Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am thrilled to feature Bookmarked for Murder by V.M. Burns today!
About Bookmarked for Murder
Bookmarked for Murder (Mystery Bookshop)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – Michigan
Kensington (November 26, 2019)
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1496718313
ISBN-13: 978-1496718310
Digital ASIN: B07P9MR138
Amateur sleuth Samantha Washington’s shopping trip to Chicago takes a deadly detour when a man is murdered on her bus . . .
After some post-Christmas retail therapy in the Windy City, mystery bookshop owner and historical whodunit novelist Sam Washington is returning home to North Harbor, Michigan, on a chartered bus. With Nana Jo and her gal pals Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae from Shady Acres Retirement Village along for the ride, it’s a lively trip. But one passenger is not so lively—a gentleman Irma befriended is found dead in his seat after an unscheduled stop. The ladies immediately shift gears to find out who punched his ticket, while Sam slips into the driver’s seat to make sure Nana Jo and her crew steer clear of fatal conclusions . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I just can’t get enough of this series!
This time Sam takes a trip to Chicago with Nana Jo and her friends from Shady Acres for a little post-holiday fun on a chartered bus trip. They all had a good time and as usual, Irma found herself a man. He is so taken with her he joins her on the bus home to North Harbor. When the bus makes an unscheduled courtesy stop it seems her new friend is not snoozing in his seat. No, the man is dead. Before the police can arrive, Nana Jo, Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae decide Sam will lead them in their own investigation in the death. She tries to put the brakes on their ideas but soon realizes she has give in before they swerve off on their own and one of them ends up dead.
Ms. Burns has created quite a crew of entertaining characters. Sam, her lovable poodles, her nephews who man the bookshop while she in off following clues, and all the residents of Shady Acres including Nana Jo come together in a story that is hard to put down. Irma gets a bigger role this time and I liked that. All the ladies bring a huge dose of humor to all the situations they face. As always, Snickers and Oreo put a big smile on my face.
The main mystery is clever. A closed room, I mean bus mystery, limits the suspects but that doesn’t make this whodunit an easy solve, especially because there were people on the bus’s return trip that did not make the trip with the group to Chicago. The death actually happened out of North Harbor’s jurisdiction which adds some unique situations. They aren’t able to get answers from the detective in charge of the case like they do with the local detective. The victim’s true identity also twists things up a bit.
Our amateur sleuth is also an aspiring author so readers are treated to a second mystery story that she is writing. A historical mystery featuring Lady Elizabeth and her niece, Lady Penelope. They witnessed a woman fall to her death and have reason to believe she was pushed. Sam uses her writing to help clarify the clues for the murder she is trying to solve in real life. Both mysteries are filled with twists and fun to try and solve before their big reveals. Sam even asks the detective if she can do a big reveal like Hercule Poirot and what follows was positively delightful for this cozy mystery lover.
Bookmarked for Murder
About V.M. Burns
V.M. Burns was born in Northwestern Indiana and spent many years in Southwestern Michigan on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She is a lover of dogs, British historic cozies, and scones with clotted cream. After many years in the Midwest, she went in search of milder winters and currently lives in Eastern Tennessee with her poodles. Her debut novel, The Plot is Murder was nominated for a 2017 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and a lifetime member of Sisters in Crime. Readers can learn more by visiting her website at vmburns.com
Author Links: Website Facebook Twitter: @vmburns
Purchase Links – Amazon – Barnes & Noble – IndieBound – Books-A-Million – Hudson Booksellers – Kobo
Also by V.M. Burns
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Praise for Bookmarked for Murder (Mystery Bookshop)
by V.M. Burns
This is a solid addition to the cozy mystery genre, with a touch of romance (but delightfully free of excessive angst about that romance). Nab it for a quick, fun holiday read.
~The Ninja Librarian
Bookmarked For Murder is a fast-paced, enjoyable cozy mystery with a touch of humor, a great cast of fun, quirky characters, and a clever murder mystery.
~Carla Loves To Read
Bookmarked for Murder by V.M. Burns is another fascinating tale of finding out whodunit with Ms. Burns. Sam, Nana Jo, and their quirky group of people are back to try and solve another mystery.
~Baroness’ Book Trove
Bookmarked for Murder will be a hilarious addition to your library with its witty takes on old mystery tropes and two intriguing mysteries to solve along with the heroines.
~Diane Reviews Books
Characters you feel as close to as your own best friends, with probably more laughs than you expect in a murder scenario, this is a series to add to the top of your must enjoy list.
~Laura’s Interests
I really enjoyed this book. There’s a mystery bookshop, a writer, and a great cast of characters that I wish I could jump in the book and meet for coffee.
~The Book’s the Thing
I love Nana Jo and the crowd from Shady Acres . . . There were several times I laughed out loud while reading this book.
~Author Teresa Trent
The mystery is one that will keep you guessing, as will the story inside of the story’s mystery! . . . I love that! It’s like two books in one.
~CHRISTY’S COZY CORNERS
The Mystery Bookshop series is quickly becoming one of my fave cozy series, and the latest installment – Bookmarked for Murder – reminds me why. Witty, sweet, clean, and smartly written, it’s also lots of fun!
~Reading Is My SuperPower
A fun cozy mystery that will keep you hooked as the story evolves especially as we get two mysteries in one as well follow Sam on her writing journey. The contrasts between the two parts is quite enjoyable . . .
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “Bookmarked for Murder” by V.M. Burns. Definitely on my TBR list. Adorable cover!
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