Booked for Murder

by P. J. Nelson

Review

I’m realizing more and more that cozy mysteries—especially cozy murder mysteries—are really my sweet spot, and Booked for Murder fits that craving perfectly. The story follows an ex-actress who returns to her hometown after inheriting a bookstore, which already felt like a strong setup for me. Almost immediately, it becomes clear that someone either wants her gone or seriously harmed. At first, it’s a slow simmer of suspicion rather than an obvious threat, which made things feel extra intriguing.

Once a body turns up inside the bookstore, she decides to take matters into her own hands and figure out who did it. The investigation itself is half the fun—there are multiple viable suspects, and the path she takes to uncover the truth is a little unhinged in the best way. The town is full of quirky, memorable characters, and just when you think the story is heading in one direction, it veers off into another. That constant shifting kept things lively and entertaining, and it fully delivered on that classic cozy, small-town murder mystery energy.