I was really looking forward to reading this debut, which is covered in praise from some fantastic authors and has a great premise.

Death of a Bookseller’s story unfolds told from two perspectives - Spines booksellers Roach and Laura. Roach has been at the failing branch for a while and is obsessed with true crime and soon finds herself drawn to transfer employee Laura. Laura is the opposite of Roach, yet Roach is drawn to a darkness she feels is in Laura who creates found poems from true crime. However she removes all violence from her poetry and reclaims the stories for the women whose voices are unheard. Something which Roach doesn’t understand. It will definitely make you query liking true crime at times!

I found myself drawn to Roach until we hear how Laura sees her, you really feel for her! Roach is disappointed as she learns Laura’s vintage styling is actually high street and she classes her as a ‘normie’ - yet Laura listens to Sufjan Stevens and Patti Smith - in ways her tastes sometimes seemed more alternative than Roach’s own!

Throughout the novel we see how far Roach is willing to invade Laura’s life, and Laura’s descent. We learn of her past and why she doesn’t want to engage with Roach.

Overall I loved this book. It can feel a little repetitive with Roach’s sections - her language of normies, creepy-crawling and obsession with Dark Fruits. But I think this in a way can help show her personality, she’s a little childish in ways, she’s very black and white and has an obsessive personality which is why she’s so hooked on Laura and cannot fathom why she doesn’t share her love of true crime.

Thanks to the author, Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the advanced copy.