We are introduced to Charlotte 'Charley' James as she arrives back in her quiet home town. Charles is a bestselling Author who writes under the name C. J Barrett, and is taking a break due to writers block, Charleys BFF Zane, is supposed to be opening a bakery, her business partner Sheila opening a bookstore in the other side. When Sheila disappears leaving a note, Charley steps in to open the bookstore. When checking out the basement Charley comes across an antique trunk, finding Sheila's dead body inside, a victim of stabbing. The Book then follows Charley and newly adopted cat Poe as she attempts to do some investigating herself. But will she get to the bottom of what happened to Sheila before the killer gets to her?

This is the first in a new series of books by the author. It had quite a small town cozy feel to it, despite the murder. Nothing overly detailed that could be too gruesome, or scary.
Aside from the murder we have a difficult relationship between the BFFS and the towns Police officer, relating back to their school days. A possible future relationship between Charley and the Detective called in to help on the case. Along with friendships old and new.
I felt like I had a good intro to the characters and I look forward to seeing how they progress in the next installment. The perfect book for those who prefer a murder mystery to a thriller.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to read a Hallmark Mystery movie in book format, wonder no more. Murder on the Books from best-selling author T.C. LoTempio is as close as you will ever get.

By the way, that is not a bad thing. In fact, from a cozy mystery perspective, it’s a great thing!

I could practically see the movie play out in my mind's eye as I read it. And I loved it.

The story goes that Charley James is a best-selling author who writes under the pseudonym CJ Barrett - but only her best friend knows that.

Tired and needing a break, she has returned to her hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania, after more than a decade in New York.

When her best friend's business partner, Sheila, ups and disappears, Charley steps in to take over the lease on her bookshop.

It's only then that Charley makes a grim discovery - Sheila's body in the basement of the bookstore.

Now she's on a mission to find the killer - much to the frustration of Detective Ian Grant.

But can she find out whodunit before the culprit strikes again?

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I loved this book. It's a quintessentially cozy mystery that ticks all of the right boxes. Great characters, plotting, and enough clues to keep you engaged in trying to guess the killer.

There are a lot of chatty townsfolk who are happy to give Charley all the info she needs, which is highly unrealistic, but it's a plot device, and it works to move the story along.

There's a budding romance, lovely friendships, and an impending bookstore opening in a quaint town - what's not to love?

Perfect for cozy mystery fans, maybe not so much if you prefer something a little grittier.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Murder on the Books by T.C. LoTempio in exchange for my honest opinion.

ARC review: Exactly as described -- a "cozy mystery!" I can't articulate what exactly makes this a cozy mystery, but it was a fun, quick murder-mystery read. I enjoyed the small moments here and there, where Charley goes around the small town following up on clues or leads. Being from a small town, it makes me oddly appreciative of the close-knit and slower pace of small towns. I do wish there was more bookshop/cafe action because that is the dream but this is the first of the series, but I like the premise, surroundings, and characters. On the mystery aspect - it was fairly average, but still good and I'm glad I was able to read this one. I will check out the author's other books while awaiting for an eventual sequel :)

(thanks netgalley, the publisher, and author!)

ARC Review

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC.

A cosy mystery. I really enjoyed the premise of a witty mystery author solving mysteries herself. Also Poe. I really appreciate a pet and also that the cat on the cover is actually in the book! It’s overall just an enjoy name read, not outstanding but nice to sit down and relax with.

What really lacked for me was suspense. There were many moments that shocked me. As the first book in the series, it feels like it was introducing the setting and characters of the small town more than the plot for much of the book. For such a short book this left me a little disappointed.

This is my first read by T.C. and I LOVED it! It was the perfect cozy mystery, it gave me everything I needed. It was a perfect break from some of the more intense mysteries and romance books that I usually read. I would definitely go back to this series or read some of their others books.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

This was my first Toni LoTempio book and i really enjoyed it! I love a cozy mystery and a love cats! This one’s like all my fav things in one! Poe is a freaking rockstar and the puzzles and mysteries were AMAZING really loved this!

This is the first in a new series of cosy crime stories featuring a bestselling crime novelist turned bookshop owner.

Charlotte ‘Charley’ James swaps Manhattan for her hometown of Austen, Pennsylvania after a bout of writer’s block leaves her burnt out and desperate to leave the rat race. Once home she reconnects with an old friend whose new business partner has left her in the lurch so Charley offers to run the bookshop instead and even adopts an intelligent feline she names Poe to be the business mascot.

Things get even more interesting when a dead body is discovered and Charley’s need to solve the puzzle of the murder puts her at odds with the tall dark and handsome homicide detective assigned to the investigation.

This is a pretty standard cosy crime novel. The characters are sympathetic, the mystery is engaging but there’s not much in the way of tension in the plot.
It’s well written and I would definitely read others in the series.

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher ***

What a fabulous read, it starts with a bang and keeps on going. I just kept turning the pages into late in the night. Charley is taking a break and the everything goes topsy turvy with a dead bodies, an old nemesis as the police officer and an oh so attractive Inspector also on the case. Charley just gets stuck in, makes things happens and goes gung ho after what she wants and to answer the questions she has. She is fun and empowering and made this a favourite read.

Cosy murder mystery? Set in a bookshop that is also part of a bakery/cafe? sign me up!!

Unfortunately, this is book one in a planned series, and so the promised bookshop is still very much in the 'to be opened' stage until the very end. Maybe next time we can see it in action.

One thing I didn't understand or really like, was the way in which the main and supporting female characters disliked 'Barbie'. Aside from a throwaway line or two that she had been homecoming Queen, there was nothing about their history to explain why they hated her so much - unless we are supposed to assume that homecoming queen = school bully, but that also doesn't explain why she disliked them back.

Aside from that, it was your standard, pleasing cosy mystery fare, nothing that will stick in the mind, but an enjoyable romp of food, good looking men, an adorable cat called Poe and a plucky female lead that never knows when to let things go.

I like this author a lot. I have read two of her other series but this one just didn't hit the way her others do. First, it reminded me a lot of her Nick and Nora series. I think its because they were both writers of certain kind in their previous roles before returning to their small town up bringing. But Charley had a mean girl aspect to her about the police officer that she knew from high school. I am okay with not liking everyone but for example at one point she thought something like "I am surprised she can read" really?? You are surprised that an officer is literate? And a lot of that seemed to steam from the fact that they were both in to the same guy. But other than that, I thought the mystery was really interesting and surprising. I do have to admit it was who I suspected but I had no idea about the why. I thought the box was really interesting as well, great addition to the book.

Really enjoyed this cozy. A good started to hopefully a new series. Charley, Charlottes, returns to her hometown and offers to open a bookstore next to her friend’s new bakery. Finding a dead body in the basement was not on the agenda. Luckily Detective Grant is assigned to the case. Hope another in the series comes out soon. Highly recommend this book and author.

Murder on the Books is a charming cozy mystery featuring a mystery author who returns to her hometown for a break. Charley is thrust into a thrilling investigation.

The narrative combines engaging characters, witty dialogue, and a cozy setting that brings the bookshop to life. Charley's determination to solve the case.

Light-hearted read :)

Perfect cozy murder book - it is not too heavy on the gore in typical crime/murder books. A easy read if you want to read mystery without too much heavy thinking.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery and look forward to reading more in the series. It has almost a ‘twilight’ feel to it - in particular the relationship between the main character and the senior detective. Will romance blossom in later books - I certainly hope so!

Someone what predictable in terms of the puzzle, but it is a ‘cosy’ mystery so to be expected, I always think. Definitely worth reading.

I’m grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for this honest review.

Murder on the Books by T.C. LoTempio is a cozy mystery set in a small Pennsylvania town. The story follows an intrepid mystery writer/aspiring bookstore owner who seeks to solve a mysterious death. The plot has many good elements for a strong story: small town, mystery writer, bookstore, and beloved animal friend (Poe the cat). 

It’s a quick read with an easy-to-follow story; however, I think this book could benefit from some additional editing. I found the story to be a little tame and wanted some more tension throughout the book. Still, if you’re looking for a short, cozy mystery, you may enjoy Murder on the Books.

I've just finished reading "Murder on the books" by T. C. LoTempio. This book is set to be released on the first of juli this year.

This book is a general fiction / murder mystery. I had the pleasure to ARC read this book. When I saw the cover and the cat I was sold.

I have to say, this book is more for those who don't like gore, smut, or a real good crime. It's a bit meek, it's a story I would actually let my 10 year old daughter read since there are no gruesome details in the book. Suspenseful twists? No, not really. I did find the way the cat (Poe) was portrayed kind of annoying, it's a cat.. Not a dog. You don't take cats on rides and leave them in the car for hours without water, food and a litter box.

In this story we follow Charley, a writer with writers block who wants to take a break and is moving back to her hometown. After meeting her friend Zane and hearing about a business opening idea, she steps up. A bookstore with mainly mysteries and thrillers, yes please! They find a stray cat in the alleyway out back and decide to adopt him and call him Poe. Former business partner of Zane just up and left, leaving an opening.

Fast forward. After finding a body, that of none other than the missing businesspartner the mystery begins. Who was she? Why was she killed? Who killed her? Charley, who has written about 15 thrillers decides to look into things, hoping to uncover the one that did the deed.

Again, I would recommend to those who want to read a mystery for the first time, those who like cozy mysteries, or just teens that would like to read mystery. There is 0 smut, no romance, no kissing.. (which if fine by me!) there are no graphic details. Also, nothing really suspenseful, plottwist.. Not really, saw it coming.

It's a 2,5 star for me.

I have to admit I don't read many cozy mysteries, but the cover and title caught my eye (I mean, cats, books, and a murder mystery, what's not to love) I'm happy I did, I really enjoyed this book!

The story draws you in from the first page, with likeable (and some less likeable) characters, great pacing, and enough mystery and suspense to make you keep reading. In my opinion the book doesn't give a whole new twist to murder mysteries, but it is an enjoyable one. Very easy read, the type of book you'll gladly finish in one sitting.
The story wraps up nicely, with enough unfinished business to make me look forward to the next book in the series!

#MurderontheBooks #NetGalley is a fun first in a new series by one of my favorite authors.
Charley is a solid character, I love that she's an author, but is keeping that a secret. Charley needs a break, even though she loves writing, she feels burnt out.
When her friend Zane finds herself in a business dilemma, Charley quickly decides to help, and from there things get interesting.
Charley befriends a stray cat, who she names Poe, and I have to say that he brings the story to life.
This story is full of puzzles, mystery, and intrigue, I loved every minute of it.
This style of cozy mystery is one of my favorites and it was a pleasure reading #MurderontheBooks.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Very easy read, although not overly thrilling. Quite well written although some aspects of the storyline seemed a bit unbelievable - hard to take seriously for a lot of it. Overall not a terrible light read but probably wouldn’t read again.