Murder Off the Books is the third in the By the Book mystery series. Having read the first two books, I expected this one to be humorous as the other two were. Instead Tess seems a pathetic figure as the story opens. I had really started liking Tess in the second book and was taken aback by the tone of this book. These feelings didn’t last as events progressed.
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story. A man suspected of stealing from older women and then killing them. A podcaster with grace, beauty and many secrets. A mother who is a master at dissembling. An aloof sheriff. A tuna that is not a herring.
I felt satisfied with the ending. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this mystery.
I recommend Murder Off the Books. To best appreciate Tess, Victoria Boyd and Winthrop, Washington you need to read the first two books first.
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book.

I love cozies! I enjoyed the first two books in this series and I think this one may be the best yet! I love the character growth that’s happened throughout the series so far and the author’s writing style is so fun. I can see so many more books written in this series and I will read every one of them!

Murder Off the Books by Tamara Berry the 3rd instalment in the "By the Book Mystery" series. I really enjoyed visiting Winthrop, Washington and the seeing how Tess and Gertie were making out in the woods. I enjoy Gertie and now we have her mom Bee who’s a hoot! I like the budding romance between Tess and Sheriff Boyd too.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Tess did.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 4!

I requested and received an Advance Readers Copy from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

An incredible third act to what is already one of my favorite series of the past 10 years. This book is funny. It’s fun and lighthearted while still keeping things really interesting. I am excited to look into what comes next from Tamara Berry and I only hope that it contains more of this wonderful series.

Thriller writer Tess Harrow and her daughter Gertie lived in the small town of Winthrop and the arrival of Tess' mother put a spanner in the works for Tess' release of her latest novel, which was combined with the opening of her bookshop. With the arrival of a famous podcaster and her crew, the customers Tess had thought were hers, diverted. And when the much younger man who had accompanied Bernadette (Bee) ended up dead, and Bee was suspected of his murder, Tess immediately knew she had to find the real killer, because she knew her mother hadn't done it. Her book launch/bookshop opening didn't happen...

Sheriff Victor Boyd tried to keep Tess out of his investigation, but everything seemed to be aimed at keeping her in it. With her worry over Gertie and Bee, she was determined to solve the murder, but when a second body was found, and Tess thought she knew the answers, the danger she invited in was swift to follow.

Murder off the Books is the 3rd in By the Book Mysteries by Tamara Berry and it was fun and filled with entertainment. The characters are great - Tess is smart and strong, although she can't keep out of any investigation; Gertie is perfect, and Bee was amusing. I'm very much enjoying the series and look forward to #4. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

What a great addition to this series. Author has found just the right balance of character development, story plot and pacing. Hope this series will continue. My only hope is the next book title will be more original and reflect the storyline and not just be some clever generic title involving books that could refer to a hundred similar cozies. Thanks to #NetGalley and #MurderOffTheBooks for an advanced digital copy.

If you like cozy murder mysteries, you definitely want this series on your list. Tess is a mystery writer who also owns a book store. She always seems to get caught up in a murder. It will keep you guessing.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This was the first book I've read by Tamara Berry, and I can assure you it won't be the last. I was a little concerned going into the 3rd book with no knowledge of what had transpired in the first two books, but I was quickly entrenched in this wonderful Murder mystery story, and I will definitely be going back and reading the first two!

Murder off the books was fun and full of twists and turns. It had lots of comedic moments and the undertones of a little romance. I loved getting this glimpse into Tess Harrows little town, life and her family

Murder Off the Books by Tamara Berry is the third book in the By the Book Mysteries series. This cozy mystery is slightly more gritty and gripping than many. It is also laugh-out-loud funny in places.

Tess Harrow is a bestselling thriller writer who has inherited her grandfather’s rustic cabin in the woods near Winthrop, Washington as well as his hardware store. She and her daughter Gertrude (Gertie) have updated the cabin and converted the hardware store into an independent bookstore called Paper Trail. Tess has timed the grand opening of her bookstore with the release of her latest thriller. But things don’t go smoothly. The night before the party, Tess’s mother Bernadette (Bee) Springer comes for a visit with her much younger boyfriend. Gertie recognizes him from a podcast as Levi Parker, a man suspected of murdering three elderly widows. Is Bee slated to be number four?

Tess has a hard time separating her fictional detective’s methods, which aren’t always “by the book,” and local Sheriff Victor Boyd’s method of following procedure, which leads to some fascinating and funny interchanges between the two. Their chemistry creates a fun dynamic that adds to the enjoyment of the story. Dealing with real law enforcement officers is harder than she expected. The normally calm and levelheaded sheriff doesn’t stay that way as he interacts with Tess. Tess is strong-willed and intelligent, but sometimes gets into some tough situations. Additionally, Gertie continues to enjoy being part of a murder investigation a little too much for Tess’s comfort.

For book lovers, readers not only get a main character who is a thriller writer, but there is a bookmobile that makes the rounds of the local communities and a deputy that has written a science fiction novel in her spare time. Additionally, there is a podcaster and her producer in town following Levi and a journalist that is supposed to be shadowing Tess for a week. Themes include family relationships, friendship, murder, trust, putting down roots, jealousy, a hint of romance, and much more.

The writing is terrific. However, the opening scene wasn’t quite as dramatic as that in book two of the series. Despite this, the characters, as well as the story, quickly engage readers. The plot is absorbing and intriguing with a storyline that has a few red herrings, a couple of surprises, and lots of humor. For a small and touristy town, there’s a lot happening in it. The author brilliantly portrayed the feeling of the town and its various characters. I enjoy the regular cast of characters in this series and look forward to seeing what happens to them next.

Overall, this engaging and funny novel pulled me into the storyline and the lives of the characters. If you enjoy excellent cozy mysteries with a little extra grit, then I recommend that you check out this series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book of the series.

Poisoned Ped Press and Tamara Berry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 30, 2023.

Another fun book in this very entertaining series.

Tess Harrow is preparing to open her new book store and launch her latest book at the same time. Sadly all her preparations are overshadowed when her mother arrives in town with a much younger man in tow. When he is murdered her mother is the obvious suspect and Tess feels obliged to investigate.

I really enjoy the characters in this series. Tess is always fun to watch and her daughter Gertie is the kind of teenager we would all like to have. Two undercover FBI agents and the local police make for more interest and entertainment, and one of them is the love interest. A slowly developing love interest but each book in the series brings increasing hope for a happy conclusion one day.

I recommend this book, and indeed the whole series so far, to anyone who enjoys a good cosy mystery.

This is the third release in this new cozy series "By The Book Mysteries" . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

Tess is needing to repair her reputation for being involved in two murders. The townspeople and police are suspicious of her. She arranges her book release party at her bookstore to engage everyone in the event. Everything is in place until her Mother arrives with a neferious boyfriend with a criminal background. When he is found dead her Mother is the primary suspect and Tess has her hands full solving this case with the local police convinced her Mother is guilty.

I found the sleuth very complex with many clues to keep the reader guessing. Tess is a likable protagnist . I enjoy the small town setting and the quirky personalities that add humor to each book. A very enjoyable addition to the series. This is a cozy series I highly recommend.

This series is seriously so much fun. I’m constantly chuckling! I’m loving this town and the characters.

I love Tess & Gertie. They are such a fun mother/daughter duo. I think they make a good sleuthing team! And for the romance with the detective.. what is happening there?!

The mystery was great. I thought it was a little more complex than some other cozies. I had no idea who the killer was this time! I enjoyed the little twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.

Overall, loved the installment in the series. I’m looking forward to more in the future!

[ Thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

Author and new bookstore owner, Tess Harrow, anticipates her grand opening event, but reality is sadly lacking with the concurrent arrival of her mother, a suspected serial killer of wealthy older ladies and a famed podcaster. Pandemonium at all fronts, but Tess sees her way clear to keep her mother from being the next victim or best suspect. A tad on the mapcap side, but definitely an enjoyable cozy.

Murder Off the Books is the third book in Tamara Berry's By the Book cozy mystery series, which follows famous thriller writer Tess Harrow and her daughter Gertrude as they navigate small-town life and Tess's uncanny disposition to become involved in murder cases.

In this third addition to the series, Tess is getting ready to open her bookstore in the small town of Winthrop when a surprise visit from her mother and the murder of an infamous serial killer threatens to destroy her business, her reputation, and her family.

I definitely became more attached to the characters in this series in this book. It had an interesting little twist and I enjoyed the humor throughout as well. A good series for cozy mystery lovers!

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Tess and her daughter Gertie are not happy when Tess' mom Bernadette turns up with her new beau Levi in tow because Levi's previous romantic interests have turned up dead. And then he's murdered, with Bernadette becoming Sheriff Boyd's main suspect. There's a pod caster, FBI agents, and others in town but figuring out who did it is up to Tess (and Gertie). AND- Tess has a new thriller about to publish and a bookstore to run. This is a fun cozy with terrific interaction between Tess and Gertie (and with Sheriff Boyd). Doh't worry if you haven't read the earlier books- Berry does a nice job with back story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Now. I have read three of Tamera Berry’s book and enjoyed them all. These books do not include descriptive sex or murder scenes. They are intense enough to pull you in.. I really thank the author, publisher and Netgally for the opportunity to read the book.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press through Netgalley for the ARC!

This continues to be a super enjoyable series! I especially like how Tamara Berry develops the characters between books, and the running money laundering plotline is just getting more and more interesting. And, of course, true to form, this one is also quite funny!

This entry was a bit more predictable than the others, but the new characters were engaging enough that it didn't detract from the experience. Highly recommend this series!

This series gets stringer with each book. Such a talent at writing and keeping you guessing! Loving the development of the characters.

Murder Off the Books is book 3 in the By the Book Mysteries series, by Tamara Berry, but for those new to the series like I am, it’s easily read as a stand-alone.

Mystery writer Tess Harrow decides to open a bookstore in her town, and, along with her teenaged daughter, Gertrude, has put a lot of planning into the event. Cue the unexpected arrival of her somewhat distant, quirky mother, and her mother’s alleged serial killer boyfriend, and plans for the grand opening of the store go off the rails quickly.

Now Tess is involved in another murder (she has a bit of a reputation there), and trying to prove that her mother is not the killer.

With quirky characters, and complex relationships, this was a really enjoyable cosy mystery.

Book: Murder Off the Books (By the Book Mysteries #3)
Author: Tamara Berry
Format: Digital
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Crime/Mystery
Places Featured: Washington, United States
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (rounded up)
Review: Mystery writer Tess Harrow is back at it again in the third installment of this fun cozy mystery series set in small town Washington state. In this story (probably my favorite one so far), Tess’s mother comes to town (with her notorious boyfriend—who, surprise!, is a suspected murderer) in tow just as Tess is trying to open her new bookstore. The boyfriend ends up dead and Tess’s mother is a suspect, so Tess must do all she can to ensure the real murderer is found. I’ve come to like Tess and her daughter as I’ve read through the books, but I still find the town, some of the other characters, and the plot lines a bit over the top and difficult to follow. Again, it’s a good cozy escape (just as any cozy mystery should be), so I don’t mind keeping up with them. (Though I am also glad that there’s somewhat of a resolution to Tess’s love life—it’s been a bit odd.)