"A Treacherous Tale is the second in a charming new cozy series from Elizabeth Penney, set in an English bookshop and following Molly Kimball, who has a habit of bookmarking trouble...

Lately, Molly has been feeling that she might have fallen into a fairy tale: she's reinvigorated the family bookshop Thomas Marlowe—Manuscripts and Folios, made friends in her new home of Cambridge, England, and is even developing a bit of a romance with the handsome Kieran - a bike shop owner with a somewhat intimidating family pedigree.

Having recently discovered The Strawberry Girls, a classic children's tale, Molly is thrilled to learn the author, Iona York, lives nearby. But while visiting the famous author at her lovely cottage in nearby Hazelhurst, an old acquaintance of Iona's tumbles off her roof to his death.

Then, when one of Iona's daughters - an inspiration for the original Strawberry Girls - goes missing, Molly begins to worry this story might be more Brothers Grimm than happily-ever-after. Especially after Molly learns about the mysterious long-ago death of Iona's husband and co-author of The Strawberry Girls…could past and present crimes be linked? Molly must put the clues together before someone turns this sweet tale sour."

Darkness in children's classics? YES!

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…electronic copy…mystery and intrigue..…likable quirky characters…what will they do next? What will happen next? Where and why? Questions the reader ponders while reading this intriguing book…written by a talented author…

The second Cambridge Bookshop Mystery finds Molly and her Mum adjusting nicely to living with Aunt Violet and running the family bookshop Thomas Marlowe – Manuscripts and Folios. However, Molly and Aunt Violet stumble across a body when visiting author Iona York to discuss an upcoming reading from her classic best-selling children’s book, The Strawberry Girls.

Not only do police arrest Iona for the crime, but they are also searching for her daughter Poppy, who went missing around the same time as the murder. Poppy’s sister asks Molly to help find Poppy, so Molly begins investigating. Elizabeth Penny writes an intriguing cozy with a British setting and engaging characters. The author also includes the text of the Strawberry Girls interspersed throughout the book as a way to drop clues. A Treacherous Tale is a solid follow-up to the series debut, Chapter and Curse.

Another relaxing cozy set in current Cambridge. Great subplots building out characters you’ll love. Looking forward to the next one

A Treacherous Tale by Elizabeth Penney (The Cambridge Bookshop Mystery #2) 5 stars

Molly Kimball, ex-librarian and currently working at the family bookshop – Thomas Marlow, Manuscripts and Folio in Cambridge, England is getting used to all things British. One her all-time favorite children’s book – The Strawberry Girls – is being re-issued with new illustrations. Molly and her mother go to visit the author, Iona York in nearby Hazelhurst. Unfortunately, they discover a dead body in the author’s back garden; it looks like the deceased tumbled off the roof. When Iona’s daughter is reported missing, Molly wonders if the two incidents are linked.

Molly’s research skills and curiosity get a workout in this book and the supporting characters have a part in this mystery too. There were multiple suspects and it took me a while to focus on my pick. I picked a bad guy, but not the right one. I devoured this book and can’t wait for the next one in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I enjoyed the first book in this series and was excited for this one. While I like the writing, I was a little bored. For some reason I just didn't warm up to this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read.

Molly moved with her mother to her mum’s childhood home in Cambridge. As part owner of the family’s bookshop, she has settled into her new life and is revitalizing the family shop. When she discovers the author of a children’s book she adores is local, she is thrilled to meet the woman. But the visit turns into a tragedy and it seems to mirror the death of the book’s co author…Iona’s husband.

As the present tragedy is investigated, the past is also brought to light, making this a book that takes two paths as it is investigated. Can the mystery of both tragedies be solved or will a killer go free?

The second book in this super cozy series is just as good as the first! I loved cozies set in England, there’s something even cozier about them and this one does not disappoint. With the protagonist being an American in England, it makes my yearn for my own chance to experience life on the other side of the pond. I’ll have to settle for the books, but I do enjoy the time spent with the series and solving a whodunit along with Molly.

Elizabeth Penney’s sophomore effort has successfully cemented this series as a cozy must-read for me right alongside Carol Perry and Paige Shelton. Molly is back in the Thomas Marlowe book shop, along with her mother Nina and Aunt Violet. Molly & Nina are still getting used to life in Cambridge, which seems to be going well for both of them. Nina has reconciled with her brother and Molly has a hunky beau who just happens to be an aristo.

Molly and Aunt Violet stumble upon a murder mystery right away, as they visit an author who is scheduled to appear at the shop. The investigation takes off from there and eventually involves stolen Anglo-Saxon treasure and a missing archaeologist.

While sleuthing away, Molly also finds time to attends a fancy garden party given by Kieran’s parents, who she meets for the very first time.

This is just a plain enjoyable read…the perfect cozy mystery.

This is the second book in this new cozy series set in an English bookshop. Molly Kimball, is excited that Author Iona York has agreed to be a guest speaker at her family bookshop, Thomas Marlowe. When Molly and her Aunt Violet pay a visit to Iona. who lives nearby. they stumble on the body of an acquaintance of Iona's who apparently fell off the roof. When one of Iona's daughters disappears and then Iona becomes the prime suspect. of the man's murder Molly decides to follow the clues to help clear the author's name. This was a good book with well developed likeable characters and a well developed plot. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Thanks for the advance copy netgalley!

I enjoyed this cozy mystery by Elizabeth Penney. Molly is a likable, strong character that I enjoyed throughout the book. Highly recommend!

A Treacherous Tale is two stories in one. It takes place in Cambridge, England. Molly Kimball is the main character of the story. She and her mother, Nina, who left England when she married an American came back after Nina's husband died to help Molly's great-aunt, Violet Marlowe with her store, Thomas Marlowe=Manuscripts and Folios. Molly is part owner of the store. Kiernan Scott who owns the bike shop called Spinning Your Wheels is Molly'[s boyfriend. The other characters are very important to the story.

Molly and her aunt go to visit Iona York who is an author they are going to feature at their store. Iona wrote a children's book "The Strawberry Girls" from the notes her husband, Nathaniel (Nate) wrote for the story. Nathaniel died from a fall from the tower on the grounds of Thonton Hall which is next door to Strawberry Cottage. Their grown daughters, Rose and Poppy were the inspiration for the book. Nina's brother, Christopher is there putting a new thatch roof on the house.

While touring the garden they come across a body in the bushes. Iona recognizes the person as Robin Jones an old friend and antique dealer. Iona can't figure out why he is there as she has not seen him in a long time.
It appears that he fell off the roof. The police are called. This is the second mysterious fall in the vicinity. Nate's was 20 years ago. Inspector Sean Ryan an Sargent Gita Adhikari arrive. it is the conclusion that Robin is murdered. Rose and Poppy's fiancé Ben Sykes tell Molly that Poppy has disappeared since she never returned to the dig they are working at Thonton Hall.

Christopher tells Molly and Nina that he is getting a divorce as his wife, Janice, who left him for Robin Jones. This makes him a suspect. The police decide that Iona is also a suspect and arrest her.

Iona gives Molly a copy of a revised version of "The Strawberry Girls' to read. This is where the second part of the story is. The story goes back and forth between the book and their present lives. The readers are taken on an adventure of treachery, stolen artifacts, who killed Robin and why as well as where is Poppy. There are other mysteries that are explored to the exciting conclusion of the story.

I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks for this ARC.

A Treacherous Tale is a strong second book in this cute cozy mystery series.
Molly is a strong character and I am enjoying getting to know her. Molly’s mom and aunt are quite likable and they bring some colorful fun to this series.
I really enjoyed the story of the Strawberry Girls and how it was incorporated into the book. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

A strong second book in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first, partly because the writing is excellent and partly because I’m a sucker for books set in Cambridge and that feature a bookstore.

This new entry has a good literary-themed mystery and some nice developments in the lives of the main characters. That said, it could be read as a stand-alone, though as always you would miss some of the nuance. As always with this author, the writing and dialogue is well done. I’d like to see some of the side characters better developed as the.series progresses.

A Treacherous Tale by Elizabeth Penney is a great cozy mystery set in Cambridge and is the second book in the wonderful The Cambridge Bookshop Series.

I just love this adorable series. It has so much potential. Molly Kimball is also an excellent lead female character. Joining her again in this book is her Mother, Aunt Violet, the super awesome Sir Jon, Daisy, Tim, and Kieran. I just love how the characters are developing…their own characteristics, their relationships, and their places within the community of Cambridge.

I love the author’s descriptions of the town, the countryside, and just the daily culture in general…I love England.

I enjoyed the murder/mystery plot and the adorable inclusion of The Strawberry Girls into the overall plot and it was dispersed perfectly.

I just love this series and can’t wait to see where this goes!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/23/22.