V. M. Burns

Proving again that no good deed goes unpunished, Sam offers her bookstore as a meeting place for a book club when the library is flooded. After this generous act, she becomes a “person of interest” in the murder of the obnoxious leader of the group who is found dead in Sam’s store. Delia Marshall is disliked yet feared by several people, but they don’t want to make that known, or the reasons why they hated her. And it seems like Sam has a reason, too: Delia was going to sue her after show more Sam’s dogs charged at her and she fell. It’s a lot of unpleasantness to deal with, just as Sam’s first book is about to be published. I like this series for the quirky characters, dogs included, and for the stories within the story. This one takes place in England in the 1930’s. I’m always tempted to read those sections first, but I dutifully wait to read them as they appear. And while the main story takes place in Michigan, this glimpse into another country and culture is quite entertaining. The characters are well defined, and the mysteries in both tales are well thought out. show less

The Plot is Murder by V.M Burns is the first book in A Mystery Bookshop Mystery series. Samantha “Sam” 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 show more next morning when Sam lets her dogs outside, she finds Clayton Parker, the listing agent for her brownstone, dead on the patio. Detective Brad “Stinky” 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. show less

o … The Ladies have planned a trip to London and the surrounding areas for a romp through the locations made famous by Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and their equally famous contemporaries. What could go wrong?

Before they even leave the country, they miss the airport shuttle, almost miss their flight, lose their seats on the plane and their luggage disappears for parts unknown. Just when they try to put it all behind them, the director of the tour company is found dead. Sam show more tries to resist Nana Jo’s nudging her into investigating the murder, she is on vacation after all, but when a second person is found dead it is time to assemble her investigators and find out what is going on.

First off let me say how much I enjoy the detail given of the tour and its destinations. I will forever be an armchair tourist, as much as I would love to visit these places that mean so much to the authors and stories that started me reading, I will probably never see them first hand.

This story delivers not just one cozy, but two. The first set in modern times starring Sam and her Ladies, and the second in-story historical cozy being written by Sam as the first story progresses. The idea is a bit hard to get used to at first, but it isn’t long before the reader sucked into the twists and turns in both mysteries.

Tucked away in this story are so many little tidbits of Classic mystery. From the wrong turn/witnessing an incriminating disagreement to the almost hidden corners where Sam, in such a Miss Marple-like way, could sit quietly and “accidentally” overhear the occasional bit of drama that may or may not be important. Each and every member of the mystery tour was Christie-classic, cleverly introduced into the story, shrouded in intrigue, dripping with hidden backstory, and not always what they claim to be. Of course, there is the Holmesque inspector to round things off.

Nana Jo and her retirement village friends are vibrant, filling in the corners of this story. They are outrageous, over-the-top, and in your face, and, with their specilialized talents, just about the best team of investigators, any amateur sleuth could want. They kept me laughing and feeling for poor Sam at times. Early in the story, she references “herding cats” and the image never left my head. Some readers collect book boyfriends as they read along, I adopt grandparents of all stripes. I adore the whole bunch of these gals. This is a series more than worth the time it takes to read it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

Read Herring Hunt is the second book in the A Mystery Bookshop Mystery series.

I loved this exciting follow up to The Plot Is Murder the first in the series.

Samantha “Sam” Washington is enjoying living her dream of owning a bookstore and things are going well at the bookstore. But Sam is concerned about Dawson Alexander, her assistant at the store and baker of delicious desserts. He has recently broken up with Melody Hardwick, a college classmate of his and appears to be a “hanger show more on”, wanting to bask in the glory of his football career. Melody did not take the break-up well and assaulted Dawson. The next morning her body is found and Detective Pitt feels he has enough evidence to arrest Dawson for murder.

Dawson is like family to Sam and her grandmother, Nanna Jo, so they set out to find who actually killed Melody. With the help of Dorothy, Irma, and Ruby Mae, friends of Nanna Jo fellow residents at her retirement community they soon learn that she has been arrested for fraud in the past. After talking with fellow classmates they begin to look at her past to see if someone has decided to seek revenge.
Once again Sam shares with the reader her work-in-progress dealing with Wickfield Lodge and Lord William Marsh and his family. Lord James asks Lord William to host a shooting party to be attended by Duchess of Windsor and a few important representatives of European countries. When one of the members of the party is killed Lady Daphne, Lady Penelope and their aunt Lady Elizabeth need to find out if the person killed was the intended victim and who the killer is.

This is a well-plotted story with a cast of believable and interesting characters. I particularly enjoy Nanna Jo and her “posse”. They are all so feisty, especially Irma. I would love to friends with all of them.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this very enjoyable series. show less