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Borrowed Pages Cozy Mysteries #2
Booked for Murder
Libraries are wonderful places…That can get you booked.Autumn is arriving in Oliver’s Crossroads, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and with it, cooler weather, colorful fall leaves, and the annual Fall Festival.Helen Bennett, director of the local public library, is happily breaking out her favorite cardigans and getting into the spirit of the season. The birding society is hosting its first ever Owl Prowl, so that festival goers can walk out into the woods after dark in the hopes of hearing the owls calling to one another.Even more exciting, the library has been given a very valuable gift by a wealthy local family—a first edition copy of Henry M. Burberry’s Birds of the Americas.The book is worth millions, and Helen is thrilled to add such a treasure to the collection . . . but when it goes missing and a staff member is found murdered, she and the other birders will have another mystery to solve.Bake up a batch of Helen’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (recipe included!) and settle in for a delightful autumn Culinary Cozy Mystery!
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2023
122 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 1, 2023
I love this new series! This is the second book and is even better than the first. The story is well written and the mystery engaging. The characters are people I’d love to have for friends! Don’t miss out on a great read.
August 8, 2023
This was so good. I especially like how things are progressing between Helen and Adam. This one really kept me guessing. Loved how it turned out.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
June 30, 2024
This is another delightful book by Maggie Benton! I am really enjoying her cozy mysteries set in a small town. This one follows library director, Helen, as she helps to uncover the mysterious death of a new "temporary" resident and library associate. A rare first edition book is also a key point in this story. If you enjoy small town settings, short and cozy mysteries, I highly recommend Maggie Benton books. Thank you to my hubby for gifting this to me for my bday.
September 26, 2023
"Booked For Murder" is book #2 in the "Borrowed Pages Cozy Mysteries" by Maggie Benton.
"Autumn is arriving in Oliver’s Crossroads, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and with it, cooler weather, colorful fall leaves, and the annual Fall Festival.
Helen Bennett, director of the local public library, is happily breaking out her favorite cardigans and getting into the spirit of the season. The birding society is hosting its first ever Owl Prowl, so that festival goers can walk out into the woods after dark in the hopes of hearing the owls calling to one another.
Even more exciting, the library has been given a very valuable gift by a wealthy local family—a first edition copy of Henry M. Burberry’s Birds of the Americas .
The book is worth millions, and Helen is thrilled to add such a treasure to the collection . . . but when it goes missing and a staff member is found murdered, she and the other birders will have another mystery to solve."
My thoughts:
Murder and a priceless book gone missing all during the fall festival is a lot to deal with but the birders and friends are on the case.
Several viable suspects - especially given the value of the missing book. Was the book the reason for the murder or was the victim targeted? As with the first book in the series, some nice twists before the culprit is revealed.
The relationships between the core characters are slowly being drawn more deeply. The descriptions of the town conjure up an idyllic setting that you'd like to visit.
An entertaining, quick novella length read.
"Autumn is arriving in Oliver’s Crossroads, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and with it, cooler weather, colorful fall leaves, and the annual Fall Festival.
Helen Bennett, director of the local public library, is happily breaking out her favorite cardigans and getting into the spirit of the season. The birding society is hosting its first ever Owl Prowl, so that festival goers can walk out into the woods after dark in the hopes of hearing the owls calling to one another.
Even more exciting, the library has been given a very valuable gift by a wealthy local family—a first edition copy of Henry M. Burberry’s Birds of the Americas .
The book is worth millions, and Helen is thrilled to add such a treasure to the collection . . . but when it goes missing and a staff member is found murdered, she and the other birders will have another mystery to solve."
My thoughts:
Murder and a priceless book gone missing all during the fall festival is a lot to deal with but the birders and friends are on the case.
Several viable suspects - especially given the value of the missing book. Was the book the reason for the murder or was the victim targeted? As with the first book in the series, some nice twists before the culprit is revealed.
The relationships between the core characters are slowly being drawn more deeply. The descriptions of the town conjure up an idyllic setting that you'd like to visit.
An entertaining, quick novella length read.
September 3, 2023
Very enjoyable.
I've read these first two books in the series, and I have enjoyed them. They're gentle, set in a beautiful small town in North Carolina, where the people are nice, they have little "niche" clubs like the bird watchers and the flower and vegetable gardeners, and festivals for the townspeople and tourists (Something like a gussied-up Mayberry). There is always a murder for the library board/bird watchers (who meet up at Annie’s Diner and work on solving). There's a couple of gentle romances in the works, too, like Helen and Adam, who are next-door neighbors (she's the library director and he's a carpenter). There's no snark, no smoldering, no swearing, no cutesy dialogue. The book is just short enough to read in one sitting and exciting enough to keep your interest. I will be reading the next one, too. They make a nice change after reading the grittier murder mysteries that I love.
I've read these first two books in the series, and I have enjoyed them. They're gentle, set in a beautiful small town in North Carolina, where the people are nice, they have little "niche" clubs like the bird watchers and the flower and vegetable gardeners, and festivals for the townspeople and tourists (Something like a gussied-up Mayberry). There is always a murder for the library board/bird watchers (who meet up at Annie’s Diner and work on solving). There's a couple of gentle romances in the works, too, like Helen and Adam, who are next-door neighbors (she's the library director and he's a carpenter). There's no snark, no smoldering, no swearing, no cutesy dialogue. The book is just short enough to read in one sitting and exciting enough to keep your interest. I will be reading the next one, too. They make a nice change after reading the grittier murder mysteries that I love.
November 28, 2025
After reading book one in the Borrowed Pages Cozy Mystery series, I wanted to see what happened next. A couple of months later, Helen Bennett, director of Oliver's Crossings public library, is excited that Cressida Van Horn is making a donation to the library. It's a first edition of Henry M. Burberry's Birds of the Americas 1840. Shockingly, shortly afterward, their new library employee, Reggie, is found dead near the smashed in glass case where the book sat and is now missing. Helen and her new friends immediately start sleuthing. The last part of this book has a lot of twists and turns. I like the characters in this book and the growing relationship between Helen and her neighbor, Adam Walsh. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
July 28, 2023
Kindle Copy for Review
Fall is in the air and the local librarian Helen is enjoying the crispness of the seasons as well as those of fresh pages. The bird society an night event of owl watching in the forest as everyone is excited.
Even more exciting that someone has donated a rare fire edition to the library about birds as it is set to be worth millions. But it soon disappears as a staff member meets their demise.
It will be the job of Helen and the bird society to catch a killer before they strike again. A must read in this series.
Fall is in the air and the local librarian Helen is enjoying the crispness of the seasons as well as those of fresh pages. The bird society an night event of owl watching in the forest as everyone is excited.
Even more exciting that someone has donated a rare fire edition to the library about birds as it is set to be worth millions. But it soon disappears as a staff member meets their demise.
It will be the job of Helen and the bird society to catch a killer before they strike again. A must read in this series.
September 14, 2023
Now that I’ve read this second book, I can definitely say I just love these characters and how they all work together on events and even sleuthing. Cressida wasn’t in the story a lot but I knew I liked that lady, lol. You’ll see what I mean when George wraps up the case at the end. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cressida pop in from time to time and think she might make a good sleuth.
I definitely hadn’t guessed whodunit and the showdown was a good one. I’ve borrowed and downloaded the next book. If Halloween was fun in Oliver’s Crossing, I can only imagine how awesome Christmas is gonna be!
I definitely hadn’t guessed whodunit and the showdown was a good one. I’ve borrowed and downloaded the next book. If Halloween was fun in Oliver’s Crossing, I can only imagine how awesome Christmas is gonna be!
March 29, 2024
A fun easy read
Helen is excited as the library is getting a donation of a very valuable book. The book is delivered and installed in a secure display case. However the book disappears and a library employee turns up dead. Lots of twists and turns and a surprise ending. A fun read.
Helen is excited as the library is getting a donation of a very valuable book. The book is delivered and installed in a secure display case. However the book disappears and a library employee turns up dead. Lots of twists and turns and a surprise ending. A fun read.
May 25, 2024
it’s a book i read straight through
What a fun comforting cozy. Can a murder be cozy? In this case yes. The characters were sweet and enjoyable, I even like the bad guy. Premise was fun and I read it in one day because I didn’t want to put it down till the next day. I’ll be reading the next
What a fun comforting cozy. Can a murder be cozy? In this case yes. The characters were sweet and enjoyable, I even like the bad guy. Premise was fun and I read it in one day because I didn’t want to put it down till the next day. I’ll be reading the next
October 25, 2025
Pretty birds
Helen is so excited. The library is going to acquiring a very rare book about birds.
The book is gone and another death has occurred. There are a few suspects.
Helen keeps telling herself she doesn't want a relationship since her divorce but her heart betrays her when Adam is near. He is leaving soon, isn't he?
Will they find the killer?
Helen is so excited. The library is going to acquiring a very rare book about birds.
The book is gone and another death has occurred. There are a few suspects.
Helen keeps telling herself she doesn't want a relationship since her divorce but her heart betrays her when Adam is near. He is leaving soon, isn't he?
Will they find the killer?
August 29, 2023
A lovely afternoon of entertainment. Likable characters, a small community setting that I would love to visit and an engaging mystery that kept me turning the pages. I am really enjoying this new cozy mystery series.
July 30, 2024
I like a mystery that keeps you guessing right to the end
From the beginning of this mystery several people were introduced and than the murder occurred, who did it? How could this have happened and why was the murderer not exposed until the end, read and enjoy.
From the beginning of this mystery several people were introduced and than the murder occurred, who did it? How could this have happened and why was the murderer not exposed until the end, read and enjoy.
July 28, 2023
Highly Recommend
I am really enjoying this new to me author/series. Both books are fantastic. Great storyline and beautiful setting. I look forward to more books from this author.
I am really enjoying this new to me author/series. Both books are fantastic. Great storyline and beautiful setting. I look forward to more books from this author.
July 30, 2023
Great book
This is another great book in a new series by Maggie Benton. I love all of the characters and the small town setting.
This is another great book in a new series by Maggie Benton. I love all of the characters and the small town setting.
October 12, 2023
Good read, surprising killer.
March 18, 2024
I have read all 12 books of this series in three days! I love these mysteries! They are cozy and not gory. The storylines are entertaining, and the characters are delightful. I highly recommend every book in this series. Start reading them in order because it will make more sense that way.
October 17, 2025
Good beginning
Has it all—suspense, excitement, mystery, great character development and interaction plus a storyline that makes you want more of the story!
Has it all—suspense, excitement, mystery, great character development and interaction plus a storyline that makes you want more of the story!
December 4, 2025
Books and lights.
A rare book is stolen, and several suspects are in town for an owl festival with mysterious lights. Plus, a murder at the library. A real page turner.
A rare book is stolen, and several suspects are in town for an owl festival with mysterious lights. Plus, a murder at the library. A real page turner.
January 14, 2026
It was the Book!
So the book was at fault. But alot of other things happened too. There's something really amazing to behold in the special lights.
So the book was at fault. But alot of other things happened too. There's something really amazing to behold in the special lights.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews