I’ve read the subsequent 2 books in this series before this one, and this was just as good. It was a good introduction to the series, and I just love Hannah and Aunt Violet’s relationship. They get on more like best friends than family members and have such a good bond.

Hannah’s best friend calls on her but she misses her, and the next time she catches up with her is when she finds her dead in the bookshop she runs. A murder investigation is opened which leads to all sorts of other crimes and twists. I love how it progresses and had no idea who it was when all was revealed.

I always enjoy a cosy mystery and this is a great historical series too, set around the time of war and suffragettes. Such an enjoyable read with some laughs and sarcasm thrown in too.

a really good book to get into keeps you guessing the more you read and full of activity even though there is a war on telling the story of hannah and her friends whom she loses one in her bookshop and then it becomes a who dunnit

Fans of Verity Bright and Helena Dixon are going to love Anita Davison’s fabulous new series featuring Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet which kicks off with the first fabulous installment, Murder in the Bookshop.

1915, London and Hannah Merrill spends her days working in the bookshop which her Aunt Violet mysteriously inherited. Surrounded by books, Hannah is used to unexpected twists and shocking surprises – between the covers of the novels she sells, that is. She wasn’t, however, prepared to find the dead body of her best friend Lily-Anne in the middle of the bookshop having been stabbed through the heart with a paperknife!

Hannah knows that she should leave the investigating to the police, but she cannot resist doing a little sleuthing of her own! Joined by her redoubtable Aunt Violet, Hannah resolves to get to the bottom of this case. However, just when she thinks that she might have found who who was responsible for her friend’s murder, the chief suspect is also found dead.

Clearly, Hannah has been looking in the wrong direction for the killer. With no time to lose, Hannah – and her aunt Violet – needs to work fast and leave no stoned unturned – especially as the murderer now has her firmly in his sights! Can Hannah solve this mystery? Or has she bitten off far more than she can chew?

I love cosy mysteries and Anita Davison’s Murder in the Bookshop is just delightful. Witty, stylish, ingenious and full of tension and red herrings, Murder in the Bookshop introduces us to two unforgettable sleuths who I am sure are going to be great favourites with fans of the genre.

I loved Murder in the Bookshop and I cannot wait to join Hannah and her Aunt Violet on more adventures!

1915, London. Hannah Merrill opens the bookshop on the first day after sacking her manager. She discovers her friend Lily-Anne dead on the premises with a knife through her heart. Later she makes a discovery that there could be a traitor in their midst...
Murder in the Bookshop is a cosy murder mystery set during WW1.
Hannah is in charge of her suffragette aunt's bookshop and is peeved to find the manager had been taking advantage of her aunt's absence. She sacks him and is determined to make a success of the business. But the very next day she walks in to find her friend dead in a chair in the shop. The she finds a coded message among the possessions of the former manager. Could the two incidents be linked?
I really liked Hannah's character but LOVED her aunt Violet who defies convention at every turn. Both women are trying to find a role in Edwardian society during the war and are constrained by social norms. The author has researched the era well and I thought the historical element underpinned the plot effectively.
The style of writing is easy to read and there is a light hearted tone to soften the murder and war content. There is a personal element to the book as Hannah wants to move on from her grief at her fiance's death and her desire to find her friend's killer. We are offered a few red herrings along the way to keep us guessing until the final reveal.
Murder in the Bookshop is an enjoyable murder mystery and I look forward to reading future books in this series.

Murder at the Bookshop, as the title suggests is a murder mystery set in a bookstore against the backdrop of WWI. The story follows Hannah, the protagonist who manages her aunt's bookstore and holds her own against men who try to put her down. What intrigued me about her was her tenacity and inquisitiveness. She also had an eye for detail, perhaps developed through her love for books.

When her best friend is found murdered with a knife in her chest, it is all Hannah can do to stay away from the investigation. As she starts to ask questions, she uncovers a plot that goes beyond just the murder in the bookshop with bigger implications to the on-going war itself.

With help from her Aunt Violet, a little crazy but an absolute delight to read about, she embarks on her own little investigation to find the truth. Though the story seemed to drag on a little in some parts, I enjoyed it on the whole. It is a typical cozy mystery, set to intrigue the readers with strong female main characters and a good plot. The story comes together in the end, providing closure and a satisfying conclusion. I recommend this book for fans of cozy mysteries set against a historical backdrop with layers that the readers slowly peel away!

In the heart of 1915 London, Hannah Merrill works in the dusty bookshop her Aunt Violet mysteriously inherited. Hannah is accustomed to finding twists in every tale, but nothing prepares her for discovering her beloved best friend, Lily-Anne, with a paperknife through her heart right in the middle of the bookshop. The case takes an unexpected turn when a coded German message is found, and Hannah suspects that Lily-Anne’s husband is keeping secrets. To crack the mystery, she enlists the help of her outrageous, occasionally objectionable Aunt Violet. As they make progress, one of their chief suspects is found dead, and Hannah realizes she’s now in the murderer’s sights.

“Murder in the Bookshop” is a captivating and utterly engaging cozy mystery. The characters are compelling, the plot clever, and the setting evocative. Aunt Violet injects humor and warmth, making her dynamic relationship with Hannah a delightful highlight.

I really enjoyed this book and it was set in London during WW1. Its also different from what I usually read. It was nice, fun and cozy and I cant wait to read more from this author especially the second book of this series I cant wait to see what happens next.

I was really excited to read this historic mystery and it did not disappoint. The WWI period was portrayed as though the author had been there and I felt as though I was there! An excellent mystery that kept me guessing. Really hoping for another installment in what I hope will be a long-running series.

Murder in the Bookshop is the first book in a historical cozy series by Anita Davison. Released 22nd Aug 2023 by Boldwood Books, it's 274 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The second book in the series, Murder in the Library, is also currently available on KU.

This is an engaging and well written historical cozy set in 1915. Protagonist Hannah is working in her Aunt Violet's bookstore when her friend is found dead. Because of the unwavering incompetence of the constabulary, she's drawn into trying to figure out what happened herself to clear her name and find justice for Lily-Anne.

The plotting is tight and well engineered and without obvious holes. The author does a good job with the period dialogue and characterization. The writing is clean and there is no bad language or on-page objectionable content. There are several threads, including espionage

The denouement and resolution were twisty and satisfying with some unexpected surprises.

Four stars. This is definitely one for historical cozy fans. There are 2 books extant in the series with a third out in 3rd quarter 2024, and a fourth in first quarter 2025.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This was a new-to-me author in the mystery genre and I really enjoyed her writing. I saw that this is the first book in a series, so I'll definitely be looking for the next one.

This is my first mystery by Anita Davison. I found it to be a solid read and very well-written. The pacing was good, as I was never bored. I liked most of the characters, although I think a little more background and development would have been good, especially for Hannah, the MC. I didn’t love Aunt Violet, who seemed wishy-washy. I’d rather Hannah solve mysteries on her own. The mystery wasn’t easy to figure out and solved satisfyingly enough.

I’m not entirely sure the WWI background allows this to be a “cozy mystery,” as it was heavier than I’d expected.

This book kept my interest and I hit through it quickly. Im interested enough to check out the next in the series and will decide whether to continue it from there.

Princess Fuzzypants here: 1915 London. WWI is not turning into the gay romp that many expected when war was declared. In fact, London is being plagued by aerial bombing from zeppelins. Women, who still cannot vote, have taken over many of the jobs that were once the domain of men but misogyny is alive and well. Hannah is running her aunt’s bookstore in Covent Garden much to the chagrin of her mother. She is going to have a series of challenges that no one could have anticipated.

She has taken control of the shop only to have her best friend murdered during the night in her shop. Hannah discovers the body and is considered a person of interest. It is only when it becomes clear there are more intrigues afoot that she is no longer the prime suspect. In fact, she is in the cross-hairs of some very dangerous people. But it is those closest to her that she will discover are far from innocent or benign.

The book takes the reader into the world at that time with fascinating characters, scandals, espionage and murder. Hannah does not know whom to trust except for one loyal and unwavering friend who could and should be so much more. The story kept me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen to Hannah and her delightful feline companion. Five purrs and two paws up.

A wonderful, cozy mystery that is perfect for those who enjoy the WWI time period and London as a setting. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A nice entrant into the cozy murder-mystery genre. WW1, a bookshop/literary twist, and a cast of characters that should develop nicely, this is a fun, enjoyable but not too taxing read. Will be interesting to see if, as the series progresses, it can hold the attention. Good stuff.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

Murder in the Bookshop is a fun cozy mystery perfect for fans of quirky characters and independent women. Hannah Merrill and her aunt Violet Edwards are strong female characters determined to live their lives beyond the constraints of society. Against the backdrop of pre-war London, Hannah is determined to manage aunt Violet’s bookstore despite the criticism of nearly every person in her life. Women just don’t do such things, but Hannah and Violet are blessed with family wealth and property to fund such “indulgences.” And Hannah is determined to prove that she is more than up to the task. Unfortunately, a murder in the bookstore at the onset of her new endeavor derails her plans and sets in motion an investigation with and without the help of the authorities. With lots of false starts and welcome surprises, Murder in the Bookshop held my interest and made me chuckle from start to finish. I love the characters and look forward to seeing what else they get into as the series continues..

This WW1 set mystery is everything! I couldn't put it down! This was one of the best WWI time mystery books I have liked. I can't wait for the next book!
I just reviewed Murder in the Bookshop by Anita Davison. #MurderintheBookshop #NetGalley
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I enjoyed this book. It was surprisingly colourful given the dark time it’s set in. The descriptions, characters and the murder investigation brought so much colour and intrigue that kept me reading. The mystery itself has so many surprises and secrets in it, and the addition of a possible spy in the midst of it all was a bonus and fitted the time period perfectly.

I liked Hannah, she was what I like in a character, strong, opinionated, considerate, kind and a bit blind to the obvious. Aunt Violet was interesting and appropriately scandalous and a bit of a breath of fresh air from the societal rules and expectations of that time.

This is a solid detective story. It’s got a good investigative team in Hannah and Aunt Violet and I hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of them.

I loved this first book in a new series. I enjoyed the historical aspects, and the addition of a bookstore are right up my alley. The storyline was expansive, and I didn't see the victim or killer coming. I can't wait to learn more about Aunt Violet's life, and see where Miss Merrill goes in the future!

The start of a new series and I love getting in at the beginning. This is a story set in 1915 London in a bookshop so what's not to like. But when Aunt Violet finds her dear friend Lily-Anne dead in the middle of the bookshop, this is not what she how she thought her life would pan out.

And so starts the Aunt Violets attempt to crack the case and find out what happened and who dunnit! This is such an entertaining read with not only the crime aspect but with a since of humour as well which helps to lighten the mood a little bit.

I enjoyed the characters, the setting and the story. It flowed well and was easy to read but still had the storyline and suspense I needed to keep it interesting. A book I enjoyed and look forward to see what comes next from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Und hierum geht es auf deutsch: wir sind im Jahre 1915 in London, der erste Weltkrieg ist seit einem Jahr im Gange und hat schon seine Spuren hinterlassen. Hannah Merril, aus sehr wohlhabendem Hause, emanzipiert sich gerade von ihrer Familie und ist nach London gezogen, in ein Haus, das ihre Großmutter ihr vererbt hat. Ihre Tante Violet nimmt sie unter ihre Fittiche, und Hannah arbeitet in Violets Buchladen in Covent Garden. Violet ist Anhängerin der Suffragetten, und somit ist der Ton eigentlich schon gesetzt: Tante und Nichte sind eigenwillige, moderne Frauen.
Eines Morgens, kurz nachdem Hannah die Geschäftsführung im Buchladen übernommen hat, findet sie morgens eine Leiche im Verkaufsraum vor. Ihre beste Freundin Lily-Anne, Mitglied der Londoner High Society, wurde ermordet.
Zeitgleich findet Hannah in ihrem Laden codierte Nachrichten in Form von erotischen Postkarten, die auf deutsche Spionage hindeuten. Hängt das mit dem Mord zusammen? Hannah und Violet beschließen zu ermitteln, und ich kann schon jetzt sagen: es wird spannend!
Mein Leseeindruck: ich war begeistert. Das war mal ein richtig gut geplotteter Krimi, wirklich spannend bis zum Schluss, eingebettet in eine historisch interessante Ära. Für mich kam das London zu Zeiten des WW1 sehr gut und authentisch rüber. Der Erzählstil war sehr bildhaft und flüssig, mich hat es abgeholt. Der Roman ließ sich gut weg lesen, ich war gefesselt.
Mit Violet und Hannah hatten wir zwei starke Heldinnen, mit denen ich mitfiebern konnte. Die beiden waren einerseits intelligent und selbstbewusst, andererseits aber auch Kinder ihrer Zeit, und sich den Problemen ihrer Zeit sehr wohl bewusst. Da waren oft auch ernste Untertöne, und das machte die Protagonisten sehr sympathisch. Ich fand es immer faszinierend, wenn den beiden bewusst wurde, welch außergewöhnliches Leben sie eigentlich führen, indem sie alleinstehend ohne Mann über sich selbst entscheiden, und wie sehr sie damit auch ihre Familie und Teile der Gesellschaft brüskieren.
Ja, das war ein richtig guter Roman. Einer von denen, wo wirklich alles gepasst hat. Guter Stil, sympathische Cast, glaubwürdiges historisches Setting, gut konstruierter Fall mit einer coolen Mischung aus Krimi, Gesellschaftsroman, Familiengeschichte und vorsichtig angedeutenden Lovestories. Was will man mehr. Ich warte jetzt auf die Nachfolgebände 😊.
Danke an den Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar. Es war mir ein Vergnügen!