Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of THE NEXT DEADLY CHAPTER (Book 10 of the Mystery Bookshop mystery series) by V.M. Burns in exchange for an honest review. The mother of Sam’s fiancé, Frank, is coming to meet her. Sam is dismayed to find that Dr. Camilia Patterson definitely disapproves of her, her bookstore, her writing, and her Nana Jo. The Four Feathers Casino had previously comped Sam a group of rooms and amenities for a disturbance during an event where Sam had been the keynote speaker. So, Nana Jo and the crew from the Shady Acres Retirement Village use them to throw Sam a surprise bridal shower and to keep Dr. Patterson occupied. The morning after their first night’s stay is an adventure. Dr. Patterson awoke to find a dead man in her room! Dr. Patterson calls Sam for help, and they make a plan over breakfast in the dining hall, but when their “help” arrives, the body is gone! Now they have a missing body and all sorts of official men telling them they must have just been silly little women imagining things. When the body later turns up, Sam has lost faith in any assistance those official men can render, so it looks like she’s going to have to collar another killer. Sigh! If only people would stop getting murdered long enough for her to finish writing her next historical mystery novel.

I liked this book and enjoy the series. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring bookshops, writing, casino-resorts, missing bodies, feisty grandmothers, sassy elders, concerned sisters, and secondary mystery stories.

#TheNextDeadlyChapter #NetGalley

This a great series. I love the interesting characters who move forward in their lives. I'm also fond of the book within the book. I was able to figure out one mystery, the other kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved The Next Deadly Chapter, the `10th book in V.M. Burns wonderful Mystery Bookshop series. The newest book in the series is a great example of how Ms. Burns interweaves delightful humor, realistic characters, and unique murder plots into a must-read and reread series. I get goosebumps every time Frank is in a scene, not because he is a handsome guy for his age or because of his mysterious background, but because he supports Sam so beautifully! I both giggle at the seniors and admire them for reminding the world that old does not mean less or dead. They are strong, intelligent, and witty women (even the bleep-mouthed, man chaser who really tries to curb those not-ok-for public words), I was especially pleased that we got to know Camilla better pretty quickly. I was ready to write her off in the beginning, but now, I wouldn't find if she visited more often. I was impressed that Frank didn't give her any leeway in her treatment of Samantha; that is how a man should stand for the woman he loves.
The plot was complex enough that there were several points that I could not even guess at, but in the end, they worked well.
At a book presentation, a guy harasses Samantha but is quickly put in his place and sent out. I knew immediately that he would be a victim but there is no way I could figure out how it would work in. As a result of the unpleasantness, she is given a weekend for six at the really nice local casino they often go to, so her grandmother and her squad plan a bridal bash for the group and invite Frank's mother to join them. A body shows up in what is almost a locked room mystery and then disappears after Sam calls Stinky Pitts for back up. Since the murder took place on Native American property and the victim is not of the tribe, the investigation falls to the Feds. No one wants to wait for the Feds once the body turns up again, so, the tribal police, Stinky, and the squad work to get the murder solved before the FBI comes in and takes over. We get time with all of the regular side characters whom I adore, as well as the hilarious senior squad. The Next Deadly Chapter is another complete win for V.M. Burns.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for allowing me to read an ARC of The Next Deadly Chapters, and awesome cozy mystery and so much more. I can't wait for the wedding book!
#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #VMBurns #MysteryBookshop #TheNextDeadlyChapter..

Not my favorite V.M. Burns Mystery Bookshop Mystery,
But still an enjoyable read. I struggled to get into the book in the beginning.

Thank you to #TheNextDeadlyChapter #NetGalley

I always love the opportunity to visit with Samantha and her posse. This series has such a wonderful central core of characters, actual family, and the families we make for ourselves, and we get to spend time with a lot of them in this book. We also get new additions with the introduction of Frank's mother and a new and improved version of one of our regulars. The ladies literally fall upon this murder victim while they are guests at the Casino as part of a celebration of Sam and Frank's upcoming wedding and Sam's attempt to impress her soon to be mother-in-law. We get the whole crew in action, plenty of good clues, our regular hijinks, lots of laughs, and another story within a story. I was happy to spend several hours with some of my favorite old book friends. Thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for the opportunity to read. #TheNextDeadlyChapter #MysteryBookshopMysteries #VMBurns #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

I have yet to meet a VM Burns I don't absolute LOVE. This was another great installment in the series and I hope she keeps writing them!!

First I have to say I am such a fan of this series. There are good mysteries, yes more than one, and such fun characters. We have Sam, who is an author and bookstore owner, and her grandmother and friends.. Those friends all have a special niche including man hungry Irma and her being prone to swear. Just so fun and funny.

In this story, Sam is anxiously waiting to meet her future mother-in-law. That proves to be interesting along with a special stay at the Four Feathers casino for Sam and friends. From there, we have a murder and lots of involvement in hunting the killer. As stress relief Sam works on her next book set in England before WWII. There's a murder there, too. It's such a fun read and two books for the price of one.

I can't wait for the next one!

This series is just a delight! I thoroughly enjoyed this entry, which took us deeper into the casino than ever before. Plus we got to see Frank’s mother and a whole new side of Detective Pitt. Once again, the mystery was well paced with a thoroughly established cast of characters. I always look forward to the next book from Burns, who has created an extremely solid series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and VM Burns for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Next Deadly Chapter coming out February 25, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this author! Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres. I haven’t read all the books in this series yet, but I really love it. I love that she’s a writer. I enjoyed this book featured Native Americans. The story Sam was writing was also really interesting and fun. I loved it!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy book mysteries!

Another enjoyable entry in this series. Sam is almost ready to tie the knot with fiancé Frank. She need only meet his mother. The meeting has Sam in a frenzy--what to wear, what to say, and will Camilla like her. Sam's grandmother arranges a getaway at a fancy casino. Things get interesting when a dead man turns up in Sam's future mother-in-law's room. As in previous entries in this series, Sam's grandmother and her friends add to the humor and to the solution of the crime. The setting of a Native American casino adds to the fun. In addition, Sam continues her own book writing as she tells a story of a crime in Merry Old England. Thank you to Net Galley for the arc.

"The Next Deadly Chapter (Mystery Bookshop #10)" by V. M. Burns is even more two books/novelas in one than other books in this series. It really felt almost equally split between the modern, Samantha, and the historic English countryside story that Samantha is writing. Personally, I started tuning out the historical mystery parts because I was more focused on modern part of the story. I would mind them as two separate stories though.

It just seemed that effort that could have been put to make both stories more wasn't because it was put to including a full story that the fictional character is writing. As a result, I really didn't get much of a build up of clues and the ending felt a bit rushed. There's a great story here though.

I would highly recommend this book. There are 2 murder mysteries. Sam writes her book within this book as she becomes involved in a murder mystery at a casino resort.

I liked the premise of the story and the mystery was intriguing. Why do heroines in cozy mysteries wander around alone when they previously have been threatened and/or attacked? This book had a feeling of finality for me. I wonder if it is the last book in the series.

I enjoy reading books by this author. In this new book, Sam and her Nana Jo and friends are treated to a weekend at the casino. Sam finally gets to meet Frank's mom, Camilia before their wedding. Camilia happens to find a dead body in her room, but then it disappears. The bunch of ladies get together to solve the crime before the Federal police arrive. I was glad to see the addition of Frank's mom and the relationships that come of it. The ending is a surprise and pacing to get there is fast.

When netgalley approved me to read this book, it jumped to the top of my list! This was such a fun read. I love the characters. Especially the feisty, gun toting- six foot tall Nana Jo! This was a well written light hearted fast paced cozy with lots of red herrings. There is also a short historical cozy, that mirrors the present day murder, that had me guessing until the end. 5/5 Stars. Well done!!!

author, book-within-a-book, pet-dog, verbal-humor, retirees, wedding-madness, restauranteur, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, widow, small-business, small-town, bookseller, Michigan, family, friends, local-law-enforcement, local-gossip, former-teacher, sleuthing-seniors, friendship, unpleasant-in-laws, unpleasant-guests, tribal-police, jurisdiction, contemporary, historical-fiction*****

Samantha Washington, bookseller and former teacher is very soon to be married to Frank (an ex-military man who is currently a local restauranteur). Frank's mother comes to town and is quite unpleasant, but the worst thing is finding a dead man in the room in a posh Resort Casino.
Meanwhile, Sam is writing a cozy mystery set in a country home in 1939 England which is also a good cosy mystery that mirrors the mess going on in Sam's world. Both investigations are filled with humor, plot twists, and really sneaky red herrings. Another great read!
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you!
#CrimeWritersOfColor #MysteryBookshopBk10 Avail Feb 25, 2025

The Next Deadly Chapter is the tenth book in V.M. Burns’ Mystery Bookshop series, although this one has little to do with the Michigan bookstore. Author and bookstore owner Samantha Washington takes center stage along with her Nana Jo and the women from Shady Acres Retirement Village.

Sam’s appearance for members of the Pontolomas Nation doesn’t go exactly as planned when a heckler named Oscar Pembrook gets going. Between Nana Jo and Kai Strongbow, a member of the tribal council, Pembrook gets taken care of. But, Strongbow feels bad, and offers Sam and five guests rooms at the Four Feathers Casino and Resort.

Nana Jo and her friends think this is a perfect place for Sam’s bridal shower. Sam isn’t so sure. She only wants to make a good impression on her future mother-in-law, Dr. Camilia Patterson. In fact, Sam switches rooms with her, giving her the suite Strongbow gave to Sam. Sam never expects a call from the very proper Camilia the next morning saying there’s a dead man in the suite. Of course it turns out to be Oscar Pembrook. But, before Sam can inform all the proper authorities on tribal land, the body disappears from the suite.

As Sam, Nana Jo and the usual group investigate the death and the disappearance of the body, Sam tries to sort it out by turning to her latest historical mystery. She takes readers back to 1939 before England entered World War II. But, the situation is just as fraught with danger then as a dislikable man is killed at Wickfield Lodge and Lady Elizabeth Marsh has to find a killer.

While I”m a fan of this series, there were a few too many characters in this one. I’ve given up on trying to keep track of all of Nana Jo’s friends, but it was the historical mystery that was confusing this time. There were too many women invited to Wickfield Lodge for an engagement party, and I had a hard time remembering who was who. However, since Sam’s historical mysteries are my favorite part of these books, I’ll be picking up the next one to catch up with Lady Elizabeth and her family.

I do enjoy the similarities between Sam’s writings and her current problems, though. The parallel storylines make for an interesting book.

This is a story that will keep readers guessing! I loved the plotting and character development. This is a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "The Next Deadly Chapter" by V.M. Burns, the latest in the Mystery Bookshop series. It's book number 10, and all the gang is together again - and solving another mystery through their various strengths.
Now a published author, Samantha Washington is giving a talk to an audience when she's interrupted numerous times by a man who does nothing but scoff at women writers, mystery writers, cozy mysteries..... he's finally escorted out of the venue, and as an apology Samantha is offered a VIP pass to the Four Feathers Casino, run by a local Indigenous People's tribe for her and her friends,
Coincidentally, in the run up to her's and Frank's upcoming nuptials, Frank's mother is coming to town to finally meet her prospective daughter-in-law. So this is the perfect opportunity to make a good impression, or so Sam hopes.
Feeling out of place in the opulent VIP suite that the Casino put her up in, Sam switches with Camilia (Dr. Garrett, as she cannot help calling her), and the next morning receives a frantic phone call: there's a body in the suite! And it turns out that this is the man who heckled Samantha the day before. But, when the authorities arrive, the corpse has gone missing.
Thus begins a twisty tale of dirty deeds and infidelities, featuring all of the usual cast of characters who have inhabit all of the previous books: Nana Jo, "Stinky" Pitt, Irma, Samantha's fiancé, Frank and Ruby (she of the massive extended family). And of course, at the same time Samantha is working on her latest cozy English mystery.
I sailed through this one in one day, not because it's a short story, but because I was simply sucked back in to the exploits of Samantha and her friends. Can be read as a standalone, but I believe most readers would enjoy the whole series. It's like reading two books in one, every time.

#TheNextDeadlyChapter #NetGalley is an exciting addition to this series.
Sam is anxious about meeting her future mother in law, so when her Nana Jo throws her a surprise bridal shower, she's not sure what to think.
After an awkward meeting with her mother in law, Dr. Camilia Patterson, Sam does what she knows best, writing her next book.
When Sam receives a mysterious call from Camilia, things really take off and Sam and friends soon have a mystery to solve.
I really loved this book, it kept me guessing and the story was well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.