A cozy mystery but perhaps a little too gentle for my taste. I found it disjointed at times. An ok read

I chose this book because I enjoy cosy mysteries but didn’t realise it was the third in The Bookstore Mystery series. It works well as a standalone book, but I prefer to read books in order because you get a fuller picture of the recurring characters.

Unfortunately, I disliked the protagonist Jen, who came across as extremely immature and reckless, but the plot was enjoyable enough to keep me reading.

Because of my antipathy towards the main character, I don’t think I’ll read any more books from this series, but I would certainly read more books written by Sue Minix. 3*

Thank you, Jeanette, Galley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

An enjoyable cozy mystery with a perfect small town setting and great characters. I am looking forward to the next addition to the series!

An enjoyably festive cosy mystery. This is the third in the series (though it can easily be read as a stand alone) and comfortably adds a few more details to the characters we’ve come to know without changing the existing dynamic.

The story is well written, though I did guess the villain(s). This didn’t spoil my enjoyment though as watching Jen stumble her way to the truth is a big part of the appeal!

Recommended to those who enjoy a good cosy starring books, an adorable dog and a suitably quirky cast of characters!

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher ***

The heroine is a disappointment. She is thoughtless, reckless, and takes unnecessary risks, especially when it comes to interfering in a murder investigation. However, the story is good and the supporting characters are interesting. And the author does a good job with those parts where Jen struggles with writing her next book.I am willing to give this series another try to see if Jen has
matured but will abandon the book if there is no growth with the protagonist. Thanks to #NetGalley and #AChapterOnMurder for advanced digital copy.

With the second book in her teen mystery series now finished and awaiting publication, novelist and accidental bookstore owner Jen is juggling plotting out book three with trying to keep her inherited business afloat. Trade is already too slow for the festive season before a dead body is found propped against the door… Can Jen solve the murder, prevent an innocent man going to jail, keep the store profitable, AND get the next book written before her publishers drop her? And as if that wasn’t enough on her plate, there’s trouble with the boyfriend – but of course! What police detective will be happy with his girlfriend throwing herself into danger and meddling in cases?!

We’re three books into this series now, and I have mixed feelings. It’s a decent enough read, but it’s infuriating when large amounts of plot requires the main character to take really stupid risks. The “I think this person might be a murder but of course I’ll drive off into a secluded area with them” kind of risks – cue much eye-rolling. There is a good attempt at giving Jen reasons to be involved in the investigation, while at the same time it’s very easy to be on the side of the trope-ish ‘blinkered detective who hates her’ and the boyfriend losing patience with the meddling and danger.

Talking of, the balance in the cosy-to-mystery ratio here has tipped a bit too far away from the mystery, imo. Jen’s relationship angst took up large amount of book, as did randomness about the dog, Savannah. I love dogs, but I completely fail to see the point about the subplot of this one eating something it shouldn’t. Just… didn’t do anything for the story, bar add a bit of ‘ick’ at the resolution (don’t worry: the dog lives!).

All in all, it wasn’t a bad read and diverting enough. But it didn’t hold together that well for me, with an odd mix of elements thrown together for drama rather than feeling organic. The supporting characters are also sometimes quite poorly served, there only as plot devices or scenery rather than feeling real, including the incredibly creepy neighbour from book one who was suddenly all reformed and forgiven, or the bookshop staff that are delighted (!) to work for pretty much free. Really could have done without the cancer bit, too – this was meant to be an escapist read! You have been warned.

I did like the bits about the novel writing, including a chuckle at the whole “I’ve had a better idea lets just start a whole different story” – hah!

Would I read book 4? Probably, but this one was just ‘okay’, not great. A shame, as the set up has a fair amount going for it, just didn’t hit the mark for me.

With a bookstore in a small town, a lovable dog, an amateur detective, a couple of ex-cons, a priest and Christmas, (not to mention ancient tunnels under the town) what more could you ask for in a “cozy” murder story? All of the above were pulled together nicely to make a quick, easily readable, enjoyable book to be read in any season of the year. I enjoyed my time spent with the book, and other than a few too many references to the previous books in the series at the beginning of the book, I have only positive things to say. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

A dead man is found blocking the back door of Jen's bookstore and he has her name and the name of the bookstore in his pocket. Who is he and what did he want to see Jen about? Jen is trying to find out, plus finish her next novel and keep the bookstore from failing. And, try to keep her relationship with Eric going in the right direction. The only part of her life going right is Savannah, her trusty dog!

south-carolina, bookseller, coffee-shop, local-law-enforcement, writers, friends, friendship, friction, frustration, suspense, murder-investigation, amateur-sleuth, family, twins, puppy, verbal-humor, inheritance, tunnel

The real body was at the dumpster of her shop and had her name on a scrap of paper in his pocket.
Jen inherited the bookstore with coffee shop but is also a mystery writer working on book 3 of series. This is her hometown and she has a lot of good friends who also give her the business about her habit of being an amateur sleuth for real and getting into danger. The characters are engaging and the plot runs smoothly. I really enjoyed it.
I requested and received an EARC from Avon Books UK/Avon via NetGalley. Thank you

I received a free copy of, A Chapter on Murder, by Sue Minix, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book three in The Bookstore Mystery series. Its Christmas time and Jen is busy, writing a novel and trying to get customers in her bookshop. Someone is murdered outside her bookshop, and Jen is being framed for the murder. Can Jen solve the murder before Christmas? A really nice Christmas mystery. I liked seeing the old friends from the series in this book.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of A CHAPTER ON MURDER (Book 3 of the Bookstore mysteries) by Sue Minix in exchange for an honest review. Jen Dawson is an author who has been suffering from anxiety and writer’s block since publishing her first popular mystery novel. In order to fend off a breach of contract suit, Jen must really concentrate on finishing her third book. Jen is also the owner of a struggling local bookstore where her primary employee threatens to quit every time Jen suggests an idea to make the business more profitable. To add to her stress, Jen has been implicated in a third murder. A body is found blocking the bookstore door, and he has Jen’s name and address in his pocket. Now, she’s a person of interest, and she needs to clear her name.

I liked this book and enjoy the series. I recommend the book to fans of the series. I recommend the series to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, bookstores, authors, writer’s block, and amateur sleuths.

Jen almost literally stumbles over a dead body behind her bookstore. She is compelled to launch her own investigation when the police arrest a person she wholeheartedly believes is innocent. The storyline is entertaining and the addition of snippets of Jen’s own writing process add interest and uniqueness to the story. On the whole I think the series is getting better with each new installment, but I often find Jen annoying. She gets tunnel vision and bulldozes ahead without consideration for anyone or anything else, which is a bit off putting. She also lacks maturity for someone who is thirty years old, a successful author and a business owner. I think this is a good series that hasn’t quite reached its potential, but is improving with each new installment.

I enjoyed this book. I can feel Jen’s frustration that no one is listening to her that Marcus is innocent. I liked most of the characters but not Eric and his refusal to listen or investigate just because the other detective said so really makes me think he’s a bad detective. I hope Jen finds someone else. #AChapteronMurder #NetGalley

Jen Dawson is back, mired in another murder investigation in spite of her best resolutions – and warning from the local police officers – to stay out of it. But her friend, Marcus, is accused of a murder Jen knows he would never have committed, so what else can she do but start asking questions of the residents of Middleton in a bid to clear his name. As usual, Sue Minix has provided a rich mix of characters and red herrings, against which Jen forges her way towards a resolution. Fearless and impetuous, accompanied by the faithful Savannah, can Jen save Marcus from a grim incarceration. Read it and see. You won’t be disappointed.
I was given an advance reader copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. What a gorgeous book! The author has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people.

A Chapter on Murder revolves around the murder of Travis Underwood who is found dead outside Jen Dawson’s bookstore in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Jen takes it upon herself to investigate the murder as she believes the police have arrested the wrong person. This is the third book in the Bookstore murders series but can be read as a stand-alone novel.

This book felt very similar in style to Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books in that a lot of the mystery was solved through local village gossip and the overall atmosphere was very cozy and quite low stakes. I thought the relationships between characters felt very realistic and the dialogue flowed nicely and felt natural. The balance of the mystery and other elements of Jen’s life was done really well and the pacing was perfect.

However, I did sometimes find it annoying how oblivious Jen could be and some of her decisions throughout the book were reckless and completely illogical.

Overall this was a fun, cozy crime book and would be perfect to read at Christmas time while tucked up in a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate.

A cosy murder mystery, set in a bookstore at Christmas: what more could a reader want? For me, this is a perfect combination and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the third in a series but can be read as a stand alone (I haven’t read the previous books). The descriptions of Christmas decorations are particularly visual, and I think this would make a great movie.

Book three in this excellent cosy series doesn't disappoint as the main protagonists are back trying to work out whodunnit alongside all of Riddleton's Christmas preparations as well as a big birthday in Jen's near future. I enjoyed this very much and am glad to see there will be a fourth instalment early next year. This get me to want to read the other books before this one.

Cosy mystery with appealing characters. The main character is an author and I enjoyed getting glimpses of how plots form in the writer’s mind. Any tale set in a book shop is a win for me, so add in a Christmas lights competition and a gorgeous dog then this book ticks all the boxes.

5/5 stars: You won’t want to miss Minix’s newest entry in the Bookstore Mystery series. A new favorite, Minix’s characters are not only well written but incredibly likable. I get a kick out of catching up with Jen and the folks of Riddleton, South Carolina and relationship with her detective boyfriend, Eric, is so realistic. Most importantly, Minix deftly weaves the clues, red herrings and suspects in such a way that you’ll be left guessing until the final reveal. Additionally, I love the sections when Jen’s writing her book, the peek into the process is oh so very meta and fun. And one must never forget the fluffy cuteness of Savannah, the German Shepherd. This is the third book in the series, so be sure to pick up Murder at the Bookstore, book one, and get to reading this great new Literary Cozy Mystery series.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK, Avon in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.