This might have been my least favorite in the series - really predictable mystery and no character development at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

This fun and cozy caper book group mystery series is number 5, but can be read as a standalone novel as well.

It takes place in Westham, Cape Cod.
Mackenzie (Mac) Almeida is the main character. She owns Mac's Bikes and is married to Tim Brunelle who owns the bakery called Greta's Grains. Wagner Lavoie is the new director of the Chamber of Commerce and has ruffled one too many feathers in the community when he is found dead in the Book Nook book store.

Who killed Wagner and why? Well, get to reading and find out! 😉

I love how the entire storyline is captivating and keeps you engaged the whole time.

It’s a perfectly short, cozy and quick summer read!

But obviously, it serves as a great read for anytime of the year!!

I enjoyed this series in the past. However in this particular book, the author decided that all Southern women are narrow minded racists. I was deeply offended by this stereotypical description of an entire group of people. I have read my last book about this particular author.

One of my favorite books in the series, it's more akin to a classical Agatha styled mystery in that while it's not a closed room mystery, there is a plethora of suspects, plenty of motives, and potential danger for them all, until the real murderer gets unmasked. It gives the reader some more insight to characters that are part of Mac's life, but have not been brought out yet, making the series feel more fleshed out and realistic (ie Mac's relationship with her workers). A quick read, it's perfect as a stand alone, or for the fan of the series.

This is the fifth book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series. It is a standalone but I prefer to read them in order to get the character development as the series progresses.

It’s going to be spring soon but the weather isn’t dependable and the new Chamber of Commerce director, Wagner Lavoie, is bullying merchants at the last minute to support and provide freebies to the Spring festival. Also, Orlean’s sister has a secret she’s keeping which is making her undependable for the bike store.

Mr. Lavoie winds up dead and Orlean’s sister disappear. Other merchants were not happy with the new Chamber of Commerce director so, we have plenty of suspects.

I thought the backgrounds of new characters provided good twists to finding the killer.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I was given an advanced readers copy and am not required to leave a positive review. I thank the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

So the new head of the Westham Chamber of Commerce was a little annoying but why did someone kill him? That's the question Mac and her pals the Cozy Capers must solve (because, this being a cozy, they must!). Enjoy this latest in the series for the characters, starting with Mac and her husband Tim, who are navigating life and her family (what a hoot they are) as well as the Capers (the book club). Oh, and Belle the parrot. And the police. This will work as a standalone although those who have been following along will enjoy how Mac has changed over time. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fine read.

In Murder at a Cape Bookstore by Maddie Day, readers are treated to a delightful cozy mystery set in the charming town of Cape Cod. As the fifth installment in the Cozy Capers Book Club series, the novel follows Mackenzie Mac Almeida and her sleuthing book group as they investigate the shocking murder of the new Chamber of Commerce director during a lively spring festival. Though the plot may have some predictability, the novel's strengths lie in its quick and easy-to-read nature, well-described setting, and eclectic supporting characters. Day's inclusion of diverse character depictions and small-town vibes add depth to the story, making it a perfect choice for a lazy afternoon read. The book successfully combines classic cozy mystery elements, culinary delights, and nods to beloved fictional detectives, further captivating readers with its sense of community and curiosity-driven sleuthing.

Murder at a Cape Bookstore impressively showcases Day's growth as a storyteller and her ability to transport readers to a charming coastal town. The inclusion of recipes adds a touch of interactivity, and the narrative's insights about various topics bring depth to the characters and world. While the ending may not hold complete surprise, Mac's quick wit and resourcefulness make the journey to uncover the truth thoroughly enjoyable. Overall, this cozy mystery is a captivating and personal escape into Cape Cod's alluring world, highly recommended for fans of the genre seeking a heartwarming and engaging read.

MURDER AT A CAPE BOOKSTORE is the fifth book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries by Maddie Day. With spring just around the corner in charming Westham, Maine, a touristy town on Cape Cod, a spring festival seems just the thing to tempt tourists to return to town. Protagonist Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida, owner of Mac’s Bikes, is onboard with the festival and does her part to help make it successful. Mac is one of those caring women who lends a helping hand to anyone who needs it. In fact, her entire family is as thoughtful as they come, which lends a sweet disposition to the story. One of the things about Maddie Day’s books that I enjoy is the excellent character development, be it the core characters or the passing through characters. Her attention to detail pulls the reader into the story and keeps them there.

However, not everyone is thrilled that the new Chamber of Commerce director, Wagner Lavoie, is pushing the festival and pushing business owners to ante up freebie giveaways to the crowds he hopes to attract. Partway through the festival, the director is found dead in the bookshop, a toppled bookshelf seeming to be the murder weapon. Mac and her crew from their Cozy Capers book club gather to find out who did the dastardly deed. I really like how they divide up potential suspects between themselves to quiz instead of Mac being the only one to investigate. Their use of text threads to share what they’ve learned makes their interaction more believable in today’s world. With a town full of tourists and with so many business owners upset with the director, there are suspects aplenty to keep the armchair detective guessing. At the perilous reveal, I appreciated Mac is self-reliant and rescues herself. As the story concludes, all the threads of the plot and subplots come together in one cohesive unit.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A relatively fun cozy mystery, this novel is the fifth book in a series, but the first I've read in it or by this author. It's a quick and easy read and the supporting characters are eclectic and entertaining. The setting is described well and is lovely. The plot is a little predictable but it is not without some surprises and I applaud the author for her diverse character depictions. It took most of the book to care about the MC though, which brought the star rating down a bit. I think it was her judgy attitude about people who chose different lifestyles from her own while making fun of other characters who did the same in a couple of instances. I read other reviews that the MC is much more likeable in the earlier books, so I'll try one more out just in case it evens out the rough edges in this one because, besides that, I rather enjoyed the novel.

Net Galley Feedback

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. Mac is a very good character as the amateur sleuth. This story is about the murder of the Chamber president Wagner who is found dead in the Bookshop. He is the one that comes up with the idea to have a spring festival a little early before spring and eveyone i s concerned about the weather. There is a long list of people who may have wanted him dead as not a people liked him. This is A GOOD COZY MYSTERY. Read to find out who actually did murder him.

Murder at a Cape Bookstore by Maddie Day is due to be published August 22, 2023 by Kensington Cozies. This is the 5th installment in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series.

This is not my first or last book from this author but the first book in this series I’ve read. I’ll definitely be going back and reading the series from the beginning! I love love love Maddie Day’s writing style it brings out the coziness of the cozy mystery.

It takes place in Westham, Cape Cod.
Mackenzie (Mac) Almeida is the main character. She owns Mac's Bikes. She is married to Tim Brunelle who owns the bakery called Greta's Grains. A festival is happening in the seaside Massachusetts town and Mac is pulled into another homicide investigation. The new Chamber of Commerce Director rubs people the wrong way, and one of them took him out. Was it a local merchant with a grudge or a family member who wanted to get even for past troubles?

I highly recommend everyone to read anything from this author!

This is the fifth volume in the Cozy Capers Book Group mystery series but have no fear: it can be read as a standalone novel. It involves a fictional town on Cape Cod that has a group of friends, mostly local business owners, acting as amateur detectives. And their sleuthing is needed when the Chamber of Commerce director is found dead on the day of a spring festival that many business owners weren’t happy to participate in.

There’s a laundry list of suspects to investigate, and Mac also has a business to run. Her new hire seems to have some sort of connection to the dead man and is unreliable help. If Mac could only get her to show up for work AND reveal what she knows about Wagner, it would be of great help. But her suspicious activities make her one of the prime suspects.

This book had all the elements that make a cozy mystery work. I loved the repeated reviewing of the clues, as well as the minute touches like the reference to Nancy Drew and her friend George while sleuthing, or the mention of yummy foods, which was another nod to Nancy Drew mysteries. At the end of the book are several recipes for the referenced food. This book could be set in any number of places, including Door County, Wisconsin, which is another appeal to me. Because it’s a fictional town, liberties can be taken with some things.

What a fun read for cozy mystery lovers!

Mac Almeida and the Cozy Capers Book Club are sleuthing once again when the new Chamber of Commerce Director, Wagner Lavoie, is found dead. After the successful one-day festival Wagner planned, his body is discovered pinned under a bookshelf in the Book Nook.

Maddie Day writes a clever mystery for this fifth cozy in her series featuring book club members who love to play amateur detectives. Cape Cod provides the setting for this engaging story as readers catch up with the characters and community.

Maddie Day will delight her readers with this release. Great characters and town, vivid descriptions, interesting suspects, and a fast-moving plot. Another winner in a solid series.

It's early spring and Westham's new Chamber of Commerce director, Wagner Lavoie, wants the upcoming Spring equinox festival to go over well. But not all business owners are happy with Wagner's tactics. Fortunately, the festival occurs without a hitch until bike shop owner Mac Almeida visits her ex-police chief Norland at the local bookstore where they find Wagner dead under a tipped over bookcase.

Wagner had current and past enemies so the Cozy Capers book group have plenty of suspects to sift through. Mac also has to deal with employee issues at her bike shop that tests her patience. This was another satisfying entry in the Cozy Capers Book Group mystery series.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Kensington. All opinions are my own.

Another great book in this series, although can be read as a standalone. Once again Mac and her friends are doing some sleuthing when a body is found. I love these characters and the plot reads smoothly and quickly. Looking forward to the next book already.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really love the small town vibes, and the sense of family in the town. I haven't read any of the other stories in the Cozy Capers Book Series, but this one was still easy follow. I really enjoyed following the characters as they have a murder to solve after the Chamber of Commerce director is found dead in the bookstore. The characters are likeable, and the mystery was - as the series denotes - a cozy one, despite being a murder mystery. It was a quick, good read!

I really like Mac and her family and friends. I have noticed, however, that Mac and Robbie (the protagonist of Day's A Country Store Mystery series) both are heading down similar paths. The mystery was fascinating. I do like the cozy mystery club members and their friendships.

Book #5 in the series & it kicks off with a Spring Festival being held in late March, despite the New England weather. The organizer is found murdered & many suspects are followed. Mac has her hands full with her new employee, as well as information she gathers & hears from the Cozy Capers group. Killer is revealed in true "cozy" fashion, with Mac about to be harmed. A good, cozy, I'd probably recommend reading in order to get to know all of the characters, but not really necessary. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Day & Kensington Books for the ARC

Murder at a Cape Bookstore is the next book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series, and it has everything one would want in a cozy: lovable characters, charming setting, intriguing mystery, a comedic parrot, and plenty of delicious sounding foods. The conclusion, in my opinion, was a bit convoluted for a cozy. I find It's always difficult to smoothly tie in past crimes with current mysteries without making it obvious who the "bad guy" is. With that said, I still thoroughly enjoyed Murder at a Cape Bookstore. I really do enjoy following Mac and her friends on their adventures, and I will definitely continue with this series!