Essie Lang’s series debut is perfect for fans of Lorna Barrett, Vicki Delany, and book lovers everywhere.

Rookie bookstore owner Shelby Cox must hit the books to learn the ropes before she loses a killer in the stacks.

Shelby Cox never intended to become a bookseller, so when the former editor returns to her hometown of Alexandria Bay, nestled in upstate New York’s breathtaking Thousand Islands region, to take over her aunt’s bookstore, she has no idea what to expect. To her amazement, she discovers that she now owns a fifty-percent share in Bayside Books, and will also run the store’s second location in the majestic castle on nearby Blye Island.

But just as Shelby is gearing up for the start of the tourist season, the Castle volunteer coordinator is found murdered in the nearby Grotto. Castle caretaker Matthew Kessler is suspect number one, but Shelby thinks the killing may be connected to an earlier era, when violence among Prohibition-era smugglers was rampant in the region. As Shelby launches her own investigation, handsome and unnerving Special Agent Zack Griffin of the Coast Guard Investigative Services tries to quell her smuggling theory and keep her safe. But Shelby is determined to summon all her savvy as a book editor to plot the murder—and find the killer before he strikes again—in Trouble on the Books, Essie Lang’s clever and captivating series debut.

Essie Lang's profile page

Essie Lang has been nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel and has also been short-listed for an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada for Best Short Story under other pennames. She is a former mystery bookstore owner and still loves reading all the mysteries she can get her hands on. She also loves choral singing, which is not always so pleasant for her Siamese cat, Keesha, who must endure hours of practice. This is her first Castle Bookshop mystery.

Praise for Trouble on the Books:
“Lang’s debut features a naturally beautiful area and some promising characters.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A captivating setting and a murder steeped in historical significance...I thoroughly enjoyed this debut mystery in what is sure to become a favorite series among book lovers.”
—Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of Hitting the Books

“Don’t miss Shelby Cox’s first adventure; I’m sure you’ll want to come back for many more.”
—Paige Shelton, New York Times bestselling author of the Scottish Bookshop mysteries

“When events turn dangerous in an old smuggling haunt, new bookseller and retired book editor Shelby Cox uses her editorial smarts to save the innocent and capture the guilty.”
—Carolyn Hart, New York Times bestselling author of Walking on My Grave

“A likeable heroine, an intriguing mystery, and a full fun cast of characters I can’t wait to get to know better make this the perfect cozy read.”
—Vicki Delany, national bestselling author of A Scandal in Scarlet

“Essie Lang transports us to an island castle and grotto perfect for a great mystery, then, with her wonderful writing and characters, she delivers!”
—Mary Ellen Hughes, national bestselling author of A Fatal Collection

“If you like a good mystery with engaging characters, and revel in books or castles (or both!), then you will enjoy this novel.”
—Laura DiSilverio, national bestselling authors of the Readaholics Book Club mysteries

“A smart whodunit featuring a spunky bookseller, a beautiful castle, a remote island, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading until you get to the last page. I’m hooked!”
—Daryl Wood Gerber, Agatha Award winner and national bestselling author of the French Bistro mysteries

“A charming setting, an intelligent heroine, books, history, and murder! There’s a lot to love in Essie Lang’s first Castle Bookshop mystery. Readers are sure to want to come back for more.”
—Kylie Logan, bestselling author of Italian Iced

“A castle full of books, a ghost legend, a spunky heroine who lives on a houseboat, a curmudgeonly cat, a setting on a beautiful island, and of course a murder—all these elements combine to make a fun mystery!”
—Julia Buckley, bestselling author of the Writer’s Apprentice mysteries