Death of a Bookseller did not ever catch my attention. I almost quit it multiple times, but I kept thinking something great was coming. No, I never found the something great.

This is a book that completely gripped me. It’s got some arguable unlikeable characters, but this only adds to its appeal in my mind, and ultimately they are people you want to read more about.

In Death of a Bookseller, we flick between the perspectives of Roach, an anti-social, true crime-obsessed young woman who works at the same bookshop as Laura, our other voice, a poet and popular fellow team member who has just joined the team. Roach becomes obsessed with Laura with conflicting feelings – she seems to both revere and hate her.

The story doesn’t actually focus that much on death, despite the title, although Roach is absolutely mad about true crime and death in general, whilst Laura has a family history that, unfortunately, has had its fair share of death. We know that Laura is murdered from the beginning of the book, but then we go back in time to observe how this happened and the relationship between Roach and Laura, and between them and other booksellers too – it focuses more on this than the murder element of the book.

I loved the characters in this novel. They are flawed in their actions and their treatment of others, which I often find intriguing in a book – who wants perfect, angelic characters? – and they felt well-rounded. I thought the deteriorating mental health of some of the characters was really powerful. I would have liked to learn more about Roach’s background, but we do understand some of why she behaves the way she does, and the colleagues in the shop made for a great supporting cast.

The story focuses on the characters and isn’t really an action-packed novel if that’s what you’re looking for. Death of a Bookseller is a slow-burning psychological thriller with dark undertones, set in the best kind of place – a bookshop! What more could you want?!

Alice Slater is an author to watch out for. Death of a Bookseller is dark in all the best ways.

Slater introduces us to Brogan (AKA Roach) a lonely goth who is obsessed with true crime. We are also introduced to Laura, a sweet character with some hidden secrets. Neither character has been likeable, but we are in a bookshop, with true crime and a dark plot unfolding. What more could we want?

I have been transported, I have felt as though I have been watching the events of this one play out. Slater’s writing will completely immerse you in this one and make it impossible to put this down.

The beginning, has been a little slower than I usually prefer:l. However, this has been needed to introduce the characters and allow the reader to feel that they know their backstory. However, once this gets going it is completely addictive and unpredictable.

Slater has included some humour in this, whilst it is dark there are moments that will have you smiling. This is unique and original, unlike anything I’ve come across previously. I found this a book that I was unwilling to put down.

Death of a Bookseller is completely unpredictable. The characters are impossible to predict and on times I have been completely shocked by their actions.

I have adored this book. This is a must read and one that should be on the TBR. A huge thank you to Hodder for letting the SquadPod share the love on this brilliant debut.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for books that involve book stores, writers etc. It was a cute mystery and I’m excited for the author’s next book.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review

I was so excited for this new release! Once I started reading, it was easy to get sucked in. While there was a slow build up, I wanted to find out what would happen next. This led me to reading this book all in one sitting!

This book reminded me of the book Leave the World Behind and Cherish Farrah, because there was an eerie feeling to the story and while it doesn't seem like much is happening...everything seems to be happening all at once. If you enjoyed those two books or want to read something similar that's done very well, you'll want to read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Penzler Publishers, Scarlet Suspense, and Alice Slater for providing me with a digital copy of this book. This is my honest review.
-
I finished this book days ago and I’m still not quite sure how to articulate how I felt about it 😂 Have you ever been so grossly fascinated by something that you can’t look away? That’s how reading this book felt. Slater tells this story through the perspective of two unlikeable, unreliable narrators, but somehow still manages to reel you in.
-
I also really like the conversation it opens about how we view true crime and how it can be romanticized through the media we consume. I’m guilty of consuming said media, too. I think the line between curiosity and obsession is so unbelievably thin. It’s something I’m more aware of now.
-
Death of A Bookseller is unhinged in a quiet, grimy, morbidly funny way. If you like true crime, unsettling narratives, and a bookstore ambiance, this book might be for you. It is available for purchase NOW in ebook, hardcover, and audiobook format.

Death of a Bookseller was not at all what I expected but I loved it, it was a psychological thriller that kept me on my toes during the entire duration of the story!

I DNF at 60%. I couldn't make myself care anymore. I do know if it was the format of the galley I was sent, but for the first 45% of the book I thought that S was a character when I think it actually was just meant to note that the setting/time changed for the current character. The characters we read from are not easily distinguished, so I had no trouble believing S was a character.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

From listening to blogger’s conversations over the last couple of weeks it seems to have completely divided readers. Maybe all bookworms can be divided into Lauras and Roaches - I certainly found a few clues about which on I was, so that made me smile at my own ridiculousness!
Brogan Roach works at a small London branch of Spines - the ubiquitous high street bookshop. She pretty much runs her own workday, keeping a close eye on her precious true crime section and sneakily reserving books, but secreting them in the staff room to read later. Things are about to change though, when a new team move in to pick up sales and improve the store. They’re like bookshop troubleshooters. Sharona is the manager and her team Laura and Eli are very experienced booksellers, eager to help the public and make sure the pyramid displays are perfect. Laura Bunting is just one of those people born to work with the public. She has an easy manner, quick to smile and engage customers in conversation, magically able to sell the book of the month. People warm to her immediately, but she hasn’t warmed to Roach.
Laura and Roach are incredibly different characters anyway, but the rot sets in on a poetry evening. All the staff go, but Laura is performing. Her poetry takes the killer out of the murder narrative. She performs found poetry created from serial killer narratives, but telling the story of the women instead. Roach seems to miss the point though and as Laura comes off stage she greets her with excitement as if she’s a fellow true crime enthusiast. She wants to engage Laura in a debate over whether adding the violence she’s omitted might make the poems more exciting, or appeal to a larger audience. This would be fine if they were both enthusiasts, but they’re really not. For Laura, this is personal. Years before, Laura’s mother was the victim of Leo Steele, a prolific strangler. Laura hates true crime because it always tells the killer’s story. The whole point of her poetry is to right that wrong so she becomes furious when Roach misses the point. Other than that the pair just don’t click, not everyone does. Laura is the type of bookworm I know and love - she has the tote bag with the literary quote and all the book paraphernalia that signals to others she’s a bookworm. Roach sneers at this, she loves her genre but she seems to be reading exactly the same book throughout. It’s unforgivable when Roach re-inserts the violence and torture into Laura’s poetry, especially when it ends up published online. She has no concept of how much pain this will cause Laura, both personally and professionally. Laura’s full of memories of her mum that have nothing to do with her death or her killer and she thinks of her every time she walks to work.
Laura takes opportunities to dig at Roach and the genre she holds dear, but on Roach’s end there are sinister acts of sabotage. I found them disturbing, targeting Laura’s very sense of self. Both women are vulnerable in their own way with binge drinking and destructive sexual encounters shown as symptoms of low self-esteem. Laura’s encounters with Eli are particularly painful and indicative of relationships we settle for when we’re young and unsure of ourselves. Roach seems to have the confidence to embrace who she is, but is constructing her entire identity around her true crime fandom. There’s clearly either a jealousy or deep obsession where Laura is concerned. Is it Laura’s charm, her easy way with customers, her talent? Or is this much darker, an obsession with Laura’s proximity to a real life true crime story? Instead of seeing Laura’s work as an inspiration and a starting point for her own creative path, she decides to steal it. She even reasons that it isn’t theft, because many writers use other works in their own process. I was gripped, waiting to see if this would go further. I was unsure whether Roach even had her own identity, an idea of her authentic self, or whether this was another aspect of Laura she was willing to steal.
The book is fast paced and so addictive I read it in two short bursts over a Friday night and into Saturday morning. I was bleary eyed, but had to know. The title alludes to a death and I needed to know who would die and whether it was murder. Ironically, I found myself intrigued by the potential killers, just like any true crime fan. I loved the author’s sarcastic jibes about the book world and couldn’t help but laugh, even when I recognised myself. I thought she captured the loneliness of living and working in London as a young woman, especially in a relatively low paid job and the poor housing they find affordable. Locked in a solitary, damp flat with only books for company is a breeding ground for mental health issues, with heavy drinking used to self-medicate. It was tense towards an ending that could only be devastating for someone, but who? This was a brilliant debut thriller, that kept me rapt throughout.

Alice and her publisher have described Death of a Bookseller as a ‘horrible little book’ and that it is, but in the best possible way. I'm always here for brilliant writing, toxic friendships, obsession and dark humour, and this book delivers on all fronts in spades. A must-read!

This was a good debut novel about two booksellers and their toxic relationship. True crime plays a big part, which was enjoyable for me as a true crime fan. It also showed how a true crime obsession can go too far.

I felt that this was a bit of a slow burn, and things didn't really pick up until a little after halfway through. The characters are not likable, but I wanted to see what they would do next.

Thank you @netgalley and @penzlerpub for the gifted e-arc of this book!

3.5 rounded up

If you love a psychological thriller, then this is for you. Roach becomes obsessed with a work colleague Laura. and it goes from there. This is definitely not the cosy vibes that the cover makes out. it was an interesting read, outside of my normal, but I could not put it down.

It took me a long time to finish The Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater, which is an indication that, for the most part, I didn’t really enjoy this book.

I found all the characters to be unhappy and somewhat depressed (the lone exceptions would be Sharona) and they don’t seem to derive any happiness from life. When they aren’t working at a failing bookstore, they spend their time drinking and fighting off hangovers. One of the main characters, Roach, is completely engulfed in learning as much as she can about serial murders. And, her secondary entertainment is her total obsession with her colleague, Laura. Creepy? Yes indeed.

The story often dragged for me and I had to wonder what the point was or how it be resolved. Even though I had debated several times about quitting the book, I had invested too much time and, admittedly, I was curious how the author would end the story.

Alice Slater is a talented writer but The Death of a Bookseller didn’t appeal to me. 2.5 stars

A dark psychological thriller that left me feeling uneasy at times .
The main characters Laura and Roach both work at Spines book shop and they are like chalk and cheese or day and night.
Roach is obsessed with true crime and steadily becomes obsessed with Laura and her character seems to become more unhinged throughout the book.
Laura seems to have everything Roach doesn’t , but Laura is in a mess dealing with grief, drinking too much , single and too much time to think .
Laura’s distinct dislike for Roach seems to pull Roach towards her like a magnet .
The main characters are both flawed and not particularly amiable but suffering from different psychological issues , Roach being delusional whilst Laura is crippled with grief which is causing major issues in her life
I found this a solid debut . Looking forward to more from Alice
Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers .

3.5 stars! Overall, I liked this book! I enjoyed the dual POVs of the MC’s and the insight into running a bookstore. I’m also fascinated with true crime, like our MCs, so that aspect of the plot was interesting. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the writing felt repetitive at times but overall it was still an enjoyable read.

Loved this. This felt so unique, and covered so many subjects I'm interested in- our fascination with true crime, bookselling, obsession. I truly feel like this has something for everyone.

Don't judge a book by its cover...or in this case by its title. If you expect this to be a cozy based on its title and grab it like I did you will be surprised. Instead it is a story about a worker who becomes obsessed and stalks a fellow employee. There is nothing sexual about it. It is interesting to see the story told by both characters and their different interpretations of it. It also makes you think about the true crime genre and how it exploits people's tragedies for profit.

I have to admit that I didn't connect with either character which made it difficult to really enjoy the book but I appreciate that it is told well and has a surprise ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You know you're reading an excellent book when you dislike both the MCs but you're not able to stop reading as you're having a lot of fun.
A dark, twisty, and very funny story, a fine example of dark humour mystery, that will bring you to some unexpected places and surprise with the twists.
There's a unhealthy obsession in Reach, the nickname of one of the MC. A weird girl since she was a child and a girl obsessed with true crime.
Laura is on the other side: all light and positive thinking.
They could be friend but it's not happening and Roach is obsessed by Laura and this will start a series of unfortunate events.
I liked the satire of true crime fan and the of the world of podcaster. The plot is solid and fast paced.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Though the title implies this is a grab-a-cup-of-tea-and-plunk-a-cat-on-your-lap cozy mystery . . . there's nothing cozy, or even mysterious about this book.

Roach hates "normies" - golden, smiling women who love pumpkin spice lattes. She's heavily into true crime, both books and podcasts, and once followed "school shooters like rock stars."

Laura, even her name exudes sighs of happiness, and sun-drenched blondness - a Pumpkin Spice Girl if there ever was one, now works at the same chain bookstore as Roach.

When Roach spots a copy of I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer in Laura's bag, she thinks she's found something of a soulmate in her fellow employee. Laura, it turns out, is actually disgusted by true crime, and is not overly fond of Roach.

"I feel like she's circling me. She's always there, always watching me, always trying to get my attention." she says.

But, Roach is convinced they should be friends, and is puzzled by Laura's lack of interest, saying, "She thinks she's better than me. We have so much in common, loads and loads, but she doesn't give a shit."

Even if you didn't know the title, you can see that this isn't going to end well . . .

What an absorbing page-turner, with a twisty, Single White Female vibe! Highly recommended to anyone looking for an engrossing thriller.

Rating: 3.75/5 ☀️

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, which was given in exchange for an unbiased review.

This isn't the type of book I typically like, but once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I was flying through it, absolutely taken by Roach and Laura and the way Slater built up and tore down these characters. Both are subversions of the tropes they embody, with their imperfections and meanness, and they both have ideas of who they are, these images they project of themselves even though they both lack self-awareness, making them amazing foils. And Slater writes obsession perfectly, and the way we get into both the characters' heads and see how Roach normalizes it while Laura is constantly put-off and increasingly paranoid is so well done. The narrative builds with a feeling of thrill and creepiness that gets under your skin, and ultimately delivers a satisfying conclusion.

In terms of weak points, I did find the book occasionally repetitive, or there would be long, droning paragraphs of details I found rather inconsequential and I would end up skimming them, eager to get back to the plot. There are also some vulgar descriptions (lots of vomit) that might be a bit much, but also, much of the story revolves around true crime, so I feel like it's kind of expected going in. And to that, I did really enjoy the way this novel dealt with the idea of true crime, representing both sides of it as a subject that enthralls in its taboo and darkness, but also one that shamelessly profits off victims.