I enjoyed this one. It was an easy read, the characters were likable. Sweet, cozy mystery perfect for curling up with during the fall/winter months. It's also a pretty good palate cleanser if you usually read some darker stuff.

Madeline Brimley is all set to start her new life in Enigma, Georgia. Sadly, her Aunt Rose has passed away, but she left Madeline with a nice inheritance. She inherits her aunt’s home and bookstore. Madeline is excited until the gazebo in the backyard is set on fire. This is no accident. She begins to receive threats and doesn’t know what to do. When a dead body is found in the store, all eyes turn their suspicions right onto Madeline’s shoulders. Madeline and her new friends are desperate to get to the bottom of this and clear her name.

This is the first book in a new series and it’s off to a solid start. There’s an interesting array of different personalities in the supporting cast. Our main character is tough with much strength to see this mystery through to the end.

It’s an interesting caper and makes for some great escapism reading.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a fun foray into a cozy mystery taking place in an inherited bookstore nestled in an old house in small-town Georgia. At first I found the characters and descriptions of the town charming, but eventually some of the people were not as endearing as at first glance. The murderer was not difficult to figure out, but the events unfolded in a way to introduce various townspeople and circumstances, and I enjoyed the depths of character. I can see how it is set up nicely for another book in the series.
Overall, fans of cozy mysteries should enjoy this one. I'm curious enough about what might happen next that I'll be looking for the follow-up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

I always make it a point to read books about books, or books that mention bookstore, libraries etc. they turn out to be some of the best books in my opinion. Booked for Murder by PJ Nelson is a perfect example of that and the cover is just so pretty to me. Booked for Murder has an atmospheric, cozy mystery vibe that will keep you turning the pages. Set in the heart of the South (what more do you need to know, southern anything will always have charm). Madeline Brimley is a lovely protagonist whom is full of wit and tenacity who serves as a tour guide to lead us through the strange small town of Enigma. The Old Juniper Bookstore, with its Victorian beauty (Victorian bookstore make my heart swoon), and its full of sinister secrets, debut as an ideal setting for this complex story. This novel encompasses tons of colorful characters, unexpected plot twists, and just the right amount of suspense and buildup. This book is a slow burn mystery for sure, but it keeps you wondering what’s next. I'll look forward to the next Madeline Brimley mystery!

I don't read a lot of cozies but decided to try this first installment in a series about Maddie, a woman who inherits her Aunt Rose's bookshop in Enigma, Georgia. But someone is determined to burn the store down. Who would do such a thing? Maddie and her college professor friend, aided by a member of the clergy, decide to find out.

While I'm sure cozy fans will enjoy it, for me it was too slow paced and wacky.

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.