The Hammett Hex (A Book Collector Mystery #5) by Victoria Abbott

Who is ready for the next Book Collector Mystery? I know I was and it made me so happy to see The Hammett Hex (A Book Collector Mystery #5) by Victoria Abbott on my October release reading stack. Victoria Abbott never disappoints.

From the back of the book:

The national bestselling author of The Marsh Madness takes rare book collector Jordan Bingham on a trip to San Francisco—home to Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled heroes—where nothing is as it seems.

On a getaway to the City by the Bay, book collector Jordan Bingham becomes entangled in a mystery with more twists than Lombard Street...

Jordan has been able to swing a romantic trip to San Francisco with Officer Tyler “Smiley” Dekker on one condition—she must return with a rare copy of Dashiell Hammett’s Red Harvest for her irascible employer, Vera Van Alst. For his own part, Smiley is full of surprises. He’s a Dashiell devotee himself—excited to be in the city of Hammett’s hard-boiled heroes like Sam Spade and the Continental Op—and also announces he plans to visit his previously unmentioned estranged grandmother, who lives in an old Victorian on Telegraph Hill.

But the trip goes downhill fast when Jordan is pushed from a cable car and barely escapes death. And when a dark sedan tries to run the couple down, it’s clear someone’s after them—but who? Just like in Hammett’s world, nothing is quite what is seems.

My thoughts:

As with the last part this is a very suspenseful cozy. I believe the last time the words I used were, edge of your seat. I still agree with that choice this time. While it is edge of your seat, that edge is softened, and the overall effect made cozy by the wit that is infused in the writing. I loved the setting and tone in this part. I was thrilled right up to the end, when it hit me how fast I read this and now I have to wait for the next part.

I loved the pacing and really loved that this wasn't just a here is a dead body, now who did it. It added to the sense of danger and the page turning speed that there was someone actively after them. This is the fifth part in a series, one we've talked about before, and one I love, but you don't have to have read any prior parts to enjoy this one. 

Take some time to browse the other great mysteries available from Berkley Prime Crime. While you are there, you can sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a new release. I must warn you though, after browsing my wish list is longer than I could probably read. You can also connect with them on Twitter where you can happen across a fun giveaway as well. 

Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.