Not great writing and predictable. The characters weren't very likeable and the story wasn't concluded very well.

I enjoyed this new cozy read there are few quirky characters to get to know the main character summer it was an interesting person determined to find out what was going on and what happened to her mother I couldn't help but wonder if the author intended for the reader to figure out who did it cuz it was just it was so easy for me to figure out but what I couldn't figure out was why the police chief what's stonewalling on investigating why which is a bit of a little little mystery in itself making this reader wonder whether in future installments we might learn a little more about the chief I did enjoy all of the main characters summer and her aunt her cousin and her niece or just a fun group a family that sticks together I do wish that the author would have been cleared at those cinnamon rolls that they talked about throughout the book in the recipes at the end of the book I enjoyed the ending and how everything came together I felt that the author could have left a bit of a cliffhanger but it was refreshing to see that everything came together in the end and I look forward to reading more in this series

I received a complimentary copy.

This was not the book for me. I like a good cozy mystery and was attracted to the fact that is took place at the beach in my home state of North Carolina and was centered around a bookstore. This storyline had lots of potential, but fell short for me. I never really connected with the main character Summer who returns home when her mother dies and Summer suspects it was murder. It was just slow for a cozy mystery. I actually started it a few times before actually finishing it.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I wish the Beach Reads Bookshop in this series was a real place I would definitely visit. I really enjoyed this new cozy series. The main character’s struggle with the loss of her mom And how to move forward really hits home. I am looking forward to the next edition.

LITTLE BOOKSHOP OF MURDER by author Maggie Blackburn was a fair start to a new series. The storyline was a good one, as well as the mystery. However, I wasn't overly fond of many of the characters. I never really warmed to the protagonist. But, I have high hopes for the future of this series when some kinks are worked out, and I will be checking out the second book.

This book started off well but the setup and the people were a little too obvious. I was sure I knew who the culprit was as soon as they were introduced. It was not my cup of tea ( i did skip ahead to check if I was right once I gave up and I was).
There is a lot of potential in this series but I like a different flow in the narrative.

A beachside bookshop + a cozy thriller? What's NOT to love about this book, I was really looking forward to a cozy title that I could really get into without a lot of thought, a "fluff" read if you will. The supporting characters made the story likeable, but I was still left wanting a little bit more from the main character, she just didn't work for me.

What a great start to a new cozy series. We meet Summer who has to return to her home town after being away for years because her mother passed away. Dealing with grief she starts questioning why a perfectly healthy woman had a sudden heart attack. She thinks it was murder but the police chief who holds an old grudge does not. Her Aunt and cousin do though so they start adj my questions. Then Summer starts being attacked. Thinking it is all linked she rushes to figure out who is before it's too late. There is great cast of characters all places in an adorable island small town. Add in the sweet African Grey and the story just gets better. I especially enjoyed how Summer goes from a Shakespeare snob to actually liking some fiction after she inherits the cutest book store. A wonderful read for any true cozy fan. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.

I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. This is the first in a series and it has all the right ingredients of a cozy mystery and I think as the series continues it will improve. I enjoyed this book but I feel with character development and a future romance for Summer the series will be great. I look forward to the next book!

DNF. Not my cup of tea. I read the first 20 chapters and then skipped to the end. I didn’t care for the other lifestyle choices in the book. Summer was kind of annoying too.

I would have to agree with the of the majority of the reviews here. This is not a book that I will be promoting to patrons. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the free Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summer Merriweather is a Shakespearean professor at a university. She has to return to the island where she grew up because her mother has died of a sudden heart attack. Her mother was the proud owner of a bookstore which specialized in cozy mysteries and romances. Summer hates this type of literature with a passion. She has a past with the police chief of the island so he ignores her qualms about her mother's death.

I will start by saying that I have been reading cozy mysteries for over 30 years. The most important thing in a cozy mystery series is a protagonist that is interesting and mostly likable. Summer has deep scorn for the very type of literature that we are reading. She does not like her students at university because they are not interested in learning, at least in Summer's eyes. She has an over the top phobia, which initially was interesting to see written about but there were so many references to this phobia. In addition, I immediately knew who the "bad guy" was from the first introduction of the character.

I will not be reading any more books in this series.

3.5 stars

Little Bookshop of Murder is more than an entertaining cozy mystery – it’s also a love letter to all the different types of books & readers in life. From Shakespeare & Austen to modern romance novels & cozy mysteries, the bookstore setting appeals to bookworms of every taste & genre. The mystery was pretty easy to solve for me – at least the whodunnit side of things; the “whydunnit” I didn’t get until the end – but it was still fun to tag along with Summer & her gang of amateur sleuth book lovers. Solid characters and a charming locale add further enjoyment to the novel. I did find some continuity issues throughout & a bit of redundant repetition but I’m hoping that was resolved with final edits. Looking forward to more books in the series to keep following the continuing threads introduced in this first installment.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

It's always exciting to learn of a new cozy mystery series by an author you enjoy! I enjoyed the setting and writing and thought the emotions Summer works through regarding the death of her mother were powerful. I didn't think the mystery part was hard to solve, however, I couldn't for the life of me guess WHY so that kept me turning the pages. And Mr Darcy the bird? That gave me all the feels.

"Little Bookshop of Murder " the first instalment in the A Beach Reads Mystery series by Maggie Blackburn. I am a fan of this author so had to read this new series, I found it to be not quite as polished as some of her other books but the potential for this to become an awesome series is there.

The mystery is interesting and I loved the characters which which seemed diverse from a scholar to a free spirit. We had a few mysteries to solve the death of Summers mum to who her father was, and will she stay on the island.

I did guess who the villain was right away, and couldn’t figure out why no one else could. I was yelling at my kindle saying it’s bleep bleep! I loved Mr. Darcy and the bond that he and Summer are forming.

It was a quick easy read and I am looking forward to the next instalment as I’m anxious to see all the decisions Summer makes.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had a hard time liking this story. Summer Merriweather is a tenured professor of Shakespeare. She avidly dislikes anything less such as romance books. Her mother owns a beachside bookstore that only stocks romance novels. Summer has been hiding in England after a video of her freaking out over spiders in her classroom goes viral. The spider phobia comes up several times in the book along with the fact that she is in therapy for this phobia. But there is no resolution. Summer’s mother died unexpectedly. Summer is convinced it was murder even though Summer hasn’t spoken to her mother or been back to Brigid Island in years. The local police chief doesn’t like Summer. She left his son at the alter many, many years ago. He doesn’t think Hildy was murdered. Summer is convinced to prove him wrong. There is so much here that could have been developed. I feel like nothing really was resolved except for the answer to the murder question.

Shakespeare, A Scholar And A Bookshop.....
Shakespeare, a scholar and a bookshop. When an intimation of murder mars Summer Merriweather’s plan she has no option but to investigate. Enjoyable, cosy mystery and a promising start to a new series.

I found this book to be a very simple and fast read. Tedious at times, the plot was easily predicted and the characters barely fleshed out. The extreme roller-coaster of emotions that the characters went through, mainly Summer, the protagonist, was agonizing to read about. I disliked all the characters, except for Mr. Darcy, the parrot. I easily predicted who the killer was and it was obvious from the constant clues. The clues were so obvious, it was very very frustrating having to read a whole book where the main characters, as determined as they were to find the killer, insisted on making excuses for the murderer and downplaying just how vicious people can be and how they can in fact betray their closest friends.

The constant 24/7 guilt trip that Summer was on literally dragged on the entire book. This woman needs to sort out her life and her feelings. She also needs a better therapist. I liked how the character grew throughout the book though, even with the incredible amount of skepticism and push back, Summer did grow into a more likeable person, not terribly friendly, but a better version than she started out with.
I'm not sure how this isn't a standalone book, not sure what other murders/mysteries could occur on such a quiet and peaceful seeming island. Because there's also the glaring fact that Summer Merriweather is a terrible detective. Like the worst. She took these mental notes of checking in with people that she never even did. She also starts tearing up at the slightest hint of nostalgia. Her emotions are extreme and come out of nowhere.

Other than the glaringly obvious errors in judgement, the book has a really nice setting, and the bookstore itself, Beach Reads, sounds like such a dream. I honestly wish Beach Reads was a real bookstore and located near where I reside. If only!


*Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summer Merriweather has returned home for her Mothers funeral. They have been estranged for several months. She is struggling with the opportunities lost, regretted words and her absence from her mothers life. Summer, her Aunt and cousins can not believe that she died from a heart attack. The local law enforcement believes that due to the issues within the relationships they are unable to accept the truth.

Summer takes it upon herself to investigate the death. She must join forces with her Mother's oldest friends and customers. They ladies in her book club will do anything for Summer and her Mothers memory. As they investigate many secrets come to light as they follow Hilda Merriweather's movements on her last days.

Summer must also deal with her feelings of not only being back home she is now the owner of the bookshop[p she deems unworthy of her time and talents. She is a professor of Shakespearian literature. She believes that any of the modern novels have no value. When she is invited to attend the monthly meeting to discuss a romance novel will she be able to keep her opinions to herself or will she offend the people who have meant the most to her Mother,

The mystery was well constructed. I enjoyed the multiple twists between is it murder is it not. I can see where the author is hoping to take these characters, However I felt a wee bit cheated in that all the hints at situations that need to be resolved in Summer's life none were. The issues in question are huge life altering changes. It made it seem as if the story were unfinished.

The strong long term relationships with the women was refreshing. I was disappointed with the scenes that had men and women interacting where jealousy and insecurity reared their ugly heads in a stereotypical manner.

It was a quick easy read. I am looking forward to the next installment to see the outcome of the life altering issues Summer is facing.

I always look forward to starting a brand new cosy mystery series and this first instalment, Little Bookshop of Murder written by Maggie Blackburn certainly lived up to my expectations!

The reader soon meets the star of the show, Summer Merriweather, who has temporarily waved goodbye to her life in Virginia as a Literature Professor specialising in Shakespeare and is currently working in England for the summer on a research project. She is hoping to impress her Dean, hoping to get her work published, thereby saving her job. However, she receives some sad news and must return to her hometown of Brigid's Island, North Carolina, as her mum, Hildy has died. Back on Brigid's Island, Summer wants to tie up all of the loose ends pertaining to Hildy's estate as quickly as possible, including selling the family shop, 'Beach Reads' but once there she finds some notes containing death threats...

I thought this was a magnificent, really solid start to the series. I enjoyed Maggie Blackburn's characterisation of Summer. With a distinct lack of interest coming from the police, Summer was forced into doing some investigative work of her own and the outspoken, analytically-minded Summer was portrayed as being rather snobbish, preferring the classics over her mum's romance reads. This made for a refreshingly different main character than I generally find in a cozy novel. The author also laid the foundations of a cast of friends and others who offered their help including Aunt Agatha, and a circle of book club members, all adding a touch of fun and comedy. With plenty of potential killers, there was a palpable sense of uncertainty that upped the tension.

This book was such a fun read and I enjoyed puzzling over the mystery. The writing was comfortably and smoothly paced, and the mystery itself was well executed with abundant red herrings to sustain my interest. I relished my time on Brigid’s Island where there was a fluent African Grey parrot, a beautiful beach house, and a Shakespearean scholar, turned sleuth.

All in all, Little Bookshop of Murder is a great, humorous read and an outstanding series opener. Maggie Blackburn has left plenty of room for further character development and I will certainly be returning to see what Summer is getting herself into next in the second Beach Reads Mystery. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.