“Roach – bookseller, loner and true crime fanatic- is not interested in making friends. She has all the company she needs in her serial killer books, murder podcasts and her pet snail, Bleep.

That is, until Laura joins the bookshop.

With her cute literary tote bags and sunny smile, she’s everyone’s favourite bookseller. But beneath the shiny veneer, Roach senses a darkness within Laura, the same darkness Roach possesses.

And as curiosity blooms into morbid obsession, Roach becomes determined to be a part of Laura’s story – whether Laura wants her in it or not.”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater. Death of a Bookseller will be published by Hodder & Stoughton on 11th April 2024 and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio and digital formats.

Roach has been a bookseller at Spines since her teens. She’s a true crime obsessive, whether that be through podcasts or the true crime section in the shop, which she expertly curates. Curates to own tastes and interests that is, using the books on sale as her own personal library! All Roach needs is her true crime and her pet snail, Bleep. She really isn’t all that bothered about making friends, or even selling books! One day, thanks to a management shake-up, Laura appears in the shop. She’s hard-working, everyone’s favourite bookseller and the antithesis of Roach. But Roach senses a kindred spirit in Laura and she’ll do anything to win her over…

Death of a Bookseller is a thoroughly entertaining read with truly fascinating characters who you’ll struggle to forget (despite possibly wanting to – particularly Roach). Initially I felt quite sorry for Roach (real name Brogan but Roach is so much better!) when we were first introduced but as the novel progressed, I quickly changed my mind. Roach’s obsession with true crime made me feel really quite uncomfortable. I, myself, have tried to listen to true crime podcasts before but there’s something about glorifying real-life killers gave me the ick. Roach’s reverence for cold blooded killers gave me the ick. Now, you may be thinking, ‘but Emma, you’re a crime fiction reader’ and to that I would say ‘yes, I can’t explain it either (but what I read is made up!).

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Death of a Bookseller is unlike anything else I have read before. The characters are sublime and Slater adds layers and depth with the skill of a more experienced author. I’m very excited to see what this debut author comes up with next. Roach is an unforgettable character and at times I found myself wanting to look away from her odd awkwardness and obsessive behaviour but I just couldn’t. A book about books is always a wonderful thing and you get a good insight into the day-to-day life of a bookshop here. I work in my local library and there are definite similarities between the two. I found it strangely relatable in parts! (By which I mean the bookish parts, not the obsessive stalker-ish colleague part — my colleagues are all absolutely lovely!) All in all, I very much enjoyed the time I spent with this book. The characters are superb, the plot is highly intriguing and draws the reader in and the pace kept me turning the pages, even when Roach’s actions made me feel a little uncomfortable. Recommended.

Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater was published in the UK by Hodder & Stoughton on 11th April 2024 and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | Foyles | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Alice Slater is a writer, podcaster and ex-bookseller from London. She studied creative writing at MMU and UEA. She lives in London with her husband and a lot of books. Death of a Bookseller is her first novel.