Description:

**In the latest *New York Times* bestselling Booktown Mystery, amateur sleuth and bookstore owner Tricia Miles gets caught up in a local election that turns lethal . . .** It’s November in Stoneham, New Hampshire, and time for the Chamber of Commerce elections. The long-standing Chamber president is being challenged by a former lover—Tricia’s own sister, Angelica. Also throwing his hat in the ring is small business owner Stan Berry. Unfortunately, Stan isn’t in the race for long. When Stan is found murdered, his political rivals become suspects. Angelica is going to need more than a vote of confidence from her sister—she needs Tricia to clear her name so she can win the election. Tricia soon uncovers a ballot box full of lies and betrayals, and a chamber full of people who had grudges against the victim. But were they serious enough to lead to murder? It’s up to Tricia to pull the lever on a killer before it’s curtains for someone else. ** ### From Booklist Mystery bookstore owner Tricia Miles begins her seventh adventure with a contentious chamber of commerce meeting. Her sister, Angelica, owner of a cookbook shop and café, is determined to unseat the president but has to run against Stan, another contender, who wants to slash costs. Tricia finds Stan dead in the hotel bathroom during a break in the meeting, stabbed with a hotel worker’s fancy letter opener. Tricia and Angelica ask questions while campaigning for Angelica and learn several secrets about fellow business owners. Stan’s estranged son, Will Berry, comes to town after inheriting his father’s business and seems attracted to Tricia, but she already has her romantic hands full with her ex-husband and newly ex-boyfriend, who seem to be trying to get her back. Veteran genre author Barrett delivers another appealing mix of mystery and small-town affairs starring a small yet energetic cast of characters. Fans of book-themed mysteries may also enjoy Lucy Arlington’s Novel Idea series. --Amy Alessio ### Review **Praise for the *New York Times *Bestselling Booktown Mysteries** “Fans of Carolyn Hart and Denise Swanson, rejoice!...This first-rate cozy artfully blends crime, cuisine, and even bookselling in a cheerful, witty, well-plotted puzzler.”—Julia Spencer-Fleming, Edgar*®* finalist and author of *One Was a Soldier* “Lorna Barrett’s new cozy creation…has it all: wonderful old books, quirky characters, a clever mystery, and a cat named Miss Marple!”—Roberta Isleib, author of *Asking for Murder* “A mystery bookstore in a sleepy New England town, a cat named Miss Marple, a nasty murder, and a determined heroine make Barrett’s delightful debut mystery everything a cozy lover could want and more. Bravo!”—Leann Sweeney, author of *The Cat, the Mill, and the Murder* “Barrett is skilled at making her characters flawed and fully believable.”—*Richmond Times-Dispatch* “Tightly plotted and paced to keep you turning the pages, this series is indeed getting better with each book.”—*Gumshoe Review* “Charming…An engaging whodunit.”—*Publishers Weekly* “Sheer entertainment. A good rollicking read.”—*Roundtable Reviews*