The Mystery In The Margins by L.L. Gray Series: Havenwood #1
Published by Heoric Rose Publishing on August 27, 2024
Genres: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: BookSirens
A quaint bookshop, a sprinkle of magic, and a dash of mystery.
Harper Sullivan yearns for a place to call home, preferably with a delightful bakery nearby. When news arrives that she's inherited her great-grandmother's bookshop in the charming town of Havenwood, Harper eagerly seizes the chance. Unbeknownst to her, the quaint bookshop carries more than just shelves of stories—it harbors inherited mysteries and a touch of magical mayhem.
But instead of the cozy haven she envisioned, Harper finds herself entangled in inheritance drama, a surprising cousin rivalry, and a daring book thief on the loose. Can she use her wits and witchy powers to untangle the mystery and safeguard her dreams from unraveling before they even begin?
Can you solve the mystery? Pick up your copy today to find out!
My Review
I want to start this review by thanking BookSirens, Heroic Rose Publishing, and L.L. Gray for giving me a digital copy of The Mystery In The Margins in exchange for an honest review. I am someone who absolutely loves a good cozy mystery, and when I learned that this was the first book in a series that takes place in a bookstore and involves a town full of magical people, I was sold. I am happy to say that this book did not disappoint. If any of these things sound good to you, then I highly recommend reading this book.
In this story, we follow Harper Sullivan, a young woman who desperately wants a home and a sense of community. Her father is in the military, so she has spent her life moving from place to place, and currently, they are stationed in Germany. Harper is saddened to hear about the passing of her great-grandmother Bea, but she is excited to learn that she has inherited her grams bookshop in Havenwood, Connecticut. Harper has fond memories of the bookstore, the town, and her grandmother. She is eager to get started in her new life. Things, however, are not as they seem when she arrives. When she arrives in town, she learns of the break-in at the store, and it turns out that she did not fully inherit the shop the way one would think. She has to earn the shop, which results in discovering a new family member, one she is not too fond of, and it means getting creative in what she wants the store to become. There might even be a bit of competition that needs to be dealt with.
Havenswood is a cute little town, think Stars Hollow, but instead, it is full of magical people, including witches, vampires, gargoyles, werewolves, and more. Harper, the main character, is, in fact, a witch herself. I loved how the author included a variety of people and created this town that I can only imagine any fantasy-loving person would want to live in—at least, I know I do. The small-town feel and the sense of community were absolutely perfect, and the setting, in my opinion, is ideal for the upcoming spooky season. This community hosts a number of different fairs throughout the year that I can only imagine would be wonderful to attend. I also enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their little quirks. Oh, and did I mention there are a couple of cozy companions, and one of them is actually a talking rabbit? Seriously, how cute is that?
This story has a couple of different mysteries, each one involving the bookstore. I will admit I had no idea who the villain(s) were throughout the story, so I was guessing the whole time, which is always nice when it comes to a mystery. L.L. Gray did a great job of presenting a number of suspects, and Harper did a great job of explaining why they could have committed the crime(s). I enjoyed watching Harper as she got to know each resident and worked to piece together what really happened in the store and why. A few times throughout the story, I was worried for her, but I often find I worry for the sleuths I am reading about. I am sure that I am not the only one who worries that way. Reader, I also have to mention that the twist toward the end of the story surprised me. I very much enjoyed this book, and I look forward to continuing with the Havewood Cozy Mystery Series. If you are looking for a new cozy mystery series to dive into full of lovely magical characters, a Stars Hollow type of community but with magic, talking animals, amazing fairs, book clubs, and a cute bookshop, then please give this book a try because I do not think that you will be disappointed. Reader, have you read anything by this author, and if so, what have you read I would be interested in knowing? Until Next Time, Reader, Happy Reading.
Trigger Warnings:
- Mentions of Relatives Passing Away
- Break-Ins
- Theft