Melki's Reviews > Death of a Bookseller

Though the title implies this is a grab-a-cup-of-tea-and-plunk-a-cat-on-your-lap cozy mystery . . . there's nothing cozy, or even mysterious about this book.

Roach hates "normies" - golden, smiling women who love pumpkin spice lattes. She's heavily into true crime, both books and podcasts, and once followed "school shooters like rock stars."

Laura, even her name exudes sighs of happiness, and sun-drenched blondness - a Pumpkin Spice Girl if there ever was one, now works at the same chain bookstore as Roach.

When Roach spots a copy of I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer in Laura's bag, she thinks she's found something of a soulmate in her fellow employee. Laura, it turns out, is actually disgusted by true crime, and is not overly fond of Roach.

"I feel like she's circling me. She's always there, always watching me, always trying to get my attention." she says.

But, Roach is convinced they should be friends, and is puzzled by Laura's lack of interest, saying, "She thinks she's better than me. We have so much in common, loads and loads, but she doesn't give a shit."

Even if you didn't know the title, you can see that this isn't going to end well . . .

What an absorbing page-turner, with a twisty, Single White Female vibe! Highly recommended to anyone looking for an engrossing thriller.


Thanks to NetGalley and W.W. Norton, who also supplied a physical ARC.