It’s the star-studded event of the season in Silvercrest, Colorado. But, some of the guests might not make it to the last dance alive in the 2nd charming installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from the author, Cynthia Kuhn.

Enjoyed this book. Hollywood actors on a show called “Chasers” sure did create a lot of drama. Loved the bookstore cat. Ac great summer read.

This was a fun, well-paced murder mystery,. I am not sure the cat made enough of an appearance in this novel to justify putting one on the cover (might be rather disappointing for readers who are hoping to be reading a mystery featuring a cat) but if I had not seen the cover that would not be an issue. Some of the characters were a bit flat and caricatured, so perhaps there are too many characters, but for a fast, fun read it worked. I liked the setting, believable enough even if no real-life Colorado mountain town quite resembles the one in this book, at least not enough to be super-obvious. I was hoping the ending would include more character-building consequences for Tabitha, so maybe the next book will temper her a bit. One can only hope. I'll definitely be checking out the first book in this series and the author's other books. .

Step into Silvercrest, Colorado, where the annual gala at the Silvercrest Library promises glamour and intrigue. In the second Starlit Bookshop mystery, Emma Starrs, thriving at her aunt’s bookstore, faces a chilling challenge when Lyra Willton is murdered. With her sleuthing skills summoned, Emma uncovers secrets amidst whispers of foul play. As the danger escalates, Emma races against time, confronting adversaries and unmasking a killer. From a priceless antique’s disappearance to a brutal attack, each twist intensifies the mystery. With resilience and determination, Emma navigates treacherous waters, ensuring justice prevails as the gala becomes a battleground where murder steals the spotlight.

You won’t want to miss any party in Kuhn’s wonderful series because of the humour, suspense, and unexpected turns! You’re expected to detest the characters in this thriller, even if several unlikeable individuals don’t end up redeeming themselves! I read the book quickly and found it to be quite engaging, although at times I found it confusing because I wasn’t familiar with the characters from the previous book.

Celebrities from a true crime program are the special guests, and there are lots of mysteries, rumours, mishaps, and injuries. Finding out more about this adorable tiny town and all of its oddball residents was a pleasure. I discovered that the riddle itself was disjointed, appearing here and there. But after going through my lists of potential suspects, I discovered that, ultimately, I was entirely mistaken.

Second in a series but can be read as a standalone. Lots of secondary characters. Love the cat! A mystery with lots of twists. Enjoyable read. Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

In the Event of Murder is the second book in this series. I initially requested a copy to read because honestly I'm a sucker for any cozy mystery involving books, libraries or bookstores. This one can be read as a stand alone but as someone who likes to read a series from the beginning I felt I would have liked to have read the first book to get a better feel for the main character and the secondary cast of characters. There are plenty of unlikable secondary characters that have you hoping they are the killer. The story is well written and kept me engaged. I'm going to go back and read the first book in this series before continuing on. I like the way the characters are developing and want to be able to see the growth from the beginning.

I. Love. This. Book.

First of all, a cozy mystery with a bookshop cat named Anne Shirley? Be still my bibliophile heart.

Filled with a cast of extremely likeable characters, and an engaging mystery (that doesn’t end in the usual way), you have a winning book.

Protagonist Lucy is relatable, with a community of friends and family around her that feels true to life. Joined in the book by a cast of Hollywood stars, she becomes entangled in the truly complex webs that have been created.

Also, can we please have a real life “Chasers” tv show?!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book for free and provide my honest opinion.

In the Event of Murder is book 2 of the series but can be read as a stand alone. This is a cozy murder story in a small town. A good quick read.

The Silvercrest Library is holding it's annual fund raiser, this year attended by the stars of a popular TV show, and including local Whitney Wilton. When her niece Lyra is killed Whitney asks bookseller and event planner Emma for help in finding the killer. Emma's job only gets more difficult when the venue for the event is burned down and the library board asks for her help. With great characters and a plot that keeps you guessing this is a great cozy mystery to curl up with on a dreary afternoon.
Thanks to #NetGalley#InTheEventOfMurder#CrookedLaneBooks for the EARC.

This was a great follow up to the first book in the series.
This was a quick read, and great for a road trip

This was a great entry in the Starlit Bookshop mystery series, it had a strong mystery element going on. The characters were what I was expecting and enjoyed about the genre. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on and how it worked in this world. Cynthia Kuhn writes a great mystery and it left me wanting to read more in this series and from the author.

Emma Starr, who works at her family’s bookshop, has recently gotten into event planning. One event she’s glad she’s not involved in scheduling is the numerous events leading up to Silvercrest Library’s annual charity gala. At the opening event, Lyra Willton—a hometown girl who is now a celebrity caterer out in Hollywood—suffers an accident that leaves her with a minor concussion. Later that night, at a special screening of her aunt’s television show, Lyra’s body is found stashed in a freezer. With Lyra’s catering company no longer able to handle the library events, the committee appoints Emma as the new event planner. When she’s not taking orders from her arch nemesis Tabitha Baxter, Emma looks into the murder at the request of Lyra’s aunt, actress Whitney Willton. The case becomes more complex when Emma is attacked while she’s retrieving an expensive and then one of Whitney’s co-stars. The Baxter Ballroom also burns down not long after the committee finished setting up for the silent auction. Emma is determined to not only discover the identity of Lyra’s murder but find a new location for the gala.



IN THE EVENT OF MURDER is a satisfactory follow up to HOW TO BOOK A MURDER. Many of the secondary characters from the first book in the series carry over into this one, and they are involved in the library gala in various roles. Emma’s high school drama with Tabitha Baxter plays another major part in this novel. Their childish behaviors get a little old—especially when it takes center stage in the story and casts the actual mystery into a supporting role. The mystery, while interesting, often felt disjointed.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read an arc of this book for my honest review!

I really liked this cozy murder mystery. It's the second installment of the series and it wonderfully continues the story and characters from the first. I liked it even better than the first because it didn't add any unnecessary details or dragged on. I was fully attentive from page one. I loved learning more about this cute little town and all of it's quirky characters. I do hope she writes more to this series, I hoping for the love interest to fully bloom into something other than flirty tension.

In the Event of Murder was enjoyable to read. I love a mystery that keeps you guessing, and this one did just that. I made my way through my own lists of suspects, just to realize I was completely off in the end. To me, that is the mark of a great mystery writer-- someone who gives enough information to cast suspicion on many, but in the end, it all comes together and you realize the signs were all there if you'd just put it together right.

Cynthia Kuhn delivers another irresistible mystery featuring intrepid and immensely appealing heroine Emma Starrs. Party planner Emma does a masterful job of balancing sleuthing with sidestepping obstacles enemies toss in her path as she plans the Gala of the year in scenic Silvercrest, Colorado. Humor, suspense, and surprising twists make every party in Kuhn’s delightful series an event you won’t want to miss!

A gala is coming to a beautiful Colorado town. Hollywood celebrities from the hottest series on television will be in attendance. Emma Starrs, who, with her sister, Lucy, run the local bookstore, are excited about the event.

But when a member of the star's entourage falls victim to murder, the mood is changed. The stars decide to forge on. Until two more are victims of attempted murder.

Emma has some experience solving murders. Much to the chagrin of her lifelong friend and police detective love interest. Can Emma solve the murder and get the gala back on track?

It's easy to see why Cynthia Kuhn is an award-winning author. Her writing style is lively and engaging. Her characters are well-developed. The ending wasn't a complete shocker. But the solution was creative. I highly recommend this book and the other book in the series.

I actually borrowed from the library and read how to book a murder in anticipation of reading this book. I loved how to book a murder and I felt like this book was a great continuation of the story, but it could stand alone.

When I tell you this is the COZIEST murder mystery you will ever read. Think murder in Stars Hollow, Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias. It is wholesome. The backdrop is a hallmark worthy town - Silvercrest, Colorado. The main character owns a family bookstore and is so close with her aunt and her sister. It’s all just very charming.

The main character, Emma Starrs, finds herself at the heart of a murder mystery while trying to plan a charity gala to benefit the town library. The special guests are celebrities from a true crime show and all sorts of mystery, gossip, accidents and injury occur. It is filled with beautiful people, some romances and of course, murder. This book is fun and easy to read and even though murder is the main focus - the atmosphere really pulls you in to the charm of the town and its people.

I enjoyed the his book. There are several unlikeable characters, who definitely don’t redeem themselves, lol but the killer isn’t one of them, which is a surprise. I liked how the characters, (most) rise to the difficulties of getting the gala off and the aftermath. #IntheEventofMurder #NetGalley

I had some difficulties with this one. The behaviors that Tabitha and Emma displayed with one another was tiresome. Tabitha was depicted to be one of these mean girls that never grew up. Emma played into this. This kind of interaction was overblown and detracted from the story as it seemed to become the focus at times. I found the actually mystery just popped up here and there and was really not cohesive.

New Year’s Eve is approaching the little town of Silvercrest and with it, a week full of events. Whitney, the star of the beloved show “Chasers”, born in the town is coming back for the premiere of an episode written by one of the town’s resident writers. With everything seemingly perfect, and prepared for every possibility by an event planner, Lyra, Whitney’s niece, things seem to go well, until Lyra ends up dead. In this mystery novel, Emma Starr will have to solve the crime once again, as more and more surprising attacks keep looming over Whitney, who might not be as perfect as she seems. And with a constant rivalry with the country club member, and a rich widow, can Emma find out what is truly going on with the star and what other secrets are looming in Silvercrest?

I was intrigued by the title and the cover when I first came across it, and after learning this book is part of a series, I became even more interested, even though I did not read the first installment in the series. It was an easy read, that I went through quickly, rather engaged, although I was rather confused in some moments, which stemmed from the fact I did not know the characters from the first book.

Overall, the book was quite interesting but it didn’t exactly meet my expectations. I enjoy reading mystery novels from time to time, and there are things in which this one fell flat.

I think that the story idea was nice, it was interesting to see the dynamics between characters, especially with the big-name movie stars in town. The small city life is written out really nicely, with the special spots and characters that help create those, all building up the book’s atmosphere. The array of different events and plot twists was also engaging.

However, I found some aspects of the book to be really cliche and disinteresting. The book mostly revolved around rivalries, not the murders themselves. Emma’s and Tabitha’s rivalry was the main one, highlighting how bad and annoying Tabitha is, and how much better Emma is, but she doesn’t show it. The plotline about Emma’s sister and her romantic spirit also had more significance than the actual murder that happened. Many passages just seem unfitting for the book too, and focused on details rather insignificant for the reader, like cheddar cheese or yoghurt with pecan nuts. The book just felt unsatisfying at times, especially after the truth about the murder is revealed – the conversation there is so casual and so calm like nothing has ever actually happened.

Overall, while the book was engaging, and a quick read, with a nice atmosphere, a lot of the passages were unnecessary and lacking, making the book feel more like a dairy of the character on a casual day in life, rather than a mystery novel, with a literal murder in the title.

2/5 stars.

THANK YOU CROOKED LANE BOOKS AND NETGALLEY FOR PROVIDING ME WITH A DIGITAL COPY OF THIS BOOK.

#IntheEventofMurder #NetGalley featuring Emma Starrs is the latest book in the series.
Emma works in her aunt's bookstore, Starlit Books and now she's looking forward to attending the annual gala at the Silvercrest Library.
The guest list is exclusive and includes Silvercrest native Whitney Willton and her niece, caterer-to-the-stars Lyra Willton.
Whitney and Lyra are extremely close, and it seems everything is perfect in their world, until Lyra suffers an accident, and not long after, becomes the victim of foul play.
Lyra's sudden death devastates her aunt and the other gala members, but it also leaves them without a planner and caterer.
Emma is asked to step in, even though the gala organizer, Tabitha Baxter, is against it. Tabitha holds a grudge against Emma and she is really an awful person.
Emma, of course, shines in her role, leaving Tabitha irritable and mean.
Unexpected events begin to happen and Emma soon finds herself involved in the murder investigation, piecing the clues together and stunned when it's solved.

I really liked this book and I'm happy to recommend it to other readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.