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thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition
4.0
“Bookmarked for Murder” by V.M. Burns is the 5th instalment in the Mystery Bookshop series The poodles featured in the story remind me of my friends brown poodle. I have only read one previous book but was able to follow along with no trouble. The story grabbed my attention right away and I read it in a day.
I love the characters they are well-developed and very likeable. The plot had just enough twists and turns that I was guessing who might have done it till the very end.
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Nana Jo and her gal pals Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae from Shady Acres Retirement Village.
I highly recommend this cozy mystery to all my friends and fellow cozy lovers.
All opinions are my own.
I love the characters they are well-developed and very likeable. The plot had just enough twists and turns that I was guessing who might have done it till the very end.
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Nana Jo and her gal pals Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae from Shady Acres Retirement Village.
I highly recommend this cozy mystery to all my friends and fellow cozy lovers.
All opinions are my own.
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
I find this series to be cleverly crafted and entertaining. The characters are very engaging and diverse. Once again, Sam, her Nana Jo and the rest of the ladies from Shady Acres are involved in solving a murder. This time its a take on a closed-door murder- the victim was killed in a bus while the ladies were returning from a shopping trip from Chicago. I think Sam's character is developing nicely and her relationship with Frank is moving along at a natural pace. The dialogue is at times witty with the humor again provided by Nana Jo her friends. The mystery was solid and kept me guessing throughout the entire story.
I am also a fan of the mystery within a mystery. I enjoy reading the historical cozy that Sam is writing and think the author uses is well to give Sam inspiration about the murder investigation happening in real life.
I will be back for more from this author. This series combines all the things I look for in a cozy mystery and is set in my home state. What more could I ask for as a reader?
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through Netgalley.
I am also a fan of the mystery within a mystery. I enjoy reading the historical cozy that Sam is writing and think the author uses is well to give Sam inspiration about the murder investigation happening in real life.
I will be back for more from this author. This series combines all the things I look for in a cozy mystery and is set in my home state. What more could I ask for as a reader?
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through Netgalley.
karty_v's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
The Mystery Bookshop series is quickly becoming one of my fave cozy series, and the latest installment – Bookmarked for Murder – reminds me why. Witty, sweet, clean, and smartly written, it’s also lots of fun!
The delightful cast of characters is back and just as quirky as ever (Irma, I’m looking at you…), and they are definitely a big part of what makes the book so entertaining and endearing. I love Nana Jo & her Shady Acres gang of senior sleuths (picture a sort of Golden Girls ensemble cast), and Samantha is a strong protagonist that readers can easily relate to. These characters just make me smile as I get to know them, and add in the mystery bookstore setting & I’m a happy reader.
The mystery in Bookmarked for Murder is full of twists and turns and red herrings, as any good cozy should be. How it comes about is rather unique right from the beginning & that makes investigating it a little trickier than normal for Sam. There’s also an adorable little girl with a compelling story who will capture your emotion, adding an extra layer of heart to the plot.
As always, I love the mystery within a mystery that shows up when Sam works on her historical cozy mystery that I enjoy just as much as the current timeline’s story. It’s clear Burns has versatile talent, and this element to the story elevates this series a notch above other cozies. Readers get two-in-one, after all!
Bottom Line: Bookmarked for Murder thoroughly entertains and holds readers’ interest from beginning to end. The mystery itself is well-crafted and layered, and the characters are as well. Sam & Nana Jo & the Shady Acres sleuths are lots of fun, and I love the close community of family and friends that Sam has established around her mystery bookshop. You can’t go wrong with this series, and Bookmarked for Murder is even better than the last!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
The delightful cast of characters is back and just as quirky as ever (Irma, I’m looking at you…), and they are definitely a big part of what makes the book so entertaining and endearing. I love Nana Jo & her Shady Acres gang of senior sleuths (picture a sort of Golden Girls ensemble cast), and Samantha is a strong protagonist that readers can easily relate to. These characters just make me smile as I get to know them, and add in the mystery bookstore setting & I’m a happy reader.
The mystery in Bookmarked for Murder is full of twists and turns and red herrings, as any good cozy should be. How it comes about is rather unique right from the beginning & that makes investigating it a little trickier than normal for Sam. There’s also an adorable little girl with a compelling story who will capture your emotion, adding an extra layer of heart to the plot.
As always, I love the mystery within a mystery that shows up when Sam works on her historical cozy mystery that I enjoy just as much as the current timeline’s story. It’s clear Burns has versatile talent, and this element to the story elevates this series a notch above other cozies. Readers get two-in-one, after all!
Bottom Line: Bookmarked for Murder thoroughly entertains and holds readers’ interest from beginning to end. The mystery itself is well-crafted and layered, and the characters are as well. Sam & Nana Jo & the Shady Acres sleuths are lots of fun, and I love the close community of family and friends that Sam has established around her mystery bookshop. You can’t go wrong with this series, and Bookmarked for Murder is even better than the last!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
karen_the_baroness's review
4.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Bookmarked for Murder by V.M. Burns is another fascinating tale of finding out whodunit with Ms. Burns. Sam, Nana Jo, and their quirky group of people are back to try and solve another mystery.
V.M. Burns has done another great mystery that weaves the historical book that Sam is currently writing with the mystery she is trying to solve. Sam ends up getting into a lot of trouble with Nana Jo, but I love it. I didn't think it was who it ended up being. I am giving this book four stars and recommending it to all the cozy mystery readers out there.
Prize: (5) $20 Amazon Gift Card
Can Sam find out who killed Irma's gentleman friend before someone else is snuffed out?
What I liked:
- Sam's relationship with Nana Joy and Nana Jo's friends.
- The way that she ends up always having to figure out who killed who
- Sam's relationship with Frank
- Her writing finding its way into the story
What I disliked:
- Some of the scenes were slow and didn't seem like they were going anywhere
- At times it seemed like Sam wasn't relying on her instincts to help her out.
Four Stars
V.M. Burns has done another great mystery that weaves the historical book that Sam is currently writing with the mystery she is trying to solve. Sam ends up getting into a lot of trouble with Nana Jo, but I love it. I didn't think it was who it ended up being. I am giving this book four stars and recommending it to all the cozy mystery readers out there.
Other Book in the Series:
Giveaway
Prize: (5) $20 Amazon Gift Card
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Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
laileanah's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
Delightful, light, fun
brighthappyness's review
3.0
Ok the reveal was actually pretty good this time around but the random sinophobia and frankly the debasing of Nana Jo's character was off-putting
gothicvamperstein's review against another edition
4.0
It's a sweet and charming cosy mystery which includes both seniors and mystery bookstores in addition to a couple of cute poodles. The mystery is interesting, even though I had a hunch about the murderer early on, but Sam and all the interactions with the seniors, her family and boyfriend made it a fun read.