A bookstore, a brilliant parrot, and a 40-year-old conspiracy that someone will kill to keep buried...

When Martin Bishop collapses and dies in Charlotte "Charlie" Thorne's cozy bookstore, it looks like a simple heart attack. But Percy, Charlie's remarkably intelligent African grey parrot, witnessed something far more sinister. With his uncanny ability to remember voices and conversations, Percy becomes an unlikely detective partner as Charlie uncovers a web of corruption, murder, and stolen land that reaches back four decades.

What starts as curiosity becomes a fight for survival when Charlie discovers:

• Her own family was targeted by the conspiracy

• Multiple "accidents" and "disappearances" were actually murders

• The truth is hidden in coded messages within a rare book

• Someone is willing to kill again to keep the past buried

Armed with her research skills, Percy's extraordinary memory, and help from her best friend Claire the librarian, Charlie must decode forty years of lies before she becomes the next victim. But in the small town of Pine Hollow, corruption runs deeper than anyone imagined, and the most trusted citizens may be the most dangerous.

Perfect for fans of Louise Penny, Donna Andrews, and Laura Childs who love clever protagonists, charming small-town settings, and mysteries that blend cozy comfort with genuine suspense.

? What readers love about Murder by the Book: A unique talking parrot sidekick who steals every scene
A bookstore owner heroine who uses academic skills to solve crimes
Intricate plotting with historical conspiracy elements
Authentic small-town atmosphere with dark secrets
Perfect balance of cozy comfort and genuine mystery
Series starter with satisfying standalone plot

"A delightfully original cozy mystery that combines the charm of a small-town bookstore with the intrigue of a decades-old conspiracy. Percy the parrot is an absolute scene-stealer, and Charlie Thorne is the kind of protagonist you'll want to follow through many more mysteries."

cozy mystery, bookstore mystery, talking parrot, small town secrets, amateur sleuth, conspiracy thriller, quirky detective, librarian mystery, book lover fiction, clean mystery series

Book 1 in the Bookstore Murders Series
Standalone mystery with series potential

Start reading today and discover why readers are calling this "the most original cozy mystery in years!"

Perfect for readers who enjoy clean mysteries with heart, humor, and just enough suspense to keep you turning pages late into the night.

• We started tracking this book on June 27, 2025.
• This book was £0.00 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 2 times in the past 106 days.
• The current price of this book is FREE last checked 28 minutes ago.
• The lowest price to date was FREE last reached on October 8, 2025.
• This book has been FREE 2 times since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was £2.93 last reached on July 2, 2025.
• This book has been £2.93 one time since we started tracking it.
• This book is currently at its lowest price since we started tracking it.

• Crime, Thriller & MysteryMysteryCozyBooks, Bookstores & Libraries
• Crime, Thriller & MysteryCrime FictionMurder

• Publication Date: June 24, 2025
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 160 Pages
• File Size: 467 KB