Gates' Bookstore: Diane Gates, Book 1 is a sleuth murder mystery novel written by Jamila A. Stone. Dr. Diane Gates had been a renowned forensic specialist who was highly in demand, but the untimely death of her father combined with her last case had dramatically changed her outlook on life. Owning and operating a bookstore seemed to make the most sense to her at this point. Her friend, Catherine, the young and ebullient waitress from the coffee shop near her bookstore, helped Diane cope with the change in circumstances and the limited amount of interaction she now had as a store owner. She and Catherine shared a love of reading, and Diane’s psychological profiling instincts couldn't resist trying to figure out what made the young woman tick. There was the deep scar on her wrist, which Catherine refused to discuss, and her poetry, while prolific, was very dark, indeed. Diane’s decision to persuade Catherine to leave her coffee shop job and come to work with her would be good for both of them. They had shared so many conversations about life and books; it seemed the most natural of progressions. But Diane found herself jolted back into her old world one morning when she opened the door to her bookstore and noted the unfamiliar scent of bleach in the air.

Jamila A. Stone’s Gates' Bookstore will delight any fan of serial profiler mysteries. Gates is lean, determined, and smarter than just about anyone out there, and she doesn’t take being condescended to or patronized sitting down. Gates’ Bookstore is a powerful tale that contains the elements of a police procedural as seen through the lens of a psychological profiler, one whose own demons make her story even more fascinating and complex. Stone’s characters are finely crafted and effectively draw the reader into their world, and her plot is solid and satisfying. Gates' Bookstore: Diane Gates, Book 1 is highly recommended.

Gates' Bookstore by Jamila A. Stone has more ups and downs than a pogo stick, one that traversed some grisly terrain. And I must warn you, even if you delight in surprise endings, this one is a real shocker. Diane Gates has retired from her profession as a forensic criminologist and, with an inheritance from her deceased father, she has opened a popular bookstore. She has an avid reader and poetess as an assistant and some regular customers, among them blind Steven who buys books for his young daughter. A horrific murder occurs in the store and also at a coffee shop across the street. Diane gets involved in the investigation with an aggressive detective who becomes the story's love interest. The Chief is also invested in his quest for the mayorship.

I loved the twists and turns in Gates' Bookstore by Jamila A. Stone. Diane is a great protagonist: sharp-witted, sexy, sassy, and highly skilled at her job. She carries the narrative fabulously, and I laughed with her, feared for her, and even shed a tear or two. Ms. Stone writes with passion, wit, and knowledge, and she has an excellent sense of pace. She's not afraid to hit hard. Her relationship with the steady-at-the-helm Eric, who is quite flawed, kept me guessing. If you like romantic/suspense/horror novels, this one is for you. But, if you like it all wrapped up in a red bow, the ending might turn you upside down. So give that pogo stick a ride, and enjoy.