This is the enjoyable debut of a new mystery series set in a southern bookshop. Madeline Brimley had already inherited a sense of adventure and love of drama from a beloved aunt. Now she inherits her aunt's beloved bookstore, and all of the secrets that come along with it.

I like the idea of a cozy mystery but I'm not quite sure if they're for me, I really wanted to snuggle up with a blanket in front of a fire reading this. Although I am from Florida I still found this book very cozy and loved the storyline

I like the idea of a cozy mystery but I'm not quite sure if they're for me, coming from more thriller-y murder mysteries. I think I was expecting a bit more character development to make up for the lower intensity and slower pace. The plot was interesting though, and the idea of this was fun, I just don't think the pacing was for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is a great cozy mystery to pick up this summer. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect to the FMC, and I found her to be rather annoying. The writing was a bit too wordy and didn't flow as well as I would have liked. Overall it was just fine, but I did have to DNF, at least for now. Bonus points for the cute cover, though!

I love cozy mysteries but this one didn’t feel so cozy. Madeline has inherited a bookstore/victorian house from her aunt. Immediately yes for me! But they almost immediately lose me. Right away, they introduce us to a very likable character that you think you’re going to root for, but she gets murdered! In cozy mysteries, I prefer the murder victim be a stranger or an obnoxious character, not someone sweet that you assume will be sticking around. Then there’s a fight with a bunch of men at a church. It felt very threatening for a “light read” and I didn’t care for any of the living characters, so I decided to pass on finishing it. Had potential, but just not for me.

I received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

The author portrays the main character as prickly, aggressive, acerbic, short-tempered, and sometimes lacking social skills. While she may not be likable, her complexity makes her somewhat interesting. At times, it seems like she fails to examine her psyche and instead reacts from an actor's pov due to her profession, which provides an unusual perspective. The absence of introspection, however, results in an unconventional story. It's also surprising that she doesn't use a cell phone as an actress. Many of the characters in the book are unconventional and not designed to be endearing, often displaying blunt and humorless qualities. The author's comment, "I get it intellectually, but I don't feel it," seems apt. The character Father Coleman serves as a redeeming presence in the story.

P. J. Nelson should be proud of this Debut Novel. Add Booked for Murder to your future TBR.

Madeline moves back after inheriting her Aunt's house and bookstore. On her first night, there's a fire in the Gazebo. Now the local fire inspector suspects arson. Making Madeline look like the prime suspect. After that things just get weirder, leading to a murder and fire at the bookstore. What has Madeline walked into? Is someone targeting her, or is there more going on?

Maybe her Aunt's BFF Philomena and Gloria (the new Episcopalian Pastor) can help. Too bad they have their own. Madeline finds out more than she expected.

This is a nice, cozy mystery you can pick up and read on an afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley, P. J. Nelson, and Minotaur Books for a chance to read this ARC.

Madeline’s Aunt Rose’s will reveals that Madeline has inherited the Old Juniper Bookstore in Enigma, Georgia with the condition she live there for 6 months before she can sell it. The gazebo is burnt down, she receives threatening phone calls, and Tany Fletcher, who she has befriended is killed when spending the night at the bookstore and home. Madeline unites with Philomena, her aunt’s best friend, and Gloria, the Episcopalian minister, to solve the mystery. It was an interesting read due to the quirky characters and the small town atmosphere. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others.

After inheriting her Aunt's home and bookstore Madeline finds herself tangled up in arson and murder. The premise of this book seemed intriguing and felt that the author set the reader up for some dark secrets, and twisty plot lines. Unfortunately for me that didn't happen. I wished for deeper character development and felt there were several parts of the storyline that were either dropped or left unfinished.

Madeline Brimley returns to Enigma, Georgia after inheriting the Juniper Bookstore from her beloved Aunt Rose. Set in a small Georgian town, in an old Victorian with likable yet quirky characters this new cozy mystery has the makings of a great series.

The mystery had good twists and turns; there was good character development, and lots of room for character growth.

And I always love a bookshop cat.

I’m looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

3.5 stars

For this to be a murder mystery it sure felt cozy! I really enjoyed this read and loved the gaggle of characters involved in the story (especially cannonball 🐈‍⬛)! True to the theatrical nature of our FMC Madeline, her aunt’s best friend Phil, and Gloria the priest; these ladies were jumping through HOOPS to figure out who is up to some nefarious activities in their small town.

Such a fun read with quite a lot of ✨ Drama ✨, and will be the perfect cozy read to curl up with when it releases at the end of the year!

This review will also be posted on my book Instagram on 5/31 at the link below.

A decent debut cozy murder mystery. You easily fall into feeling like you “know” the characters and the story is spot on with small town references. Ultimately it left me wanting more from both the current storyline and from the characters themselves. Maybe there will be a second book? After great build up of the plot the finalization of the story felt rushed. Beautiful book cover.

Thank you MacMillan publishing, NetGalley, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Books and murder mystery?? Count me in. This book was funny yet gripping at the same time. The cozy scenery of the old timey southern bookstore makes you feel so immersed in the story and the characters feel like friends. I was hooked until the very last page.

Book for Murder by P.J Nelson is a murder mystery novel set in a small town. When former actress Madeline Brimley is left her late aunts home and bookstore, she is forced to move back to her home town of Enigma, Georgia. Not long after her arrival, a gazebo on her property is burnt down and she receives threatening calls. Madeline tries to ignore them, but it leads to another fire, another call, and a murder.

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️

I enjoyed reading this. It’s been a while since I’ve read a murder mystery where I was interested to from the beginning to the end. I thought the mystery was tied together well and ended nicely with no questions left to ask.

This could have been five stars for me if Madeline wasn’t insufferable from time to time. She ignores a lot of things that she shouldn’t and it was slightly frustrating.

I loved that a bookstore was the setting for this, however I would have liked to see more of it before jumping into the murder mystery. Even seeing it at the end would have been nice.

All in all, I recommend checking this book out!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! 💕

I love any type of cozy set in a bookstore or that has a book theme so this first in a series by P.J. Nelson was on my to be read list. This is a wonderful start to a new series. I love the bookstore element of the story. The author does a really nice job of capturing the feel of a small town and she populates it with interesting characters that kept my attention. I'm looking forward for more stories in this series.

This is a cozy mystery with interesting characters in a small Georgia town. Madeline is brought back to her hometown after the death of her beloved Aunt Rose. She has inherited a large Victorian home with a bookshop on the main level. Before she can unpack her suitcase a fire destroys the historic gazebo in her backyard. Then another fire at the front door and the murder of a sweet hometown girl in the bookstore has Madeline wondering if she should have stayed in Atlanta. Dr. Philomena Waldrop, her aunt’s best friend, is there to comfort her and help find a handsome handyman to rebuild the structure. Many suspects and secrets are revealed with the help of a police officer and female Episcopalian priest.

"Booked for Murder" by P.J. Nelson is a masterfully crafted mystery novel that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This book is a must-read for any fan of the genre, combining a gripping plot, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists that leave you guessing until the very last page.

From the moment I picked up "Booked for Murder," I was hooked. Nelson's writing is engaging and immersive, pulling you into the world of the protagonist, Detective Emma Thornton. Emma is a relatable and compelling character, whose determination and keen instincts make her the perfect lead for this thrilling tale. Her personal struggles and professional challenges are portrayed with such depth that you can't help but root for her throughout the story.

The plot of "Booked for Murder" is intricately woven and full of surprises. Nelson has a knack for building suspense, and just when you think you have figured out the mystery, another layer is added, keeping you thoroughly engrossed. The setting of the quaint yet ominous town adds to the atmospheric tension, making every page turn an exciting experience.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the cast of secondary characters. Each one is vividly drawn and adds richness to the narrative. The interplay between these characters, and their individual backstories, are expertly integrated into the main plot, providing depth and context to the unfolding mystery.

Nelson's attention to detail is impeccable, particularly in the way she describes the investigative process. The procedural elements are realistic and well-researched, adding authenticity to the story without bogging down the pace. The dialogue is sharp and natural, enhancing the dynamic between characters and driving the plot forward.

The resolution of the mystery is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Nelson ties up the various threads of the narrative with skill, ensuring that all questions are answered and leaving the reader with a sense of closure. The final twist is both surprising and fitting, a testament to Nelson's talent for storytelling.

In conclusion, "Booked for Murder" is a stellar addition to the mystery genre. P.J. Nelson has crafted a novel that is not only entertaining but also intellectually stimulating. This book is perfect for readers who love a well-plotted mystery with complex characters and plenty of suspense. I highly recommend "Booked for Murder" to anyone looking for a thrilling and satisfying read. It deserves every one of its five stars. All thoughts and opinions are mine, and my own only.

Thank you NetGalley and P.J. Nelson for the ARC read.

Booked For Murder is P.J Nelson’s debut novel. The story follows former star, Madeline Brimely back to her hometown in Enigma, GA. After Madeline’s aunt dies, she inherits her bookstore. Not too long after she arrives does she begin to receive death threats. Trouble and her seem to mix as small town secrets begin to unfold.

I really loved the concept of Booked for Murder. P.J. Nelson does a good job of hooking the reader in the beginning scenes of the book. The author truly nails the depiction of small town live when things such as crime and gossip start to arise.

There were a couple of slower spots in the book for me where I was expecting something bigger to happen, but it never came. I did enjoy the book but wish there was a little more suspense to the book. I know it is a cozy mystery, but some of the parts were a little predictable. I wish some of the characters were a developed a little more throughout the story as well. We got pieces of people’s story, but I was still left with some questions toward the end. I’m guessing there will be more as it says mystery #1, I hope so because I would love to see how the rest of the story develops.

Overall, this was a good book that I did enjoy reading and would recommend it if you enjoy myseries.

3.5 stars rounded down | Simply put, this book is fine. It's not great, it's not terrible. I love mysteries, thrillers and suspense, but will admit I don't read too many cozy mysteries. Because cozy mysteries often don't have the suspense element, they usually make up for it in plot and interesting character. This book fell flat in both areas. Though there were some interesting characters, there was simply too many of them. The plot was intriguing in theory but was too slow and drawn out. This might be a good read for someone who enjoys a slower mystery, but it wasn't right for me.

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I loved the cover and the synopsis, but the writing just felt so juvenile and rushed.
The characters were basically hormonal 12 year olds, and the setting (which could have been so beautiful and eerie) felt lackluster. The plot was rushed, unbelievable, and read like something out of a middle school book.