Book Title: MURDER ON THE BOOKS
Character Name: Charlotte “Charley” James
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
Growing up as an only child, I kept to myself a lot. I read a lot, and I think that’s what started me on writing. When the stories I read didn’t appeal to me, I’d make up new ones.
What was your greatest talent?
Some would say writing; I say it’s a flair I have for putting puzzles together.
Significant other?
Not at the moment, but there is someone I’m hopeful will develop into something.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
Finding the time
Where do you live?
I recently moved back to my hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania after suffering a severe case of writer’s block. I’m now the owner of a mystery bookshop.
Do you have any enemies?
I’ve never been particularly friendly with Barbara “Barbie” Donaldson, a detective on the Austin force – not sure if she qualifies as an enemy. Nemesis, perhaps?
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
I’m totally satisfied with Austin, after all I grew up here and it hasn’t changed a bit!
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
No children, but I recently adopted a black cat I named Poe – or, I should say, he adopted me.
What do you do for a living?
As C. J. Barrett, I wrote a thriller series; now as Charley James, I own a mystery bookshop.
Greatest disappointment?
Not being able to solve a mystery
Greatest source of joy?
Solving a mystery!
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
I read a lot – and I mean a lot! My tastes run from thriller to cozy mystery to true crime to biography.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
This darn writer’s block!
What keeps you awake at night?
Trying to piece clues together
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Right at this moment, it would be ordering stock for my new bookstore. Check back again when I’m in the middle of a mystery.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
I have a BFF, and I get along with most of the inhabitants of Austin. I think that something I want is a good romantic relationship.
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
One could say Mr. Right hasn’t’ come along yet – or he has, but right now we’re in that ‘flirtatious’ stage. What’s in the way? Well, he’s not too fond of my penchant for getting involved in homicide investigations. And that’s not likely to change in the immediate future!
Cozy Bookshop mystery
Newly retired mystery writer Charley James returns to her small hometown only to find herself amidst a real-life murder mystery in this first book in the brand new Cozy Bookshop mystery series by award-winning and national bestselling author T.C. LoTempio.
“I was hooked from start to finish!” Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop mysteries, on Eat, Drink and Drop Dead
Thirty-year-old Charlotte James, better known to her mystery fans as C.J. Barrett, decides to take a break from writing her popular Steve Sheppard mystery series. Leaving New York City, she moves back to her hometown of Austin to wind down, recuperate, and maybe come up with some new ideas for her books.
Settling into her new life, Charley reunites with her long-term friend and baker Zane who is about to open a charming double store front. But while Zane is ready to open her café, her business partner Sheila unexpectedly departs town, bailing on her bookshop and leaving nothing but a note behind.
Charley is more than happy to take over, but when she finds Sheila’s body in a chest in the store’s basement, things take a dramatic turn. Now Charley has to juggle the opening of her bookshop, a stoic but attractive Philadelphia detective, and a stray cat, all while solving Sheila’s murder Sheppard-style before the killer can strike again!
Mystery Woman Sleuth | Mystery Amateur Sleuth | Mystery Cozy [Severn House, On Sale: July 1, 2025, Hardcover / e-Book , ISBN: 9781448315260 / eISBN: 9781448315277]
Born in New York City, T. C. LoTempio has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade. When she isn’t reporting or writing novels, she and her cat Rocco fundraise for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read.
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