Such a fun book to read!

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

When Madison inherits a bookstore from her aunt, she's not sure she should stay. Especially after a fire, threatening phone calls and a murder convince her she should think about going back to Atlanta. With the help of a pastor (Reverend? Father? Sister?) and her aunt's closest friend they attempt to solve the crimes on their own.
It was corny and funny and a great summer read! Loved it!

This was such a a cozy read! This is going on my fall reading list to match for spooky season. Would definitely recommend if this is your vibe and plan to reread

Thank you P.J.Nelson, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me an advanced copy of this great book to read.

I really enjoyed this book! Madeline is a great character. She is a little crazy at times but she is a great lead character! Madeline came back to her small town to inherit her aunts bookstore and house with conditions. Lots of twists for Madeline in her first week in town. Twisted enough to keep me reading even though I pretty much has it all figured out. The ending was great and definately leaves it open for more books to come! I will be waiting!! I highly recommend this book for a nice easy mystery read.

Thank you P.J. Nelson for this great book. Cannot wait for book #2!

I am always a sucker for cozy mysteries!! I absolutely loved this one and enjoyed it to the very end. I found that the twists were very clever and kept me guessing. The author did an amazing job setting the scene for this story and I felt like I was completely there. Looking forward to the next book!!!

Madeline Brimley returns to her small Georgia hometown when she inherits a quaint little bookstore from her beloved Aunt Rose. Someone seems bound and determined to drive her away as arson, threatening late night phone calls and murder soon follow. This was a good cozy with likeable characters and lots of red herrings to keep you guessing.

Gave me mystery vibes, it was genuinely a good read. I’d recommend it to other who like mystery/thriller. Also easy read.

I adore a great cozy mystery. I am glad this was not centered around romance as some can be a bit more romantic than mystery. I found the idea of an odd ball Aunt passing away and leaving a bookstore to her niece a great chance. A big issue I had was the character of the niece. She is noted for being an actress who was struggling to land roles in New York, so she moved back home. However, she did not own a cell phone which is a major red flag since Actresses need a phone to reach their possible new roles. She also was extremely hesitant to react to the fire on her first day at her aunt's. I would imagine that if someone threatened to kill me and light a part of my property on fire, I would not hide that information. The Fire Department was also extremely incompetent to a large degree which was a bit off. Also, if she was only away from her old hometown for a bit why did she not recognize the people she used to work with or babysit. I found that was a bit odd since he was not a newborn but a teen himself and I do not feel like he would have changed so dramatically. Otherwise, it was a good mystery and storyline. I hope there is a lot more of this series to come because I adore the set up. I would recommend this to my book club group. Solid 3.5 Stars.

Madeline is a struggling actress who returns to her small hometown of Enigma, Georgia when her Aunt Rose passes away and leaves her a peculiar and quaint bookstore. Madeline is a well written character who doesn’t have a cell phone and has named her car. The night Madeline arrives at the old Victorian house, someone sets fire to the gazebo. It’s clear that someone wants Madeline gone when the fire is followed up by threatening phone calls. Within days there is a murder. Madeline and two friends, old Aunt Rose’s best friend and the local female Episcopal priest, set out to solve the crimes since the local policeman seems inept. Booked for Murder is a cozy, light mystery with many quirky characters. The setting is atmospheric; a small Southern town where everyone knows each other. The story is enjoyable yet somewhat predictable. Highly recommended to fans of cozy mysteries. With thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. My opinions are my own. susanh_bookreviews

Living in a small town in Georgia myself, the description of Booked For Murder (small town Georgia setting) immediately appealed to me. And then when I discovered we have a book store involved, I was immediately sold!! This book had a great storyline, good plot, and I really enjoyed the characters. This is very much a cozy mystery & I think it would be great to read it in the fall.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an ARC copy of this book.

I had the honor of reading Booked For Murder early thanks to NetGallery and P. J. Nelson.

This book is about:
Maddy inherits a bookstore from her aunt rose, who passed away. Upon her arrival, she has been receiving death threats, arsonist, and a murder. Will she flee and sell the store, or will she stay and solve the mystery.

I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the storyline, the idea, and the plot. I didn't so much enjoy the writing. At times, it felt like the author was trying to reach the word count. Putting so many details into something that probably didn't matter. For example, he listed every flower in the garden when it didn't matter for plot reasons. Why do we need to know Maddy wears Dove deodorant ? or that the priest was working on her iPad mini. There is a lot of details.
I understand being descriptive, but it doesn't have to be that detailed, in my opinion. I feel like the mystery of the Gazebo was predictable. However, the murder was a little twist. I wasn't exactly shocked, but wasn't completely unforeseen.

If you are a theater kid, you will love this book. There is so much talking about acting and Broadway, referencing plays.

As someone not as interested in theater, it does get a little repetitive at times.

I just couldn't find my way into this one... Normally, a cozy set in a bookshop is right up my alley, but I just never connected to the characters or felt much engagement with the plot here. I'm not sure exactly what it was - perhaps the uber-quick setup and shift into murder - which rapidly turned into "who's out to get me??" rather than "what's going on?!" put me off... I didn't particularly like the protagonist, and so had a tough time falling into her story. Overall it just wasn't for me.

I am a “cozy mystery” fan and especially after reading a wonderfully and interesting historical fiction book or a nail biting murder mystery. But this book fell short for me. The main character, Mandy, was unlikeable to me. The bright side were the many references to poetic stanzas, Shakespeare and other notable writing references. I found myself wishing for the end and not really caring who the murderer was………..I cannot expound anymore as it would contain spoiler.s. Thank you NetGalley and st. Martin’s Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, #BookedForMurder, #St.Martin’sPress/MinotaurBooks.

"Booked For Murder" by P. J. Nelson unfolds like a cozy quilt on a chilly evening, wrapping readers in the warmth of small-town intrigue and the charm of its characters. In this delightful murder mystery, protagonist Madeline Brimley finds herself unexpectedly inheriting a bookstore in Enigma, Georgia, after the passing of her Aunt Rose. Nelson deftly paints the picture of Madeline's transition from her bustling life as an aspiring actress in New York and Atlanta to the slower pace of Enigma, where old acquaintances and new faces intertwine in a web of secrets and suspicions.

What sets "Booked For Murder" apart is its ensemble cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets lurking beneath the surface. From the enigmatic Philomena to the steadfast Gloria and the endearing Tandy, Nelson crafts a tapestry of personalities that adds depth and richness to the narrative. As threatening phone calls escalate into a tragic stabbing within the confines of the bookstore, Madeline finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of suspicion and intrigue, where everyone becomes a potential suspect.

Nelson masterfully weaves a tangled web of clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Just when one believes they have unraveled the mystery, a new twist emerges, leading to a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends while leaving room for future adventures.

One of the standout features of "Booked For Murder" is its ability to keep readers engaged and guessing throughout. Nelson's skillful plotting ensures that no character is beyond suspicion, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Madeline's quest for justice. The revelation of the truth behind Tandy's death is both surprising and satisfying, a testament to Nelson's ability to craft a compelling mystery.

Overall, "Booked For Murder" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and small-town intrigue alike. With its engaging characters, clever plotting, and charming setting, it's a book that is sure to keep readers entertained from beginning to end!

Thank you NetGalley, MacMillan Publishing, and author P.J. Nelson for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203579269-booked-for-murder" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Booked for Murder (An Old Juniper Bookstore Mystery, 1)" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1713486378l/203579269._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203579269-booked-for-murder">Booked for Murder</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47314471.P_J_Nelson">P. J. Nelson</a><br/>
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Madeline’s Aunt Rose has died & left her the Old Juniper Bookstore in small town Engima, Georgia. <br />Despite having grown up in Engima, Madeline has been away for a long while and it is very clear that someone does not want her to stay. <br />This book does so much well. Engima is a character & a well crafted one. The actual characters are interesting & quirky as it should be in any small southern town.😀 And the southern flair (I’m an born & raised southerner!) is light but authentic. The mystery at the center of the story was twisty enough to keep me interested (though I did get a tiny bit tired of Madeline playing amateur detective in the middle). <br />The ending was satisfying but left lots of room for more in the series. (And the cover is great!)<br /><br />Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this fun cozy mystery.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3104275-dana-m">View all my reviews</a>

Booked for Murder is a cozy mystery. While I did find it to be a bit predictable, I also found it quite enjoyable. I like P.J. Nelson's writing style. The characters were well written. I would read more if available.

(3.5) This book starts out with Madeline inheriting a bookstore and house from her recently deceased aunt, but there are certain conditions. We end up with arson, a murder and some somewhat shady characters. Madeline joins with 2 other women to try to solve the murder.

Unfortunately, there wasn't enough twists for me and I was able to predict much of what was to come.

This is a quick, easy read and I have hope for the remainder of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for a review!

Booked for Murder is a solid, if a little predictable, debut cozy mystery. It is set in a quaint little Georgia town. Madeline Brimley, a former actress, has inherited her eccentric aunt’s bookstore which is housed in a Victorian mansion. Upon her arrival at Old Juniper Books Madeline quickly discovers that things are not as quiet as they seem in Enigma Georgia.

The story starts quickly with her gazebo on fire and a late night threatening call. Someone does not want Madeline to take over the bookstore. With her deceased aunt’s friends at her side, Madeline stays the course and works to discover who started the gazebo fire, who is calling, and what her aunt’s secrets are.

Pacing and plot of the mystery were great, there are interesting twists in the middle. Unfortunately, the ending was a little disappointing and too basic for my liking. As I was reading I was comparing this story to Happily Ever After by Susan May Warren. There were quite a few similarities. I think Happily Ever After was a better overall book, with richer side characters, but I see great potential for P. J. Nelson to write more in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this ebook for review.

Set in a bookshop is good, and with a cat is even better. There are enough twists and turns and red herrings in this book to almost keep the reader from figuring out who the killer is ahead of the protagonist. Madeline is not too dumb and not too naive, and mostly her poor choices seem to be due to her being stubborn or overwhelmed. I was sort of hoping by halfway through the book that she'd meet with near deadly consequences for all her more reckless decisions, but her character does develop just enough that I didn't dislike her so much by the end. It's not an instant favorite, but I will probably watch for the next book in this series.

This book is a sweet, feel-good, small-town murder mystery that envelops you in the lives of the characters and the town. It was soothing and cozy to read, and I loved how I could feel the sheer appreciation for literature and theatre in the novel.
While the book is light hearted, the side plots about family, death, identity, etc are very much so grounded in true human complexities. I enjoyed getting to see how the main character reconciles with her aunt's death as she forms new friendships and relationships.
The pacing of the mystery is steady, but the major plot twists seem to be just more characters that are surprisingly deceptive to our steadfast and stubborn protagonist. Her sidekicks (or friends) have great, vibrant personalities that add to their search for the truth. I appreciated the exploration of identity in relation to solving Tandy's murder.
My only major bone to pick is that I prefer my mystery novels to be suspenseful either in writing or in story, and in this case, the narration was a bit too on the nose to keep me second guessing every character.
Review: 3/5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Madeline Brimley inherits an eccentric bookstore in the small town of Enigma after her aunt Rose's death, but her plans for a fresh start are derailed by mysterious fires, threats, and a murder, compelling her to uncover deadly secrets to clear her name.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, consider giving this one a shot; it's the start of a series, with a straightforward and linear narrative following Madeline's time in Enigma as she interacts with townspeople and untangles the mystery.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.