Thank you NetGalley for approving me for this book. I am so glad I was able to read this book as I really enjoyed this and will read more by this author.

Book Review: The Murderous Type by Sue Minix

⭐⭐.5 out of 5 stars

The Murderous Type, written by Sue Minix, is the second book in the mystery series featuring Jen, a crime writer turned amateur sleuth. In this installment, Jen finds herself running a local bookstore in her hometown of Riddleton while also trying to meet the deadline for her new novel. However, things take a dark turn when the local police chief is poisoned, and Jen must once again put on her detective hat to solve the murder.

What makes The Murderous Type an interesting read is the way Minix combines the challenges of managing a bookstore with the pressures of being a crime writer. The backdrop of this murder mystery is unique and adds an extra layer of complexity to the story. As Jen races against time to find the killer, the author keeps readers on the edge of their seats with a sense of urgency and suspense that lasts until the very end.

One of the highlights of the book is its ability to keep readers guessing. With everyone in town becoming a suspect, Minix cleverly plants evidence that points towards Jen’s close friend and local police officer, Eric. This twist adds depth to the story, as Jen not only has to solve the murder but also clear Eric’s name before it’s too late.

Moreover, Minix’s writing style is engaging and captivating, allowing readers to easily immerse themselves in the story. The vivid descriptions of Riddleton and its inhabitants bring the town to life, making it feel like a place readers can truly envision. The pacing of the novel is also well-balanced, with a steady progression of clues and revelations that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.

However, it’s worth mentioning that The Murderous Type may not appeal to every reader. In my personal opinion, I found Jen, the main character, to be quite unlikable. Her behavior towards her friends was often arrogant and dismissive, which made it difficult for me to connect with her. Additionally, her tendency to shift blame onto others rather than taking responsibility for her actions made it challenging for me to root for her throughout the story.

In conclusion, The Murderous Type by Sue Minix offers an intriguing murder mystery set in a small town, filled with interesting characters and a unique blend of bookstore management and crime writing. While some readers may find Jen’s character flaws and development intriguing, others may struggle to connect with her. Therefore, I would recommend reading a few other reviews to get a more diverse range of opinions before deciding whether this book is right for you.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

The combination of a cozy mystery plus an author trying to run a bookstore was such a perfect set up for me.

And it had such a strong start. I liked Jen as a character, the murder was interesting, and the story was really standing well on its own despite it obviously being a sequel.

But it was difficult to keep my attention on this book. The writing was almost bullet point in style. Jen did this, then she did this. We spend so much time reading the minutiae of Jen’s actions, that we really don’t get any time spent developing the character relationships. Or scene setting.

And the huge info dump at the end to explain everything needed to solve the mystery really frustrated me. I like being surprised by the final reveal, but I also want to be able to go back and reread and pick up on the clues I missed. The red herrings were all set up really well, but I don’t feel that the actual murderer was given nearly the set up.

I did love the inclusion of snippets of Jen’s novel and his she used her story to analyze and solve the real life mystery.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.

This was an amusing and relatable story I loved trying to figure out who-did it before I got to the end. Would recommend to everyone.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Jen has writer’s block. After a smash hit of a first novel, everyone, including her publisher, wants a follow up story. She is struggling but the fact that she gets embroiled in murders certainly is not helping the process. Jen knows she has a problem. She knows she is putting herself at risk and should not do what she is doing but she is incapable of stopping. When the chief of police is poisoned at a fundraiser, her police nemesis is happy to add her to the suspect list. Then when her policeman friend, who has designs of something more than friendship, is framed, she decides to commit to the investigation.

But everything she does, she seems to dig herself deeper and deeper and she is in jeopardy of losing the few friends she has in town. The first time she ends up in grave danger, the reader could forgive her impetuous nature. The second time she is skating close to the Darwin line. But she does not go over and the fact that the times of peril are so compelling, she gets a pass. And it seems she might actually make her deadline.

Four purrs and two paws up.

I really enjoyed the first book so was very happy to read this one and review it when I was asked. In this book Jen had taken over the bookstore and was still writing her second book. She ended up wrapped up in another murder and trying to help her friend. I really liked the fact she learnt she has more help and support from more then just Brittany. I really enjoyed the storyline and how it all worked out with everyone involved. I would definitely recommend this and plan on reading the third book when it's out.

If you can overlook a main character with poor decision making skills, you will enjoy this book. It is a bit hard to believe that she can get away with some of the things she does - especially the antics involving a police station. It all works if you do not take things too seriously.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

I enjoyed this one more than I did the first one in the series. That tends to me the norm for me with cozy mysteries I end up liking the second book much better than the firs.

I'm enjoying this series, Jen and the solid mysteries. There's a lot of fun, plenty of twists and the solid plot kept me guessing.
Can't wait to read another one, just hope that there won't be any other new book deadline.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Book two in the Bookstore Mystery series has a complex amateur sleuth, a cast of viable suspects and a lovely dog character. I enjoyed the mystery and the humour in this story but wished I had read the first book in the series, as it took me a while to get to know the main protagonist and the cast. The setting was well-described, and the characters were vibrant. I enjoyed it and will also read the first book in the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Full of fun and also mysterious characters, this was an easy read. The questions I had throughout the story and the adventures I read about, kept me guessing. I could not figure out the mystery and was definitely surprised at the ending. I received an advance copy and gladly leave my honest review.

5 out of 5 stars. Sue Minix did it again . . . What an amazing story that had me wondering what would happen. I thought I knew who was behind the murders, but I was wrong!

The characters were well developed, and I love the main character named Jen and her friends, Eric and Brittany. I love the fact that the author subtly brings up how people feel an emptiness when their pet is away. (No, the dog named Savannah does not die!)

The Murderous Type can be read as a stand alone, but it's definitely better if you read the first book in the series, Murder At The Bookstore. It was entertaining, and I had trouble putting the book down.

Sue Minix is now one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to see where she takes the story. Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore to buy this book!

#TheRunningBibliophile #Books #BookReview #BookReviews #TheMurderousType #TheBookstoreMystery #SueMinix #NetGalley #ARC #AdvancedReadersCopy

The Murderous Type by Sue Minix the 2nd instalment in the "A Bookstore Mystery" series. What a great follow up to book one. I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 3.

I really enjoyed visiting Riddleton again and love the addition of Savanna the German shepherd puppy to the family at Ravenous Readers. I also like the budding romance between Jen and Eric…

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.

I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends!

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Harper Collins/Avon and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

I liked this one better than the first but not by much. Not every author will appeal to every reader but that doesn’t mean they’re not good; they’re just not good for me. There were some things I didn’t like about this series but that’s not to say others will agree. Jen is selfish and not really likeable. The story doesn’t really hold my interest although it is well paced. I have three pet peeves in cozies: love triangles, MCs who don’t actually go to work, and breaking in to get clues. I see the MC’s role as a supplement to the police investigation, finding clues the police may not have to help out. In this one, she breaks into the police station. This goes from helping the police to thinking you’re better than them. Deal breaker for me. I will not continue with this series.

I read a lot of cozy mysteries and unfortunately not every one is going to work for me. Unfortunately, this is one of them. I did not read the first book in the series so that may have negatively impacted my opinion of this book but I don't think it would have substantially changed it.

I do love the setup of having an author who also runs a bookstore and I loved that she has a doggy companion. Unfortunately this was never a book I was able to get into and it never really made that much of impression on me. There are a lot of characters and even more detail about each character and everything else around them which ended up with me accidentally skimming and then having to go back and reread whole paragraphs.

This writing style didn't work well with me and I never really connected with any of the characters at all. This wasn't a bad book but it just wasn't one that worked for me.

Thank you to #NetGalley for a chance to read this book. This is the first book I have read by this author and I did think it was the first in the series, but it is the second and I didn't feel lost. I liked a lot about the main character, that she was a mystery author, that she owned the bookstore, I really enjoyed that she doesn't pretend to run it, and of course her adorable pup. This was an interesting mystery and I was compelled to keep reading to figure out who done it! The big problem I had with this book is the moments, and there are several, where Jen just does things that qualify as TSTL! Her actions are often beyond reckless and just stupid. It's hard to really respect a main character that challenges the credibility of what she does, here it happens too often, which is a shame as the series has potential.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Murderous Type (The Bookstore Mystery #2) by Sue Minix from Net Galley and Avon Books UK in order to read and give an honest review.

…an abundance of red herrings, nail-biting moments along with the relatable and dynamic characters which made this book a fun read, and I will be on the lookout for more books in this series. …

When the newly transplanted Crime author Jen Dawson is finally settling into her new life after the events of book one, she finally feels the peace and quiet small-town life offers…perhaps a little too much.

Lacking the hustle and bustle of her old life, she is desperately trying to overcome writers’ block and complete the deadline for the second book in her series before her publisher drops her. Add on the stress of trying to keep her recently inherited bookstore afloat and raise a cute but rambunctious puppy Savannah, she is completely overwhelmed.

When a local fundraiser takes a deadly turn with the murder of the cantankerous police chief the suspects are in abundance including Jen’s dear friend and Eric. When evidence is found in his locker at the police station, he is relieved of duty and moved to the top of the suspect list. Jen having made enemies in the police department in book one is warned to stay out of the investigation this time around but when it appears Eric may have been set up by a fellow officer, she has no choice but to dive right in putting herself and her friends (human and furry) in danger.

Not having read the first book did put a damper a bit on the book but it did hold its own as a standalone. What I loved about this book was the protagonist, being a writer, I love the little glimpse of the process and the angst that comes along trying to meet a deadline but also Jen’s total addiction to coffee which I can sympathize with. I also love the quirks of the character, the clumsiness, the self-deprecating humor makes the character feel relatable. Although I felt the book dragged on for the first half (some things felt repetitive i.e., the constant mention of her next book) the second half of the book did pick up with an abundance of red herrings, nail-biting moments along with the relatable and dynamic characters which made this book a fun read, and I will be on the lookout for more books in this series

an unpredictable suspenseful read! Lots of twists and turns, lots of suspects, poison, murder and mayhem. The story is filled with interesting and complex characters. Can Jen prove Eric innocent? A real page turner and a must read!!

The Murderous Type is an engaging and suspenseful cozy mystery. It is a fast paced and action filled read. It has the small town, a bookstore owner MC with a coffee addiction and a budding romance. Add in the adorable canine sidekick and you have all the elements that equal a great cozy mystery. I didn’t figure out the ending ahead of time and I really enjoyed the pacing of the book with the twists and turns. I also enjoyed the “book within the book” aspect as you are treated to small sections of the mystery that the MC, whom is also an author, is writing.
This is the second book in The Bookstore Mystery series but it reads as a standalone pretty well if you haven’t read the first book in the series.

I will be posting this review on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsrjSFxgyWS/?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5574122799

And Amazon.