There's a reason that the old adage of "write what you know" is poor writing advice. It makes for a lot of detail, but very rarely for a compelling narrative, and oh boy, does Alice Slater know bookselling.

As a bookseller myself, Death of a Bookseller was basically a blow-by-blow recap of the experience. Every detail was perfectly rendered, from booking in deliveries, the ageing booksellers who are resistant to change, to the internal management politics. I commend Slater's attention to detail, because she nailed it!

But that didn't make Death of a Bookseller a compelling read. The plot was repetitive, with switching PoVs that seemed to repeat the same narrative beats over and over. There was no movement or development, and I found myself getting bored quite often as I waited for something new to happen.

Brogan Roach, the story's antagonist, is an utterly repulsive character. I don't say this as a criticism. Slater made my skin crawl every time Roach graced the page, which was definitely her intention, so she absolutely nailed that. But it didn't make for an enjoyable read (definitely not something I'd reduce a book's rating for, though — more giving this as a warning for other potential readers who might not like that sort of thing). She seemed to ooze, which made me feel more than a little nauseated at times. And when she meets her boyfriend, Sam, I physically felt the bile rise in my throat. It was tough to get through. She's not the kind of character I enjoy reading about, but definite props to Slater to write her so well!

From the title, where the book was going was obvious, but I still felt like Slater took the safe route. The violence was almost benign and sanitised, which seemed to fly in the face of the interesting message of the novel around True Crime's place in our society.

Overall, Death of a Bookseller was a fine read, but it didn't blow me away. A repetitive plot, unlikable characters, and a sanitised ending ultimately made me feel like I wanted more. For a thriller, it simply wasn't very thrilling.

I loved this book loved the story and Alice Slaters Writing, was a gripping and unusual story I was very gripped until the end wondering what was going to come next! Loved it!

Oh, where do I begin with this? We've all known (and envied) someone like Laura, and we've all known (and been creeped out by?) someone like Roach. These two characters, as well as all the supporting/minor ones, are so well written - it's easy to automatically picture someone you know in their place, they feel so familiar.

Both Laura and Roach are people you love to hate. One is just too perfect, or at least seems to be, and the other wears her weirdness like a badge of honour, but constantly misreads almost every situation she finds herself in and becomes obsessive and jealous.

Set in an ailing bookshop, Roach and Laura are brought together, Laura avoiding the friendship that Roach seems so convinced is just around the corner. Both characters sway between being people you may feel sorry for, to becoming instantly unlikeable in a second.

Creepy, dark, unsettling and utterly thrilling.

This is one of those books where as soon as you see the cover and read the title you have to pick it up straight away. It was such a different premise and angle to normal thrillers I would pick up so that did definitely make it stand out for me, the characters were slightly unlikeable at times but you can find that with any book and I liked the fact they had their own chapters. Probably a 4.5 for me!

This book is very stalkery and really makes you think about he obsession some people have with true crime.

I found both characters unlikeable, but I think they were written to be so, both are deeply flawed and definitely do some questionable things.

I found that nothing much really happens, there weren’t many like action or bloody pumping scenes, but I especially enjoyed the chapters from Roach’s point of view, as it really made me interested and kept me reading! Towards the ends the action definitely picked up and whilst I do like where the epilogue left off, I would’ve loved to have read what happened next, as it ended on a really high tension point!

Overall, I an giving Death of a Bookseller 3 stars.

Sure, here is a rewritten review of Death of a Bookseller:

Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater is an exceptional novel that explores the dark and twisted world of true crime obsession. The story follows Roach, a bookseller who is obsessed with serial killers and true crime. When a new bookseller, Laura, joins the shop, Roach is immediately drawn to her. However, Laura has a dark secret that Roach is determined to uncover.

The novel is dark, unsettling, and thrilling, with a great sense of humor throughout. Slater does a masterful job of creating a sense of suspense and dread, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is twisty and unpredictable.

I highly recommend Death of a Bookseller to fans of true crime, psychological thrillers, and dark humor. It is a brilliant read that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Unfortunately I think this is a case of the book being marketed wrong. The title lets us believe certain events are going to occur and I was left disappointed.

In terms of wiring, it was a quick read but not as thrilling or gory as expected.

I do love a book with alternate PoVs!! They really make you feel like you’re getting everyone’s thoughts and insights. If you’re a fan of immoral people and love a good thriller (or are a bookseller and looking for some ideas) then this is the book for you!! It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end

Death of a Bookseller is something new. It has a killer premise. The story was impactful with a deep plot that evokes emotion on every page. Slater constantly stokes the flames of mystery.

Well, wasn’t this one an anvil to the head?

I love a fantastic crime story and Death of a Bookseller didn’t disappoint. The aura of obsession, jealousy and pain are never far from the pages. It’s like a shadow, preparing to swallow you whole, consume you as you consume it. A full circle of darkness.

Okay, So Roach (real name Brogan), works in Spines, a bookstore in Walthamstow. The images my mind conjured up is nothing short of what I wanted to exude in my teenage years. I wanted to be a goth, but the threat of what my mother would say stopped me in my tracks. The purple hair, the bank t-shirts, thick platform boots, the makeup. She doesn’t have many mates, excluding her African snail (what a cool pet,) she’s also obsessed with true crime. I mean who isn’t?

Laura joins the Spines team in Walthamstow and Roach’s life spirals like water going down the drain. From having her dedicated section of true crime in the store to having no role at all, she looks at Laura, in her mind, she’s caused it all. She’s been nothing but cordial to her, maybe a little too enthusiastic when it comes to her poetry, but she just wants to have a genuine connection to someone. When Roach finds out her mother was murdered by a serial killer, she stick to Laura like glue but instead of the two seeing each other’s point of view Laura is repulsed by her. Laura is a vulnerable character, even if she does try to portray a confident aura. She’s a bit of a high functioning alcoholic, is forever holding a torch for Eli, and yet I didn’t like her, she was rude, obnoxious and had pre-conceived ideas about Roach before really knowing her. It reminded me of the mean girls from high school.

I liked Roach at first, I think it really affected her, the way Laura treated her. It became an obsession to show Laura that they could become friends, that they shared a common interest although at two different polars of the same spectrum. Some of her decisions were extremely ill advised and she took on a different identity, someone more than Roach, more confidence, more outspoken, a person she wanted to be. It didn’t really work for her though, she should’ve given Laura the two-finger sign and moved on. You should always be yourself.

This book was a slow burn that turned into an inferno. Dialogue that is razor sharp, characterisation that isn’t unlike some of the characters you meet in bookstores. She captures the mystery behind them with humour and seriousness combined to create an explosive concoction.

Sadly DNF’ing this one. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but I had a break from reading it for a couple of weeks (just as I was super busy with work etc) and never found myself keen to pick it back up. From what I did read, I enjoyed the setting (who wouldn’t enjoy a bookshop setting?) and I liked the two main characters and how their different personalities interacted with each other. But sadly I just wasn’t invested enough to continue! Giving 3 stars so as not to skew the rating though!

I absolutely loved this book! Alice has got me hooked on this story, a beautiful blend of creepy and cool!
I loved both the characters and couldn't decide who I sided with more as the story went on!
Also the fact that it was based in the bookselling world! Like for sure I have met both these types of booksellers haha

Strong characters, gripping storyline, I was sold! I liked the alternating view points and insights into the main characters' thoughts and feelings

A horrible little book about obsession.
I enjoyed this, though I found it repetitive at times, and hard to connect with any of the characters.
For fans of mystery, true crime and terrible people.
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy.

This book was a little different in subject matter and I wasn't sure how I was going to like it but I really got sucked into the story and loved it. The characters were interesting and a bit f*ked up and that really added to it. It was great to see how to see how it all progress and worked out. Randomly it was also set near where I live and that also added to the enjoyment! Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
#DeathofaBookseller #NetGalley

4 stars.

Death of a Bookseller is an intriguing and darkly funny examination of true crime, told from the perspective of two booksellers who work together.

I went into this book absolutely loving the concept, and I’m so glad I ended up really enjoying it! The two main characters are really well developed, and it’s hard not to root for them both at different points in the book. By the time I got to the last quarter of the book, I found it difficult to tear myself away from the story as the plot starts to rapidly unfold.

Overall, an incredible debut, and I’m excited to see what Alice Slater brings out in the future!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance digital copy to review!

A page turner with compelling central characters. Dark and quirky. A fun summer read, and a must for any current or former bookseller.

Death of a Bookseller is a unique mystery that gives a glimpse into the book selling world wrapped around some deeply unlikeable characters and obsessive behaviours. Roach is the typical antisocial being who thinks they're better than everyone else. Enter new colleague Laura, who Roach instantly takes a shine too and begins a campaign of installing themselves in Laura's life, much to her chagrin.

Roach is a truly well written and well developed character. Flawed and unnerving, it felt a bit grubby and unsettling seeing everything from their perspective. They really don't have any redeaming features, which might make it difficult for some people to read, as you cent reslly connect to Roach in any way.

The plot itself is really slow and takes time to really get off the ground, mainly because so much time is spent developing these characters. For me personally, I like more action and plot movement rather than a character study especially in a mystery however the tension that builds between Laura and Roach does go some way to help pull the reader along during these slower segments.

Definitely a different kind of mystery thriller that would be perfect floor fans of You, or lovers of morally grey or downright unlikeable characters.

I enjoyed this book; but I wasn’t as invested in the characters as I wanted to be. Roach want likeable, or meant to be and Laura felt too good to be true.
It’s a slow burn of a book and with characters I wasn’t rooting for it did take a while for me to get into the book.
It’s well worth a read however as the narrative in our fascination with true crime and our obsessive natures is interesting.

With thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy to review.

My god I loved this! It’s unnerving how spot on Slater gets the environment of working in a bookshop and it made for a really excellent read. Have been recommending this to customers and will continue to do so! Thank you for the proof!

Roach is obsessed with True Crime, particularly serial killers. Its not as strange as it sounds. This book is a surprisingly dark story about total opposites, with a brilliant sense of humour!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.