Review: The Plot is Murder

 The Plot is Murder
Author: V.M. Burns

I read this book when it first came out in 2017. Then life happened and I lost track of this series. I saw this book recently in my local library, and decided to jump back into the Mystery Bookshop series. There are now 8 books! I'm glad I decided to re-read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Basics: Samantha Washington's life has completely changed. Her husband of 13 years died, but he made her promise to fulfill her dream of opening a bookshop. She keeps her promise, selling their house, buying a building and preparing to open her mystery bookshop in North Harbor, MI. Not only is she opening her dream shop, but Samantha is also writing a murder mystery. All her dreams are about to come true. Things are moving along smoothly until she discovers the dead body of real estate agent Clayton Parker in her enclosed patio. Parker tried to sabotage her purchase of the building, forcing her to get an attorney to help her complete closing on the property. Now he's dead. Parker had come to her door the day before asking to speak with her, and she had refused to open the door, walking away instead. Feeling guilty that there might have been a way to prevent the man's death (even if he was a shyster), she vows to find out who killed him.

This first book in the Mystery Bookshop series is actually a mystery within a mystery. As Samantha tries to discover who killed Clayton Parker, she is also writing her own British-style cozy mystery novel about Lady Penelope Marsh and her sister Daphne. As she works to discover who killed Parker, she's also working on her book. I enjoyed the snippets of Samantha's novel and thought the author alternating between the two stories was really creative and fun.

I love the characters in this book! Samantha is a strong woman, realizing her dreams while still grieving for her husband. Her grandmother Jo is a tough old bird, who enlists her friends at the retirement village to help in the investigation. My favorite side character is Irma....the lovely old lady who peppers her conversation with curse words.....well, the group stops her before she finishes saying them, but still....it's the thought that counts. ha ha. :) The colorful characters and humor sprinkled in with the mystery really made this an enjoyable book. The mystery moves along at a nice pace. There are plenty of suspects and sleuthing. Nana Jo's friends are really a huge help -- nothing like a gang of old ladies to dig up gossip and info on anybody!

There is only one thing about this book I didn't really like. One character is constantly called by an insulting nickname pinned on him in school. Over and over again. I don't like that sort of thing, and I hope that doesn't carry over into the rest of the series. It might have been funny if it was mentioned once and then stopped...but it was multiple times throughout the story. Yuck. But....only a minor irritant. Loved the book otherwise!

I already have book 2 checked out from my local library -- moving on to Read Herring Hunt!

For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.vmburns.com/