In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Colorado
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (August 20, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages

It’s the star-studded event of the season in Silvercrest, Colorado—but some of the guests might not make it to the last dance alive in the second charming installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from Agatha Award-winning author Cynthia Kuhn.

Nestled on the banks of a breathtaking Rocky Mountain river and dotted with delightful boutiques and galleries, Silvercrest, Colorado, is a book lover’s paradise. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is looking forward to attending the annual Silvercrest Library Gala, a glamorous evening with celebrities including the legendary Whitney Willton, currently on the hit crime show Chasers, and her niece, party-planner-to-the-stars Lyra Willton. Gala Week is full of exciting activities honoring both page and screen, and library board president Tabitha Baxter is basking in the glow of her successful launch—until Lyra is found dead.

With the gala only days away, the board asks Emma for help, despite Tabitha—her longstanding nemesis—bristling over the choice. Emma agrees, even though she is already in charge of a classic mystery panel at her family’s bookstore, Starlit Books, which turns out to have its own challenges. Meanwhile, Whitney, who is aware of Emma’s sleuthing skills, begs her to find the killer. The case grows more complex with the disappearance of several priceless objects, an attack on one of the attending celebrities, and other predicaments. Emma searches for clues while handling every unexpected twist and turn leading up to the extravagant affair. But when the guests step onto the red carpet, a killer still lurks in the shadows—and murder just might become the main event.

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Guest Post

Gala Wear

Emma Starrs here. In the second book of the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries, there’s one burning question in every character’s life: what should I wear to the gala?

It’s the first time we’ve had movie stars as special guests. That definitely seems to be upping the ante, what with all of the red carpet interviews we’ve seen time and time again when a microphone is shoved into someone’s face as they’re grilled about who they are wearing.

And it’s not like our little town is chock full of fashion designers. The country club group has connections, of course. They’ll be wearing something that holds up, next to the celebs. They probably can’t wait to grab the microphone and announce who created their look.

But the rest of us are seeking guidance.

It’s safe to say that we will be wearing something nicer than what we usually wear. That’s a start, right?

But more specifically than that? We could use some suggestions.

Am sure that I don’t want to go too costume-y. Haven’t had much success with my own costumes in the past. I tend to go conceptual, which doesn’t always pan out.

For example, I loved my “starry night” costume which was made of softly glowing stars on a string wrapped around my dark clothes.

And then there was “fall” which was leaves on a string wrapped around my dark clothes.

(You’re probably sensing the pattern here.)

In any case, what would you vote for? Here are some choices:

1. A little black dress. Simple, elegant, classic.
2. A full-on ball gown, with a skirt so big that it seems impossible to sit down.
3. A work of art that is also a dress. May have moving parts or extraordinary hats.

Or is there something else that you would suggest? Thank you in advance for your contributions.

About the Author

Cynthia Kuhn writes the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries, which focus on a bookseller solving crimes in an artistic mountain community, and the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries, featuring a professor-turned-amateur-sleuth. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Diabolical, Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications.

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