The Fatal Folio: The Cambridge Bookshop Series

Molly Kimball moves to Cambridge, England, and finds a lot to love, including her family's ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe-Manuscripts and Folios. She discovers the original manuscript of a Gothic novel, A Fatal Folio, purportedly written by an ancestor of Kieran's. Kieran's cousin, Oliver, offers to pay Molly to help him look into Selwyn's identity. On Guy Fawkes Night, Molly, Kieran, and her friends set out to enjoy the costumes, fireworks, and fun, but a stray firework starts a panic, and they stumble upon a prone body, their face covered by a mask. Molly must put on a few masks of her own to sleuth out Thads killer, prove Oliver's innocence, and discover what Selwyn's novel might have to do with this most atmospheric mystery.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2023
Publisher: Minotaur Books,US

After relocating to Cambridge, England, Molly Kimball has discovered numerous things to love, including, of course, her family's ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe-Manuscripts and Folios. And though she's not quite ready to use the "L" word when it comes to her boyfriend Kieran, she's definitely fallen for his intimidating family's library. His family is paying her handsomely for an updated catalog when Molly discovers the original manuscript of a Gothic novel, A Fatal Folio. Though purportedly written by an ancestor of Kieran's, it was published under the pen name Selwyn Scott, and no one has ever been sure of the author behind the pseudonym. Kieran's cousin, Oliver, offers to pay Molly to help him look into Selwyn's identity. A professor specialising in Gothic literature, he's eager to publish a paper on the mystery, especially because a troublesome student, Thad, is threatening to file a complaint against him and prevent his long-awaited promotion.

On Guy Fawkes Night (sometimes known as Bonfire Night), Molly, Kieran, and her friends set out to enjoy the costumes, fireworks, and fun. All goes as planned – at least until a stray firework starts a panic, and the group stumbles upon a prone body, their face covered by a mask. It's Thad: and he's been stabbed to death. It soon becomes clear Oliver isn't the only one with a motive, and Molly must once again put on a few masks of her own to sleuth out Thad's killer, prove Oliver's innocence, and discover what Selwyn's novel might have to do with this most atmospheric mystery.

Molly's search for the truth takes her through the winding streets of Cambridge, where she encounters a cast of quirky characters, including a mysterious librarian, a charming antique book dealer, and a group of amateur sleuths who are also trying to solve the mystery. As Molly digs deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of lies and secrets that threatens to destroy not only Oliver's reputation but also her own.

In the end, Molly must use all of her skills and resources to solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice. With the help of her friends and family, she finally discovers the truth about Selwyn Scott and the true author of A Fatal Folio. The case is solved, and Molly is hailed as a hero.

As she reflects on the case, Molly realizes that sometimes the most unexpected discoveries can lead to the greatest rewards. She also learns that sometimes the people we least expect to be our allies can be our greatest sources of strength and support.

In conclusion, Molly Kimball's journey to solve the mystery of A Fatal Folio is a thrilling and suspenseful tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With its rich characters, intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.

Dimension: 173 x 104 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250787743