Valentine Murder: A Lucy Stone Mystery (Lucy Stone Mysteries) [Paperback]

Leslie Meier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010 | Series: Lucy Stone Mysteries

It's Valentine's Day in Tinker's Cove. And while the cupcakes Lucy Stone is baking for her children will have pink frosting and candy hearts, Lucy's thoughts aren't centered on sugary sentiments. She's barely arrived at her first board meeting of the newly-renovated library when Bitsy Howell, the new librarian, is found dead in the basement, shot only minutes before story hour was to start. The agitated board members assume that Bitsy was killed by an outsider, until Detective Lt. Horowitz arrives on the scene and announces that the killer is among them.

Lucy was already aware that Bitsy's uppity big city ways rubbed some people in Tinker's Cove the wrong way. But she has a hunch that motives for the librarian's violent death run a lot deeper. From Hayden Norcross's elegant antique shop to Corney Clark's chic kitchen, Lucy relentlessly snoops into the curious lifestyles and shocking secrets of Tinker's Cove's most solid citizens--secrets that will plunge her into a terrifying confrontation with a conniving killer. . .

"Meier includes domestic details that add charm to this lighthearted cozy." --Publishers Weekly

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When plucky freelance writer Lucy Stone joins the library board in her small Maine town, she unexpectedly finds herself knee-deep in murder. Right before her first meeting, Lucy discovers librarian Bitsy Howell shot through the heart in a workroom. A state police detective tells Lucy that only board members were present at the time of the unpopular librarian's death; he also warns her to stay away from the investigation. Lucy agrees but, still curious, she decides to find out as much as she can about the other suspects, and learns that each board member was hiding a potentially lethal secret. She also discovers that the library's prized antique tankard, which was recently appraised by antique dealer Hayden Northcross, is a fake. When Hayden dies in what looks like a suicide, it's assumed by the cops?but not by Lucy?that he had killed Bitsy because she'd realized he'd stolen the authentic tankard. Before Lucy can piece together all the clues to reveal the culprit, her children are nearly run over, her car is set afire and her husband is placed in mortal danger. Meier's (Back to School Murder, etc.) inclusion of the domestic details attendant to Lucy's small, close-knit community add charm to this otherwise routine, if lighthearted, cozy.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Not-so-reluctant series sleuth Lucy Stone (Back to School Murder, Kensington, 1997) is thrust into a new murder investigation when, on her first day as a new library board member in Tinker's Cove, ME, she discovers a body. As it turns out, librarian Bitsy Howell, the victim, had no friends and more than one enemy owing to her inventive bad-mouthing of library patrons behind their backs. Despite warnings from the police and her husband, Lucy questions other board members, concluding that the library's prize pewter tankard may be the key. Nothing heavyweight or psychological here, just cozy small-town chatter, short-list suspects, and simple plot. Recommended for larger collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; Reprint edition (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758228910
• ISBN-13: 978-0758228918
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (-: Read this book :-), April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Valentine Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries, No. 6) (Hardcover)

i was first introduced to the Lucy Stone Mysteries in one of her latest books - Back to School Murder. I think these books are so clever and never boring in any way. After I read Back to School Murder, I was hooked. I soon found out there were three other books by Leslie Meier. I couldn't wait to read them, they were all great! I loved everyone of them, unfortunately I read them way out of order, but enjoyed them none the less. I enjoyed these books and so will you, read them all!! If you are murder mystery fan and especially love Leslie Meier e-mail me, I would love to hear from you!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's Going On in the Library?, February 16, 2008

By 

J. E. Stephens "Jeanne" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Valentine Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries, No. 6) (Paperback)

A murder in the library? Lucy begins her service as a library board member by finding a body in the basement. Lucy finds herself investigating another murder because she has more than one mystery to solve. Something is not quite right in the library. I suspected many people of the murder until the real killer was revealed. This was an interesting quick read that will hold your interest. I look forward to more books by this author.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Valentine Murder, February 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Valentine Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries, No. 6) (Paperback)

If you are looking for a light, entertaining read, this is the book for you. I enjoy reading stories about women I can relate to. Lucy Stone is a housewife and mother, not a jet-hopping, globe trotting woman of the world. I will definately be picking up the other books in this series.