I can’t wait to read the next book in the Charlie James saga! This cozy book was more suspenseful than I was expecting and the character driven story was what kept me reading. Loved the cat in the story as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Charlotte James, a very successful but secretive mystery author, is taking a break from writing and returned to her hometown to decide what to do next. She arrives back in Austin, Pennsylvania, to discover her lifelong best friend, Zane, a successful baker, who was about to open her own bakery in a double store front is in trouble. Her business partner has skipped town leaving the book store half of the new venture dead in the water and suddenly Charley knows exactly what she's doing next; she knows all about books, how hard could it be? Of course that was before she found a dead body and turned her store into a crime scene!  Can Charley solve the mystery, get the shop ready, and stop thinking too much about the new Homicide Detective as well as opening on time?

I love T C LoTempio's two other series but came to them late so was excited to be able to read this right from the beginning and I wasn't disappointed. I like Charley, Zane, and Poe the cat, all of whom will, I'm sure, have great adventures together. The will they, won't they, relationship between Charley and the detective is also fun and I'm looking forward to reading more.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Severn House, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a great start and is recommended.

Who ever said that working in a bookstore is a safe job?

In what I hope to be the first of many in a series, we meet author turned bookstore proprietress Charley James. A successful thriller author that writes under a pseudonym, she takes a break by going back to her hometown of Austin and catches up with her best friend Zane. Zane's business partner recently backed out of their dual bookshop-bakery property and thinks she'll have to forfeit her dream until Charley takes over the literary side. As the two women prepare to open the business, they make a gruesome discovery that brings question upon question along with it.

This book does a wonderful job of introducing the reader to a new cast of characters, while also establishing the cozy vibes that one often associates with their own hometown. Charley is very likeable, and I kept waiting for someone to figure out her writer identity. The introduction of a cat always helps a book for me, so Poe is a sassy and welcome addition to the entirety of the story.

The mystery itself kept me guessing for quite awhile, thinking that I had nailed down the killer early on. The author does a great job of providing legitimate suspects, instead of trying to convince readers to fall for an obvious red herring. The chemistry between Charley and a character (whose name I will not mention to prevent spoilers) is that exciting sizzle, providing room for future romance building.

The way that the author also deals with mental health is honest and doesn't shy away from discussing it as real people would. Bravo for this!

I for one hope that this isn't the last I've read about Charley, Poe and company.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Charley, a retired writer moves back to her hometown in order to take a much needed writing break. Her life is turned upside down when a business partner of her friend disappears and a real life murder takes place.

This book is a quick, entertaining and even sometimes a funny read, with an interesting cast of characters. It has all the qualities of a cozy mystery- an amateur sleuth, a cat companion, a bookshop and a small quaint town. As I read a lot of cozies, the the mystery itself felt a little predictable but then this happens often with books in this genre. It reads so well though, that I didn't mind this much. I'd also give it an additional star for the budding romance story line!

Overall I really liked this book, it has good pacing, reads like a pleasure. This is what I what I call a perfect cozy mystery! I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.

I really enjoyed this cosy mystery and found the characters to be relatable and well developed.
Charley has moved back to her home town from NYC, hiding the fact that she is a best selling mystery writer from all but her best friend. Needing a break from her plot twists, she decides to help her best friend out and jointly open a bookstore and bakery. When Charley is sifting through boxes of stock ahead of opening, she finds the body of the previous owner!
This embroils her into a plot worthy of her own writing skills. With twists, surprises and plenty of suspects, Charley throws herself in, much to the dismay of Ian Grant, the homicide detective.
Sparks fly between them and around them as former prom Queen Barbie also has her sights on him.
A great read, I would certainly like to see more from this series! Poe might be the best character- certainly a favourite of mine!

We are introduced to Charlotte 'Charley' James as she arrives back in her quiet home town. Charles is a bestselling Author who writes under the name C. J Barrett, and is taking a break due to writers block, Charleys BFF Zane, is supposed to be opening a bakery, her business partner Sheila opening a bookstore in the other side. When Sheila disappears leaving a note, Charley steps in to open the bookstore. When checking out the basement Charley comes across an antique trunk, finding Sheila's dead body inside, a victim of stabbing. The Book then follows Charley and newly adopted cat Poe as she attempts to do some investigating herself. But will she get to the bottom of what happened to Sheila before the killer gets to her?

This is the first in a new series of books by the author. It had quite a small town cozy feel to it, despite the murder. Nothing overly detailed that could be too gruesome, or scary.
Aside from the murder we have a difficult relationship between the BFFS and the towns Police officer, relating back to their school days. A possible future relationship between Charley and the Detective called in to help on the case. Along with friendships old and new.
I felt like I had a good intro to the characters and I look forward to seeing how they progress in the next installment. The perfect book for those who prefer a murder mystery to a thriller.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to read a Hallmark Mystery movie in book format, wonder no more. Murder on the Books from best-selling author T.C. LoTempio is as close as you will ever get.

By the way, that is not a bad thing. In fact, from a cozy mystery perspective, it’s a great thing!

I could practically see the movie play out in my mind's eye as I read it. And I loved it.

The story goes that Charley James is a best-selling author who writes under the pseudonym CJ Barrett - but only her best friend knows that.

Tired and needing a break, she has returned to her hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania, after more than a decade in New York.

When her best friend's business partner, Sheila, ups and disappears, Charley steps in to take over the lease on her bookshop.

It's only then that Charley makes a grim discovery - Sheila's body in the basement of the bookstore.

Now she's on a mission to find the killer - much to the frustration of Detective Ian Grant.

But can she find out whodunit before the culprit strikes again?

--------------------------------

I loved this book. It's a quintessentially cozy mystery that ticks all of the right boxes. Great characters, plotting, and enough clues to keep you engaged in trying to guess the killer.

There are a lot of chatty townsfolk who are happy to give Charley all the info she needs, which is highly unrealistic, but it's a plot device, and it works to move the story along.

There's a budding romance, lovely friendships, and an impending bookstore opening in a quaint town - what's not to love?

Perfect for cozy mystery fans, maybe not so much if you prefer something a little grittier.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Murder on the Books by T.C. LoTempio in exchange for my honest opinion.

ARC review: Exactly as described -- a "cozy mystery!" I can't articulate what exactly makes this a cozy mystery, but it was a fun, quick murder-mystery read. I enjoyed the small moments here and there, where Charley goes around the small town following up on clues or leads. Being from a small town, it makes me oddly appreciative of the close-knit and slower pace of small towns. I do wish there was more bookshop/cafe action because that is the dream but this is the first of the series, but I like the premise, surroundings, and characters. On the mystery aspect - it was fairly average, but still good and I'm glad I was able to read this one. I will check out the author's other books while awaiting for an eventual sequel :)

(thanks netgalley, the publisher, and author!)

ARC Review

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC.

A cosy mystery. I really enjoyed the premise of a witty mystery author solving mysteries herself. Also Poe. I really appreciate a pet and also that the cat on the cover is actually in the book! It’s overall just an enjoy name read, not outstanding but nice to sit down and relax with.

What really lacked for me was suspense. There were many moments that shocked me. As the first book in the series, it feels like it was introducing the setting and characters of the small town more than the plot for much of the book. For such a short book this left me a little disappointed.

This is my first read by T.C. and I LOVED it! It was the perfect cozy mystery, it gave me everything I needed. It was a perfect break from some of the more intense mysteries and romance books that I usually read. I would definitely go back to this series or read some of their others books.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

This was my first Toni LoTempio book and i really enjoyed it! I love a cozy mystery and a love cats! This one’s like all my fav things in one! Poe is a freaking rockstar and the puzzles and mysteries were AMAZING really loved this!

This is the first in a new series of cosy crime stories featuring a bestselling crime novelist turned bookshop owner.

Charlotte ‘Charley’ James swaps Manhattan for her hometown of Austen, Pennsylvania after a bout of writer’s block leaves her burnt out and desperate to leave the rat race. Once home she reconnects with an old friend whose new business partner has left her in the lurch so Charley offers to run the bookshop instead and even adopts an intelligent feline she names Poe to be the business mascot.

Things get even more interesting when a dead body is discovered and Charley’s need to solve the puzzle of the murder puts her at odds with the tall dark and handsome homicide detective assigned to the investigation.

This is a pretty standard cosy crime novel. The characters are sympathetic, the mystery is engaging but there’s not much in the way of tension in the plot.
It’s well written and I would definitely read others in the series.

*** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher ***

What a fabulous read, it starts with a bang and keeps on going. I just kept turning the pages into late in the night. Charley is taking a break and the everything goes topsy turvy with a dead bodies, an old nemesis as the police officer and an oh so attractive Inspector also on the case. Charley just gets stuck in, makes things happens and goes gung ho after what she wants and to answer the questions she has. She is fun and empowering and made this a favourite read.

Cosy murder mystery? Set in a bookshop that is also part of a bakery/cafe? sign me up!!

Unfortunately, this is book one in a planned series, and so the promised bookshop is still very much in the 'to be opened' stage until the very end. Maybe next time we can see it in action.

One thing I didn't understand or really like, was the way in which the main and supporting female characters disliked 'Barbie'. Aside from a throwaway line or two that she had been homecoming Queen, there was nothing about their history to explain why they hated her so much - unless we are supposed to assume that homecoming queen = school bully, but that also doesn't explain why she disliked them back.

Aside from that, it was your standard, pleasing cosy mystery fare, nothing that will stick in the mind, but an enjoyable romp of food, good looking men, an adorable cat called Poe and a plucky female lead that never knows when to let things go.

I like this author a lot. I have read two of her other series but this one just didn't hit the way her others do. First, it reminded me a lot of her Nick and Nora series. I think its because they were both writers of certain kind in their previous roles before returning to their small town up bringing. But Charley had a mean girl aspect to her about the police officer that she knew from high school. I am okay with not liking everyone but for example at one point she thought something like "I am surprised she can read" really?? You are surprised that an officer is literate? And a lot of that seemed to steam from the fact that they were both in to the same guy. But other than that, I thought the mystery was really interesting and surprising. I do have to admit it was who I suspected but I had no idea about the why. I thought the box was really interesting as well, great addition to the book.

Really enjoyed this cozy. A good started to hopefully a new series. Charley, Charlottes, returns to her hometown and offers to open a bookstore next to her friend’s new bakery. Finding a dead body in the basement was not on the agenda. Luckily Detective Grant is assigned to the case. Hope another in the series comes out soon. Highly recommend this book and author.

Murder on the Books is a charming cozy mystery featuring a mystery author who returns to her hometown for a break. Charley is thrust into a thrilling investigation.

The narrative combines engaging characters, witty dialogue, and a cozy setting that brings the bookshop to life. Charley's determination to solve the case.

Light-hearted read :)

Perfect cozy murder book - it is not too heavy on the gore in typical crime/murder books. A easy read if you want to read mystery without too much heavy thinking.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery and look forward to reading more in the series. It has almost a ‘twilight’ feel to it - in particular the relationship between the main character and the senior detective. Will romance blossom in later books - I certainly hope so!

Someone what predictable in terms of the puzzle, but it is a ‘cosy’ mystery so to be expected, I always think. Definitely worth reading.

I’m grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for this honest review.