Not every murder is by the book…As Sugar Springs gears up for its all-class high school reunion, Mississippi bookstore owner Arlo Stanley prepares to launch her largest event: a book-signing with the town’s legendary alum and bestselling author, Wally Harrison. That’s when Wally is discovered dead outside of Arlo’s front door and her best friend is questioned for the crime. When the elderly … crime.
When the elderly ladies of Arlo’s Friday Night Book Club start to investigate, Arlo has no choice but to follow behind to keep them out of trouble. Yet with Wally’s reputation, the suspect list only grows longer—his betrayed wife, his disgruntled assistant, even the local man who holds a grudge from a long-ago accident.
Between running interference with the book club and otherwise keeping it all together, Arlo anxiously works to get Chloe out of jail. And amidst it all, her one-time boyfriend-turned-private-eye returns to town, just another distraction while she digs to uncover the truth around Wally’s death and just what Sugar Springs secret could have led to his murder.
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Celebrity Murder in a Small Southern Town
This is a fun book to read. This is the first book in a new series. There is a very eclectic group of amateur detectives plus the heroine has 2 old beaus come back to town to get in her life. There is a fun air to a serious mystery in this book. If that continues, this should be a most enjoyable series. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Can’t Judge A Book By It’s Murder by Amy Lillard was a interesting cozy mystery set in Sugar Springs, MS.
The suspicious death was front and center in the first chapter but the plot moved slowly as Ms. Lillard was introducing the central characters. Arlo and Chloe are friends and business partners in Sugar Springs. Chloe has a history with the murder victim and subsequently is arrested for the murder. Arlo’s book club members, Camille, Fern and Helen, decide they need to investigate the murder so Chloe can be released. Frankly, I connected more with Camille, Fern and Helen than with Arlo. I found them to be smart, independent, determined, funny and devious when getting information. Unfortunately, it looks like Arlo will be involved in a romantic triangle that dates back to her high school days 10 years ago. I’m not a fan of romantic triangles in cozy mysteries as it seems to often allow the mystery to become a secondary plot. All in all a good introduction to a new series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Can’t Judge a Book By Its Murder by Amy Lillard is the first in this new series. I have always loved all of Lillard’s books but this one couldn’t hold my interest.
The main characters were likeable as was the setting. There were many plots twists. I just can’t put my finger on what was wrong.
I did finish the book to see who had done Wally in.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley for an honest review.
Series: Main Street Book Club Mysteries – Book 1
Author: Amy Lillard
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Bookstore/BookClub
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Page Count: 320
Publishing Date: October 29, 2019
New from Poisoned Pen Press comes Amy Lillard’s new series “Main Street Book Club Mysteries,” and the first book in the new series Can’t Judge a Book by Its Murder.
Arlo is an unusual character in a new series. She’s a bit confused, whiney, and at times unbelievably brave. Finding a dead guy at her shop front door throws her off in a big way, but when she finds out who it is, Arlo becomes completely speechless. Add to the fact that she has a few moments of doubt about her business partner and best friends’ innocence, and you end up with a character who is about as average as she can be in a murder mystery.
The other characters in this new series will have readers smiling and laughing while cheering them on each time they come up with a bad idea. And the ladies of the Friday Night Book Club have about as many bad ideas as a reader can imagine. Each time they come up with something, you can guarantee Arlo will end up smack dab in the middle with all the trouble that follows.
As a new series, this first book sets up the reoccurring characters and the small-town setting. Ms. Lillard, a seasoned romance writer, aka Amie Louellen, knows how to write a story that is compelling, entertaining, and fun, with characters that readers come to love. This first book in this new series is no exception. Although it is a bit slow to begin, readers will enjoy Arlo and the Friday Night Book Club member’s antics and will look forward to the next installment.
I am happy to recommend this new series, and the first book Can’t Judge a Book by Its Murder to readers who are looking for a lighthearted downhome series with an abundance of mystery and charm, warm, loving characters with just enough romance to add intrigue.
The story kept me on my toes wondering, who did it!
Is it the obvious choice or is it the unexpected?
Strong story plot, the author does a wonderful job of keeping your attention the whole way through you’ll want to read this cozy mystery more than once.
Expected publication: October 29th 2019 by Poisoned Pen Press
I was given a complimentary copy if this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I love the cover and anything to do with bookstores. And Arlo owns the only bookstore in the small town of Sugar Springs Mississippi. Former classmate Wally Harrison is a best selling author and is scheduled to do a book signing at the store, until he is found lying in a heap in front of it, dead. When Arlo’s co-owner and best friend Chloe is jailed for the crime Arlo is determined to prove her innocence. After all, Wally did have lots of enemies.
I adored the three older ladies that formed the Friday Night Book Club. They loved Chloe and decided to help with the investigation. The book club started meeting nightly at the store and bringing food. The ladies were a little quirky but fun to listen to. As they discuss the crime they are joined by Arlo’s former boyfriend Sam, now a detective. I liked that the mystery stayed hidden right up to the end. I had no clue! This is the first in a new series, so I’m excited to know the three little ladies are gearing up for another mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise. All opinions are strictly my own.
You don’t want to miss Amy Lillard’s new book Can’t Judge a Book by Its Murder.
This book is from Amy’s new series – The Main Street Book Club.
In the town of Sugar Springs, Mississippi, bookshop owner, Arlo Stanley is busy preparing for her biggest event yet—a book signing by best selling author and hometown boy, Wally Harrison.
On the morning of Arlo’s big event, however, Wally Harrison, shows up dead on the sidewalk of the bookstore, of all places. Was Wally pushed to his death or did he jump himself. That is the answer that the elderly ladies of the Friday Night Book intend to find out, as they take it upon themselves to play sleuth’s and investigate Wally’s murder. Follow the ladies and Arlo as they try to discover who would want Wally dead. Is it Chloe, Arlo’s best friend and the mother of Wally’s son, his wife or is assistant. Can Arlo keep best friend Chloe from going to jail for Wally’s murder.
You have to read this page turner new book to see who murdered Wally and why they did it. Personally I can’t wait to read more stories in this awesome new series