Books, cats and a little bit of magic!
I began writing this series during the interesting time that was summer 2020. I felt like writing something new and a little bit different. So what better to do than escape into a magical secondhand bookshop?
These short novels are still mysteries, but there’s plenty of humour, some magic and just a bit of fantasy going on too. Basically, they’re the light, fun reads that I wanted in a difficult time.
Every Trick In The Book
Turning over a new leaf doesn’t always go according to plan…
When Jemma James takes a job at Burns Books, the second-worst secondhand bookshop in London, she finds her ambition to turn it around thwarted at every step. Raphael, the owner, is more interested in his newspaper than sales. Folio the bookshop cat has it in for Jemma, and the shop itself appears to have a mind of its own. Or is it more than that?
Gradually Jemma starts to make a difference … and then the anonymous letters start arriving. Who is behind them, and why?
As the threats escalate, and the shop becomes increasingly turbulent, Jemma and Raphael must work together to find the culprit. And what else will Jemma find in her investigations?
Every Trick In The Book is the first in the Magical Bookshop humorous mystery series, set in modern London.
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Brought To Book
Not all new brooms sweep clean…
Business is booming at Burns Books — so much so that Jemma and Raphael hire a new assistant. And that’s when things start to go wrong.
Luke’s helpful, he’s knowledgeable, and the customers like him. So why is the shop up to its old tricks, and a few new ones? And what’s the matter with Folio?
Jemma and Carl take it upon themselves to investigate, and end up finding out a lot more than they bargained for. Will working at the bookshop ever be the same again?
Brought To Book is the second in the Magical Bookshop humorous mystery series, set in modern London.
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Double Booked
A bookshop of one’s own…
Jemma’s dream of running her own bookshop is turning into a nightmare. She has plenty of ideas, but her assistant Maddy is resistant to the slightest change. Come to that, so are the customers. She’d turn to boyfriend Carl for support, but he’s wrapped up in an exciting new project.
To distract herself, Jemma gets involved in Raphael’s attempt to recruit a new member of staff — but that doesn’t go entirely to plan either, as his wider team turns against him.
Despite their best efforts, Jemma and Raphael are both struggling to cope. Can they work out what’s going on and get their lives back to normal before they run out of time?
Double Booked is the third in the Magical Bookshop humorous mystery series, set in modern London.
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By The Book
Knowledge is power…or is it?
When Jemma takes on the post of Assistant Keeper, she wonders if she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Her boss Raphael has every confidence in her … but Jemma is less convinced.
It’s much easier to lose herself in getting the bookshops ready for Christmas. But when Carl hands in his notice, Jemma has to accept that things will change.
Then a mysterious developer targets the shops in their neighbourhood, with the aim of putting a transport hub in their place. When a very familiar figure from Jemma’s past shows up, Jemma can’t help but smell a rat.
Will Jemma and Raphael be able to stop the developers and save the shop? Can Jemma step up to her new responsibilities? And will they ever find out where Folio keeps sneaking off to?
By The Book is the fourth in the Magical Bookshop humorous mystery series, set in modern London.
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Black Books
May you live in interesting times…
Jemma is happy in her work, busy managing the bookshops and handling knowledge emergencies, so when Raphael mentions more responsibility, she says no. She hadn’t realised Raphael meant his job.
Her new boss seems efficient, competent and rigorous: everything Raphael isn’t. They ought to get on like a house on fire, but sparks fly from the moment they meet. The bookshop is increasingly volatile, too. And Raphael’s on secondment in Italy…
Knowledge emergencies are rising, tensions are mounting, and Jemma’s own job is at stake. Can she work out what’s going on and stop it before the worst happens?
Black Books is the fifth in the Magical Bookshop humorous mystery series, set in modern London.
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Fully Booked
Is this the final chapter?
Jemma is settling into her new role: coordinating a team to watch out for the elusive Drusilla. But when London is beset by strange happenings, she finds herself in the thick of the action – and not in a good way.
Meanwhile, her boss Lennox plans to lighten the workload. Unfortunately, he means his own. Torn between running the bookshops, keeping watch, and investigating what is going on in London, Jemma knows something has to give.
After some tough decisions, Jemma has the support she needs. But the more they dig, the clearer it becomes that the chaos in London is the work of more than one person. Who is behind it all? And as they draw closer to the truth, Jemma discovers that she is in danger too…
Can Jemma save herself and the city before she runs out of time?
Fully Booked is the sixth in the Magical Bookshop humorous mystery series, set in modern London.
Liz Hedgecock 