Off the Books (A Novel Idea Mystery)

Inspiration Valley is a wonderful place to live, but be aware that murder has taken up residence here. The authors who arrived for Novel Idea Literary Agency's weeklong event are stunned when they are caught up in a murder investigation. They didn't know that they had a murder magnet in their midst. Lila Wilkins is a literary agent at Novel Idea. She's always in the thick of things. I liked her. She's intelligent, observant and full of spunk. Her sleuthing drew me into the story and kept me reading. I needed to find out who killed Chuck, the handy man. He made enemies easily and with good reason. Who hated him enough to kill him? There are plenty of suspects and potential motives. I was without a clue as to the killer until the surprise twist at the very end. I couldn't figure out who the culprit was. I loved the secondary characters. They added so much drama to the story. Also, the dialogue filled with literary names was amusing. Lila's mama is a hoot. I know who Lila takes after. However, the biggest troublemaker is a small bundle of fur known as Olive. Lucy Arlington just keeps getting better. I love this series (A Novel Idea Mystery).

In Off the Books, Lucy Arlington (a pen name of cozy author Susan Furlong) takes us back to Inspiration Valley where literary agent Lila Wilkins works with a collection of interesting colleagues, deals with her fortune-telling mother and college-confused son, enjoys a variety of local friendships, and is involved with the town’s police detective. In each installment of this fun series, the literary agency helps produce a lavish event of some sort, bringing together vendors and authors around a theme. This time the theme is weddings, especially appealing to Lila since she is planning her own wedding to Detective Sean Griffiths. Visiting vendors and authors, each with an ego and many with secrets and grudges, provide ample suspects in the most recent Inspiration Valley murder, and Lila’s determined questioning and investigating put her in danger. This is a fun read, and it will keep the reader guessing about how the many and varied threads will come together. Happily recommended

I have always enjoyed this series with its likeable heroine Lila, her psychic Mom (the Amazing Althea), cop boy friend and literary agency setting. While Off the Books can be read as a standalone mystery, it is so much more fun to read this series in order.Off the Books had me turning the pages quickly and I was completely fooled as to the identity of the killer even though I changed my opinion several times as I read. I really enjoyed being completely fooled as it doesn't happen often, but the challenge of guessing whodunit is half the fun of reading mysteries.

This series truly never fails to disappoint!! I have been reading this series since the first book, and it seems every book becomes more and more enthralling! I absolutely love the characters, Inspiration Valley, Lila's dream job and agency, and all of the wonderful charm woven into each and every chapter! It's one thing to be just a simple, enjoyable cozy mystery, but this series is just brilliant all the way around from exciting story lines to the way the author is able to bring vividly clear voices to each and every character. There was a "shout out" to Carol Hart's "Death on Demand" series, so clearly the author has wonderful taste and inspiration. :) Thank you for yet another delectably marvelous edition to my favorite cozy series!!!

This is another great addition to the Novel Idea Mystery Series. All of the characters are so much fun.Lila and company are planning a Wedding Themed Week for all of those in Inspiration Valley but find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery when someone is found dead when the celebrations just begin. There were a lot of twists and turns in this book which made it that much more fun to read. In the end, Lila saves that day and a surprise murderer is brought to justice. Great job.

So nice to return to Inspiration Valley and reconnect with Lila and the gang. Lila is a smart cookie in this one and I loved that. A few new characters were introduced and Lucy Arlington does this so well. I wasn't frustrated with having to flip back and forth trying to keep track of who's who. Lila plays many roles and she does so with the flaws and raw emotions that we all do. One particular exchange between her and her mother had me nodding and chuckling remember myself behaving in much the same way. The mystery hit on a delicate subject and its effects on the human psyche and ended in a surprising conclusion. This series continues to be a favorite of mine.

Fun entry in a nice cozy series. This time a bridal expo is being mixed with books of course. Killer seemed a bit obvious. Can't say I really want to attend any of these events. The addition of a furry devil in shape of a spaniel at the office is interesting as is Bailey's development. Curious about next entry and how that will shape up. With two books building up to her getting a man an a personal life I am sure it will be a doozy.

This is a very enjoyable series. The characters are interesting and the plots are not wildly implausible. The characters seem to be growing over time. In this particular book, the motive is a little unusual and the murder weapon is unique. The heroine's personal life advances and there is a dog. All the elements for a good story are here.

Great cosy murder mystery. Engaging and enjoyable. I am pleased with my purchase and would buy again.

It took me ages to read it

I was excited to receive the newest book in this series, having loved them all previously. I was excitedly reading my way along, when I got to page 56 which ended oddly... to be followed by page 201. This went until page 232, and then back to 89. The book then went on as normally. Sadly, 57-88 were nowhere to be found. Seriously? Frustrating, and getting returned.