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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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MY REVIEW:
Rating: 4 out of 5 ⭐
Daphne Silver’s Crime and Parchment, the debut in the Rare Books Cozy Mystery series, is a delightful blend of history, mystery, and small-town charm. At its heart is Juniper Blume, a rare books librarian who finds herself tangled in a web of intrigue when a murder and an ancient Celtic manuscript surface in her grandmother’s Maryland hometown. With its evocative setting near the Chesapeake Bay, richly drawn characters, and a fast-paced narrative, the novel keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Silver masterfully intertwines historical lore—centered around the iconic Book of Kells—with contemporary cozy mystery tropes. Juniper’s amateur sleuthing is complemented by an engaging supporting cast, including her sister Azalea and a small-town community full of secrets and gossip. Fans of book-centric mysteries will appreciate the literary references, while the descriptions of Eastern European Jewish cuisine lend a warm, sensory depth to the story.
The plot, packed with red herrings, twists, and a dash of potential romance, balances lighthearted moments with high stakes. Readers will particularly enjoy Juniper’s wit and the vivid, atmospheric writing that transports them into the world of rare books and small-town intrigue. However, some may feel the novel leaves a few threads untied—perhaps intentionally, to pave the way for future installments.
Crime and Parchment is perfect for cozy mystery enthusiasts and anyone who loves stories steeped in history and charm. Silver’s debut is a testament to her skill as a storyteller, leaving readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Juniper’s adventures.
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Rare books librarian Juniper Blume knows this much… an ancient Celtic manuscript shouldn’t be in a Maryland cemetery. But that’s exactly what her brother-in-law claims.
Last year, Juniper saw the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells in Ireland. She learned how their bejeweled covers were stolen centuries ago, never to be seen again. So how could they have ended up in Rose Mallow, a small Chesapeake Bay town? Being Jewish, the Book of Kells might not be her sacred text, but as a rare books librarian, the ancient book is still sacred to her, making it important to Juniper to find out the truth.
Rose Mallow is the same place where Juniper used to summer with her sister Azalea and their grandmother Zinnia, known as Nana Z. Ever since Nana Z passed away, Juniper’s avoided returning, but her curiosity is greater than her grief, so she heads down in her vintage convertible with her rescue dog Clover.
Juniper discovers that her sister Azalea has transformed their grandmother’s Queen Anne style mansion into the Wildflower Inn, backing up to the Chesapeake Bay. Although Juniper isn’t much of a cook, Azalea has kept their grandmother’s legacy alive, filling the house with the smells of East European Jewish treats, like sweet kugels and tzimmes cake. Will coming back here feel like returning home or fill Juniper with a deeper sorrow? Can she apologize to her sister for not being there when she was needed most?
~ENTER THE GIVEAWAY~
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Daphne Silver. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
The giveaway is for: a $25 Gift Card to Winner’s choice of either Amazon, BN.com, or BookShop.org.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daphne Silver
Daphne Silver is the Agatha Award winning author of the Rare Books Cozy Mystery Series. Her first novel, Crime and Parchment (Level Best Books, 2023), won the Agatha for Best First Mystery Novel. Her latest book, The Tell-Tale Homicide, comes out November 2024 from Level Best Books. She’s worked more than twenty years in museums and symphonies and has the great fortune of being married to a librarian. When she’s not writing, she’s drawing and painting. She lives in Maryland with her family. Although she’s not much of a baker, she won’t ever turn down a sweet lokshen kugel.
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