Stacked in Suspicion: A Cape Fear Bookshop Mystery Book 1 (Cape Fear Bookshop Mysteries) by Simone Stier

Former New York book editor Libby Page returns to Southport, North Carolina, for a fresh start with Page’s Bookshop. But during her grand opening garden party, a local resident collapses dead in Libby’s garden—and her dream business is instantly tied to murder.

With customers fleeing and gossip spreading fast, Libby teams up with her sharp-witted assistant Gracie Jean (and one opinionated calico kitten) to find the killer. The victim left behind more than questions: a missing red notebook packed with secrets someone would kill to keep buried.

Between a relentless blogger, a yard full of suspects and Detective Carter McCrae warning Libby to stay out of it, Libby realizes solving this case may be the only way to save her bookshop.

Settle in with Stacked in Suspicion—Book 1 in the Cape Fear Bookshop Mysteries, where the books are beloved, the clues run deep and trouble has a habit of showing up uninvited.

Published on 9th February 2026

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Lovely cosy mystery

Four Point Four Stars

Libby Page has moved into her hometown giving up her assistant editor job to start a book shop - her dream and she is trying to move on after losing her husband.

Cali, a cat turns up at the appropriate time.

Naturally there is a slight twist in Libby’s romantic life when she meets Detective Carter, her old flame before the grand opening of her bookshop.

Just when things are about to start, Constance ends up dead and Constance’s infamous red notebook is missing. 

Libby has no choice but to team up with Gracie Jean and Meredith is always there as they try to solve the murder to open the book shop open again.

The characters were lovely (even Cali) and the mystery was enjoyable. The description throughout the book, of the locations and the food was beautiful. The clues to the mystery were peppered throughout the story and all came together in the end.

Enjoyable page-turner cosy mystery that even had hints about the next book of the series!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8380626014