Andrew Cartmel–best known for his popular Vinyl Detective series–returns with the second book in his The Paperback Sleuth saga.
Cordelia, a paperback book addict, is hired by the leaders of a West London yoga ashram to recover stolen yoga paperback books. Since Cordelia is always short of money because she buys vintage paperbacks all the time, she agrees to find the missing books.
A murder connected to the theft occurs and Cordelia wonders if she’ll be the next victim bludgeoned by a whiskey bottle. Later, Cordelia finds help in a Thrift Shop but the helper dies from poisoned curry!
After a couple of close calls, Cordelia finally discovers the plot behind the stolen books and has to defend herself from the murderer. If you like vintage paperbacks and rooting around Thrift Stores for old books, check out Ashram Assassin. Fun and entertaining! You can read my review of the first Paperback Sleuth mystery here. GRADE: B+
There are some who would believe poisoned curry to be an oxymoron.
Jerry, there’s good curry and then there’s poisoned curry. You have to be careful with curry.
I’ll pass. I’ve put library holds on upcoming releases by Ace Atkins and James Lee Burke due this month.
Fred, lots of Summer Reading ahead! I liked the focus on John D. MacDonald paperbacks in ASHRAM ASSASSIN.
Sounds like a fun read. I don’t read enough of those.
Patti, The Paperback Sleuth books are pure fun. Andrew Cartmel knows how to tell an engaging story with unique characters.
The first one just didn’t do it for me, so pass.
Jeff, I was intrigued by the John D. MacDonald vintage paperbacks that play a role in ASHRAM ASSASSIN.
As a former paperback collector and LanceCon attendee, this might amuse me! I’m surprised I’ve never heard of the series before! I guess I’m farther out of the loop than I realized!
Bob, you would enjoy The Paperback Sleuth series. Great paperbacks and great fun!
After reading your review of the first book in the series, I tracked down a copy. Just read my mini-review that gave it only two stars. Wrote I liked the idea of a mystery about paperback crime novels, but was disappointed by the book. I probably will try the second one if only for the John D. MacDonald reference. I still looking for one of his paperbacks for my collection so will have to see if it’s mentioned as being difficult to find.
Kent, The Paperback Sleuth was enthralled with finding WEEP FOR ME.