A cozy Southern small-town mystery. Highlights: the bookstore-in-an-old-house setting and the secondary characters, including a priest and a professor (both female) who become the main character's sidekicks. I could imagine this trio of women becoming a powerful crime-solving (and comedic) force.

Unfortunately, while the mystery itself was interesting enough - particularly in the second half - I found the main character off-putting. She was contemptuous of almost everyone she met, considering herself smarter and wiser than them despite her pervasive naivete and frequent gaffes, and she read as decades older than her 34 years (not in an intriguing old-soul way). I'd read another mystery by this author, but not if it's from this character's point of view.

3.5 stars

After her aunt Rose's death, Madeline inherits her bookstore. Upon arriving, she is met with many misfortunes, including fires, angry phone calls, and other incidents. After a terrible incident, Madeline enters detective mode and gets into quite a few stressful situations. She was very determined to find the culprit. I got annoyed with her character because she often threw herself into situations without thinking things through first. Other than that, it was a delightful read, and I had fun trying to figure out who the culprit was ( I was wrong).

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced e-copy!!

"Booked for Murder,” is a delightful concoction of small-town charm and gripping mystery that proves to be the perfect companion for a cozy evening with a steaming mug of cocoa. Set in the quaint town of Enigma, this novel serves as a promising debut to what is sure to become a beloved series.

Nelson's protagonist, Madeline, finds herself thrust back into her childhood town after a 17-year absence, inheriting her late aunt's bookshop and feline companion. What begins as a journey of self-discovery quickly evolves into a thrilling amateur sleuthing adventure as Madeline faces arson, threats, and murder. The author skillfully weaves together the warmth of a close-knit community with the tension of unfolding danger, creating a tapestry rich with nostalgia and suspense.

The town of Enigma itself emerges as a character in its own right, populated by an endearing cast of nosy neighbors, grumpy locals, and well-intentioned do-gooders. Nelson's deft touch brings to life the intricate web of relationships that define small-town living, imbuing the narrative with a heartwarming sense of history and interconnectedness.

Madeline's character arc is particularly compelling, as she navigates her unexpected return to Enigma while grappling with life's uncertainties. Her fierce determination and amateur detective work, while occasionally leading to questionable decisions, serve to heighten the emotional stakes of the unfolding mystery. The burgeoning relationships surrounding Madeline add an extra layer of intrigue, with a potential love triangle brewing between her and a charming gardener and enigmatic fireman, promising further developments in future installments.

While seasoned mystery aficionados may anticipate the killer's identity, Nelson still manages to surprise with the reveal of the motive, providing a satisfying resolution that ties together the various threads of the narrative.

As the first entry in what promises to be an enchanting series, this novel leaves readers eagerly anticipating their next literary sojourn to the beguiling town of Enigma.

Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for my free books for review.

📚: Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson
⭐️: 3/5

Madeline Brimley has returned home back to Enigma, Georgia with mixed feelings. After her dear Aunt Rose passes, Madeline finds herself to be the bequeathed of The Old Juniper Bookstore. While she isn't sure about being back home, she definitely doesn't love the immediate surprises that come her way. Her backyard gazebo is set ablaze. A late night phone caller threatens to burn the bookstore to the ground. And then someone ends up dead - and Madeline is determined to find out what's going on.

What I would consider a quintessential cozy mystery, this was a fun whodunnit set in an absolutely charming small Southern town. While I had to suspend (a lot) of reality for this, it kept my heart warmed and my spirit charmed page after page.

Big thanks to St. Martin's Press via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Booked for Murder is out on 12/10!

Booked for Murder is about Madeline whose aunt recently passed and left the house and bookstore to her niece. Madeline is an actress who fled small town life as soon as she possibly could so coming back to a small town is difficult, but her love for her aunt makes it so that she is willing to try. Shortly after arriving things start to go wrong including the death of a young lady Madeline meet and quickly formed a friendship with. This book is a cozy mystery, and the pacing is okay but not great. My biggest issue with this book is that I didn’t like Madeline. Her voice and personality were ones that just didn’t resonate with me as a reader. Since I didn’t enjoy her, it was tough for me to really get into the book overall. I thought the ending was interesting though, not the one I expected which was nice.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This is an interesting mystery. Madeline has finally come home after her aunt dies and leaves her business and home to Madeline. Almost immediately after she arrives, a fire is started in the gazebo in the back yard. Then she gets a phone call saying she needs to get out now or else she will be burned in her house. A young girl who helps out in the bookstore is then murdered in the house. What is going on? It all looks suspicious. Some seem to think that Madeline is behind it all. She is sure that she can find the real arsonist and murderer, but at what cost. People that she thought she knew turned out to be so different. Who can she trust? Will she live long enough to find the murderer?

Hooked by the cover and let down by the story. It's very boring and slow. I can't stand reading books where I can figure out who did it within the first 30% of the book.

Thank you again to ST Martin's Press and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 4 stars


This was a cozy small town murder mystery with a leading lady (no joke FMC is an actress) who just came back in order to get her inheritance from her late aunt that owned a Victorian mansion that was designed to be a bookstore in the front half of the house.

There were a few things that annoyed me/ confused me a bit like the fact that there was basically "THEY DID IT! POLICE LOCK HIM UP" almost every chapter towards the end but each time it was a different person being accused. I understand some authors like to throw in red herrings to the readers but this was just too much bouncing without thought behind it. Even some characters were yelling at the FMC to stop accusing and just think things through and process for a day before telling the cops.

The main things what was lost to me was this romantic relationship that was somewhat developing. there was one male that was pretty much set up (golden retriever type) to be with her but there was also this other guy who kept showing up on page when she was in trouble (grumpy type) who also seemed like a potential person since he went from angry judgement to pretty much being there to do things she wouldnt expect from a stranger and care for her (might just be his job blinding me)

Over all this was a good read. You can tell by how fast i read it and wish i could get my hands on the next books in the series already.

Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson features a wonderfully rich narrative that seamlessly transitions between the past and present, showcasing the complexities of life.

Booked for Murder is book #1 in the Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery series by P. J. Nelson.

I thought the premise of this book was interesting. Madeline Brimley is an actress who is at an age where she isn’t getting many roles. Her aunt passes away and leaves her bookstore to Madeline. She goes back to claim her inheritance and the trouble starts. Unfortunately, I found Madeline to be an unpleasant character who makes questionable decisions. She has a bad attitude towards police and fire. I suspected the killer early on but enjoyed all the small town secrets. I will read the next book because the ending gave me hope for Madeline.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I really enjoyed “Booked for Murder” by P.J. Nelson. I enjoyed Madeline Brimley as a spuny bookstore owner and fearless amateur sleuth returning home after years away from Enigma, Georgia. Great local color in a small-town in south Georgia with fun and quirky characters and a great bookstore set in a Victorian house. Interesting twists and turns in the story wit some unpredictable characters. I hope this is a series, because I couldn’t put this down and I miss the characters and town already. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

I really loved this book! It’s a really fun first book in what seems to be a new series. Madeline inherits her aunts bookstore and moves home. It’s been 17 years since she left the small town. Is everything the same? Is anyone what they appear to be? I couldn’t put this one down!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

The night she moves into her late aunt's bookstore (with her tail between he legs feeling like a failure) someone tries to scare her into abandoning her inheritance with a fire and a threatening call. Then the first murder happens.

This book didn't end up impressing me much. It was well written and had interesting people and suspense, but somehow it didn't do "it" for me. I wish I could identify why. Maybe because it felt like the kind of cozy mystery that has a punny reference to food in the title? I wonder if I had unreasonable expectations or if I was just in the wrong mood? I wish I had enjoyed it more, because it had all the elements that I usually enjoy. Just not this time.

I am so curious to see what the mystery will be in the next book. How is such a small town going to be embroiled in so much mystery and controversy? Also why do I feel like there is a love triangle on two in the making?

Anyways, in this book our main character goes back to her TINY hometown to run her aunt's book shop after her aunt passes away. On her first night, the gazebo in the backyard is set on fire and our main character starts to get some threatening calls telling her to leave town. Fast forward maybe one or two nights to madeline waking up to her front door on fire and a young woman dead! This leads maddy on a quest to find out who murdered Tandy - and why.

There are so many secrets in this town and no one is what they seem at all. At times I did find Maddy acting a little. I don't know. She acted like what kids expect grown ups to act like - kind of obtuse or judgemental if you will. As someone who is closer to madeline's age than Tandy's I did not much care for that but that's my own issue I suppose.

One last funny comment, I don't know if I could make it in that town because jazz is not my thing-haha.

Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson is a delightful cozy mystery that introduces readers to a quirky bookshop owner, who unexpectedly finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. Set in a small, picturesque town, the novel is packed with charming characters, a touch of humor, and, of course, plenty of literary references.

The mystery unfolds at a good pace, with enough twists to keep readers engaged, while the bookshop setting adds a cozy, welcoming atmosphere to the story. Nelson does a great job balancing suspense with lighter moments, making this a perfect read for fans of cozy mysteries and bibliophiles alike.

This book is perfect for those that are looking into a quick whodunit.

Booked for Murder is a cozy small town mystery, where we follow Madeline as she makes her way back to Enigma, Georgia. She has inherited her aunt's bookstore after her untimely passing, and as she makes the transition to her new life in Enigma, things aren't as simple as she thought they would be. Upon her arrival in Enigma, Madeline begins receiving threats - phone calls and even arson. When a young lady is murdered at the bookstore, Madeline has had enough. She has no idea who is targeting her or why, but she is determined to get to the bottom of it.
This read is a cozy mystery, with mild suspense and just enough drama. Although there are a few slower moments in the book, the overall story was well-developed, and the mystery of it all kept me invested enough to see it through. This book is the first book to the Old Juniper Bookstore Mysteries series, so I'm excited to see what happens in the next book!
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and P. J. Nelson for this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC. I loved this cozy mystery and read it in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book.

Booked for Murder by PJ Nelson is a delightful and atmospheric cozy mystery set in the heart of the South. Madeline Brimley is a charming protagonist, full of wit and determination, who makes an engaging guide through the quirky small town of Enigma. The Old Juniper Bookstore, with its Victorian charm and dark secrets, is the perfect backdrop for this twisty tale.

Nelson weaves a story filled with colorful characters, unexpected plot turns, and just the right amount of suspense. The slow-burning mystery keeps you guessing, and the Southern charm adds a layer of warmth to the darker moments.

A promising debut for fans of Southern cozies with a hint of danger—I'll be keeping an eye out for the next Madeline Brimley mystery!

Thank you PJ Nelson, Dreamscape Media, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

P.J. Nelson's new mystery series opens with a bang (not literally). Madeline is returning to her hometown to take over the old house and bookshop that belonged to her aunt. It appears someone has been in the house and the outside gazebo is on fire! Madeline wants nothing to do with the house or bookshop, but it appears someone wants to driver her out of town. Due to a wacky clause in her aunt's will, she is unable to just rid herself of the house, so she decides to stick around and let it play out. But then, there's a murder that may have been intended for her! She teams up with the most unlikely of characters to solve the mystery of who wants her out of town and possibly dead.

The characters are certainly quirky, giving readers several laughs and leaving them wondering just how smart they are by jumping into a murder investigation without the proper authority. Madeline is a strong heroine figure even if she seems to be a fish out of water from the big city back to the rural south. Her partners trying to solve the case are a female priest, who is also attempted to being driven out of town, and the professor companion of her aunt.

Booked for Murder is a wonderful cozy mystery that is a quick read. I look forward to more entries to this new series.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

DNF.

I ended up leaving this book as a DNF about 10 chapters in. I even tried to skip ahead a few chapters to see if could grab me and just couldn't. I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately for me it was not only too slow, but kind of boring.

I just could not get pulled into the book. It came off more juvenile than adult, especially in the beginning. The characters were kind of boring, especially the main character just coming off with no care for anything. Barely seemed to care about her aunt's death, the inheritance and even the fire and threatening phone calls. Lack of detail in parts and overall just wasn't for me.