In the Event of Murder

It's the star-studded event of the season in Silvercrest, Colorado-but some of the guests might not make it to the last dance alive in the second charming installment in the Starlit Bookshop mysteries, perfect for fans of Paige Shelton and Kate Carlisle.


Nestled on the banks of a breathtaking Rocky Mountain river and dotted with upscale restaurants, boutiques, and galleries, Silvercrest, Colorado, is a book lover's paradise. Emma Starrs is flourishing at her aunt Nora's famed bookstore, Starlit Books-and now, she's looking forward to attending the annual gala at the Silvercrest Library. It will be a glamourous evening with celebrities including movie legend and Silvercrest native Whitney Willton and her niece, caterer-to-the-stars Lyra Willton. At the tea preceding the gala, library board president Tabitha Baxter is basking in the glow of her success-until Lyra is found dead during the evening's film screening.

At an emergency meeting the next morning, the planning committee replaces Lyra with Emma as event planner. With the gala only three days away, Tabitha-long Emma's nemesis-is bristling over the choice. Whitney knows Emma's legendary sleuthing skills, and at Lyra's memorial service, she begs her to find the killer. But the case grows ever more complex with the disappearance of a priceless antique from the silent auction and a brutal attack on one of the attending celebrities. And in an awful twist, the Baxter Ballroom burns to the ground, leaving Emma without a venue.

Miraculously, Emma finds a new site, and the gala gets underway. But a killer still lurks in the shadows-and murder just might be the main event.