California Cozy Small Town Bookstore Murder
This is the first book in a new series. This writer is very talented. The story takes place in a small California coastal town. Our heroine is the new owner of a bookstore that caters to mysteries. Her dad is a traveling magician, her uncle controls her trust fund and wants to claim it all as his. Her ex is the sheriff and her sister's brother-in-law. It is complicated and quite fun! I am going to enjoy reading the rest of this series. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

cozy-mystery, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, greed

A good cozy mystery with plenty of plot twists, red herrings, complex characters who really are, and a nice small town setting. The publisher's blurb might get you on the hook, but the story will keep you on the line!
I requested and received a free ebook copy Via Netgalley. Thanks!

Plotting for Murder by Tamra Baumann is the first book in Cozy Mystery Bookshop and a great success.

Sawyer's mother dies and she inherits her mystery bookstore. However, she doesn't read mysteries and she doesn't want to live in her small coastal town. She is a chef and she wants to open her own restaurant. But she doesn't want to disappoint her mother or give up everything so that her mean uncle can inherit her mother's trust fund.
So she is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Bookstore is not doing so well, her mother has arranged for her to have goldendoodle as a present and her mother's meddling, even from the grave, to bring Sawyer and her former boyfriend, now local chief together, or to set her up with some other man are proving really hard to deal with especially as she has to put her dreams on hold for the time being while doing the right things.
But when a local guy, part of her book club drops dead in the back of the bookstore it starts rumors. Evidently her mother has left her a treasure. It is something hidden somewhere and all she needs to do is find it. Easier said than done.
To top it all, strange things begin to happen and Sawyer knows that her life is in danger.
I really liked this book. Mystery inside the mystery is especially appealing to me. Not only is there a murder to solve but as treasure hunt as well.
You can help but root for the main character when she tries to find the way to outsmart her mean uncle, or to decide which hot guy she is going to fall for.
Clever and interestingly written mystery, with a steady pace. There is never a dull moment.
A set of fabulously quirky side characters, all so unique and vividly presented.
Many hints at what might be a steamy romance. And an adorable pooch.
This book has all the right ingredients for a great book, which it definitely is.
I can't wait to see what happens next.

This is my first book by this author. I totally enjoyed it. Would you move back to your childhood home just because your mom asked you to? I think an Old Victorian House sounds awesome, especially with a wonderful kitchen. How do you think you would be with Dylan if you were Sawyer? That’s some history they have. I love stories with bookstores and book clubs. Two of my favorite things. The characters are great together and I loved the story line. I can’t wait to hang out with them again and see what they are up to next. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Not usually a fan of cutesy mystery books but this was too much fun. Sawyer inherits a book store, and the book club and a dog and so much more. She has a past with the sheriff, Dylan, and might get something going with Gage, the handsome lawyer. In typical Baumann fashion we get humor, flirting and a love triangle. It's a cleverly written fast paced story with very enjoyable characters. Eagerly waiting for the next murder. My copy was given through Netgalley.

An intriguing story developes when a mystery book club member dies during a meeting. Sleuthing and gossip follows the group to solve the murder and clues as to treasure left by her mother. You'll find the characters charming and some of them loveable.