This was a quick and fun story. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend to people who enjoy more cozy mysteries! It wasn’t anything super unique, but fun nonetheless.

I started this out with a doubt but by the end I really liked it. It’s not as simplistic as a lot of cozy mysteries are . This is the first in a series and the story ended with lists of loose ends to gather up in subsequent books. I look forward to book number two.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.
3.5⭐️

Sometimes I just love a good cozy murder mystery and this one hit me right where I was hoping when I picked it up.

Sometimes going "home" is hard, especially after the death of a loved one and a lukewarm acting career which never fully took off in the way Madeline hoped. After years of trying her hand at acting in Atlanta and getting some pretty decent roles on stage and screen, Madeline finds herself the inheritor of her Aunt Rose's house/ bookshop in Enigma, GA. She knows the bookshop well as she grew up helping her aunt and being like a shadow to her aunt, learning music and literature.

Upon Madeline's return, she enters the home of her aunt and soon finds the gazebo in the backyard ablaze and a mysterious caller threatening her on the phone. Determined to stick it out, she opens the bookshop and finds a kindred spirit in a local college student. However, all heck breaks loose when fire strikes again and the college student is killed while Madeline is sleeping upstairs.

It's one suspect after another, but can Madeline keep her head and her accusations from destroying her friendships? I thought it was a well done mystery even if it had it's flaws. I was intrigued by the story and flew through to find out who-dun-it, in the end. I found it well worth the read

Thank you to NetGalley, P.J. Nelson, and St. Martin's Press for the ebook. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a charming small-town bookstore. The story unravels deep-rooted family secrets and a thrilling mystery, filled with unexpected twists and turns. With some storylines still left unresolved, I’m hopeful there will be more to come!

I received an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this mystery story. Set in an interesting small town with some unusual characters, it kept me puzzled until the end. Highly recommend!

Madeline has just inherited her aunt’s house and book store. When she arrives at her aunt’s house, she is bombarded with memories. But then she smells smoke. Someone has set the gazebo on fire. Madeline soon realizes she may have an unforeseen battle on her hands.

Madeline figures out real quick that everything is not going to be as she remembers it from her youth. Right off the bat she begins to have threats and then someone is murdered in her new home. This sends her and a couple of her friends on the hunt for a killer.

All of these characters are wonderful. I loved Madeline and all the cast. And believe me, it is a group of southern folk and they will keep you on your toes!

I enjoyed this tale. It is full of drama, great setting and it is just an all around good who-done-it.

Need a good southern mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This is exactly what you want it to be. It's a cozy mystery and I really enjoyed the audiobook for this. I will say that I wasn't quite sure where it was going to go because they made it seem like so many were at fault but I wasn't that shocked when it was revealed. However I really did enjoy my time listening to this!

Links to come!

A robust, fun to read mystery. This story is well written with interesting characters that took some surprising twists and turns. A quick worthwhile read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

3.5 Stars. Found Madeline a little irritating. But I really enjoyed Gloria the female "priest" and could have used more in the romance side of the story. A quick, entertaining read with a little bit of a predictable ending.

“Enigma didn’t feel like home, exactly. It never had. The bookshop was comfortable, but it wasn’t home either. Nowhere was. Maybe that’s why I’d been so at ease on tour…If you don’t have a sense of home, then you can’t feel any discomfort at being away from home.”

I liked this start to a new cozy mystery series. Madeline is an intriguing character, a little lost and rough around the edges, but still likable and relatable. I thought it was interesting how her background in theatre influenced her thought processes and her investigation style, like her ability to remember spoken conversations almost verbatim. The town of Enigma is simultaneously charming and a little off-beat. I liked getting to know the townsfolk, especially Gloria. The mystery itself was engaging. I’ll admit that I wasn’t emotionally prepared for that death, but I understand why it had to happen for the story to move forward.

Side note: I love National Wildlife Refuges and it gives me great joy whenever I stumble across mention of one in a book. I haven’t personally been to the Okefenokee NWR in Georgia, but I know multiple people who have and they all say it’s a lovely spot for a swamp. It was fun to read about Gloria’s childhood there.

"Booked for Murder" presents a promising premise but ultimately fails to deliver a compelling mystery. While the setting and concept are intriguing, the plot is predictable and lacks the suspense needed to keep readers engaged. The characters, including the protagonist, feel flat and one-dimensional, making it difficult to invest in their journeys. Dialogue can be clunky, and the pacing is uneven, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily. While the book attempts to blend humor with intrigue, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Overall, it’s a forgettable read that doesn’t offer enough to stand out in the crowded mystery genre.

This was a fun mystery read! The writing was good with a clever storyline. I liked the characters, but Madeline got on my nerves towards the end with her myopic perspective. She needed an open, think-outside-the-box mentality if she was to figure out the crime. Even though the plot was clever, it was predictable. It was easy to figure out Rose’s secret and who killed Tandy. I did enjoy the friendship between Madeline, Gloria, and Philomena. They made a great team. I’m interested to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love books about bookstores, and Booked for Murder, newly released by P.J Nelson, is an absolute delight to read. Not only is it about a bookstore, there is intrique, wonderful characters and suspense. Madeline Brimley inherits the Old Juniper Bookstore from her beloved Aunt Rose, an eccentric and loving former actress. Madeline had been acting in the Atlanta area and doing fairly well, yet her inheritance takes her back to her hometown, Enigma, Georgia. The move generates many thoughts and feelings for Madeline; specifically, as a girl she couldn't wait to leave Enigma; why was she going back? As soon as she arrived she was aware of Rose's presence and the aroma of Joy, her favorite perfume filled the house.. Madeline had not even unpacked when she smelled smoke- lo and behold- her Aunt's beautiful gazebo was on fire. The gazebo was over one hundred years old, and very special to the folks of Enigma; many a first kiss took place under its roof. Add the fact that she received a threatening call on her first night urging her to leave the area ASAP., and not only that, Tandy Fletcher, a lovely collge student who had helped Rose was murdered in the store. Not the welcome Madeline had hoped for.
This just sets the backdrop of the story; suffice to say it is a non-stop roller coaster read. I liked that Madeline had 2 female friends who appeared to want her to stay and succeed: her Aunt' s dearest friend, Dr. Philomena Waldrop, a psychology professor at the local college, and Gloria Cloeman, the newly appointed vicar of the Episcopal Church. I found Booked for Murder to be an easy yet captivating read. The storyline is well crafted and the array of characters believable and relatable. I cannot capture the entire story in my review, simply said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it for mystery lovers.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of Booked for Murder; this review reflects my honest opinion. 4 stars.

Like her Aunt Rose, Madeline left the small town of Enigma, Georgia to become an actress. Aunt Rose returned after a successful career, opening a bookstore in her home, where a young Maddie spent her time after the death of her parents. Now Aunt Rose has passed away and left the bookstore to Maddie. It comes at a time when she is tiring of her stalled career and looking for a change. She arrives in her beat up car that she affectionately calls Igor and trouble arrives before she can even unload her car. A gazebo in Rose’s garden is set on fire and she receives a threatening call telling her to get out before the house is next. She refuses to be intimidated and sets about re-opening the bookstore. She is supported by Rose’s closest friend Philomena, a professor at the nearby college. She is also joined by Tandy, a college student who helped Rose in the store. Tandy quickly becomes close to Maddie, tending to customers and finding her way around Maddie’s kitchen. After a fight with her roommate Tandy spends a night at the store. When Maddie is awakened by the smell of smoke, she finds the front of the store on fire and Tandy’s body.

Maddie is surprised to find that the officer responding to her calls is Billy Sanders, who she used to babysit. She has trouble seeing him as the trained officer that he has become and decides to investigate on her own. Phil introduces her to Gloria Coleman, a local priest, and together the three search for answers. Gloria is a dynamo on her own, offering words of wisdom and a calming influence. Maddie’s interference in Billy’s investigation brings her to the killer’s attention, threatening to make her the next victim. There is a suggestion of romance in this cozy mystery. Phil has called in handyman David Madison for repairs to the gazebo and store, knowing that he is single and Maddie’s age. Fire Captain Mike Jordan gets off on the wrong foot with Maddie, but he appears when she is in trouble and seems to be watching after her. P. J. Nelson leaves you wondering where these men will fit into Maddie’s life in the future. This was an entertaining mystery that offers up several suspects and keeps you wondering. If you enjoy Robert Thorogood’s Marlowe mysteries, then Maddie, Phil and Gloria will have you looking forward to a return to Enigma. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for providing this book.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and I am so thankful I was picked to receive an ARC!

Booked for Murder is a cozy mystery by PJ Nelson. The story starts off well, with the introduction of Madeline, a disillusioned actress who has returned to her hometown in Enigma, Georgia. Her Aunt Rose has passed away and left Madeline her bookstore/home.

The premise of Booked for Murder isn’t an original idea by any means. So, that leaves the plot and the characters to make it interesting. The plot is also fairly well-used. Someone doesn’t want Madeline to remain in town and begins to threaten her safety. That’s definitely been done before in other mysteries – cozy or not.

So, now it’s up to the characters to give the book some sparkle. And, they do seem to somewhat save the day for this debut novel. My favorite character is Father Gloria, the Episcopal priest, who has lots of energy and insight. Meanwhile, I found Madeline a little irritating. Her lack of any kind of strategy or even just plain common sense was frustrating. The book started off well and moved along at a nice pace. But, that didn’t last long, as the story slowed down, the introspection and reflections increased, with a lot of repetition.

Finally, the word “sweet” and variations of the word is used much too much to describe a personality, a smile, a voice. It was really annoying. I will bump up my rating from 2.5 stars to 3 only because I liked a few of the characters and they helped to redeemed the book for me. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

After pursuing an acting career in New York City and more recently Atlanta, Madeline Brimley has returned to small-town life in Enigma, Georgia.
She has barely stepped foot inside the bookstore she recently inherited from her Aunt Rose before being thrust into the role of an amateur Nancy Drew. Between arson, death threats and the murder of a sweet college girl, Madeline has her hands full meeting up and questioning various suspects. She quickly finds out that her first impressions of people don't always turn out to be accurate, and her impulsive actions lead to some dangerous situations, Fortunately, her training as an actor comes in handy. This appears to be the first in a new series of cozy mysteries, so I will be keeping an eye out for future installments. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur and the author for a copy to read and review.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Like most young adults from Enigma, Georgia, Madeline Brimley left town for college and to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. While she had some minor success she still hadn’t gotten that big break. When she learns her dear Aunt Rose has passed away she is heartbroken, but her aunt has left her bookstore which is as eccentric as she was. The Old Juniper Bookstore is right in her aunt’s Victorian mansion so ready to kickstart her life Madeline loads her belongings in her old Fiat and heads to Enigma.

Not everyone is happy that Madeline has come to town. On her first night there, someone sets the gazebo in the backyard on fire, shortly followed by a phone call telling her to leave town or next time the whole house will be set ablaze. The calls continue but Madeline has to remain in Enigma.

Apparently, the caller wasn’t messing around, Madeline woke up to find the store on fire and a dead body on the floor. Upset and unsure what to do she decides to try to find the person who is dead serious about wanting her gone. Can she do that or will the killer catch her first?

The author jumped right into the action giving readers the bare minimum of details about the protagonist or the setting of Enigma, Georgia. I was just getting comfortable with how The Old Juniper Bookstore was set up and meeting a couple of characters when WHAM! One of those characters is murdered. A character Rose, Madeline, and I liked. I slammed the cover of my Kindle and put it down. After several minutes I talked myself into continuing the book and I am glad I did.

Madeline didn’t give me that warm and fuzzy feeling I sometimes get from a main character. She is stubborn and closed off and needs more development. I know her sleuthing skills will improve as the series continues and she finds herself facing more challenges. Rose’s closest friend Philomena Waldrop comes to welcome Madeline as soon as she arrives. The head of the psychology department of the nearby Barnsley College and long time resident she knows everybody and everything about them. She tries to take Madeline under her wing and visits her daily like she did her Aunt Rose. She introduces Madeline to Father Gloria Coleman. Like Madeline, she is relatively new to town. She also has a very interesting past. Madeline meets Fire Captain Mike Jordan when he arrives to take care of the gazebo fire. They get off to a bad start almost immediately. With the damage to the gazebo and other events, handyman David Madison enters the story. He is an intriguing individual. Madeline also reconnects with Officer Billy Sanders, she babysat him twice when he was nine. We meet some college students and other residents too. All the characters were interesting, some quirky, and most need more development which is common for the first book in a series.

The fire and murder investigations were handled differently than any I have read. Understanding that Enigma is a small town with a small police force I still would have expected that Madeline would have to leave the residence and the bookstore would be closed for at least a couple of days but that wasn’t the case. She answered some questions, went upstairs to bed, and opened the bookstore the next day, even after the murder. People came in to shop/see where the crime had been committed or stopped by for coffee. It just felt strange.

Madeline does try to investigate the crimes and sometimes takes Gloria along, but at one time or another, she thinks everyone she talks to is the killer. Then when she needs to follow-up she goes alone and that is never a good idea. But it is even worse when the murderer comes to you. After I got over my dismay over who the victim was I had a good idea who killed them but I did enjoy following along with the new amateur sleuth and her journey to find the truth. The takedown was dramatic, exhilarating, and satisfying.

Booked for Murder was an Enjoyable Getaway. It has good bones. Set in a unique small town, with a wonderful bookstore, and characters I want to know better makes me keen to know what the author has up their sleeve for the next installment of this series.

Booked for Murder is a debut cozy mystery by P. J. Nelson. I thought the story started a little slow, but began to pick up as I continued to read it. By the end of the story I was hooked on the characters and look forward to see what comes next in the next installment. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I suggest you give Booked for Murder a try.

Thank you P.J. Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

BOOKED FOR MURDER is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by P.J. Nelson. Set in small-town Georgia, Madeline inherits a bookstore when her Aunt Rose’ passes away. Upon her return the gazebo in the backyard is burned down, and she starts getting threatening phone calls telling her to leave. Days later another fire is set and the young college student staying at the bookstore is killed.

The mystery plotline was well developed and had a good resolution. I personally did not figure out who the arsonist/killer was, but I did get frustrated with Madeline placing herself in danger unnecessarily more than once. I felt Madeline considered herself superior to the townspeople, including the police, whom she felt were not up to the job. Not a lot of likeable characters, my favorite was the female pastor with her calming influence and overall positive outlook on life.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.