On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: 11/29

Tess and her daughter are finally settling in Winthrop when they decide to turn Tess’ grandfather’s hardware store into a book store. During renovations, they find human bones, and the race to find out who they belong to begins.

This is the second book in the By The Book Mysteries series, and I think I liked this one better than the first! I really enjoyed jumping back into this story and hanging out with these characters again.

Tess is just as quirky and hilarious as she was in the first book, and I loved getting to see a softer side of Sheriff Boyd. There are a few new faces that are integral to the story, and Berry kept me guessing at every turn! There are so many possible outcomes that I never saw the big twist coming.

If you like small-town, cozy mysteries with a fun cast of characters and twists and turns, then this is the book for you! Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the early copy to read and review! Make sure you read Buried in a Good Book before picking this one up.

Poisoned Pen Press is one of my favorites. They just keep publishing good cozy mysteries (as well as titles of classic mysteries from the British Library). I always look forward to sitting down with one of their novels.

This book is the second in a series. A third entry will be published in spring 2023. Here Tess and her daughter are trying to open a bookshop in their community. Of course, things do not go according to plan. They find bones and need to learn whose they are, how they got there and why. Who was responsible? Worst of all, some suspect Tess’s family member.

Trust that all will be solved and that the process will be enjoyable for readers. I loved that Tess was an author and that a bookstore was viewed as important to a community. Since, I have not yet read the first book, I also enjoyed getting to know Sheriff Boyd.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Tess Harrow is a bestselling author living has recently moved to the small community of Winthrop with her teenage daughter. Winthrop a place were everyone knows everyone, and everyone knew Tess’s grandfather, and his hardwarestore that Tess is renovating. While knocking down a wall the a body (skeleton) is found, and before you know it a second ….
This is the 2nd book and the 1st I read – Great read, fun mystery to solve, and a few LOL moments

[teaser post at https://wellreadpiratequeen.blogspot.com/2022/11/on-spine-of-death-by-tamara-berry.html]

I'm only a third of the way through the follow-up to Buried in a Good Book (which I absolutely loved, by the way), but it's release date is today and I already know that it's going to be just as good as its predecessor. It may very well even end up being better since the main characters have already been introduced and the relationships between them underway.

Yes, this is where I tell you to go read the first one first.

It's like I'm a broken record or something.

It's cozy. It's gritty. It's hilarious.

It's going to be far too long until the next installment is released in May 2023!

This is the second book in the By the Book Mysteries which takes place in Winthrop, Washington. Tess Harrow is a mystery author that moved there with her daughter Gertrude after Tess inherits property from her grandfather.

All is going well with restoring Tess’s grandfather’s old hardware store until old human bones are discovered there. Gertrude gets a position assisting in the coroner's office and couldn’t be more excited about being up close and personal with the bones. The bones and other discoveries lead to the belief there has been a serial killer at work in the area over a span of a few decades.

Sheriff Boyd and FBI agent Nikki return in this book. Two characters I really enjoyed from book one. Nikki is continuing her investigation into the Peabodys.

A few new characters come into play and there is a lot of interaction with them in this book. One creates the feel of a love triangle which puts some friction between Tess and the Sheriff. Another is an old friend of Tess’s who is also an author and knows a lot about forensics.

There were many good suspects in the crimes and the author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing.

We don’t hear as much about Tess’s writing in this book, but we do learn more about Sheriff Boyd’s past.

I look forward to reading the next in the series. I have enjoyed this series so far (and her other series, Eleanor Wilde Mysteries).

I received an advance copy from NetGalley. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, the author, and NetGalley. The opinions in this review are my own.

Mystery writer Tess and her daughter Gertrude are finally getting settled in the small town of Winthrop. Now that they’ve made their small cabin more homey, it’s time for them to bring life back to the store Tess has inherited. In the beginning stages of what will hopefully become a bookshop, the construction crew uncovers some mysterious bones which turn out to be human. Tess can’t help but meddle in the case and calls another author for help cracking the case and exonerating her grandfather.

On Spine of Death is the second installment of the By the Book Mysteries series. It could be read as a stand-alone but is best read after book one of the series, Buried in a Good Book. Most of the back story and character histories are explained in the first book.

This cozy mystery has just the right amount of intrigue and thrill that comes along with its murderous plot. The author’s sense of humor really shows especially with Tess and her antics. I adore all of the quirky characters in this series but I think Gertie might be my favorite.

I’m usually pretty good at untangling mystery plots, but I was truly surprised with the killer reveal in this one. There are just enough twists and turns to keep a reader satisfied without the storyline dragging. I’m loving this series so far and can’t wait for book three!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press!

Wow was this good! Probably as exciting as one of main character Tess's books, without any gore of course! As with the first book, this one grabbed by the arm right away and pulled me right on in. Some interesting new characters came onto the scene and it'll be even more interesting to see which if any gets to stay on in the next book, which incidentally I can't wait for!

I absolutely love that Gertie! She's such a crazy, fun kid and incredibly wise for her fifteen years. She really cracks me up sometimes! There were some good comic scenes in this from various characters just to relieve any tension going on.

The showdown was epic with a good twist at the end. It took me most of the book but I did figure out the killer right before Tess did. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the ending since Victor and Tess weren't on the best terms, but I'm optimistic for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

I'm a huge fan of Tamara Berry regardless of the name and the genre as I always know I will read a good story and have a lot of fun.
This one was better that the previous and up to my expectations.
Funny, gripping, a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry was one of my most anticipated fall releases. And I loved it!

I adore this series! It is funny, quirky, fresh, and wildly entertaining. Tess Harrow is a thriller writer who has relocated to her grandfather's old rustic cabin in the Washington woods with her teenage daughter Gertrude. She has decided to renovate her grandfather's old hardware store and turn it into a bookstore when old bones are found onsite, and rumors start that her grandfather was a killer. Tess is on the case to clear her grandfather's name; Gertrude starts working at the morgue, Tess's horror writer friend arrives, and the local sheriff, who happens to resemble Tess's fictional detective, finds himself trying to conduct his own investigation amid the chaos.

Like the first book in the series, this slightly edgy cozy mystery was an addictive read with a twisty plot. Berry's writing is sharp and witty. The characters are fantastic, as is the dialogue. A solidly plotted and humorous whodunnit, there is never a dull moment. One of my faves of 2022, I highly recommend this series, and I look forward to book 3, as Tamara Berry has become a must-read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars
Bestselling author Tess Harrow and her teenage daughter Gertrude have decided to make Winthrop their home. Their cabin is fixed up and now they're turning to the family hardware store that Tess inherited from her late grandfather into the town's first independent bookstore. Then whilst renovating bones are found, from a cold case and send them toppling—literally—onto Tess's head, the work comes to a grinding halt. With the whole town convinced that her grandfather was a serial killer, Tess has to call in a fellow horror author for reinforcements. Together, they'll come up with a perfect story to make all the clues fit...and solve a mystery more than thirty years in the making.
The second outing for Tess & another humorous, well written slightly gritty cosy mystery that drew me in from the first page & held me captivated until the last - I loved the ending. I love both Tess & Gertie & their mother & daughter relationship. There are twists & turns, red herrings & some really likeable secondary characters. However it’s the humour that sets this series apart from other cosies, it had me laughing out loud several times. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Tess and Gertrude have settled into their cabin and made some upgrades. Tess is converting the family hardware store into a bookshop, until , a body slows down the process.
I liked how Tess is gathering fodder for her next story from around her. I liked all the details in crafting the next story.
The mystery part unraveled in a timely fashion and it wasn’t that difficult to zero in on the culprit.
I liked the development between Tess and Victor and I’m excited for the prospect.
It was a quick, easy read for me.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

In this second By the Book Mystery Tess and Gertrude Harrow have made themselves at home in their cabin so Tess is ready to start renovations to turn her grandfather’s hardware store into the bookstore of her dreams. That is until the demolition sends some bones literally falling down on her head. The bones are linked to a 30-year-old cold case. Tess is beside herself with worry when most of the town is sure her grandfather was a serial killer. Tess needs help proving them wrong so she asks an author friend to come for a visit hoping together they can gather the intel and sort through the clues to explain what really happened and clear her grandfather’s name in the process.

Just like in the first book, Buried in a Good Book, Tess spends most of her time thinking about murder and turning her present-day situation into her next book. The story starts out with her testing a theory she wants to use in a book. Still, when bones start falling means, motive, and opportunity become her focus, not only for the actual bones that surround her but tasking her with the way to fictionalize it for her bestselling series successfully. Tess is an interesting protagonist because of this. Readers are treated to her writing process and where she gets her ideas, even though they are hitting very close to home.

Her teenage daughter Gertrude is very mature and understands what is happening around her. She is even willing to help her mom in any way she can. This character has grown a lot since the start of the previous book.

I really enjoyed that part of the mystery dug into Sheriff Boyd’s past and that the cold case affected him in a personal way. He really touched me in the last book and I am so appreciative that we got to know him better. With the subject matter, he understandably was a little more somber throughout the story but that made him even more real. Sheriff Boyd is joined by several other characters we met in the first book too. They all have continued to develop nicely. Tess does get an assistant to help with her renovations with a surprising background. He quickly becomes entangled in everything happening as does Tess’s author friend Peter. All the characters are well-defined and believable.

The mystery was pretty twisted up. Tess had her job cut out for her and she had to find people who remembered what happened all those years ago. I was surprised by a key piece of evidence that was driving her quest. It really drew me in and kept the pages flipping at a rapid pace. Even with that, I was taken aback when everything was revealed.

The thing I really love about Ms. Berry’s writing style is the way she uses humor. She gives us readers plenty to laugh about, sometimes out loud. The way the characters interact and some of the situations they find themselves in are just so darn funny. It starts from page one. Tess is doing something at first that is suspenseful until the author draws back the scene curtain. At first, I was just shaking my head but that led to a downright giggle. And of course, then there was a twist and things get serious.

I thoroughly enjoyed On Spine of Death and I am excited to see that the series continues with Murder Off the Books coming out on May 30, 2023. I am excited to see what happens next in the crazy town where there never seems to be a dull moment.

Another wonderful adventure down the rabbit hole of death with Tess and crew in this latest installment of the By the Book Mystery series! I absolutely love the characters in the book. The personalities are so well crafted that you feel like you could reach out and touch them rather than just reading about them on the page. The interactions are intriguing and inspire the reader to guess who the suspect or suspects are along with the characters as they try to unravel the mystery without becoming the next skeleton to appear! I love that the author has made the main character a mystery writer who is also a middle-aged woman. It's wonderful to feel like you can relate to the main character and see a bit of yourself in her. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book to come out and see how life marches on for Tess and her crew of sleuths!

This offbeat, quirky mystery has a solid, intriguing plot while also being quite entertaining. Mystery writer Tess Harrow and her daughter Gertrude find themselves immersed in an investigation again as once again skeletal remains are found on their property (some seriously bad luck). With the wonderful and strange fellow citizens of the town and law enforcement joining them, this is a great cast and a fun series.

On Spine of Death by Tamara Berry is the second book in her funny, and popular By the Book Mysteries series, a delightful cozy mystery series. I loved the first book in the series, Buried in Good Book, and I found this second book in the series even better than the first one.

Story Recap:
Bestselling author Tess Harlow and her daughter Gertrude have decided to stay in the cabin Tess inherited from her Grandfather. Now, she’s going to work on her grandfather’s dilapidated hardware store and turn it into an independent bookstore. During the renovation of the hardware store, some old human bones rain down, literally on Tess’s head. In order to save her grandfather’s reputation, Tess and Gertrude work together to find the killer.

My Thoughts:
This was such a fun ride. I enjoyed the first book in the series, and think this second book is even better. The characters just get better and better. I love that Tess’s fifteen year old daughter, Gertrude, decides to work in a morgue and learn the business of death. I love all the unexpected twists and turns and once again, I could not figure out who the killer was until the very end.

I was never bored reading the book, as there was action from the very first page, but we still got to know Tess, Gertrude and Sherrif Boyd much better.

My only negative? I have to wait too long for the next book!

Recommendation:
I highly recommend On Spine of Death to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Areally enjoyable read. I wouldnt call it wxactly a cozy read because of all the action Tess gets herself into. I didnt get to read the first book hope to get a chance and reat it and hope to see the 3rd in the series I am sure it will bea great read.!!!

EXCERPT: Tess knew the exact moment the blood started dripping down her hands.

The frigid air of the cellar where she was trapped had long since caused her skin to grow numb. She couldn't feel the sharp slices of the zip ties digging into her wrists or the thick trickle of blood moving down her fingers, but that didn't matter. As soon as her veins opened up, the enormous, mangy rat in the corner would lift his nose, twitch his whiskers, and come in for a taste.

ABOUT 'ON SPINE OF DEATH': In the aftermath of solving their first murder, bestselling author Tess Harrow and her teenage daughter Gertrude have decided to stay in Winthrop permanently. Now that they've made some updates to their cabin in the woods, they're turning to the family hardware store that Tess inherited and converting it into the town's first independent bookstore. But when renovations unearth bones from a cold case and send them toppling—literally—onto Tess's head, the work comes to a grinding halt. With the whole town convinced that her grandfather was a serial killer, Tess has to call in a fellow horror author for reinforcements. Together, they'll come up with a perfect story to make all the clues fit...and solve a mystery more than thirty years in the making.

MY THOUGHTS: Not my cup of tea. On Spine of Death - even after finishing the book, I just don't get the title - is more slapstick comedy than an intelligent cosy. I spent much of this read rolling my eyes, and muttering 'Really?'

On Spine of Death is a quick easy read, but I deplore the lack of depth in both the characters and the plot. However, as I haven't read the first book in the series, which may have provided some much needed background information, I will give this the benefit of the doubt and ⭐⭐.6 stars.

The shining light in this story is definitely Gertrude, Tess's teenage daughter who is obsessed with death and doing her work experience in the local morgue.

⭐⭐.6

#OntheSpineofDeath #NetGalley

I: @tamaratamaralucy @poisonedpenpress

T: @Tamara_Morgan @PPPress

#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #murdermystery

THE AUTHOR: Tamara Berry is a part-time author and part-time freelance copywriter/editor. She has a B.A. degree in English Literature from Eastern Washington University. In addition to books, she has mad love for all things TV, movies, and pop culture.

She also writes romances under the pennames Lucy Gilmore and Tamara Morgan.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of On the Spine of Death by Tamara Berry for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Tess Harrow is a writer and the recently divorced bestseller thriller author who has escaped Seattle and is in Winthrop, Okanogan County, Washington at her late grandfather's rustic cabin along with Gertie, her teenage daughter, finishing off renovations. On the cards next is her grandfather's hardware shop which is going to become a bookshop. When bones are discovered under the floorboards, it raises questions about him... was Tess's grandpa a killer?

On Spine of Death, continuing on from Buried in a Good Book, (the first in Tamara Berry's By the Book Mystery series) is funny and fresh. I enjoyed reading more about the characters of both Tess and fourteen year old pink-haired Gertie, immensely. I can safely say I will be looking out for book three, Murder Off the Books. Very highly recommended.

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

Thank you @netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of On Spine Of Death.
Pub date 11/29/2022
3.5 stars
Tess Harrow and her daughter Gertie are remodeling the hardwear store Tess inherited from her grandfather. She decided to turn it into a bookstore. As the renovations proceed the floor collapses and uncovers bones that end up being from a 30 year old cold case. Now she is out to find who done it and clear her grandfathers name all while writing another book in her detective series.

I ended up liking the second book a little better than the first one. There are some off the wall things that happen but the plot to this book makes more sense throughout the whole thing. It also adds on from the previous book but I don’t feel like you need to read the first one in order to understand this one. The things that bugged me about book one were fixed in this installment. The characters seem to grow a little more too.

I feel I should start of by saying this is the first book I have read by this author and the first in this series despite this I had no problems getting into it right away. It's set in a quaint town full of quirky character's and despite the serious themes was really very funny and well written and made me go find the first book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.