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Good Buy Girls Mystery #4
Marked Down for Murder
By Jenn McKinlay, author of the Library Lover's mysteries and the Cupcake Bakery mysteries, writing as Josie Belle
Between spending Valentine’s Day with her sweetheart, Sam, and shopping upcoming Presidents’ Day sales with the Good Buy Girls, everything is coming up roses and bargains for Maggie Gerber. But when the mother of Maggie’s nemesis comes to town, things stop looking so rosy. Summer’s mom is hoping to set her spoiled daughter up with Sam, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make the match happen.
When Maggie heads to her romantic rival’s house to put a stop to the scheming, she discovers Summer standing over a dead body—holding a weapon. As much as Maggie would love to see Summer get her just desserts, she can’t shake the feeling that the meddling menace is, in fact, innocent. Now Maggie and the Good Buy Girls will have to sort through racks of suspects to find a killer—or Summer will wind up getting a truly raw deal…
INCLUDES THRIFTY RECIPES!
Between spending Valentine’s Day with her sweetheart, Sam, and shopping upcoming Presidents’ Day sales with the Good Buy Girls, everything is coming up roses and bargains for Maggie Gerber. But when the mother of Maggie’s nemesis comes to town, things stop looking so rosy. Summer’s mom is hoping to set her spoiled daughter up with Sam, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make the match happen.
When Maggie heads to her romantic rival’s house to put a stop to the scheming, she discovers Summer standing over a dead body—holding a weapon. As much as Maggie would love to see Summer get her just desserts, she can’t shake the feeling that the meddling menace is, in fact, innocent. Now Maggie and the Good Buy Girls will have to sort through racks of suspects to find a killer—or Summer will wind up getting a truly raw deal…
INCLUDES THRIFTY RECIPES!
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 2014
44 people are currently reading
771 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 31, 2021
Book four in the Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series. There’s still some of the decades-long rivalry between Maggie and Summer, and now Summer’s mother, Blair, has entered the fray. So why does Maggie feel compelled to help Summer avoid a charge of murder?
The scenarios in this series are just ridiculous. I figured out the culprit about 2 minutes after the murder happened.
The romantic tension between Maggie and Sheriff (and old high school boyfriend) Sam Collins is unbelievable. She is such a mess and has remained stuck in junior high mode despite being a 40-something woman with her own business. And speaking of which, how she remains in business when she closes up shop every other minute to go investigate a murder she has no business looking into is beyond me.
Glad I’m done with this series.
The scenarios in this series are just ridiculous. I figured out the culprit about 2 minutes after the murder happened.
The romantic tension between Maggie and Sheriff (and old high school boyfriend) Sam Collins is unbelievable. She is such a mess and has remained stuck in junior high mode despite being a 40-something woman with her own business. And speaking of which, how she remains in business when she closes up shop every other minute to go investigate a murder she has no business looking into is beyond me.
Glad I’m done with this series.
May 13, 2019
This was an intriguing cozy with a few twists are some sweet romance not only for Maggie and Sam but a few other couples in this series. I'm glad my library has all five books in this series so that I can enjoy each one.
March 20, 2024
Great cozy mystery! I really enjoy the Good Buy Girls and their friendships. This story has a twisty murder mystery. It’s my favorite, so far. I do recommend this cozy series!
Note: Josie Belle is a pen name for Jenn McKinlay.
Note: Josie Belle is a pen name for Jenn McKinlay.
May 26, 2021
I'm really enjoying this series and am bummed there is only 1 book left. The characters are a lot of fun. The story was good and intriguing. I've enjoyed seeing the characters relationships change throughout these books.
May 3, 2018
This is a fun series. I sure hope it continues because I've only got one more book to go.
September 8, 2014
Maggie Gerber and Summer Phillips have been arch enemies for years. In high school Summer ruined Maggie's relationship with Sam Collins and even though it is years later and Maggie is finally with Sam she still doesn't trust Summer. When she meets Summer's mother Blair, Maggie begins to realize why Summer acts the way she does. Blair is so overwhelming that, much to her surprise, Maggie actually feels a bit sorry for Summer. Maybe because of that, when Summer is suspected of murder Maggie begins to investigate the case much to Sam's dismay. He is right to be worried - the killer isn't afraid to strike again.
“Marked Down For Murder” is the nicely done fourth book in Josie Belle’s Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series (Belle is the pen name of author Jenn McKinlay). I love the relationship between the Good Buy Girls (Maggie, Claire, Ginger, and Joanne). Their bond is especially evident in this book as they await the birth of Joanne’s baby. The relationship between Sam and Maggie is very realistically and romantically done. I love the idea of two high school sweethearts getting together later in life. Slightly less believable is Maggie’s relationship with Summer which is over the top at times but truthfully it had me laughing so hard that I didn't mind, plus Summer becomes more human and believable as the book goes on. The mystery itself is Belle well plotted and just when I thought I had the killer figured out bell through in a plot twist that caught me off-guard and had me rethinking everything that had happened in the book - nicely done! Finally, while I smiled and laughed throughout much of the book, the ending of the book especially made me smile.
“Marked Down For Murder” is another nicely done cozy mystery by Josie Belle/Jenn McKinlay.
“Marked Down For Murder” is the nicely done fourth book in Josie Belle’s Good Buy Girls cozy mystery series (Belle is the pen name of author Jenn McKinlay). I love the relationship between the Good Buy Girls (Maggie, Claire, Ginger, and Joanne). Their bond is especially evident in this book as they await the birth of Joanne’s baby. The relationship between Sam and Maggie is very realistically and romantically done. I love the idea of two high school sweethearts getting together later in life. Slightly less believable is Maggie’s relationship with Summer which is over the top at times but truthfully it had me laughing so hard that I didn't mind, plus Summer becomes more human and believable as the book goes on. The mystery itself is Belle well plotted and just when I thought I had the killer figured out bell through in a plot twist that caught me off-guard and had me rethinking everything that had happened in the book - nicely done! Finally, while I smiled and laughed throughout much of the book, the ending of the book especially made me smile.
“Marked Down For Murder” is another nicely done cozy mystery by Josie Belle/Jenn McKinlay.
September 1, 2015
Have I said before that these books are ridiculous? I actually like some of the characters, but some act SO immature! I had decided not to read any more of these after the 2nd book, but I won a copy of the 3rd one here on GR. It was an improvement over the first 2, so I thought the series was headed in the right direction. Wrong! The things that annoyed me were back and this actually read more like a romance for nearly the first half of the book. I don't like romances and if I wanted to read one I can think of a bunch of authors who do it much better! Jenn McKinlay writes these and she's obviously embarrassed to put her name on these, so why write them?? I understand the next one is the last one............I won't be reading it!
May 24, 2022
The mystery was good, but this cozy mystery series feels very heavy on romance. Too heavy for my personal taste. The mystery was solid and the characters are enjoyable. There's only one more book in the series and I plan on reading it.
May 14, 2019
I'm still enjoying this series and all, but Maggie was a little ridiculous in this one. She really didn't have to be all up in the investigation the way she was. Sam was really patient with her, but I honestly wanted to slap her! I do say that I was a little thrown about why the killer did what they did and the little twist with it. I guessed it easily but my theory was all wrong! I loved the way Summer changed and the dance party at the end was refreshing. I would love a small town life where that could happen!
October 8, 2021
I really enjoy this series! The characters are great and so personable! I love the friendship these women share! Maggie is a great main character, very lovable! I’m going to read the next one soon!
November 29, 2016
#4 in the Good Buy Girls mystery series. Maggie Gerber and her GBGs are an appealing collection of characters. Summer, Maggie's nemesis, is somewhat of a caricature as the bad girl who's not too bad. When Summer's mother comes to town with her third husband and starts scheming to separate Sam and Maggie so Sam will be available for Summer, the plot turns into slapstick.
Good Buy Girls mystery - Between spending Valentine's Day with her sweetheart, Sam, and shopping upcoming Presidents' Day sales with the Good Buy Girls, everything is coming up roses and bargains for Maggie Gerber. But when the mother of Maggie's nemesis comes to town, things stop looking so rosy. Summer's mom is hoping to set her spoiled daughter up with Sam, and she'll do whatever it takes to make the match happen. When Maggie heads to her romantic rival's house to put a stop to the scheming, she discovers Summer standing over a dead body--holding a weapon. As much as Maggie would love to see Summer get her just desserts, she can't shake the feeling that the meddling menace is, in fact, innocent.
Good Buy Girls mystery - Between spending Valentine's Day with her sweetheart, Sam, and shopping upcoming Presidents' Day sales with the Good Buy Girls, everything is coming up roses and bargains for Maggie Gerber. But when the mother of Maggie's nemesis comes to town, things stop looking so rosy. Summer's mom is hoping to set her spoiled daughter up with Sam, and she'll do whatever it takes to make the match happen. When Maggie heads to her romantic rival's house to put a stop to the scheming, she discovers Summer standing over a dead body--holding a weapon. As much as Maggie would love to see Summer get her just desserts, she can't shake the feeling that the meddling menace is, in fact, innocent.
September 21, 2019
This mystery features a group of friends who like to thrift shop (very little of which was done in this book.) Maggie Gerber owns a resale shop and has renewed a romance with her high school sweetheart, who happens to be the sheriff. When the step-father of her life-long nemesis is murdered, Maggie sets out to find the killer, despite entreaties from her boyfriend to stay out of it. Josie Belle is a pen name for Jenn McKinlay, whose other books I really enjoy. I anticipated that I would like this one, too. I could see definite similarities between this series and her Cupcake Bakery mysteries, but the characters in those books are not nearly as annoying as the people in this book. Maggie's boyfriend all but begs her to stay out of the murder investigation, yet she blithely disregards his wishes. I did an eye-roll on a number of occasions. I had just finished another book that had seriously pummeled my emotions, and I needed a light story to clear my mind. Well, this certainly was light.
September 6, 2014
This was another great addition to the Good Buy Girls series. I did not expect to feel anything but loathing for Summer, but this was one of the many things that surprised me about this book. So much happened in the last 50 pages that it is hard to keep track of all the changes that are to come. And I was so convinced I knew how it would end, but I was 100% wrong. Love it.
October 16, 2022
One of my criticisms of this series in the past has been the over-villainization of Summer Phillips, a woman who owns a consignment sop across the street from one owned by Maggie Gerber, the main protagonist of the book. Maggie and a group of her friends are coupon clippers extraordinaire, and they refer to themselves as the “good buy” girls. I enjoy reading about all the women in Maggie’s circle, but I used to think the dialogue between Maggie and her nemesis, Summer, was a bit juvenile. Things get more realistic in this book, and it’s my favorite of the series so far.
Maggie and Sheriff Sam Collins are very much an item as this book opens, and it feels right. It’s what you root for in the earlier books. But Summer’s mom believes Sam should be with her daughter, not Maggie Gerber. She works ridiculously hard to make that happen, including arranging a hotel room where Summer will seduce Sam Collins. But Summer has other ideas in the form of a local guy whom Mom doesn’t think highly of. He’s in the hotel room with Summer when Sam responds to a fake call by Summer’s mom to visit the hotel for some manufactured crime.
Before the book ends, Maggie finds Summer standing over the body of her stepfather with a hammer in her hand. It looks like Summer killed the guy, but Maggie doesn’t believe that.
This has a highly satisfactory conclusion, the writing is light and fun, and the subplots are intriguing and plot enhancing.
Maggie and Sheriff Sam Collins are very much an item as this book opens, and it feels right. It’s what you root for in the earlier books. But Summer’s mom believes Sam should be with her daughter, not Maggie Gerber. She works ridiculously hard to make that happen, including arranging a hotel room where Summer will seduce Sam Collins. But Summer has other ideas in the form of a local guy whom Mom doesn’t think highly of. He’s in the hotel room with Summer when Sam responds to a fake call by Summer’s mom to visit the hotel for some manufactured crime.
Before the book ends, Maggie finds Summer standing over the body of her stepfather with a hammer in her hand. It looks like Summer killed the guy, but Maggie doesn’t believe that.
This has a highly satisfactory conclusion, the writing is light and fun, and the subplots are intriguing and plot enhancing.
June 15, 2018
Genocide. Sociopaths. Infantcide. And childhood incest in a religious cult.
Not in this book. This light, entertaining mystery was a welcome change of pace from four other books I was reading.
Sales shopping is more the gimmick for the series than the heartbeat of the book, heavy on romance, fair or foul, and on 4 assorted BFFs.
The mystery was simple but well worked out.
The review says thrifty recipes are included. I looked for them, specific dishes were mentioned that seemed an obvious setup for recipes, but none were included. None were mentioned on the book cover. Removing them from the "perfect" binding would have left evidence.
So I suspect they were left out or the review was in error.
No matter. Enjoy a lighthearted, easy read.
Not in this book. This light, entertaining mystery was a welcome change of pace from four other books I was reading.
Sales shopping is more the gimmick for the series than the heartbeat of the book, heavy on romance, fair or foul, and on 4 assorted BFFs.
The mystery was simple but well worked out.
The review says thrifty recipes are included. I looked for them, specific dishes were mentioned that seemed an obvious setup for recipes, but none were included. None were mentioned on the book cover. Removing them from the "perfect" binding would have left evidence.
So I suspect they were left out or the review was in error.
No matter. Enjoy a lighthearted, easy read.
January 16, 2018
This series has been a lot of fun. I enjoy the way they use the Gazebo in this particular book. Between spending Valentine’s Day with her sweetheart, Sam, and shopping upcoming Presidents’ Day sales with the Good Buy Girls, everything is coming up roses and bargains for Maggie Gerber. But when the mother of Maggie’s nemesis Summer comes in and decides that her boyfriend should be Summer's that is just not going to work. The book was hard to put down this time. Great ending wit ha good upbeat after everything has been happening.
April 2, 2019
Wow! The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Summer’s mother and stepfather have hit town and it’s not pretty. Blair is a spiteful, devious and manipulative character who delights in not only trying to make Maggie’s relationship bite the dust, but insists that Sam belongs with Summer. She really is a piece of work. However, the worm turns and I really enjoyed watching her squirm at times. Yet, she’s a survivor and tries to use this to her advantage in coming between Maggie and Sam.
Just a fun cosy to pass a few hours with. May have to buy this limited series for my shelves 😊
4 stars
Just a fun cosy to pass a few hours with. May have to buy this limited series for my shelves 😊
4 stars
July 6, 2023
Maggie and the Good Buy girls are getting ready for the President's day sales when her nemesis across the street is found in the kitchen if her home holding a bloody hammer that had been used to kill her step Dad.
The ME discovers that Mr Cassidy is not the man's name but rather a Terry Knox. The wife, Blair Cassidy swears that her husband has never married before and she is hell bent and bound that her daughter Summer, is going to marry Maggie's boyfriend Sheriff Collins.
A great read, even the second time around. Read in 2015 but goodreads erased the info.
The ME discovers that Mr Cassidy is not the man's name but rather a Terry Knox. The wife, Blair Cassidy swears that her husband has never married before and she is hell bent and bound that her daughter Summer, is going to marry Maggie's boyfriend Sheriff Collins.
A great read, even the second time around. Read in 2015 but goodreads erased the info.
August 8, 2020
This was such a good mystery and I honestly never figured out who the murderer was unlike some books similar to this one. I really enjoyed the romantic aspect to it that the main character has. This is the fourth book in the series and I really want to read the rest of them. Definitely worth reading it.
October 16, 2020
I have really liked this series. Except this one not so much. I found Maggie to be especially immature in this book. She acted more like a teenager through out the book. I was constantly wondering how Sam could put up with her. As far as the mystery goes it was wonderfully twisted at the end and I enjoyed that aspect very much. I hope in the next book Maggie grows up and acts her age.
February 11, 2021
This is a cozy mystery. Maggie runs a second hand store and across the street Summer runs a similar store. Summer's Mom comes to visit and will do anything she can to have Maggie give up her boyfriend Sam so that Summer can have him. A murder complicates the situation. Maggie's friends and Sam work to solve the mystery. This is #4 in the Good Buy Girls mystery series.
June 15, 2021
I really love this series. This is a great addition. As always I absolutely love the tips they give on saving money and finding deals. Something that we can adapt to our own lives. The savings aspect of the series is definitely realistic. The characters are fun to follow. The storyline is realistic even though some characters are a bit "extra". I would definitely recommend this series.
May 27, 2023
Book four in the series. I wasn't planning on going through the whole series quite this fast, but they're really quick reads and a lot of fun to go along for the ride. After the amount of DNFs I had over the past week, I wanted something I knew would be able to keep my attention and this one delivered.
October 14, 2018
I couldn't finish the book... it was so predictable. This author, like in the cupcakes series made some kind of stupid and childish rivalry that became so ridiculous that I can't stand it. The first half of the book I read it.. in less than 20 min. it was so boring and I give up. It was horrible!!!
February 17, 2020
So fun and timely
I picked this cozy up because it was Valentine's and Presidents' Day related. The story was cute and involved a baby, archenemies coming together, mistaken identity, and a targeted victim.
I picked this cozy up because it was Valentine's and Presidents' Day related. The story was cute and involved a baby, archenemies coming together, mistaken identity, and a targeted victim.
March 9, 2021
Another installment in this wonderful cozy series and this one does not disappoint. More of a study in relationships in this novel as opposed to a lot of emphasis on the mystery. Great setting, great characters and well written. A very satisfying read for lovers of this genre.
August 11, 2021
Romance is in the air and so is murder and deception! Loving this cast of characters and the evolution of their relationships. I'm so sad that there are only 5 books in this series. For reals, Jen McKinley is my very favorite cozy author.
December 21, 2017
Another great addition to a great series. Full of love & danger.
January 7, 2018
Hard to believe Maggie is helping her nemesis in a quirky turn of events. Looking for the next story, as I get so involved I have trouble putting the book down.
July 19, 2018
The Good Buy Girls are back with a new very twisted plot line. The entertainment continues in this fun read with all the great characters from this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews