Book Review: Sentenced to Murder by Sue Minix

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Sentenced to Murder by Sue Minix, and it was quite the page-turner! This cozy mystery, the latest in the The Bookstore Mystery series, had me hooked from the very first chapter.

The story follows Jen, a writer who is just about to dive into her next murder mystery novel when she stumbles upon a real-life case that sends chills down her spine. A man named Jaylon is claiming he's been wrongfully convicted of murder, and as fate would have it, he’s running out of time. Jaylon needs a kidney transplant to survive, but being behind bars for a crime he insists he didn't commit complicates matters significantly. Jen’s curiosity kicks in, and she finds herself drawn into a race against time as she tries to untangle the truth behind Jaylon's conviction. The stakes couldn't be higher—can Jen use her amateur sleuthing skills to save Jaylon before his situation becomes a death sentence?

What I love about this book is how well it balances the elements of suspense and character development. The pacing is just right; it never felt rushed or dragged out. Minix has a knack for crafting a well-plotted mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. I found myself genuinely invested in the characters, most of whom are quite likable. Jen's determination and resourcefulness shine through as she navigates the complexities of the case, making it easy to root for her.

Overall, Sentenced to Murder is a delightful read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a perfect cozy mystery—especially on a rainy day when you just want to curl up with a good book. It's engaging, well-written, and leaves you wanting more from this series. If you enjoy a well-constructed plot with a touch of intrigue and relatable characters, this book might just be what you're looking for!

I’m giving it four stars out of five—definitely worth your time!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

She’s written murder mysteries before, but can she solve this real life cold case?

Just as Jen sits down to start writing her next murder mystery novel, she stumbles across a chilling real-life case: a man who claims he’s been wrongly convicted for murder.

I really enjoyed reading this story. Giving mystery and detective vibes without being cringe or too much... all while still keeping you on the edge of your seat.

I love it when people and a town comes together to support a cause, it just truly warms my heart!

If you're a fan of cosy mysteries, this book is a delightful addition to the genre. Set in a charming and quaint locale, it effortlessly combines suspense with a touch of humour and warmth. The protagonist, typically an endearing amateur sleuth, navigates a web of intriguing clues and red herrings with wit and determination.

The setting is wonderfully depicted, often featuring a tight-knit community that adds depth and colour to the story. The secondary characters, from quirky townsfolk to loyal friends, enrich the narrative and keep things engaging. The mystery itself is well-crafted, with just the right balance of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the final reveal.

Whether you're curled up with a cup of tea or enjoying a lazy afternoon, this cozy mystery offers a satisfying escape into a world of gentle intrigue and heartwarming moments. Perfect for readers looking for a light yet captivating read, this book will leave you eagerly anticipating the next adventure in the series.

An incredible book with wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. It will keep you guessing until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I’ll start if by saying the usual cozy mystery ingredients can be found in this book; young, smart female sleuth. Policeman/detective boyfriend. Small town feels with a big city threat. Cute dog and interaction with the dog too. Eccentric cast of characters that everyone just accepts as normal, from a muumuu wearing psychic to a bookstore employee who enjoys dressing up as book/movie characters.

What didn’t work for me may have partly been because this is my first foray into this series and it’s number five. However, I’ve never had any problems falling into most cozies right away. The dead body had already been found, in a previous book.

There are references to things that also happened previously. I also felt like Jen simply does too much and is actually doing nothing at all. Why does she need to “run” a bookstore slash coffee shop? She has neither the time nor apparently the ability to sell her products. By her own admission she doesn’t make coffee and doesn’t expect to learn. Her 50/50 manager is actually doing 100% of the work while Jen usually just blows in to make some phone calls in the office. I felt like this was sloppy writing, like she’s been written into a corner. She’s writing a novel, breezing into the bookstore and investigating but her actual life seems to take a backseat to the investigation, when it should all be happening around that.

There was also the repetition of the diner and that she only eats the bacon cheeseburger. She seems to have one daily! It was always used as a plot device and after a while it grew stale.

All in all I wasn’t very impressed with the mystery elements either, as a whole the three murders referenced here just didn’t wholly make sense.

Now. I did enjoy reading this still, I just don’t feel like it stood up to some of my beloved cozies. I’m going to go back and read book one to see how this got so tangled. There is another book out in October and I’d be interested to see if the bookstore role gets downsized even more. Three stars.

In this fifth installment of the Bookstore Mystery series Jen is investigating a case where an innocent man may be serving time for a murder he says he did not commit. She’s racing against time to find the truth before he no longer has time for a lifesaving kidney transplant. Even though this is a closed case and the police believe that they put the right person in prison, danger still finds Jen. This was an interesting mystery with plenty of twists to keep you engaged. The setting is nice and the supporting cast of characters along with Jen’s German Shepherd Savannah, add friendship, investigative help, some romance and fun to the story.

Princess Fuzzypants here: While Jen is still trying to finish her next novel and is battling writers block, this is a series that continues to grow on me. In the first outing, Jen was cruising close to the Darwin line but as the character has developed she seems much less flighty and more cognizant of the dangers she encourages. She still can get into some hair-raising situations but she does not court them openly as she did.

This time she has been enticed to look into the conviction of a young man who will be denied a life saving kidney transplant if she cannot prove he did not murder his brother. The police do not thwart her efforts since it is a closed case. In fact, wherever possible, they offer assistance. Even the cop whose case it was is persuaded that all may not have been as it seemed. When the truth emerges, the facts are even more tragic than initially thought. Jen uncovers connections to other crimes including one that is almost incomprehensible. Even though I had suspicions early on about the real villain, I don’t want to give too much away.

Four purrs and two paws up.

Utterly un-put-down-able and was demolished in a few hours! I absolutely love the cosy murder mystery feels and Jen won me over instantly.
I felt this book was very basic but in the best way, there wasn’t pages of waffle adding unnecessary descriptions and it kept up a quick but steady pace throughout.
I didn’t realise this was book 5 in a series but after going back and starting at the beginning it seems these can all be read as standalones, with Easter eggs cropping up in various books

I'm enjoying this cozy mystery series it's quickly becoming one of my favorites. It's also a quick read.

I really enjoyed this book. It hooked from the beginning. Of course I got impatient around the middle to find out all the loose ends. The identity of the skeleton has been unknown for a couple of books, you would think the police had been working on that but apparently not based on comments in this book. I’m glad to see the original detective change his mind & help solve the mystery. It doesn’t say if Jaylon got his transplant or not which feels unfinished. #SentencedtoMurder #NetGalley

I would live this series if Jen would just grow up! She takes on a partner at the book store and only works there 5 minutes a day. Yet she wants to be 100% in charge. She cannot keep a secret without becoming passed out drunk. I can also do without having someone else's political opinions pushed on readers. The supporting characters are wonderful. The main character just ruins things for e.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 5h installment of the Jen Dawson series and I think it is the best on yet. There is a lot of mystery in this one! We get some answers to the mystery of the body in the tunnel - finally! I really appreciate how the mystery for this book was resolved, while still leaving more for future books. Like many cosy series there are character developments that run through all books, but this one has an added bonus of longer mysteries - like what is the deal with Simeon? He's evil, right? And what else is hidden in the tunnels? And will Jen ever be ready for marriage?

A very entertaining cozy mystery I love trying to figure out the murder before getting to the end I would recommend this to anyone who likes cozy mysteries

I always thoroughly enjoy the novels in this cozy series and this one is no exception. There's humour, a solid mystery that surprised me and kept me guessing.
I was delighted to catch up with the pleasant and well-developed characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A lovely bookstore which appears to be the base for our murder-solving author called Jen. This time she has to prove the innocence of Jaylon so he can receive life-saving medical treatment, can she get to the bottom of what happened before it is too late? This was a delightful read, a nice cosy crime for your holiday reading, which comes from a series so you have a few to pick from.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC of Sentenced to Murder!

If you don’t already know this about me, I LOVE cozy mysteries and this checks all of the boxes! You could read this as a standalone but then you’d be missing out on all of Sue Minix’s other writings in this series! So definitely start with number one!

The story continues right along and while I was worried I wouldn’t love the storyline of this one because it wasn’t a direct murder originally, don’t you worry, because Sue ties it all in perfectly! Plus, I need to keep reading to see the fate of Ravenous Readers (I wish there was a bookstore like this close to me)!

Definitely give this one a read, after reading the others!!! Can’t wait for more!

Thank you again for the ARC!

Another cozy mystery! I’ve only read this one but I will definitely read the previous books in this series. I love books that are based in a bookstore and the mix with mystery was perfect! This was such a fun cozy mystery and I recommend it to everyone, I don’t think that you have to read the other ones in this series first but I think that it’s more fun that way ☺️
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this arc

In this, th fifth of the Ravenous Readers Bookstore cosy mysteries, Jen’s life is more settled than it’s ever been. She’s acquired a partner in the bookstore and, although she has a little difficulty sharing responsibilities, things are beginning to turn a corner under the capable hands of Lacey. She’s using her experiences from the adventure in th underground railway as fodder for her latest novel. Her love life is … dull. (Sorry, Jen, I know Eric is useful to you as a detective, but haven’t you seen how gloriously unique and clever Charlie is?)
Anyway, it wouldn’t be the Riddleton we know and love if there wasn’t a murder for Jen to get her teeth into and this time, for once, she isn’t the main suspect. Jaylon, a friend of Marcus, is languishing in jail, incarcerated for a murder he didn’t commit. The twist is that Jaylon needs a kidney transplant to save his life but the only donor on the horizon refuses to countenance Jaylon as a recipient because he is a convicted murder.
So, what is a girl to do? You know it. Jen dives in to prove Jaylons; innocence although, to give her credit, she does weigh up the pros and cons first. And then she’s off on an intriguing adventure with plenty of red herrings and dead ends until it comes to a satisfactory conclusion.
As always, a jolly good read and, if you are new to Jen and the residents of Riddleton, I would advise you to have a look at the preceding four books. You won’t be disappointed.

Just as Jen sits down to start writing her next murder mystery novel, she stumbles across a chilling real-life case: a man who claims he’s been wrongly convicted for murder. Jaylon needs a kidney transplant to save his life, something he’ll never receive while he’s in prison for murder. Jen’s amateur sleuthing skills are pushed to their very limit Jaylon’s time is running out to save his life. as a possible donor won't give their kidney to someone convicted of murder..

I have read several of the books in this series and have liked them all. The stories always catch my attention from the beginning and keeps it to the end. Also, this book is about one of my favorite topics, bookstores. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request to read this book. I highly recommend it and the rest of the series.

Jen is drawn into a five year old cold case. A man is in prison for a murder he did not commit. Somehow danger still seems to find her! A good read, several twists to keep you guessing and a good plot make for an enjoyable read. While I have not read this series in awhile, it was easy to pick up this story line and know the characters.
I was given an arc of this book in exchange for a review.