Nicol Zanzarella is the absolute perfect narrator for this book!

In Vinyl Resting Place, three sisters are trying to revive their family's record shop - slash - coffee nook in Cedar River, Texas when a body deader than disco falls out of the supply closet during the grand opening. With their uncle on the run from a murder charge and the future of their small business on the line, the sisters must catch the real killer before the trail - and the coffee - goes cold.

This was yet another audiobook I decided to listen to on a whim when it came up on NetGalley and it turned out to be yet another good one. I have enjoyed quite a lot of audiobooks this way this year and I think I will continue with the process... certainly seems to be foolproof 😅.

I liked the setting of a vintage record shop/cafe. We see a lot of library/book store/cafe setting in cozy mysteries so this was something new. I also loved the name of the shop 'Sip & Spin Records'... authors do know how to come up with the most clever names for shops, cafés, etc. in cozy mysteries!

The plot, setting, characters and pacing were good and the narration by Nicol Zanzarella helped liven up the story.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Tantor Audio and the author Olivia Blacke for the audio Arc of the book.

Publication date was 27th December 2022.

Vinyl Resting Place is the first book in a new shopfront cozy series by Olivia Blacke. Released 27th Dec 2022 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This series features a trio of sisters who are re-opening their family's vanished vinyl record store with collectible records, which have come full circle and are cool again, along with a cafe and coffee shop on the premises. Things certainly don't go to plan when a body is discovered in the storage room after the big opening night party. 

The writing is engaging and the author has a solid feel for plotting and dialogue. Some of the eccentric small-town secondary characters were a bit archetypal and "trope-y" but they weren't overly intrusive or only there as window-dressing, and I wasn't yanked out of my suspension of disbelief during the read. The climax, denouement and resolution were satisfying and I really enjoyed the interplay between the sisters and their extended family and the record store/coffee shop setting was also enjoyable. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 9 hours 15 minutes and is well narrated by Nicol Zanzarella. She has a well modulated alto voice and does a good job with a large cast of characters and manages to differentiate all of them well enough that they're easy to distinguish and never monotonous or confusing. Sound and production quality were high throughout.

Three and a half stars. I enjoyed the musical trivia and word play throughout. There was some repetition, and the slow burn potential romance angle felt a little pasted in, but all in all, it's a fun shopfront cozy. It'll be interesting to see how the author develops the series and characters.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Vinyl Resting Place is a debut cozy mystery with wonderful characters and a mystery to keep you guessing, Juniper and her sisters Tansy and Maggie reopened their family record shop, Sip & Spin Records. Super cozy-i listened to this in audiobook format and it was really well performed. A Murder occurs at their Grand Opening and the sisters' Uncle Calvin is the prime suspect. The police officer who arrests Calvin is Juni's ex-boyfriend. The 3 sisters really make the story enjoyable along with their friends. The ending was good and kept me guessing. A very enjoyable book and I am looking forward to more in this series. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. #vinylrestingplace #netgalleybooks this made me want to cozy in and listen to some records. I also enjoyed all the puns. @oliviablackeauthor 4/5 stars

I found this book really hard to get in to? It felt pretty juvenile and basic, and was playing out exactly how you would expect something to go. Not overly sure if it was meant to be a cozy mystery but that was the vibe I was getting and it was underwhelming. The book was just fine, nothing else major to say

2.5 stars rounded up

Thank you for this ARC!!

🎶BOOK REVIEW🎶

Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Blacke
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

“When Juni Jessup and her sisters Tansy and Maggie put all their beans in one basket to open Sip & Spin Records, a record-slash-coffee shop in Cedar River, Texas, they knew there could be some scratches on the track, but no one was expecting to find a body deader than disco in the supply closet.”

I enjoyed this first book in a new series! The small town, gossip mill features were so spot on - I found myself laughing at the familiarity of it. This was JUST published, so check it out now!

Recommend if you like:
🎶Cozy mysteries
🎶Small town stories
🎶Amateur sleuthing
🎶Possible budding romance
🎶Family dynamics
🎶Music references
🎶Puns

Thank you to @netgalley, @stmartinspress, @tantoraudio and the author for access to this ARC!

Publish date: December 27, 2022 (out now!! ✨)

#netgalley #oliviablacke #vinylrestingplace #audiobookreview #bookreview #arcreview #outnow #books #bookish #booktrain #bookstagram #read #goodreadschallenge #bookchallenge #earc

Quick Summary: A greatest hits mystery

My Review: Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Blacke will definitely go in my greatest hits collection for 2022! (Translation: It has earned a place on my favorites shelf.)

About This Book: Record Shop Mystery #1 opened the door to a contemporary style of mystery and intrigue. This book introduced a trio of sisters who own a charming shop called Sip & Spin Records. On the night before their grand opening, a murder takes place. Before anyone can even begin to put clues together to solve the puzzle, their close relative is accused. The sisters must work together to figure out what happened, or they may stand to lose everything they've worked so hard to achieve.

About the Characters: This incredible debut story brings the Jessup sisters (Juni, Tansy, and Maggie) front and center. Each sister has a unique personality, lifestyle, and goal plan. While all of the sisters were interesting, the sister who stood out the most in this volume was the youngest, Juni Jessup.

About Juni: Juni was strong, curious, driven, passionate, and fearless of sorts. She was also caught in what could potentially be a love triangle. On one side, Juni's former best friend seemed to be interested in rekindling their friendship. Could something more be on the horizon? On the other side, Juni's ex kept putting himself in her orbit. He wanted to keep her close, but were his intentions honorable?

Other Characters of Interest: The uncle of the sisters was quite colorful. I cannot wait to hear more about his antics. Beau and his partner certainly captured my attention. Is something more there or has there ever been? Mother Jessup is totally a Southern matriarch. She is going to be a hoot to see in future installments. Does she have an agenda for her youngest?

My Final Say: I'm a fan. Keep 'em coming, Ms. Blacke. This was most excellent!

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Audiobook: Yes
Series: Yes

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own and have been submitted voluntarily.

* A Goodreads review has been posted.

I love a good cozy mystery! I heard about Vinyl Resting Place a few months before its release, and it absolutely had my attention. Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read an ARC of the new book and I was not disappointed. There is so much to love about this effort including musical references and recommendations, a quirky but loving family, and a small town with a host of lovable characters. Between the humor and the mysteries, themselves this was an amazing read.

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When Juni Jessup and her sisters Tansy and Maggie put all their beans in one basket to open Sip & Spin Records, a record-slash-coffee shop in Cedar River, Texas, they knew there could be some scratches on the track, but no one was expecting to find a body deader than disco in the supply closet.

Family is everything to the Jessups, so when their uncle is arrested by Juni’s heartbreaking ex on suspicion of murder, the sisters don’t skip a beat putting Sip & Spin up for bail collateral. But their tune changes abruptly when Uncle Calvin disappears, leaving them in a grind. With their uncle’s freedom and the future of their small business on the line, it’s up to Juni and her sisters to get in the groove and figure out whodunit before the killer’s trail—and the coffee—goes cold.

Music and mocha seem like a blend that should be “Knockin' On Heaven's Door,” but caught up in a murder investigation with her family and their life savings on the line, Juni wonders if she might be on the "Highway to Hell" instead.

Juniper Jessup is back in her hometown and her and her sisters pansy and Magnolia are restarting The Jessup family record store adding an eatery and calling it Sip And Spin. On the night of their grand reopening everyone is there and excited for the party and the new record store but not everyone is in a festive mood and when someone is found murdered and her uncle is arrested and then goes missing. It is up to Juniper “June bug“ Jessup to find out what happened. Although the one who broke her heart in the new town sheriff bauex isn’t happy about it and it seems everywhere she turns… There he is. The town is full of old friends in ex’s, but it seems no one knows the mysterious lady her uncle Charlie the good looking player in town was seen with before he went missing. Does she have something to do with the case can Junie find out without coming to harm herself? I was so excited to listen to this new cozy mystery found it sweet, entertaining in a series I will definitely be looking out for. I hope to see more with Pansey, Magnolia and the rest of the Jessup family. I also wouldn’t mind hearing more about Junie and Beaux and her best friend whose name I forget I think it’s Eddie. I love the multicultural characters in the book but the talk of food made me hungry lol! What a great cozy mystery I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see more. I listen to the audiobook and thought Maria Zanzanella did a great job narating the book and I hope the author allows her to do the others in the series. I received this book from NetGalley Tantore audio but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Setting the Scene: The Jessup sisters pool their resources to open a vinyl record/coffee shop - Sip & Spin - in fictitious Cedar River, Texas. On the eve of their grand opening, disaster strikes when a body is found in the store and Uncle Charlie disappears, confirming his spot as suspect #1.

What I thought: This is a delightful introduction to a new series with an interesting premise and entertaining characters. The Jessup sisters are each unique in their own right, and there is both a believable and amusing ratio of friction and interplay between the sisters. If you enjoy quirky characters, Uncle Charlie and Ms. Edie have that covered. The mystery is well plotted and provides some unexpected twists. All in all, this is a very satisfying read that will keep you engaged and looking forward to more.

A little extra for my fellow Texans: First, let me say that I am a 5th generation Texan and, so, quite critical of books set in my state. Vinyl Resting Place meets my exacting standard from the appropriate use of "y'all" to the mention of Whataburger and Sonic - a nice touch that made me smile. I must say that cowboy hats, horses, and 4 wheelers are not quite as plentiful as indicated, but neither are they rare. Nonetheless, there is respect in the authenticity of the book.

Juniper Jessup and her sisters put everything they have into opening Sip & Spins, a reinvented take on a record store with a trendy coffee shop. When they find a dead body in the cleaning closet after their grand opening party, they are shocked, especially to find out their uncle is a prime suspect.
This was a great cozy mystery, with a fun cast of characters and a unique setting. I did find it a bit repetitive and overly explained in the beginning, but once the story was established, the pacing and flow were great. I enjoyed the different relationships between the family members. I am excited to see where this story goes and maybe experience a point of view from a different sister?
Nicol Zanzarella did an excellent job narrating. It was easy and engaging to listen too.
Thank you Tantor Audio for the advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was great! I loved the mixing of music, records, a coffee shop, and murder! I can't wait for the next installment in this series. I felt like we really got to know this family and be invested in their lives, so we I need to know what happens next!!

#VinylRestingPlace
#NetGalley

This was a great start to a new series. I enjoyed getting to know the Jessup sisters and their small town of Cedar River, Texas.

As Juni and her sisters are starting up a new business (a revitalization of a family business that had died years earlier), their beloved uncle is caught up in some legal trouble that prompts them to put their new shop up for collateral for his bail. The only problem is, he immediately skipped town as soon as he was released!

Now they're left trying to figure out how to save their business from going under, which means finding their uncle and getting him to do the right thing. Which proves to be easier said than done...

I found this to be a well-constructed mystery, which colorful characters, a great small-town setting, and a mystery that left you guessing.

Thank you to Olivia Blacke, Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I really enjoyed the story. The setting and plot are both pretty fresh and interesting. I think there is a lot of potential for this story to grow into something long lasting. I figured out the culprit early on but not the why so that was a good reveal.

There were a few negatives for me. I know people from Texas love Texas; however, I feel like the “everything Texas” was just too much. Also, I didn’t understand why we needed to know the race or ethnicity of absolutely every character when we met them, down to a delivery driver on like 3 pages. It was just too much, in my opinion.

The story was intriguing enough for me to continue to book two, once released.

I received this audiobook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to get the Vinyl Resting Place audiobook through @netgalley Merry Christmas to me!! @oliviablackeauthor has written a fabulous cozy mystery about sisters, coming home, and the chaos family can cause. Junie is home in Texas (near Austin) to help establish a family record and coffee store. Their opening night is a hit, until a body is found in the closet. When Junie’s slightly sketchy uncle goes missing, she and her sisters are on the case. I love the setting, the family, the conflict. There’s some burgeoning romance, a maybe crooked cop and lots of amazing Texan food. @nicolsharingstories does an amazing job narrating and her accent work is wonderful. Definitely preorder this! #oliviablacke #vinylrestingplace #recordshopmystery #nicolzanzarellA @stmartinspress

The title and concept of this pulled me in immediately. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. The mystery/whodunit didn’t really come together - I didn’t buy the nieces’ motivations with their uncle, and the ending could be guessed very early. The pace was very slow & repetitive, and Juni’s love interests had no spark. Some editing and added action or twists could improve this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

There was just so much wrong with this book that I ended up not finishing it. I will say that there were a couple things that initially drew me to the book and I will highlight them here. First, the cover is awesome. I have been a lover of vinyl before it was cool [because THAT was all there was! LOL] and that is what initially drew me to the book [along with the amazing title]. I loved how there were three sisters who grew up loving music, in their grandparents and parents music store and that they have come back together to purchase the neglected building and once again run a music store and coffee shop. WHAT could be better??

Unfortunately, that is all that was good in regards to this book.

First, there is a love triangle. Please. Please. Please. stop writing stupid love triangles. They rarely happen in real life and when they do, there are NO HAPPY ENDINGS. I have watched two people I know [in separate situations] go through the whole "love triangle" thing and all it did was make three people extremely unhappy. It is not a realistic outcome and people get truly hurt in these instances. PLEASE STOP WRITING THEM. Plus. it is just lazy writing. Its easier to write crap relationship garbage than to write deep meaningful relationships. Plus, why in the world would Juni EVER think about the stupid crappy, cocky, cop who has already broke her heart once. He is a player plain and simple and too cocky for words and seriously, HE needs to be taken down a peg. UGH.

Then, there is the writing itself. Its disjointed and abrupt and very, very, juvenile. Glitter bombs? Seriously? Are we 12 [and that is doing a serious disservice to really good middle-grade and YA books out there that don't rely on gimmicks to smooth over an uneven story-line]? Ugh.

I have now come to the biggest reason I am not finishing this book and truly, this is the true reason. Because all the other stuff that I previously wrote could be overlooked. I have done it before with other books [and disliked those book and never read another one], but this reason is a deal-breaker for me.
Flat out race identifiers. 4 times before you hit 7%. It continues with each person of a different ethnicity, even if they have been introduced before. When introducing a character, it is NOT needed to talk about what race or ethnicity they are. It is racist subtext and racist shading and it is absolutely unnecessary in ANY BOOKS. And it certainly doesn't need to be done over and over and over again, especially with characters that have already been introduced. The author isn't telling the reader who all the WHITE people are, just pointing out all the "different" people in the story. UGH. It was offensive and racists and the absolute BIGGEST deal-breaker for me. I will absolutely NOT be reading any more of this authors work or this series. There is absolutely no place for this kind of writing in a world today where racism and antisemitism is raging; if ANYTHING, authors should be working against that, and if they cannot, then I cannot read their work.

***Because of all my serious issues with the book, I am not using the audiobook. I am sad because I think the narrator is really amazing [from previous listens]. I was sorry to not be able to listen to her again for this ultimately hideous book. It is absolutely NOT the fault of the narrator in any way and I would 100% listen to a book narrated by her again in heartbeat. I am giving the narrator the 4 stars, NOT the book, just to be clear!!***

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Tantor Audio for providing the ARC and audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Blacke Narrated by Nicol Zanzarella is the first in a new series set in a vinyl record and coffee shop, just outside of Austin, TX, owned by three sisters, their mother and uncle. During the grand opening a young woman is murdered and her body stashed in the shop’s supply closet. Then their eccentric uncle goes on the run, risking the business put up as collateral for his bond. Not much the sisters can do, except try to solve the mystery and save their business.

The narrator did an excellent job of portraying and transitioning between all of the characters. She had a pleasing voice that enhanced the storyline and made me want to continue listening long into the evening.

Olivia Blacke is a new-to-me author with a fresh voice who is now firmly on my favorites list. I loved the strong bond between the three very different sisters, as well as their relationship with the rest of the family and local friends. The dialogue was engaging, the characters quirky yet charming, and there was more than one possible love interest - so much to enjoy in this book. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) This is a delightfully charming new series and I eagerly anticipate the next installment!

3.5⭐️

Vinyl Resting Place is a cozy mystery set in a small town newly opened record store/coffee shop ran by three sisters named Sip and Spin. A dead body is found at the grand opening and the sister’s uncle is the main suspect. The main character, Juni takes it upon herself to investigate and clear her uncle’s name.

This book hit all the cozy mystery tropes: a quirky main character who has to return to her home town, romantic tension between an ex-lover, and possible romantic tension between the MC and an old high school friend who never left their home town. Someone repeatedly saying “our uncle isn’t a criminal” as proof of his innocence even though they regularly say “he’s not a rule follower” and has thousands in unpaid tickets.

Oh, and puns. So. Many. Puns.

The best pun was the title of the books and then they all went down hill from there. Each drink at the coffee shop is supposed to be a play on a song title, but read out loud they all fall a bit flat.

My biggest complaint in most cozy mysteries, including this one, is when the author goes too over the top to make the MC quirky. Juni drives an adult tricycle around town and uniornically says “shucks” an a fairly regular basis.

Overall this was a cute story. Thank you NetGalley for proving and advanced audiobook version of this book to me!

I decided to DNF this book at 59%

You may like this book if you like…
- small town settings
- cozy mysteries
- record shops
- music references
- close-knit family/sisters

I really liked the concept of this book, but I didn't feel invested in the mystery. I know mysteries are slower-paced than thrillers of course, but this one felt like it was dragging at times. I loved the record shop setting owned by sisters - it's what made me pick this one up! The Texas small-town stereotypes got to be a little much, but I may also be biased as a Texan. I'm sure this would be a great cozy mystery for another reader, but it just wasn't my cup of tea!

Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.