nice read but not enough BOOKS!

I picked this book up because it's been a while since I read a cozy mystery. I tried reading the other ones I have and nothing really got me reading something to the end. I instantly downloaded this one as well because it involves a bookstore and somehow... that didn't work out well.

For Whom the Book Tolls follows Jenna as she visits her uncle in the small town of Hokes Folly. She arrives late in the evening, called it a day, and the first thing she sees in the morning is her uncle dead right. The next thing she knows, she's inheriting everything her uncle owns and is being accused of murdering him.

If you're looking for something new and refreshing, this really isn't what you're looking for. However, if you want the usual cozy mystery with the main character generally being accused of the murder and going around asking everyone in town and being threatened by the murderer to stop her meddling, then thing is for you. But then again, I probably have more gripes than enjoyment for this one which kind of disappointed me.

The thing about For Whom the Book Tolls is that it's light and is good if you want a quick read. It follows a very basic structure for light cozy mysteries. I liked Jenna but then I feel that there wasn't really enough about her for me to like. It feels like she wasn't really explored that much that I didn't care about her. There was a tinge of romance but it came out later on in the novel. A bit out of the blue thus I ended up not caring about the two of them but then also expected when the guy showed the first sign of interest. I do like Jenna's relationship with [insert name here]. I feel that there was enough development for the two of them.

The mystery aspect of the novel is pretty light and definitely easy to predict. So if you want some whodunit that will keep you thinking, this isn't it (just grab an Agatha Christie). It did throw out a couple of interesting things to stir up the story a bit and I like the hidden treasure aspect. That kind of made me interested on what's going to happen in the end.

OVERALL, For Whom the Book Tolls is a light mystery read. If you want a light and quick mystery read, this is definitely a good enough one. But if you want something more gritting, this isn't it. Also, I am disappointed that there isn't enough talk about books and mention of actual books for a novel series whose title is a pun of a classic novel and is called Antique Bookshop Mystery. but ohwell.

A new cozy series off to a good start. I liked the main character and the mystery while not difficult to solve was interesting.

When I started this, it seemed so familiar., but have no fear, ,just as you think you’ve read this before, there’s another twist you didn’t expect.
Not the typical main character with interesting back story of her own. New in town, so we get to meet all the people through her eyes.

A nice cozy with a nice cozy ending. Enjoy!

Being a lover of the cozy mystery genre, I was excited to read this first book in a new series. Sadly, I was disappointed. I just couldn't finish this book because it actually kept putting me to sleep. There were just too many drawn out meaningless scenes and descriptions. I finally realized that I didn't care who the culprit was, I just didn't want to read anymore. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fast-paced and action-packed drama with a comfortable tone that made it easy to follow along with what the author intended. I could not put this book down, quickly becoming a page-turner as I had to know how this was going to end. The author did a great job in setting the stage with visually descriptive narrative and engaging dialogue that kept me immersed in all aspects from Jenna’s arrival to the discovery of her uncle’s body to being the prime suspect to searching for a killer in order to clear her name. I like how the author introduced us to a variety of characters, giving us just enough of their backstory to whet our appetite as to the pivotal role they played in how well this story was being told. Jenna is a likable heroine and the supporting cast was wonderful in how they rallied behind her. Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable tale and I can’t wait to see where we go in the next book in this delightfully charming new series.

A promising start to a new cozy mystery series.

FOR WHOM THE BOOK TOLLS is the first book in the Antique Bookshop Mysteries. It can sometimes be hard to start and get into a new series. Especially one by a new author. The first couple of chapters grabbed me and I was really enjoying the story. But there were a few spots where it felt a bit drawn out, and I wished those scenes had been a little shorter.

As for the characters, I enjoyed getting to know them. Like in real life, I clicked with a couple of them, and a couple of them not so much. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see how author Laura Gail Black fleshes continues to flesh them out.

I’ve seen a mixed bag of reviews on, FOR WHOM THE BOOK TOLLS. I’m on the side of, give this book a chance. It may not end up being your favorite of the year, but you’re going to be happy you read it.

This little mystery starts right off tense; a very late night arrival in town, then the discovery of the murder victim. Nothing seems to be going right for the protagonist. I found myself pulling for her, from the get-go. A stranger in town, viewed with hostility and suspicion. Who can she trust? Can she trust anyone? I enjoyed the descriptions of the bookstore, the historic district, and the characters. I'd love to visit that bookstore. There were a couple red herrings. I kept waiting for one reference to be brought up again, even though they'd already explained why it was important to her. I got caught up in the story, and kept thinking there was 'more' to the reference. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery right along with the protagonist. Good job. I hope to see more from this author.

For Whom the Book Toll by Laura Gail Black is the 1st book in An Antique Bookshop mystery, and my first book by this author. Jenna Quinn finds her uncle murdered in his bookstore, after agreeing to come stay with him, and work in his shop. Since Jenna is his primary beneficiary, she is the main suspect. This book was a fun cozy mystery, looking forward to the next book in the series. If you like cozy's you might want to give this book a try.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

For Whom the Book Tolls is a very well written cozy mystery. Loved the plot and the antique bookstore setting. I recommend to fans of mysteries. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

Gads! I had a great time reading 'For Whom The Book Tolls', book 1 in the Antique Bookshop Mystery series by Laura Gail Black. Jenna is new in town after beating a set of false murder and embezzlement charges. Now that her Uncle Paul is discovered dead shortly upon her arrival, things are already not looking good for her - again. Inheriting his entire estate isn't helping her look anymore innocent. With the help of a couple of new friends she's searching high and low through thousands of books for one that may solve what really happened, and lead to a long lost treasure.

This book is such a fun read! For starters, there are many over the top characters that send the red herrings into full motion. Who's really bad? And who's really good? This book is a carousel of doubts as we work to piece together the mystery. A bookstore, spiral staircase, townies, family secrets, lost loves, old diaries, hidden treasures, and a touch of romance are just a few of the special ingredients in this cozy mystery, and they guaranteed a great time.

I really enjoyed the town created in this book. The local history was really fun and the way it tied in with the plot was delightful and unexpected. It truly all came full circle in the end and provided a really nice balance. It's always fun when the past can interact with the present and inform the story.

The only thing I couldn't quite get a handle on was the time of year in this book. The main sleuth said it was late summer, which makes me think August, but she also kept wearing light sweaters which makes me think September. It's just one of those really tiny details that I hoped to clarify at some point, but alas. Late summer/early fall is good enough for me. This is the first book in the series and I would very much like to read the next release.

A typical cozy with a not-so-typical ending, For Whom the Book Tolls is a fun read that starts off sad but quickly keeps moving. Admittedly, we guessed the murderer several times only to be wrong. This book would make a great gift to anyone who enjoys Hallmark style mysteries, but with a modern kick.

This was a very good start to a new series that I look forward to reading more of in the future. We are introduced to Jenna who was falsely accused of murder. She receives an invitation from her uncle to come stay with him for a while to get a new start. Only when she arrives she can't find him until she looks in the bookstore he owns below the apartment. He is dead at the bottom of the stairs. Now Jenna is being accused of murder again since she will inherit everything until a possible heir comes forward.
I never guessed the culprit until the reveal. Very enjoyable read!

This is a charming debut in the new cozy series "The Antique Bookshop Mystery Series" by author Laura Black. I loved this debut in this promising new series . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own, The protagonist is smart, savvy and a likable charcter. The beautiful cover and the fact this cozy reader loves books featuring book stores was a winning cozy debut.

Jenna Quinn has left her hometown of Charlotte due to some poor life choices and bad circumstances. ,Jenna has decided to go to her uncle's in small-town Hokes Folly, NC to start a new life. They agree she will help him in his antiquarian bookstore in exchange for staying with him in his above bookstore apartment. But after she arrives, Jenna finds her uncle's body dead at the the staircase between his apartment and the bookstore.

Soon after Jenna learns that she's inherited almost everything her uncle owned: the store and apartment, as well as the big payout from a life insurance policy. She had no idea she was to inherit from him and was just looking for somewhere familiar to start over. However when police find out she is now finding herself the prime suspect .

Jenna decides to stay in Hokes Folly, manage the bookstore, and try to find her uncle's killer. She has made new friends she likes and wants to make a life here free of problems once she solves her Uncle's murder. and is free from police scrutiny.
As she takes over the bookstore and begins to investigate his death she is soon on the right track of the killer and in danger. Jenna does not hesitate to continue her investigation much to the chagrin of the police.

I like Jenna as a fresh new protagonist. The supporting charcters are all likable and add to the setting. I love the way the bookstore is brought to life by the author . I look forward to further adventures of Jenna and the bookstore. Very well done to the author. Congratulations on a successful cozy debut !

For Whom the Book Tolls is the first in a new cozy mystery series by Laura Gail Black, and it does not disappoint.

When 26 year old Jenna Quinn moves to Hokes Folly to live with her uncle and escape her recent troubles in Charlotte, she's excited to spend more time with him and start working in his antique bookstore. Unfortunately, she finds him dead in his store the morning after she arrives. As if that isn't enough, Jenna also finds out that her uncle left his entire estate to her, and it isn't just a little bit of money; it's nearly a million dollars. Once the police find out about Jenna's past in Charlotte and her new found wealth, she becomes a suspect in her uncle's murder. With the help of the townspeople and some new friends, Jenna is determined to clear her name and find out who's behind her uncle's death.

This was such a fun and fast-paced read. Hokes Folly sounded like it was straight out of a Hallmark movie, and I only wish it were a real place. One thing I really liked about the book was that the author didn't introduce us to too many central characters right away. I find that the first in a cozy mystery series can often overload you with character background, and I'm glad that there are characters I want to know more about because it will keep me reading the series. I also loved Jenna. As someone who is only a couple of years older than her, I felt that she really embodied a lot of the confusion millennials feel in their late twenties about where they're supposed to be and where their lives are going. I loved her determination, but also appreciated that sometimes she needed help, and that she wasn't always sure whether or not to ask for it.

I also loved the pace of the story. Things were happening fast enough that I didn't get bored, but slow enough that I still had time to enjoy the story and come up with my own theories. I was DEFINITELY shocked by the ending, and am eager to read the next book whenever it's released. The dialogue was conversational, and I felt like Jenna's inner monologue was appropriate for her age. In a lot of the cozy mysteries I read, the women are within 5-7 years of myself, but act much older, so the way the author wrote Jenna made it a lot easier to identify with her.

If you love cozy mysteries, you will love this. Enough said.

I wanted to like this book as I am always on the look out for new series. Unfortunately, this book did very little for me in that regard.

Usually in a new story, the protagonist takes sometime out to introduce themselves. Not much, just a sentence or two - I'm [main character], I live here, I do this...etc. A description is especially helpful. It took 20% of the story to find out Jenna, the main character, is tall and blonde. That's it.

Jenna Quinn has moved to Hokes Folly from Charlotte to live with her uncle Paul and piece her life back together. Unfortunately, he is murdered before she gets to see him. The Hokes-y police department automatically thinks Jenna did it, especially since she is her uncle's sole heir.

I did not find much good about this book other than the fact it takes place in a bookstore. Jenna is a very unlikeable character, she is very angry and very skeptical of everyone she meets. I'm not saying every main character has to be sunshine and roses all the time but the anger on the page was palpable and detracted from my enjoyment of the book.

I also thought the dialogue in this book was lacking. The interrogations between the police and Jenna are stilted and seem copied from TV. I did not care for the overall writing style and I thought the character development was lacking. I would not really call this book a "cozy mystery" since it is lacking most elements of a cozy other than set in a small town. Definitely not something I would read again.

What an amazing start to a very promising series! I loved the main character and fell in love with her life and the town itself. I can’t wait to read more in this series.

This first installment in a new series was great. I love how the author writes her characters and gives great details on them and the little bookshop that is at the center of this mystery.
If you like cozies about bookstores, you're sure to love this one.

What a hoot!

Likeable characters, a murder mystery that keeps one guessing and a dash of humor, I absolutely enjoyed reading For Whom the Book Tolls.

As the story begins, we see Jenna caught up in a murder she did not commit. Just when she thought she could leave her past behind at Charlotte, she's accused of a crime... again!

The twist halfway through with a certain somebody making an appearance (and claiming to be 'in charge') was unexpected. Then comes another twist -related to the above-mentioned character.

Although I could identify the perp before it was revealed, I liked the ending. The motive behind the crimes was shocking. I am eagerly waiting to see what's next for Jenna.

This was a great cozy and is the first in a series. Jenna recently had a bad experience with the law . To removed herself from the gossip and bad feelings, her Uncle offers her a place to stay and help him in his book shop. Jenna gets in late and doesn't see her Uncle til the next morning, where she finds him dead at the bottom of some stairs. Immediately the dunder-head cop wants to pin it on her. He is looking for a quick way to close the case. Jenna is terrified they will arrest her for the murder.

This was entertaining. I enjoyed the characters and was surprised at the ending. This looks like it will be a fun series. Easy -to-read, fun characters and a page turner.This was a great cozy and is the first in a series. Jenna recently had a bad experience with the law . To removed herself from the gossip and bad feelings, her Uncle offers her a place to stay and help him in his book shop. Jenna gets in late and doesn't see her Uncle til the next morning, where she finds him dead at the bottom of some stairs. Immediately the dunder-head cop wants to pin it on her. He is looking for a quick way to close the case. Jenna is terrified they will arrest her for the murder.

This was entertaining. I enjoyed the characters and was surprised at the ending. This looks like it will be a fun series. Easy -to-read, fun characters and a page turner.

Very enjoyable new series. I liked the characters and the town. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. I liked the one cop, the other not so much. I liked the plot as well.

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