Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Review and Giveaway: Buried in a Book

Buried in a Book (Novel Idea - Book 1 by Lucy Arlington 
  
Publication Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 298pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425246191
ISBN: 0425246191

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)


Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound


Lucy Arlington on the WEB: website, facebook


Excerpt from Buried in a Book (Amazon Look Inside Feature)


Synopsis:


"My first day as an intern at the Novel Idea Literary Agency began with a caramel latte, a stack of five hundred query letters, and a dead man. I don't know which was worse: the queries or the corpse."


After receiving her first pink slip at the age of forty-five, former newspaper journalist Lila Wilkins is desperate for work, even if it means taking a pay cut. After combing through the classifieds, Lila accepts an internship at A Novel Idea, a thriving literary agency in the utopian town of Inspiration Valley, North Carolina.


Lila can't imagine anything better than being paid to read, but with a crew of quirky coworkers and a sky-high stack of query letters, she doesn't exactly have time to discover the next great bestseller - especially when a penniless aspiring author drops dead in the agency's waiting room.


No one else seems too concerned about the man's demise, but when Lila uncovers a series of threatening letters, she's determined to uncover who killed the man's dreams of literary stardom...


Thoughts:


Buried in a Book is the terrific debut cozy by Lucy Arlington. This is whodunit set against the backdrop of a picturesque North Carolina town, gives the reader a behind the scenes look at the first part of the publishing process. Queries and stories, and murders... oh my! Arlington shows a knack for character and relationship development in this novel and readers will see the potential for a fantastic new series in every word. 

There were so many things that I liked about this book. As a freelance journalist myself, I have sent a gazillion query letters in my time and I really felt for Lila, Arlington's protagonist in this one. On her first day of work at the literary agency she is completely covered up in query letters. I loved the background that Arlington gives on the publishing process and I am really looking forward to the many different directions she could take this aspect of the series in subsequent books. I see a great deal of potential in this whole idea.

The characters were shining stars in this whodunit. Lila is an amazing woman who's been a bit down on her luck. She loses a job she loves due to budget cuts and has to take what she can get in order to finance her son's education. But I don't think amateur sleuthing was part of the bargain. When a man ends up dead in the waiting and the police are less than cooperative, Lila takes it upon herself to see why someone would want a homeless writer dead. It's a great premise and Lucy is a perfect protagonist. 

The secondary characters are also well thought out and written. From Lila's fortune telling mother, Althea to her son Trey, Lila's family is a real trip. I also enjoyed the budding relationship between Lila and Officer Sean. I thought Arlington balanced Lila's sleuthing and her personal life, very well. She kept both aspects of the story lively and full of surprises. I found myself really intrigued by Lila's co-workers and especially by the town itself. Inspiration Valley isn't what you might expect.

The town almost takes on the persona of a character itself. Arlington describes it and it's townspeople with flair and fun. From the shop names to the cobblestones, this is town readers will want to visit again and again. I'm glad this is the first book in a new series, because I want to go back and I think readers will too. This is fantastic cozy debut and book buffs not only a good whodunit, but a great literary background. This one has oodles of potential.



Buried in a Book is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.


I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag.





GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Buried in a Book by Lucy Arlington.


~ You must be a GFC follower or an e-mail subscriber to participate. 
~ US addresses only!
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST March 7th


1. Please leave a comment in appreciation of the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

22 comments:

Wendy Newcomb said...

Thank you for hosting this giveaway, I'm finding I like the cozy mystery's.

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

Booklady said...

I loved this book. I received an ARC too, but would love to win a finished copy for my collection. I think Lila has dream job (second only to that of being a librarian.) I really look forward to reading more about her.

Beverly

bevarcher at me dot com

Beth said...

I've seen this around and really want to try it! It looks like the start to a great series!

Myra C said...

I enjoyed your review and this sounds like a great debut cozy read!

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a lot of fun to read.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Theresa N. said...

That's hilarious the letters or the body, I can see why.
Theresa n
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

lag123 said...

I have read really good reviews on this one. I have it on my wishlist.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I can't wait to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

Karen B said...

I've read nothing but great reviews for this book and have it on my wishlist! Looking forward to a wonderful cozy series.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

In Julie's Opinion said...

I love finding great new cozy mysteries and this definitely looks like a good one! Thanks for bringing it to my attention and for the chance to win a copy:)

Renee said...

I can't wait to read this one! Sounds wonderful!

cyn209 said...

yays!! another new cozy mystery!!! thank you for this giveaway!!!

Sue Farrell said...

The name of the town is intriging in itself--Inspiration Valley--what a place to write books!
Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

bn100 said...

I enjoyed your review, especially about the characters and town. It sounds like an intriguing read.

Carol N Wong said...

This idea for a cozy series is wonderful. I love cozies but I also would like to find out what her new job was like.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Denise Z said...

I love reading a good cozy and getting to know an entire town and character group. They become neighbors :) Thank you for your lovely review and for the awesome giveaway opportunity.

LB said...

being paid to read sounds good to me! I like that this has a different setting than many cozy mysteries!

Angela - Bookaunt said...

Thank you for the chance to win. I love me some cozies.

griperang at embarqmail dot com

rubynreba said...

Sounds like a beautiful setting. North Carolina is beautiful. Love to read this.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

catslady said...

Oh a debut story and a new author to discover! Sounds like a great page turner.

catslady5(at)aol.com

KMichelleC87 said...

Thanks for the chance to win this book. Looks good
Kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

Stacie said...

I'm looking forward to reading this debut cozy. I love the whole literary theme. Definitely looks like a fun new series to follow. Thanks for the giveaway :)

scouts579(at)aol(dot)com