Had some mixed feelings about this title, but I'm going to try to lean more towards the positives because there were a few "new" things the author brought to the table for the genre. This cozy mystery features two middle aged (or close to it--ages aren't really clear other than mentions of graying hair and lines on the face) LGBT women who are both book sellers. Chapters each begin with a somewhat relevant description of a book, more or less on theme with the chapter. However, since this mystery has an occult/mystical element all of these books pertain to divination, demonology, astrology, etc.
The story itself was okay, but pacing was inconsistent. The opening chapters were a sprint to establish characters, the murder, and the reason behind the sleuthing but the remaining 85% of the book felt like a long drag. Much of the middle is an investigation into Black/White magic history with dates and names that I pretty much lost track of early on. It was less sleuthing and more "to the library!" Picture Buffy, if all she did was sit with Giles in the library reading about Vampire history.
This book is mainly set-up of the series but I didn't feel like Book 1 gave us all that much to be interested in with the main characters of Molly and Emma. Aside from investigating this murder (and still not entirely sure why or whether it even made sense--but that's the genre!), they were rather dull and their conversations and interactions with each other are a bit strange. For instance, there is quite a bit of anger, possessiveness, and frowning between the two of them for two people who are friends bordering on "more". Again, this book is just setting the stage for this series, so not much in the way of romance happens between these leads, but this is a rare time where I really wish nothing would happen and they'd remain friends. I just don't see the chemistry there for anything more than a book-selling, murder-solving, friendly-ish duo.

Molly’s a seasoned bookseller; Emma’s newer to the Atlanta bookseller scene. When Emma discovers the dead body of a rumored book thief at an estate sale, Emma and Molly’s lives intertwine in more ways than one. Molly insists they must return the ephemera of a mysterious warning note to the book it belongs to, which leads them on a chase to find a highly coveted grimoire. Murder at the Estate Sale is equal parts bibliomystery and blossoming friendship-possibly-romance, rife with intrigue and romantic tension.

Molly and Emma’s distinct personalities jump off the page from the start. Molly is curious, funny, and flirtatious, while Emma seems to be more soft-spoken and cautious. If I had to put them on an alignment chart, Molly would be chaotic good and Emma lawful good—it’s a fun dynamic to explore, especially when you throw in a murder mystery and a library full of occult books to the mix.

I like that we see the characters officially meet in the first chapter and are obviously attracted to one another, but they never break the friendship boundary in the first book of the series. Slow burn is my jam, and it feels realistic for who Molly and Emma are. If you’re going into this expecting a steamy romance, this is not the book for you. However, it’s only the first book in the series, and there’s plenty of palpable romantic tension to hold you over until the next installment (though I'm not sure Molly and Emma would ever be what you call "steamy").

The authors do a splendid job at keeping the reader on their toes. I had guesses as to who may have committed the murder, but I was never certain in my assumptions. When the Big Reveal happened at the end, I was surprised to find that I was wrong. It’s never any fun reading a book where all of the intrigue is predictable, so I appreciated the care taken to lead me away from the truth behind the mystery. (Maybe a more experienced reader of mystery would have a different opinion, though?)

The writing style is simple, but it gets the job done. The level of detail given to the books mentioned, the setting, and the characters help to solidify the worldbuilding and add to the atmosphere of the overall novel.

One aspect that I especially liked about Murder at the Estate Sale is that most of the books mentioned are all books that actually exist—as far as I could tell from my googling. I will definitely be looking further into the titles sometime.

Overall, Murder at the Estate Sale is an enjoyable, lightweight mystery and a perfect addition to your summer reading list.

Molly & Emma meet Ariana an estate sale while on the hunt for books. In this first of a new series, Molly & Emma meet, find a dead body, and start their own investigation all in one day!

I love that every chapter starts with the description of an antiquarian book that relates to the story line! I also really enjoy the LGBTQ storyline and relationships. It’s a refreshing change from the norm.

The only downfall may be that the story focus too much on “the Boke”. Although I loved hearing the story of the book at the end I felt like I missed out on some of the characters’ stories.

All in all, I am VERY excited to read the next book in this series!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bookseller Molly O’Donnell is hitting up an estate sale to find stock for her business. While in line she meets Emma Clarke, another bookseller, and strikes up a conversation. During the sale she sees Emma coming out of the basement door where Emma has discovered a dead man. While the basement, filled with old occult books, was off limits Emma heard something that made her go downstairs. Finding a note on the floor by the body, Molly sticks it in her bag and they call the police.

Feeling guilty for not giving the note with the police, Molly and Emma agree that they will reunite the note with the book it was in and then turn it over the police. Though as they search they discover that dark practitioners are willing to kill again to get their hands on the book. Both Molly and Emma are kidnapped separately by different seekers and fight to find the truth as well as their attraction to each other.

The first book in a new series, the mystery was well written and tied in well to historical books and practitioners. The budding relationship between Emma and Molly was well written and sweet. I look forward to more from this writing duo!

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Emma and Molly are booksellers when they meet at a sale estate. While there Emma tumble upon a dead body in the basement of the estate and learns the murder victim is notorious book thief Buck Hubbell.

Molly decide to find out what happens after finding a something that doesn’t make sense and teams up with Emma to learn the truth. As they follow clues their friendship starts to become more.

This was a great cozy mystery story that reminds me of the movies on hallmark mystery movies channel and totally see this on that channel if only hallmark was brave enough to do a same sex couples stories.