She has always said if she was running, it’s because she was being chased. That’s never been more true. It’s Autumn, bookstore owner Harvey Beckett’s favorite time of year, and she’s most excited about two things – her bookshop’s float in the annual Harvest Parade and pumpkin everything. But when her best friend Mart finds the body of her running coach and high school gym teacher behind the … gym teacher behind the bleachers one fall morning, Harvey becomes enthralled in a mystery that uncovers their quaint town’s darkest secrets.
When Harvey’s curiosity gets the best of her, she and her pup Mayhem find that maybe there are just some secrets better left undiscovered.
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A COZY MYSTERY THAT DEVIATES FROM THE “LIGHT” SIDE OF COZIES TO INCLUDE SOME SERIOUS TALK ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND IT’S EFFECTS. THOUGHT-PROVOKING AND HEARTFELT THIS UNEXPECTED STORY IS WONDERFULLY WRITTEN AND SHINES A MUCH NEEDED LIGHT ON A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
AN ARC BOOK, THIS IS MY FREELY GIVEN, HONEST REVIEW.
This is the latest in a series. It is a fun and east read. Characters are well rounded and diverse. Lifestyles are diverse.
Great read. Harvey Beckett is Not investigating the murder of Coach Cagle whom her friend, Marty, discovered on the high school track. This has some romance, a wonderful and helpful cast of characters, a few twists, some mysterious elements and red herrings. This was action packed and totally kept my attention until the end!
Red Robin
I appreciate the way this book series always incorporates an element of social justice. In Plotted for Murder, the theme is sexual assault, so the story really carries a serious message. That said, the charming small town of St. Marin comes to life with an engaging story and true-to-life characters.
The St. Marin’s Series is one of my favorites because it is centered around a busy “All Booked Up” bookstore, where Harvey Beckett and her friends are always helping others. With good friends, great books, loyal dogs and a mystery to solve, you really don’t need anything else. But this time, there’s a little extra romance in the equation. And I love a happy ending.
I was given an advance copy to read, and I truly enjoyed it.
I have enjoyed reading this entire series. I thought this one was fun and interesting to read. Love the characters and especially the bookstore setting.
Crazy small town cozy with adorable pet companions meets bookstore mystery.
Add in survivors of a variety of sexual assaults, stalking and harassment
Kinda moving and sweet. Kinda seriously scary
Particularly powerful was one bad actor who seemed like a nice, empathetic guy.
One of the most frightening things is that some of the scariest folks almost always know the answers to the questions you pose to try to keep yourself safe – they live a different truth in their moments of aggression. And if they are pathological, they seem like they believe their own lies- an amazing skill at living between suspended realities
An incredible community network mixed with unspeakable horrors
This was my first visit to St. Marin’s, but it won’t be my last. I was drawn into the float planning process and met many likable characters. As is common to cozy mysteries, there was a murder – the murder of a man who was disliked by many in the community, especially women. What is not so common was the inclusion of the issue of sexual harassment and its effects on women. This topic was handled most gracefully and did not detract at all from the story line. I admire the author for addressing this problem and for giving the phone number for the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at the end of the book. I highly recommend this book, and I am certain to return to St. Marin’s.
Disclosure: I was given a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.
Mart finds a the dead body of her running coach. The coach had made many enemies by the time he was killed. Harvey promises to not get involved with the investigation. That is not happening, she ends up getting involved in trying to solve the murder. I did not guess who the culprit was at all. I took the ending of the story to figure out all the clues that I had missed. It is a good story to use your little gray cells (hercule poirot), I enjoyed this book. I was given a free copy of this book at my request and this is my honest review.