Violet and David’s wedding goes off without a hitch, but will they ever get to the honeymoon? A woman wants Violet to buy a signed edition of Walden for $7,000 on the spot. Violet feels like there might be something fishy going on, so she plans to check on the province of the book before deciding. The seller is soon found dead in the river with only scraps of the cover under her fingernails. Was it murder or an accident? The police say accident but Violet isn’t so sure. Throw in a visit by her father and they may never get to their honeymoon.
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This is the latest of the books by Amanda Flowers in the Magical Bookshop Mysteries, and is a winner right out of the gate. If you have read the other books, you have been waiting for the wedding of Violet and David, but if you have not read the others, do not worry. The author does a great job with the characters, and this book can stand alone!

A strange woman is found dead and it turns out she is a woman who mysteriously tried to sell a first edition of Walden to Violet in her shop. With quotes from the book being used to direct Violet to discover more about the death, you are magically pulled along with Violet to find out how and why the woman died. The story is well woven and does a great job of bringing in some historical facts about Thoreau to make the mystery more exciting.

I recommend this book to read if you are already a fan of this author, but if you have not read anything before, you will be in for a treat. As I said, it can stand alone, but after reading, you may wish to read the rest of the series, as believe me, it is also very good!

The wedding of Violet Waverly and David Rainwater was set to be a big event for the small town of Cascade Springs. Two days before the wedding bells are set to ring, a woman comes to Violet, caretaker of the local bookshop Charming Books, to sell her an unbelievable book. When Violet refuses to buy the book, the woman angrily leaves the shop and isn’t seen again until the wedding day. After the ceremony, when Violet is ready to enter the reception on the arm of her new husband, they see something floating in the river. The mysterious woman had returned, or her body had anyway. Violet starts the new chapter in her life trying to find the book that seemed to lead to the woman’s death.

As the fifth book in the Magical Bookshop series, this book does not disappoint. It is full of twists and turns and a little bit of magic. A magical bookshop that helps the caretaker to solve crimes? I’m automatically sold. It was such a fun concept and very well written. The descriptions of the shop and the other places in Cascade Springs helped to add to the complexity of the mystery itself. It was nice to see a mystery that didnt just get solved after a few questions, there was a lot of legwork involved.

The characters were both lovable and dynamic. It was more than just ‘this character did this’ or that character did that’. There was a realness in watching the relationships develop. Though this is the fifth book in the series, it was the first one I had read. I appreciated that I could jump in and still understand everything that was happening within the characters lives. It made me really want to get the rest of the series so that I can see it from the beginning. Violet was a great protagonist and her relationship with the animals in the store was hilarious. There were a few times that there were seemingly insignificant details that were focused on for a bit too long, but it didnt take away from any enjoyment of the story.

I guessed the culprit pretty early on, but I still managed to be surprised in the end. There was much more to it than I originally would have guessed. It was complex enough to to be interesting, but still maintained a level of easy to understand that made it hard to put down. There were a few red herrings that felt a little unresolved, and it left me wondering if those would be resolved in future novels.

I loved this book, and as I said, I can’t wait to read more in the series and more by the author. 4.5/5 stars rounded up because I loved the atmosphere so much.

I received this eARC from netgalley and the publishers, all opinions are my own.

Violet Waverly lives in Cascade Springs, New York. She is the owner of a magical bookshop named Charming Books. She has assisted the Police Chief in solving crimes with the help of her magical book shop. The magical book shop gives clues to Violet through book passages. The book shop has an ‘essence’ which is what the power of the book shop is called. There is a magical birch tree in the middle of the book shop. The birch tree is fed water from the mystical springs behind the book shop.

Violet is finally marrying Police Chief David Rainwater at Christmas time. Violet’s Grandma Daisy and her best friend Sadie are helping her plan the perfect wedding. The wedding ceremony is perfect but on the way to their reception they find a dead body floating in the river. The dead body is a woman named Roma who came to Violet’s bookshop a few days before her wedding. Roma tried to sell Violet a supposed first edition of Henry David Thoreau’s book Walden. Now their honeymoon must wait. Violet has to figure out who murdered Roma and what happened to the book. Violet and Rainwater work well together. It is nice that he lets Violet help him with solving crimes. Violet even receives help from the book shop’s crow Faulkner and cat Emerson.

This is the fifth book in the Magical Bookshop series. This is the first book in the series that I have read. This is a book you can read without having read the other books in the series first. It was a wonderful book. It was full of mystery and mischief. It was a delight following along with Violet to solve the crime. The answer will surprise you! I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the first four books in the series.

First in the series for me. I’m not hooked.

Violet is preparing for her wedding to Chief David Rainwater a week before Christmas. Well, her grandmother and her best friend are taking care of most of the preparations. Which is a good thing because Christmas is the busiest time of the year for a bookshop owner.

This thought kept distracting me throughout the story: if Christmas shoppers are such a big deal (half her annual revenue Violet musses at some point), then why set your wedding date and honeymoon in the week before Christmas?

The honeymoon is postponed as after the ceremony Chief Rainwater picks a dead body out of the river and Violet recognizes the woman is someone that came into the shop a few days before to sell a first print copy of <em>Walden</em>. A book that is now missing. The death is quickly ruled an accident, but Chief and Violet agree that she will look for the book for three days, before they go on their honeymoon.

And this is what irked me: Violet seems to be a responsible and organized person, yet she had not arranged for anyone to take care of her shop while she was away for the week. When she wants to go snooping, she has to make an impromptu call to a friend to watch the shop for her for a few hours. How is that responsible? Or planning ahead?

Violet talks about the essence of the shop a lot, about watering the birch tree with water from the spring and that she goes to fetch the water after dark because she doesn’t want to answer awkward questions. (What’s wrong with the answer ‘the birch tree seems to thrive best on it’ and just leave it at that?) I’m actually more worried that she’s bossed around by her pets. I guess you’d have to be a pet owner to understand that.

Violet has inherited a magical bookshop. The birch tree in the bookstore is hundreds of years old. It takes special water every two days to keep it alive. She has a cat and crow for company in the shop.
Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published on January 11th, 2022.

Books fly in this magical shop, and it picks out the books it knows the customer will like. That helps sales.

It also sends Walden Pond reprints to Violet with a message on the page referenced. Then a woman comes in with a first printing of Waldon Pond and the author's autograph. She wants lots of moey for it and Violet hesitates and asks for more time to think it over. She takes her book and leaves.

The next time Violet sees her she's in the river, dead. Then she meets a lady that thinks she's purchased the book. She tells her no. The lady thinks she's a relative of the author. He never married so it's doubtful.

Violet and the police chief get married but they don't get to go on their honeymoon. Another bookseller is dead.

I liked the magical portion of the book and the killer was not who I suspected. Read it and see if you get it right.

An absolute charm of a cozy mystery. I enjoyed it from the first page until the last. It's interesting and fast-paced and I love the characters and the mystery. Reminds me why I love cozies so much.

Many thanks to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

I have been looking forward to this book. I have followed amateur sleuth Violet Waverly's relationship with Chief David Rainwater through the previous books in this series. I was excited to read about their wedding. And, yes, I knew there would be a mystery to solve to be enjoyed also. The magic of the bookstore is very fascinating to me. The magical essence there manifests in such a different way. I really like the characters in this series. It's been fun reading about their personalities and escapades. I have enjoyed author Amanda Flower's voice through this series. She writes a great whodunit!

Crimes and Covers is the fifth book in the author’s Magical Bookshop series. Violet Waverly, the owner of Charming Books, a small bookshop located in Upstate New York, has her hands full with a difficult customer who refuses to disclose her name while trying to sell Violet what she claims is a signed first edition copy of Walden, Henry David Thoreau’s revered classic. Violet, a Thoreau expert, believes the book was likely stolen and refuses to buy it. The anonymous woman is later found dead in a nearby river by Violet’s fiancé, Police Chief David Rainwater. Meanwhile, a woman named Imogene Thoreau comes forward claiming that she is a descendent of Henry David Thoreau and the rightful owner of the book, and a rare book dealer is murdered. Violent and David, having just celebrated their wedding, are forced to put their honeymoon plans on hold while they investigate. The plot and characters held my attention and Ms. Flowers has an excellent writing style. The setting and storyline were excellent. Unfortunately, I found the paranormal element too self-consciously cutesy and it distracted from what was otherwise an excellent literary mystery. For that reason, I gave it four stars. Readers who enjoy books with paranormal elements as part of the plot will likely enthusiastically give it five stars.

Violet is just trying to get through these last few days before her upcoming wedding to David Rainwater. What she didn't expect was a woman coming into her shop, trying to sell her a possible rare copy of Thoreau's Walden; or Life in the Woods. As a potential first edition, it is valuable beyond words. But when the woman demanded immediate payment for the book, Violet became skeptical and backed away from the sale, angering the woman. Violet hoped that her magical bookshop tree would give her a hint about the book, but to no avail. Her wedding day was upon her before she knew it, But once again fates intervened, as they discovered the dead body of the woman on the way to their reception. They both know they can't go on their planned honeymoon until they solve the mystery of the woman's death and the missing Thoreau book. I enjoyed this mystery as Violet tries to keep up with tending her magical tree and its clues, being excited over her new husband, researching whether the Thoreau volume was real, and whether the other newcomer to the village could actually be an existing heir of Thoreau. There was a lot of interesting history about Thoreau scattered in this story. I also love that not only is David privy to the shop's magical secret, but that he supports Violet in her connection to the tree. Violet's grandmother/mayor of the town is always good for a laugh with her own antics. When all the clues were unraveled, there is a great surprise twist to the ending. And of course, love the delightful animal mascots of the shop...saviors more than once in this series. I can't wait for the next adventure for this group. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.

When I think of cozy mysteries, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels, thrills and can satisfies just about every reader's heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

Crimes and Covers by Amanda Flower is the 5th book in A Magical Bookshop Mystery series, and a great addition. I love this book/series and highly recommend to all people who enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries. Violet Waverly now runs Charming Books store, where the books have a mind of there own. Violet took over the bookstore from her Grandma Daisy, who is now the mayor. Violet and her boyfriend police chief David Rainwater, get married in this book, but find a body right after the ceremony on the way to the reception. Before they leave for their honeymoon, they want to solve the murder. Amanda Flower is one of my favorite authors,I enjoy all her series. I strongly recommend this book and series, you will not be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the 5th release in this charming series by beloved cozy author Amanda Flowers. I highly recommend this series and all of her delightful series. Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher and author for the opportunity to review. My review opinion is my own.

I always enjoy returning to this series for its magical elements, wonderful bookstore and great charcters. The author has created a wonderful escape in this series for her readers. I enjoy the references included to classic books and in this case we find Walden figures into the mystery. We rejoin our favorite protagnist Violet and Grandma Daisy as they prepare for Violets wedding to Chief Rainwright. The nuptials are in full swing with a fun reception when a dead body is found . Never one to pass up a opportunity to investigate Violet puts on her sleuthing skills amid wedding preparations. Soon she finds red herrings, clues abound and more about the victim that may have lead to their death. Will Violet solve this mysterious crime with the help of her hunky new husband ? its a fun sleuth that kept me turning pages to conclusion and leaving this reader looking forward to the next in series. Very well done to the author.

Book number five in this series is the best yet!
I was delighted to see this series picked up by a new publisher. Hopefully we can look forward to many more books in this series.
This cozy includes a magical bookstore where the books choose you; and a resident crow that talks.
The bookstore keeps steering Violet to the book Walden by Thoreau to help solve the murder in this latest installment.
The whodunit was well written and kept me guessing.
The characters are top notch and interesting.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next one.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I really like this series and wish there were more entries! The characters are very appealing and the magical aspects are done really well.

Violet Waverly sleuths a Thoreau-ly puzzling Christmastime murder in Crimes and Covers the 5th book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery series by Amanda Flower.

This series is set in the quaint village of Cascade Springs, New York. This series also has a nice hint of the paranormal that runs throughout each story. I don't think it is overpowering and I enjoy how the bookshop sends Violet hints on what she needs to solve a mystery. This book had me hooked from the beginning and I finished in a couple nights.

The mystery was well written and carries through the entire story. There were a couple of twists and turns that I didn't see coming which added to the mystery. I did suspect the identity of the killer early on but then changed my mind and I think readers will be surprised who the culprit is.

I really enjoyed this story, and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

Amanda Flower has done it again! I absolutely love the world she has created with the magical book shop Charming Books. Grandma Daisy and Violet are so fun to read about and I love to see what they are doing with each new installment in this series. I love that the mystery is always based on a classic novel, so much fun! Cannot wait to own the actual physical copy in January!

A magical bookstore, a missing rare book; murder or accident? Join Violet and her two sidekicks, a tuxedo cat named Emerson and a Crow named Faulkner, as they attempt to unravel the mystery of a missing 1st edition of Walden by Therou.

Christmas is coming to the western New York village of Cascade Springs and so is the long awaited wedding of Charming Books proprietor Violet Waverly & police chief David Rainwater. Grandma Daisy and Violets best friend Sadie go all out to make the nuptials the event of the season. But the reception becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons when a women’s dead body floats by the frigid Niagara River. The mysterious woman who visited Charming Books two days before the wedding toting a rare 1st edition of Henry David Thoreau Walden. Well aware that a mint copy could be worth more than $14,000. It’s a confusing case but, fortunately Violet can draw on the resources of her bookshops magical powers while communicating clues to Violet via quotes from Walden with Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow at her side. Violet sets forth to recover the priceless book and solving who killed the woman found in the river. This was a very enjoyable story. Fun characters to relate to throughout.

I love this series and this is the fifth book in the Magical Bookshop series. I love the concept of the books knowing what you need to read and making their way to you through Violet.

Violet Waverly is preparing to marry Cascade Springs police chief David Rainwater. For some reason Grandma Daisy and Sadie, Violet's best friend, are doing all the planning for the wedding. I think this is the only part of the book that bothered me because why did she not care? I get that all she wanted was to marry David and it was Daisy and Sadie who wanted all the hoopla that goes with a weeding, so in a way it makes sense.

After they are married and going to the reception in the park, they find a dead body floating in the river. David jumps in and pulls it out and it ends up being the woman who tried to sell Violet a first edition of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Violet didn't buy the book because she was suspicious because the woman wouldn't let her get it appraised first and feared it was stolen. The book ended up belonging to a woman who believed she was a direct descendant of Thoreau and the story revolves around her claim, the book, and who would have killed for the book (which is missing). I guessed the killer early on, but discounted this person and I think she did a great job on making you work to figure out the killer. Readers will love the ending of this story.

I am so glad that Violet confided in David the bookstore's magic and it was described that David had to dodge flying books periodically. I like their relationship and his willingness to live in the bookstore with her. Faulkner the crow is great in how he quotes and talks all the time. Emerson the cat is a sneaky little devil in how he escapes from the bookstore and manipulates Violet into taking him with her when she goes investigating. I certainly hope this series continues, but usually after the main character gets married, the series then ends.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.