Book Review: Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater

 

My Rating: 3.75⭐

If you think this going to be a cute cozy mystery set in a bookshop ( I’m partial to stories set in libraries and bookshops), just take a look at that cover (which I love, by the way)!

“I love serial killers.”

Brogan Roach is a bookseller, employed for the last eight years with the Walthamstow branch of chain bookstore Spines, and an avid (read obsessive) true crime enthusiast. Unlike “normies” who have a superficial interest in the subject, Roach (as she is referred to) is a passionate true-crime follower – books, podcasts, documentaries – there is no crime too gruesome nor any criminal too heinous that she flinches from researching in her free time. When Laura Bunting, a fellow bookseller transfers to her branch as a part of a team headed by a new manager, Roach discovers a copy of a true crime book in her bag ( which she unashamedly rifles through in Laura’s absence) she feels she has found a kindred spirit.

Laura’s interest in true crime has its roots in personal tragedy. Her mother was the victim of a serial killer who was later caught and is presently incarcerated. Her poetry, which Roach is bowled over by, focuses on honoring the victims rather than glorifying the crime or the criminal behind it. But Laura’s demeanor towards Roach is cold and dismissive bordering on unkind and cruel. Roach’s forced overtures of friendship and her obvious obsession with true –crime make Laura uncomfortable. However, Laura’s brush-offs only strengthen Roach’s resolve to establish a connection with her.

Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater is a slow-burn, psychological thriller that ventures into dark territory. The narrative is shared from dual PoVs of Roach and Laura in alternating segments. The writing and the characterizations are well done and the author gives us an inside look into the day-to-day routine of running bookstores. The narrative does suffer from mild repetitiveness but not so much that you would lose interest. Roach’s thoughts and actions are cringeworthy and to be honest alarming. Laura is depicted as emotionally fragile despite her unkind demeanor toward Roach. The author gives us a window into the psyches of two very different women, exploring their motivations, obsessions, flaws and strengths as they inevitably impact one another’s lives and emotional stability. I can’t say I liked any of the main characters. Laura is far from a well-rounded individual and isn't quite as put together as she projects. I found Roach’s toxic relationship with her boyfriend very disturbing especially based on her reaction to a particularly violent episode toward the beginning of their relationship. A testimonial to Roach’s dark worldview probably? I enjoyed the literary references and found some of the discussions and debates between the employees on different genres quite interesting (though I don’t completely agree with their stance on the true-crime genre). Overall this is an impressive debut and an intense read that will leave you dazed and unsettled.

Many thanks to author Alice Slater, Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be published on April 25, 2023.