Amateur sleuth Samantha Washington’s shopping trip to Chicago takes a deadly detour when a man is murdered on her bus . . . After some post-Christmas retail therapy in the Windy City, mystery bookshop owner and historical whodunit novelist Sam Washington is returning home to North Harbor, Michigan, on a chartered bus. With Nana Jo and her gal pals Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae from Shady Acres … Mae from Shady Acres Retirement Village along for the ride, it’s a lively trip. But one passenger is not so lively—a gentleman Irma befriended is found dead in his seat after an unscheduled stop. The ladies immediately shift gears to find out who punched his ticket, while Sam slips into the driver’s seat to make sure Nana Jo and her crew steer clear of fatal conclusions . . .
Praise for V.M. Burns and The Plot is Murder
“A promising debut with a satisfying conclusion.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Cozy mystery readers and historical novel aficionados will adore this warm-hearted,
cleverly plotted new series.”
—Kings River Life
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
I just can’t get enough of this series!
This time Sam takes a trip to Chicago with Nana Jo and her friends from Shady Acres for a little post-holiday fun on a chartered bus trip. They all had a good time and as usual, Irma found herself a man. He is so taken with her he joins her on the bus home to North Harbor. When the bus makes an unscheduled courtesy stop it seems her new friend is not snoozing in his seat. No, the man is dead. Before the police can arrive, Nana Jo, Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae decide Sam will lead them in their own investigation in the death. She tries to put the brakes on their ideas but soon realizes she has give in before they swerve off on their own and one of them ends up dead.
Ms. Burns has created quite a crew of entertaining characters. Sam, her lovable poodles, her nephews who man the bookshop while she in off following clues, and all the residents of Shady Acres including Nana Jo come together in a story that is hard to put down. Irma gets a bigger role this time and I liked that. All the ladies bring a huge dose of humor to all the situations they face. As always, Snickers and Oreo put a big smile on my face.
The main mystery is clever. A closed room, I mean bus mystery, limits the suspects but that doesn’t make this whodunit an easy solve, especially because there were people on the bus’s return trip that did not make the trip with the group to Chicago. The death actually happened out of North Harbor’s jurisdiction which adds some unique situations. They aren’t able to get answers from the detective in charge of the case like they do with the local detective. The victim’s true identity also twists things up a bit.
Our amateur sleuth is also an aspiring author so readers are treated to a second mystery story that she is writing. A historical mystery featuring Lady Elizabeth and her niece, Lady Penelope. They witnessed a woman fall to her death and have reason to believe she was pushed. Sam uses her writing to help clarify the clues for the murder she is trying to solve in real life. Both mysteries are filled with twists and fun to try and solve before their big reveals. Sam even asks the detective if she can do a big reveal like Hercule Poirot and what follows was positively delightful for this cozy mystery lover.
Bookmarked for Murder mixes marvelously fun mysteries with realistic characters and a couple of lovable pups to bring us a book filled with humor and the perfect amount of romance. The entire Mystery Bookshop Series is not to be missed by cozy lovers!
BOOKMARKED FOR MURDER by V. M. Burns is the fifth book in the Mystery Bookshop series. Although part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone book.
BOOKMARKED FOR MURDER is the wonderful cozy mystery about Samantha “Sam” Washington, her Nana Jo – Josephine Thomas, and the rest of the gang from Shady Acres Retirement Village along with a few extras taking a four day shopping excursion to Chicago via a chartered bus. The trip ends with one of the riders being murdered in the bus on the trip home.
Feeling that the murderer had to be someone on the bus, which means they more than likely also residing at Shady Acres, Nana Jo convinces Sam to pull out her sleuthing skills to help them find the guilty party before they get away scot-free. It was time for the “crew” of Sam, Jo, Ruby Mae, Dorothy and Irma to start hunting for clues and flush out the culprit.
Finding out that the victim, Max Franck, was an investigative journalist and author, they suspected that his murder may have bearing on his soon to be released book, a follow up on his book about the Kennedy assassination. The list of suspect are many. Some possibilities are a daughter very upset with him for not being tested in order to possibly save his granddaughter’s life, a bus driver with a murder conviction in the past, or a man wearing shades who was packing.
Sam makes the decision to include Detective “Stinky” Pitt in on their investigation with the understanding that they share information. After all, he can get his hands to details and reports that they can’t. In return, he can take the glory for nabbing the bad guy.
The stakes are raised and danger lurks when Irma’s room is searched and then she was pushed down the stairs. Another murder tops that off making Sam think that the murderer is getting nervous that they are getting too close.
Is the method of murder used by the killer a clue to who the murderer is? Can they solve this riddle of crimes before someone else is murdered? Are they putting themselves in danger by asking questions? Will Sam put her life on the line to nab the murderer so they won’t slip out of town?
V. M. Burns does an except job in her writing BOOKMARKED FOR MURDER keeping you turning pages feeling like you are one of the “crew” along the way while trying to figure out the whodunit before the reveal. I, for one, was entirely wrong and happy knowing she fooled me to the very end. In among all the clues and murders, she keeps us entertained with bits of Sam’s personal life as we learn about her sweet romance with Frank Patterson and her sweet interaction with Snickers and Oreo, her poodles, as well as getting to read a book within a book by reading the delightful murder mystery Sam was writing when taking a break.
Loved BOOKMARKED FOR MURDER and I highly recommend it to anyone that loves a great mystery, a cozy mystery or an entertaining page-turning story. Once you pick it up, you will find it hard to put down. Always enjoy this author’s books and this one did not disappoint me at all.
Two stories in one book and both were great mysteries. One kept me guessing to the end and the other I kind of thought I knew who did it but not the why. I always love how Samantha and Nana Jo and the ladies work it all out. Love the slow growing romance between Sam and Frank. So nice to see Frank pop in and add to the mystery solving. Nana Jo and the ladies always provide some great laughs. Such wonderful family and friends.
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write a honest review for.
Another great adventure with Samantha!! This time she has went on a group trip to Chicago with her Nana and the Shady Acres crew. Things are going fantastic until the ride home which is filled with traffic jams leading to an unexpected rest stop. Upon loading up again they discover one of their party dead. Sam is determined to not get involved since it didn’t even happen in Michigan but pressure from the others convinces her otherwise as they point out that someone on the bus had to be involved making it a rather short suspect list with then all on it. This leads to a divided investigation as each one of them does their part so Sam can put it together just in time putting her in danger. A fun cozy mystery that will keep you hooked as the story evolves especially as we get two mysteries in one as well follow Sam on her writing journey. The contrasts between the two parts is quite enjoyable making for a great read perfect for fans of cozies with a more literary type theme to them. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
After a fun shopping trip in Chicago, mystery bookshop owner and writer Sam Washington is returning home with her grandmother and her friends from the retirement village. Unfortunately, the relaxing bus ride turns deadly when a passenger is murdered in his seat. With the help of her grandmother and her friends, Sam is determined to bring the killer to justice. Bookmarked For Murder is a fast-paced, enjoyable cozy mystery with a touch of humor, a great cast of fun, quirky characters, and a clever murder mystery. Sam writes historical cozy mysteries and as an added treat, the author includes snippets of Sam’s book for readers to enjoy. I did manage to correctly guess the culprit, but couldn’t figure out the reason for their actions. This was a fun, easy read and I highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bookmarked for Murder is at least as awesome as the other books in the Mystery Bookshop series. The plot varies greatly from book to book but the quality of the mysteries remains the sharp and the characters are real-people-great! It was the fact that this series was set in a book shop and included 2 poodles that first caught my attention, but now it is the author and her outstanding writing that keeps me coming back for all of her series. I want to visit that bookshop and meet the twins and their friends, Nana Jo and her friends and especially Sam Washington and the special guy in her life. It is evident that Ms. Burns loves poodles and has them in her life and no surprise to discover that Snickers and Oreo are based on real dogs. While the inspiration for Snickers has moved on to Doggie Heaven, there is a new darling to join Oreo’s doppelganger to continue to inspire realistically precious furbabies.
I requested and was delighted to receive an ARC of Bookmarked for Murder via NetGalley and will be sharing that delight will my friends and followers because I love it!
#NetGalley , #BookmarkedforMurder
Bookmarked for Murder by V. M. Burns is the fifth book in the Mystery Bookshop series and was another winner in my book.
Samantha Washington is a character that I admire. She is strong, intelligent, curious and gifted with a strong intuition for solving mysteries. I absolutely love Nana Jo, Irma, Dorothy and Ruby Mae. They are quirky and unique and when they are on the page you know there will shenanigans. The plot is well crafted and clever with plenty of twists to keep a reader turning the pages. I actually guessed correctly (this time)who the killer was before the reveal but I didn’t know the reason why. The historical mystery that Sam is writing was very enjoyable, too. That one baffled me until the reveal. I strongly recommend this series to any cozy mystery fans.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I find this series to be cleverly crafted and entertaining. The characters are very engaging and diverse. Once again, Sam, her Nana Jo and the rest of the ladies from Shady Acres are involved in solving a murder. This time its a take on a closed-door murder- the victim was killed in a bus while the ladies were returning from a shopping trip from Chicago. I think Sam’s character is developing nicely and her relationship with Frank is moving along at a natural pace. The dialogue is at times witty with the humor again provided by Nana Jo her friends. The mystery was solid and kept me guessing throughout the entire story.
I am also a fan of the mystery within a mystery. I enjoy reading the historical cozy that Sam is writing and think the author uses is well to give Sam inspiration about the murder investigation happening in real life.
I will be back for more from this author. This series combines all the things I look for in a cozy mystery and is set in my home state. What more could I ask for as a reader?
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through Netgalley.
Bookmarked for Murder” by V.M. Burns is the 5th instalment in the Mystery Bookshop series The poodles featured in the story remind me of my friends brown poodle. I have only read one previous book but was able to follow along with no trouble. The story grabbed my attention right away and I read it in a day.
I love the characters they are well-developed and very likeable. The plot had just enough twists and turns that I was guessing who might have done it till the very end.
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Nana Jo and her gal pals Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae from Shady Acres Retirement Village.
I highly recommend this cozy mystery to all my friends and fellow cozy lovers.
All opinions are my own.
While I read for the characters, everything about Bookmarked for Murder is great! It is at least as awesome as the other books in the Mystery Bookshop series. The plot varies greatly from book to book but the quality of the mysteries remains the sharp and the characters are real-people-great! It was the fact that this series was set in a book shop and included 2 poodles that first caught my attention, but now it is the author and her outstanding writing that keeps me coming back for all of her series. I want to visit that bookshop and meet the twins and their friends, Nana Jo and her friends and especially Sam Washington and the special guy in her life. It is evident that Ms. Burns loves poodles and has them in her life and no surprise to discover that Snickers and Oreo are based on real dogs. While the inspiration for Snickers has moved on to Doggie Heaven, there is a new darling to join Oreo’s doppelganger to continue to inspire realistically precious furbabies.
I requested and was delighted to receive an ARC of Bookmarked for Murder via NetGalley and will be sharing that delight will my friends and followers because I love it!
#NetGalley , #BookmarkedforMurder
Different reading two books-stories within each other.
Sam, Nana Jo and the Sleuthing Seniors are enjoying a shopping spree in Chicago via a bus chartered by Shady Acres. On the last day of the trip they load up and start heading home to North Harbor, MI. During a pit stop one of the passengers has been murdered and the girls are thrown into sleuthing mode. Who is the man that was killled, and why?
Another fun mystery filled with a cozy-within-a-cozy, action, danger, comraderie and Nana Jo’s antics (LOVE her). This is such a well-rounded series filled with strong female leads and friendships akin to sisterhood. The only downside is now I’m stuck waiting for the next one to be released .
Great book!! One of my favorite things about this series is the story within a story that always connect to each other. Such fun to read about what Samantha is writing. I enjoyed this book and trying to figure out who killed Irma’s new friend, Max, who turned out to be a famous writer. Very intriguing. Nana Jo and her friends are always so much fun to read about. Looking forward to more books in this series!! Love Samantha and Frank’s growing relationship, too!!
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read and I am definitely going to read the rest of the books in this series as I definitely enjoyed this book. Samantha Washington (aka Sam) owns a mystery bookshop in North Harbor, Michigan. She is on her way home from retail therapy in Chicago along with her friends from a retirement home on a chartered bus. When they stop at a rest area and begin to re-board the bus they find a dead passenger. Having to spend hours in the rest area while the police investigate is no fun for anyone. When the ladies from the retirement home decide to investigate Sam jumps in to keep them out of trouble. Who was the dead man? Who on the bus would want him dead? The cast of characters ( I loved everyone of them) is wonderful and the mystery well written. Highly recommend!
This is a really fun series. I love the characters. I hope there will be another one, or two, or three…
I really enjoy this series and the characters. In the latest installment Sam goes on a bus trip with Nana Jo and her friends from Shady Acres to Chicago for a few days. While they are there Irma meets a man and he is joining her on the return trip to Michigan. While on the bus, at a rest stop, he is killed and the gang gets involved to solve his murder. I love Samantha and Nana Jo and the other ladies from the retirement village and I am enjoying seeing Sam’s relationship with Frank grow. V.M. Burns crafts a good mystery that always keeps me guessing. I can’t wait for the next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Kensington through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I loved it so much I’m buying my own copy! ( I borrowed it from my local overdrive) The girls were epic as always and poor Frank he gets put into the most uncomfortable situations. Still loving the book inside the book and really Ms. Burns if you published Sam’s stories I would so READ those too! My last book of 2019 and I can’t think of a better way to end the year.
Bookmarked for Murder by V.M. Burns is another fascinating tale of finding out whodunit with Ms. Burns. Sam, Nana Jo, and their quirky group of people are back to try and solve another mystery.
Can Sam find out who killed Irma’s gentleman friend before someone else is snuffed out?
What I liked:
• Sam’s relationship with Nana Joy and Nana Jo’s friends.
• The way that she ends up always having to figure out who killed who
• Sam’s relationship with Frank
• Her writing finding its way into the story
What I disliked:
• Some of the scenes were slow and didn’t seem like they were going anywhere
• At times it seemed like Sam wasn’t relying on her instincts to help her out.
Four Stars
V.M. Burns has done another great mystery that weaves the historical book that Sam is currently writing with the mystery she is trying to solve. Sam ends up getting into a lot of trouble with Nana Jo, but I love it. I didn’t think it was who it ended up being. I am giving this book four stars and recommending it to all the cozy mystery readers out there.
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.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Bookmarked for Murder by V.M. Burns.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
I’ve read this author’s A Dog Club Mystery series and really enjoyed it. So I was excited to try one of her other series. Since it was my first time reading a book in the Mystery Bookshop series, I was afraid I might be a little lost, but I did ok. I thought it was a nice, solid cozy mystery. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline and look forward to reading more in the Mystery Bookshop.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
This is the first in the Mystery Bookshop series that I’ve read but had no trouble following along, and I will definitely go back and read the others. I’ve liked everything I’ve read by V.M. Burns. The mystery-within-a-mystery concept of Sam writing her mystery while she and the others work on Max’s murder is unique. Sam is smart and clever and I enjoyed her interactions with the Shady Acres “gang,” There is plenty of humor and quirky characters, and the story held my attention all the way through.
I received an advance copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.