Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Interesting and different. Fun read and interesting characters.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
The Plot is Murder is the debut of the Mystery Bookshop Mystery series featuring widower Samantha Washington, set in the small town of North Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan. Sam and her husband Leon had dreamed of a mystery bookstore and when Leon passes away, Sam decides to keep her promise to him and purchases an old building that she renovates into a mystery bookstore on the lower level, and an apartment upstairs for herself and her two poodles, Snickers and Oreo.
When Clayton Parker the sleazy realtor who had sold Sam the building but then tried to renege on the sale and dragged her through hoops, turns up dead in her courtyard the police point the finger at Sam. Determined to clear her name and find the real killer, plus prove Detective "Stinky" Pitts wrong, Sam is joined by her grandmother Nana Jo and retirement center friends, Irma, Dorothy and Ruby Mae.
While trying to find Clayton's killer, Sam is also secretly writing her own cozy mystery set in the English countryside. In Sam's book we meet Lady Penelope Marsh, overshadowed by her beautiful sister Daphne and in love with Victor Carlston, who only has eyes for Daphne. Daphne however has her sights set on another man and when he turns up dead in the gardens, Victor becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear his name, Penelope sets out on her own investigation with the help of her aunt and uncle, Lord William and Lady Elizabeth.
The two mysteries tie in together perfectly and the author does a terrific job switching between the plotlines. A great cast of characters, you'll fall in love with Sam and Nana Jo and the young Dawson Alexander.
When Clayton Parker the sleazy realtor who had sold Sam the building but then tried to renege on the sale and dragged her through hoops, turns up dead in her courtyard the police point the finger at Sam. Determined to clear her name and find the real killer, plus prove Detective "Stinky" Pitts wrong, Sam is joined by her grandmother Nana Jo and retirement center friends, Irma, Dorothy and Ruby Mae.
While trying to find Clayton's killer, Sam is also secretly writing her own cozy mystery set in the English countryside. In Sam's book we meet Lady Penelope Marsh, overshadowed by her beautiful sister Daphne and in love with Victor Carlston, who only has eyes for Daphne. Daphne however has her sights set on another man and when he turns up dead in the gardens, Victor becomes the prime suspect. Determined to clear his name, Penelope sets out on her own investigation with the help of her aunt and uncle, Lord William and Lady Elizabeth.
The two mysteries tie in together perfectly and the author does a terrific job switching between the plotlines. A great cast of characters, you'll fall in love with Sam and Nana Jo and the young Dawson Alexander.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed The Plot Is Murder (Mystery Bookshop, Bk 1) on + 421 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this first in a new series! A Murder within a Murder.....the main character is writing a Murder mystery and it is incorporated in an actual murder at her new bookstore! Looking forward to the next book in the series!
The Plot is Murder by V.M Burns is the first book in A Mystery Bookshop Mystery series. Samantha âSamâ Washington and her husband dreamed of owning a mystery bookstore. Before Leon passed away, he made Sam promise to carry on with their dream. Sam is just days away from opening Market Street Mysteries (not the best name) and has already started her second dream of writing a British historical mystery. After enjoying her last day of teaching, her family and friends throw her a party. The next morning when Sam lets her dogs outside, she finds Clayton Parker, the listing agent for her brownstone, dead on the patio. Detective Brad âStinkyâ Pitt is assigned the case and he quickly zeros in on Sam. Nana Jo (not your average senior citizen) moves herself in with Sam (to keep her safe). Nana Jo has little confidence in Detective Pitt's ability to solve the case. She rallies her friends (the Sluething Seniors) and Sam to investigate the victim's death. Can they uncover the killer before he (or she) strikes again?
The Plot is Murder is not what I expected. I discovered that over half the book is taken up with the manuscript being written by the main character (Sam). I did not enjoy these sections and felt they detracted from the story. There is a mystery in the manuscript that is simple. I would have preferred the author had centered the story around the mystery bookstore (who wouldn't love a mystery bookshop in their neighborhood). I did like most of the characters especially Nana Jo. She was feisty, smart, and very active. I admit that she overshadowed Sam in the story (and I hope to be half as active when I am her age). I wish the author had fleshed out Sam as much as she did Nana Jo. I found the detective to be cliched and overdone (the name, attitude, how he got the job). I am giving The Plot is Murder 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery has some good components. However, the guilty party can be identified early in the story (one tiny detail gives it away). I kept hoping for a twist so I would be surprised. The majority of readers will figure out the solution long before it is revealed. The investigation is light with most of the work done by the Sleuthing Seniors. I was never fully drawn into The Plot is Murder. With the book divided into two, I feel the author did the main story a disservice.
The Plot is Murder is not what I expected. I discovered that over half the book is taken up with the manuscript being written by the main character (Sam). I did not enjoy these sections and felt they detracted from the story. There is a mystery in the manuscript that is simple. I would have preferred the author had centered the story around the mystery bookstore (who wouldn't love a mystery bookshop in their neighborhood). I did like most of the characters especially Nana Jo. She was feisty, smart, and very active. I admit that she overshadowed Sam in the story (and I hope to be half as active when I am her age). I wish the author had fleshed out Sam as much as she did Nana Jo. I found the detective to be cliched and overdone (the name, attitude, how he got the job). I am giving The Plot is Murder 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery has some good components. However, the guilty party can be identified early in the story (one tiny detail gives it away). I kept hoping for a twist so I would be surprised. The majority of readers will figure out the solution long before it is revealed. The investigation is light with most of the work done by the Sleuthing Seniors. I was never fully drawn into The Plot is Murder. With the book divided into two, I feel the author did the main story a disservice.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed The Plot Is Murder (Mystery Bookshop, Bk 1) on + 885 more book reviews
Very enjoyable first book in the Mystery Bookshop Series. After the death of her husband, Leon, Samantha buys a building and opens her dream bookstore. Shortly after opening, the former owner of the building is found dead in her courtyard. Her grandmother & her friends help to track down the killer in a very funny who-done-it!
