Marvey is settling in to life in Peach Coast and looking forward to her parents’ upcoming visit. The library summer program kicks off and during clean up Marvey finds a piece of paper that has four names on it. When two of the four listed persons die, Marvey gets serious about protecting the remaining people on the list. One of the two is Spencer.
Marvey is a great character and I like her, but she was a bit over the top in her protection of Spencer. Her mental conversations weren’t honest with herself. She mislead her parents until she was forced to own up to the path she was taking. However, her deep care for those around her shines through and is made known at the end once the culprit is apprehended.
The story is sweet and flows well. I enjoyed listening to Murder Out of Character.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to early copies of the audiobook.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this second installment in the Peach Coast mysteries. The author does a great job making you feel like you are a part of the quaint town of Peach Coast. Characters are fully developed and the mystery kept me guessing.

I don't think this would be a big hit at the high school level, but for fans of cozy mysteries.

This is my first book in the series and I really enjoyed it. It’s good to see a cozy mystery outside of super-white New England towns. I really enjoyed the Georgia landscape, and as a New Yorker transplanted to North Carolina, I really empathized with the cultural disconnect. The mystery is almost too scary for a cozy mystery. A serial killer is crazysauce! But I find myself very gripped by the mystery and I like digging into the high school past of citizens of this small town. Definitely would read more in the series.

MURDER OUT OF CHARACTER is a small-town cozy featuring a librarian who's recently moved to Peach Coast, Georgia from Brooklyn.

It's really easy to be a fan of main character Marvey -- she's passionate about encouraging people to use the library, makes book-themed jewelry as a hobby, and buys peach cobbler for a different coworker each day (to please both them and its baker). She also was quick to make a few close friends in town; in this book, she becomes involved in a murder investigation when she's worried one of them may be the next target.

The second in a newish cozy series by Olivia Matthews (the pen name for Patricia Sargeant), MURDER OUT OF CHARACTER can be read as a sequel or standalone (backstory from the first book, MURDER BY PAGE ONE, is filled in well). The audiobook is expertly narrated by Janina Edwards (who you may recognize from The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and/or Jasmine Guillory's Wedding Date series).

I really like the audiobook way better than the physical book. I enjoyed the book but I think a mystery is so much better read out loud

This was a nicely written cozy mystery about a small town and the personalities that live there. I haven't read the first book in the Peach Coast Library Mystery series (Murder by Page One), but I will sure be putting that on my To Be Read list. The characters are interesting and well-rounded. The crime is well thought out. And the romance isn't too heavy handed and definitely a slow burn for those that don't like love stories taking away from the mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Hallmark Publishing for providing me with an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Good cozy mystery! I do criticize books about libraries and librarians a bit hard since that is my job. Had they been honest about the salary, it would have been 5 stars!
But overall, I liked the characters and the storyline. Marvey doesn’t know everything but she knows how to find the truth! This one would be nice to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea or to sit out on the porch with some sweet tea!

Murder Out of Character is the second in the Peach Coast Library series, but the first I’ve read. I thought it did a good job of letting me get to know the characters and giving me enough background to feel comfortable.

Marvey is still getting used to her new life in Peach Coast, Georgia, and her job as the library’s Director of Community Engagement. Marvey comes across a list at a library fundraising event that has four names on it. The first is a murder victim, the second recently passed away, the third lives in Peach Coast and the fourth is her friend, Spence. Honestly, I’m still a little confused about why the killer had a list and then managed to drop it, but at least Marvey brings it to the police’s attention. Marvey does always keep the detectives on the case informed, even if they don’t appreciate her “help.”

Marvey is likable and I understood her reason for needing to figure out who the killer was. She’s smart and curious and tenacious. It was nice that she was close to her parents, but their needing to come to town to protect her (?) while there was a murderer on the loose seemed a bit overboard. And she comes from Brooklyn – not exactly a crime-free area I’m sure.

I enjoyed the small-town setting and the southernisms. Marvey’s friends and family were fun to get to know.

The mystery itself was fine. We had a couple of twists and several potential suspects. I actually listened to the audio and I thought the narrator did a good job. She did an excellent with Marvey and the other characters were all easy to differentiate. Overall it was a fun, quick read.

I really enjoyed this mystery. I list is found and it is up to Marvey to find the connections and to find out if a friend of hers is next to suffer the fate of the others on the list. They work together to weed out what is a good connections and what does not work. Soon they figure it out, but it is not what what expected.

We are visiting Peach Coast, Georgia and the library again. Marvy is working on fundraising and I was so excited to see the characters that helped her. I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t say who or how, but it was a highlight of the book.
I was sure I knew what the giveaway clue was and who it was, but I was wrong. I missed the two giveaway clues and so guessed the murderer wrong. I liked the way Marvy got into the investigation without finding a dead body. The mystery and investigation were good.
The romance is progressing slowly, but I found the pieces we were given were satisfying. And it made me want to see what happens in the next book.
I listened to the audiobook. It was well done and I really appreciated it when there were Southern phrases that people said. It was good to hear them and I think it made them stand out more.
This was a great follow up to Murder by Page One

Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews is the next book in the Peach Coast Library Mystery Series. Marvey is an inquisitive and intelligent librarian who happens to excel at solving cases. She is also getting used to living in the South, having moved there from New York. Her assessments and interpretations of sayings and behaviors had me laughing out loud! As the apparent “hit list” includes one of her best friends, Spencer, she is determined not to back down. I love her tenacity and perseverance despite all others telling her to back off. I enjoy her methods and her direct personality. It certainly clashes with some of the southerners, but her heart is big, and she fully embraces her new town. This was a good mystery and moved along at a good pace.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own. The narrator, Janina Edwards did a good job of voicing the various characters and bringing the story to life.

I loved "Murder by Page One," the first book in this series, so I was thrilled to listen to "Murder Out of Character." Olivia Matthews didn't disappoint! This novel continues the will-they-won't-they romance between Marvey and Spencer and her efforts to fit into a small town after growing up in NYC. I just think Marvey is such a delightful character. I love her love of books and research and her loyalty to her friends, even if they're new friends.
This was another perfect cozy mystery!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Olivia Matthews for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook for Murder Out of Character coming out September 13, 2022. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Marvey is still getting used to her new life in Peach Coast, Georgia. While she’s at a library fundraising event, she finds a list of four names. One is the name of someone who recently died—and who may have been murdered. Another name is Spencer Holt. He’s the good-looking newspaper owner who has become one of Marvey’s best friends.

The four names don’t seem to have anything in common other than living in Peach Coast. Spencer doesn’t think there’s anything to worry about at first, but before long, he has to admit he may be in trouble. While Marvey prepares for her parents’ visit, can she, Spencer, and their librarian friends solve the crime and stop a killer?

I didn’t realize this was the second book in the series, so I’ll have to go back and listen to the first book. I was still able to get into the story. I love cozy mysteries, especially about libraries! This was a fun book. I love cozy mysteries set in small Southern towns. I also love fresh, new start books. Marvey was a smart, ambitious character. She wanted to protect her friend and solve the case. I also loved Spencer’s character. Overall, I loved this book!

I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring a diverse cast of characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Revenge really is a dish best served cold! If the killer in this book is to be caught, the characters need to think outside the box! Who better to think outside the box than a librarian, newspaper man, accountant and bookstore owner! This cast of characters is so well curated that you want to head to Peach Cove to see the town and meet the characters, if only it were a real place and they were real people! I love the main character being a transplant to the south from New York and having to figure out how to fit in with the slow moving, overly polite small talk of the native southerners. The wit of the writing is fun and often inspires laughing out loud as the main character navigates the southern slang and sayings that she encounters. The narrator does such an outstanding job of bringing the unique personalities of the characters to life! I highly recommend you go the audiobook route!

You really need to start with book one to fully get to know the characters and town as well as to have full enjoyment of the books, but you could enjoy this book as a stand-alone, but why miss out??? I can't wait for the author to release the next audiobook in the series!

Marvey is fairly new to Peach Coast but has fit right in during her short time in town. A fundraising event at the library where she works has Marvey finding a list of four names. The first name on the list is of someone who has recently passed away and has her wondering if the other people on the list could be in danger. Her continued persistence may just be what is necessary if there is a killer on the loose.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Hallmark Publishing for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #DreamscapeMedia #MurderOutofCharacter

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I was sucked in from the very beginning and kept guessing who the villain was until the very end. And of course now I will have to wait till the next book of the series to see what happens. I recommend this book to everyone.

Murder Out of Character is the second title in the Peach Coast Library series by Olivia Mathews. I have not read the first -Murder by Page One, but plan to soon. Marvella Harris (Marvey) is a recent transplant to a small south Georgia town. She's still getting her bearings when she stumbles onto possible evidence in a police investigation. Being a self proclaimed "nosey New Yorker" , and a librarian who loves her research, she is soon "helping" the police with their case. There's a lot to love about this book, great characters, a quirky little town (mostly believable), and a plot that while not the hardest to figure out, still kept me entertained. As this was the audio version, I'd also like to say the narrator, Janina Edwards did a fantastic job with the timing and the voices. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing more from this author and narrator.
I received this title from Netgally and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Book Title: Murder out of Character
Series: Peach Coast Library Mystery #2
Author: Olivia Matthews
Audiobook Narrator: Janina Edwards
Publisher: Dreamscape Media ~ Hallmark Publishing
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: September 13, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars

Protagonist Marvella (Marvey) Harris is the Director of Library Community Engagement for the Peach Coast Library. in Peach Coast, Georgia. She and the other employees at the library are hosting the first summer solicitation drive cocktail party. When cleaning up after the fundraising event Marvey comes across a hit list with names of four people: Hank Figg, Nelle Kenton, Brittany Wilson and her best friend Spence Holt. She and committee members take to the list to the police but they believe is it only a prank.

This is one of my most enjoyable cozy reads.

I enjoy Cozy Mysteries and usually pick one when I am looking for a fun light read with a little twist.
This one was more complicated and kept me interested!

The narrator Janina Edward has such a pleasant voice it was enjoyable to listen to her performing the characters!

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media ~ Hallmark Publishing for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 13, 202

I could not put this one down! The pace of the story along with the plot were both spot on. The entire time I was trying to figure out who the murderer was but I was definitely shocked at who it was revealed to be. I enjoyed the book itself and the way the characters were written. I like how Marvey doesn’t let opposition from others stop her from figuring out who wants to kill her friends especially since it seems as though local law enforcement can’t get the job done. Overall a wonderful read and I’m much looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Setting the Scene: Five months ago, 28 year old Marvy Harris moved away from her family and her life in New York for a position at a library in the "beautiful, friendly, quirky town" of Peach Coast, Georgia. Talk about culture shock, but 5 months and one murder later, Marvy is happy and settled in her new town. She is even beginning to understand most "Southernisms" and develop a love of regional foods. She is having a bit of a problem with her "New York minute" style vs. the laid back, ease into it style of her new home town. She has a circle of friends. She loves her job. It is true that she misses her close knit family, but they stay in touch with weekly virtual video calls. In Murder Out of Character, Marvy finds herself racing to solve 2 murders in order to prevent 2 more, and once again, her circle of friends and library colleagues pitch in to help. This one, however, is very very close to her heart.

What I thought: In short, I loved it. Marvy is at once soft and strong. She is whip smart and a librarian through and through. Unlike some amateur sleuths, Marvy does not hide what she sees and what she finds out from "the deputies," but it has resulted in a tenuous relationship with local law enforcement. Humor. There is humor. I need some humor, and this book/series has it without resorting to silliness. The book also does not require the reader to lose all sense of reality. Sure, it is a work of fiction, and there are just some things that may require a leap of faith, but there are no TSTL moments. Perhaps most importantly, I judge a book by how it leaves me feeling once I am finished reading. This one left me a little teary, smiling, and not quite ready to leave Peach Coast, Georgia, and its citizens. I eagerly await the next book in this series.