Murder Among the Stacks: Book 1: Solve the Puzzles―and the Plot of a Cozy Bookstore Mystery!

by Rosie A. Point, Charles Timmerman (Primary Contributor)

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Rosie A. Point is a USA Today Bestselling cozy mystery author who loves writing about food, small towns, and cats. Her favorite books are ones you can snuggle up with under a cozy blanket on a winter's day. Born and raised in South Africa, her books are all set in small towns in the United States. She dreams of visiting the places she writes about in her books.

Rosie wants to hear from you. Whether it’s about a recipe or one of her books, you can contact her on her website. Join her reader club today!

https://www.rosiepointbooks.com/

Reviews

[Val~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. It's really entertaining, and the design is cute. After each chapter, you'll find a puzzle (word search) to complete, so you can solve the mystery. I really liked that the chapters are not just plain texts, they contain illustrations with elements that will help you with the case. At the end, you'll find the answers to each puzzle. It's very cozy and fun, and it even has a map of Cranberry Creek!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a bad breakup with her boyfriend, Abby Jones moves to the small town of Cranberry Creek where she plans to open a bookstore. She even has a ginger cat named Reggie who loves to lie in the sun at the bookstore. Everything is going well until her first author signing takes place and the author suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances. All eyes turn towards Abby as the guilty party.

Abby is desperate to find the real killer. She has no intentions of spending the rest of her life behind bars.

This is a fun, quick mystery. It’s a great way to spend an hour or so. The problem I had with this book is the format. After each chapter (which are extremely short), there is a word search puzzle and clues to help you figure out “whodunit”.

I love word search puzzles and this could have been so much fun and unique, if it weren’t in e-book format. This type of book would have worked much better in a print version. Still, this is a good mystery and I love the interactive format, just not as an e-book. This is one time when the old fashion paper would have worked much better.







FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ebook ARC received via NetGalley. Many thanks!

This was my first time reading a book that combines a cozy mystery with puzzles, and wow, it was so, sooo, soooo fun!

At just about 100 pages, it’s a quick read, but it packs plenty of charm: small-town vibes, a quirky landlady, a bookstore opening, and… oh yes… a murder to solve. I loved that the puzzles are seamlessly tied into the story, making you feel like you’re actively part of solving the case. The mystery itself fits perfectly into the cozy genre ... light, engaging, and full of that amateur sleuth spirit. And, lets not forget about Sir Reginald Cattingon the Third. He is the awesome-est.

If you love word searches, cozy mysteries, and a touch of interactivity, this is such a delightful pick. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more in this format!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This is such a fun book! It includes a light cozy mystery story with fifty short chapters that end on mini-cliffhangers. The main character, Abby Jones, has moved to the small town of Cranberry Creek, Wisconsin for a fresh start. She's excited to open a bookstore, but during the grand opening event, the visiting author dies a very unnatural death and Abby becomes the prime suspect. The local sheriff doesn't seem to be looking at anyone but her, so she starts her own investigation. 

Abby loves word search puzzles and uses a similar approach to evaluate clues she has gathered about Brooke's death. While Sheriff Swift is not Abby's favorite person, there is a spark between her and the sheriff's handsome deputy Nathan. The characters and plot are not complex, but the book is really fun. What makes it different is that at the end of each of the chapters, there is a word search puzzle with words related to the chapter. I'm glad I had a print copy of the book so I could work the puzzles. There are also cute illustrations, online posts, and newspaper headlines throughout the book. The identity of the killer is revealed in a fun way in one of the last chapters.

I received a gifted copy of this book from Adams Media, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. 

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. You should be aware that this is a word search book, with a small side of story. The story is pretty basic, not written particularly well, and feels like a missed opportunity. This would have really shined if it had been a better story with longer chapters, and then the word searches could have provided clues or added to the story in some way. But they are merely just key words taken from the previous paragraph or two, which are masquerading as a "chapter." The story jumps from scene to scene with no connectivity. Conversations just end, even when there's plenty of space on the page to add more. Like I said, it feels like a big missed opportunity.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review is based on an ARC received via the NetGalley platform.

Overall, I’d give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars. The story was cute but fairly simple, without much depth or character development. I did really enjoy the interactions between the main character and her cat — their dialogue was silly and playful in a way I found relatable since I talk to my dogs like people all the time. Plus, the illustrations were adorable and added a nice touch!

The chapters were incredibly short (just a single page), so I flew through the book. At first, I completed each word search as I went, but that made the story feel disjointed. The breaks didn’t always occur at natural transition points, and it interrupted the flow. Eventually, I started reading a few chapters at a time and then going back to complete the word searches once I reached a more natural stopping point.

The word searches themselves were fun and easy, and the selected words tied in nicely with the story’s events. I’d say this book would appeal most to word search lovers who enjoy having a light story as an added bonus. However, cozy mystery fans might find it a little lacking in plot and intrigue. Overall, a cute concept — just not quite my target niche.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

⸻

Murder Among the Stacks by Rosie A. Point
Published by Adams Media — thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Listen, I cracked open Murder Among the Stacks expecting your run-of-the-mill cozy mystery with a few cutesy flourishes, and instead I got… a murder mystery activity book. Yes, really. It’s a small-town whodunit wrapped in cat illustrations and paired with themed word search puzzles like a cheese board at a PTA meeting. A novel format? Sure. A little ridiculous? Also yes. But somehow — against all odds and good judgment — it works.

Our reluctant detective is Abby Jones, who moves to the quintessential cozy town of Cranberry Creek, where everyone knows your name and someone is probably hiding a secret murder motive behind their sourdough starter. Abby’s big dream? Open a charming bookstore and start fresh. Unfortunately, her grand opening goes sideways when a bestselling author drops dead right in front of the cupcakes. Welcome to entrepreneurship.

Now Abby’s got a murder to solve, a reputation to salvage, and a cat named Sir Reginald Cattington the Third to wrangle. (Yes, the cat has a full name, and no, I will not be calling him anything else.) With each short chapter, we move through the investigation — and just as the plot thickens, bam! Time for a word search puzzle. Because apparently solving fictional murders isn’t challenging enough without needing to find the word “suspect” backwards in a zigzag. Honestly, it’s like someone said, “How can we turn this into a craft night for introverts with a vengeance?” and Rosie A. Point said, “Hold my puzzle pen.”

Now, let’s talk about what works. The concept is bold — maybe even unhinged — but undeniably fun. Each puzzle ties in thematically with the chapter, and by the time you reach the final reveal, you literally solve the case yourself. It’s not quite Clue, but it flirts with the idea. There’s something satisfying about discovering the killer’s name not through some dramatic confession, but hidden in plain sight in a grid of letters. It’s like reading and sleuthing had a quirky baby, and that baby loves cats and cozy crimes.

The writing? Breezy. The tone? Light and occasionally sarcastic — which I appreciate, because if you’re going to serve murder with muffins, you better add some dry wit on the side. The characters are admittedly a bit two-dimensional (especially if you’re used to cozies with rich character arcs), but that’s not the goal here. This is less about emotional depth and more about entertainment, and on that front, it delivers. Abby is likable, the setting is peak cozy, and the dialogue does its job without being precious or forced. Plus, there’s an adorable town map — because why not?

Let’s be real: this isn’t going to replace your deep, brooding mysteries. If you’re here for gritty crime scenes and complex moral ambiguity, take a hard left. But if you’re in the mood for something creative, engaging, and totally different from the norm — especially if you enjoy the tactile satisfaction of circling words like “alibi” or “death by pen” — then you’re the exact audience this book is winking at.

Here’s my one gripe (because no review is complete without a grumble): the eBook format? Not ideal. Word searches are a hands-on experience, and trying to complete them on a screen is like trying to do yoga in a phone booth. Do yourself a favor and get the physical copy. Trust me. It’ll make the whole experience smoother, more fun, and frankly, more satisfying.

Favorite quote? “It’s not every day your new business opens with confetti, cupcakes, and a corpse.” If that line doesn’t sell the vibe of this book, nothing will.

So who is this book for? Readers who love puzzles, light-hearted murder (you know what I mean), and don’t mind a gimmick if it’s done with charm. It’s ideal for fans of cozy mysteries looking to spice up the format. Would I recommend this for your book club? Only if your book club is the kind that drinks wine from mugs and doesn’t take itself too seriously — which, let’s be honest, is the best kind.

Final thoughts: Murder Among the Stacks is the kind of book you didn’t know you needed until you’re halfway through circling clues with a purple gel pen and muttering, “It was the neighbor. It’s always the neighbor.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)
A cozy, puzzly delight with bonus cat content and just enough murder to keep it interesting.

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[Shawna Borman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s the last Wednesday of November, so you know what that means. Book review time! This month, I went with a hybrid cozy mystery/word search puzzle. It was certainly something different. Murder Among the Stacks by Rosie A. Point was released from Adams Media yesterday (the 25th). As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s do the thing!

Murder Among the Stacks follows Abby Jones and her cat Reggie as they try to make a go it by opening a bookstore in a small town. Abby’s fresh off a bad break up and looking for distractions. When a hot author is murdered at a book signing in her bookstore, Abby gets all the distractions she wants and more. She’s an avid word search solver, so at the end of each chapter is a puzzle for the reader, so they can help collect clues and solve the murder alongside Abby.

The story: surprisingly cute. Each chapter is only one page, so it’s basically just an outline of a story. No flesh, nowhere to really hide anything. But it hits all the cozy mystery tropes all the same. The characters are all stereotypes with no real room to grow. It’s not bad, but avid cozy mystery fans will not be buying this for the story.

The puzzles: standard word searches for the most part. I honestly stopped doing the puzzles about halfway through because there was no way for me to circle the words. It would’ve been a lot more fun if I had a hardcopy or if they created a way to highlight the words in the ebook. Not sure how the final version will work, if they even release an ebook version. But the paperback version should be lovely.

The layout: super cute. There are lots of illustrations to keep the book interesting. The puzzle that reveals the killer has an added trick to it. There’s an answer key at the end. It’s very nicely designed.

Ultimately, I enjoyed Murder Among the Stacks for what it is. It’s definitely more of a puzzle book with a twist of cozy mystery. I would probably have preferred a crossword or something, but to each their own.

Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a cute concept and if you enjoy word searches with a little story, I do recommend it. But it’s not something to pick up if you’re looking for a regular cozy mystery.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love puzzles and mysteries, so Murder Among the Stacks was a delightful read. Abby is a bookstore owner new to Cranberry Creek. She is also very unlucky. On her opening day, famous. Author Brooke Pines is murdered during her book signing and Abby is the prime suspect.

While Abby goes around town learning more about the victim and her friends, we get to solve fun word searches. When we approach the end of the story, the killer's name is secretly hidden within the puzzle.

This was a very pleasant experience. Although the story is somewhat simple, it was very compelling, and I was interested in unraveling the interpersonal conflicts going on in Brooke's life.

Sir Reginald Cattington the Third is absolutely one of the best parts of the book, and his illustrations on every chapter brought me a lot of joy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rosie A. Point, and Adams Media for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.

[Kerita Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Adams Media for an ARC read of this book! Received through NetGalley.

A murder/word search mystery - fun concept and a cute story! Bestselling author, Brooke, is murdered, and the sheriff is trying to throw the book at (ha!) the new-in-town bookstore owner, Abby. The author quickly created a small little town with a few characters and their expected connections (adorable cat on a leash, BFF, love interest, neighbors, etc.). This seemed somewhat rushed, as though there was a prior storyline I should know about, but it wasn’t confusing or disorienting since it’s a short cozy. The word searches at the end of short chapters and revealing the killer’s identity are a neat idea. I received a Kindle copy of the book, so I wasn’t able to pause and do the word searches, but this seems a fun way to read a short story. I’d definitely recommend a physical copy of this to really enjoy it.

[NadeClow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this in NetGalley

The concept of this book was so interesting, the story with the crosswords its a first for me. It was interesting to solve all the puzzles and fid the same words that from the normal story. I liked also that is not 100% necessary to solve the puzzles to understand the story, i think this part will allow if you are a teacher to make activities with your students or if you have kids allow them to enjoy it more with the activities. I would like to add thou that the story is as the tittle says about a murder so if you are sensitive or you consider that is a topic that you dont want to touch with children is 100% valid. If i would say this books is a good YA book and an interactive activity for adults too.

The main story is really fast paced LIKE REALLY FAST so maybe without the activities it could take you 1 or 2 days to read it, so is a light fast pacing story.

[Cuppa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder Among the Stacks by Rosie A. Point combines cozy mystery with word search puzzles designed by Charles Timmerman. New bookstore owner Abby Jones is shocked when a popular author drops dead at her store's grand opening. It seems like everyone in town blames her, so Abby digs into the author's dysfunctional relationships and secrets in order to clear her name. The chapters are short and each page of story alternates with a word search puzzle with a word bank taken straight from the stories.. I like the idea of combining a story and puzzles that eventually lead to the mystery's solution. I'd love to see it with crosswords as an alternative to word searches. But ultimately, in this book, the plot was cliche and the characters were very two dimensional. Great idea but needs some tweaks before it will suit my taste. Thank you to Adams Media and Net Galley for providing me with a galley to review.

[Laura Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, I am going to be checking out more of Rosie’s cozies because I’m in awe of how great the story was especially for how short it is! You guys know I’m not a huge fan of shorter reads because often they lack in numerous areas. While I wanted more from different parts of the book, she did great with such a short book.

I do have to say I also enjoyed the puzzle aspect of this one. There is a word search after every chapter (the chapters are only a page long), but sometimes I felt it took away from the story. The chapters ended well on cliff hangers, but then I would forget about wanting to continue as bad as I did when I finished reading because my mind was so focused on the puzzle aspect of the book. I think maybe if it was a word search every so many chapters instead of every single one, it might have been even more enjoyable than it already was.

Overall, I really enjoyed and would pick up book 2!

Thank you to Rosie and Adams Media for an ARC!

[Marte · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book we follow Abby, who has just opened a bookstore in Cranberry Creek. On the day of the opening, the famous author is murdered during a book signing. The book is set up so that you get one page of text and then a word search puzzle.
First of all, I thought the story was fun, though not high-quality literature. I did feel that the characters were well portrayed in the small village of Cranberry Creek. The book is beautifully designed, with lovely illustrations. Lastly, I would have liked it if there were more word search puzzles where you could actually solve the murder yourself. Now there is one word search in which you find out who the murderer is, but I would have found it more fun if we had come across clues throughout the book.
All in all, a fun palate cleanser, and I’m curious about the second book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-arc of this book

[Alexis Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Among The Stacks is a fun twist on the cozy mystery genre. It has all the marks for the perfect cozy - a cat, a small town, a love interest and a murder! The twist? Crossword puzzles at the end of every chapter that will keep you on your toes searching for the clues already said and those left unspoken; so you can put together the mystery and be the one who solves it in the end! While the writing was not very complex or unique, it was very easy to read making it a perfect story to unwind with and cozy up with your favorite warm beverage!

I gave this story a solid 4 stars, and I highly recommend it for those who are looking for a short and sweet escape that is both gripping and relaxing after a long day! I will be keeping my eyes out for more books from this author!

Thank you Adam Media and Netgalley to allowing me to read this e-Arc in exchange of my honest review!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This was a really fun book from start to finish. The word searches were fun and not too easy or difficult. It was impressive how well-developed the murder mystery part was considering it was presented in such short chapters in between the word searches. There were multiple viable suspects and although the killer's identify was not a complete surprise it also wasn't overly obvious. The only things I would change if the author makes more of these is that it would be fun if each word search had some kind of clue in it and she shouldn't tell you what line the answer is in - it was possible to find the killer without actually solving the puzzle. Overall, this was a really fun read and I hope there will be more in the future!

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a puzzler, I was so excited about this book! What a unique experience to combine my love of reading, mysteries, and puzzles. Starting with a cozy and charming premise, you work your way through the fifty chapters and word searches to help solve the mystery and complete the puzzle. The chapters are usually 2-3 pages long with the story on one page and the puzzle on the other, so they are short and manageable. There is an answer key in case you get stuck along the way. The illustrations were adorable, and the map was a nice touch. This was a perfect way to take little breaks and still feel like my mind was being challenged in a fun way. I am certainly looking forward to my books in this style.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Lori Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and interactive word search mystery. Abbie has moved to a lovely small town with high hopes of starting fresh after a terrible break up and has opened a bookstore. At her first author signing the author falls over dead but who wanted the author dead more? The bitter Momager? The disloyal Bestie Frank? Or the jealous Assistant Hailey? If Abbie doesn't figure it out quickly, Sheriff Swift may just pin it on her because she is the Outsider. If you love cozies, adorable cats, and word search puzzles this is definitely the series for you. I'm already looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Beautifulday4makeup The-book-and-Me · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc via Netgalley.

First of all, I understand the allure of this book. In the book each page of the story is followed by a word search. It is an original way to read a mystery who dunnit.

But my hunger wasn´t stilled when reading this book. The story is simple and easy to predict the plots. Also I felt more could be done with the word searches. For example using the results to introduce the next chapter. Also I would prefer to see a mix of puzzles and not only word searches.

I do think this is an ideal book for people who love word searches or a cosy who dunnit which is not too complex

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was different. What a unique way to present a mystery. Short and sweet. It's basically a one page per chapter text followed by a related word search puzzle. Once I got past my tendency to want to do the word search, even mentally, I easily zipped through the story. Brief as the text was, it gave us the needed points and moved on. True, there wasn't much time for character development but, well, it was also strangely fascinating. The clues were all there and, heck, the author even managed to work in an admittedly almost instant romance for us.

Bottom line, while my character fixated mind wouldn't want a steady diet of such mysteries, it was still a novel, fun diversion. 3.5 stars rounded up. I even found myself rather liking the characters on a surface level, although I'd prefer more on my palette. It was actually rather interesting to see an entire murder mystery play out in front of my eyes so quickly and, yes, well. The ending made sense, well, if you can buy such an instant romance. Thanks to #AdamsMedia for the early look at this "novel" approach to a cozy mystery. Now, as a word search fan, I think I may need to go finish my mental word searching.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing an ARC of this title.

This is a wonderful idea, I love the idea of problem solving and word searches within a mystery story. However, as I was reading an uncorrected ebook proof, the formatting was all over the place. It was incredibly difficult to read, let alone observe the puzzles, no matter how I formatted the text. I will absolutely look for a printed copy of this book to read and explore, and I really do hope the ebook versions of the published book work out for readers.

3.5 stars - I really enjoyed what I could read of the story

[Cozy Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Among the Stacks is an amazing mashup that combines a cozy mystery story with 50 themed word search puzzles. The story has 50 mini chapters (one page each). Each chapter is followed by a word search puzzle that includes words from the previous chapter. A final puzzle at the end reveals the killer and allows you to solve the mystery in step with the amateur sleuth.

The concept is brilliant and so is the execution. You could read this book in one sitting but it is more fun to read a chapter or two a day and do a puzzle or two each day. It's a great way to unwind and a great way to have something to do on break with a cup of tea.

I can't wait to read the next books in this series!

[Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute mystery/puzzle book. A new bookstore opens in town and the bookseller solves the mystery. I loved the cat, the map (not something I usually praise in a book but it showed the town so cute and quaint), the bookstore, the reference to romantasy, and the cozy vibes.

All the puzzles are word searches, so not particularly challenging. I thought it was lame it even told you which line to find the last clue. Compared to Murdle, it has more story, but I prefer the deductive reasoning puzzles in Murdle.

Thanks to Netgalley and Adams Media for the Arc.

[Katelyn Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

- I received this book from NetGalley -

This was such a unique book. The fact that each section had a search and find really made it enjoyable! Granted the story wasn't overly complex, it still had all the required elements for a cozy mystery. One of the last puzzles even having the additional step of finding out who the murderer was, was an additional treat!

This would be perfect for someone who wants a low stress book, with the ability to write in it and not get upset. I could see it as a great fall time/winter season book to just pick up when needed.

[Jennifer Pusey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
I wasn't sure how this book would work but it turned out to be lots of fun! This book was a solid mix of a cozy murder mystery (bakery, bookstore and a cat included) and word search puzzles. The mystery wasn't overly complex, but it was fun and a reader/puzzle lover can easily pick this up and put it down when you get a few spare minutes. I loved the extra word scramble to solve the murder. I actually wish there would have been more puzzles like that included in the word searches.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bookstore owner sets out to clear her name after an author dies at a signing in her bookstore. After each chapter, there are word searches for the reader to do.

This was a quick, easy read, but I wish the word searches had more significance - like clues or something rather than just recapping the chapter (minus the one where a few leftover letters will point to the culprit). The chapters were so short, so I think this could have been a great way to add extra plot in!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaelyn Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc through NetGalley. I really like the concept and I absolutely love word searches but it's honestly just not for me. The story is a fun whodunnit. And I would recommend it if you enjoy a quick read with a fun aspect of the word searches. I just wish there was a bit more context with the writing it was a very quick.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Among the Stacks is a cozy mystery/word search puzzle book combo. A short and sweet mystery with each mini chapter ending in a word search puzzle themed to the chapter. Lots of cute cat illustration s and interactions add to the fun. There's even a word search at the end that reveals the killer! A quick, but enjoyable read - just don't expect a typical long format mystery.

[Renee Barney · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one star is based solely on the fact that no matter how I formatted my kindle app or my kindle itself, the puzzles would not always fit into one page which rendered them unsolvable. I wanted to read this book because of the puzzles, so since I couldn’t do them, I didn’t finish the book.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting take on a cozy mystery. The chapters are one page followed by a word search with words associated with the chapter. As you follow along with the story you become the detective. I didn't see the murderer.