Bookmarked for Murder: A Small Town Library and Bookshop Cozy Mystery Series

by Maisy Marple

When Poppy Fletcher leaves her publishing job in Boston to open Turn the Page Bookshop in the charming coastal town of Harborview, she envisions a peaceful new chapter surrounded by books and her tabby cat Fitzgerald. But her grand opening takes a deadly turn when she discovers the body of cantankerous real estate developer Vernon Winters behind a bookshelf in the mystery section, a rare first edition clutched in his lifeless hand. With Detective Jack Sullivan eyeing her as the prime suspect, Poppy realizes she'll need to solve this mystery herself if she wants to clear her name and save her fledgling business.

Joined by her no-nonsense Aunt Iris, retired librarian Walter Jenkins, and mysterious rare book collector Malcolm Reed, Poppy dives into an investigation that uncovers far more than a simple murder. As they piece together clues hidden in vintage books, secret tunnels, and historical records, Poppy discovers that Vernon's interest in her building went much deeper than simple real estate development. With each revelation, the stakes grow higher, threatening not just Poppy's bookshop dreams but potentially the ownership of properties throughout Harborview.

In this delightful first installment of the Books & Death Mystery series, Poppy must navigate small-town secrets, historical conspiracies, and a growing list of suspects who all had reasons to want Vernon Winters dead. Brimming with witty dialogue, endearing characters, and literary charm, "Bookmarked for Murder" is perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate a clever amateur sleuth, a picturesque coastal setting, and a bookish twist on classic murder motives. Will Poppy solve the case in time to give Turn the Page Bookshop the grand opening it deserves, or will this first chapter be her last?

Genres: Mystery, Amazon, Cozy Mystery

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2025

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an intriguing mystery

I had a few issues with inconsistent ideas that would never happen in real life but overall the plot was solid and interesting, the suspect list long and varied and it was even intense in a few spots. Definitely a great story for mystery lovers.

[Starr Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy has left the book industry and her work as an editor after being downsized. Ouch! But Poppy was smart enough to save through the years of hard work and has funds that allow her to buy a building, in a charming town and renovate to the extent of her desires (and budget of course).

Poppy’s aunt Iris has a small bakery just down the street (family you love and like, yet another draw to go small and local) and they both excitedly plan for Turn the Page bookshop’s grand opening, with Poppy’s beloved feline companion Fitzgerald supervising.

Poppy has a soft opening the night before the main event and local owners come to preview the space and its offerings, including a rather despised developer, who is destroying the towns historic buildings and putting up modern condos.

Several locals are there and interact with him, in what appears to be strong exchanges, and thankfully the evening ends and Poppy sweeps everyone out the door and goes upstairs to her small apartment with Fitzgerald in tow.

The following morning as Poppy and her feline supervisor are downstairs preparing for their main event, she finds the body of the vicious and vile villain dead, behind her mystery bookcase.

Stunned, Poppy calls aunt Iris and the local police, not realizing that she will become the primary suspect in the murder and she realizes she must solve the case or go to prison for a death in her store.

Clues pile up and so do the local suspects, so Poppy, aunt Iris, Walter, the retired librarian and friend all work together to quickly solve the case before Poppy goes down for a murder she didn’t commit, and when the real killer is revealed, it is an absolutely worthwhile read

[Tess Ailshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could easily have been 4 stars, but for the continuity issues and the firearms ignorance. Several times, we're told something that we've already been told before. For example, Sarah Winters talks about the appointment while in Sullivan's office, but later presents it like it's new information. We're told twice that the trapdoor is artfully concealed. Others like this - they're minor, but they add up.

Then, Iris seems to think that a skeet-shooting champion is familiar with a small revolver. Except for the fact both, if loaded, go boom when the trigger is pulled .... And I'd love to see how Iris engages the safety on a revolver before she unloads it. Here's a hint - revolvers don't have external safeties.

There's a good attempt to make a convoluted story come together, but it's shy of perfection.

[Jeletta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable beginning to a series! I didn't get to know the characters much, other than what they did. There was too much of the "internal dialogue" about who could have done it and why. It seemed we went over everything a million times. It easily could have been any of the suspects and there were references a few times to who you would least expect, but that wasn't how it was. The mystery wasn't much of a mystery and the reader definitely needs character development as it moves forward. The reader had no reason to care about any of them. The only somewhat interesting character was our victim! I enjoyed it, but more character development and less description of what they are wearing and room descriptions. I would recommend it though!

[Tracey Rommel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy left her publishing job in Boston to open Turn the Page Bookshop in small town, Harborview. The grand opening takes a terrible turn when Poppy goes to get ready for opening. However, what she finds Vernon Winters body by the mystery section. Poppy calls the police. Detective Jake Sullivan shows up and questions her. The detective doesn’t believe her and they place her as a prime subject. Poppy takes matters into her own hands with the help of her Aunt Iris, retired librarian Walter Jenkins, and book collector Malcom Reed. They find there are several people who would have wanted Vernon dead. As they discover a hidden tunnel that runs underneath the buildings of several storefronts on the same street. Who has the motive to kill and what secrets lie in the tunnel. Detective Sullivan is on the track for a killer and to keep Poppy and the others safe.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in the series. The main character is Poppy. Poppy moves to a small town and is about to open her own book store. The morning of the grand opening, she finds a dead body in her store. Once the cops arrive it is clear that are sure she did it. The murdered man has been trying to buy her store and refuses to accept No for an answer. With the help of her Aunt Iris and her aunt's friend Walter they set out to find out who really did it. They hear of a connection to some underground tunnels and a man from a hundred years ago. Can they figure this out before it's too late ?

[Regina Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookmarked for Murder

I was expecting an exciting mystery and fun read because it was a Maisy Marple book and boy! did she deliver!! This first book of six made me want the rest of the series, so I bought them all. Now I can revisit Harborview, Poppy, and all her new friends/mystery solving buddies again and again! Secret tunnels, a great book store, a police detective who listens (and comes to the rescue), way to keep me reading! Expecting a great read from book 2 in the series...

[karen herrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but...

Spoiler alert..The premise for thinking Poppy being the suspect makes no logical sense. She had no motive. There were inconsistencies, such as Poppy thinking one character's sweater cost more than her monthly rent. She owned and lived in the building. Thus, no rent. A small thing, but something the author should have realized, unless she doesn't think her readers pay any more attention to details than she does.

[Kathryn D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bookmarked for a Good Read!

I just started this new series and feel very fortunate to find a delightful new protagonist, interesting group of friends plus a pleasant setting.The characters are believable and fascinating. The same can be said about the plots. I am looking forward to exploring the rest of the series.
kdh

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't trust anyone

Poppy was finally having the Grand Opening for her Turn the Page Bookstore. Unfortunately, a murder, frame job and danger charges her life. With help from her friends, they find out secrets and history that will change their town's views on Poppy.

[Cathey Edgington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Loved the mystery of the property and the history of the town intermixed. Couldn't figure out why Vernon needed the bookshop when he had other methods for retrieving what he wanted.

[Marlyn G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy has found a dead body in her bookstore just before the grand opening. Police think she is the killer, but several others have reason to want the deceased out of the way. Quirky but interesting characters.

[Kathy Triplett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story line that you believe could happen

Well written. Characters that are realistic and interesting. I could see this truly happening. Missy Maple is a great author and her books are enjoyable!

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the start of a cute cozy mystery series starring a bookshop owner. The scenery and characters are well developed and you can almost picture yourself in this small town, poring over rare editions in the bookshop.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery’s

I loved this! It was a nice quick read, I loved the inclusion of Fitzgerald. This was such a good mystery book and I can’t wait to read more!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

cozy mystery for the win

I haven’t read a cozy mystery in a while, and this book did not disappoint. I loved every minute of it.

[Victoria Stiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious

It's definitely a murder mystery with twists. I enjoyed this book and the characters. It's a simple story, but you'll be turning the pages

[Amanda Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a cozy, “Murder She Wrote” mystery vibe

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 49 % Very simplistic dialogue from the MCs , repetitive narrative and slow progressing plot .
I just could not continue .

[Sherry Walljasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Very nice story as well thought out plot line. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy Mysteries

[Sadistic · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kinda boring not only that there's like too many things that just a coincidental cops just happened to know this this and that and she's able to take a bookend that's super heavy and knock some guy over the head when she's probably not that tall it's just holy plot holes Batman

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, well-written story with interesting characters. Liked the inclusion of the cat. Quick read with a good ending.