Stacked in Suspicion Reading Kit

Stacked in Suspicion

Stacked in Suspicion is the first book in the Cape Fear Bookshop Mysteries by Simone Stier. The amateur sleuth is Libby Page, a former book editor who traded in her New York publishing job for a cozy bookshop in her charming coastal hometown. When her opening day celebration turns into a crime scene, Libby, her sharp-witted assistant, and a cute calico kitten named Cali find themselves at the center of a real-life mystery.

See reader reviews and a spoiler-free reading guide to Stacked in Suspicion.

Stacked in Suspicion Reader Questions

Use these reader questions for a Stacked in Suspicion book club discussion. If you aren’t in a book club, you can still use these questions to reflect on the book after you’ve read it.

• Libby comes back to Southport hoping for a fresh start. What did you think of her decision to leave her old life behind and open Page’s Bookshop?

• How did Southport feel as a setting to you? Did the coastal small-town atmosphere add to the mystery?

• What makes Libby a strong amateur sleuth? What makes her different from other cozy mystery heroines?

• Gracie Jean brings a very different energy to the story than Libby. How did their dynamic work for you?

• Carter McCrae adds tension in a different way than a typical love interest. What did you think of his relationship with Libby in this first book?

• The grand opening should have been a celebration, but it turns into a crime scene. How did that setup affect the stakes right from the start?

• The mystery involves gossip, old connections and hidden motives. Which suspect did you find most convincing early on?

• Were there any clues you picked up on before Libby did? Were there any twists that genuinely surprised you?

• What role does the town itself play in the book? Did Southport feel like a backdrop, or like a character in its own right?

• Libby is rebuilding more than just a business—she’s rebuilding her life. How does that theme show up throughout the story?

• What did you think about the bookshop setting? Did it make you want to visit Page’s Bookshop in real life?

• Cozy mysteries often balance charm and danger. Did this book strike that balance for you?

• Which supporting character stood out to you the most, and why?

• How did the story handle trust? Who did Libby trust too soon, and who did she underestimate?

• If you were in Libby’s place, would you have started digging into the case yourself, or stayed out of it?

• What did you think of the resolution? Did the motive and reveal feel earned?

Printable Stacked in Suspicion Activities

Click on the links or images to see printable Stacked in Suspicion activities, including book club discussion questions, a Stacked in Suspicion book cover coloring page, a recipe card for Meredith’s Famous Lemon Tarts, a Libby Page Mark Up That Post editing activity, and a murder board to help you solve your next cozy mystery.