Murder on the Books by T.C. LoTempio

Successful mystery writer Charley James returns to her quaint hometown while struggling with writer's block, only to find herself in the middle of a real-life murder mystery - side note, as someone who comes from a small town, I find it hard to believe that no one in town knows she's a famous author but with disbelief suspended.

Zane had been about to open her bakery in one half of a double-store front with her buisness partner Sheila, until Shelia leaves town suddenly, leaving only a note. So within days of her arrival, Charley is set to open a bookshop, having been talked into it by longtime friend, Zane. While getting the bookshop ready to open, Charley discovers Sheila's body in the basement.

There's a slow burn romance included, adding to conflict and adding both tension and lightness to the plot. I think you'll like this book if you enjoy cozy mysteries, that include bookshops, bakeries or with a touch of romance ... or if you enjoy books that have a cat with main character energy (for example The Widows' Guide to... series by Amanda Ashby)

Thank you to Netgalley and Severn for this ARC.

Thumbs up.

Body Count = 1

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I really like this author and have enjoyed their other series. I like the characters and the setting. Mystery did keep me guessing, I hope for many more in this series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley.

I wanted to like this one, but just somehow never connected to the characters or the writing style. It felt a little more romance-centered than I expected, given the description, and that is not a category of book that I typically seek out. The mystery elements felt overshadowed by the banter and push for romance, and that turned me off. There's nothing wrong with a focus on either element, it just wasn't for me.

Murder on the Books was a fun, cozy mystery with a charming bookstore setting and a lovable cat sidekick. The plot was light and enjoyable, though a bit predictable, and the amateur sleuthing stretched believability at times. Still, it was a pleasant read overall. Solid 3 stars.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

What happens when a bestselling author of a long-running series gets burned out/writer’s block and relocates to her hometown? First, her agent freaks out. Then, not being independently wealthy, there has to be a plan.

Well, C.J. Barrett (Charley James) needs a break after 12 years and 15 books she has written in her Steve Sheppard mystery series. She decides to head home to Austin, Pennsylvania, to figure things out. Yes, her agent freaked out because she said it may take a year or more before she will be ready to smash out another book. She also plans to keep her writing career as C.J. Barrett a secret. The last thing she needs are fans asking about her next book.

She quickly meets up with her friend, Zane, who tells her that her plan of opening a bakery/cafe in a double storefront with Sheila Crowder’s bookstore is falling apart. Sheila suddenly left town, leaving Zane with few options. Charley needs something to do, so she offers to take on the bookstore side of the business. She then finds out Sheila didn’t leave town when she finds her dead body in a chest in the store’s basement.

Charley can solve a murder; she has done it several times in her books, but Detective Grant and Officer Donaldson would prefer she leave the case to them. But that isn’t going to happen. Charley is going to follow each and every clue to “assist” Detective Grant throw the book at the killer.

I really enjoyed meeting the characters in this first Cozy Bookshop Mystery. Charley needed a break from writing mysteries and had the courage to say so. Her curious nature and all she has learned penning mysteries make her a very capable amateur sleuth. She stole my heart when she adopted Poe, a large black cat with a white spot on his nose and white under his chin. Zane is a great friend. She opens up her home to Charley and Poe while continuing to work full-time at another bakery until her bakery is ready to open. Charley is surprised that Barbara Jeanne Donaldson is a police officer. In high school, she was called Barbie, like the doll, never a blonde hair out of place, fashion model figure, usually found on the arm of a football jock. She is a competent officer. Rumor has it she is trying to become a detective. With the murder, she calls in Detective Ian Grant from Philadelphia to help with the case. When he arrives, it is easy to see that Officer Barbie has a crush on the tall, dark, and handsome detective. Charley is also a little smitten. All the characters have room for growth as the series continues.

Ms. LoTempio has plotted out a marvelous mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Charley can’t help but to get involved in the case, taking some sizeable risks with only Poe and sometimes Zane for backup. We do meet some interesting residents of Austin, each added to the story in meaningful ways. There were literally puzzling clues that brought new things to light, and I found that very entertaining. I wish Charley had been more open with Ian. She did try, but was frustrated when her calls went to voicemail. Her desire to check things out on her own with her frisky feline leads to an A-ha moment at the wrong time and place. Who knew a copy of The Stand by Stephen King could come in so handy?

Murder on the Books has set this series off to a fine start. There are engaging characters with ample room for growth, a great home base in Austin that brings the history of the characters, a puzzling mystery that keeps everyone on their toes, and you can’t go wrong with a small-town bookstore and bakery as a place for people to gather. I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author. T.C. Lotempio doesn’t disappoint. I can’t wait for the next book in what I hope will be a long-running series.

This cozy mystery ticks all the boxes cozy mystery fans have come to expect. Small town atmosphere, friendship, amateur sleuthing, murder/mystery to be solved, potential love interest and a furry sidekick. This is a well written, entertaining series debut!

Love Ms LoTempio cozy mysteries and loved this one, the first in a series. Well plotted, likeable character and place.
She's a great writer of cats and I loved Poe, the one in this book
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Murder on the Books by T.C. LoTempio is the debut of A Cozy Bookshop Mysteries. I have read different cozy mysteries by this author, and this one is my favorite. I liked the main character, the town, and the chatty townspeople (reminds me of Stars Hollow). Murder on the Books is easy to read with leisurely pacing. I liked many of the characters with the exception being Officer Barbara (known as Barbie in high school) Johnson. Thankfully, Charley does not need to interact with her often. I found Zane, Charley’s best friend, to be nice, but lacking business sense (and she does not learn from her mistakes). The mystery had some interesting elements (there is a magic trunk). Charley, naturally, sticks her nose into the case (the writer in her could not resist). There is an attraction between Charley and a visiting detective (which puts Barbie’s nose out of joint). I wish that the pacing had been peppier and there was less repetition. I am sure that we will learn more about the characters as the series progresses. I loved Poe, the cat Charley adopts. I did find it unrealistic that Charley would be able to take the cat with her everywhere (Austin is not Wagtail), and that Poe would follow her without being on a leash (or treats tucked into her pockets). Murder on the Books is cute cozy with a missing business partner, a battle with writer’s block, a frustrated agent, a mystifying murder, a crafty feline, a handsome detective, tasty pastries, and talkative townspeople.

A charming, cozy mystery with a bookshop, small setting, a writer for an amateur sleuth, and a cat. I really think that Murder On The Books ticks all the boxes for the cozy mystery.The plot, once we had established the location, got straight into the storyline with our sleuth, Charley, (helped by her friends) driving the investigation forward, pursuing or should that be purrsuing all lines of inquiry – I really liked all the twists and turns, and the ending impressed me by going above my expectations. I had ideas as to ‘whodunnit,’ but they were wrong. I didn’t guess the killer in the book until Charley did. There was also excellent rapport and conflict in the book between her and the police. All the way through, I wondered what Poe’s starring role would be, and it didn’t disappoint.

A couple of notes, whilst the bookshop was yet to be opened – I didn’t get a strong sense that much was working in the background towards that. Also, I would say, in my opinion, that perhaps the way someone is referred to – a man experiencing or potentially experiencing domestic violence – needs more careful thought. I would love to read the other books by the author and the next edition in this promising series.

This was so good! Sometimes cozy mysteries can be treacly or excessively fluffy. This hit just the right tone and had great pacing. It was always moving along and I did figure out who the killer was before the reveal. I wish I could read a sequel right now, but I guess I'll check out one of the author's other series instead.

I love this author and how they write their mysteries. This one was no different. Fantastic who done it. Kept the actually guessing. Definitely foe cozy mystery readers don't miss our on this fantastic cozy.

An very enjoyable first installment of a new cozy series featuring a new book owner, an adorable cat, plenty of likable characters and a possible new romance. Charlotte Barrett, a thriller/mystery writer, is throwing over New York City for her hometown in Pennsylvania to recover from burnout. When a new opportunity to become a bookstore owner in a double store front with her long-time friend Zane, who will be in the other half running opens up because Zane's previous business partner has ditched her, Charlie jumps at it. She doesn't expect to soon adopt a stray cat or discover the body of runaway business partner in the store basement. Charlie will need all the detective skills her fictional character has before her friend is locked up for the crime or her own next chapter cut suddenly short...

I think the writer does a very good job of introducing new characters with depth but not bogging down the flow of the story. It has everything you want in a cozy series, likable characters, a solid mystery, a fun animal and even a slow burn romance. Based on this first installment I think T.C. LoTempio has a hit on her hands.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly I cannot wait for the second one, secondly this was so good. The story was well paced and fast when it needed to be. There was no dragging out of scenes for filler, there was just plain old good story.

I loved the dialogue in this Book 1 of Cozy Bookshop Mystery: fast paced, funny and it almost feels like you are in the coffee shop, talking on the phone with her ex agent. Writer block author C.J. Barrett, Charlotte James (Charley) is leaving .NYC and returning to her hometown to find a new career.. Upon meeting with her best friend, Charley discovers that her friend, Zane is in the process of preparing to open a bakery. Only hitch: the store is really meant for two shops and the other person who was planning to open a bookshop suddenly left town with only a cryptic note. So Charley finds her new career but finds not only books in the basement of her shop….. I can’t wait to read the Book 2 of this series. Thanks to the prolific author, T.C. LoTempio, NetGalley and publisher Severn House for an advance reader copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this new setting and the key characters of Charley and Zane a lot. Charley was just what Zane had needed coming back to her hometown since Zane’s business partner basically ghosted her. Charley soon found out why and the hunt for a killer began. I loved that cat Poe that Charley adopted who quickly became an amazing little buddy for her, and big asset in the showdown! It’s awesome how any cat this author has in her various series is both a great buddy for the sleuth and helps tremendously with the showdown.

Charley was used to following clues but they were always clues she was in charge of writing, so this amateur sleuthing thing was pretty new for both her and Zane. She definitely held her own with the killer in the showdown, with a certain kitty’s help, of course. The ending was too fun since a certain female police officer who Zane and Charley went to school with was nearly throwing herself at the detective in charge. But he seemed to only have eyes for Charley—and the woman’s reaction was pretty funny. Can’t wait to read the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Severn House via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Murder on the Books is book 1 in the Cozy Bookshop Mystery series by T.C. LoTempio.

Charlotte “Charley” James is also known as mystery author C.J. Barrett. She’s taking a break from writing her mystery series and goes back to her hometown to catch up with an old friend, Zane, who is getting ready to open a bakery. When she finds a dead body, Charley gets pulled in to a real life mystery to solve. There’s a charming cat, Poe as well. This is an entertaining new series and I look forward to more.

Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is a charming debut for favorite cozy author. T. C. Lotempio. I loved this book. The author has all the cozy elements we readers enjoy. A smart savvy protagonist, a adorable cat and a well crafted fun mystery.
Thank you to the author, the publishers and Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.
We are introduced to Charlotte a famous author with a popular long running series. She needs a respite from publishing deadlines so she returns to small town Pennsylvania. Her friend Zane is opening a combination bookstore and coffee shop. His bookshop partner disappeared so Charlotte takes over. She finds the body of the woman and much to her chagrin must work with the local police who suspected her friend as prime suspect.
Determined to solve the case with the help of her local friends she soon finds red herrings and clues abound.
This is such a fun read I read it cover to cover. The mystery is intriguing, the clues kept me guessing. I loved the humor throughout, the sense of community and the adorable cat. A winning series debut . Well Done to the author.

This is my first read from the author, and it delivers a solid start to what looks to be a promising cosy series. The mystery is set up fast, always a plus, and while the red herrings aren’t the strongest, following the protagonist as she pieced things together kept me engaged. I especially liked the inclusion of a secret code. There’s something satisfying about codes and ciphers in books. Love it!

The return to hometown added depth, allowing character history to build upon interactions and character development in a way that felt natural. There are several characters given space in the book, which suggests we’re being set up for more mysteries to come. The small town bookstore setting is charming, and I’d be happy to see it serve as the recurring backdrop.

The cat may be a bit too human-like for my taste, but in a cosy that’s par for the course. Not a deal breaker in the least. Overall, this hits the cosy mystery sweet spot and makes me curious about what’s next for Charley and company.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lovely cosy mystery that kept me guessing throughout. Based around a thriller writer moving back to her hometown, and some suspicious events that she starts to investigate it was such an easy read.

I loved the fact it was based around a bookshop, and that there was lots of book themed references throughout. Poe was a real delight, and I loved how interwoven he became in the story. I liked the building relationship between Charley and Detective Grant. The mystery element was good, with lots of little bites that kept you guessing.

I would definitely recommend, and would love to read a book 2!

This cozy mystery had me hooked from the very first page. Charley James (aka mystery author C.J. Barrett) is such a likable, relatable protagonist. Her return to her hometown of Austin was supposed to be a relaxing break from writing—but instead, she ends up in the middle of a real-life whodunit, and I was all in for the ride.

I absolutely loved her dynamic with Zane, her loyal and sassy best friend who’s trying to get their shared business venture off the ground. The surprise twist of finding Sheila (Zane’s missing business partner) dead in the basement was such a wild turn and kicked the mystery into high gear.

And of course, Poe the cat totally stole the show. His presence was constant, clever, and added so much warmth (and humor) to the story. His bond with Charley made my heart happy.

The pacing was perfect—there were no slow parts, and the ending truly surprised me. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, T.C. LoTempio threw in a twist that made me gasp.

This was a fantastic series opener with lovable characters, a layered mystery, and a touch of charm. Highly recommend for fans of cozies, bookshop settings, and crime-solving cats!