Rarity runs a Tuesday night Survivor's Book Club at her bookstore. She and most of the attendants are survivors of Breast Cancer. She has a new member of the staff, Darby, who works parttime, attends college, and lives with her Grandmother, Catherine. At the fall festival, Darby is freaked out when the fortune teller comes up with a death card. As Rarity is closing down the tent, she gets a call from her police friend Drew who asks her to come to Darby's grandmother's house. When she gets there, Darby is fine, but her Grandmother has been murdered. She has lived in town for several years, and was very philantropic.

The book group agrees to help try to solve the case. They read through a large number of journals written by Catherine, and finally figure the murder must relate to her past life, which no one seems to know much about. A couple of strange men come into Rarity's store. One buys a book and later they find it in the trash outside. Rarity's special friend, Archer, keeps watch over Rarity, but strange things are happening at the Grandmother's house.

As the book club is beginning to get clues, there lives become more dangerous. Will Drew be able to solve the case and catch the murderer before the murderer kills again?

This is about another sleuthing adventure for the Survivors' Book Club, one that hits close to home for one of their members. Rarity moved to Sedona, Arizona after she completed her breast cancer surgery, chemo, and recovery. Her friend, Sam, owns a store in Sedona where she sells her handmade jewelry. The cancer opened Rarity's eyes to what is important in life and climbing the corporate ladder she was on is not that. Now she owns The Next Chapter bookstore and her Survivors' Book Club meets on Tuesday nights to discuss books and do some sleuthing when the need arises. Her parttime worker and college student, Darby is now in need of their help. Her grandmother is found murdered by Darby and she is the number one suspect. The group begins a search for clues that lead to a wonderful and generous woman who evidently made an enemy of someone. This is a fun mystery to solve that goes in different and unexpected directions. Great recurring characters with suspense, danger, and a little romance round out this story. Lynn Cahoon is a favorite author, and her writing style always makes for a great read.
I received a complimentary copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are mine only.

I received a free epub copy from NetGalley!

Book 2 of The Survivor's Book Club series was just as good as the first one. These characters are so entertaining and the banter between everyone is perfect. The mystery was good and felt like the forefront of this one compared to background story development.

Rarity is a great main character who shows compassion and perseverance and a strong sense of finding out the truth. Rarity and Archer's relationship matured in this one and it was nice to see.

The mystery was on point. I didn't have any clue who did it till it was revealed in the book and Lynn Cahoon waits till almost the last possible moment to let you know who caused all the chaos.

Another great book in the series!

Lynn Cahoon is one of my favorite authors and this cozy series is a little different from most I’ve read. I loved the first book in the series and this one has the same great, humorous writing that I’m used to as well as interesting mystery. Definitely will recommend this one and look forward to the next!

3.5 stars

What's not to love about a book about books? This cozy mystery kept me engaged, and I enjoyed sleuthing along with the characters. This is the second in the Survivors' Book Club series, but it can be read as a standalone novel.
The characters are enjoyable and varied. They work well together. I look forward to more books in the series.

“'Secrets in the Stacks” by Lynn Cahoon book two in the Survivors Book Club Mystery series. I love this new series of Lynn’s it’s entertaining full of loveable characters and a furbaby named Killer.

After an ominous Tarot reading, Sedona bookstore owner Rarity Cole must find a killer to keep her friend safe from harm—even if the cards are stacked against her . . .

Once again the story was engaging, really well-written, and I love the setting in the desert town of Sedona Arizona. The protagonist Rarity was intelligent, likeable, and the friends she made were people I would like to hang out with especially Sam, Archer and Drew. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the story and I like where the romance between Rarity and Archer is going.

It shows us that it doesn’t matter what illness or troubles one has, a strong support system of friendship and trust is always a must, so why not have that with your book club.

I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends who love a cozy with a strong support system of friends in it.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An entertaining and interesting second installment in the Survivors’ Book Club cozy series. Rarity Cole is a breast cancer survivor and owner of The Next Chapter bookstore in Sedona, Arizona. Tuesday nights are reserved for the Survivors’ Book Club which not only discusses books, but offers support for any of its members.

This plot focuses a lot on new employee Darby Doyle, who also just joined the book club, and is a breast cancer survivor. Her world is torn apart when, unexpectedly, her grandmother, Catherine, is murdered. This opens the door to a fast and furious plot filled with amazing twists and turns as Catherine’s past is revealed through a series of journals she’d kept hidden for years.

I enjoyed how friends, Rarity, Holly, Malia, Sam, and Shirley were so concerned and helpful to each other, and especially, to Darby. I noticed cozy touches Author Lynn Cahoon added like Rarity still wearing Mickey Mouse pajamas for comfort like she did during her cancer treatments.

Little by little, pieces of Darby’s grandmother’s life are revealed and everyone realizes why her life was in jeopardy and why she kept secrets to her death. This is a great cozy mystery with a solid plot and a satisfying resolution. Enjoy!

I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Lyrical Underground. All opinions are my own.

Survivor's book club is back and the group of cancer warriors not only fight to protect their physical health and well being they also gather to protect each other from those who would intentionally hurt them. Darby, the newest member of the club, can depend on Rarity, Sam, Shirley and the rest of the gang more than her own family. This is a quick, cozy mystery and I hope there will be a third. I'd also like to see how Darby continues on with her life after all of the startling revelations.

The murder of Darby's grandmother Katherine opens up a box of secrets that surprises everyone, especially Darby. Rarity, a recent transplant to Sedona (with her pup Killer), owns the local bookstore and runs a Survivors Book Club for people who, like herself, have survived cancer. This is the second in the series but it will be fine as a standalone because Cahoon (a veteran cozy writer) gives good backstory. Police officer Drew Anderson is not, of course, happy that Rarity and the book club gang are investigating but he does welcome their help. Rarity's romantic interest Archer helps out as well (where is this relationship going?). In many ways this is classic cozy but it's also got that intriguing secret- no spoilers from me! Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

Secrets in the Stacks is the second book in the Survivor’s Book Club Mystery Series by Lynn Cahoon. Ms. Cahoon writes several different cozy mystery series. Rarity has moved to Sedona, Arizona after her bout with breast cancer. She owns a bookstore and has started a book club for cancer survivors. Darby, who is scheduled for a mammogram shortly, has her Tarot cards read. The death card appears which, naturally, upsets Darby. But when she gets home to the house she shares with her grandmother, Darby discovers she has been murdered. Drew, the detective assigned to the case, is investigating Darby. He says it is to rule her out as a suspect but Rarity and her friends are concerned. They turn the book club into an investigative club and help discover the truth about the murder.
I love Lynn Cahoon’s books. I am having trouble getting involved in this series. I truly hope that with more books (which I will read!) that I get more involved in the character’s lives. I feel like this book was a lot about Rarity and her boyfriend Archer walking to and from the bookstore and making dinner. But, Lynn Cahoon wrote it so I have to give it 4 stars.

This series is so much more than a cozy mystery, it's inspirational. In this book some of the characters are cancer survivors, people who received the worst news ever, received treatment, and fought for another day.. People who know tomorrow isn't a guarantee and live life to the fullest. The depth of these characters just blows me away.

Rarity moved to Sedona after she finished treatment and was cancer free to start over by opening up a bookstore called The Next Chapter. She started a book club which has turned into a sleuthing club when a murder happens. This time the grandmother of one of their members gets killed and they work to help solve who did it.

I love how their relationships are developing and growing into something so strong.
The compassion, respect, and support they have for each other is so uplifting. It makes me want to be a better person.

I can't wait to see what's next.

#NetGalley #LyricalPress #KensingtonBooks #LynnCahoon #SecretintheStacks

Rarity Cole is the owner of The Next Chapter bookstore in Sedona, Arizona. She is also a cancer survivor and runs a book club for fellow cancer survivors. Book club member and part-time bookstore employee Darby comes under suspicion for the murder of Darby's beloved grandmother. in the house they shared The book club members band together to investigate and clear Darby of suspicion, as well as provide comfort to her, which includes sleeping in the house where there are continued break ins. I enjoy this novel both for the mystery of who Darby's grandmother was and why she was killed, and for the lovely message of found family. These women support each other in a truly lovely way.

Another fun cozy mystery! Rarity was a fun and smart heroine who didn't seem bumbling like some "amateur sleuths" do in some cozies. She had a good head on her shoulders and a good way of looking at things and putting things together. Plus her store sounds darling, and Killer the dog sounds adorable! My biggest issue was some of the dialogue, it sounded kind of harsh or rude when it probably wasn't supposed to be. Granted it is hard to convey tone in text sometimes, but the phrasing was off. Otherwise, I really liked this one and am looking forward to reading more!

I am a big fan of Lynn Cahoon's South Cove and Cat Lattimer series, and I understand her writing A Survivors' Book Club might be a cathartic experience for her personally, but I have difficulty with the likeability of her characters. I have abandoned her paranormal series, and just may need to abandon this one. Instead of realistic hope I feel it is filled with too much angst and negativity. But that is me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I am always excited to read a new cozy mystery written by Lynn Cahoon, who is one of my favorite authors. She does a great job building relationships between her characters and showcasing the best of what humankind can be. Secrets in the Stacks (Survivors’ Book Club Mystery #2) is not my favorite of her books but that is because Ms Cahoon has set the bar so high in previous books. I felt as though this one was a bit jumbled/busy at the beginning and it took me awhile to get into it. That said, it ultimately grabbed my attention and I could not put it down afterwards. I like the lead character of Rarity Cole, who has spent the past year rebuilding her life after a bout with cancer upended it. She is kind and giving, always reaching out to help others. I also enjoy her relationship with her boyfriend Archer Enders. It is moving in the right direction but not too quickly. Archer is great at offering her support without being condescending. Her book club, which began as a Survivors’ Book Club now doubles as a Sleuths’ Book Club when there is a mystery to be solved, in this case when the grandmother of a member is murdered. The members all joined together to, not only help solve the murder, but to support to Darby, including sleeping over at the big house that she had previously shared with her grandmother.

There is more than one mystery to be solved, most of which are entwined to help determine the murderer. Some of the clues were easy to decipher but in no way did this detract from the book.

I recommend this book for those who enjoy reading cozy mysteries, fans of Lynn Cahoon, and fans of books set in small towns. Three and a half stars.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions stated are solely my own.

After an ominous Tarot reading, Sedona bookstore owner Rarity Cole must find a killer to keep her friend safe from harm—even if the cards are stacked against her . . .

Following her recovery from breast cancer, Rarity has embraced a life of healing and service in her Sedona, Arizona, community. She welcomes the opportunity to participate in the annual summer healing fair with her fittingly named new-age bookstore, The Next Chapter. The members of the Tuesday Night Survivors’ Book Club are also volunteering, maintaining a cooling station for overheated festivalgoers, and hosting a Tarot card reader for entertainment.

But one member, Darby, is anything but entertained when the Tarot reader pulls a Death card. With a mammogram coming up, she’s freaked out and goes home—only to walk into a crime scene where someone near and dear to her has been murdered. Despite the objections of Detective Drew Anderson, Rarity is determined to help her friend and protect her from being the killer’s next victim. (Goodreads synopsis)

I have read many of Lynn Cahoon’s novels, because she is one of my favorite authors. However, her Survivors’ Book Club series is actually not one of my favorites, but I continue to read them anyway. I love the camaraderie of the group and how everyone pitches in to help each other. I also really like Rarity’s friendship with Police officer Drew Anderson. It’s very rare that I can find a cozy mystery that allows for the amateur’s talents to be used and accepted by law enforcement.

The mystery was also very good, because I had no idea who the killer was until the ending. I had figured out who Darby’s grandmother was pretty early on, but that plot point is typically used in mysteries, so I didn’t take any points away for that.

Normally I enjoy how Lynn Cahoon writes her novels, but these ones always feel disjointed to me. I don’t know if it's a time lapse issue (for example, Rarity and Archer just arrived at the restuarant but three paragraphs later are leaving…?) or if it is a lack of descriptive thoughts that are missing. It just seems like there were gaps between sentences, a leap from one thought process to another.

Overall, I rate this novel 3 out of 5 stars.

This is the second in the Survivors' Book Club Mystery series. Darby, an employee, book club member, and student, is upset by a tarot reading at the festival. She returns home to find her grandmother dead.
She is the police’s prime suspect. Rarity and company delve into the circumstances to point the police to other possible suspects.

I liked the premise of the book. It was well-written and plotted with plenty of twists and turns. I liked the feeling of family and community among the book club members and Rarity’s friends. The characters are supportive and truly want to get to the bottom of the murder to regain a sense of safety in their community.

Looking forward to the next book.

I was given an advanced copy of the story by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

Secrets in the Stacks is the 2nd book in Lynn Cahoon's Survivor's Book Club Mystery series and is a good cozy mystery with great characters and an interesting mystery. Rarity Cole owns a bookstore in Sedona, AZ. She beat breast cancer and hosts a book club for other survivors. They do as much sleuthing as reading and they are an interesting group. Rarity and her part-time helper, Darby, are working at the summer festival and Darby is spooked by a tarot reading. Darby then finds someone close to her dead. The book club helps Darby and they all search for clues and uncover secrets The characters make this such an enjoyable cozy mystery. The ending is short and a little rushed and the book doesn't have the smoothness of the other books by this author (and I have read all of her books). It is still a very enjoyable book and the topic of cancer is handled with humor and honesty. The interaction and support between Rarity, Archer, Sam, Drew, and the book club really makes this a great read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. #SecretsInTheStacks #NetGalley

I loved the first book so was extra pleased to be able to get this via Netgalley and find out what trouble the Survivors Book Club manage to land themselves in this time. The mystery centres around the murder of Darby’s beloved grandmother - with the book club immediately gathering around her for support. It’s not long before it becomes clear that the pieces don’t add up - but will the girls be able puzzle it out before there is another victim? This had me guessing to the very end - I was so sure I’d solved it at one point too! Sign me up for book 3! As before, the strength of the female friendships in this book really shine, this is a group of women who show up for each other without overstepping. The progression of Rarity’s relationship with Archer is lovely.

The Next Chapter is Rarity Cole's dream. A bookstore where she makes the decisions, can bring her very small well-behaved fluffy dog (Killer), and in a friendly, small town where neighbors care about each other.

When Darcy (Rarity's part-time employee) suffers a devastating loss, there's no question or hesitation. The cancer survivor's book club at Rarity's bookstore (that has become a tightly-knit family of women; more like a chosen family) gathers around to lift and protect her.

The book club has an alter ego. When circumstances require it, most group members become crime detectives; sleuths who help the very small local police force to solve murders. Fortunately, The police detective, Drew Anderson, welcomes the help, especially when free food is involved!

Darcy's parents are missing, a couple of shady men from out-of-town are suspects, and Darcy's house almost has a revolving door, it has been "visited" so many times. How long can everyone work on little sleep, take turns moving back and forth, and stay safe?

This was an enjoyable book; it felt muddled occasionally (a little off track), but over all, I liked it. I didn't connect much with Rarity, but this is the first book I've read in the series (not book 1), so I probably missed a lot.

3.8/5 Stars

Thanks to Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for the temporary ecopy preview of this book; any review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.

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