“On the surface small towns can seem so simple, but they’re not. Behind every smile there could be unspoken resentment. Every kind word was a possible pretense. Every action had more than one motive. Everybody had secrets and lived with the full fear that those secrets would be found out.”

When actress Madeline Brimely learns that she has inherited her beloved aunt’s bookstore after her untimely death; Madeline leaves the stage and moves back to her hometown, Enigma. Enigma is a small town in Georgia where the personalities are big and the gossip is quick. Upon her return, Madeline starts receiving threats to get out of town or the bookstore will burn with her in it. Madeline has been gone too long and some believe that outsiders are no longer welcome in Enigma.

Booked for Murder was a wonderful debut novel by P.J. Nelson. While I may have been reading this book while enjoying the snowfall, I was transported directly into the South with the beautiful storytelling.

The diction alone was enough to immediately know this takes place in the South, which is extremely hard to do without making a caricature of Southern dialogue. I love when an author can show you their intent without telling you, it shows they really care about their craft.

Reason for mid level review, while the writing was great and the premise was intriguing some parts were a little slow.

Overall, I really think it was a great debut and I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson is a fun, fast paced cozy Southern mystery. Madeline Brimley comes back to her home town after her aunt passes away and leaves Madeline the bookshop she lived in and ran. However, as soon as Madeline arrives back in Enigma, Georgia, she has multiple fires, a dead body, and death threats to contend with!

As a librarian, I'm always a sucker for a book related mystery, so I definitely enjoyed this one. I hope this is the start of a series as I had a good time with the banter and Southern sassiness of the characters!

First I would like to thank Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this novel.

This was a fun cosy mystery book. The characters were quirky and the small town really helped with the settings.

I think I’ve just decided I’m not really into cozy mystery books. I just want the pace of the book to move a little bit faster.

I also found the main character a little annoying sometimes. But I think if you are a cosy mystery fan then you will enjoy this book.

3/5 stars

3⭐️

Madeleine never planned on moving back to Enigma, Georgia after she left to be an actor. But when her Aunt Rose dies, she inherits Rose's bookstore. Along with the bookstore, she seems to inherit the young girl who volunteers at the store, Tandy. Shortly after returning to Enigma, it becomes obvious that someone doesn't want Maddie there, leading to the bookstore being set on fire. When the flames are put out, Tandy is found dead inside and it wasn't the fire who killed her.

I love a cozy mystery a la Murder, She Wrote so I was excited to read Booked for Murder. This ended up being just okay. There were a few areas that felt a bit repetitive and redundant that took me out of a story for a while and all around the pacing was a bit slow. I also hate the trope of the main character just doing whatever they want and the police never stepping in. I understand distrusting the police and I understand Maddie being leery that a kid she used to babysit is now the sheriff, but it Maddie's investigation was just blatantly disrespectful.

I never really liked Madeleine as a character, but I did enjoy most of the other characters. Specifically Gloria and Phil and the way they worked with Maddie to investigate the case. It was wild to me that Maddie never realized the relationship between her Aunt Rose and Phil and her reaction to finding out was overblown.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for providing this ARC to me!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing this ARC for my voluntary and honest review!

A southern, small town murder mystery in an inherited bookstore. I wanted a little quicker pacing in some sections, but overall a fun read with a heartwarming ending.

This series debut is so fun! It’s introduced a cast of characters that are somewhat quirky, eccentric and likable. The mystery was interesting. Was a lot that happens somewhat predictable? Yes, but it didn’t detract from enjoying the story, which included the elements that cozy fans look for. This was a solid debut for the upcoming series.

Before I get into this review, I want to preface by saying that I think I’ve realized the cozy mystery sub-genre just isn’t for me.

I’ve come to expect thrills and chills with dark, moody atmospheres and big twists when it comes to suspense novels, and the cozy mysteries just don’t deliver that vibe. And they aren’t supposed to! They are supposed to give an element of mystery rooted more in lower stakes, a happier atmosphere and a little sleuthing with quirky characters and funny or heartwarming side plots. I totally understand that and know so many readers love these books for those reasons… I just don’t think they’re for me.

So, if you’re good with a small town setting filled with gossip and busybodies, I think you’ll like this one! It’s also bookish, which adds a fun element for book lovers. The cast of characters is kooky in a lovable way, but their sleuthing skills could use some work 😅🔎

I will also add that I enjoyed that this story was set in South Georgia! I recognized a lot of the town and city names, and could easily picture the Southern setting. That was the biggest plus for me 🍑

While overall this one wasn’t my fave, I do think the right readers will enjoy it!

I enjoyed this one. It was an easy read, the characters were likable. Sweet, cozy mystery perfect for curling up with during the fall/winter months. It's also a pretty good palate cleanser if you usually read some darker stuff.

Madeline Brimley is all set to start her new life in Enigma, Georgia. Sadly, her Aunt Rose has passed away, but she left Madeline with a nice inheritance. She inherits her aunt’s home and bookstore. Madeline is excited until the gazebo in the backyard is set on fire. This is no accident. She begins to receive threats and doesn’t know what to do. When a dead body is found in the store, all eyes turn their suspicions right onto Madeline’s shoulders. Madeline and her new friends are desperate to get to the bottom of this and clear her name.

This is the first book in a new series and it’s off to a solid start. There’s an interesting array of different personalities in the supporting cast. Our main character is tough with much strength to see this mystery through to the end.

It’s an interesting caper and makes for some great escapism reading.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a fun foray into a cozy mystery taking place in an inherited bookstore nestled in an old house in small-town Georgia. At first I found the characters and descriptions of the town charming, but eventually some of the people were not as endearing as at first glance. The murderer was not difficult to figure out, but the events unfolded in a way to introduce various townspeople and circumstances, and I enjoyed the depths of character. I can see how it is set up nicely for another book in the series.
Overall, fans of cozy mysteries should enjoy this one. I'm curious enough about what might happen next that I'll be looking for the follow-up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

I always make it a point to read books about books, or books that mention bookstore, libraries etc. they turn out to be some of the best books in my opinion. Booked for Murder by PJ Nelson is a perfect example of that and the cover is just so pretty to me. Booked for Murder has an atmospheric, cozy mystery vibe that will keep you turning the pages. Set in the heart of the South (what more do you need to know, southern anything will always have charm). Madeline Brimley is a lovely protagonist whom is full of wit and tenacity who serves as a tour guide to lead us through the strange small town of Enigma. The Old Juniper Bookstore, with its Victorian beauty (Victorian bookstore make my heart swoon), and its full of sinister secrets, debut as an ideal setting for this complex story. This novel encompasses tons of colorful characters, unexpected plot twists, and just the right amount of suspense and buildup. This book is a slow burn mystery for sure, but it keeps you wondering what’s next. I'll look forward to the next Madeline Brimley mystery!

I don't read a lot of cozies but decided to try this first installment in a series about Maddie, a woman who inherits her Aunt Rose's bookshop in Enigma, Georgia. But someone is determined to burn the store down. Who would do such a thing? Maddie and her college professor friend, aided by a member of the clergy, decide to find out.

While I'm sure cozy fans will enjoy it, for me it was too slow paced and wacky.

A cozy Southern small-town mystery. Highlights: the bookstore-in-an-old-house setting and the secondary characters, including a priest and a professor (both female) who become the main character's sidekicks. I could imagine this trio of women becoming a powerful crime-solving (and comedic) force.

Unfortunately, while the mystery itself was interesting enough - particularly in the second half - I found the main character off-putting. She was contemptuous of almost everyone she met, considering herself smarter and wiser than them despite her pervasive naivete and frequent gaffes, and she read as decades older than her 34 years (not in an intriguing old-soul way). I'd read another mystery by this author, but not if it's from this character's point of view.

3.5 stars

After her aunt Rose's death, Madeline inherits her bookstore. Upon arriving, she is met with many misfortunes, including fires, angry phone calls, and other incidents. After a terrible incident, Madeline enters detective mode and gets into quite a few stressful situations. She was very determined to find the culprit. I got annoyed with her character because she often threw herself into situations without thinking things through first. Other than that, it was a delightful read, and I had fun trying to figure out who the culprit was ( I was wrong).

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced e-copy!!

"Booked for Murder,” is a delightful concoction of small-town charm and gripping mystery that proves to be the perfect companion for a cozy evening with a steaming mug of cocoa. Set in the quaint town of Enigma, this novel serves as a promising debut to what is sure to become a beloved series.

Nelson's protagonist, Madeline, finds herself thrust back into her childhood town after a 17-year absence, inheriting her late aunt's bookshop and feline companion. What begins as a journey of self-discovery quickly evolves into a thrilling amateur sleuthing adventure as Madeline faces arson, threats, and murder. The author skillfully weaves together the warmth of a close-knit community with the tension of unfolding danger, creating a tapestry rich with nostalgia and suspense.

The town of Enigma itself emerges as a character in its own right, populated by an endearing cast of nosy neighbors, grumpy locals, and well-intentioned do-gooders. Nelson's deft touch brings to life the intricate web of relationships that define small-town living, imbuing the narrative with a heartwarming sense of history and interconnectedness.

Madeline's character arc is particularly compelling, as she navigates her unexpected return to Enigma while grappling with life's uncertainties. Her fierce determination and amateur detective work, while occasionally leading to questionable decisions, serve to heighten the emotional stakes of the unfolding mystery. The burgeoning relationships surrounding Madeline add an extra layer of intrigue, with a potential love triangle brewing between her and a charming gardener and enigmatic fireman, promising further developments in future installments.

While seasoned mystery aficionados may anticipate the killer's identity, Nelson still manages to surprise with the reveal of the motive, providing a satisfying resolution that ties together the various threads of the narrative.

As the first entry in what promises to be an enchanting series, this novel leaves readers eagerly anticipating their next literary sojourn to the beguiling town of Enigma.

Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for my free books for review.

📚: Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson
⭐️: 3/5

Madeline Brimley has returned home back to Enigma, Georgia with mixed feelings. After her dear Aunt Rose passes, Madeline finds herself to be the bequeathed of The Old Juniper Bookstore. While she isn't sure about being back home, she definitely doesn't love the immediate surprises that come her way. Her backyard gazebo is set ablaze. A late night phone caller threatens to burn the bookstore to the ground. And then someone ends up dead - and Madeline is determined to find out what's going on.

What I would consider a quintessential cozy mystery, this was a fun whodunnit set in an absolutely charming small Southern town. While I had to suspend (a lot) of reality for this, it kept my heart warmed and my spirit charmed page after page.

Big thanks to St. Martin's Press via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Booked for Murder is out on 12/10!

Booked for Murder is about Madeline whose aunt recently passed and left the house and bookstore to her niece. Madeline is an actress who fled small town life as soon as she possibly could so coming back to a small town is difficult, but her love for her aunt makes it so that she is willing to try. Shortly after arriving things start to go wrong including the death of a young lady Madeline meet and quickly formed a friendship with. This book is a cozy mystery, and the pacing is okay but not great. My biggest issue with this book is that I didn’t like Madeline. Her voice and personality were ones that just didn’t resonate with me as a reader. Since I didn’t enjoy her, it was tough for me to really get into the book overall. I thought the ending was interesting though, not the one I expected which was nice.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This is an interesting mystery. Madeline has finally come home after her aunt dies and leaves her business and home to Madeline. Almost immediately after she arrives, a fire is started in the gazebo in the back yard. Then she gets a phone call saying she needs to get out now or else she will be burned in her house. A young girl who helps out in the bookstore is then murdered in the house. What is going on? It all looks suspicious. Some seem to think that Madeline is behind it all. She is sure that she can find the real arsonist and murderer, but at what cost. People that she thought she knew turned out to be so different. Who can she trust? Will she live long enough to find the murderer?

Hooked by the cover and let down by the story. It's very boring and slow. I can't stand reading books where I can figure out who did it within the first 30% of the book.

Thank you again to ST Martin's Press and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 4 stars


This was a cozy small town murder mystery with a leading lady (no joke FMC is an actress) who just came back in order to get her inheritance from her late aunt that owned a Victorian mansion that was designed to be a bookstore in the front half of the house.

There were a few things that annoyed me/ confused me a bit like the fact that there was basically "THEY DID IT! POLICE LOCK HIM UP" almost every chapter towards the end but each time it was a different person being accused. I understand some authors like to throw in red herrings to the readers but this was just too much bouncing without thought behind it. Even some characters were yelling at the FMC to stop accusing and just think things through and process for a day before telling the cops.

The main things what was lost to me was this romantic relationship that was somewhat developing. there was one male that was pretty much set up (golden retriever type) to be with her but there was also this other guy who kept showing up on page when she was in trouble (grumpy type) who also seemed like a potential person since he went from angry judgement to pretty much being there to do things she wouldnt expect from a stranger and care for her (might just be his job blinding me)

Over all this was a good read. You can tell by how fast i read it and wish i could get my hands on the next books in the series already.