This was a great fall season read. I was hooked from the beginning and was very invested in the pot. I will be recommending this title to my friends and to my library.

This was a fun read. The author hit the nail on the head when it came to the small-town aspect. It is more of a cozy mystery, not very much suspense and it was a bit slow in a couple of places, but I still enjoyed it.

An easy to read book that immerses us in a quite interesting universe! It's a story that resembles many others, but remains quite well written. the ending was quite predictable.

This cozy mystery stats out strong. Lots of interesting characters, and a great plot. It did get a bit drawn out in the middle, and at times felt repetitive. With that being said, it had a lot of great parts, and was a good read.overall.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Cozy mystery with a simple plot. Sort of dragged at times but I think this did exactly what it needed to do. I’m not a fan of cozy mysteries but I definitely feel like this has changed my opinion somewhat so overall I did like it!

Honestly, this book had a great start, but the story dragged on and on and just ended abruptly.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc

I really liked the premise of this book. Madeline Brimley inherits her aunt's bookstore and is in for (more than one) unwelcome surprised and a murder. This will definitely scratch the itch for anyone looking for a good cozy mystery in a world full of books. 4 stars rounded up

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Booked for Murder in exchange for an honest review.

When Madeline Brimley’s theater career has left her out of options, the death of her beloved Aunt Rose back in small town Georgia just may be the opportunity she needs for a new beginning. Aunt Rose has left Madeline her quaint little bookstore that so happens to be conveniently located on the first floor of a Victoria mansion. It doesn’t take Madeline long to figure out that someone in this small town doesn’t want her back and would kill to have her gone. After one person is tragically murdered in the bookstore, Madeline races to find the killer in hopes of sparing her own life and possibly saving the bookstore and reconnecting with her roots.

While I feel this book had all the makings for an interesting storyline, the entire plot felt a bit disjointed to me. I felt certain aspects were thrown together quickly with no backstory, while other sections of the book seemed to drag on forever. There were a small handful of chapters that left you on a bit of a cliffhanger but otherwise I was just underwhelmed at how things progressed. I was also very confused by some of the character interactions in the book. The relationship between Madeline and Billy (the police officer she used to babysit) was just—odd. I also feel like not exploring the relationship between Madeline and David more was an opportunity missed.

I think overall this one was a bit of a miss for me. The potential was there, but it just fell a bit flat on many fronts. Giving it a 2.5 star out of five, rounding up.

I'd probably give this 3.7 stars. It was a cozy mystery but a bit disjointed and could have used some more character building. Overall though, it was easy to relate to the main character and had a sweet tone of female friendship and camaraderie no matter how old you are. I can easily see myself reading future books, overall not a bad start to a series.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for the ARC!

This southern murder mystery will have you guessing until the end.

Madeline Brimley inherited a bookstore in Georgia from her beloved Aunt Rose who just died. I googled Enigma, GA, south of Atlanta where it took place. It’s just as the author described it with a population of 1,723 where just about everyone was familiar with everyone.

The story is well written with dialogue that makes feels like you’re right there with the handful of characters. News traveled faster than social media. There were some parts that made me pause. Madeline’s friend, Philomena, said to her, “Everyone is capable of telling a lie that anybody else will believe.” She was trying to tell her that the world is made up with mostly illusions as Madeline was searching for the murderer.

Madeline wasn’t someone I’d want to hang out with in a social setting. But her character worked with the story and it was a lot of fun to read. It was a quick, action-packed book with the feel of southern living. The murderer was a surprise to me at the end. This is the first book in a series.

My thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of December 10, 2024.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This cozy mystery fell a little flat for me. It was very engaging at the beginning, but then in the middle of the book, I became tired of the characters and the lack of whit and chemistry.

Maddy's aunt, Rose, has just passed away and has left Maddy the victorian home including the bookstore. Maddy is an actor that is between productions and not successul in her acting career. So, she is looking forward to moving back to her hometown and taking over the bookstore. When Maddy arrives, she is met with many challenges, including the first mystery, the gazebo on fire. We meet the fire chief (who I was really hoping would have a larger part in the book.)

Overall, the main event fell flat, lacking in the mystery and suspense. I understand it is supposed to be a cozy mystery, but the characters were not even badly effected by it.

Also, I was looking forward to a story set in a bookstore and was excited when the cat showed up. But, the bookstore plays a very small part. This was disappointing. I am not sure I will be visiting the Juniper Bookstore for book 2.

This was such a fun read! I absolutely adored the first installment of this series and I cannot wait for more!

I've always loved stories at in small towns because when I was younger, I wanted to live in one.

This book is set in a small town in Georgia where Maddy moves back after escaping to NY and then Atlanta. She's back at home after inheriting her aunts book store/home.

Maddie finds herself trying to solve a murder that happens in her book shop only days after being home.

We meet lots of small town characters with lots of secrets. Maddie needs to get to the bottom of these secrets to find out who the murderer is.

I love the story and the flow. It kept me from wanting to do anything else but read. Great story telling and am adorable story. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Fist off, I love the cover.
This is the debut for P.J Nelson, and it really was a nice read. Since this is the first in the series, I won't spoil too much. But I am a sucker for books about books, victorian mansions and mysteries. This was a cozy mystery, but I wish it had a little bit more shock and awe to it. Some slow parts brought down the rating for me. It's worth the read though.

If you like quick cozy fun murder mysteries this book for you. This is the author’s debut book and she did a great job writing this thank you netgalley

Book Title: Booked for Murder
Author: P. J. Nelson- Debut Author
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books
Genre: Cozy Thriller
Pub Date: December 10, 2024
My Rating: 3.3 Stars!
Pages 336

Madeline Brimley left Georgia when she went to college in hopes of following her dreams of a career in theatre. She returns to Georgia when her Aunt Rose died and he inherited her aunt’s home and book shop the ‘Old Juniper Bookstore’ which was in an old Victorian mansion in Enigma, Georgia.

Awww a mystery involving books in a mysterious bookstore since I enjoy a nice enjoyable cozy mystery; this got my attention. Plus I love cats-So ‘Cannonball’ Madeline’s cat was a fun addition. Then there is the back yard described as ‘mystical” Okay I was ready!

Although not a wow 5 star read it was what I hope for – but a nice enjoyable read!

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for granted me the pleasure of reading this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 10, 2024.

I enjoyed this debut mystery. Madeline is back in her Georgia small town after inheriting her aunts bookstore. This was a good first in a series, well balanced between introducing readers to the characters and setting while solving a mystery along the way. I look forward to seeing where this series goes but why on earth does she not own a phone?

This was a cute murder mystery that was a fast read and very enjoyable.

I didn't see the ending coming and I enjoyed the closed knit small town vibes from the story.

I really enjoyed the story and the characters. It was well developed and only dribbled the clues. You aren't sure who is a suspect, who is innocent, and who did what. The joy of a small town where everyone knows everything but they also keep some secrets close

Recommend!

Booked for Murder is a twisted small town cozy debut from a promising new author. Madeline Brimley left her small town to become a stage actress without much success. Madeline is now returning home after aunt left her the small bookstore in her small Georgia hometown. The day she returns to move in and takeover, someone burns down the historic gazebo. Threatening phone calls progress to murder as Maddie must uncover secrets and murderer. The mystery is nice and twisted up for some fine unpredictable suspense. Madeline is a unique and interesting lead for an enjoyable protagonist. Overall, this book is a good read and will have me returning for future endeavors from this author. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

The setting for Booked for Murder was nice and I really enjoyed the mystery and the story. Madeline was a cute main character. This was a lot of fun! Also, that cover? Come on!