Lila Wilkins worked for the Dunston Herald for twenty years, but after being laid-off, she had to formulate her back-up plan. She doesn't have time to lose, either, as her son is in high school, and she wants to be able to send him to the university of his choice. She soon interviews for and receives an internship with a literary agency at a nearby town called Inspiration Valley, which is where her mother lives.

She's thrilled to have a job where she'll be paid to read every day, especially since she's been promised that she'll be promoted to a junior agent after three months. When she starts the job, she meets a host of quirky co-workers, who make it clear that they don't expect her to be able to make it to the three-month mark. Lila is determined to make things work -- even the daunting stack of query letters that she must work her way through each day, searching for the next great bestselling book idea. But her new job takes an odd turn when an aspiring author dies in A Novel Idea's waiting room.

The police don't seem that concerned about the man's death, as soon after, a larger crime is committed in the area. And Lila's co-workers are just relieved that the man won't be visiting the office every day and deluging them with his queries any longer. But Lila soon discovers a series of threatening letters, and she begins to dig around, hoping to figure out what really happened.

BURIED IN A BOOK is the first book in the Novel Idea Mystery series, and it was a highly enjoyable read. Lila's character was extremely relatable as someone who just got laid off and is trying to figure out what to do next, especially as a single mom. Her son and mother are also interesting characters who you want to get to know more, although they neither distract from the main action nor overwhelm Lila as the protagonist.

A slightly annoying thing is that Lila initially suspected everyone for every possible motive. I'm hoping that as Lila gets more sleuthing experience under her belt, her "suspicion meter" will be refined. And while I really liked the chemistry between her and the local police detective, I do feel that that particular device is a little tired in cozies.

Overall, I will absolutely be watching for the next book in this series. I love the overall idea (journalist finds new career in literary agency and begins secondary career as amateur sleuth on the side), and the writing was sharp and witty. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys smart cozies.