Murder Is Binding / Lorna Barrett / 281 pages / First Book in a Series

Tricia Miles, recently divorced, is the owner of Haven't Got a Clue mystery bookstore in Stoneham, New Hampshire, a down on its luck town rescued by the influx of specialty bookstores.  The president of the Chamber of Commerce and owner of Kelly Realty, Bob Kelly, had persuaded the booksellers to relocate to the picturesque village.  He is their landlord.  Doris Gleason, owner of The Cookery is upset with him for the lease prices and other charges that are siphoning her profits.  She is also upset with Tricia because she neglected to negotiate a lower rent, thereby driving up rents.  Doris is found stabbed in her cookery kitchen by Tricia and her visiting sister, Angelica, who are attracted by the smoke exiting the building.  Doris was to have had a meeting with Bob Kelly at the time of her death.  A $10,000 first edition cookbook is missing.  The police chief is convinced that Tricia killed Doris and doesn't seem to be looking for other suspects.  Can Tricia prove her innocence?  A most enjoyable book...sure to please bibliophiles...or anyone looking for a mystery populated by multiple plot twists and turns.