Booked for Murder was such a fun read and I absolutely love cozy mysteries! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!!

What a wonderful debut novel! A cozy mystery, in that the language is not explicit and there are no sex or gory scenes depicted. However, the character development was a step above most cozy novels and there was a bit of a bite to the story. I really liked that the characters were not starkly white or black, which made it a bit more true to life. I look forward to seeing what P.J. Nelson brings us in the future!

I enjoyed this little mystery. You would think inheriting a book store would be the best thing ever but night one strange things start happening! This booked was packed full of coffee drinking and small town drama!! I can’t wait to read more from this author!! Good reads says “mystery #1” im hoping there are more to come!! Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

(A big thank you to NetGalley for supplying a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!)

I enjoyed this book! Gloria is probably my favorite character, although I like the fact the main character (Madeline) isn't perfect. She's not the typical "can do no wrong" sleuth that cozies often feature. At the same time, the author has made sure to keep her likeable and realistic.

The Southern setting seems believable (as a North Carolinian, I'm always curious how "Southern" speech patterns are presented in books), and I appreciate the "progressive" elements that are included. I also like that the author has sprinkled in occasional literature and theatre references for a little flair every now and then.

Keep the books coming, please, P.J. Nelson!

An incredible book with wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. It will keep you guessing until the end.

This was such a fun and cozy mystery. It had me hooked instantly and I couldn't figure out the mystery on my own but I prefer it that way when I am reading a book with a mystery element. It had such fun small town vibes and I really, really enjoyed reading it. It would be the perfect fall/ winter book so I will be grabbing a copy in December when it comes out!!

I LOVED this book. Madeline returns to the small town of Enigma to a bookstore which her Aunt Rose had left her in her will. Enigma, which is properly named, is a small town in Georgia with a small college, and Madeline had grown up there with her Aunt Rose. Within a week of her arrival she experiences a threat on her life a fire, and a murder. I loved the mystery--which I did not solve by myself, I loved the writing and I loved the characters. It is a long time since I lived in a southern town, but the small town in this book seemed very real. No-one is quite what they seem nor do they all fit the stereotypes of small town people. I also loved all the literary references. I will probably buy a copy for myself, and will certainly be looking for any further books by this author. Thank you netgalley for providing this arc, and for no pressure for a positive review.

Biscuits, Gravy, Romance, and a Dead Body? It’s Cozy Murder—Southern Style

Actress Madeline Brimley is called home to Enigma, Georgia. Partly to sort out her life, and partly to claim an inheritance left to her by her favorite aunt, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. She’s at a crossroads and no longer certain of what she wants to do with her life. Acting no longer seems a viable option, but neither does running the Old Juniper Bookstore, her aunt’s store that is now hers. But what inheriting the business does do is provide a chance for Madeline to ‘set a spell’ and reconnect with old friends and an easy-peasy lifestyle. It also provides enough income for her to not to be pushed into making a bad decision. So she settles back, ready to enjoy the welcome break when an anonymous caller throws everything out of kilter. Before Madeline knows it, the raspy voice on the other end of the line threatens to burn the bookstore down with her in it if she doesn’t leave the town she was just getting reacquainted with. It isn’t long before the calls she hoped were a prank prove themselves genuine. And as promised, both arson and homicide are delivered, but with one major difference—the murder victim isn’t her.

Thus begins the very clever, very entertaining BOOKED FOR MURDER by P.J. Nelson. This was my first-time reading this author, and I’m finding there’s a lot to love! There’s a real richness to the writing, a texture that is likened to many of the dishes served up in this mystery. Coincidence? I think not! It’s entirely purposeful as is the touch of nostalgia running throughout the storyline. One of the smartest moves the author made was to allow Brimley space to “reconnect” with the past. Totally a great idea and one that leaves the door open for all sorts of discarded hopes, dreams, and romance to make their way into the present. But it doesn’t end there because there’s lots more to get excited about.

Like what? How about a solid plot that compels you to keep following the breadcrumbs. Then there’s the ‘twisteroonis’ (my newly-invented word for violent twists in a narrative) that keep us guessing as to the identity of the mastermind behind all the mayhem. Then there are the characters themselves. Okay, I definitely nominate the hot handyman as my favorite, but that’s just how I roll. And since we’re up to discussing characters, it’s here where things start getting tricky. Why? Because characters that run afoul of the law have to be nice enough for we readers to care about, but devious enough to have committed murder and arson. They also need to be suspicious, but not suspicious enough for them to not pass the sniff test the first-time around. The author nails this and more which leaves us guessing right up to the end.

So if you love cozy mysteries, Shakespearean quotes, and hot handymen (I know! I know! I’ll stop obsessing!), and a plot that is more like a jambalaya than a burger and fries, this might be for you. I’m giving this FIVE STARS and a mint julep to grow on!

Madeline Brimley comes back to Enigma, GA after her aunt leaves the house and bookstore in her will to Madeline. Soon after she returns, someone turns up dead in the bookstore and it’s up to Madeline to solve the case.

Or is it really up to Madeline? To be honest, she was super annoying and I’d even go so far as to say a menace to society. I’d probably be trying to burn her house down so she’d leave as well. At no point does she redeem her character. The author seems to conflate the independent attitude of a 16 year old with what it means to be a strong woman. She is childish, whiny and obstinate…doesn’t accept help when she needs it (that’s not strength in my book). I felt myself cringing through every interaction of Madeline’s with townsfolk.

I can’t stand when authors try to write all men as bumbling idiots. The only man that was written in a favorable light was David and he was so over the top that he lacked personality or a spine. When someone is throwing a tantrum and you say “you’re right” and then the person loves you? That sounds like the alternate universe my 11 year old lives in. Do society a favor and write a good, gentle, honest and strong man that maybe also respectfully keeps a woman from being her own worst enemy. I know plenty of them, so this isn’t a mythical creature, much as society wants us to believe.

The whole “Father Coleman” thing was ridiculous. If she had studied any theology, she would understand why the priests are male, hint: it has nothing to do with robbing women of their equality. There are roles in The Church for everyone but I digress. (Side note: I’m speaking from a Catholic perspective, maybe Episcopalians made up their own thing when they deviated)

Lastly, of course Philomena would be in a romantic relationship with Aunt Rose, because what modern book would be complete without misunderstanding the difference between high school friendship and a true friendship. Well, I must need to be with you sexually then, if we connect on all these levels.

2.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Very cute book!! I loved the chill vibes it presented. It reminded me of a Hallmark mystery movie. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for a cute murder mystery.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Madeline inherited a book store from her aunt who she loved. Madeline hoped to make it as an actress, but it never happened. She is excited about the next chapter in her life. This book grabbed my attention from the beginning.

Thank #netgalley for the ARC and opportunity to read and review.
. MFC Madeline not only inherits her Aunt Rose’s creepy mansion/bookstore but also and enemy that wants her to leave town. Fans of cozy mysteries will definitely enjoy this fast paced and fun read.

Booked for Murder is a nice little cozy mystery that introduces us to Madeline who returns to her small hometown. She has inherited her aunt’s old bookstore and sets out on trying to figure out whether she should sell or keep it going. During this there’s a murder, a fire, twists and turns, as well as great characters and their personal stories introduced. Though a murder mystery at its core, it’s still an easy to read enjoyable storyline with some in depth characters I quite enjoyed.

Madeline Brimley inherits her Aunt Rose’s bookstore/house in the small town of Enigma, GA. As soon as she arrives, she’s already receiving death threats and someone set fire to the gazebo in her new yard. Shortly after, Madeline meets Tandy who is helping out at the store. There’s also a murder followed by lots of small-town drama Madeline gets stuck in the middle of. She plays detective despite the cops asking her to let them do their job. Philomena (professor cherished by Aunt Rose) and Gloria (new priest in town) also try to help Madeline find out what happened with the murder and the arson.
There were lulls in the story, but overall, I was shocked by the twist. It didn’t keep me on my toes as much as I would have preferred but it did get off cozy mystery vibes.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

i’m not really into cozy mysteries, so i was a bit skeptical getting into this, and this one was okay! i didn’t really care for the characters though; they all seemed very sensitive and lack depth, and overall not well developed. there were so many parts that i just kind of skimmed through because i didn’t care for reading the descriptions. i wanted to read this because it was about a woman who inherits an entire bookstore (my dream). i would recommend this to anyone who likes “cozy mysteries,” but like i said this isn’t my type of read.

Booked for Murder was an enjoyable, quick read. I enjoyed the mystery, and the author drew me in right away. I grew up in a small town so I found it easy to relate to the characters. Madeline found herself back in her small hometown and wrapped up in a murder mystery. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming. A great read and I look forward to more in this series!

This was a really fun one! Classic case of unwanted newcomer and trying to scare her away. Although this person is taking it to a whole other level, and she must find out who's doing it before she's next.

I want to start by saying that I really appreciate getting an eARC of this through NetGalley. While I received this for free, all the opinions are still my own.

I really enjoyed this. I thought some parts came too easily, and I would have liked to see some reveals done differently, but I also really admired how she handled the concept and feeling of grief and how it strikes different people in different ways. We get to see Madeline move back to her hometown after her aunt passes, only to be thrust into a web of small town lies, resentment, and gossip. She finds herself both determined and fumbling through wanting to cope with her grief and fear, and I think the author handled both the police presence and our sleuth trying to find clues. I found the characters could have been more fleshed out but also did not feel flat, and I think the book may have benefitted from having a few pages added to allow for more relationships to blossom naturally and see more of it happen on the page.

I do hope to see more more David, Madeline, Philomena, Gloria and Billy. Mostly Billy and Gloria, I think they both have so much potential to be developed and I enjoyed them immensely.

P. J. Nelson’s Booked for Murder has one of the most impulsive amateur sleuths I’ve ever read about. Madeline Brimley ignores all attempts to rein her in, which will drive some readers nuts. On the other hand, the book has some of the most beautiful writing and phrases I’ve read. Despite Madeline’s behavior, I loved the book from start to finish.

Madeline Brimley left Enigma, Georgia when she was seventeen and never looked back. She yearned for a career in theater, but, after college, she found New York City overwhelming and turned to Atlanta. Although she loved her Aunt Rose, her best friend and inspiration in Enigma, she didn’t return for almost twenty years, until her aunt was dead and left her the Victorian home that housed the Old Juniper Bookstore. But, fifteen minutes after her arrival, when the gazebo in the back burned down, and she received a threatening phone call, Madeline wasn’t sure she wanted to stay.

When a second phone call was followed by a fire in the bookstore and a murder, Madeline knew she didn’t want to keep the property. Only then did she learn about the codicil in her aunt’s will. She had to live in the house for six months or lose the property. Since she didn’t trust the small town police force to find a killer, Madeline formed a small team including her aunt’s best friend, Dr. Philomena Waldrop, and Gloria Coleman, the new Episcopal priest in town. She knew they could find the killer and the person who was threatening her.

As I said, at times Madeline was all over the place, saying first one person and then another was the killer and arsonist. She was rash in her actions and her accusations. But, as Gloria pointed out, Madeline felt guilty about the death in the bookstore, thinking it could have been her. And, Madeline’s only vision of home was threatened. Gloria was the voice of reason in the book, a wonderful character.

But, I was hooked on the writing in Booked for Murder with the first paragraph. “October can be a summer month in South Georgia. Temperatures in the nineties, leaves still green and locked onto the trees; humidity so thick that a small fish could swim in it.” Here are my favorite lines. “I’ll have to take a moment to say a word about her biscuits. If you could scoop a handful of cloud, mix it with just-churned butter, put wildflower honey on it, teach it to sing, and have an angel kiss it, it wouldn’t have been as good as those biscuits.”

Your decision. Are you willing to deal with a needy amateur sleuth who is out of control at times? In return, you’ll get some other great characters, some jazz, and some lines that will make your heart sing.

An excellent storyteller that kept me engaged from beginning to end. A flowing writing style that was a pleasure to read. Good character development and an interesting plot. I would very highly recommend this. The writer's style reminded me of J.A Jance.