As excited as I was for this book, it fell short of the expectations. I thought this was in my wheelhouse: bookstore, mystery, middle aged protagonist -- pick me! However, it was less a whodunit and more a work through life expectations. Also, the main character wasn't as likeable as it first seemed. It wasn't bad, just fell way short of how much I thought I was going to enjoy.

Booked for murder was a cozy mystery. I enjoyed the small town vibes and the way it way presented. The secrets, the gossip and the community spirit were well exploited.
I found that it was slightly predictable. I could see the plot twist coming a bit too fast but it still was an interesting story.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of BOOKED FOR MURDER (Book 1 of the Old Juniper Bookstore mystery series) by P. J. Nelson in exchange for an honest review. When Madeline Brimley’s Aunt Rose passes away, it give Madeline the excuse she needs to return home to Enigma, Georgia and retire from acting. However, even though Madeline doesn’t expect her return to be triumphal, she certainly didn’t expect it to be met with arson, threats, and murder either. To keep herself safe, Madeline soon finds herself fixated on solving all of those mysteries. Welcome home, Madeline, and may you survive the week!

I liked the book and thought it was a good start to a new series. I recommend the book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring returning home, second careers, family inheritance, and the clash between reality and expectations.

For a cozy mystery set around a bookstore with "booked" in the title as well as a nice stack of books on the cover, we got very little of anything book related. I became a bit bored in spots throughout with the quite slow pacing. By the time the book ended I believe every character was at one point believed to be the culprit by our main girl, Madeline. There were a few times I found myself laughing and enjoying the dramatics of it all, but not enough, unfortunately.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars

If you like cozy mysteries, books, and bookstores, you can give Booked for Murder a try. I liked it, despite not really liking the protagonist. It was okay for a mystery, but there are a few questions that were left unanswered; and that felt a little frustrating.

A wonderful cast of characters in this cozy Southern mystery.

I’m a sucker for a bookstore setting, and this one didn’t disappoint—especially with the main character living right above the shop. It added such a cozy, inviting vibe to the whole book.

The story jumps straight into the action, which I loved, but I did notice a few slow points as it went on. Still, those moments didn’t take away from the overall experience. There are some darker elements in the plot, but nothing too heavy.

It was an interesting premise - and any book readers dream to inherit a book store - but it was a slow read. It almost read like a script instead of a book. It seems like this will be the first in a series, but there wasn't enough of a cliffhanger for me to read the next one.

A big thank you to P.J. Nelson and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

I was immediately drawn to the concept of this book. Nelson does a fantastic job of pulling readers in from the start, vividly portraying the dynamics of small-town life when crime and gossip intertwine.

Though the story had some slower parts, where I expected more dramatic twists, I still enjoyed it. While I felt the plot to be a bit predictable at times, it remains entertaining as it is well written. Some characters could have used more development. But I will say, a few loose ends left me curious about the sequels hinted by “mystery #1.” (assuming that's what this means!)

Overall, 'Booked for Murder' is a solid read, especially if you love cozy mysteries. I recommend it to anyone looking for a light, enjoyable mystery. So perfect for the fall and winter seasons!!

A fun and fast read that will take readers on a thrilling journey through a murder mystery! I enjoyed all of the characters, the pacing, and how everything came together in the end. I think the cover was so perfect for what the book was about, fun, pulls you in, and really helps you understand what you are about to read!

Unfortunately this book just didn’t keep my interest or have me coming back for more. I’m not sure if it is because i’m a girl who is a sucker for a bookstore or why i felt like i poorly related to the main character. The “twists” were predictable and just didn’t love it. Thanks for the opportunity, i really hoped to love this book, but it just wasn’t for me.

This is somewhere between a cozy and a thriller. Three uniquely strong females that are drawn together after the death of Madeline’s Aunt Rose. A good read for fans of the mystery genre.

This was a really cute story, despite the topic of death and murder. I enjoyed the characters and thought it was well paced

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a fan of cozy mystery genre, I’ll just have to say, this book is bad. I was hoping for it to at least be mediocre, but no, it is bad. Especially considering the other cozy mystery releases this year, which have been quite fun.

First things first, it did not start out well. No proper introduction aside from what we already know from the synopsis. This girl got to the house where her aunt left her bookshop after she died, and then there was a fire. A lot did not make sense here, because after the fire, the character did not even bother to inform anybody - I mean, seriously, do you have nobody in your life? Like at all? Not even to inform the lawyer who informed you that your aunt left all this for you? Fire is a serious thing, everybody takes this seriously even if the author wanted to paint this girl as some weird girl or whatever.

If we put all the beginnings that did not make sense aside, the pace and the writing got a little better. Another “big” thing happened next, where someone was actually murdered and there was another fire. Things still did not make sense after this and it was almost stupid. Someone was murdered! It doesn’t matter how small the town is, a detective and a medical examiner/coroner would come immediately and the next morning you do not just wake up and make coffee in the kitchen again. Someone will immediately start questioning you or - if you are severely injured or maybe mourning - they would at least start scheduling when they can talk to you. What were you doing when it happened? Did you hear anything? And tons of other questions. Just because the detective is someone you know, that does not mean you can just escape this process. You also don’t sit there and laugh with your friends afterwards. I feel like the author is trying too hard to make it “cozy” to the point it does not make sense and it is just stupid. I know it is fiction but please, have some common sense.

Also, if you are expecting a cozy mystery that would actually revolve around a bookshop and the books, you will be disappointed because the bookshop is mostly closed throughout the story to the point I am not sure why it is even titled “Booked for Murder”.

Overall, this was a very disappointing read. It had the potential to be good, and there were times when I actually enjoyed some dialogue, but if I were to look at the whole book, it’s just not good. There are so many cozy mystery books available, and I don’t see why anyone should pick this up unless you get it for free. Or if you have nothing else to read.

This is a cute book! I love cozy mysteries so this was right up my alley! I am excited to continue in the series!

Small town drama? Check. Bookshop? Check. Secrets and murder? Check. Delightful southern references? Check.

If you like Jeneva Rose's One of Us is Dead for the humor, you will love this book. I laughed so much and couldn't put it down.

Madeline inherits the Old Juniper Bookshop from her Rose, and heads back to Enigma, the town she grew up in and then fled to pursue her dreams of being on stage. Pretty much as soon as she returns, it becomes very obvious that someone does not want her back in town. A few fires and then a murder and Madeline is hot on the case, trying to figure out who is behind all of the bad things happening since she returned to Enigma. I thought this was a fun book, definitely one that fits within the cozy mystery sub-genre.

Thank you to Netgalley, P.J. Nelson, and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Madeline Brimley has returned to Enigma, Georgia to run the Old Juniper Bookshop [located in an old Victorian mansion] which she’s inherited following the death of her aunt, Rose. This was the town where Maddy had grown up, where she’d learned her love of books from Aunt Rose.

But her return to Enigma is met with a fire in the backyard gazebo and an intimidating phone call in which her life is threatened if she does not leave immediately. Considering the call nothing more than a drunken prank, Maddy chooses to ignore it.

But there is another fire . . . and a tragic murder. Who is behind the threats, the fire, and the murder? Will Maddy become the next victim?

=========

Anchored by a strong sense of place and well-defined characters that are sure to feel exactly like small-town southern folks to readers, this cozy mystery is both quirky and charming. Maddy tends to be a bit annoying with her amateur sleuthing as she intrudes on the police investigation, but the Episcopal priest, Reverend Gloria, and several other characters keep things pretty much in line.

Plot twists and turns keep readers guessing; tidbits about Maddy’s theater work and Rose’s acting career are enlightening. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries are sure to enjoy a visit to Enigma, Georgia and the Old Juniper Bookshop.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#BookedforMurder #NetGalley

Madeline inherits her deceased aunt’s home and bookstore and within minutes the gazebo is on fire. Cue some threatening calls shortly after, and later in the evening the house is on fire and someone is found dead. With the help of Gloria, a new “Father” at the local church and her aunt’s friend Philomena, Madeline tries to figure out who is targeting her home and committed murder. The book had some lighter moments but the mystery wasn’t too hard to figure out. It will be interesting to see how Madeline grows in Enigma, GA and where her friendship with David goes in future books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

A good southern cozy mystery, and an inherited bookstore? Sign me up! This book and the story were so cute. A little predictable at times, but if you’re looking for a cozy mystery read to pass the time this is it.

Cute, cozy, mystery.

It’s a fun easy read.

It falls a little flat as far as expectations, but it’s a good time.

If you want a perfect pallet cleanser or just something light, this is perfect!