A big thank you to P.J. Nelson and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

I was immediately drawn to the concept of this book. Nelson does a fantastic job of pulling readers in from the start, vividly portraying the dynamics of small-town life when crime and gossip intertwine.

Though the story had some slower parts, where I expected more dramatic twists, I still enjoyed it. While I felt the plot to be a bit predictable at times, it remains entertaining as it is well written. Some characters could have used more development. But I will say, a few loose ends left me curious about the sequels hinted by “mystery #1.” (assuming that's what this means!)

Overall, 'Booked for Murder' is a solid read, especially if you love cozy mysteries. I recommend it to anyone looking for a light, enjoyable mystery. So perfect for the fall and winter seasons!!

A fun and fast read that will take readers on a thrilling journey through a murder mystery! I enjoyed all of the characters, the pacing, and how everything came together in the end. I think the cover was so perfect for what the book was about, fun, pulls you in, and really helps you understand what you are about to read!

Unfortunately this book just didn’t keep my interest or have me coming back for more. I’m not sure if it is because i’m a girl who is a sucker for a bookstore or why i felt like i poorly related to the main character. The “twists” were predictable and just didn’t love it. Thanks for the opportunity, i really hoped to love this book, but it just wasn’t for me.

This is somewhere between a cozy and a thriller. Three uniquely strong females that are drawn together after the death of Madeline’s Aunt Rose. A good read for fans of the mystery genre.

This was a really cute story, despite the topic of death and murder. I enjoyed the characters and thought it was well paced

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a fan of cozy mystery genre, I’ll just have to say, this book is bad. I was hoping for it to at least be mediocre, but no, it is bad. Especially considering the other cozy mystery releases this year, which have been quite fun.

First things first, it did not start out well. No proper introduction aside from what we already know from the synopsis. This girl got to the house where her aunt left her bookshop after she died, and then there was a fire. A lot did not make sense here, because after the fire, the character did not even bother to inform anybody - I mean, seriously, do you have nobody in your life? Like at all? Not even to inform the lawyer who informed you that your aunt left all this for you? Fire is a serious thing, everybody takes this seriously even if the author wanted to paint this girl as some weird girl or whatever.

If we put all the beginnings that did not make sense aside, the pace and the writing got a little better. Another “big” thing happened next, where someone was actually murdered and there was another fire. Things still did not make sense after this and it was almost stupid. Someone was murdered! It doesn’t matter how small the town is, a detective and a medical examiner/coroner would come immediately and the next morning you do not just wake up and make coffee in the kitchen again. Someone will immediately start questioning you or - if you are severely injured or maybe mourning - they would at least start scheduling when they can talk to you. What were you doing when it happened? Did you hear anything? And tons of other questions. Just because the detective is someone you know, that does not mean you can just escape this process. You also don’t sit there and laugh with your friends afterwards. I feel like the author is trying too hard to make it “cozy” to the point it does not make sense and it is just stupid. I know it is fiction but please, have some common sense.

Also, if you are expecting a cozy mystery that would actually revolve around a bookshop and the books, you will be disappointed because the bookshop is mostly closed throughout the story to the point I am not sure why it is even titled “Booked for Murder”.

Overall, this was a very disappointing read. It had the potential to be good, and there were times when I actually enjoyed some dialogue, but if I were to look at the whole book, it’s just not good. There are so many cozy mystery books available, and I don’t see why anyone should pick this up unless you get it for free. Or if you have nothing else to read.

This is a cute book! I love cozy mysteries so this was right up my alley! I am excited to continue in the series!

Small town drama? Check. Bookshop? Check. Secrets and murder? Check. Delightful southern references? Check.

If you like Jeneva Rose's One of Us is Dead for the humor, you will love this book. I laughed so much and couldn't put it down.

Madeline inherits the Old Juniper Bookshop from her Rose, and heads back to Enigma, the town she grew up in and then fled to pursue her dreams of being on stage. Pretty much as soon as she returns, it becomes very obvious that someone does not want her back in town. A few fires and then a murder and Madeline is hot on the case, trying to figure out who is behind all of the bad things happening since she returned to Enigma. I thought this was a fun book, definitely one that fits within the cozy mystery sub-genre.

Thank you to Netgalley, P.J. Nelson, and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Madeline Brimley has returned to Enigma, Georgia to run the Old Juniper Bookshop [located in an old Victorian mansion] which she’s inherited following the death of her aunt, Rose. This was the town where Maddy had grown up, where she’d learned her love of books from Aunt Rose.

But her return to Enigma is met with a fire in the backyard gazebo and an intimidating phone call in which her life is threatened if she does not leave immediately. Considering the call nothing more than a drunken prank, Maddy chooses to ignore it.

But there is another fire . . . and a tragic murder. Who is behind the threats, the fire, and the murder? Will Maddy become the next victim?

=========

Anchored by a strong sense of place and well-defined characters that are sure to feel exactly like small-town southern folks to readers, this cozy mystery is both quirky and charming. Maddy tends to be a bit annoying with her amateur sleuthing as she intrudes on the police investigation, but the Episcopal priest, Reverend Gloria, and several other characters keep things pretty much in line.

Plot twists and turns keep readers guessing; tidbits about Maddy’s theater work and Rose’s acting career are enlightening. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries are sure to enjoy a visit to Enigma, Georgia and the Old Juniper Bookshop.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#BookedforMurder #NetGalley

Madeline inherits her deceased aunt’s home and bookstore and within minutes the gazebo is on fire. Cue some threatening calls shortly after, and later in the evening the house is on fire and someone is found dead. With the help of Gloria, a new “Father” at the local church and her aunt’s friend Philomena, Madeline tries to figure out who is targeting her home and committed murder. The book had some lighter moments but the mystery wasn’t too hard to figure out. It will be interesting to see how Madeline grows in Enigma, GA and where her friendship with David goes in future books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the arc.

A good southern cozy mystery, and an inherited bookstore? Sign me up! This book and the story were so cute. A little predictable at times, but if you’re looking for a cozy mystery read to pass the time this is it.

Cute, cozy, mystery.

It’s a fun easy read.

It falls a little flat as far as expectations, but it’s a good time.

If you want a perfect pallet cleanser or just something light, this is perfect!

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. Great opening story for a new series! I really like Madeline and her small town. The mystery itself was well plotted and kept my interest all the way through. All in all, a fun read.

This was a fun and quick read. Madeline inherits a quirky bookshop from her beloved Aunt Rose who recently passed away. As soon as she arrives things begin to happen that make Madeline realize someone wants her to leave. Termed a cozy murder, I really liked it. No explicit language or violence. Thank you NetGalley and P.J. Nelson for the Advanced Reading Copy. This is a perfect book to curl up with for a day.

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this one! It was a lot of fun and such a nice break from the fantasy I'd been reading. I love a story you can get lost in and this is exactly what this did!

Booked for Murder by PJ Nelson is a Southern cozy mystery with amateur sleuth Madeleine Brimley. Madeline inherits her Aunt Rose’s bookshop in a small town. Her gazebo gets torched. She receives threatening phone calls then someone is murdered. Madeleine then begins to investigate.

The author describes the small town perfectly. It kept me reading but wasn’t extremely suspenseful. With the investigation, Madeleine was all over the place with her thoughts and actions. Not sure how I feel about Madeleine. I really liked the Reverend Gloria. The ending hints about the next book

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book, I love reading books in the cozy mystery genre and this was right up my alley. Fun read!

This is a gentle start to a cozy mystery. Lots of misfits who fit into a small rural town with bookshop murder drama. This was a great start to a cozy mystery series. We have fire, stabbing and people who are not as they appear to be; all wrapped around some small town drama.

Madeline, Tandy, Philomena and Gloria convene around our mystery...and there are some great side characters who I anticipate will provide some much needed humor/fun as the series gets rolling (Elbert, car mechanic and trouble maker).

The characters grew on me throughout....but Madeline began to grate on me at the end. She is a look and leap girl....and same with some of the other characters. There was an excessive amount looking, leaping and jumping to conclusions - that it was a bit horror movie cringy - where you want to say "don't do that!" And it got old quick. By the third time the characters were jumping to conclusions, I was going "oh please not again". This writing technique should really only be used once in a book to enhance the story, not repeatedly - as that detracts.

The last 1/3 of the book dragged out for me. I felt it concluded really well in one of the later chapters - wrapping up the mystery.....and then there were 3 more chapters - tying up random ends, that we could have added into the next book in the series. It felt like there was unnecessary length added to the middle/end of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press/Minotaur books for an advanced copy, all thoughts are my own in this review! Happy reading !

LOVED this book! When Aunt Rose passes away her unique small town bookstore needs cared for. But should guess it would lead to murder as well as self discovery.

Great characters throughout. Easy to read. Very enjoyable. Highly recommend!