Prose and Cons (A Magical Bookshop Mystery)

Prose and Cons is a wonderful second book in Amanda Flower's Magical Bookshop Mystery series. Violet has settled back into her life in Cascade Springs, NY. She is now running Charming Books, a magical bookshop downtown, with her grandmother. During a town festival in Cascade Springs, Charming Books is hosting an Edgar Allan Poe reading. Several members of the red Inkers writing group will be donning period costume and reciting some of Poe’s works for the festival goers. When one of the Red Inkers meets her demise at the bottom of a staircase in Charming Books, Violet, her cat Emerson, and the magical bookshop soon find themselves embroiled in another investigation. Amanda Flower’s second book in the Magical Bookshop Mystery is just as good as the first. The author’s tangled webs woven throughout the story keeps the reader both intrigued and guessing what happened and why. The world building and character develop continues in Prose and Cons as we learn more about the townspeople and understand Cascade Springs a bit better. The pacing of the book is steady; not too fast or slow. The author’s writing style is fluid and not overly wordy or descriptive. I was able to visualize the entire book as I read along and enjoyed the character interactions. I didn’t skim over any parts of this novel and never once was I bored. As with book 1, I enjoyed the interactions between Violet and her grandmother and between Violet and Chief Rainwater. Violet, her grandmother, and Chief Rainwater are very likable characters. The secondary characters are also enjoyable. The dialogue between everyone is believable and interesting. I was engaged in the story from the very beginning. The magical component of Prose and Cons doesn't overshadow the mystery. The bookshop does its best to guide Violet through the murder investigation. The tree, crow, and Emerson are terrific additions to this series. I purchased my copy of Prose and Cons.

Prose and Cons by Amanda Flower Book #2: Magical Bookshop Mystery Series Source: Purchase Rating: 4½/5 stars “I wished Grandma Daisy were with me. My grandmother should be with me committing a felony. That’s what family was all about, wasn’t it?” In a town the size and temperament of Cascade Springs there really shouldn’t be as much menace and mayhem as there is, but as you can see above, there are at least a few felonies still occurring and Violet Waverly would really appreciate some help! In this instance, Daisy sure could use some help figuring out who killed the least liked person in all of Cascade Springs. Wait, what? Indeed, Violet has got to figure out who whacked Cascade Springs most disliked human if only to prove her friend, and the sweetest human on earth, Sadie, didn’t do the deed. Unfortunately, literally every piece of evidence both physical and circumstantial point right at sweet Sadie. To make matters far, far worse the bookstore isn’t being very forthcoming with the clues to help Violet put the pieces together and the true killer behind bars. The only thing the bookstore will tell her is that the answer can be found in the grim works of Edgar Allan Poe. Oh, and Faulkner keeps yelling “Nevermore!” just to drive the point home. As Violet begins digging and diving into the life of the victim, she finds evidence to completely support her status as the most reviled human in the village and evidence of a secret life that blows the whole case wide open and causes everyone to see her in an entirely different light. For some, that light is a whole new shade of hatred and for others, a level of love and adoration that is generally reserved for super heroes. To say Violet (and everyone else) is confused doesn’t even come close. The only bright side, the whole secret life business has given Violet a whole host of people with motive to kill. As before, Violet must balance her sleuthing with a plethora of other activities including serving as the new Caretaker to the bookstore, finishing her dissertation, corralling her naughty little cat, Emerson, and juggling the attention of two clearly interested men. Thankfully, Emerson and his unexplainable tendency to lead Violet to exactly where she needs to be, when she needs to be there and the prodding magic of the bookstore keeps Violet on track, keeps her priorities in order, and keeps her just a step ahead of the law. That last bit is especially helpful when she is committing a felony or two. The Bottom Line: What a fun and crazy ride this one turned out to be! First and foremost, Violet has committed herself to life in Cascade Springs and she has committed herself to be the Caretaker. Next up is the commitment of Faulkner and Emerson to Violet and her sleuthing ways. These two beasties have to be my favorite characters and they bring so much to this series and certainly always help Violet and Grandma Daisy. Finally, I am always glad to have an author surprise me and this time through, I was surprised by the identity of the big bad and I am thrilled to know that can still happen 😊 In truth, I am quite smitten with this series, it’s ridiculously awesome characters, clever plots, inclusion of animals, and the tie in to truly excellent literature. I look forward to a long and continuously fresh and exciting run of this series.

Although this is only the second book in this series, it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I am a huge fan of Amanda Flower. I am never disappointed with one of her books. She has an amazing ability to craft a story filled with terrific plots, wonderful characters and strong mysteries. This series is no exception. In each book so far, as soon as I have opened the cover I have been transported to a charming small town in upstate New York filled with characters that are so full of dimensions and life that they feel real to me. This is a town I would want to live in with these characters as my neighbors. Once again, Ms. Flowers has crafted a well plotted mystery that is full of twists, turns and surprises. I did not guess the identity of the killer until the reveal and I actually felt sympathetic toward that character. If you want a well written story full of great characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing I strongly suggest you pick up a book by this author. You will be transported to another place and spend several hours being highly entertained. I can't not wait for the next book in this series. I will be another automatic pre-order.

"Nevermore!" shouts the Raven...oops, I mean crow. A large crow, but nevertheless a crow, not a Raven. The Crow's name is Faulkner and his pronouncement is perfect for this book, about a caretaker, her family, friends, pets, and bookstore, situated in a perfect town, Cascade Springs, New York. The "Charming Books Book Shop" is jointly run by an English Professor, Violet Waverly who is the current Caretaker, and her Grandma Daisy, who has retired from the position. Why do I say Caretaker? Well, you will have to read to find out and it is a giant reason for this exceptional tale. As many independent bookstores do, Charming Books hosts a local writers group. This one is named, "Red Inkers." This group has been together for many years. It is comprised by two teachers, one vintage clothing shop owner, and a hoping to become famous, Romance writer. Oh, and a handsome Chief of Police is writing a Children's book. Clue to his personality. When the town has it's annual Wine and Food Festival, the bookshop decides to hold a "Poe-try" reading for the public. The Red Inkers and Violet, and Daisy decide to wear period clothing since they are honoring works by Edgar Allan Poe...remember the crow? Suddenly the group is shocked when Violet stumbles upon the body of one of the Red Inkers. Visions of law suits and the loss of life propel, Violet to try and sleuth out who the killer truly is. Also, the fact that a dear friend is suspect number one really makes Violet strive to solve the crime. Now, I have made this review general, because, I really want you to read it for yourself. The first novel in the series, Crime and Poetry, really sets it up perfectly. It is a Magical Bookshop Mystery and the magic comes off the pages to relax the reader, as I was. A great novel!

I was so excited to start this book after the first one and I had a hard time putting it down. This one takes place around four months later from the first and it's Food and Wine Festival time in Cascade Springs, NY as well as getting closer to Halloween. How appropriate that the Red Inkers author group has decided to do some Poe readings during the Festival at Charming Books. The festivities are temporarily stopped by the murder of one of the Red Inkers right there in the bookshop. Despite warnings from pretty much everyone she knows, Violet is determined to solve this case too especially since her friend Sadie is the main suspect! I liked that Violet had accepted her job as Caretaker of the books and even found a job in Cascade Springs. She hadn't had a close friend since her high school friend died twelve years ago so it's nice to see her getting closer to the people in town. I'm not sure if she'll ever have a bestie like some of our favorite book sleuths but if she would, my guess might be Sadie. There's still the issue of two handsome men in her life although lately she hadn't given Nathan the time of day. She did get to meet David Rainwater's adorable niece and seemed to gain a little more of his trust. I still think they're more connected spiritually and wouldn't be surprised if David already knows the secrets behind the shop and the birch tree since he's already more in tune to the earth and his surroundings. I thought it was super fun to hear the crow Faulkner actually say "Nevermore!" in this book! I had made a reference to him reminding me of the raven in the Munster house in the first review but at that time had no idea this book would be Poe-themed as far as the books giving suggestions on solving the murder. Excitedly looking forward to the next book!

Once again Violet stumbles over a body. This time it is a Red Inker who is to read during the Poe-try Reading during the Wine and Food Festival in Cascade Springs. Violet feels it is up to her to solve the murder so a friend won't be arrested on circumstantial evidence. David Rainwater keeps telling her to mind her own business but she doesn't listen and harm comes to her. Now there are more questions than answers in Violet's life and in the murder and secrets are revealed. I am enjoying this series. I like Violet and adore Emerson. That is one cat who has a mind of his own. I am also enjoying the triangle of Violet, David, and Nathan. I know which way I want that to go. The recurring characters are great and a few new ones are introduced. The mystery was good. I, once again, did not figure it out until it was spelled out for me at the end! I look forward to more in this series.

Pros and Cons is the second in the Magical Bookshop Mystery written by Amanda Flower. Like the first one in the series, Flower used a magical bookshop that has been in the Waverly family for many generations. The bookshop is magical, and always guides people to the right book. As always, Flower creates a vibrant community that is Cascade Sprigs. I’ll spare the main plot elements of the book, so as not to spoil it, but suffice to say, Flower always manages to create new and exciting characters, both new and old, that make this small town in the Niagara, a place that most of us would like to visit. Favorites such as Falkner, and Emmerson and Grandma Daisy and the Red Inkers make a return visit to captivate our hearts. New characters also make an appearance, along with one in particular that is a major plot development for Violet (though I won’t mention who it is, since it will ruin the book). The book shop that Grandma Daisy and Violet own has a saying; “the right book always chooses you” is the scene of a murder that took place before a Poe-try reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s works. This novel takes place shortly before Halloween, and involves sharp deductive reasoning in order to solve this murder. Everything from a spooky mansion to pieces of evidence that the protagonist ponders all adds to the charm. I’m sure Poe would nod in agreement that a lot of the imagery in his works found great representation in Flower’s pages all throughout this book. I must admit that my knowledge of Poe is rather limited as it has been some 15 years ago I read it in school, and reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe—that were both mentioned and quoted from—allowed me to have a vested interested in both the plot and Violet as she struggled to solve the case. I found myself looking up the quotes and his other works right along with Violet. Along with the Poe imagery mentioned above, this added another layer to the narrative that allowed me to revisit works by Poe that I haven’t read for many years. Flower is definitely a scholar when it comes to Poe and other transcendentalists’ writers of the period. In her previous work, Crime and Poetry, she chose Emily Dickenson as the book that Violet used to solve the crime. This book was just as successful as the last one: poetry helped to spurn on the Protagonist to victory over the murderer. One of the greatest strengths of this work is her use of clues tied to Poe’s short stories. Used sparingly, they guide both the reader and Violet onto the next clue, like bread crumbs. There were a number of Poe’s works used in Pros and Cons throughout this work, but one of my favorite was involving Falkner, the bookshop mascot, saying, yes you guessed it, “Nevermore!” to many guests. In the end, you are guessing who the main suspect is, and of Flower’s writing style is great: you the reader come to that shocking realization of who the killer is the same time the protagonist is. I won’t ruin the ending, but it is a happy one for Violet and at least another of the characters in her life. Prose and Cons (A Magical Bookshop Mystery)

The first book in the series was enjoyable, and I looked forward to the sequel. I was not disappointed. Good characters, logical steps in the investigation and a surprise murderer - what more could one ask for?

These are very pleasant to read, but I just wish these writers would find something else to fill the pages instead of double love interests it's so boring.

I found this book to be even better than the first book of the series because running themes become more complex and exciting plot twists happen. Plus, I fell even more in love with the characters (including the pets), the bookshop, and the Cascade Springs village. And the way the author makes literary nods to other works of literature is wonderful! It's the perfect cozy mystery series for people who love books and mystery that isn't too dark.

The book was wonderful, kept me guessing till the very end.

das Buch ist sicher nicht langweilig, man kann auf solche Weise auch Englischkentnisse vertiefen, ich habe mit grossem Vergnügen das Buch bis am Schluss gelesen.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and I was looking forward to reading this second, but I found it sadly disappointing. There's none of the process of interpreting the books which is - should be - the novelty of this series. Only two stories by Poe are mentioned, one leads Violet to breaking into the victim's house, the second doesn't really contribute anything to the story. There are a lot of false leads, as it should be in a good mistery book, but they are neither properly followed nor wound up at the end. And the choice of the murderer feels completely wrong. Altogether it feels is if the whole murder/mistery plot were nothing more than a lame background for the "real" plot, which is the developement of the Violet's relationships with the mayor and the police chief. I also found the description of the characters far less vibrant and convincing than in the first book. A pity really. I will still give a try to the next title in the series, if and when it is published, but I'll do on the strength of Crime and Mistery, not of Prose and Cons.