This was a really enjoyable read! I really enjoy cozy mysteries, but I don't seek them out, mainly from authors that I've read from and enjoyed their previous books. And I really enjoyed the first book, but it's been a long time since it read it. But it was easy to get into this one!

Jenna is now reopening her uncle's bookshop, now that the murder has been solved. Except now a new murder happens, which complicates things. I loved the addition of Eddy, getting a dog is a life-changing thing, especially when it happens when the dog's previous owner dies!

Watching the investigation into this latest case, there were a good number of suspects who had various reason to want to harm the victim. The trouble was figuring out if it was one of them or not, or if someone had a hidden motive.

Loved spending more time with these characters, and the updates in their lives, and the conclusion of the mystery was really fantastic to read, I enjoyed seeing the direction that it went! It was just a delight tot read and I'm so excited to continue with this series!

This was a really great read and I can't wait to continue on!

Part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Let's preface that I did not read book one. After reading Murder by the Bookend which is book 2, I'm not finding it necessary or desiring to read book 1. Not because the story is bad or I don't like the writing. It's the opposite. There was quite a bit of throwback to the first book (nicely added in I might add) so I don't feel as if I missed out on anything. However, at some point I may read book one just to see if they talk more about Jenna's time before coming to Hokes Folly, NC. If they don't, then Laura Gail Black needs a to write a prequel. I love the character of Jenna. Our main protagonist. The story opens up on her grand reopening party of her bookstore, inherited from her Uncle. Our cast of characters/suspects are revealed. Unfortunately, there's a drama at the party amongst the locals. Jenna isn't quite up to date on the local gossip and finds herself wondering what has she gotten herself into. Before the night is over a body is found and Jenna has a new roommate. Some of the characters are a bit over the top and I have hard time imagining Jenna as a 20 something. But those are personal opinions that shouldn't deter you from reading the story.

A very enjoyable cozy mystery involving books, a little itty bitty bit romance, small town drama and 4 paws. I give it 4 stars and look forward to reading the next installment. And to find out what's going on with Sutter!

Some books are just to die for. Fortunately for cozies, author Laura Gail Black's Murder by the Bookend is another solid mystery helping keep the genre alive.

In the second entry in the Antique Book Mystery series, Jenna Quinn is set to reopen her deceased uncle's bookstore with a party. However, there's not much to celebrate when Linus Talbot, a rare book expert, is found dead in the parking lot, apparently bludgeoned by a bookend. Black opens the story with a bang and things don't slow down until the killer is unmasked some 300 pages later, as Jenna finds herself thrust into the middle of yet another investigation.

One of Black's most successful choices is complicating Linus Talbot's background. In cozies, it's not uncommon for the victim to be the most despicable character in the book. Here, Linus is outwardly charming to Jenna, and his death does serve as an early surprise. Yet there's also no shortage of individuals who downright despise him, and some of the best moments of the book involve Jenna unraveling exactly how someone could be so polarizing. This adds complexity to the overall mystery, muddying up exactly what motive someone would have for killing him. And even though the individuals who hate him hate him, it's often a genuine tossup when deciding who the killer could be. Ultimately, this makes the answers more enjoyable.

However, the real highlight here is Jenna herself. While Murder by the Bookend works fine as a standalone, Black has continued to develop Jenna in a way that's even more satisfying after reading the first book. While Jenna still has some insecurities about her past and her mother's cutting voice weighs heavily in her mind, she's also found more confidence. Perhaps being connected to multiple murders does that to a person. This does mean her investigative techniques might be a little unorthodox and she often runs into dangerous situations, but that's all part of coming into her own as a cozy sleuth.

Toss in a wonderfully quirky set of secondary characters, a genuinely sound mystery, and a cute (if traumatized) dog, and Murder by the Bookend is just to die for. And as to the series: it has a lot of life left in it.

Jenna Quinn’s is ready to reopen the bookstore she inherited from her uncle. She kicks it off with a party and invites all her uncles special clients. One of whom is a librarian of Antiquarian books that has helped her value several tomes. A few quarrels take place and after the party a dog is found running with blood on his paws. Jenna and her detective boyfriend rush out to find where the blood may have come from and find the librarian bashed in the head with a prize he won at her party. Jenna is determined not to let her store be renown for murders and delves into investigating. Turns out the librarian had ruffled a few feathers. Will she wind up a victim before she discovers the culprit.

Found it super boring and annoying! The character is nosy, unnecessarily annoying and just makes the whole plot so irritating! Tried really hard to actually progress but it just did not hold my attention! Dnf this one!

This is the second book of the series. And just as the 1st book, this one did not disappoint. One thing that I wish were improved upon is the mystery be more highlighted. As much as I wish the background of the characters be touched on, the mystery needs to be the highlight of the story. The writing is absolutely gripping.

A good follow up 2nd in the series. A cozy mystery set in the hills of North Carolina. When Jenna has a party to celebrate the grand re-opening of the bookstore, the fun is marred by a murder in the parking lot. Enjoyed this one, and a good continuation of the relationships from book 1. Kept my interest throughout and look forward to reading the next in the series. Would recommend.

Jenna has a grand reopening of her Uncle’s bookstore under its new name, but the successful evening ends with a murder. Was it related to the party or was someone out to get the librarian who repairs old books? Was it because of the mistreatment of the dog? Did someone just dislike him? So many reasons but what is the right one. Read this second in the series and find out.
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I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting mystery and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend.

Murder by the Bookend was just as good as the first book in this series. I'm really enjoying getting to know more about Jenna and all the other main characters. I just wish there had been more to do with antique books in this story. Even though it's a major plot point, it still felt like it was barely touched on throughout the story as a whole. The murder mystery was very well crafted though and I was honestly surprised with who did it and why. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

This was a great follow up to the first book in the series. The cast of characters including Jenn are interesting, realistic, and refreshing. I like that there was movement with Keith and Jenn fairly quickly (I don't like when the will they won't they last for too long in a series) And Eddy was a good addition to make Jenn a more relatable person. Jenn is a great main character that is taking charge of her circumstances and really becoming part of the community that she is now a part of. I can't wait to read the next one in the series!

This cozy murder mystery was a good blend of fun and bookish. I enjoyed the characters, the dog story, and the setting. The beginning was a bit abrupt, launching into characters and conflict almost immediately with very little context, though I imagine it would have felt less so if I had read the first in the series. Overall this isn't a mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, but it was a light and fun read.

At its heart this is a well-plotted cosy crime in which a rare books librarian is murdered after an event organised by a relatively-new-to-town antique book shop owner. Jenna, who we are told repeatedly had been wrongly accused of her uncle’s murder, is instantly invested in finding out what had happened this time, and we then go with her in her investigations.

I really like the story that forms the core of this tale. I just feel that it could be about a third shorter than it is. A feature of cosy crime is the backstory of the protagonist, but in this instance I find it a bit repetitious. In some ways it reminded me of one of those American TV shows with lots of adverts in which they remind the audience what is happening before and after every ad break. Except in this case there are no ad breaks. Just a reminder every few pages of where we’ve reached.

That said, 3 stars means I think this is a good book. I liked the characters and I liked the central plot. And if library murders are your thing (and they certainly are mine), this is a good addition to the genre.

This installment has the series starting to get its stride. A solid plot, amazing setting, and full bodied characters will not disappoint!

Thank you #NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this.

A cozy mystery with the love for books! How much better can it get!

I love this series already.

As much as this is a cozy, I feel like there is a more serious undertone which gives you the best of both Mystery worlds.

The setting and cast draw you in for sure.

I look forward to continuing with this series and hope for many more books to come.

absolutely loved this book! it was such a fun read, i would highly recommend this books to my friends and family if they wanted a delightful time,

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. If you are into murder mysteries this is a easy fast read and it was entertaining. It is a little bit unrealistic but a lot of these who done it type books are like that.

Jenna has inherited a bookstore from her uncle. She has a new job, lives in a great small town, has a new boyfriend, and inherits a dog. Life is good. Until one of the guests at her grand-opening party is killed. Now she reverts back to her mystery solving self.

This book, the second in the series, is well written. The characters are well developed. The book has humor. The solution to the mystery wasn't all that complex. In fact, she pretty much "telegraphed" the identity of the murderer through repeated analyses of the possible suspects. But, the story was entertaining.

My only beef was, why do so many cozy mysteries have the same formula. Main character owns a bookstore/tea shop or works in a library. Check. Main character owns a dog/cat. Check. Main character or best friend dates the local police inspector. Check. I would love to see one of the cozy mysteries step out and take the formula a bit further. But maybe that's just me. Overall, this was a good book.

Another series that is the sequel. This was read last year. It is a quick enjoyable read. Great read -- characters and plot was interesting. Interesting enough of a read.. from what I can remember.