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Bookshops & Bonedust cover art

Bookshops & Bonedust

By: Travis Baldree
Narrated by: Travis Baldree
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Publisher's Summary

First loves. Second-hand books. Epic adventures.

Viv’s career with the renowned mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens isn’t going as planned. Wounded during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, she’s packed off against her will to recuperate in the sleepy beach town of Murk – so far from the action that she worries she’ll never be able to return to it. What’s a thwarted soldier of fortune to do?

Spending her hours at a struggling bookshop in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor is the last thing Viv would have predicted. Even though it may be exactly what she needs. Still, adventure isn’t far away. A suspicious traveller in grey, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling and an improbable number of skeletons prove Murk to be more eventful than Viv could have ever expected.

Sometimes, right things happen at the wrong time. Sometimes, what we need isn’t what we seek. And sometimes, we find ourselves in the stories we experience together.

Set twenty years before the events of Legends & Lattes, Bookshops & Bonedust is a standalone cosy fantasy by BookTok sensation Travis Baldree about the power of good bookshops, great friends and the unexpected choices along the way. Narrated by Travis Baldree.

©2023 Travis Baldree (P)2023 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic Reviews

'Baldree introduces some delightful new characters and reprises others. He draws from a universe of gnomes, elves, skeletons, and other species and provides a perfect voice for each.' - AudioFile

'It's the rare prequel that beautifully adds depth, power, and love to the lore. This is a book for those who were once young and pulled between fighting the world with all they had...or curling up in a dusty bookshop with a good story' - J. R. Dawson

'What I love about Travis Baldree is that set against an epic world of adventure, he writes about the small victories that make life worthwhile. Bookshops & Bonedust does this and it is glorious.' - Ben Aaronovitch

What listeners say about Bookshops & Bonedust

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  • Overall
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Friendship. Sword fights. Bittersweet.

Incredibly well written & The narration is brilliant. I loved diving into Viv’s life again and all the emotions that came with.
Mr Baldree has again left me with the void that only comes after a brilliant story, hoping for a third.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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He's done it again!

Another fantastic cosy adventure with Viv and a band of unexpected friends. I loved this so hard, everything from the summer romance to the sword fights. This prequel is exactly what I was hoping for, it was sweet and fun with a few old faces thrown into the mix. What a joy to read and I hope that the epilogue will bring forth a new story to devour.

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  • Overall
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A sublime surprise

This was a random choice, knew nothing of the author or the book, and I was delighted. Beautifully written, wonderful characters and setting, and a very moving discovery of friendships.

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  • Overall
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a wonderful story

absolutely devoured this book. a gorgeous, cosy read, with just the right amount of action and romance. Travis Baldree is fast becoming an author I really enjoy. thank you!

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  • Overall
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Loved the narrator! And the story.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this, so I thought I’d listen instead of buying the physical book. I was so wrong! It was FABULOUS! The author/narrator does a great job and the story and characters are brilliant, I loved satchel, I was hoping he’d be in the next one but I don’t think so.
I’ve just finished this and about to get the next one on Audible!
Do yourself a favour and listen!!

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Brilliant

A brilliant prequel to Legends & Lattes, this is the kind of feel-good book I love for when reality is a pain and I need a positive escape. Viv is an incredibly likeable character and the found family dynamic is so sweet. Travis has a very versatile voice and manages to make each character stand out during conversation. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy and a happy ending.

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Waiting

I loved the first book. This book was equally amazing. And now I wait for the next instalment. Hopefully it will be soon

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Loved it

Loved it, the story, the performance, all of it! Look forward to hearing more from Travis

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I love this as much as I loved Legends & Lattes

Thank you Travis Baldree for another wonderful, adventuresome, and happy tale. I was so excited for this release and you delivered. I love your whole style including your perfect and cosy narration. Can’t wait for the next!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Swordplay, romance, friendship and books

Loved hearing the beginning of Viv’s story. How she got her sword, how she got her start as a sword fighter, how she met Galina (not sure if spelling as I only heard it) her gnomish friend.
Choc is injured and stuck in a sleepy coastal village. The local constabulary are wary of her and there isn’t much to do. She makes a friend of Fern a ratkin who runs a rundown bookshop. Throw in romance with a baker (always great description of food very CS Lewis and Tolkien) and a necromancer.

I got frustrated with the swearing. How come swearing never changes but the days of the week do? It was almost enough to stop me listening but it did eventually tone down and I’m glad I listened to the end.

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