The premise of this book interested me when I read the blurb. Once I started reading it,there were many things that bugged me. First, since I grew up in Georgia, I can say that not everyone talks the way people did in this book. It was annoying. Then Madeline never came to visit her beloved aunt was odd. This was a tiny town of slightly over 1K people and yet it is going to support an independant bookstore? I did not care for the MC. I found her to be hard to relate to and some of the things she does are don't make sense to me. It wasn't a bad read but could do with a bit more of a polish.

I enjoyed the book, and there were so many suspects that it was hard to guess who the bad guy was. The companionship of Madeline, the professor and the preacher made for a diverse group of friends, all with different opinions. What I did not like was the sentence structure. Maybe the author felt. that was the way people in Georgia talked. I don't know, I have only visited there once. But to me, the way she had them speaking was disrupting and annoying. It distracted me from the story. Thanks NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read it.

The writing got smoother the further into the book I read; however, the beginning was VERY rough. There needed to be an introduction to Madeline and arose and explain why she inherited the bookstore/house. I initially thought I had missed a chapter or book when I first began reading because of this, so confusing. Madeline is a tad insufferable with how defensive she is to anyone asking who’s threatening her and denies it to anyone who could help her. The relationship between Tandy and Madeline was extremely odd; they had barely known each other two days before Tandy asked to spend the night in the bookstore while Madeline was upstairs, and the author explained it with something along the lines of they got close and had a connection fast. Not in a darn day or two you don’t! It would have been more impactful to learn more about Tandy and see their relationship grow a bit before her murder.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Booked for Murder was a fun and twisty mystery and I greatly enjoyed getting to know the world of Enigma GA and the bookshop. I think this would be a great YA mystery book for high school students to get into the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me an ARC to review. This is a small town cozy mystery that kind of falls flat for me. I was invested in the mystery aspect but didn’t really fall in love with the characters especially not the main protagonist. It’s a relatively short book but it seems like everything was rushed.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this story and will be looking for the next book in what seems to be a forthcoming series.

I found the characters to be likable, and the writing was pleasant. Some parts were a bit implausible, but I think they're excused by the story taking place in a small town.

I find the description of the book to be accurate. This isn't a mystery + thriller. It's a "cozy mystery". It's going to be a bit predictable, which is okay. This is a fun, light read... as much as a story with a murder taking place can be.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Booked for murder
The book was a whirlwind of misguided attempts to solve a mystery surrounding a murder. I was shocked that there were characters popping up left and right that either didn’t matter to the story or didn’t add anything, who only became a sounding board for Madeline to vent or go through every delusional theory going through her head. And every time Madeline never took anyone’s advice and regretted it. But that being said I still couldn’t put down the book it was just like yes she’s delusional but maybe I am too and I need to find out who did it. The romantic aspect was so poor it was room temp tea.

Booked for Murder is a promising debut that blends southern charm with the intrigue of a cozy mystery. P.J. Nelson’s engaging writing, atmospheric setting, and well-drawn characters make for an enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of the genre. Madeline Brimley’s journey from a stage-struck dreamer to a determined sleuth is both entertaining and inspiring, leaving readers eager for her next adventure. This atmospheric southern cozy mystery is perfect for a relaxing afternoon read, offering a delightful escape into a world where books and secrets collide. Nelson has crafted a memorable story that promises more excitement to come in future installments.

Great Bookstore Cozy
Madeline Brimley inherits a bookstore from her beloved aunt..and a second chance. Unfortunately someone does not want her to get that second chance and is determined to stop it.
The author crafts an intriguing plot and great characters. The tale is woven with humor and wit along with the intrigue. I enjoyed it immensely and would recommend to any reader.
I received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

I really thought this book had a good story line and a good set of characters. It was a bit sad when the girl from the shop died.. I wasn't expecting that to happen.. I assumed there would be more of a storyline going there. The storyline between the main character and the firefighter was a sort of I like you, sort of I don't and wasn't very well developed. Overall it was a cute read and quick. I didn't have any issue knowing who the murderer was well in advance of the ending, it was pretty obvious. Over all it was a 3.5 out of 5 for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. This book follows Madeline Brimley after she returns to her hometown after inheriting her aunt's house and bookstore. This is a cozy mystery book. This book was a quick read for me. The author hooked me pretty early on in the book. It did have some very slow parts but overall this book kept me guessing. This is the author's debut book and I look forward to reading more from this author.

This book easily falls into the cozy mystery vibes if that is what you are looking for. The book is set in small town, which allows for the plot to easily flow as we get a look into who could be responsible for the murder through relationships, interactions, etc. This setting also allowed us to get to know the characters, who all had their own quirks to them and that was fun, also. I could have just used a little more oomph to the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Minotaur.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Inheriting a bookstore from her deceased eccentric aunt in a small town Madeline Brimley seemed like a new beginning. But on her arrival things do not go ideal when a fire is set in her backyard gazebo that is behind her bookstore/house. The small town is full of secrets as Madeline will soon find out as she searches for answers. It’s a promising new series that has potential.

Booked for Murder is a cozy mystery book that is a good read if you are looking to relax. The concept of the novel is very intriguing, however I feel that the full story fell flat. I kept waiting for some big climax, however it never really came. The characters were not fully developed and the novel was not very exciting. This novel could be a five stars or one star depending not he type of read you are looking for. If you are looking for a quick relaxing read, then this book is for you. Otherwise I would not recommend reading this.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

If you’re looking for a great cozy read for this weekend then this is the book for you. It is on the smaller side than what I’m used to. The book grabs you almost instantly within the first chapter and that is something I need in a book. This book has a small town feel to it as well as a cozy aspect because of the mystery. There are parts that kinda seemed to drag on with filler information but I’m talking about only a couple pages. I could see myself reading this again on a weekend getaway.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free arc for an honest opinion about the book

Like other reviewers, I did find this book to slog slowly in the first third. But the more time I spent with these characters the more I liked them. One big thing that irks me about a lot of recent titles is that the character who seems the most interesting is dead (to begin with), in case the protagonist’s aunt Rose, a former Broadway actress who loved jazz LPs and ran a profitable bookshop in a backwater Georgia village. It’s telling that I can’t even remember the name of the main character without looking it up, but I definitely remember aunt Rose. Despite that, I will probably read more if this does become a series. Thank you for the ARC.

A nice relaxing cozy. If you are looking for a quick relaxing read, then this book is for you. The cozy bookstore setting, filled with books, is great. The mystery itself has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.

This story isn't long at all but it took me all week to get through. The cover is what drew me to the book in the first place and I just hate that I didn't enjoy it like I'd hoped I would. The story fell kind of flat to me, but there were some bits I liked. What really ruined my enjoyment was the main character. She was too cocky (in the annoying way where she felt that she was superior to those in the small town because she at least got out for a while) and was all-around insufferable. There was a time (that time being a majority of the book) that I'd wished the killer had gotten her instead so I could be done with this. Needless to say, I don't believe I'll continue this series.

I truly try to give everything I read a fair shot but I hate that I wasted my time with this one. So these two stars are for the cover, the characters I DID like, and the fact that I guessed the killer correctly.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Booked for Murder: A Delightful Escape with a Touch of Intrigue (3.5 out of 5 stars)

P.J. Nelson's "Booked for Murder" is a charming cozy mystery perfect for curling up with on a rainy afternoon. Madeline Brimley, our protagonist, inherits her aunt's bookstore and house in the quaint town of Enigma, Georgia. Little does she know, small-town life isn't all charming facades and friendly neighbors. When a suspicious fire breaks out at a rival bookstore, followed by a shocking murder, Madeline finds herself drawn into the heart of the mystery.

Nelson expertly crafts a world that book lovers will adore. The cozy bookstore setting, filled with the scent of old paper and the promise of adventure within each book's cover, is simply delightful. The mystery itself unfolds at a satisfying pace, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. The inclusion of some truly outlandish situations adds a touch of humor and keeps the story from feeling predictable.

The characters in "Booked for Murder" are a quirky and colorful bunch. Madeline is a relatable protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery adds another layer to the story. However, Madeline's personality might be a sticking point for some readers. She can be a bit too confident and defensive for someone who's background as an unsuccessful actor doesn’t suggest this personality trait. This may turn some people off from the character. The townsfolk of Enigma are a delightful mix of eccentrics and potential suspects. However, the romantic subplot between Madeline and a local detective felt a bit rushed. A bit more development of their relationship would have made their connection more believable.

Overall, "Booked for Murder" is a delightful read. It's the perfect blend of cozy mystery, small-town charm, and a touch of the unexpected. While the characters could have benefited from a bit more depth, the story itself is engaging and the setting is a winner. If you're looking for a quick and light read that will leave you with a smile, "Booked for Murder" is a must-add to your bookshelf.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the allowing me to read and review

This book was not for me. I found the protagonist unlikable and the fact that she didn’t have a cell phone unbelievable. I found the relationships between characters to be clunky and unnatural. I didn’t solve the mystery so that was a good thing!