Listening to this book took me an inordinate amount of time. It is well written, but I really struggled. I had been so intrigued by the synopsis but soon found that this book is not for me.
I listened to a chapter, then took a break and listened to other things, before returning to this story.
It is dark, and creepy, and very slow moving.
I despised the main characters and I couldn't relate to them at all.
I guess there are people who are like Roach, or Laura, but I am happy to say that I don't know anyone who gets even close to either of them.
I guess there is some moral underneath it all, about people with sad backgrounds etc, but I couldn't invest in this book, I only wanted it to end.
If you like a creepy story with despicable characters, this is the book for you.
The narrators, Emma Noakes and Victoria Blunt did a great job, though, which helped a lot with finishing the book.

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio via Netgalley for the advanced listening copy!

Anything with library, book, or related in the title is guaranteed to be picked up by me, so I was quite excited to get approved for this audiobook. Death of a Bookseller follows Roach and Laura in a dual-POV situation. Booksellers forced to work in the same store, Roach and Laura have incredibly different personalities and opinions, all of which are fantastically written.

Roach is a true crime fanatic who hates 'normies', and secretly wants to be penpals with a serial killer, whilst Laura is sunshine in a person with a dark secret. As Roach becomes incessantly obsessed with Laura and discovering her secrets, she is convinced they are kindred souls and will not stop until she proves it. Laura on the other hand is on a downward spiral due to unresolved trauma, drinking her troubles away, she is barely holding on.

Death of a Bookseller approaches the topic of True Crime amazingly, discussing the ethics of its consumption, and how it affects those left behind. Along with many retail politics that ring true if you have ever worked in a store (books or otherwise).

This is a story that at times can feel mundane, but if you adore a more slice of life aspect to your plots this will be a great read, especially as an audiobook.

As soon as I heard about Death of a Bookseller I knew I had to read it - it absolutely sounded like my sort of thing and I was right!
True crime loving Roach (real name Brogan) works in the Walthamstow branch of the fictional Spines bookshop chain. She lives above the pub that her mum owns, with only her African land snail Bleep for company. She hasn't any friends but is fascinated by true crime, enjoying podcasts by The Murder Girls and any books on the subject. When a small group of booksellers are brought to the shop to try and turn its fortunes around, among them is Laura Bunting. Laura is a pretty blond who wears tea dresses and is liked by everyone. Initially Roach thinks they have nothing in common but after attending an evening where Laura reads out her poetry which happens to be about the victims of serial killers, Roach thinks they have a bond and tries everything to become her friend.
Told in alternating chapters from the point of view of each character, we hear Roach's desperate and cringey attempts to befriend Laura, believing their mutual love of serial killers is their bond. But Laura's interest in serial killers is very different from Roach's and she finds Roach creepy and desperate.
I listened to this on audio and the narrators did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life. I found Roach a disturbing character but I also had sympathy towards her. Laura came across as a little stuck up at times and is fond of a drink but as we find out more about her, you find out why she is the way she is and also understand why she finds Roach's obsession with serial killers so disturbing.
I loved the book shop setting - I'm sure any book shop workers will be nodding along with the running's of the book shop, the things customers say and will sympathise with the hell of the Christmas period. I also found Roach's obsession with serial killers fascinating. I must admit, I love a bit of true crime myself and it is interesting what Roach has to say on the matter - I especially liked her musings on why it is harder to be a serial killer nowadays with cameras everywhere and forensic improvements.
Deliciously dark with characters which make you cringe at times with the way they behave, I absolutely loved this. I'd highly recommend the audio but having received a finished copy of the book, it is fabulous so would recommend that too!

Thank you so much for allowing me to review the audiobook of this brilliant new book. I really enjoyed the narration and thought that the characterisation was absolutely perfect. Death of a Bookseller is a great read for anyone who loves books and bookshops. I really enjoyed the discussions about the politics of the bookshop shelving system! But alongside the bookseller element is a careful consideration about the modern obsession with true crime and the focus on the perpetrators rather than the victims, who's names are all too often forgotten. The two main characters, Laura and Roach, share a fascination with true crime although they come at it from two opposing perspectives.

I was totally immersed in the audio of this book and listening to it in this way really made the story come alive. It was claustrophobic, sordid, and more than a little disturbing! I am really looking forward to whatever the author writes next.

I didn’t love this book as much as I hoped I would. I think it was largely down to the narrators of the audiobook unfortunately but nonetheless I was still able to enjoy the story.

Slater draws cleverly on her work as a bookseller to build an environment that feels perhaps too real. I really enjoyed the part when Laura was repeating the questions you are asked endlessly as a bookseller - it felt very true to life. I also loved the other members of the bookselling team with their quirks, I sort of wish I could have had something from Eli’s perspective as well to broaden the perspectives.

I also really enjoyed how the relationship between Laura and Roach goes from a yearning for contact to a creepy obsession. You’d never expect them to have much in common but much to Roach’s delight, they do, and this forms much of the basis of her obsession.

I liked learning Laura’s backstory slowly, it was like peeling back her layers, from her start as a self obsessed perfectionist to her more traumatic past and current life.

Unfortunately I didn’t like the narrators. The accents they had worked well for the characters but unfortunately I didn’t find them easy to listen to. Despite this, Death of a Bookseller is a great story of obsession, paranoia and books.

I have seen this book everywhere, love a bookshop mystery and was intrigued by the plot, so I was happy to get an early copy!

This a dark and creepy read about two booksellers who become infatuated with each others lives, in the worst way! Roach and Laura really couldn't be more opposite - Roach is a true-crime loving loner who is obsessed with serial killers and has a pet African Land Snail called Bleep, while Laura is a bubbly, popular, beret-wearing poetry fan who takes an instant dislike to Roach when she starts working at the same book shop. The instant dislike is not reciprocated as Roach starts to see similarities between the two and is determined to convince Laura of this, no matter what!

I was lucky enough to get an audio arc of this book and think it really benefitted from having different narrators for the two main characters. It was a slow-burn of a read that was not was I was expecting from the synopsis and cover, but a pretty easy read all in all!

This book has a great plot but unfortunately I didn't like the audio version of it so will try again with a physical copy when it's out.

I absolutely love mysteries that are set around bookstores or libraries or authors. But I guess my expectations were different from this book, because I was bored listening to this audio book. The two main characters were vile and unlikable which is still okay because I guess that was the whole point of the book. And the alternating POV chapters did make for an interesting read in the beginning.

But my major grouse with this book is that it's so repetitive and nothing happens in the plot. I was hoping that there would be some twist that would make the book interesting and I could make sense of the plot, but unfortunately the entire story was flat. The only reason why I didn't give up on this book was that it was an audio book and the narrators did a pretty good job. But even that couldn't salvage it. Suffice to say that I didn't enjoy listening to this.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest feedback.

I listened to death of a bookseller on audiobook a little while ago and really enjoyed it and feel like it’s especially well suited to that format. It’s dual perspective, swapping between Roach, a bookseller with an obsession with all things true crime and her new co-worker Laura, a new senior bookseller brought to the store with a mysterious past. the main focus is Roach’s love-hate obsession with Laura as she crosses more and more boundaries in her determination to be closer to her. It’s a dark comedy which is a bit of a hit or miss genre for me but this one had a good balance of suspense. I also liked the discussion around the morality of true crime media, I haven’t seen it discussed a lot and I think they did a good job of covering both sides. it was an unsettling one for listening to on late night walks but addictive enough that I did anyway. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a thriller with lots of twists and a bit of comedy too.

Deliciously dark and unsettling thriller that also relishes its love of books!

As soon as I saw Death of a Bookseller announced, I knew I had to read it! I have been very fortunate, as I received both a physical proof and early access to the incredible audiobook. Therefore, I consumed it in both ways and absolutely fell in love with this creepy, disturbing tale. I was completely drawn into the world of a group of Spines booksellers and their interlocked relationships. Despite the unsettling vibes between Roach and Laura, I still wanted to be a part of their team. Slater really places the reader at the heart of the novel and I felt like I knew these characters really well. This helped to really ramp up the tension, darkness and unnerving creepy vibes, as Roach’s obsession with Laura really starts to reach unhealthy levels. I really enjoyed the gradual unravelling of Laura’s psyche and the mounting iniquity of Roach’s actions that lead to this. Slater builds suspense like a ticking time bomb and as a reader we are always on the edge, waiting for Roach’s obsession to tip from being passive and voyeuristic to physical and violent. The tension is also supported by the pace of the narrative. The chapters are short and told from alternating viewpoints. I found I was flying through the pages, as I was desperate to find out what was going to happen. I also loved the insight into the life of a bookseller and there is a lot of wit and (yes, sometimes dark) humour amongst the wickedness.

Another aspect that I really enjoyed about this book was the examination of the true crime genre. We’re all guilty of being intrigued by an unsolved case or knowing what made a notorious serial killer do what they did. Roach is a fan to the extreme and Slater uses this to great effect, building an evocative picture of what this might mean. Not only is her obsession perverse, she also borders on the edge of dehumanising victims. This contrasts completely with Laura’s characterisation, a woman living in the aftermath of a horrific crime that has tainted her whole existence. Through these two characters, Slater really gets under the skin of our societal interest in true crime, as well as bringing the human aspect to the kind of cases we can’t seem to get enough of. In doing so, this book will appeal to fans of the genre and those who are drawn to stories of people. There’s a humanity to this book that makes it so much more than a thriller about obsession. Through the first person narratives told from both Roach and Laura’s perspectives, we really get inside both of their heads and get to know them as people. They are such three-dimensional characters, both with flaws, both with demons, both with strengths, both with desires. I love a book that lets you really get to know the bones of the characters and Slater does that so well here. I thought I’d be siding with one character and hating on the other, but in reality I cared for both of them.

The audiobook is masterfully narrated by Emma Noakes and Victoria Blunt. They really embody the characters of Roach and Laura, whilst also breathing life into all of the supporting characters on the fringes of this story. They both brought out the humour in the text really well, whilst also capturing the inner turmoil of both characters. I felt a connection to them both whilst reading, but listening to the audiobook took that up a notch and I felt like I was spending time with people I really knew. All of the tension, paranoia and anxiety of the narrative translates so well to the audio. I genuinely couldn’t get enough of it!

DEATH OF A BOOKSELLER is released on 27/04/23 from @hodderbooks. Thank you so much to the publisher for both my physical copy and early access to the audiobook.

Alice Slater clearly knows and loves her bookshops. The daily lives of booksellers are here for everyone to enjoy. Death of A Bookseller centres on two booksellers, Brogan Roach and Laura Bunting who work in the Walthamstow branch of Spines, a major book retailer.

Brogan is universally referred to as ‘Roach’. She is a lover of true crime and she uses her job to feed her enthusiasm, ordering true crime books from the States and elsewhere under fake names just so that she can read them. She listens to podcasts, too. It’s a bit of an obsession, to put it mildly.

Roach is a goth and she’s quite happy looking after ‘her’ true crime section. Then Laura Bunting transfers into the Walthamstow branch. Laura ios everything Roach is not. She is perky, nice as ninepence to the customers and an upward pleaser, sucking up to the manager. She is stylish, writes poetry and her perfume smells of roses. She is a daisy to Roach’s bindweed.

Told in alternate voices and beautifully narrated by Emma Noakes and Victoria Blunt, Death of A Bookseller is a dark psychological thriller that deals with the nature of obsession and the impact of true crime on today’s society.

It is beautifully written. This is a slow burn of an audiobook but each chapter is pitch perfect and you can visualise both of these women as they tell their stories. It’s not only a brilliant depiction of workplace dynamics and working in a bookshop in the run up to Christmas; it is also a very dark and creepy look at what obsession can do to people.

Roach is by nature someone who rifles through other people’s belongings and it is when she does with to Laura that she discovers Laura’s secret. That’s what triggers her and so her need to know more about Laura begins. They have a common interest, Roach believes and so she sets out to befriend Laura and so learn more about her.

But Laura is horrified by Roach’s interests and wants nothing to do with her. As the novel progresses we find that Laura is not as sweet as she purports to be. Neither of these women is especially likeable and both are emotionally compromised.

Alice Slater’s book is so deliciously dark and so brilliantly observed that it feels like we are living in our own true crime story. She uses short, sharp chapters to keep our attention focussed, and the cast of characters is tight and so well observed. Moments of wry humour help to alleviate the darkness and the addition of Roach’s pet snail just seals the deal.

Verdict: This is a really accomplished psychological thriller, delivered exceptionally well in audiobook and it grips the attention like a vice. I found it hard to credit that this is a debut novel. It is so clever, so disturbing and so well conceived that I can’t help but recommend it.

3.5

This was a fab book to listen to on audio book. The narrator was engaging and did a good job with both of the characters.

I enjoyed the story although I didn’t particularly like the characters of Laura or roach. Both had extremely annoying characteristics. I found roaches obsession a bit too much in parts of the story but overall it was an enjoyable read.

Alice Slater’s debut novel is a battle between two booksellers in East London: Roach, is a true crime obsessive- besotted with all things dark and deadly. And Laura, a beret wearing, tote bag wielding, bestseller reader, who’s mother was murdered by a serial killer when Laura was 16. ‘Death of a Bookseller’, charts the obsessive and complex nature of Roach and Laura’s relationship and its deadly conclusion.

In alternating POV chapters, Slater depicts this uncomfortable relationship across three years, telling us right from the start when we will finish: with murder. Slater’s world-building and wry commentary of the bookselling environment are impressive and her characters were well fleshed out, intriguing and interesting, even if I didn’t always *like* them.

For me, this was a book of two halves- literally and metaphorically. I found Laura’s narrative- dealing with trauma through writing and how she deals with ‘true crime’ as a genre when she has such a close ties with the source material- really fascinating and I really empathised with her as a character. I didn’t get along with the other narrative, that of true crime lover, Roach. I wasn’t sure what her perspective brought to the book and just couldn’t understand her actions and opinions. I didn’t find her to be a particularly believable character, which made it hard for me to become invested in the story as a whole.

I’m probably not the target reader for ‘Death of a Bookseller’, as a don’t like murder mysteries or true crime (!) but I’d seen lots of great marketing for the book so wanted to give it a go! I think the audiobook is definitely worth listening to, if this is your kind of book- the two actors used really helped to create a tension between the two protagonists.

If Erin Kelly met Black Swan and wrote something set in a bookshop...

Is it ok to love such a depraved book? I was totally addicted to the story of Laura and Roach, two booksellers at a quiet, London suburb branch of a chain bookstore, whose lives slowly become more entwined.

This is also an interesting look at true crime and some of the ethics around it.

If you're a fan of gripping psychological fiction with interesting female lead characters, this is one for you.

This really is a horrible little book. There's not much to like about either of the main characters but Roach is particularly stomach churning. I did worry that the book was trying to paint all true crime fans as obsessive weirdos, but I think Alice Slater walked the line pretty well, with some good observations on society's obsession with true crime content - podcasts, Netflix docs etc. I thought she handled Roach's slightly unhealthy obsession, descending into stalking really well, The audio is excellent and Alice's writing is deliciously disgusting.

What did I enjoy? I loved that both our main characters were narrated by a different narrator, they did a fab job at capturing the different character perspectives and I felt that they made Laura and Roach their own.

I was hooked at the start, but I felt a little falsely pulled in, I really enjoyed the dual narrative and the dual POVs, I really thought I was onto a winner and when it got down to the gritty it was neatly cleaned up and I was left feeling a little flat. I kept waiting for the big twist or that the next chapter would make me gasp, but it didn't come. It was well written for what it was and I enjoyed listening, but other than the well fleshed out characters and an odd obsession which steps across all the lines I didn't feel especially thrilled.

This book was great! Brodie/Roach works at Spines (think Waterstones) and is obsessed with true crime books. She lives and breathes serial killers. Then arrives a new bookseller called Laura who Roach develops a very unhealthy obsession with due to reasons I won't reveal so I won't spoil the book. Somehow she comes across as very creepy but somehow relatable all at the same time. I would thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes a bit of a psychological thriller.

Having worked in retail before there are some sections that I totally relate to such as the futility of stickering books only to know you're going to have to unsticker them all a couple of months later! Or all the customer questions you get day in and day out.

Death of a Bookseller is a fun, unsettling, immersive and captivating story of two booksellers and their obsessive relationship.

This was a deliciously dark crime novel intertwining true crime with bookselling. I personally think that this executed bookselling PERFECTLY and it was such a joy to read a book that spoke about it so well and accurately, as well as hilariously. Along side this, the discussions of true crime and the obsessiveness of some that consume it was incredibly fascinating and seeing how it completely took a tole on Roach and every aspect of her career and life, was something I had never read before and would now, be intrigued to branch more into.

Alice Slater also does such an incredible job at balancing the serious and imperative with the humorous commentary. The book in its entirety is both unsettling, focusing on true crime, real cases, statistics and conversations on Roach's fascination with serial killers, as-well as hilarious and full of bookselling jokes and knowledge. It made for both a deeply humorous yet deeply compelling read! The PERFECT amount of fun!

The fact that this is also a debut!!! Makes me so excited to see what Alice Slater does next! I would highly highly recommend!

Told from two perspectives, we have Roach, the outcast, goth, quirky, loner obsessed with true crime books. And we have Laura, popular, ‘perfect’, can do nothing wrong, the ideal book lover with the cute tote bags and adorable personality. These two are like chalk and cheese, however, Roach becomes creepily obsessed by her, she is adamant they are more alike than meets the eye, and she will do anything to become part of Laura’s life.

I have decided to try audiobooks more frequently as they really are a great way to enjoy books when on the move. I initially downloaded this one for my trip to Scotland, but I ended up listening to ‘How to Sell a Haunted House’ instead, and although it was an entertaining story, the narrator began to grate on me. Alas, I didn’t let this put me off the medium, and I am glad I listened to this one, as I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s dark, it's funny’ it’s pretty gruesome in a couple of places, and it certainly kept my attention. I tend to drift off when listening to audiobooks, as I listen to sleep stories at night. I might have to buy this book to read in hardcopy, I think it will be a different kind of experience but will also be just as entertaining!

2023 Book 12 - Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date 26 April 2023

I received an advance copy of this audio book in return for an honest review.

Oooh this one has everything I love - dual perspectives, a character that slowly becomes more unhinged and embroiled in their own deluded reality, set in a bookshop. What's not to love?

Roach - true crime lover, obsessed with serial killers and all things gruesome, works at the local bookshop. She's a loner, with no real friend except her African Land Snail, Bleep.

Laura - a well educated, well dressed and popular bookseller. She's fun and lovable and has only a slight drinking problem.
No one else knows that her mother was murdered by a serial killer ten years prior, except Eli, and he knows how to keep a secret.

Laura does not like Roach - but Roach is determined to make Laura see that they do indeed have a connection.

It's brilliantly written, with excellently developed characters that breathe life into each chapter and capture your complete attention. A must for any psychological thriller lover.

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