I read another cozy mystery! Cozies that feature bookstores (or libraries) are my weakness. Especially if the MC inherits it from a distant aunt or a favorite relative and had to relocate to some small town where a murder (gasp!) happens. 😁 I enjoyed reading Booked for Murder, though I did not care for the MC much. I thought she was reckless, indecisive and ungrateful lol! I did like the side characters — the female priest and the MC’s “aunt”, both of which had great personalities. I appreciated the theater and musical references, though most of what they mentioned were unfamiliar to me 😅 The banters between the characters were also highly entertaining. All in all, it was a good small town murder mystery…one that I wouldn’t mind stretching into a whole series.

Title:  Booked for Murder  
Author: P. J. Nelson      
Genre:  Mystery
Rating:  3.5 out of 5

Madeline Brimley left small town Georgia many years ago to go to college and pursue her dreams on the stage. Her dramatic escapades are many but success has eluded her, leaving her at loose ends. But then she gets word that not only has her beloved, eccentric Aunt Rose passed, but she's left Madeline her equally eccentric bookstore housed in an old Victorian mansion in the small college town of Enigma. But when she arrives in her beat-up Fiat to claim The Old Juniper Bookstore, and restart her life, Madeline is faced with unexpected challenges. The gazebo in the back yard is set ablaze and a late night caller threatens to burn the whole store down if she doesn't leave immediately.

But Madeline Brimley, not one to be intimidated, ignores the threats and soldiers on. Until there's another fire and a murder in the store itself. Now with a cloud of suspicion falling over her, it's up to Madeline to untangle the skein of secrets and find the killer before she herself is the next victim.

I need the main character of cozy mysteries to be believable and not go running off after every crazy, fleeting thought they have. This one did not deliver. Madeline changed her mind about every 35 seconds. About everything. The insta-friendship between her, her “aunt”, and the reverend did not feel realistic, and the rest of the characters felt like barely-sketched caricatures.

P. J. Nelson lives in Decatur, Georgia. Booked for Murder is his newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 12/7).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, e-ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review!

Expected publication date: Dec. 10, 2024.

This was a fast-paced, easy read for those who are interested in the cozy mystery genre! There was a few good twists and turns but I am very picky with mysteries (because I feel I can predict everything...) so this was just fine for me personally!

Booked by Murder by PJ Nelson – 3 Stars

Booked by Murder is a cozy murder mystery set against the backdrop of a charming small town in Georgia. Madeline Brimley returns to Enigma to take over her late Aunt Rose’s bookstore, only to find herself tangled in a web of mystery, arson accusations, and lingering childhood memories. Add in a suspiciously skeptical firefighter and a supportive, quirky neighbor, and you’ve got the recipe for a classic small-town whodunit.

While the story had all the elements I love—legacy, a touch of suspense, and that warm, small-town vibe—it didn’t fully pull me in. The pacing felt a little uneven at times, with the mystery’s resolution feeling rushed compared to the buildup. I enjoyed Madeline’s personal journey of reconnecting with her past, but I wish the plot twists had been more surprising or layered.

That said, it’s a quick, enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries. If you love small-town charm mixed with a dash of suspense, Booked by Murder might be worth a spot on your TBR. It just wasn’t the most memorable mystery for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur for allowing me the opportunity to read and review!

Booked For Murder
Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery #1
By P. J. Nelson
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 336
Imprint Publisher: Minotaur Books
Pub date: Dec 10, 2024
ISBN: 9781250909954

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Madeline Brimley returns home when she inherits a bookstore housed in an old mansion. She also gets arson, threatening phone calls, and murder.

Booked for Murder is the debut novel in the Old Juniper Bookshop mystery series. It ticks all the boxes for a cozy, and for me, that seemed to be a bit of a problem because the characters and plot suffered as a result.

I had a hard time getting into this book. The main character, Madeline Brimley, irritated me with her frequent whining. Characters put forth as possible suspects were a bit too obvious, which meant they weren’t the killer. The murderer’s identity didn’t come as a surprise. Some of the characters were also a bit too cliché in my mind. However, as I continued reading, parts of the book did grab my interest. The humor came through later in the book. Some character twists were well done (no spoilers though!). Madeine is a former actor, and I will say characters assuming personalities and putting on acts is a theme that runs throughout the book.

I would give a second book in this series a try. 3/5 stars.

A fun, cozy read. This was one of the books that got me out of a reading slump! It was exciting and kept me engaged. Definitely worth the read and recommendation if you’re a mystery lover!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review!

This story delivers a blend of charm, mystery, and southern gothic atmosphere.

Madeline is a refreshing main character, whose theatrical flair and determination make her both relatable and endearing. The author portrays her struggle to adapt to a quieter life while simultaneously investigating the dark mysteries lurking in her aunt’s bookstore. The well-described Victorian setting gives a sense of eerie charm.

While the book is undeniably enjoyable, some readers may find certain plot threads a bit predictable or wish for more development of certain relationships.

In conclusion, whether you’re a mystery lover or a cozy enthusiast, this book is sure to keep you turning the pages.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Murders? Bookstore? Count me in! At least that's what I initially thought, but unfortunately for me, I can't stand the main character of this story at all. She's a bit hateful and too whiny for my tastes. Mysteries set in small towns always fascinate me, i'm a huge fan of Agatha Raisin, i love the fact that in the small town everyone knows everyone, the anecdotes, the characters with their peculiarity but here the story, in my opinion, doesn't take off.
I thank Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this story in preview, in exchange for my honest opinion.

A new series set in a small southern town that has one of my favorite settings, a book store, and what a book store it is.
Madeline Brimley returns to the town that she escaped from at the age of 18. Her Aunt Rose had been an actress in New York before she returned home and opened a bookstore in her big, Victorian home. Madeline had not lasted in New York, but became an actress in Atlanta. Now in her thirties, she returns home after her aunt dies and leaves her the house and the book store.
Madeline is impulsive and also perhaps a little reckless, so when she begins getting threats to leave or her house will be burned down, she decides to investigate by herself. As this is the first in a series, we must meet all the secondary characters who will be a part of the cast of characters.
There is a murder of a character I had come to like, so I was a little upset, and I also think it was a good mystery because I was surprised by several of the characters, and I did not guess the murderer. I actually do not try to guess, I like to be surprised.
There are a lot of little mysteries that I will be looking forward to in the next book, which I definitely will be watching out for. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest opinion.

An engaging and entertaining cozy mystery. I am wondering if there will be a sequel. There is potential for future stories. I enjoyed getting to know the various characters and their foibles. Some surprises and some things I suspected were correct. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

When Madeline returns to her hometown to take over the beloved bookstore her aunt left her she is met with resistance and late night threatening phone calls. When there is a murder in the bookstore she finds she's going to have to try to solve it before she is either blamed or the next victim. A great cozy mystery that looks like the beginning of a new series.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Going in thinking it was a murder mystery, I wondered if it was really supposed to be a cozy mystery. The main character, Madeline is calm and nonplussed despite some pretty disturbing occurrences that take place when she comes back to her small hometown to take over her aunt’s bookstore. When there actually is a murder, the characters’ reactions were frustrating. The lack of urgency, concern, or seemingly police involvement left the three main characters to nonchalantly investigate on their own. I will say the final 25% of the book was exciting and hard to put down. If you’re looking for a traditional thriller, this isn’t really that.

The writing is descriptively beautiful with loads of similes and metaphors to really paint a picture for the reader. I’m assuming there will be more books to make a series as there are some loose ends that weren’t completely tied up.

Thank you to P. J. Nelson, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

Maddy comes home because she has inherited her aunt's home and bookstore. But almost immediately the gazebo in the backyard goes up in flames. Add to that threatening phone calls and it no longer feels like a good homecoming. When a young woman is murdered in the bookstore and a fire set to cover it all up, Maddy decides it's up to her and her aunt's friend, Philomenia and local minister, Gloria, to solve the mystery. With lots of suspects and wild theories eventually the real truth comes out. This is a good read with interesting characters.
I was given an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

If you like cozy mystery novels with a touch of darkness, this novel may be for you. The mystery, twists and turns, were definitely engaging and kept me interested until the very end. Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of main character, Madeline, who seemed a bit too out of touch with 'how to stay safe'. She consistently made poor judgments, and you have to wonder why she is so distrusting of all helping professions. The side characters were all just quirky enough to be endearing and add some spunk to the overall story. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that it resolves itself, despite being the first book in a new series. Murder, arson, and threats are all a part of this cozy mystery. Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress for the ARC- Look for it in stores on December 10, 2024

Madeline Brimley left small town Georgia many years ago to go to college and pursue her dreams on the stage. Her dramatic escapades are many but success has eluded her, leaving her at loose ends. But then she gets word that not only has her beloved, eccentric Aunt Rose passed, but she's left Madeline her equally eccentric bookstore housed in an old Victorian mansion in the small college town of Enigma. But when she arrives in her beat-up Fiat to claim The Old Juniper Bookstore, and restart her life, Madeline is faced with unexpected challenges. The gazebo in the back yard is set ablaze and a late night caller threatens to burn the whole store down if she doesn't leave immediately.

Cute mystery set in a bookstore. I love bookstores! This was a fun, relaxing read. Madeline was a bit annoying—perhaps eccentric is a better term. The story ends with enough of a resolution but with a good setup for a sequel. Overall, I really enjoyed this! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Such a cozy bookstore mystery and debut! When Aunt Rose died, she had plans for her Victorian mansion/bookstore to go to her niece Madeline. Madeline leaves behind her failing career on a stage to take over the bookstore. What she had not planned on facing was a small town with secrets of its own and a mission to destroy hers. Threats are made not with one fire at the bookstore but two. When one of her college helpers is found dead, she realizes it could have been her.
Madeline and a priest find clues that her Aunt Rose left behind and may be what the killer is searching for. This is a fun mystery to pick apart. Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Madeline Brimley was a slightly different female character than I'm used to reading about, and I say that with nothing but positivity in my words. She was confident, determined, and self reliant. She didn't mull over things, but instead jumped headfirst, much to the chagrin of those around her.

And speaking of the supporting cast: I absolutely loved Gloria! She was the voice of reason and guiding light, and I wish I had someone like her in my life. Some of the other characters did seem a little cartoon villain-y, but I still found them charming.

The main mystery tied up nicely, but I felt there were still some loose threads that will have me keeping an eye out for a follow-up!

This was the start of a series - and I found it very enjoyable.

Madeline left the small Georgia town of Enigma to pursue her dreams of acting, briefly spending time in New York City, before finding herself a little lost. When her aunt Rose died and left her the charming bookstore, inside an old Victorian house, she returns home.

Within minutes of arriving, the gazebo in the back garden burns down, and Madeline gets threatening phone calls. She tries to deal with these things herself, as she doesn't trust the local police. Rose's friend Philomena, a psychology professor at the local college, befriends Madeline, as does Gloria the new Episcopalian minister. A young college girl, Tandy, starts working at the store, before more threats and another fire turn the whole situation deadly.

We are introduced to quite a number of characters in the small town, as Madeline is determined to find out what is going on, and who committed murder. I liked many of the characters, especially Gloria. Madeline is pretty impulsive, and puts herself in too much danger. But I liked the way she realized that the people around her were not as she had initially thought.

I enjoyed the small ti=own vibes of this book very much. I liked getting to learn about a whole cast of characters and learn about the drama that goes on between them. I think this book is the perfect setup for a series, and I am excited to see what Madeline does next. This is exactly what I would have expected from a small-town, cozy mystery, and I am glad it delivered. Overall, I would recommend this to any one that is specifically seeking out a cozy mystery, but I don't think this is enough to convert someone into a fan of cozy mysteries off they are not already interested in them.

I was so excited to read this because, honestly, who wouldn’t love a murder mystery set in a cozy bookstore? The small-town vibes and the love for literature and theater really stood out to me, and I appreciated the atmosphere—it was soothing and definitely made me feel like I was right there in Enigma, surrounded by quirky characters.

The story had a lot of potential, and I did enjoy the characters overall, but the pacing was a bit off at times. Madeline, or Maddy, is easy to like in many ways, but I found myself getting frustrated with how she would jump from one extreme to another, especially when it came to accusing people of murder. At one point, it felt like everyone was a suspect! And her quick decision to report a friend of her aunt’s to the police just didn’t sit well with me, especially considering the support that person had shown her.

While I liked the idea of the story, some details felt inconsistent, and I ended the book with more questions than answers. It wasn’t a bad read by any means, but I’m hoping a sequel will tie up the loose ends and give me the closure I was looking for.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.