Short Story Reviews: Shhhh... Murder!

A collection of cozy murder mysteries using a librarian character or library setting. Sounds like my cup of tea!

Shhhh... Murder!, edited by Andrew MacRae, pulls you in from the first story. This anthology introduces each story with a bit about the author, and his or her attachment to libraries. Some had careers as librarians, while others grew up as I did, considering the local library a second home. 

Wuthering Stacks by Deborah Lacy and Pat Hernas hops right into the world of libraries and librarians with a difficult patron dangling the promise of a big donation over the hapless librarian. Add a body and a pile of torn-up books, and you have a mystery in dire need of a solution.

Mr. Sugarman Visits the Bookmobile by Michael Bracken: Graham Sugarman is the primary patron of the bookmobile when it stops in the dried up town of Quarryville, Texas. He selects five books because this is the limit. Graham spends his week reading the books. An accident driving a school bus left him a local hero, but also a bit damaged. His world is upended when the bookmobile fails to arrive the next week. He was the last person to see the librarian/driver alive, but he's not sure what he witnessed. I was delighted when Bracken referenced the Quarryville Smokehouse from a previous story - Smoked - in Noir at the Salad Bar. Excellent wordsmithing combined with vividly drawn characters and an emotionally engaging plot makes for delightful reading.

I'll be sharing my thoughts on more stories in this fun anthology as I make my way through the fictional stacks.

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