A Murderous Plot (The Bookstore Mystery)

by Sue Minix

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

A Murderous Plot is the 6th Bookstore cozy by Sue Minix. Released 29th Aug 2024 by HarperCollins on their Avon Books imprint, it's 320 pages and is 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.

This is an undemanding and fun series for fans of small town shopfront cozies. Crime novelist Jen is drawn into real-life sleuthing yet again when another violent death occurs in Riverton. It seems -everyone- is conspiring to keep her from finishing her newest book. The usual pool of small-town-oddball characters are present, there's skullduggery and hidden motives to be unearthed, and there's also some romance. 

Some of the characterizations and plot developments are admittedly a bit over the top and there are some twists which require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but all in all, it's a pretty good example of why the shopfront cozy subgenre is so popular. Although it works well enough as a standalone, readers who choose to read them out of order should be prepared for some spoilers and developments from earlier books in the series.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 52 minutes and is read by series narrator Rebecca LaChance. She has an interesting and nuanced voice. She enunciates very well and although her voice is youthful (she's young), it doesn't detract from the read at all. The sound and production quality of the recording were high throughout.

Four stars. This would be a good light read for fans of cozies. It would be perfectly safe for work/commute reading. The series is developing well, and it'll be interesting to see what comes next for Jen and co.

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