Book Review: ‘Trouble On The Books: A Castle Bookshop Mystery’ Is The A Good Debut Novel

This is the debut novel of author Essie Lang and the start of a series of books. And it’s a fun start to a promising new series set in Alexander Bay in upstate New York, in the Thousand Islands area. A fun, easy book to read with interesting characters that I hope I get to read about more in the future.

Shelby Cox has returned to town to be in charge of her aunt’s bookstores while she recovers from knew surgery. They have opened a new store in majestic castle on Blye Island, right before tourist season starts. She gets into an argument with Loreena Swan the person in charge of things at the castle. She is found dead a little while late by Shelby in a grotto on the island. She is not a suspect but local caretaker Matthew Kessler is. He’s questioned but released. Shelby decides to take it upon herself to try and find out who had it in for Loreena and also learns a lot more about the people on the island. She keeps investigating and soon finds herself in trouble and it could cost her her life.

She is also trying to find out information about her mother who died when she was three years old. She looks for her in the grave yards but doesn’t find her headstone. She asks lots of people that were around back then but finds out very little. Even her Aunt won’t talk about her. She soon does learn about her and what she finds out is a shock to her. She also meets some men who seem interested in her including Special Agent Zack Griffin of the Coast Guard, one of the people investigating the murder and other things that could be going on in town. He is watching over her trying to help keep her safe and who knows where it will lead.

You can pick up Trouble On The Books in stores on Tuesday, March 13 from Crooked Lane.