A relaxing read ! I loved the narrator of the book the most. She did a wonderful job with the different characters’ voices.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

A cozy, fun, mystery suspense , with a little romance.
With Maddie who inherited a bookstore and gets involved in a murder.
A good read for a new series.
Voluntarily reviewed.

If you’re looking for a cozy murder mystery this might be for you! Madeline’s use or lack of a cellphone was a little silly as others have mentioned but I digress. The book started out well but kind of fizzled…
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur books for the ARC!

This is everything I wanted from a small town bookstore murder mystery. I loved the premise and the introduction of the town's quirky cast of characters, which I will look forward to seeing again in future books in the series. Madeline was a little foolhardy (please stop to think first every once in a while) but her brazenness was also endearing.

I loved how this was set in a bookstore that is also a house! The characters were just ok, I wasn't really attached to any of them. The overall story was a good mystery. I'm super interested to see if we find out what secrets Rose had and where did all the money come from?

Booked for Murder was a cute cozy mystery book.

Madeline, girl, I wanted to shake her down. Because what's going on up there that would cause you to consistently put yourself in danger. GET A CELL PHONE!!

Man, Tandy did not deserve what she got and by who!! Now that, was a shock. The mystery of who burned down the gazebo and everything else, crazy.

I will say that for a little town, they sure are full of surprises. I loved "Father" Gloria, and her resilience, Fil and so much more. I just hope Madeline gets a cell phone at some point in this series.

ozy mysteries are one of my favorite things in the world, and I am so glad that Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson is the start of a new series! I loved the mix of romance, drama, crime, humor, and serious topics that were all packed into the story, and this could have easily been a one sitting read. Madeline was a great female lead, and she was not only relatable but a little sassy to boot. I also loved the supporting characters in the book, especially Philomena (Phil) and Gloria, and I was surprised by every single whodunnit reveal.

One of the best parts of the book for me besides the humor and fantastic characters ended up being the audiobook, and I would recommend listening over reading with the eyes here. Hallie Bee Bard was nothing but a pleasure to listen to, and I loved her Southern accent and the way she changed her voice for the various characters. There is a dash of romance (because why not), a cantankerous but calming cat, and plenty of small-town gossip and drama. The Victorian mansion and bookstore setting aren’t to be missed either!

Read this if you are a sucker for Southern cozies, mysterious plotlines, and amateur sleuthing.

Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was a cute small town cozy mystery with a bookstore and an adorably fiesty store cat. I liked Madeline and her spunky personality. I found her cell phone ownership hard to believe, as an actor, but I decided to just roll with it. The audiobook's narrator was great and kept my interest in the story going. I loved meeting the town and the cast of them. I loved the stories about the gazebo and the memories everyone had. It was a cute read, I'd definitely look for Book 2 in the series to see where there next adventure takes them.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

A cozy mystery perfect to read by the fireplace in winter with a cup of hot chocolate! I found this charming and read several reviews, the consensus is either you really enjoyed it or you didn’t even finish it. I really enjoyed the setting and found this to be entertaining… quirky characters, old bookstore, literally two of my favorite things! I requested my library to get this!

A cute little mystery! I loved the setting. There is something about the south that lends itself so well to a mystery.

Dark cozy murder mystery with eccentric characters with tropes including inherited book store (previously an old Victorian home—how cool!), bookstore cat, struggling actress who returns to their hometown, find the killer before you become the next target

P.J. Nelson's "Booked for Murder" delivers an engaging mystery packed with suspense, quirky charm, and a dash of small-town intrigue. Madeline Brimley, a struggling actress who inherits her late aunt Rose's enchanting Victorian mansion and beloved Old Juniper Bookshop, is thrust into a series of unexpected and perilous events. From arson to threatening phone calls, and eventually murder, Madeline's quiet retreat to Enigma, Georgia, transforms into a pulse-pounding adventure. Nelson crafts a plot brimming with twists and red herrings, keeping readers on their toes as the list of suspects grows.

The characterization is a standout feature of the novel, with Madeline emerging as a complex and relatable protagonist. Her vulnerability and determination shine through as she navigates the mystery surrounding Tandy Fletcher's tragic death while adjusting to life in her aunt's shadow. The supporting cast, from the endearing Dr. Philomena Waldrop to the steadfast Gloria Coleman, adds depth and warmth to the narrative. Even secondary figures, like the enigmatic property speculator and the ill-fated Tandy, are drawn with care, enriching the story's layers.

Nelson masterfully balances humor, heart, and intrigue, making THIS an enjoyable and satisfying read. The idyllic small-town setting contrasts cleverly with the dark secrets it harbors, creating a delightful atmosphere for mystery enthusiasts. While the ever-shifting clues and motives may occasionally leave readers dizzy, the engaging protagonist and well-crafted suspense ensure a rewarding conclusion. "Booked for Murder" is a thoroughly entertaining whodunit that promises an enjoyable escape for fans of cozy mysteries.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

I liked Booked for Murder. Madeline is a fun, slightly chaotic lead, and the small-town drama pulls you in right away. Between the threats, fire, and murder, there’s plenty to keep you reading. I liked the mix of quirky characters as well.

Booked for Murder is the first book in the Old Juniper Bookstore Mysteries, and it is a wonderful start for this series. Madeline Brimley left her small town, Enigma, in Georgia to go to college and pursue her dream of acting on the stage, taking after her aunt. She performed in New York and Atlanta, but never achieved success. When she is told that her Aunt Rose has passed, but she has been left her eccentric bookstore, she returns home. Shortly after arriving to claim The Old Juniper Bookstore, problems begin. First, her gazebo is set on fire, then she starts receiving threatening phone calls. The fire chief thinks she might have started the fire herself and when she questions the attorney about selling the bookstore and getting out of town, finds out she has to live there and run the store for 6 months before she actually owns it. If she has to stay, she will, and not be intimidated. When there is another fire, this time in her bookstore/home, and a death, she has to find the killer before she ends up a victim herself.

It took me awhile to warm up to Madeline, as she was a bit brusque and made some snap decisions that were questionable. As the story progressed, I began to like her more the more I got to know her. The mystery was interesting. Was the victim the intended, or was it mistaken identity and Madeline was the one they were actually trying to kill? There were really not a lot of suspects, and the one that was the most obvious is usually not the culprit. I had no idea who the killer was or why. I enjoyed getting to know the various characters, learn about their pasts and their relationships. The bookstore itself was interesting, making a profit on the university textbooks that were sold. With a Liberal Arts College nearby, and one of the professors being a main character, there are lots of possible plots in the future. There looks like there could be some romance down the road as well. Overall, a good beginning to a series, but a bit slow at times. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book takes us. I did a read/listen with the audiobook narrated by Hallie Bee Bard. She is a new narrator to me and I enjoyed her performance. Her voices, pacing and tone were nicely done and added to my enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and P.J. Nelson for giving me a chance to read this book, sorry my thoughts are late! This was a nice cozy mystery, with a slower pace which is served well when it comes to a cozy book.

Booked for Murder is the first book in the An Old Juniper Bookstore Mystery and it does not disappoint. This was a cozy mystery that follows Madeline Brimley who returans to the bookstore she inherited and discovers that small towns hold secrets. The author did a wonderful job writing this one and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. All of the characters in this were amazing and I liked Madeline a lot. This is one that I loved and would recommend to any reader especially to those who love cozy mysteries. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this read in exchange of my honest review of Booked for Murder by P.J Nelson.

this,book was a great little introduction to Maddie and the town of Enigma. We immediately are engaged in finding out what's going on, after Maddie's first night garners a burned-down gazebo, and a creepy night caller.
Many crossed wires and mistakes, TBH Maddie gets a little annoying with her Nancy-Drew-ishness, but hey, there has to be a baseline for there to be growth, right?
I would definitely enjoy reading more stories with this eclectic group of people.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this story. This one was really hard for me to get into. The story just was not holding my attention and I put it down multiple times and forgot to pick it back up. Giving it two stars just because there are some in this genre that I believe will enjoy it but I think right now it was just hard for me to enjoy.

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.