Lorna Barrett

Name: Murder is Binding
Author: Lorna Barrett

American · 1 series

Amateur sleuth Bookshop setting Small town mystery

By The Editorial Team · Last reviewed April 2026

Lorna Barrett is the pen name of American author Lorraine Bartlett, best known for the long-running Booktown Mystery series. Bartlett has written extensively in the cosy mystery genre under several names, but it is the Barrett pseudonym that earned her a dedicated following among fans of bookshop-set whodunits.

The Booktown Mystery series debuted in 2008 with Murder is Binding and introduced readers to Tricia Miles, a collector of vintage mystery novels who relocates to Stoneham, New Hampshire — a charming fictional village where every shop on the main street is themed around books. From rare-book dealers to children’s bookshops, Stoneham is a bibliophile’s dream, and naturally a magnet for murder.

Tricia is an endearing amateur sleuth: practical, quick-witted, and perpetually baffled by how many corpses manage to turn up in such a small, literary town. Her relationships with her flamboyant sister Angelica, the local law enforcement, and a revolving cast of booksellers give the series its warmth and its comedy.

With 19 books published as of 2025 and the series still ongoing, Barrett shows no sign of closing the shop. Each instalment works as a standalone puzzle, but the ongoing character arcs — romantic, familial, and professional — reward readers who follow Tricia from the beginning.

Quick Facts

Real name: Lorraine Bartlett
Series: Booktown Mystery (2008–present)
Books published: 19 (and counting)
Setting: Stoneham, New Hampshire (fictional)
Protagonist: Tricia Miles, vintage-mystery bookseller
Tone: Light, humorous, community-focused

Reading Order Advice

Start with Murder is Binding (2008). The mystery plots are self-contained enough to dip in anywhere, but character development — especially Tricia’s relationships and Stoneham’s evolving cast of shop owners — is best appreciated in publication order. New readers can catch up quickly; the books are fast, fun, and rarely overstay their welcome.

Booktown Mystery

1
Murder is Binding (2008)
Tricia Miles opens a mystery bookshop in Stoneham and finds a body in the neighbouring cookery store on her very first week.
2
Bookmarked for Death (2009)
A visiting author is found dead during a signing event, and Tricia must untangle jealousy and ambition in Stoneham's literary community.
3
Bookplate Special (2009)
When a homeless woman is murdered near Tricia's shop, her investigation leads into Stoneham's hidden past and its most guarded secrets.
4
Chapter & Hearse (2010)
A local history buff turns up dead and Tricia suspects the motive is buried in Stoneham's own complicated founding story.
5
Sentenced to Death (2011)
The town's beautification plans are derailed when a contractor is murdered, and Tricia finds herself digging into property disputes and old grudges.
6
Murder on the Half Shelf (2012)
A travelling antiques dealer is killed, and rare books may be at the centre of the crime — right in Tricia's area of expertise.
7
Not the Killing Type (2013)
The Chamber of Commerce election turns deadly when a candidate is found dead, putting Stoneham's business community under suspicion.
8
Book Clubbed (2014)
A book club meeting ends in tragedy and Tricia must navigate rivalries and reading-group politics to find the killer.
9
A Fatal Chapter (2015)
The local historical society is rocked by murder, and Tricia's research into Stoneham's past uncovers dangerous secrets.
10
Title Wave (2016)
A cruise organised for Stoneham's book lovers ends in death on the open water, far from Tricia's familiar village stomping ground.
11
A Just Clause (2017)
A generous bequest to the town comes with deadly strings attached, and Tricia must unpick a web of greed and legal intrigue.
12
Poisoned Pages (2018)
A spa retreat for Stoneham's booksellers should have been relaxing — until one of the guests is poisoned and Tricia turns detective once more.
13
A Killer Edition (2019)
A rare first edition sparks deadly rivalry, and Tricia finds that collectors will go to extraordinary lengths for the right book.
14
Handbook for Homicide (2020)
A new business venture in Stoneham is upended by murder, and Tricia must balance enterprise with amateur sleuthing once again.
15
A Deadly Deletion (2021)
When a local author's digital files are wiped and the author turns up dead, Tricia investigates the intersection of publishing and murder.
16
Clause of Death (2022)
A legal dispute over a Stoneham property turns fatal, and Tricia discovers that contracts can be as dangerous as any weapon.
17
A Questionable Character (2023)
A new arrival in Stoneham brings a shadowy history, and when death follows, Tricia must decide how much she can trust a stranger.
18
A Controversial Cover (2024)
A book cover design sparks outrage in Stoneham's literary circles, and the controversy quickly escalates from argument to murder.
19
A Perilous Plot (2025)
The latest instalment sees Tricia drawn into a deadly scheme that threatens the heart of Stoneham's beloved book-themed community.

If you enjoy Lorna Barrett, try...

Ellery Adams — Bookish cosy mysteries with literary settings
Jenn McKinlay — Long-running cosy mystery series with small-town charm