This is the 3rd book in the Mystery Bookshop series, and Samantha, Nana Jo, and her senior friends are back!

In this book, Nana Jo has been cut from the lead in the annual Shady Acres play to be replaced by Maria, a resident without much talent. When Maria is found murdered, Nana Jo is the main suspect and Samantha and the other seniors jump in to investigate and clear her name.

The plot is great and I love the "mystery within the mystery" book!

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love this entire series. This was another great installment and I really enjoy this author. I liked reconnecting with the characters and would recommend it to others. It was a quick and fun read.

The Novel Art of Murder: A Mystery Bookshop Mystery
By V.M. Burns
Kensington
December 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

In the months since she retired from teaching and fulfilled her dream of opening a bookstore n North Harbor, Michigan, Samantha Washington built up a profitable business within her Market Street Mysteries store. She’s even begun tentatively sticking her toe back in the dating pool after the death of her husband, with North Harbor Café owner Frank Patterson wooing her with his delicious meals as much as with his charm. Throwing a curve ball into Sam’s new life is the news that her Nana Jo has just lost the lead role in the Shady Acres Senior Follies to rival Maria Romanov, whose acting skills are as abysmal as her singing abilities. No one can explain why visiting Tony award-winning director Horace Evans cast Maria in the first place, but when she is murdered Nana Jo’s rather exuberant insults and threats ensure that she now has the role as the primary suspect.

Desperate to have her grandmother cleared before their scheduled trip to New York, Sam rashly begs Detective “Stinky” Pitts to give her ten days to clear her grandmother. If she hasn’t found the real murderer by that time, he is free to make the arrest. Maria’s recent move in Shady Acres has Sam and company investigating the senior living facility, where it appears that Maria may have wielded her acting skills as much onstage as on. Startling news from her mother only adds to the pressure weighing on Sam’s shoulders, which is why she once again finds solace back in her fictional world of 1938 England. Her first manuscript featuring Lady Daphne and Lady Penelope has already gained Sam a literary agent, and her second book takes her characters into the home of Winston Churchill. Sam sorts out real world clues and puzzles through her blossoming novel, and working through a locked-room mystery Sam gets closer to finding a killer in both worlds.

The charm of this series continues to be how well Sam’s “fictional” novel is interwoven into her “real” investigation. Readers will easily see how her present actions are reflected in her writings, which astounds by a histocial novel full of fascinating characters. While Sam’s first novel highlighted the adventures of Lady Penelope, here it is her sister and mother who assume the center stage to defy stereotypes and take action. Not only are readers presented with a pompous Winston Churchill, they see the now-absurd demands of potential royal brides. Elements of Sam’s investigation in Michigan are quickly integrated into her novel, and one can nearly see her thought-processes unfolding upon the page. The novel-within-a-novel, a locked room mystery, and appealing romances taking place both in Sam’s imagination and in her life ensure for a satisfying, unique, and extremely witty read.

This is the third book in the Mystery Bookshop series. As with the first two installments, there are two mysteries within one book. There is the mystery Sam faces in her life and the one she creates in a book she is writing that is set in England in 1938. Nana Jo becomes the prime suspect when Maria Romanov is killed after she is given the lead in the senior village’s winter production. There are a number of interesting twists especially when a second resident is murdered and this one couldn’t have been Nana Jo. Sam makes a deal with Stinky Pitt, the detective, to solve the case and let him take credit. Sam and her friends have just shy of two weeks to solve two murders.
The characters are likable and quirky. I enjoy how they each play a role and add to the solving of the mystery.
Part of the charm in cozy mysteries is that a business like a mystery bookstore in a small town can thrive when in our lives even big box bookstores struggle to remain open sometimes.
I love this series for the characters, the mysteries and the books.

I've given this series a good chance to grow into its potential, but it still hasn't reached it. I like the concept of two stories in one book, which is what interested me in the series, especially since one story is in the present day and one is historical. The characters and the mysteries lack depth and at times the writing was choppy and redundant.

Sam Washington’s life has been a bit of a rollercoaster since we first met her in The Plot is Murder, and then again in Read Herring Hunt. Her small town is in danger of turning into the new Cabot Cove (from Murder She Wrote) with yet another mysterious death, and another person close to Sam accused of murder! This time, she has just a week to save her Nana Jo from the Big House, after a rival takes her lead role in the local am-dram play…

Cosy mysteries are my snuggle up for a bit of fluff reads, and I adore books about books. Bonus with this series is Sam’s own efforts at writing a mystery – alas, these are rather the low point of the whole affair. They pad things out nicely, allow for a change of pace, and explain well Sam’s leaps of intuition over the real cases, but they also serve to make the rest of the book look great in comparison. Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie but falling quite far short, especially in dialect, and the whole sub-mystery is tied up in a sudden revelation from nowhere.

Aside from that, the book also allows Sam’s life to continue to grow as has been building in the series. Everything – aside from the murder! – is running rather wonderfully, and that too is a nice counterbalance to the ‘oh no, another death!’.

This leans heavily into the ‘cosy’, with very little in the way of peril despite a few sobbing fits from some of our leading ladies. I still love the elderly band of sleuths helping Sam, although the teenagers are all a little too nice and helpful to be realistic ;)

I like this series, but it’s probably going to remain ‘okay’ rather than ‘great’. And I’m fine with that. This one is a little better than the preceding volume, and I’d still happily reach for the next installment.

I am really enjoying this series, and am looking forward to getting it in the hands of cozy readers at my library! Nana Jo and the girls are a hoot! I also like historical mysteries, so I appreciate the story within the story. Sam is a great main character, and I am excited to read more of her adventures!

This is the third book in this wonderful Mystery Bookshop series.. I have read the previous books and highly recommend the entire series. Each book is full of humor and witty repartee that will make you laugh out loud . I so enjoyed this next in series ! I love to revisit Sam, her Grandmother Nana Jo and the friends from the retirement community, the charming poodles and the bookstore. . In this next book there is much excitement at the retirement home and two mysteries to solve.

Nana Jo has lost her usual lead in the Senior Follies to another resident Maria who no one believes is talented enough to take on the role. Nana Jo is seen and heard arguing with her before Maria is found dead. Now Sam must look into the murder, find the right suspect and clear her Grandmothers name. Another death occurs and Sam is solving multiple murders while worrying about her Grandmother's future.

Sam is writing a mystery book and finds that within the pages may hold the answer to these deaths. She soon is on the right path to the rightful suspect and finds herself in danger.

This charming book is well plotted and a very interesting quirky cast of characters I enjoy returning to . The author writes with such humor and fun that each book is a delight to read. The twist and turns kept me guessing and enjoyed the well crafted interesting sleuth. I look forward to the next in series. This is a fun read that held my interest until the last page and I did not guess the ending !

Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review.
I highly recommend this fun cozy mystery series for your reading enjoyment

I adore the characters in this series and this book, The Novel Art of Murder. Ms. Burns does such a beautiful job of allowing even the secondary characters to shine that I feel I know all of them. The bookshop workers and their friends are the stars of the book even though none of them are the primary suspect this time. In fact, things at the bookshop are going great but the same can't be said for the retirement village our favorite seniors live in. History from as far back as World War II and as recent as the last decade come into play when a recent addition to the retirement condos is found dead in her room. The complexity of the background was fascinating but I was a bit disappointed that the murderer seemed too obvious. Since I read the book as an ARC there could be changes, and I can't wait to read the final product to see if that has happened. Of course, the person I think is most obvious usually isn't and other readers often have different ideas. The possible motives and intertwined characters still kept me hooked to the main mystery as much as the wonderful characters. As has been the norm, the historical romance that Sam is writing offers parallels that help her work through the real mystery as well as the newest book in the series that she is writing. I love that we get two whole mysteries rather than just snippets of Sam's work.
I received and ARC of The Novel Art of Murder via NetGalley. I have recently become a big fan and shout about all of her book to all my friends because I love them so much.g fan and shout about all of her book to all my friends because I love them so much.

The Novel Art of Murder by V. M. Burns is the 3rd book in the Mystery Bookshop series, and it is becoming one of my favorites. Samantha Washington owns Market Street Mysteries bookstore in North Harbor, Michigan. Nana Jo always plays the lead in the Shady Acres Senior Follies, but this year Maria Romanov gets the part. After a loud fight between Nana Jo and Maria, Maria is found dead and Nana Joe is the prime suspect. Sam is determined to find the real killer, and the sleuthing begins. This book was great. It has so many twists and turns. The author did an excellent job, I was hooked from the start. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading other books by this great author.

This story is very unique in that you get two great mysteries in one. The main story involves a bunch of seniors and mystery book store owner/granddaughter of senior suspect in current time and then a mystery set in 1938 in the household of Winston Churchill. I enjoyed both but having the stories alternating throughout the book made the flow of the stories choppy. I would have preferred two separate stories. Both had interesting premises but I really enjoyed the feisty Nana Jo.


This is the 3rd book in the Mystery Bookshop series. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions are my own.

Mystery bookstore owner Samantha "Sam" Washington's grandmother Nana Jo is incensed that newcomer Maria Romanov has nabbed the lead in the Shady Acres Senior Follies. Nana Jo has played the role every year in their retirement village production and is suspicious how the no-talented woman got the part. When Maria is shot dead in her home, Nana Jo becomes the prime suspect of Detective Pitt. With help from her grandmother's gang of retirees, Sam c0nvinces Detective Pitt that she can find the real killer in a week before the Thanksgiving holiday starts. Sam uses her task of writing her historical mystery set in 1938 England at the Churchill home as a way to sift through the suspects and motives.

This was a fun quick read and another strong entry in the Mystery Bookstop series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

Some series start to fade a bit by book three but this series just keeps getting better. Sam and her grandmother, Nana Jo are two people I would love to have as family. Add to that Sam's bookstore and the books she writes, well, I just want to climb into the book and stay there. I read this one on a rainy afternoon, sitting in my comfy chair with a big mug of tea - pure bliss.
This time Nana Jo is the prime suspect when somebody else takes center stage with the leading role in the Shady Acres Senior Follies. (How can I get a front row seat?) Nana Jo more than a little blows a gasket and, in front of witnesses, tells Maria what she really feels about it. Oops, not good as Maria is later found very dead and fingers all point to Nana Jo. Turns out she wasn't the only one with a motive for murder. Maria was known to play around with the truth and there are some secrets in her life to dig up. Sam had better start digging fast to keep Nana Jo out of the slammer.
I would encourage a reader new to this series to read them in order to get the most out of each one but, if this is already within your reach, grab it and settle down to a very well crafted mystery. Then go get the previous ones. I'm already for book #4.

A good solid mystery with likeable characters, I really enjoyed this book. My only complaint was having the story stopped dead in its tracks by the “novel” that Sam was writing. I ended up skipping that part and coming back to it after I finished the main story.
I received a free copy of this book form NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Novel Art of Murder is the third in V. M. Burns’ Mystery Bookshop series. This is an entertaining read with a great cast of characters and an interesting mystery. The storyline is well plotted and flows at a steady pace, with situations where I found myself laughing out loud, and lots of twists, clues, and red herrings to keep me guessing. The well-developed characters are likable, diverse, fun, although somewhat quirky, and the main character is writing a mystery book that is included within the storyline and provides a second mystery and clues that often help solve the main mystery.

Samantha “Sam” Washington is the owner of the Market Street Mysteries Bookstore in North Harbor, Michigan. After the death of her husband, Sam sold their home, purchased a building, quit her teaching job, and opened a mystery bookstore. Sam, an aspiring author who’s writing a British historical cozy mystery, lives in an apartment above the bookstore along with her two aging poodles, Oreo and Snickers, and is dating Frank Patterson, the proprietor of North Harbor Café. Her grandmother, Nana Jo, owns a home in Shady Acres Retirement Village. Sam’s mother makes a shocking announcement to her family. Michigan Southwest University’s star quarterback, Dawson Alexander, is Sam’s assistant, lives in the apartment above her garage, and bakes delicious treats for the bookstore. Nana Jo is devastated when a new resident, Maria Romanov, beats her out of the lead role in the Shady Acres Senior Follies not only because she’d portrayed Eudora Hooper for the past ten years, but also because Maria had no talent. When Maria is found murdered in her locked apartment, Nana Jo becomes Detective Brad Pitt’s prime suspect because they had a big argument and she was overheard threatening Maria. Sam joins her feisty grandmother and her retirement village friends, Judge Ben Miller, and Frank to clear Nana Jo before the incompetent detective arrests her, and Sam makes a deal with Detective Pitt to share information they discover. When another resident, Magnus von Braun, is found dead in his apartment, Sam wonders if the two incidents are connected. Sam often turns to her writing to help her think and discovers her writing often parallels the real-life mysteries she’s trying to solve.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

V.M.Burns adds to the Mystery Bookshop mysteries with the Novel Art of Murder. Nana Jo loses her acting gig to a second rate actress with a lousy singing voice; Actress Maria is murdered and Nana Jo is suspected. Sam, the proprietor of the bookstore is writing a novel of pre Second War England country house murder involving the Churchills, aristocrats and other guests. In parallel the two settings involve the protagonists in solving the crimes. Oreo and Snicker, Sam's poodles, get into the action, e.g. the book's superb cover. Whodunit? Great cozy.

Love this cute murder mystery. Well written with a good plot, a quirky cast of characters and a great setting. I highly recommend this book to mystery fans.

Samantha (Sam) Washington, owner of the Mystery Bookshop, has a bit of a problem. Her grandmother Nana Jo, has for the last ten years played the lead role in the Senior Follies at her retirement home. However, this year, when the part was given to Maria Romanov (bad actress, lousy singer), Nana Jo erupts in front of everyone and so is cast in the role of prime suspect when Maria is found with a bullet in her head. Situations don't improve when another resident is found poisoned. Since Sam is pretty good at solving mysteries, she's writing one of her own, she decides that Nana Jo could use some help staying out of jail, and sets out to find the murderer, or is there more than one?

This series seems to improve with each book. I love the way that it is crafted with the book in a book - Sam's novel efforts mirroring the actual mystery and wind clues through out. Great addition to the series!

This is the third book in the series about widower Samantha, who owns a mystery bookstore while solving murders. You know why I really love this book, it's by an African American woman author, it's about a bookstore owner (I'm a bookstore owner), the grandmother, who knows how to use a gun and karate, with her very intelligent and funny retirement friends, show you how a real murder is solved and it doesn’t matter the age. Agatha Christie would be proud. It's funny and you don't have clue until way later in the book who the killer is. I want more by this author.