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Murdered by the Books
Welcome to Willow Springs where people are friendly, business is booming, and romance is in the air. But not everything is coming up roses because someone has murder on their mind.
It's a big week for Jillian Edwards as she prepares to open her children’s bookstore, Whimsy & Wonder. On Friday night, the people who helped her dream come to life have gathered to celebrate the grand opening. As the evening winds down and the guests disperse, a scream pierces the crisp autumn air. Jillian’s friend has been hit and killed in the street. The driver speeds away into the night.
Against everyone’s advice and despite ominous visions of danger from her clairvoyant aunt, Jillian jumps in to help solve the case as clues fall into her lap. Her interference annoys the lead detective, who happens to be her best friend’s husband. It also attracts the killer’s attention making her the next target.
Not everything is serious in Willow Springs. Jillian meets Travis, the handsome firefighter who worked the scene of the hit-and-run. From the first time they meet, their physical attraction is undeniable. After a few chance encounters, a heroic life-saving gesture and an intense first date, the pair find themselves with strong feelings for one another.
Will the killer be apprehended before Jillian’s life is threatened again? Can she find love amidst the mayhem and murder?
It's a big week for Jillian Edwards as she prepares to open her children’s bookstore, Whimsy & Wonder. On Friday night, the people who helped her dream come to life have gathered to celebrate the grand opening. As the evening winds down and the guests disperse, a scream pierces the crisp autumn air. Jillian’s friend has been hit and killed in the street. The driver speeds away into the night.
Against everyone’s advice and despite ominous visions of danger from her clairvoyant aunt, Jillian jumps in to help solve the case as clues fall into her lap. Her interference annoys the lead detective, who happens to be her best friend’s husband. It also attracts the killer’s attention making her the next target.
Not everything is serious in Willow Springs. Jillian meets Travis, the handsome firefighter who worked the scene of the hit-and-run. From the first time they meet, their physical attraction is undeniable. After a few chance encounters, a heroic life-saving gesture and an intense first date, the pair find themselves with strong feelings for one another.
Will the killer be apprehended before Jillian’s life is threatened again? Can she find love amidst the mayhem and murder?
- GenresMystery
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2024
10 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 5, 2024
I loved this book!! Willow Springs is a cozy town with a new bookstore and everything seems perfect until disaster strikes and someone is murdered. This book is full of twists that keeps you guessing. The characters are all funny and witty plus there is a spark of romance on the side. I definitely recommend this book for any cozy mystery fan.
March 5, 2025
This book was a cute and fun mystery. One of my patients recommended it to me and told me the character “Becca” is based on her. Can’t wait for Book 2.
April 19, 2024
This was such a fun and cozy introduction to the Cozy Mystery genre for me! My usual go-to genre for reads is Fantasy, so reading "Murdered by the Books" was a very nice push out of my reading comfort zone.
Jodi has such a sharp writing style. I mean this by the way she cuts to the point in each of her sentences, never wasting a word in her tale. Her descriptions fit the tense, yet cozy atmosphere surrounding the plot and the way she develops her characters is so fluid and smooth. She has given each of the cast realistic personalities. My favorite characters are Jillian and Travis (ohhhh my goodness, Travis. Be still my single, hopeless romantic heart :) ). I am hooked on the beginnings of their love story. It is slow and sweet, not rushing and immediate like some other books I've read in the past. Mrs. Casstevens-Short KNOWS how to write slow burn romance and she is quite talented at it! I found myself "awww-ing" and swooning over Jillian and Travis's budding relationship. Men seriously need to take notes from fictional men LOL. The only character I wasn't a fan of was Amanda. I didn't care for her personality towards Jillian and the rest of the cast. Though she does mean well by being concerned for her sister. I hope to see some character growth in her as this series progresses (did I mention this is going to be a series?! It's an automatic purchase for me! :) ).
Obviously, I'm not going to give away any spoilers, but the twists!!! THE TWISTS!!! I will say... My jaw dropped multiple times as the twists and turns came rolling in like an enraged tornado!
The plot had me on the edge of my seat from the first sentence to the very last word. Trust me, you WILL be hooked into the story!
I wish I could rate this book a thousand stars. This is a debut series you do not want to miss!
Jodi has such a sharp writing style. I mean this by the way she cuts to the point in each of her sentences, never wasting a word in her tale. Her descriptions fit the tense, yet cozy atmosphere surrounding the plot and the way she develops her characters is so fluid and smooth. She has given each of the cast realistic personalities. My favorite characters are Jillian and Travis (ohhhh my goodness, Travis. Be still my single, hopeless romantic heart :) ). I am hooked on the beginnings of their love story. It is slow and sweet, not rushing and immediate like some other books I've read in the past. Mrs. Casstevens-Short KNOWS how to write slow burn romance and she is quite talented at it! I found myself "awww-ing" and swooning over Jillian and Travis's budding relationship. Men seriously need to take notes from fictional men LOL. The only character I wasn't a fan of was Amanda. I didn't care for her personality towards Jillian and the rest of the cast. Though she does mean well by being concerned for her sister. I hope to see some character growth in her as this series progresses (did I mention this is going to be a series?! It's an automatic purchase for me! :) ).
Obviously, I'm not going to give away any spoilers, but the twists!!! THE TWISTS!!! I will say... My jaw dropped multiple times as the twists and turns came rolling in like an enraged tornado!
The plot had me on the edge of my seat from the first sentence to the very last word. Trust me, you WILL be hooked into the story!
I wish I could rate this book a thousand stars. This is a debut series you do not want to miss!
May 5, 2024
Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres and debut author, Jodi Casstevens-Short, does not disappoint. ‘Murdered by the Books’ has all the elements… a quaint small-town setting, a blossoming romance, a fun cast of characters who really care about the hero, Jillian, and of course, a murder! Having two sisters myself, I can relate to the Edwards sisters and the interactions between them. Though members of the family may have different personality traits, they’re a group of people who share a deep bond made up of memories, humor - sometimes exasperation - and always love. With friends and neighbors, they come together to support and protect Jillian as she receives threats on her life while helping the police solve the murder. The mystery storyline moves along quickly and keeps you guessing as to ‘who done it’ (I changed my mind several times)! The addition of two adorable dogs and a few eccentric individuals makes for an entertaining read. I look forward to the next book in the ‘Murdered in Willow Springs’ series. What is going to happen next?!
April 17, 2024
A debut which leaves you waiting eagerly for the next in series!
Jillian's dream of opening her own children's book store in her home town of Willow Springs is finally achieved. It's opening night, the party's been great, and there's everything to look forward to when the shop is open for business the next day.
But then her friend Maggie is knocked down and killed by a hit and run driver right outside her doors, setting in motion a quest for the murderer, and the motive. Jilly's search for the truth puts her own life in danger despite the increasingly desperate measures handsome firefighter Travis takes to protect her.
A race against time, red herrings all over, loveable characters (including the two dogs), romance, and a Miss Marple like intricate plot line which gives you a satisfactory, Ah yes, of course, at the end. What else does a reader need in a cosy mystery?
Highly recommend.
Jillian's dream of opening her own children's book store in her home town of Willow Springs is finally achieved. It's opening night, the party's been great, and there's everything to look forward to when the shop is open for business the next day.
But then her friend Maggie is knocked down and killed by a hit and run driver right outside her doors, setting in motion a quest for the murderer, and the motive. Jilly's search for the truth puts her own life in danger despite the increasingly desperate measures handsome firefighter Travis takes to protect her.
A race against time, red herrings all over, loveable characters (including the two dogs), romance, and a Miss Marple like intricate plot line which gives you a satisfactory, Ah yes, of course, at the end. What else does a reader need in a cosy mystery?
Highly recommend.
May 4, 2024
I am delighted to share my thoughts on this charming book! This is a delightful cozy mystery that had me hooked from the very first page. It is set in an adorable town... the story revolves around the super charismatic heroine (Jillian) and her intriguing new love interest (Travis).
The author weaves a compelling story that drew me into a world filled w/ suspense as well as a touch of romance. Jillian has determination/wit/intelligence that make her an endearing protagonist. Her interactions w/ Travis add an extra layer of excitement/intrigue to the story.
The plot of the book is well crafted w/ lots of fun characters in this town/family (quirky neighbors/friends). Each character contributes to the overall charm/authenticity of the book. I felt fully immersed in the world of Jillian/Travis. One of the highlights for me beyond the romance/mystery was the loyalty/sense of family that the author created. There is a rich tapestry of relationships/interactions.
The story pacing is excellent so I was engaged/eager to uncover the truth behind the mystery (being vague to avoid spoilers!). It was easy to get lost in the story. This is a wonderful cozy mystery that fans of the genre will love. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something heartwarming. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
The author weaves a compelling story that drew me into a world filled w/ suspense as well as a touch of romance. Jillian has determination/wit/intelligence that make her an endearing protagonist. Her interactions w/ Travis add an extra layer of excitement/intrigue to the story.
The plot of the book is well crafted w/ lots of fun characters in this town/family (quirky neighbors/friends). Each character contributes to the overall charm/authenticity of the book. I felt fully immersed in the world of Jillian/Travis. One of the highlights for me beyond the romance/mystery was the loyalty/sense of family that the author created. There is a rich tapestry of relationships/interactions.
The story pacing is excellent so I was engaged/eager to uncover the truth behind the mystery (being vague to avoid spoilers!). It was easy to get lost in the story. This is a wonderful cozy mystery that fans of the genre will love. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something heartwarming. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
April 30, 2024
I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of the book prior to release and I absolutely loved it! So much so that I have ordered my own hard copy, as this is definitely one I will want to re-read. A book about books - you can't make a novel any more irresistible to bookworms, and this one also has a special appeal for dog lovers. Jillian's fur-babies are essential to the plot of the book, not just thrown in for an added cuteness factor. This book has it all - suspense, comedy, romance, and even quirky family members. New author Jodi Short is now officially one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to see the other books in this new series.
April 19, 2024
What a fun, cozy mystery! Jodi Casstevens-Short does a great job on her debut novel. Her main character, Jillian, is just pushy enough to keep her nose in everyone else's business as they try to track down her friend's killer. Throw in a hunky firefighter; a mystical, tarot-card reading aunt with visions; two over-protective sisters; and a cranky old man neighbor, and you've got a recipe for ... well, read it and find out for yourself. I promise, you won't know who did it until the end.
May 2, 2024
This book has it all! Sweet dogs, a main character with a love of books, great friendships, and close family ties, but add a gripping murder, and a budding romance, and you’ve got a WINNER! I enjoyed the opportunity to read an advanced copy, and have now read it twice and can hardly wait to read the next two in the series! I hope you’ll order a copy and enjoy it for yourself — I’m confident you’ll be glad you did!
April 22, 2024
Jodi Casstevens Short brings a fun, new cozy to entertain your weekend. Murdered by the Books introduces a group of delightful friends who help Jillian open her dream, a children’s book store. Unfortunately, this dream turns into a nightmare. Travis the handsome firefighter and Jillian’s friends keep life fun in Willow Springs. They tease, quip, and banter through mysterious events, help her with cleanup after break-ins, and best of all, with Aunt Grace's help, they save Jillian from death… the first time her throat is cut.
April 19, 2024
An enjoyable, cozy murder. A dream job turns into a time of being hunted by a killer for the main character. With romance thrown in, this is a book not to be missed. I actually thought I knew how it would end but then "boom" a twist. I loved that! Preorder now. You'll be glad you did.
February 19, 2025
Love this book and all its characters. Can't wait for more about the entire Willow Springs family! Definitely one of those " when anyone bothers a family member, you get the whole crew" kind of group!! LOVE LOVE LOVE ❤️
April 19, 2024
Do you love a good mystery? Do you love cute dogs? Then this book is for you! This is an amazing and fun read. Loved it so much! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 19, 2024
This cozy mystery was such a fun read. I loved getting to know all of the characters and trying to solve the mystery. I can’t wait to read book 2!
April 22, 2024
Very enjoyable. I particularly loved the twists and turns of this cozy romance and murder mystery. Well done.
May 7, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next in the series!
December 15, 2024
So good! Engaging and well written, cozy read with twists throughout.
March 15, 2025
This was a great read! Well written, great characters. I’m looking forward to the next book!
July 27, 2025
4.5 - I enjoyed this book. I want to see where Jilly and Travis go from here! Glad the bad guy was caught!
September 9, 2025
Such an enjoyable read! Very surprised this was author's first book. Great character development and storyline. I look forward to reading more in this series.
September 14, 2025
This was such a fun read!! I found it in my local bookstore and it was the perfect fall mystery. Cute, cozy, & curious it had everything I wanted!
May 1, 2024
I like a good mystery. I love it when the story has twists, the unexpected ending. I also like animals in the story. I also love seeing children involved. You don't want to miss this one!
June 4, 2024
I finished my first book of Summer break, and I am happy to say it was written by author and friend Jodi Casstevens Short. You will fall in love with Willow Springs, The Edwards Family, and two schnauzer pups(Abbey and Hayley), as they all work in their own way to solve the mysterious death of a family friend. This cozy mystery is perfect for dog lovers, a perspective I have not seen often in books I have read. The descriptions of food literally leave one craving mid-read snick snack. The small town vibes are reminiscence of Sweet Magnolias, Netflix show, based on book series by Sherryl Woods.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews