Review: DEATH BY THE BOOK by Julianna Deering (Bethany House, 2014)

From Bethany House: WHEN THE VILLAGE OF FARTHERING ST. JOHN IS Stunned BY A SERIES OF MURDERS, DREW FARTHERING IS DRAWN again INTO THE SLEUTHING GAME.
Drew Farthering wanted nothing more than to end the summer of 1932 with the announcement of his engagement. Instead, he finds himself caught up in another mysterious case when the family solicitor is found murdered, an antique hatpin with a cryptic message, Advice to Jack, piercing his chest.
Evidence of secret meetings and a young girl's tearful confession point to the victim's double life, but what does the solicitor's murder have to do with the murder of a physician on the local golf course? Nothing, it would seem--except for another puzzling note, affixed with a similar-looking bloodied hatpin.
Soon the police make an arrest in connection with the murders, but Drew isn't at all certain they have the right suspect in custody. And why does his investigation seem to be drawing him closer and closer to home?

Audience: Adult (Clean)
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Historical, Inspirational
Length: 320 pgs

Rating: *****+ (A FANTASTIC book I loved and would recommend!)

Review: Back when I reviewed RULES OF MURDER, the first Drew Farthering mystery, I could not wait for DEATH BY THE BOOK to come out. I wasn't disappointed. It was the same fun characters with some awesome new additions. A surprise at the end! (Surprisingly not predicable in the mystery!) I think that Ms. Deering is really a master at this mystery thing, and I just plain adore the fun romp that we always get to go on as we read. The dialogue is snappy, witty, and charming. The pacing is wonderful. My only, itty-bitty complaint is that I started to get frustrated with Madeline in holding off Drew. It feels almost cruel and that she's leading him on, although the author tries to explain that it's just indecision.

Source: I was given a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Content: Rate 1-5; 1 being minor instances, 5 being saturated.

Sex - 1 (Drew and Maddie discuss how easily it is to go further, but it's absolutely respectful)

Violence - 2 (It is a murder mystery...Nothing graphic.)

Language - 0

Preaching - 1 (But it's so seamless that it works very well with the plot.)

Overall rating - G

Try this. Like witty novels with a bit of a thrill? Try FRIENDS & FOES by Sarah M. Eden.