Name: Murder by Page One
Rating: 3.50 (2 reviews)

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Murder by Page One is the first book in a new small-town librarian cozy mystery series (with cat), by Olivia Matthews. Released 23rd March 2021 by Hallmark, it's 336 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a Hallmark series. It's comfy, cozy, well written, and delivers exactly as expected. The language is squeaky clean, nary a curse word to be seen. The violence is all off scene and without explicit gore. There's a light romance element but it's not a big focus of the book. The only public displays of physical affection are between the librarian (Marvey) and the top of her grumpy-but-lovable cat's fuzzy head.

The writing is fine, the plotting and narrative arc are well controlled and the denouement and resolution are satisfying. The book's ending foreshadows the continuation of the series. I would recommend this one to readers of the subgenre (there's even a recipe for peach cobbler at the end of the book). I'm looking forward to the next book(s) in the series.

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews is a book about a librarian being asked to solve a murder to clear their friend's name.

Will Marvella save Jo's reputation and her bookstore?

Marvella Harris

Marvella "Marvey" Harris is in charge of getting more patrons to the library to get the funding they need. She is working on that while also solving a murder that is tied to her best friend. Besides that, Marvey seems to be a great character. She likes to help her friends and library patrons as much as she can. Marvey, to me, at times, seems to be a bit on the forgetting side of things. Other than that, she does seem to be doing what every sleuth does...getting under people's skin. Marvey is a good character and sleuth.

The Mystery

The mystery is that Marvey, Jo, and Spence found Fiona Lyle-Hayes in the back of the bookstore murdered. The police think that Jo killed Fiona as Jo is the only one that had the time to kill her. Marvey's on the trail of finding out who actually killed Fiona on Jo's pleading. She is trying her hardest to wafting through the clues and red herrings to figure it out and to tell the police. The hardest part for Marvey is getting them to listen to her. I figured out who killed her early on.

Three Stars

Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews is my first book by this author, and it really is a good book. Ms. Matthews does a great job of writing the story. I just found some things that took me out of the book for a bit. Marvey is a good character to have as the sleuth in this series. The red herrings didn't get me this time, though. I am giving this book three stars, and I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read cozies.

Excerpt

“It’s nice that you’ve all come to support Fiona.” I turned to Fiona’s friend. “Especially you, Mr. Pelt, coming from South Carolina.”

Willy glanced up from his wristwatch. He seemed surprised that I knew his name, then he noticed Nolan. Willy inclined his head in a silent greeting to Fiona’s business partner, the expression on his pale, square face pleasant but vague. He drove his fingers through his shock of thick auburn hair. “I’ve known Fiona’s family for years.”

“I wonder what Fiona will do now?” Nolan’s attention bounced from Jo to the rest of the group. “Will she give up her share of the business to write full-time?”

It was a good question, although I knew most authors continued to work full-time. Popular media’s depiction of fiction writing as a lucrative career was greatly exaggerated.

Betty snorted. “Well, she doesn’t need a job, now does she? Not like the rest of us. When Buddy died, he left her well provided for. The rest of us have to work for a living.”

The bitterness in her voice seemed to come from far more than envy of another person’s good fortune—literally and figuratively. Then I made the connection: Fiona Lyle-Hayes. Betty Rodgers-Hayes. There was a story there, one that could explain Betty’s hostile disposition.

“I was wondering the same thing.” Willy crossed his arms over his chest. His brown jersey and tan slacks were slightly wrinkled, as though he’d recently pulled both from a suitcase. Had he just driven into town from Beaufort? How long that had taken? “Her late uncle left her his vacation property. The house’s in good shape, and the land is pretty. It’s in a quiet area on the outskirts of town where she could write without being disturbed.”

Bobby shoved his broad hands into the front pockets of his navy blue cargo pants. “She’ll probably go on a lot of tours.” He sounded disappointed, as though he was going to miss Fiona’s company.

“This is ridiculous.” Jo’s words ended the discussion. Her eyes flashed with irritation as her gaze swung to the back of her store. Her ponytail arched behind her. “The signing has started, and Fiona still hasn’t brought out her books. Now, I’m going to have to hustle to help her set everything up.”

“I’ll help.” I hurried to follow Jo as she whirled toward a book aisle.

“So will I.” Spence’s voice came from behind me.

Jo stopped long enough to give us a grateful look. “Thank you, but I can’t ask you to work for me. You’re here as guests.”

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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews. Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Until the next time,

Happy Reading!

Victim/Toe Tag: Fiona Lyle-Hayes (F)

Beachcomber Weapons: Box Cutter - household object

Beachcomber Crime Scene: bookstore

Detectives: Marvella Harris (H)

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

Murder by Page One: A Peach Coast Library Mystery from Hallmark Publishing

by Olivia Matthews