A dark story of loneliness and obsession told from the dual povs of Laura, the Insta-ready ‘good girl’ and Roach, the emo ‘bad girl’.

The lives of the two protagonists intersect in a failing branch of a London bookstore where they both work but all is not as it seems in the life of either woman. Soon their two very different lives are set on a collision course through which the author explores themes of grief, sense of self, addiction, isolation and violence against women. And asks what the modern addiction to true crime says about us as a society? If monsters are the focus of our interest, what of the victims?

A chilling and thought-provoking read, well narrated.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton Audio for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Not going to lie, I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. First of all of course the subject is VERY close to home. I could relate to every single detail of bookselling: working with customers, writing recommend cards, the madness of Christmas. I recognised nearly all '"archetypes" of booksellers in this fictional branch - we all have a Roach and a Laura in every shop.
The story worked really well with 2 alternating narrators, and the audiobook made them especially distinct.
I found the cast extremely believable and relatable, which made it such a fun and easy read.
Nice, clever ending too, so no complains here. Overall I wish I could write something like this!

Death of a Bookseller is about two booksellers and the premise of this book was interesting but I was not expecting it to turn this dark. Both characters are polar opposites of each other. Roach is a true crime fan, likes to be alone, and wears all black meanwhile Laura likes to match her clothes to her accessories, can be friends with everyone, and hates true crime. When they first encounter Roach wants to be friends with Laura and throughout the book, we get to see her obsession with Laura keeps getting dangerous. Both characters were well-written and fleshed out. The story is really slow and descriptive but it had plenty of twists and you kept reading. I also had an e arc too. Audiobook was one of the reasons I love this book. Both narrators did an excellent job. They bring both characters to life. Overall this was a debut thriller and a very good one. I can't wait to read the author's next projects.

Death of a bookseller - Alice Slater

Roach is a true crime fan, but she takes it to the extreme. Its become a big part of her personality. shes also socially awkward and obsessively inappropriate. I was swaying between feeling bad for her since she cant seem to fit in anywhere and feeling uncomfortable and disgusted by her behaviour. Oh and she’s completely in awe of Laura.

Laura. I hated her from the offset for her judgemental mean girl behaviour but then realised she has her own problems to contend with. Isnt that usually the case with mean people ? they just take their problems and trauma out on other people instead of getting therapy

I both felt bad for and also hated them both. 😂

I really enjoyed how this story explored those who like the true crime genre and those who find it abhorrent.

Its an easy to follow duo perspective of Laura and Roach. It reads as a fun fictional story and yet it had me questioning the morality of true crime and the effect it may have on the victims families. This made it interesting to me

QOTD - Do you enjoy watching true crime?

I prefer to watch from the perspective of the detectives. when shows glorify the murderer it makes me feel physically sick. I have stopped watching a few for that reason. I dont judge people that do because I can understand the need to get inside the head of someone so different from yourself.

Should I give 5 Stars to an audio book that made me feel more uncomfortable than any other I have listened to? I guess I can, because I’m sure that is one of the aims of the author. Alice Slater has written a brilliant piece of dark fiction. The narrator in the audio version perfectly brings the characters to life. I would suggest not listening to this book while on your own late at night, you might not sleep well! But make sure you do listen or read the book, you will not be disappointed. And the ending ……. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I don’t think I have ever before disliked every single character in a book. These lot are horrible. All of them. Saying that, the book is great. The discussion about today’s love of true crime books/tv is interesting and something I feel uncomfortable with.
The end of the book is equally disturbing and enjoyable.
I would like to see what Alice Slater comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley for this audio ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This story centres around two bokosellers. Roach who is a true crime obsessive that spends most of her time alone and Laura who is a ray of sunshine. On paper these two could not be any more different if they tried. However, Roach initially thinks that Laura is a normal, pumpkin spice latte girly but then becomes intrigued by her and decides she wants to befriend Laura. She's got this hunch that her and Laura have somethings in common. The more Roach attempts to befriend Laura, the more Laura does not like her. Roach's hunch then takes a more darker, more obsessive turn. As you delve deeper into these two characters, you discover they're not as different as you're led to believe, in fact they have quite a few similarities.

Now neither of these characters are likeable at all which makes this story a lot more fascinating. The book is multiple point of view so we get a glimpse of what's going on in both characters heads. Neither of them are particularly stable. Being inside Roach's hard was definitely a lot more disturbing but as a True crime lover myself I didn't particularly enjoy the hatred Laura had for those that enjoy the genre. Granted she has her reason not to like it herself but her point of view is full of instances where she's trying to shame Roach for liking the it or trying to get other people to agree that those that like true crime are weird.

I enjoyed the short chapters in this. It started of slow but then it really takes off. I really enjoyed the narration of this as well. If you are looking for a dark, twisted tale driven by obsession then you should definitely give this a go!

Thrillingly dark and creepy, this really is an addictive, compulsive audio book with excellent narration from Emma Noakes and Victoria Blunt. Set in a book shop, where two of the staff have an extreme clash of personalities and a fascination with true crime, there is tension throughout and a menacing atmosphere. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable but they felt very real and easy to envisage. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was great! I didn't like the characters at all, and couldn't work out what was going to happen next and I love that!

It was a little slow at times, but I couldn't stop listening! A really great read

Well this book was unexpected. It completely sucked me in from the start and kept me reading until the early hours. I was lucky enough to have both the ARC and the audiobook of this novel and whichever you choose you will not be disappointed. The narrators of the audiobook – Emma Noakes and Victoria Blunt – were superb and certainly bought both the characters of Roach and Laura to life. Neither character in this novel is likeable and both have major flaws, but they felt so real to life and you were drawn into their worlds. A book of obsession, but also friendship (or lack of it ), and how your actions and beliefs affect others . I don’t want to give any spoilers as I think you should go into this book blind– you won’t be disappointed. A dark slow burn that builds and builds and certainly keeps you guessing. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in return for an honest review I will certainly be recommending.

I enjoyed this dark, twisty thriller about two very different booksellers. Roach is morbidly fascinated by all things true crime. Laura is her prickly colleague, with tragic secrets in her past that Roach is inexorably drawn to. I found the characters well drawn, and very flawed and interesting. I also enjoyed peeking behind the scenes of the bookselling industry,

I loved this thrilling, dark, complex bookish debut! The intense dramatic atmosphere was brought to life by the narration, and I am pleased I was able to review the audiobook for this reason. Unfortunately, I couldn't read this all at once, despite it having the material to be a one-sitting read, and I found myself losing many hours absorbed in the plot. The conclusion is excellent, and I see this as a huge success.

The only criticism of this would be that I had to re-listen to a couple of chapters in the middle, as I became a little confused; however, this could have been due to the fact I was multitasking and not of the book.

This is a definite must-read for 2023 in any format, and I can not wait to start hearing what others think of this after the release date!

Death of a Bookseller is an excellent debut novel of Alice Slater. I was hooked from the outset, immediately intrigued by the story of Roach, the unlikeable bookseller. Her story is set in Walthamstow, North East London, centring around the fictional bookshop ‘Spires’ where she works. This branch is not doing very well, and so enters their brightest new recruit Laura, to see if they can turn around the failing store. Laura is so many things that Roach is not; amiable, popular, seemingly happy and winning at life. But is that really the truth? Is all as it appears at first glance?
I really enjoyed the sections written by both Roach and Laura, which gelled together very well and flowed in chronological order. I am not really sure how these two characters work so brilliantly, as both have some really odious traits and I certainly would not be friends with either of them! However, Alice Slater is incredibly skilled at making the two main characters, who should be rather repulsive, very compelling to read about and I just had to keep listening to the audiobook to find out more about their stories and what would happen next.
I highly recommend this book, I really enjoyed the audio version, and the two actresses who voiced the characters were perfect. I will also look forward to Alice Slater’s second book, she certainly has a bright future ahead.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This books kept me hooked the whole way through, even with the very unlikable main characters I couldn’t stop listening. It was a fast paced and slightly disturbing while switching between the two points of view of the main characters. Seeing this story from both sides of the relationship (one obsessed and the other repulsed) was incredibly addictive and I needed to know what was going to happen next. This isn’t my usual genre but I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

A slow start builds to a satisfying climax. Roach and Laura are two well drawn characters. The book chapters split between the two main characters giving both perspectives. The narrators Emma Noakes and Victoria Blunt bring this book to life and your never confused to who's talking.
I received this audiobook from Hodder & Stoughton audio and Netgalley for a review.

Loved this audio book so much listened along with the book , if you are a fan of the tv program you , you will love this,dark,creepy with great story plot with amazing characters.

Not usually an audiobook girlie but woweee this was a goodie!!

Death of a Bookseller is told from dual perspectives. Booksellers and Walthamstow locals Laura and Roach are two very distinct and recognisable characters.

Roach is a misfit and true crime aficionado, who thinks she meets a kindred spirit in Laura when she finds a true crime book in her bag. It becomes Roach’s mission to befriend Laura.

Laura, a delightfully basic, books-and-berets gal, is (not) dealing with her traumatic past and does not have time for Roach’s near-constant lingering.

I loved how specific and well-observed the details of this book were. The references were very if you know, you know. Like a creepy Gilmore Girls. With that said, the story is enjoyable regardless of whether these bits go right over your head.

It was also delightfully mundane at times. The setting of the book at work-home-pub, the particular hell of working retail at Christmas, ‘another round?’

Also the audio performances are great. I’ve already recommended this book to some of my friends.

TLDR; I loved it!

Pick up this book up if: you’re after a hilarious, snarky and creepy send up of the millennial true crime obsession.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Oh my god, Roach is the most unlikeable character I've read about in a long time, I HATED her. She's the worst. It's an accomplishment to be able to craft such an unlikeable character without the typical hallmarks of villainy. A very immersive reading experience, and the narration of the audiobook was beautifully done, with very distinct narrative voices for the two perspectives of Roach and Laura respectively.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Alice Slater for an audio-ARC in return for an honest review.

"A BOOKSHOP. A TRUE CRIME CASE. A DEADLY FRIENDSHIP"

The Death of a Bookseller was a slow start to begin with, I considered giving up a few times but I'm glad I perservered. This is a very dark and gritty thriller with some humorous moments. The ending made the slow start worth while. A good read. I feel the narrators Emma Noakes and Victoria Blunt really bought the characters to life.

3.5⭐️

A debut,I had the audiobook narrated by Victoria Blunt and Emma Noakes its great that each MC has their own narrator. The narrators do a great job, really adding a feeling of suspense, very distinct voices for each character.

Brogan Roach is an awkward loner with a true crime obsession, she works in a bookshop with the ‘perfect’ Laura Bunting, Brogan is determined to become friends with Laura despite her unwillingness.
Laura has been bought in to help an ailing bookstore, but not everyone appreciates her presence and interference.
It’s told by both Brogan and Laura’s pov.
It’s a very character driven story about seemingly very different personalities, as the story progresses the more we see they have in common. Neither of the characters are likeable, but it’s easy to engage. It’s got a younger easy listening style, it’s a bit different. It just too slow and drawn out for me. The narrators carried it managing to keep my interest.
If you fancy a character driven story that’s a bit different give it a try.