Dona's Reviews > Death of a Bookseller

Thank you to the author Alice Slater, publishers Scarlet and W. W. Norton, and Edelweiss, for an advance digital copy of DEATH OF A BOOK SELLER.

This book held me like fists around my lungs and didn't let go until the very end, which I did not see coming, by the way. Bodie Roach is a bookseller (someone who works in a bookstore) in London, not in love with her job, or her place living with her mom, whom she could also take or leave, or her job, except that it allows her to order and read books without ever paying. And she really only likes one kind of book-- true crime books, double points if they're about serial killers.

When Laura joins the book store staff, she knows right away that something is off about Roach. But Roach can tell something is off about the pretty, perfect Laura as well. These two are destined to be besties.

I didn't know what to expect from this book going in, and honestly not knowing anything makes this book ten times better. That's why I skimped so much on my story blurb. This is a well executed plot, that burns slow. Be patient while it unfolds. Slater wants you to chew yours nails to the quick, waiting for the next turn in the story.

I think Slater's execution of Brodie as a character is so well done. Again, I don't want to give too many details here so I don't ruin the book, but she is terrifying and pitiful, a brilliant antagonist force. Character work in general here is very fine.

Rating: 🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌 / 5 slimy snails
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: February 9 2023
Read this book if you like:
🔪 Mystery thrillers
📚 Bookish stories
🩶 Morally grey characters
📰 True crime
👤 Psychological thrillers