Game, Set, Murder

by Monique L. Stover

When Madeline Quinn’s tennis coach is murdered right after the big tournament, she is determined to find his killer. Her sister, the Chief of Police, has a team on the case, but not only does Mads know everyone on the courts - she was also the one who discovered the body.

After a second racket player is killed, Mads must work quickly to stop the killer – or killers – before they put a stop to her.

In the spirit of Lisa Siefert’s Frosted Misfortunes series and Hallmark’s Hannah Swensen Mysteries, Game, Set, Murder is the first book in the upcoming Madeline Quinn Mystery series. If you like feline sidekicks and hijinks, then you’ll love this cozy mystery.

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2026

About the author

Monique L. Stover writes the kind of mysteries best enjoyed with coffee, scones, and a purring cat nearby. A Southern California native with a background in anthropology and forensic science, she brings a sharp eye for detail — and a soft spot for feline sidekicks — to her Madeline Quinn Mystery series. When she’s not plotting fictional crimes, Monique can be found at book club, on the tennis court, or sharing her home with her music producer husband and three opinionated cats (one of whom insists on being in every book).

Also writes as M. L. Stover.

Reviews

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game, Set, Murder is Book 1 in A Madeline Quinn Mystery by Monique L Stover. I enjoyed this cozy mystery by an author I had never read before… I can't wait to read another of her books. Madeline is an excellent character who is surrounded by her BFF, Lizzy, and her cat, Lucky Clover. When a tennis coach is wrongly accused of murder, Madeline jumps in to prove him innocent. I liked that the book opens with the murder rather than several chapters into the story. I also enjoyed that family is an important part of the story. Game, Set , Murder is an excellent book to spend the afternoon read. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Carlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in the Madeline Quinn cozy mystery series, and I enjoyed it. i liked the characters and the premise. It was a bit too predictable however, as I guessed the perpetrator fairly quickly in spite of all the red herrings. I would happily read more in the series.

Thanks to Book Sirens for the prepublication copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d rate this at 3.5/5 stars. The characters are incredibly likable which is why I rated it as such. The story was ok. In a crowded field it isn’t stand out. Not trying to be harsh but it seemed to be written for younger audiences. Not necessarily a bad thing but not what I was expecting and so I guess I was a bit disappointed. Characters are good as I said, plot was a bit easy to unravel, overall I think I’d give book two a chance due to Mads and the family. I received an arc via BookSirens this is my honest review.

[Nikki Jordyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review Game, Set, Murder. This is my honest review.

The cover is adorable, and the concept is one cozy mystery readers will enjoy. It’s a great weekend read.

Madeline Quinn is a likable and relatable main character. I’m picky with main characters, and I especially appreciated that she is an animal lover with a cat named Clover. The moments with Clover add a cozy, charming touch. When someone goes missing, she becomes involved in uncovering what happened, creating an engaging mystery.

Early on, you are led to believe one person could be the suspect, which keeps you guessing. Did he or she do it? Before you know it, there is a plot twist that shifts things in an unexpected way and adds to the intrigue.

I ended up reading this in one sitting. I started it late at night and found myself staying up and then getting up early to finish it, which says a lot about how engaging the story is.

The story builds intrigue well, though several characters are introduced early on, which can take a moment to keep track of. For future books (Book 2), I would enjoy seeing more depth given to key characters, along with slightly smoother flow between scenes and internal thoughts. With a bit more refinement in these areas, this could easily be a five-star read for me.

Overall, this is a fun and promising start to a cozy mystery series, and I look forward to seeing how it develops.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tennis shop owner, Madeline “Mads” Quinn, participates in a major tennis tournament in her small town of Sycamore Cove, California. The big event takes a tragic turn when Mads discovers her beloved tennis coach dead. She vows to investigate his murder, much to her Chief of Police sister’s dismay.

Mads’ investigation leads to more suspects than she expected. She has her work cut out for her. With the help of her best friend Lizzy, her brother Rick, and her sweet little kitty Clover they set out to find a murderer. When another body turns up dead, they realize how dangerous this could be.

This is the first book of a brand-new cozy mystery series. It’s off to a good, solid start. We get to meet a new amateur sleuth, her friends and family. Of course, my favorite character is her kitty Clover who helps to save the day.

I admit that I guessed the culprit relatively early on, but the journey to Mads’ discovery is fun. There’s even a little romance going on, although it does not take over the story. This is primarily a mystery and an enjoyable one. I’ll be sure to check out the second book.










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

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and cozy mystery read! The first thing that caught my attention was definitely the adorable cover with the cat — I honestly couldn’t resist it.

I really enjoyed the small-town mystery atmosphere, and the story kept me engaged from the beginning. Mads was a likable main character, and I loved the cozy mystery vibes mixed with the tennis setting, which made it feel a little different from other books in the genre.

The feline sidekick was obviously a huge bonus for me, and overall this was just a very enjoyable, easy-to-read mystery with charming characters and enough suspense to keep me turning the pages.

A solid four-star cozy mystery, and I’m definitely interested in continuing the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tetyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my first 'cozy mystery' reads, and it was a wonderful weekend treat! It is a great option if you enjoy a twisted plot but tired of bloody crimes, darkness, and pain. The story is easy to read, making it simple to imagine the characters and settings. It definitely has a comforting side—I felt like I was watching a Hallmark Mystery movie. While the plot might be simple and predictable, it still holds your interest and keeps you turning pages. I found the inclusion of a pet to be stylish and entertaining, as a pet owner by myself. And the developing romance adds a nice 'vanilla flavor' to the novel. Definitely worth a read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game, Set, Murder is an Excellent story and start of a series about Madeline Quinn who owns a Tennis Shop and her clever cat Clover and her friend Lizzy owns a Candle Shop. They were taking part in a Tennis Tournament. Madeline's Younger Brother Rick is a Freelance Photographer. Unfortunately Madeline discovers her Coach dead in a Locker Room. Detective Doug Dougan comes to investigate with Jeremy Miller a Field Evidence Technician. Madeline also starts to look for clues with Lizzy and Rick and Jeremy. But what will they uncover and can they discover the truth?
I enjoyed the story and I recommend that you read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game Set Murder by Monique Stover is exactly the kind of mystery that feels like a treat. It has tennis club sparkle, gossip served with a wink, and a heroine who observes the world with the kind of sly humour that makes you want to follow her everywhere. The clues pop up like mischievous tennis balls and the suspects behave just badly enough to keep things delicious. The pacing is breezy, the setting is charming, and the whole story has that delightful vibe of a puzzle you solve with a smile rather than a frown. The final reveal lands neatly and leaves you with the pleasant feeling of having spent time in good company. A playful and elegant whodunit that goes down as easily as a summer spritz. Many thanks to the publisher for the copy, all opinions are my own.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! I found it fun and entertaining from beginning to end. Mads is such a likeable character and she has an adorable furry sidekick who adds an extra touch of charm to the story. I really hope there will be a sequel soon, because I would love to read more about Mads and her adventures. A real recommendation for anyone who enjoys the amateur sleuth genre!
I received a review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to know Madeline (Mads) and her cat, Clover. I also loved the warm community feel and Mads’ family and friends. Relaxing read! The mystery kept me guessing! These are my thoughts after enjoying an advance copy of the book.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one of the series. Hannah's tennis coach is murdered. So she decides along with her brother and her best friend to investigate. Trying not to get her sister, the Chief of Police, angry at her. Good story.

[Louise Hagler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced romp murder mystery. The Protagonist Maddie (Mads) Quinn is impulsive and take charge, driving the investigation to a swift conclusion, with a timely clue from her adorable tuxedo cat Clover. She and her friends and family, Lizzy, brother Rick, and love-interest Jeremy form sort of murder club, aiding Mads in her investigation and helping her out of the amusing and sometimes dangerous scrapes she gets into along the way.

A lot of fun! I highly recommend it!