Urban Lit 4 | Page 15

behind the desk. ture. Little does she that one ad will give her a job that leads to an adven- The Cracked Spine is filled with every- ture of a lifetime. A job that is located thing a book lover could want, each out of states and into Scotland. A item as eclectic as the people who work bookshop to be more precise. Once in there; the spirited and lovable Rosie, Scotland, Delaney meets a wonderful who always has tiny dog Hector in tow; cab driver who introduces her to new Hamlet, a nineteen-year-old thespian people. People who soon become a with a colored past and bright future; family to her. However, a mysterious and Edwin, who is just as enigmatic job brings out a stolen object and soon and mysterious as Delaney expected. murder. Delaney finds herself buried An extra bonus is Tom the bartender deep into a tragedy that she needs to from across the street, with his cobalt solve or die trying to... eyes, and a gentle brogue—and it Synopsis: Wanted: A bold adventurer who wants to travel the world from a comfortable and safe spot behind a desk that has seen the likes of kings and queens, paupers and princes. A humble book and rare manuscript shop, seeks a keenly intelligent investigator to assist us in our search for things thought lost, and in our quest to return lost items to their rightful own- doesn’t hurt that he looks awfully good Paige Shelton's most talked about nov- in a kilt. el, The Cracked Spine, is everything that I thought it would be. Adventure, But before she can settle into her new suspense, romance, and murder...all in life, a precious artifact goes missing, one brilliantly well-written book. Every and Edwin’s sister is brutally mur- page brings readers closer to the who, dered. Never did Delaney think that what, and why of the cases at hand. searching for things lost could mean a Can both the robbery and murder by killer, but if she’s to keep her job, and tied and if so how? The Cracked protect her new friends, she’ll need to Spine allows readers to travel far learn the truth behind this Scottish across the world to one of the world's tragedy. most fascinating places of all, Scotland. ers. So much history and intrigue lies, withRating: 5 stars Never an adventurer, no one was more surprised than Delaney Nichols when in this beautiful country. Readers can tell that a novel this stunning took a lot Review: she packed her bags and moved half- of research, dedication and love. Paige Shelton's writing is addictive. Her way across the world to Edinburgh, The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton is Scotland to start a job at The Cracked characters are fascinating and the an absolute must read for all book lov- Spine, a bookshop located in the heart scenes come, to life. Overall, I highly ers. A young woman is soon dismissed of the city. Her new boss, Edwin recommend this new mystery to read- from her current position due to a lack MacAlister, has given her the oppor- ers who would love to travel without of funds. She is now waiting for a job ever having to leave their home. tunity of a lifetime, albeit a cryptic one, that will prove to be one great advenand Delaney can’t wait to take her spot