I stumbled upon this book while browsing the mystery section of my local bookstore, looking for something fun and uplifting to read over the weekend. The beautiful, whimsical cover art of a tuxedo cat sitting in a bookshop window immediately caught my eye. When I read the blurb about a magical bookshop where the books choose the reader and a woman returning to her quirky hometown to solve a murder mystery, I was intrigued. I love cozy mysteries set in quaint small towns with unique local color.
From the very first page, I was captivated by the story of Violet Waverly, a young woman living in Chicago who rushes back to her hometown of Cascade Springs, New York when she learns her beloved grandmother and namesake, Daisy, is dying. However, when Violet arrives, she is shocked to find Daisy in perfect health and running her bookshop, Charming Books, where the books literally fly off the shelves to select their perfect reader.
I adored the magical realism elements woven throughout this charming mystery. The enchanted bookshop with its purring tuxedo cat and wise-cracking crow added such a delightful sense of whimsy and wonder. I wanted to transport myself into the book so I could wander through the shop and have a book magically choose me! The quaint small-town setting of Cascade Springs made me nostalgic for the close-knit community of my own hometown.
When Violet and Daisy find a dead man in the back alley clutching a book from Charming Books, Violet becomes determined to clear her grandmother’s name and investigate the murder. I enjoyed the way Flower intersperses the present-day mystery with flashbacks to an unsolved death from Violet’s past. As a teen, Violet was a suspect in the death of her best friend Lacey, though it was ruled a suicide. The two mysteries tie together in unexpected ways as Violet uncovers secrets from Cascade Springs’ history.
One of the strengths of this book is the colorful cast of secondary characters that make Cascade Springs come alive, from Daisy’s quirky group of Cascade Springs Historical Society friends to the handsome police chief David Rainwater who was Violet’s childhood crush. I especially loved Emerson the tuxedo cat and Faulkner the crow who added humor and heart. The characters were well-developed, and I became emotionally invested in their relationships and personal growth.
The pacing of the mystery kept me engaged as Violet follows the twists and turns to uncover the truth behind both Lacey’s death and the present-day murder. I loved how the clues are subtly interwoven with Cascade Springs’ history and Violet’s own past. The reveal was satisfying and made sense given the trail of clues. This exchange between Violet and Daisy after Violet cracks the cold case stuck with me:
“How did you figure it out?” Daisy asked. “All these years…”
“I had to learn to see what was really there,” I said. “Not just what I wanted to see. I finally found the truth.”
To me, this encapsulates a key theme of the book – that we often overlook the truth right in front of us until we examine a situation more closely. Violet had to reexamine her own past and the history of Cascade Springs from a fresh perspective to solve the mystery. This made me reflect on times in my own life when I needed to challenge my assumptions.
Another element I appreciated was the touch of romance between Violet and Chief Rainwater that develops slowly and naturally over the course of the book. It never overtakes the main mystery plot but adds an undercurrent of romantic tension. I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops over the course of the series.
The author’s writing style is engaging and warm. Her descriptions of the bookshop and small town are so vivid I felt I was transported there. The dialogue is witty and the prose has a charming, almost lyrical quality that matches the magical tone. For example, this description captivated me:
“The books fluttered with anticipation as I entered the shop, their pages rustling like wings. The very air seemed to hum with stories yet to be told and mysteries waiting to be solved.”
Flower has the knack for painting a scene and capturing a mood in a few well-chosen phrases. I can see why she is an Agatha Award-winning author. Her writing reminds me of other cozy mystery authors I love like Ellery Adams and Sofie Kelly who also feature magical cats and enchanted shops in charming small towns.
After I finished the book, I couldn’t stop thinking about it and wanted to discuss it with someone. I ended up texting my sister, who is also an avid cozy mystery reader. We had a long conversation about our favorite parts and the themes around family secrets, belonging, and creating your own path in life.
The book made me nostalgic for the comfort of my hometown and reflect on the idea of whether you can ever truly go home again. Violet’s journey back to Cascade Springs to rediscover her roots and grapple with her past really resonated with me. It made me want to plan a visit to my own hometown to reconnect with old friends and that sense of community.
I would wholeheartedly recommend “Crime and Poetry” to anyone who enjoys smartly plotted cozy mysteries with a touch of whimsy and magic. It has all the elements I look for in a cozy – a charming setting, quirky characters, an intriguing mystery, a hint of romance, and a feel-good ending. The magical realism elements add a unique twist that makes it stand out from other books in the genre.
I think this book would appeal to a wide range of readers, from cozy mystery fans to anyone who enjoys stories of self-discovery and small-town secrets. I can see it being a great choice for a book club because there are so many themes to discuss around family, friendship, belonging, and creating your own future while making peace with the past.
I’m so glad I discovered this book and this author. I’ve already bought the next two books in the series and can’t wait to read them to revisit these characters and see what happens next. I have a feeling this will become one of my new favorite cozy mystery series to turn to when I need an uplifting, magical escape. I know Charming Books and the residents of Cascade Springs will be staying with me for a long time.