Set in the probably imaginary small town of Enigma, Georgia, All My Bones plays with many Southern Gothic stereotypes — ancient sisters both in love with the same man and a dusty bookstore with a dauntless owner ready to save the day, among them. The tale is wry, witty, and has a predictable happy ending, but that does not in the least spoil the fun. (I received a copy of the ARC from the publisher.)

Back to Enigma, George and the Old Juniper Bookshop to check in with Madeline and crew. The first book in this series had me skeptical but hopeful for this next in the series. I had some issues with the main character, Madeline, who wasn't incredibly likable in the first book and jumped to conclusions too often. I'm happy to report that she is a much more likable character and does still jump to conclusions, but this time in a more believable fashion and reasonable number of times. The mystery in book #2 wasn't quite as obvious as the first book but I did still have it figured out long before the reveal and that's ok. Sometimes a nice, easy cozy mystery is exactly what I'm looking for in a book and this was the perfect summer pool book. The townspeople are equally charming and lovable, even if some are grumpy, in this follow-up novel and with that I'm anxiously awaiting a third book in this series with no skepticism whatsoever.
Thanks again to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and P.J. Nelson for the chance to read this book in advance of its publication.

Thanks to NetGalley for loan of this book. A comfy cozy, enjoyable summer read. Maddy inherits a book store from her Aunt and while digging to plant her Aunt Rose’s roses she uncovers bones which turn out to be from one of two sisters. Her priest friend is falsely accused of the murder. So of course Maddy and her friends have to discover the real culprit. It’s a light read with no twists or turns but full of interesting characters. Mentioned in the book is the original Grimm’s fairy tales which are grim. Piqued my interest so I’ve ordered a copy.

Good storyline. Wish I had read the first book first. The references to the first murder that was solved were a little difficult to follow since I had not read that book. I did enjoy this mystery. Since this was a special read-it-for-free-for 72 hours, I had to concentrate to read it straight through so as not to confuse the characters and their actions.

Five stars! Not because it’s a literary masterpiece, but because it’s so fun to read! The story is set in a little bookshop in Enigma, Georgia, where murder has occurred, and of course, it’s not the local or state law enforcement that can solve it, but Maddie Brimmley , the current owner and niece of the previous owner. There is a cast of lively characters with a variety of quirks, some irritating, but mostly endearing. Throw in a little romance and a pleasant setting complete with roses and bunnies, and P. j. Nelson has written a mystery that entertains its readers in the best way.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The mystery of how a character was murdered is good. However, the book is like a vocabulary test when characters speak - which makes them stiff hard to understand. The narrator doesn't use such formal language, which is at odds with how the characters speak.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Who knew planting azaleas can turn up more than dirt? Bookstore owner Madeline and her friend the local Anglican priest will end up discovering bones n the soil. Soon her friend is then charged for murder. She wall end up playing sleuth in order to save her friend a lifetime in jail. You will be left chilled to the bones in this cozy mystery.

Loved the story line Maddie a small bookstore owner finds bones in the front yard of the bookstore. Where did the bones come from? It kept my interest throughout the book and look forward to reading the other book in this series.

📚 All My Bones by P.J. Nelson

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

All My Bones is a delightful cozy mystery that immerses readers in the charm of small-town Georgia. Madeline Brimley, the new owner of a quaint bookstore, finds herself entangled in a murder investigation when a friend is accused of killing a much-disliked local woman. Nelson's writing is warm and inviting, with well-drawn characters and a setting that feels like home. The mystery unfolds at a perfect pace, keeping readers engaged without feeling rushed. While the plot is engaging, some may find the resolution slightly predictable. Overall, it's an enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

All My Bones
Author: P.J. Nelson
Source: NetGalley
Publication Date: Dec. 2, 2025

Have you read those light-hearted, easy-to-read books perfect for a cozy beach day or a relaxing afternoon at the bookstore? Those are my favorite kind of reads, and I call them “palate cleaners” because they’re so refreshing and fun. All My Bones is a book that fits that description perfectly.

This story starts at a local bookstore bequeathed to Madeline by her Aunt Rose. Madeline settles into country life and enjoys her new shop. However, the exterior needs sprucing up, so Madeline and her friend, a local Anglican Priest, start digging only to find bones in the front yard. This begins the fun since it seems everyone in the hometown did not like the deceased at all. Shockingly, Gloria, the priest, gets arrested for murder because the skull belonged to a parishioner who fought against her ordination because of her gender.

But a group of amateur sleuths, including bookstore owner Madeline, decide to take matters into their own hands and hunt down the real killer. It’s a fun story with me laughing out loud at some of the characters’ comments. Small-town bookstore-based murder mysteries are always a hit with me, but throw in a female priest and enjoy the adventure. This book was no exception.

This book has a prequel, but I hadn't read it, and this standalone is super easy to follow. I highly recommend All My Bones for a fun and light-hearted read. It blends country town, old feuds, an Anglican Priest, murder, sisters, mystery, and fiction.

#AllMyBones @pjnelson15 @netgalley @minotaur_books @72hourread #countrytown #oldfeuds #AnglicanPriest #murder #sisters #mystery #murder #fiction #thriller @stmartinspress

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel.

I was fortunate enough to read the first book in this series, Booked for Murder, and I enjoyed its quirky southern charm and interesting mystery. Book two takes it up another notch, and I just absolutely fell in love with this book! The atmosphere is part of the book. All the literary and theater references add another dimension, and the characters are unique and intriguing! While Madeline had had the gazebo in her lovely backyard, which had been burned down, rebuilt, and her gardens there were lovely, her front yard and the entrance to the Old Juniper Bookstore was an eyesore with just dirt and stones. With the help of her friend Gloria, the Episcopal priest from across the street, they start digging up the front, determined to fill it with a special rose her Aunt Rose had developed "Ophelia's Last Laugh". Unfortunately, what they discovered was a dead body determined to have been buried there between the time Maddie's aunt died and her arrival, when the shop had been closed. When it was determined that the dead body was one Beatrice Glassie, a rich older woman, who everyone thought was traveling, things get crazy fast, as the victim's estranged sister is determined that Gloria killed her sister. With circumstantial evidence and southern small town politics in place, Gloria is jailed, and Maddie and company get to work proving their friend's innocence! From there, we get to meet a lot of people who were not exactly fond of Bea and Maddie uses determination, crazy theories and help from her friends to get Gloria off the hook and justice for Bea. This book was so much fun, I recommend it strongly. Thanks to #Netgally, #Minatour, and the author for a chance to read. #AllMyBones #OldJuniperBookstoreMysteries #PJNelson #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader