As far as cozy mysteries go I can't find fault with this one.
It did make mention of the first book which I have not ready, but it was enough to give background and make me want to read it (though it does not feel entirely necessary in order to understand this one).

I think I was won over when Jenna decided to keep Eddy but really this book ticked all the cozy boxes for me without being stale: off screen murder, multiple plausible suspects, a cute romance with the local detective, good cop/bad cop, helpful and caring friends, a crime that plausibly involves Jenna our amateur sleuth.

I don't like when amateur sleuths stick themselves into a case but Jenna has a stake in this mystery so it makes sense. Frank is a great use of a character to take the "don't interfere with my case!" stance against Jenna, other books of the genre would put this on her detective boyfriend adding annoying conflict. And finally I was so happy that Jenna acknowledges, out loud, when she was being thoughtless and reckless. I was cheering for her and liking her but this cemented it. She is a likable, realistic, honest, and she can definitely carry a book series.

Quick easy fun read. Really enjoyed this book. Since this is the second in the series I WILL go and read the first one. I enjoyed it that much! Twice Upon a Time is definitely a bookstore I would love to visit. Thanks #netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Antique bookshop mystery book 2
Setting Hokes Folly, NC
Twice Upon a Time books is having a grand reopening of her “new” antique bookstore.
The library’s director of antique books is found dead and Jenna involves herself in crime fighting.
Likable characters and good story

Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn sleuths again when a pair of glass bookends puts an end to a librarian's life, in this second installment of Laura Gail Black's cozy series.
This is your classic cozy.....not overly complex but a quick and easy read. I like the characters and the location and while it may not have the most suspenseful mystery I've ever read, it held my interest until the end and I enjoyed the distraction. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

This is the second book in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series and it was just as good as the first book in the series. Jenna Quinn is holding a grand opening to celebrate the reopening of her bookstore following the death of her uncle. Prizes were given out and one ended up being used to kill Linus Talbot, the library’s director of antique books. Jenna takes temporary custody of Talbot’s dog, Eddy, which is a story in itself as she is not comfortable with a pet. Jenna, along with her police detective boyfriend Keith, her friend Rita, and store employee and friend Mason get together to crack the case.

There are several suspects to choose from and as I read the book they rotated through my mind as possibilities, though I tossed one out relatively soon. I felt it was a fun read and that the characters in this book are enjoyable, except for Detective Sutter, but I do not believe he is meant to be a lovable person at this time. I have to admit I was puzzled by Jenna’s grand reopening only having drinks and no food of any sort because that just seemed strange that she would not have finger foods, but that could just be my way of socializing—need food! I think she did a good job of presenting the suspects and throwing up smokescreens on who the killer was.

As I started this book, it mentioned Jenna’s uncle’s death and I decided I’d like to read the first book before reading the second in the series. While this is certainly not required, I like to read my books in order and get the back story and I recommend reading For Whom the Book Tolls if you get a chance to become better acquainted with Jenna.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't for me, but it wasnt bad, either! The characters interacted well with one another. Nothing was too cliche or unrealistic, given the circumstances of the circumstances of the murder and how Jenna, the main character, became involved. I enjoyed the originality, and it was worth the read. Just not my cup of tea.

At first I was not sure if I would like this book. As I got into it and got to know the characters I enjoyed it very much. The story line was interesting and easy to follow The relationship between Jenna and Detective Keith was easy to relate to. I wanted to start the series from the beginning so I took out the first book For Whom the Book Tolls out of the library. I look forward to continuing this series with Book No. 3.

Having moved to Hokes Folly, NC to escape a painful breakup, and an even more painful criminal case, Jenna Quinn found herself investigating a murder almost immediately she arrived. Now, after taking over the local bookstore, she is enjoying its reopening and a hopefully more peaceful future. That hope is soon shattered as one of her special guests is murdered on their way home from her opening night celebrations.

With the help of best friend Rita, shop manager Mason, and boyfriend Detective Keith Logan, Jenna is determined to discover what happened and why before her bookstore gets a very unwanted reputation. The killer has other plans however and it isn't long before Jenna finds herself the unwilling object of their attention.

This is the second Jenna Quinn book and having enjoying her first outing I was delighted to read this. The four main characters already work really well together, the dialogue is realistic, and the crime not easy to solve. Without spoilers, one antagonist disappeared quite quickly, I hope they will be in future books as they definitely give Jenna a run for her money! 

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read, a lot happens, and nothing is quite as it seems.

This is the second installment in the Antique Bookshop cozy mystery series. I’m a huge fan of cozies and this one was no exception! Jenna is a strong main character who is very likable and well developed, like the majority of characters in this book. The mystery is interesting and has some red herrings. All in all, a fun read!

A delightful cozy mystery to keep us happy in difficult times. I loved the dog at the centre of the story and would love to visit the bookshop (I know it is not real). Somehow the author has managed to encapsulate two of my favourite things in a mystery, dogs and books. I look forward to reading more.

This was a new author for me and I'm not disappointed! This is the second installment in her Antique Bookshop mysteries and I am enjoying this series. I love the book angle and am really into the character development. I love that the location is in south, a small town in Hokes Folly, NC. I wish there were more descriptions of the town itself. The main character, Jenna, has inherited a home, a business, and plenty of money after her uncle is murdered. And of course there is a love interest. Your typical cozy but a very good story!

Jenna Quinn, is hosting the re grand opening of her bookstore Twice Upon a Time. All was going well until the Director of Antique Books is found murdered.
Jenna not only has to solve the murder quickly before people think the store is cursed. This was a fun, fast paced mystery.
#MurderbytheBookend #NetGalley

In this cozy murder mystery Jenna Quinn - new bookstore owner - has to deal with the murder of on of the guest she invited to her opening night. The book fits right into the genre, the characters are interesting, you get a hunch of a few suspects and all stays above the belt. What I could not relate to at all was the romantic relationship, that was so last century. And while you can read this book on it's own I think it is best to read them in order as there are many references to the first book that I did not understand immediately as I had not read the first book. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Murder by the Bookend is the second installment in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series. There are numerous references to book one, but not enough to give a clear indication of what happened, leaving me feeling a bit lost at times.

Jenna has inherited a bookstore from her uncle and after the grand re-opening, a party guest is killed with the door prize he won (you guessed it - bookends). The detective on the case blames Jenna for making him look bad in book one and refuses to listen to her ideas on why the guest might have been killed. Therefore, as any good amateur sleuth would, Jenna explores her theories with the help of her friends.

This is a cute, clean story with little violence or profanity. There's a lovable dog, a handsome suitor, and several red herrings. But there isn't anything here that makes it stand apart from other cozy mysteries. I didn't connect much with the characters, and I couldn't figure out how the killer got the door prize away from the victim to kill him with it. But the author did keep me guessing on who the murderer was, and the story had nice pacing and flow.

Overall, a decent read.

this was a fairly standard cozy mystery. I had read the first in the series and this was bout on the same level as that one. I did think that the characters were moved along a bit in there personal development. I did not like how some of the characters were overblown and extremely unpleasant; almost a caricature of a nasty person. Some of the events at the ending denouement seemed a little confusing as to how things fit.

Very engaging story. All of the characters were believable. Once I started reading this book I had a hard time putting it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery without a lot of graphic violence.

This is the 2nd in the series, An Antique Bookshop Mystery. I hadn't read the first, but was totally entertained by this story!
Jenna owns a used bookstore in Hokes Folly, NC. She is hosting a grand reopening of her store, with many of her friends and town officials in attendance. The mystery begins when a guest of the party is found murdered nearby. Jenna, her friends and her boyfriend police detective work to solve the mystery. Include the dog of the murdered guest, who Jenna adopts, an overzealous police detective, and other colorful characters, this story is a fun read. I will be adding this series to my TBR list. Grab a blanket, a cup of tea and enjoy!!
Thank you to NetGalley , the author and publisher for providing an ARC for my review.

I’ve read a lot of cozy mystery books and this was among the first that wasn’t exceptionally cheesy or unbelievable. I really related to the main character, Jenna Quinn, and found her portrayal in this book to be realistic. While I had suspicions about the villain, I actually had stronger suspicions about a different character so there was still some surprise at the end! I was intrigued enough with this story I downloaded the audiobook for the first book in the series to listen to and anxiously await a third book!

Jenna Quinn is holding a party to celebrate the reopening of the bookstore. She chose the guests from a list of her uncle's patrons. When the library's Director of Antique Books Linus Talbot is murdered in the parking lot after the celebration. The only witness to the murder is the dead man's dog who is taken in by Jenna.. As Jenna begins an investigation aided by her friends and detective boyfriend, she discovers that a number of guests had a reason to want Linus dead.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

I enjoyed this book. It starts a little slow but soon picks up speed. The mystery and story is interesting. I liked the characters. The killer didn't really surprise me although the ending is great. #MurderbytheBookend #NetGalley