The first book in the Grace Pointe Cozy Mystery Series!“Fiction is a waste of time.”The heated comment made by a church library ministry team member shocks MacKenzie Baker, but it quickly becomes the least of her worries.MacKenzie Baker is an impetuous, eavesdropping small-town librarian who lives in the apartment above the parsonage garage and refuses to be defined as the pastor’s single sister. … the pastor’s single sister. She thought she was happy for years re-shelving books and helping patrons find their next great read, but as she turns forty, she suddenly struggles to figure out what more to do with her life. Solving murders in her small town of Grace Pointe wasn’t a part of her plan…until she and her brother find a local judge who had come to Pastor Baker for counseling murdered in his chambers, hit over the head with a massive volume of the Indiana Code.
Now, to clear the name of a family friend, she begins to work with the handsome criminal justice professor Ian Canter. Even though the detective with the chocolate brown eyes tells her to stick with making casseroles for the church pitch-in, she soon discovers the Judge’s scheming wife, his rebellious teen daughter, a network of lawyers in Grace Point who were disgruntled with the Judge, and even secrets that lurk among the library ministry team. But with the help of her new kitten Mr. Darcy, her best friend Callie, and her always-pastoring brother, MacKenzie debates the pros and cons of attending law school mid-life while she searches out a killer.
Welcome to Grace Pointe… where most of the people are friendly, the church is to die for, and the sleuthing is as strong as the coffee.
This cozy mystery is a clean read and does not contain foul language, sex, gore, or graphic scenes of any kind.
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Murder at the Courthouse by Meghan Carver is the first novel in A Grace Pointe Cozy Mystery series. It is a Christian cozy mystery which I appreciate. The Christian theme is prevalent with focus on prayer, having faith, and following the path He has for our lives. MacKenzie Baker is forty years old with a degree in library science, lives in the apartment over the parsonage’s garage, has a thing about germs, tends to wear her hair in a ponytail, and has a kitten named Mr. Darcy. I would have liked more background information on MacKenzie, but I am sure we will get to know her much better as the series proceeds. I enjoyed MacKenzie’s inquisitive nature. I like the cast of characters which include Callie Marson, MacKenzie’s best friend. It is great that there is a wide variety of personality types from the cranky octogenarian to MacKenzie’s very kind sister-in-law, Nancy. Grace Pointe Community Church seems a welcoming place with Pastor B leading his flock. We get lovely descriptions of Grace Pointe with its variety of shops including Rudder’s. When Judge Antony Vail turns up dead, MacKenzie is curious from the beginning. I like how she remained calm and looked for clues while being careful to not contaminate the evidence. There are several viable suspects in this whodunit along with good clues. I welcomed the detailed resolution of the crime. As MacKenzie works the murder, she finds that law enforcement interests her, and she begins looking at alternative career paths. I have a feeling that additional knowledge will be dangerous in Mackenzie’s hands. I am eager to read more books in A Grace Pointe Cozy Mystery series. Murder at the Courthouse is a delightful new cozy mystery with a tainted tome, a defiant daughter, a troublesome team, muddy marks, and a snoopy sister.
My Thoughts on Murder at the Courthouse:
I loved this cute and quirky cozy mystery. It’s a perfect mix of who-dun-it and a tiny mix of romance. Definitely kept me reading and now I can’t wait for the next book!
This is a new author to me but I love how she made her characters stand out and made me feel like I was in the book with them. I felt like I was right there watching MacKenzie get caught eavesdropping. And then when the hammer falls. . . bad pun? Anyway. When the judge is found murdered and the investigation begins I felt like I was sitting on the bookshelves with a front-row seat.
Loved the kitten named Darcy. I mean, what book lover isn’t’ going to swoon just a bit over that?
This is a sweet unassuming novel that turns into a great fireside read! I loved it and it read super quick making me wish that it was a long series so I could run away and pretend I didn’t have a sink full of dishes to do.
Highly recommend this book and think you’re going to love this nosy librarian as much as I do!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I love a good cozy mystery, and after complaining about so many in the general market that contain some profanity, it’s refreshing to find an entertaining cozy in Christian fiction. Murder at the Courthouse by Meghan Carver introduces us to the lovely small-town community of Grace Point, Indiana, where murder is not the norm. I enjoyed this first book of a new series and look forward to future releases.
MacKenzie Baker is an appealing lead character, easy to connect with. Her brother is a pastor and, while she has a passion for books, she is a little restless about settling for a library career. The 40-year-old MacKenzie also has a natural inquisitiveness that leads her to ask questions when the body of a local judge is discovered – by MacKenzie and her brother. Hoping to clear a fellow judge of the deceased, layers are gradually peeled back as MacKenzie discovers revealing aspects of the victim’s personal life.
Secondary characters and friends add richness to the story, such as Callie, Ian, and even MacKenzie’s kitten, Mr. Darcy. I loved the Christian element with its focus on prayer and seeking God’s direction for our lives. Murder at the Courthouse is a well-written classic mystery with just the right number of viable suspects and some nice twists.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Sometimes you just have to cozy up to a fun and interesting cozy book. And Meghan Carver’s Murder at the Courthouse is just the book you need. Small town librarian MacKenzie Baker loves in an appartment above the parsonage, which happens to be her brother’s place. Mackenzie is one of those people that knows everyone and their business. Her life is about to change when a murder happens in Grace Point and MacKenzie decides to do a little sleuthing to help solve the mystery.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters that brings this book together. And I just adore Mr. Darcy, the kitten. Each character brings their own flavor to the mixture that makes up this small town. The story is very well written, and kept my attention well. Until I finished the book, there was this anticipation to know who killed the judge. Murder at the Courthouse is everything you want in a nice warm cozy mystery. And I found a little humor along with all of the sleuthing, which was added fun and enjoyment. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a good clean book to read.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
If you are looking for your next cozy mystery to cozy up to, look no further than Meghan Carver’s first book in the new Grace Pointe Cozy Mystery Series- Murder at the Courthouse. In this book, we are introduced to MacKenzie Baker, a restless librarian and pastor’s sister with a knack for eavesdropping. That description alone seems like the makings of a good cozy mystery sleuth now, doesn’t it? This book was a good introduction to both this fun character and the small Indiana town of Grace Pointe. I look forward to reading more about MacKenzie as the series goes on.
One of the things I enjoy most about cozy mysteries is that they tend to be very clean reads. Though not all cozy mysteries are specifically faith based, this one did lean that way with a big emphasis on the church community and messages of God’s plans for our lives. I personally appreciated this aspect of the story. I think that is a message that many of us need to hear time and time again…no matter our ages. We are given just a very brief hint of romance towards the end, which as a fan of romance had me looking forward to seeing how that plays out in future books but I think those who don’t tend to prefer romance will also like that it really didn’t play a huge role at all in the main story. The small town charm, the likable leading lady, the classic whodunnit… this book had everything that I personally enjoy in a cozy mystery!
While I have other books by Meghan Carver in my TBR pile, this is the first I have actually had the chance to read, but it certainly will not be the last. I look forward to more and cannot wait to see what happens next in Grace Pointe. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this is definitely one worth checking out.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
While I don’t read a ton of cozy mysteries, when one does come to my attention, I enjoy it. There’s just something about an amateur sleuth bumbling their way along. And it’s even better when I get to read the first in a series.
In Murder at the Courthouse, Meghan Carver introduces readers to Mackenzie Baker, a single forty-year-old germophobe who lives in the apartment over her brother’s garage. She’s a fun character because she’s a bit clueless when it comes to real-life matters of the heart (but she has no trouble immersing herself in the romance of a good book).
As Mackenzie, her best friend Callie, and family friend Ian try and solve the mystery of who killed a local judge, readers are welcomed to Grace Pointe and the church many of the residents attend.
This is a quick read as Mackenzie works out the crime and the criminal’s intent. Now I’m invested in Mackenzie’s life and want to see what happens next for her—in life, in love, and in the next mystery.
Disclosure statement:
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you in advance to JustRead Publicity Tours and the publisher for providing a review copy. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own.
This book gave me the “Murder: She Wrote”/Cabot Cove vibes. But, I say that in a good way. My grandma didn’t watch much TV, SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED “MURDER: SHE WROTE”.
If you’re not at all familiar with the series, check it out. Here’s a quick synopsis:
“Mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher – a down-to-earth, middle-aged widow – ferrets out the criminals in idyllic Cabot Cove, Maine, which apparently is the murder capital of the United States for the show’s 12-season run.” (#1)
“Professional writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher uses her intellect, charm, and persistence to get to the bottom of every crime she encounters.” (#2)
Okay, with THAT explained, you can see why I’d make the comparison of this cute little novel to the TV series.
“Murder at the Courthouse” is the first of a series in the Grace Pointe Cozy Mysteries. It is a Christian-themed, clean read.
MacKenzie Baker has more on her mind than a callous comment at church library meeting – “Fiction is a waste of time”. She’s determined to set up a church library and nothing will stop her.
That is until Judge Antony Vail ends up dead at the courthouse, in his chambers, discovered by MacKenzie and her pastor brother.
Who would kill a judge?
Who indeed? But, before that scandal … who is MacKenzie Baker?
She is an eavesdropping small-town librarian who lives in the apartment above the garage of her pastor brother’s home and refuses to be defined his single sister.
For years she thought she was happiest re-shelving books and helping patrons find their next great read, but as she turns forty, she wonders if she should do more with her life. But, what exactly?
As she begins to try to figure it out – murder! And, solving a murder in the small town of Grace Pointe wasn’t exactly in that plan she didn’t really have. But, after discovering the body of the judge, who had come to her brother for counseling, something changed.
She’s also trying to figure out who would use a volume of the Indiana Code as a weapon.
That brings MacKenzie to another suspect – fellow judge Gregory Canter. His handsome; and very single son; Ian is a criminal justice professor. And, wanting to clear Judge Canter’s name, Meghan starts poking around on her own, the law book and a mysterious flower on the floor her only clues.
Despite the detective in charge telling her to stick with making casseroles for the church pitch-in, MacKenzie soon discovers Vail’s scheming wife, his rebellious teen daughter, a network of lawyers in Grace Point who were disgruntled with the Judge, and even secrets that lurk among the library ministry team.
But with the help of her new kitten Mr. Darcy, her best friend Callie, and her always-pastoring brother; MacKenzie debates the pros and cons of attending law school mid-life while she searches out a killer.
Grace Pointe… where most of the people are friendly, the church is to die for, and the sleuthing is as strong as the coffee.
With that description who wouldn’t want to read this book?
This is an absolute ADORABLE take on “Murder: She Wrote” for a newer generation; especially those seeking Christian themes and cleaner reads.
It has that “small town” vibe, the shocking murder, and MacKenzie’s sleuthing. The cover is adorable and definitely suits this book. There are no sex scenes, no real romance scenes, and no violent scenes either. The writer keeps everything on track and on pace with the theme of the novel.
Told in third person, only from MacKenzie’s point of view, this was a short, but highly addicting read. It has a steady pace but doesn’t rush itself. There are some funny moments in it and the tone is very “light” despite the murder being at the heart of the novel. The murder weapon is not even a “violent” weapon either.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though I do wish there had been additional POVs – the detective or even Ian to show the progression of the investigation from the other side.
I would definitely read other books in this series as I would like to see the progression of MacKenzie’s choices as well as her “budding” romance with Ian.