Reading Between the Lies

by Lynn Cahoon

There are a lot of characters in Reading Between the Lies, but the protagonist is Rarity Cole, a cancer survivor who quit her high pressure job to found The Next Chapter, a bookstore in Sedona, Arizona. She tries to make the most out of every day, and she treats her friends, her customers, and her employees with respect. Her boyfriend is Archer who owns a hiking and touring business.

This novel finds Rarity and the book club of amateur sleuths that meet with her on Tuesdays trying to prove Archer innocent of a murder and then determine the actual perpetrator of the crime. The investigation is clouded by other offenses committed in Sedona around the same time as well as the relationships of various characters. 

Although Killer, Rarity’s Yorkie, is her almost constant companion, he doesn’t play an essential role in the story, but his inclusion is fun. A touching side plot is the developing relationship of Terrence, Rarity’s neighbor, and Shirley, who works part time at the bookshop and is known as “Sedona’s grandmother.” Shirley’s husband has dementia and doesn’t even recognize her, but Shirley is committed to their marriage.

The setting is a big part of the book with an emphasis on “certified” vortexes. A large corporation buys up some land with claims there is a vortex at its heart. They open an art gallery and pursue their plans for a time share. What role will this resort community play in Sedona and does it hold a motivation for murder?

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #4 in the Survivors’ Book Club Mystery Series. I think it might be enjoyed better if you don’t jump into this series in the middle, but the author is meticulous about introducing previous characters as they appear in this book.

    2. This book includes a recipe for quiche written in a folksy style.

Publication:  August 6,  2024—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

“Once you stare death in the face, other problems don’t seem so dire.”

“The Next Chapter is a judgment-free zone. I don’t care what you read as long as you use a bookmark. Now, that’s the sign of a real monster, not what you wear or who you date.”

“I do like playing with investigations but if it was my job? I think I’d be depressed. I hate the fact that people would hurt other people for any reason.”