I loved the cover and description of this book!

This is a small town mystery. You'll find Marvey trying to help protect her friend who didn't commit murder.
If you love libraries, small town stories, amazing friends and cat lovers, this is the story for you!


3 stars from me.

*Thank you to Hallmark and Netgalley for letting me get an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

The Peach Coast Library Mystery series is a solid new addition to the cozy genre; it took me a little while to figure out if this was the first book or the second, but once I did I found this quite enjoyable. There wasn’t an overt love interest, which I approve of. The characters were fun, the southern manners pretty spot on, the food delicious, and the relationships solid. I did have a problem with the mystery itself; she spoke to a lot of people, collected a lot of info, but didn’t get any actual clue or evidence. Somehow, the murderer was just revealed; that was a bit annoying and I’m hoping that won’t happen in future books.

Murder by Page One is 1st in a new cozy  mystery series by Hallmark Publishing.  It is always exciting to start a new series. Marvey, a Librarian,  has moved away from city life in Brooklyn , NY to a small town in Georgia called Peach Coast. One of her new friends,Jo, who owns the towns bookstore To Be Read, is considered a murder suspect as an author in killed in the stores back room.

For reasons I have not yet figured out, it took me about of the third of the way into the book, to become vested in the story. That being said, once I did , I really enjoyed it.

Other aspects of the book I liked were the small southern  town location and Marvey's cat Phoenix. Also at the end was the mot delicious Peach Cobbler recipe.
Do you have a Library card?

Thanks to NetGalley,  and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. It releases on March, 23, 2001

A Body In A Bookstore.....
The first in a new series of cosy mysteries - the Peach Coast Library Mysteries from Hallmark Publishing- and a solid start indeed. A librarian amateur sleuth, a colourful cast of supporting characters, a delightful setting and a body in a bookstore. Wholly entertaining, great fun and a promising start to what should be an engaging series.

A  solid entry in the cozy mystery genre. With libraries, bookstores, & peach cobbler, it's hard to go wrong! Marvey is a traditional Brooklynite that has moved to the small town of Peach Coast, Georgia. Not only is she' busy in her job as the town library's director of community engagement; but she's also trying to navigate the 'rules' of Southern society.  However, it's the New Yorker in her that gets her into trouble when she decides to take it upon herself to investigate the murder of a budding author who was killed in her friend, Jo's bookstore; of which Jo is the prime & only suspect according the police.

Olivia Matthews has delivered a strong debut for a new series. Her writing is descriptive, whether it be characters, places or things. All is easily visualized. The main character, Marvey & all secondary characters were given individualized personalities and each had a distinctive voice. The ups/downs/politics of the small community were handled deftly. There wasn't one thing that felt flat or one dimensional. This despite the fact, she kept using & re-using the phrase, "He/She spread her hands/arms."  (That got a little old)

The mystery itself was good; but was the weakest link. As Marvey goes about trying to find 'evidence' to show the police that Jo didn't do it & there were others that had motive, the progression of her investigation was authentic to the genre. However, very few 'clues' were ever gathered. There was no gradual putting the pieces together to finish the puzzle. The big reveal of the killer was like, "Poof!" there it is.   I'd like to see more of this in the next book.

I'd still recommend this book. It was enjoyable with strong characters & community setting. It felt like watching a Hallmark Mystery Movie. One of the stronger entries in this genre I've read in quite awhile.

Thanks to NetGalley & Hallmark Publishing for a free copy for an honest review

This is the first in a new cozy mystery series by Olivia Matthews. Bookish themed cozies are my favorites and this one was a delight from beginning to end.

Marvella "Marvey" Harris is a recent transplant from New York City to the small town of Peach Coast, Georgia. As the new Community Director of The Peach Coast Library, Marvey is passionate about promoting the local library and has become good friends with the owner of To Be Read, the local bookstore.

Marvey gives us an outsiders perspective of life in a small southern town, and I enjoyed the humorous references to local slang, college rivalries and a variety of other local traditions. After discovering a dead body, she is pulled into the murder investigation in an attempt to clear a friend's name from the list of suspects.
Becoming involved in the investigation of a murder deepens her understanding and affection for her new neighbors. I loved seeing her settle into her new life.

The mystery itself was satisfying, with strong suspects. Overall, this was a clever and well-written cozy mystery with great character development. I am looking forward to future books in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and Hallmark Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book.

Loved this cozy mystery so much! The voice was light and engaging with a touch of humor. I particularly enjoyed the bookshop and library theme. Hallmark Movies and Mysteries fans will adore this!

It’s was like reading a hallmark mystery movie. 

Taking place in a quaint small town and featuring Marvey, A transplant from New York City, the story is engaging with plenty of good characters.

I wish I knew a little more about the victim but I really enjoyed the story and it was a pretty fast pace...

I really love that Marvey is a librarian 

I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

I enjoyed this book. You don't get to know the victim very well but the rest of the characters are interesting and likeable. There aren't any slow spots, it moves along nicely. I felt like the killer could have been suspected and investigated early in the book but the ending is satisfactory. #MurderByPageOne #NetGalley

This was a light mystery that fits right into the cozy category.  Marvella moves from New York to Georgia to work in a library where she has better prospects. Of course a dead body interferes and it goes from there.  The characters didn't really resonate with me.  Having lived in the Deep South for most of my life, some of the quirks about the South were inaccurate and at best annoying.  If you are looking for a breezy light read this would work for you.

Marvella "Marvey" Harris moved to Peach Coast, GA about four months ago to take charge of the town library's community outreach. Originally a New Yorker, she followed her dream of making a difference. In the short time she has lived there, she has become part of "the Peach Coast family." She lives with her cat, Phoenix, who is very important to her. He's having a little trouble adjusting to his new home. 

While assisting with a book signing at her friend Jo's bookstore, To Be Read, a shocking murder takes place - and the the author is the victim. The police seem to be focused on Jo as their prime suspect, but Marvey knows she is innocent. While they focus on the wrong person, the real killer is on the loose. Marvey, with the help of their friend, Spence, is determined to prove Jo's innocence, even if the police (and some of the town's residents) are less than thrilled at her persistent involvement in the investigation. After a series of unfortunate events, it becomes obvious that someone, likely the killer, is trying to stop Marvey from investigating. Do you think that will stop her from investigating? Hardly - she is only more resolute in her attempts to discover who is behind it all. 

This novel is very Hallmark-esque, which is what drew me to it. I always enjoy a good cozy mystery. I especially love the Hallmark mysteries, and this story definitely fits right into that genre. I am looking forward to reading the next installment. 

I would like to thank NetGalley, who provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a first in a new series, I found Murder by Page One to be a solid addition to the genre.
Taking place in a quaint small town and featuring Marvey, A transplant from New York City, the story is engaging with plenty of good characters.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Delightful addition to the cozy mystery "books about books" sub-genre.  Pretty standard for the genre, and one that cozy mystery readers will most certainly enjoy. Looking forward to additional stories in this series.

I enjoyed 'Murder By Page One', the first in a new series by Olivia Matthews.  It was fun to be exposed to the joys of the South through the eyes of a native New Yorker.  Marvey Harris is new to Peach Coast, Georgia and her job at the town library.  The mystery is engaging and the characters are delightful.  Marvey is completely clueless as to a budding romance, and there is a certain charm to her innocence.  I look forward to more in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is the first in a new cozy series.
It has all the time honoured elements of a standard cozy; a library, a small town and a whodunit.
It didn’t blow me away, but it was a light story and I would read the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I received an ARC through NetGalley. This was a perfect cozy mystery. When a local new author is Murdered in her friends bookstore, it is up to the new librarian to solve the case, so her friend does not go to jail. I just loved the characters in this story. This is a great easy read for those who love cozy mysteries.

This cozy mystery has everything that this reviewer enjoys: a murder mystery, a library, a bookstore, colorful characters, delicious food, and a finicky cat. 
Marvey and her library friends, along with the handsome editor of the local newspaper, investigate the murder of a local author to help eliminate suspicion from her best friend, the owner of their local  bookstore. 
The author describes people and places so well that they pop off the page. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a possible new series.

A fun mystery with appealing characters. I look forward to recommending this to readers who enjoy the Hallmark Mystery movies, and to any readers who enjoy cozy mysteries that feature mainly female characters. This will be perfect for them. I hope there are more in this new series.

Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews is the first book in a new cozy mystery series set in a small community called Peach Coast, Georgia. Ms. Matthews has a strong beginning in this first book. Her descriptive writing introduced the community, the protagonist and secondary characters and the drama and politics of living in a small town.

I enjoyed meeting Marvey, Spence and Jolene as well as the library staff. They are all likable and I felt like Peach Coast would be an enjoyable place to visit. Jolene is the police's number one suspect and stubbornly refuse to investigate other possible candidates. So Marvey and Spence put on their sleuthing hats to help their friend. The plot is smoothly paced with deft twists, red herrings and only a few suspects for Marvey and Spence to investigate. I look forward to learning more about the characters as they are developed while the series continues.

A solid first story in this new cozy series. Well written, engaging and fun characters. Looking forward to a return to the Peach Coast soon.