I really liked this book! I have only read one other murder mystery and this one was much better! It had me guessing until about 60% and then I was only between a couple of people. I love how her aunt had planned it out that they would co own the book store. I also loved that this book points out how anyone can surprise you and you never fully know anyone.

This was such a great cozy mystery debut book and I can't wait to read the next one in the series. The plot, characters and murder were so much fun to follow along and try to figure out who was causing all the trouble and for the main character.

This was perfectly fine. Nothing special but not the worst. If you like cozy small town popcorn mysteries then this might be a good book for you. I will say the main character made some REALLY stupid decisions so if that will bother you, pass on this.

I received an ARC of this book via the Publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An easy and fun read. I already love books about books, but then the author throws in a murder mystery making it all the more captivating. Definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to more like it.

📖 Book Review 📖

📱🎧 “Booked for Murder" by P.J. Nelson
Old Juniper Bookstore Mysteries Book #1

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
published December 10, 2024

A cozy, southern murder mystery set in GA, where Madeline inherits a bookstore from her Aunt Ruby, and has to return to her hometown years after leaving. Full of characters that I know will continue in the next books made the story richer but also many semi-resolved sub-plots were left. NYC and stage acting were Madeline's dream but an old Victorian mansion with a bookshop on the main floor is her new reality. A fire, a stabbing that ends in death, and a threatening phone call or two puts Madeline on the defense and she knows she needs to find the killer. The pacing was a little slow, but it felt as if many stories were being set up. I loved the amateur sleuthing and of course the bookstore.


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Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. While I enjoyed this book at times, I had a very hard time getting into it. I liked the suspense at first and the mystery but it started wearing on throughout the book. I didn’t really like the main character hunting through the town trying to dig up the culprit with the help of two older unsuspecting ladies. I just wish it wasn’t so scooby doo at times but for a mystery I think it is exactly the right tone. I just don’t think I’m a cozy mystery reader unfortunately.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Booked for Murder
By: P.J. Nelson
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: 12/10/24
I would put this in the cozy murder mystery genre. When Madeline’s aunt passes away she unexpectedly inherits her house and bookstore. But things are not just so in the tiny town. As more and more goes awry, Madeline works hard to find out who is after her and what they want. She has the help of a pastor and her aunt's best friend.
It was a quick read, definitively for anyone who loves cozy mysteries.

This is an atmospheric mystery set in a small town in Georgia with a sizeable cast of characters. I felt that some of the subplots weren't super necessary to the overall storyline, making the story feel slow. The formula was fairly predictable and I kept waiting for a twist to shake things up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and cozy mystery. I enjoyed how the book was set against the backdrop of drop of a small book shop. The characters were so great and relatable. I enjoyed the multiple mysteries in this book and how everything tied together in the end. I would love to see these characters in another book.

Thank you to P. J. Nelson, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNFing at 49%. It's not necessarily a bad book, but it's boring me and I'm only half paying attention at this point. The plot was front-loaded with action, but now it's just women at various points of middle age--a failed actress, a female priest, and a college professor--talking, talking, talking. The writing's not particularly funny, nor is anyone charismatic enough to hold up this sagging middle with sheer personality. The only character I care about is Tandy's poor boyfriend. No one else has made much of an impression, and the lead is pretty blah. She didn't want to be there as a kid, she doesn't want to be there now, she doesn't even particularly want to investigate, so I'm wondering--if the MC gives zero shits, why should I? If you're going to be just another cozy mystery set in a bookstore, you'd better have a unique, captivating voice, and this book does not. Not to my taste, moving on.

This is an entertaining, read in a day, curl up and have a good time with book. Nothing to drastic but keeps you wondering and reading. Definitely will pick up more in a series that I am thinking this will be.

Ughhh, I was so bored from the beginning. I really need to never request a cozy mystery ever again. I even tried to listen to this on audio. It did not help me.

Madeline inherits a bookstore from her aunt, the bookstore catches fire and someone is murdered leaving Madeline to uncover the dark secrets of her New venture. Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I was expecting a cozy bookshop murder mystery but this wasn’t it. I failed to connect to the story and the characters. I ended up DNFing.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Booked for Murder is the debut mystery in the Old Juniper Book series. The story revolves around Madeline returning to her small-town Georgia home to run the bookshop left to her by her Aunt Rose. Booked for Murder is your quintessential small town, cozy mystery with a charming cast of characters. While I enjoyed the story overall, there were a lot of different plot points in the mystery that made for a somewhat muddled resolution. I appreciated the plot twists and turns, and I always love the promise of a little small-town romance. I'm very curious to see where these characters go, so I look forward to further books in the series.

BOOKED FOR MURDER
P.J. Nelson, author
Mystery

When her beloved aunt passes right and Madeline’s dream of being on stage have been denied, she packs up everything and goes to check out her inheritance, her aunts eccentric bookstore. Soon threats and a murder occur, but that is not enough to scare Madeline away.

I always love a cozy mystery about a bookstore. This one did not disappoint and I am anxiously awaiting the second in the series. I would definitely give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

This was a cute cozy mystery. It wasn’t exceptionally good but it wasn’t bad. The pacing was good but I didn’t really seem to connect with the characters.

This was an ARC given to me by NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars

[ thank you @stmartinspress for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

This was a solid start to a new cozy mystery series!
Madeline quickly got into some sticky situations but with the help of some new friends, they figured out the mystery!
It was set in a cute town and a bookstore. What’s not to love about that?

Booked for Murder was a light, enjoyable read that made for a cozy escape. The story follows Madeline Brimley, who returns to her late Aunt Rose’s bookstore only to be met with unexpected danger—mysterious fires, anonymous threats, and ultimately, a murder on the property. As Madeline digs deeper into the chaos around her, the small-town charm blends with a bit of suspense.

While the plot kept me engaged and the pacing was steady, the story didn’t leave a lasting impression for me personally. I’d rate it a solid 3 stars—it held my attention, but I don’t see it becoming a standout read I’ll remember long-term.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

In Booked for Murder, Madeline Brimely returns to Enigma, a small town in Georgia where she grew up. After leaving for college and working as an actress, Madeline returns due to her Aunt Rose's recent death and to deal with her inheritance. Aunt Rose named Madeline the heir to her bookstore (The Old Juniper Bookstore), which doubles as a home. Almost as soon as Madeline arrives back in Enigma, she faces a few frightening events. The gazebo behind the bookstore is burned down. A mysterious man calls and threatens to burn down the store if Madeline doesn't leave. And finally, there's another fire and murder in the bookstore. This culmination of events convinces Madeline that she must stay and investigate to find out who has committed these crimes.

Anyone who enjoys reading cozy mysteries will probably enjoy reading Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson. I particularly appreciated that there was enough excitement at the beginning of the book to get me hooked and make me wonder who could be setting fires and making threats. The drama started almost immediately, which I like in any mystery novel. The crimes also escalated from a fire in the backyard and threats to a murder and setting part of the bookstore on fire, which kept me interested in reading more to find the culprit. The premise of these events made me curious enough that I had to finish the book.

I enjoyed reading about certain characters, but I felt that others should have been fleshed out more. My favorite character was Gloria, and I wish she had been in the book more from the beginning. She seemed like an interesting person with a backstory that could potentially be explored further in a sequel (if this becomes a series). I also liked the detective, Billy Sanders, but I cannot understand why Madeline thought he was stupid and unsatisfactory at being a detective with no reference point. As a teenager, she used to babysit Billy. However, she didn't even know he was a detective until he arrived at the bookstore to investigate. There's no explanation for why Madeline repeatedly says Billy can't solve the crimes and acts as if she has to take matters into her own hands when she has no credentials.

Madeline Brimely was not an endearing character. She wasn't completely unlikeable, but in certain situations, she came across as annoying and condescending. I also did not like Philomena. I cannot fully explain why I disliked her character here because it will contain spoilers. From the beginning, Philomena seemed suspicious because she inserted herself where she didn't belong and gave opinions about things she wasn't asked about. If the characters of Madeline and Philomena were improved upon, I think the book would significantly improve.

Overall, this book started strong with interesting events. As I read more of the book, I got a bit bored. I was left feeling unsatisfied with the book as a whole.