On the third Wednesday of each month, I’ll feature a cozy mystery I read long ago. Backlist titles make my heart sing and hopefully you’ll find some new to you reads for your cozy TBR. This month we’re going back to the year 2023 to talk about:

It’s your lucky day, because I’m going to share my thoughts on both books in the Bookbinding Mystery Series, a two book series by Harper Kincaid.

Book 1: To Kill a Mocking Girl

Quinn Victoria Caine is back in her quirky town of Vienna, Virginia, starting her new life as a bookbinder in her family-owned, charm-for-days bookshop, Prose & Scones. With her trusty German Shephard RBG-‘Ruff Barker’ Ginsburg by her side, what can go Wrong?

I loved everything about this new cozy mystery. The setting of a smallish town in Virginia, the characters, the dialogue (so funny), and the mystery—all so much fun. I love stories that feature strong family relationships and friendships.

Book 2: A Midsummer Night’s Scheme

All the world’s a stage, but it may be curtains for bookbinder Quinn Caine’s brother if she can’t bring the lights down on an actor’s killer, in this mystery perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Kate Carlisle.

I was so glad to be back with Quinn and Sister Daria and their lovely small town of Vienna. The setting was perfect. This story is told from both Quinn’s and Daria’s points of views which took me a bit to get the hang of, but once the action started rolling I was in. And I still have the shivers thinking about the action that involved snakes in a locked car and spiders in a bed. I think I read those parts with my hand over my face, just letting my eyes peek out. I also enjoyed how very real the relationships are in the story and that the author doesn’t shy away from struggles within a relationship–that feels unique to a cozy mystery and I’m here for it.