Shhh…This is a library, and we’re investigating a murder… Marvey has just moved from Brooklyn to a quirky small town in Georgia. When she’s not at the library organizing events for readers, she’s handcrafting book-themed jewelry and looking after her cranky cat. Her new life in the South is taking some getting used to...and that’s before the discovery of the dead body in the bookstore. When one of her friends becomes a suspect, Marvey sets out to solve the murder mystery. She manages to persuade Spence, the wealthy and charming newspaper owner, to help her investigate. With his ties to the community, her talents for research, and her fellow librarians’ knowledge, Marvey closes in on the truth. But could she be facing a deadly plot twist? Excerpt “This is ridiculous.” Jo’s eyes flashed with irritation as her gaze swung to the back of her store. “The signing has started, and Fiona still hasn’t brought out her books. Now, I’m going to have to hustle to help her set everything up.” “I’ll help.” I hurried to follow Jo as she whirled toward a book aisle. “So will I.” Spence’s voice came from behind me. Jo stopped long enough to give us a grateful look. “Thank you, but I can’t ask you to work for me. You’re here as guests.” Spence arched a thick black eyebrow. “We’re also your friends. Let us help.” “Okay, since you’ve twisted my arm.” Jo turned to continue her agitated march down the aisle. I struggled to both keep up with Jo and speed read the titles on the passing shelves. We were in the young adult section. I hesitated in front of a newly released title. Spence nudged me along. I caught up with Jo. “This won’t endear her to the other members of her group.” I remembered the way Zelda had acted, as though Fiona was She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. “I don’t think Fiona likes them, either.” Jo’s tone was dry. “What makes you think that?” Spence asked. Jo glanced at us over her shoulder. “It’s just a feeling I got from her when we were organizing this signing.” Jo crossed into the storage room. Spence and I were right behind her. The room was dimly lit in comparison to the main part of the store. Empty boxes stood to the side, waiting to be flattened for recycling. Step ladders and carts were stored in a corner for easy access. Shelving affixed to the walls held office supplies such as paper, printer inks, packing tape, markers, and box cutters. In the center of the room, two matching dark wood tables balanced open boxes of books still to be shelved. On the far table, Fiona’s books had been unpacked, only needing a cart to carry them out. But who would operate the cart? Was I the only one feeling uneasy? “Where’s Fiona?” In front of me, Jo frowned as her store owner’s attention seemed to catalog the room’s contents. To my right, Spence appeared to be scanning the room, searching for the source of the disquiet. I stepped forward. “Marvey, wait.” Spence’s voice stopped me. But not before I saw the body, lying in a pool of blood on the far side of the rear table. I must have rocketed a foot into the air before landing on semi-solid ground. Spence’s large, strong hands gripped my shoulders to steady me. Jo gasped. “Oh, my God. Fiona.” Praise for Murder by Page One “…the book left me with a yearning for more adventures with Marvey, Jo and Spence.”— Dru’s Musings “Words like cozy, quirky, suspenseful, and delightful, all came to mind, because each of those words sum up what is good about this Hallmark debut release.”— Romance in Color “A lively cozy mystery debut that’s a delight to read.”— NetGalley review