Penelope Parish is a new, best-selling, American gothic author with a deadline for book number two. Unfortunately, she also has a serious case of writer’s block. She decides to completely change things up and accepts a position in Chumley-on-Stoke, England at The Open Book bookstore as their new writer in residence. Leaving behind her family and not-really boyfriend she thinks this is the perfect opportunity to unleash her creativity once again. While giving a speech at Duke Worthington’s castle for their annual Worthington Fest, Pen is interrupted by an earth-shattering scream. The chairwoman of the fest has been found dead in the basement. Fingers begin to point at the fiancé of the Duke, Charlotte Davenport, who is also a best-selling American author. Charlotte turns to fellow American, Pen, for help. As Pen investigates, she may not only help clear Charlotte’s name, but she also may unleash the writer’s block that has plagued her.

MURDER IN THE MARGINS is book one of a new series by Margaret Loudon, also known as Peg Cochran. Yes, we get a new series by this beloved author! I love this premise of this book. Small town England, bookstores, and royal families tied in. Swoon! I am unfamiliar with the gothic genre, so this was also a fun little learning curve for me. The plotline was perfectly paced and kept me engaged from page one. The cast of characters, from new friend Figgy to bookstore owner Mable, are all fun characters and fundamentally different, yet the perfect eclectic mix. The settings, from the descriptiveness of the small town outside of London, to Pen's adorable cottage, and of course the bookstore, will leave you feeling as if you are Pen's shadow. I adored this book and hope to see many more of Pen's adventures in the future. 

MURDER IN THE MARGINS should definitely be on your list of books to read this year! Book two in this series is set to be released in June of 2021.