reader who enjoys cozy and traditional mysteries but has not read the previous titles. This is great!