Murder in Volume

In the 1st book in the Murder by the Yard series, we are introduced to Megan Clark, a reference librarian who starts a mystery lover's reading group called "Murder by the Yard". They meet at the "Time and Again" bookstore, a store specializing in used books, and the group enjoys heated debates regarding some of the mystery genre's most famous authors. When the group's most hated member is found murdered in front of the bookstore after a particularly nasty clash between group members, everyone is considered a suspect. And when Megan and her best friend, Ryan Stevens, stumble upon the body, their proximity to the body makes them instant suspects. However, it is soon discovered the Ryan has such an aversion to blood that he passed out upon seeing the body, and Megan was left alone with the victim for some time before the police arrived. She had the opportunity, and motive after arguing with the victim and the police take a close look at her to discover the means. While trying to find a killer, Megan works hard to clear her own name without becoming a victim herself. I liked this book, even though Megan's hang-ups over her looks did annoy me. I have to admit that I am short...actually shorter than Megan is described to be. The thing about Megan is that she hates the fact that she is short, and that everyone calls her "cute". I have never really thought about being short...it is just something that I am and cannot change. I would think that a woman of her education and age would get over being "vertically challenged", as I call it. Who cares? And to go on and on about it, actually had me a bit annoyed. With that said, I really enjoyed the rest of the book. I liked the way the perspective shifted between a third-person narrator, and between first-person as told by Ryan. I was a little disappointed that their relationship was left completely hanging at the end (no mention was even made of it), and am looking forward to reading more books in this series to see how it develops. The next book in the series is called "By Hook or By Book". Enjoy!

This first in a new series is very cleverly put together. The narration switches from first person to third person. It's set in the best of places -- a bookstore! The references to other mysteries -- both classic and modern -- are fun to follow. I even found a few with which I wasn't yet familiar, so I'm going to look those up. The eccentric characters are like dessert. More!

Murder In Volume by D.R. Meredith sparkles with wickedly accurate observations about human nature. The various members of this mystery reading group morph into an unlikely collection of amateur sleuths who don't hesitate to "help" the policemen trying to solve a murder. All are convinced their literary expertise gives them an ideal vantage point for analyzing crime scenes. Lieutenant Jerry Carr has plenty to cope with, just solving what become multiple murders without trying to protect these zany helpers. Megan Clark, a most appealing heroine and her reluctant and worshipful Watson, and not so secret admirer, Ryan Stevens, leads the charge. This book is a must buy for cozy readers.

It's always interesting for a mystery reader to imagine what it might be like to be involved in solving a real murder (though I don't think most of us would really like such a thing to happen!). That's one reason I enjoyed this mystery; another is the (mostly) likable characters. It's easy to figure out whodunit, but it's all very entertaining nonetheless. I hope there will be more in this series. If you'd like to read another book, British in this case, about mystery readers getting involved in a murder, I highly recommend the very well-written "Bloodhounds" by Peter Lovesey.

I enjoyed Murder in Volume. Being a female scientist who grew up in the Texas Panhandle, I felt a connection to the main character. Although it is relatively easy to deduct the murderer, the motive is what I found to be both interesting and unique. I am looking forward to further issues of this series!