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Dead Before Chapter One: Murder Mystery Book Club Prequel
They read murder mysteries. They solve real ones. Badly.
When small-town librarian Tilly March agrees to host a cozy mystery party, she expects tea, trivia, and maybe a few fake clues.
She doesn’t expect a volunteer to collapse mid-scone—or two rare books to vanish during the chaos.
Enter the Murder Mystery Book
A retired detective with trust issues.
A knitter with a flair for drama.
A podcaster who never turns her mic off.
They may not know what they’re doing.
But they do know when a charming stranger is up to no good.
Especially when he’s drugged the tea.
Now there’s a thief on the loose, a real crime to solve, and a library reputation on the line.
Can a bunch of amateur sleuths crack the case before the trail goes cold?
Welcome to Mapleoak. Where the only thing deadlier than the daffodil tea... is underestimating a librarian.
When small-town librarian Tilly March agrees to host a cozy mystery party, she expects tea, trivia, and maybe a few fake clues.
She doesn’t expect a volunteer to collapse mid-scone—or two rare books to vanish during the chaos.
Enter the Murder Mystery Book
A retired detective with trust issues.
A knitter with a flair for drama.
A podcaster who never turns her mic off.
They may not know what they’re doing.
But they do know when a charming stranger is up to no good.
Especially when he’s drugged the tea.
Now there’s a thief on the loose, a real crime to solve, and a library reputation on the line.
Can a bunch of amateur sleuths crack the case before the trail goes cold?
Welcome to Mapleoak. Where the only thing deadlier than the daffodil tea... is underestimating a librarian.
41 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2025
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 5, 2025
8/5/25
Dead by Chapter One (Murder Mystery Prequel) by Millie Hartwell
I received this from Millie Hartwell’s direct email after joining a Book Giveaway Contest on Social Media. She sent the link to get a free book and it downloaded to Book Funnel. The link / book would disappear in less than 13 days, so I took it upon myself to read it today. I am not usually one that enjoys reading two or more books at one time, but in this case I felt I better before this was no longer viable.
A very cute prequel to what I assume will be more stories about the Mystery Murder Book Club series. It was concise, systematic in its detail of Who, What, When, Where through the storyline. Clever librarian volunteers ready, willing, and very able to protect the donations of valuable books to surrounding libraries and bookstores. They definitely had their act together and knew how to methodically go on the hunt for the thief! Great prequel,great story.
Dead by Chapter One (Murder Mystery Prequel) by Millie Hartwell
I received this from Millie Hartwell’s direct email after joining a Book Giveaway Contest on Social Media. She sent the link to get a free book and it downloaded to Book Funnel. The link / book would disappear in less than 13 days, so I took it upon myself to read it today. I am not usually one that enjoys reading two or more books at one time, but in this case I felt I better before this was no longer viable.
A very cute prequel to what I assume will be more stories about the Mystery Murder Book Club series. It was concise, systematic in its detail of Who, What, When, Where through the storyline. Clever librarian volunteers ready, willing, and very able to protect the donations of valuable books to surrounding libraries and bookstores. They definitely had their act together and knew how to methodically go on the hunt for the thief! Great prequel,great story.
July 29, 2025
Cute cozy mystery short
I don't read many mysteries, but this one was reccomended by one of my favorite authors. It is Ms.Hartwell debut story. The idea of a library book club intrigued me, and the priice was right in my budget.
I liked the characters in the book, along with the knowledge that they will return in future stories. The caution with which they approach their investigation was realistic and admirable. My very favorite thing is that the librarian heading the bookclub enjoys my favorite mysterty author -- the late Dorothy Sayers -- and the book donated to the library by the last almost victim is one of her best books.
Since the author labels this as a 'prequel', I will be watching for the next book in the series.
I purchased a copy of this story on sale and voluntarily chose to share my review.
I don't read many mysteries, but this one was reccomended by one of my favorite authors. It is Ms.Hartwell debut story. The idea of a library book club intrigued me, and the priice was right in my budget.
I liked the characters in the book, along with the knowledge that they will return in future stories. The caution with which they approach their investigation was realistic and admirable. My very favorite thing is that the librarian heading the bookclub enjoys my favorite mysterty author -- the late Dorothy Sayers -- and the book donated to the library by the last almost victim is one of her best books.
Since the author labels this as a 'prequel', I will be watching for the next book in the series.
I purchased a copy of this story on sale and voluntarily chose to share my review.
October 20, 2025
Quick prequel with promise!
The prequel is fast paced and quite interesting. Tilly and the other ladies who planned a nice little book party find themselves having to solve a mystery within their own library. Interesting well written characters and narrative that I recommend as a good solid read ~ looking forward to more of this sleuthing cadre!
The prequel is fast paced and quite interesting. Tilly and the other ladies who planned a nice little book party find themselves having to solve a mystery within their own library. Interesting well written characters and narrative that I recommend as a good solid read ~ looking forward to more of this sleuthing cadre!
September 7, 2025
They decide to have a 'Murder Party' at the library... but one of the participants gets murdered and a rare book gets stolen. Are they connected and who is responsible?
Not sure that I accept the resolution.
Not sure that I accept the resolution.
July 21, 2025
cute
December 19, 2025
I'm already planning on reading the next book!
January 10, 2026
A great prequel
I am hooked. A new, to me, Aussie author to whom I say bring on more mysteries for this Book Club to solve.
I am hooked. A new, to me, Aussie author to whom I say bring on more mysteries for this Book Club to solve.
December 10, 2025
3.25 I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this non-murder mystery prequel.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews