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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
A cozy little southern mystery- just like the reviews say! I definitely recommend the audiobook because you get to hear all the fun southern accents. Loved Pastor Gloria! Looking forward to when #2 comes out!
Where do I even begin? This debut novel promised an atmospheric southern cozy mystery but somehow manages to miss the mark. The setting, however, does have potential. The idea of an old Victorian mansion housing an eccentric bookstore is wonderfully atmospheric. However, even this charming backdrop cannot save a story so poorly constructed.
Madeline Brimley, our protagonist, returns to her small hometown to inherit her aunt’s bookstore and immediately finds herself embroiled in a series of "mysteries." Unfortunately, calling them mysteries is being generous. The story meanders without purpose, dragging the reader through a series of predictable and uninspired events. Fires, threats, and a murder that’s about as thrilling as finding a typo in a dusty old book—none of it manages to build any real suspense or intrigue.
If you're a fan of awkward, stilted conversations that sound like they've been plucked from a badly scripted daytime soap, then you're in for a treat. The dialogue is so wooden that every interaction feels painfully forced and unrealistic. The conversations lack the natural flow that makes characters come alive.
As for the execution of the mystery itself, there’s no clever build-up, no carefully placed clues, and certainly no satisfying payoff. The twists are telegraphed so far in advance that they might as well come with neon signs. The pacing is sluggish, with long stretches where nothing of consequence happens, making it difficult to stay engaged. Clues are scattered haphazardly, red herrings are more annoying than misleading, and the ultimate resolution is so poorly executed that it feels like an afterthought. Instead of a cleverly woven tapestry of suspense, we get a disjointed mess of missed opportunities.
This book fails to deliver on every front. The dialogue is cringe-worthy, the plot is a snooze-fest, and the mystery is so poorly constructed that even the most novice of sleuths will see right through it. If you’re looking for a gripping southern cozy mystery, keep browsing the shelves. This one isn’t worth your time or your library card.
Madeline Brimley, our protagonist, returns to her small hometown to inherit her aunt’s bookstore and immediately finds herself embroiled in a series of "mysteries." Unfortunately, calling them mysteries is being generous. The story meanders without purpose, dragging the reader through a series of predictable and uninspired events. Fires, threats, and a murder that’s about as thrilling as finding a typo in a dusty old book—none of it manages to build any real suspense or intrigue.
If you're a fan of awkward, stilted conversations that sound like they've been plucked from a badly scripted daytime soap, then you're in for a treat. The dialogue is so wooden that every interaction feels painfully forced and unrealistic. The conversations lack the natural flow that makes characters come alive.
As for the execution of the mystery itself, there’s no clever build-up, no carefully placed clues, and certainly no satisfying payoff. The twists are telegraphed so far in advance that they might as well come with neon signs. The pacing is sluggish, with long stretches where nothing of consequence happens, making it difficult to stay engaged. Clues are scattered haphazardly, red herrings are more annoying than misleading, and the ultimate resolution is so poorly executed that it feels like an afterthought. Instead of a cleverly woven tapestry of suspense, we get a disjointed mess of missed opportunities.
This book fails to deliver on every front. The dialogue is cringe-worthy, the plot is a snooze-fest, and the mystery is so poorly constructed that even the most novice of sleuths will see right through it. If you’re looking for a gripping southern cozy mystery, keep browsing the shelves. This one isn’t worth your time or your library card.
I requested this book to review because I love the cover and the premise. The idea of inheriting a book store in a small town is quite appealing. It's the perfect backdrop for a cozy mystery novel. However, I struggled with the story and found myself wanting to flip through pages because there was something missing. I'm not sure what it was, but I didn't connect with the story or the writing style.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a laughably bad book: Insufferable characters, ridiculous plotting, terrible dialogue, and clunky prose throughout. You can see the “twists” coming from a mile away and there’s no dramatic payoff when they are revealed.
With so many good mysteries out there, there is no reason to waste time on this one. I can see why the author used a pseudonym; I’d be embarrassed to put my name on as well.
With so many good mysteries out there, there is no reason to waste time on this one. I can see why the author used a pseudonym; I’d be embarrassed to put my name on as well.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
BOOKED FOR MURDER is not my favored genre as it is a "cozy mystery". I'm so grateful a friend suggested it.
This is a delightful story with a full cast of characters. It has all the "trappings " of a cozy story right down to the book store cat.
I listened to this story straight through and don't regret a second of it. The narration is wonderful with the actress using distinct accents to differentiate the characters.
I absolutely recommend this even if it is on a different branch of your reading tree.
This is a delightful story with a full cast of characters. It has all the "trappings " of a cozy story right down to the book store cat.
I listened to this story straight through and don't regret a second of it. The narration is wonderful with the actress using distinct accents to differentiate the characters.
I absolutely recommend this even if it is on a different branch of your reading tree.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No