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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
I requested Booked for Murder on NetGalley on a whim. I am a sucker for small town-centered plots and had been eager to find a murder mystery that rivaled the comfort-esque feeling I always had when I watched Clue or read Nancy Drew. Luckily, P.J. Nelson’s writing exceeded my expectations.
While I normally would have binge read the novel and truly felt the urge to do so every time I paused, unfortunately, my distraction-addled mind did not let me do so (nor did my schedule). Though the premise was slightly stereotypical, something about the writing style and the characters just clicked for me and I continuously thought about the novel even when I wasn’t reading.
I’m not sure if other readers will enjoy Booked for Murder. However, I would hope that they would be as entertained by the townspeople, the constant second guessing about the whodunnit, and the idyllic setting as much as I was.
The only points of concern for me were the moments during which Madeline came across as unlikeable (she was a bit insufferable at times, especially with respect to her constant involvement in the detective work) and the plot hole about how Rose was able to financially support herself on the bookstore’s profits.
While I normally would have binge read the novel and truly felt the urge to do so every time I paused, unfortunately, my distraction-addled mind did not let me do so (nor did my schedule). Though the premise was slightly stereotypical, something about the writing style and the characters just clicked for me and I continuously thought about the novel even when I wasn’t reading.
I’m not sure if other readers will enjoy Booked for Murder. However, I would hope that they would be as entertained by the townspeople, the constant second guessing about the whodunnit, and the idyllic setting as much as I was.
The only points of concern for me were the moments during which Madeline came across as unlikeable (she was a bit insufferable at times, especially with respect to her constant involvement in the detective work) and the plot hole about how Rose was able to financially support herself on the bookstore’s profits.
I really enjoyed this book!
The setting is fully developed, rich, and vivid. I particularly loved the accurate description of local foods. The frequent references to Jazz music/musicians and references to plays were fun and set an interesting backdrop to the tone. The turns of phrase specific to the local vernacular were fascinating and further steeped the reader into that region.
The mystery itself was not at all difficult to guess, but I enjoyed the book anyway because the characters were so interesting and likable. My relief was palpable every time a character I was connecting with was crossed off the suspect list.
The relationships between the characters were complex and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the triangle dynamic between the three primary characters. I appreciate that the town has multiple possible interesting side characters and possibilities for additional stories and subplots. As is common in debut books labeled as #1, several interesting subplots remain unresolved and unexplored.
I have no idea who this author actually is, but I’m extremely curious and would totally read more of this series.
The setting is fully developed, rich, and vivid. I particularly loved the accurate description of local foods. The frequent references to Jazz music/musicians and references to plays were fun and set an interesting backdrop to the tone. The turns of phrase specific to the local vernacular were fascinating and further steeped the reader into that region.
The mystery itself was not at all difficult to guess, but I enjoyed the book anyway because the characters were so interesting and likable. My relief was palpable every time a character I was connecting with was crossed off the suspect list.
The relationships between the characters were complex and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the triangle dynamic between the three primary characters. I appreciate that the town has multiple possible interesting side characters and possibilities for additional stories and subplots. As is common in debut books labeled as #1, several interesting subplots remain unresolved and unexplored.
I have no idea who this author actually is, but I’m extremely curious and would totally read more of this series.
Got an early release of this book through NetGalley. It’s an easy, quick mystery about a young woman trying to determine what’s next, and returns home to run her Aunt’s bookstore after she dies. Chaos ensues. Murder. Arson. Detective work. The story was interesting enough to keep reading, and wasn’t overly complicated to follow. I think I was hoping for a little bit more for the climactic finale, but overall a simple read.
mysterious
slow-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
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to P.J. Nelson as well as NetGalley for this arc read!
Booked For Murder is P.J Nelson’s debut novel. The story follows former star, Madeline Brimely back to her hometown in Enigma, GA. After Madeline’s aunt dies, she inherits her bookstore. Not too long after she arrives does she begin to receive death threats. Trouble and her seem to mix as small town secrets begin to unfold.
I really loved the concept of Booked for Murder. P.J. Nelson does a good job of hooking the reader in the beginning scenes of the book. The author truly nails the depiction of small town live when things such as crime and gossip start to arise.
There were a couple of slower spots in the book for me where I was expecting something bigger to happen, but it never came. I did enjoy the book but wish there was a little more suspense to the book. I know it is a cozy mystery, but some of the parts were a little predictable. I wish some of the characters were a developed a little more throughout the story as well. We got pieces of people’s story, but I was still left with some questions toward the end. I’m guessing there will be more as it says mystery #1, I hope so because I would love to see how the rest of the story develops.
Overall, this was a good book that I did enjoy reading and would recommend it if you enjoy mysteries.
Booked For Murder is P.J Nelson’s debut novel. The story follows former star, Madeline Brimely back to her hometown in Enigma, GA. After Madeline’s aunt dies, she inherits her bookstore. Not too long after she arrives does she begin to receive death threats. Trouble and her seem to mix as small town secrets begin to unfold.
I really loved the concept of Booked for Murder. P.J. Nelson does a good job of hooking the reader in the beginning scenes of the book. The author truly nails the depiction of small town live when things such as crime and gossip start to arise.
There were a couple of slower spots in the book for me where I was expecting something bigger to happen, but it never came. I did enjoy the book but wish there was a little more suspense to the book. I know it is a cozy mystery, but some of the parts were a little predictable. I wish some of the characters were a developed a little more throughout the story as well. We got pieces of people’s story, but I was still left with some questions toward the end. I’m guessing there will be more as it says mystery #1, I hope so because I would love to see how the rest of the story develops.
Overall, this was a good book that I did enjoy reading and would recommend it if you enjoy mysteries.
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Atlanta actress Madeline Brimley inherits her aunts bookstore and beautiful historic Victorian mansion in her small Georgia hometown which precipitates her return after nearly 20 years. Challenge after challenge await Madeline from the time she arrives. Her aunts beloved gazebo is the victim of arson and Madeline receives a late night threat on her life via a gravely voice on the phone.
Not to be intimidated by fire, threats, and a murder in her bookstore/home, Madeline teams up with her late aunts best friend and an Episcopalian (female) priest to find the culprit! The course of the story is only over a few short weeks, but it is packed full of events, adventures, strategizing meetings, and searching for clues. One of Madeline's biggest finds: Small towns have big secrets.
A little suspense, a lot of mayhem, tons of quirky characters, and a few mysteries to solve made this a quite enjoyable, fast read.
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Main character was incredibly unlikable. Pacing was very slow.
this was v cute but GOD I couldn't STAND Maddy
so sorry if you enjoyed her character but she shouldn't have been as old as she was with the way she was acting. n ik that you have to suspend your reality for a bit when reading a book like this but messing w/ a police investigation, not reporting threatening phone calls, going to possible murder suspects on your own -- WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN
also didn't enjoy the fact that Phil was thrown under the bus (i was also v mad at her) but Maddy kicking her out like that was mean n we all knew it
I finished this book out of spite but I do have to give it credit cause I really thought that someone else had done it the entire time n was in it to find out whodunnit
so sorry if you enjoyed her character but she shouldn't have been as old as she was with the way she was acting. n ik that you have to suspend your reality for a bit when reading a book like this but messing w/ a police investigation, not reporting threatening phone calls, going to possible murder suspects on your own -- WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN
also didn't enjoy the fact that Phil was thrown under the bus (i was also v mad at her) but Maddy kicking her out like that was mean n we all knew it
I finished this book out of spite but I do have to give it credit cause I really thought that someone else had done it the entire time n was in it to find out whodunnit