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Snow Ridge Mysteries #1
Body In The Bookstore
After her painful and heartbreaking divorce, Bonnie Mayberry thought her life was over. The numbness, the disbelief in what had happened and the fear of what would come next ensured that her every thought was tinged with doubt.
Hoping for a fresh start, she’s packed up, said her goodbyes and moved to the small town of Snow Ridge, New Hampshire. Settling down in an old, renovated farmhouse, she plans to focus on the simple things in life. And, in time, she is determined to get back to some semblance of normalcy.
But, apparently, that is not going to happen any time soon…
The young girl at the local bookstore Bonnie frequents has been murdered. She was one of the few with whom Bonnie has become friendly during her short time in town. And, whether it’s her mysterious past, her reserved nature or simply the relative ease in pinning the blame on the outsider, the police have Bonnie at the top of their list of suspects.
Now, if she wishes to avoid a prison sentence for a crime she didn’t commit, it appears as if Bonnie is going to have to prove her own innocence. In doing so, she’ll uncover a crooked politician, unveil a hidden monster and unearth a web of secrets & lies that certain residents of the town have spent their lives concealing. And, with a little luck, she may just survive long enough to clear her good name.
Find out what happens in Body In The Bookstore, the first story in the new “Snow Ridge Mysteries” series, written by Emma Lee and published by Amazon bestselling author, Nancy McGovern.
For more about McGovern Books, sign up for our mailing list inside! You’ll even receive a FREE BOOK as a Thank You for joining us!
Hoping for a fresh start, she’s packed up, said her goodbyes and moved to the small town of Snow Ridge, New Hampshire. Settling down in an old, renovated farmhouse, she plans to focus on the simple things in life. And, in time, she is determined to get back to some semblance of normalcy.
But, apparently, that is not going to happen any time soon…
The young girl at the local bookstore Bonnie frequents has been murdered. She was one of the few with whom Bonnie has become friendly during her short time in town. And, whether it’s her mysterious past, her reserved nature or simply the relative ease in pinning the blame on the outsider, the police have Bonnie at the top of their list of suspects.
Now, if she wishes to avoid a prison sentence for a crime she didn’t commit, it appears as if Bonnie is going to have to prove her own innocence. In doing so, she’ll uncover a crooked politician, unveil a hidden monster and unearth a web of secrets & lies that certain residents of the town have spent their lives concealing. And, with a little luck, she may just survive long enough to clear her good name.
Find out what happens in Body In The Bookstore, the first story in the new “Snow Ridge Mysteries” series, written by Emma Lee and published by Amazon bestselling author, Nancy McGovern.
For more about McGovern Books, sign up for our mailing list inside! You’ll even receive a FREE BOOK as a Thank You for joining us!
132 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2017
338 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 15, 2022
I really didn’t enjoy this. First off, I really didn’t like any of the characters. This of course, is a big deal. I didn’t hate them, I just didn’t care for them at all. Especially Sarah. There were only two that I remotely liked, and one of them died after the first chapter so… I have a hard time not finishing books once I’ve started them, especially mysteries, but I should have just dropped this one.
The other issue I had was with the murderer, their motive, and how they went about their revenge. Going after the grandchildren of people who had done you wrong, when some of those people had already passed on and weren’t even around to be horrified by the new murders, doesn’t seem like the most affective way to hurt them. The way the person chose to commit the murders also seemed way more difficult for them then it needed to be.
If I was Bonnie, I would have gotten the heck out of Snow Ridge as soon as she found out what was really going on. It’s a horrible town! Just because you are the newest person in town almost everyone is out to physically hurt you after someone gets murdered. Then there are all the sacrifices taking place… Seriously, what is wrong with the people of Snow Ridge?
There were also more than a few mistakes in the grammar, and inconsistencies in the writing. For example, in the dialogue sometimes someone answers themselves when it was clear they were talking to or asking another character. Things like this threw me off every time. This definitely could have used some more editing.
The other issue I had was with the murderer, their motive, and how they went about their revenge. Going after the grandchildren of people who had done you wrong, when some of those people had already passed on and weren’t even around to be horrified by the new murders, doesn’t seem like the most affective way to hurt them. The way the person chose to commit the murders also seemed way more difficult for them then it needed to be.
If I was Bonnie, I would have gotten the heck out of Snow Ridge as soon as she found out what was really going on. It’s a horrible town! Just because you are the newest person in town almost everyone is out to physically hurt you after someone gets murdered. Then there are all the sacrifices taking place… Seriously, what is wrong with the people of Snow Ridge?
There were also more than a few mistakes in the grammar, and inconsistencies in the writing. For example, in the dialogue sometimes someone answers themselves when it was clear they were talking to or asking another character. Things like this threw me off every time. This definitely could have used some more editing.
December 30, 2017
In spite of my one-star rating (which I believe is correct), something kept me reading this book right to the end. I believe there is some value in the author's work even though there are many problems with the book. There are way too many worn-out cliches. (One is one too many.) There is way too much smart-mouthing around. A little of this is OK, but it gets old really fast. Throughout the book one gets the impression that the characters are just going through the motions without having any real feelings about the issues.
There are several problems with the plot. Most people would willingly give their lives to save the lives of their children. It might be believable that there was one psychopath who would sacrifice his child to save his own life, but six? No way! And there is no credible threat that would change this. The revenge motivation is not credible. Killing the grandchildren of the people who did the killer wrong makes the act of revenge too far removed from the original bad deeds to be believable. The method of poisoning the victims is too complicated and leads to confusing time-elements in the story. I never heard of a poison that was harmless in itself until triggered by something else. If such things do exist, the author should give examples of how they were used in the past. Otherwise the whole thing just seems weird. What is the killer's motivation for using such a poison anyway? Wouldn't cyanide be a lot simpler?
There are too many discontinuities in the plot. One cannot identify a killer just by looking in his eyes. The characters need to work harder to discover the truth. Having the killer just show up and confess is too easy. When did the characters discover that the trigger had to be inhaled? That just popped up out of nowhere. Why did everyone start blaming Bonnie for the murder? There was never any real reason for doing so, it just sort-of happened. The author should have worked harder to make this suspicion believable.
There are several problems with the plot. Most people would willingly give their lives to save the lives of their children. It might be believable that there was one psychopath who would sacrifice his child to save his own life, but six? No way! And there is no credible threat that would change this. The revenge motivation is not credible. Killing the grandchildren of the people who did the killer wrong makes the act of revenge too far removed from the original bad deeds to be believable. The method of poisoning the victims is too complicated and leads to confusing time-elements in the story. I never heard of a poison that was harmless in itself until triggered by something else. If such things do exist, the author should give examples of how they were used in the past. Otherwise the whole thing just seems weird. What is the killer's motivation for using such a poison anyway? Wouldn't cyanide be a lot simpler?
There are too many discontinuities in the plot. One cannot identify a killer just by looking in his eyes. The characters need to work harder to discover the truth. Having the killer just show up and confess is too easy. When did the characters discover that the trigger had to be inhaled? That just popped up out of nowhere. Why did everyone start blaming Bonnie for the murder? There was never any real reason for doing so, it just sort-of happened. The author should have worked harder to make this suspicion believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2017
I needed an easy read for a reading contest and thought this book would work since it has books on the cover. I found this book to be just the ticket.
The first murder took place in a bookstore that was owned by the victim's parents. The towns' people suspected the newcomer, Bonnie Mayberry, of the murder. The mayor, a police officer and others seem to hate Bonnie even though the police detective has concluded that she couldn't have done it. Her alibi was proven with videos from her security cameras in her own home.
So, the police detective and Bonnie who is also a mystery book writer team up to solve the mystery. We are introduced to the murderer early in the book. So, this is not a whodunit book. It is more of an exploration of a murderer's motive and his evil actions.
The first murder took place in a bookstore that was owned by the victim's parents. The towns' people suspected the newcomer, Bonnie Mayberry, of the murder. The mayor, a police officer and others seem to hate Bonnie even though the police detective has concluded that she couldn't have done it. Her alibi was proven with videos from her security cameras in her own home.
So, the police detective and Bonnie who is also a mystery book writer team up to solve the mystery. We are introduced to the murderer early in the book. So, this is not a whodunit book. It is more of an exploration of a murderer's motive and his evil actions.
May 28, 2025
Very poorly written book! 😅 nothing bad in it at all but goodness the story was just bad. Even the bad guy I was like really? The way he was captured… I could have written this better lol
February 18, 2018
Clunky
Clunky is a good description of the plot. And strange. A really awkward start to this book. Author Did not seem to know how to integrate backstory into the pages seamlessly. People announce personal details, like “I’m 42 years old and I’ve never seen… “ Or “you’re 36 years old, you would think you would know better than to… “ As I said not exactly seamless. I am from Detroit, so I’ve never lived in the south or in a very small town, but the idea that everyone could think someone guilty just because they’re new to town seems a little dull-witted and small minded to me. “We never have a murder here until you moved in so ... “. ridiculous. No wonder the police officer welcomes the help of civilians. And they don’t just think it, they say it! And people are mean! Even the characters we are supposed to like say mean things “your name is Polly? What’s your last name – cracker? “ and calling the police officer “doughnut breath.“ And this from adult women and not from a group of 10-year-old girls as you might be forgiven in assuming. And even some of the little details are wrong. Like how do you get chocolate on your mouth for me to get Twinkie? Has the author really never had a Twinkie? Seems like the first book ever from this author, with absolutely no editorial help whatsoever. Still, I read the whole book and it went rather quickly. The plot was very strange and twisted though.
Clunky is a good description of the plot. And strange. A really awkward start to this book. Author Did not seem to know how to integrate backstory into the pages seamlessly. People announce personal details, like “I’m 42 years old and I’ve never seen… “ Or “you’re 36 years old, you would think you would know better than to… “ As I said not exactly seamless. I am from Detroit, so I’ve never lived in the south or in a very small town, but the idea that everyone could think someone guilty just because they’re new to town seems a little dull-witted and small minded to me. “We never have a murder here until you moved in so ... “. ridiculous. No wonder the police officer welcomes the help of civilians. And they don’t just think it, they say it! And people are mean! Even the characters we are supposed to like say mean things “your name is Polly? What’s your last name – cracker? “ and calling the police officer “doughnut breath.“ And this from adult women and not from a group of 10-year-old girls as you might be forgiven in assuming. And even some of the little details are wrong. Like how do you get chocolate on your mouth for me to get Twinkie? Has the author really never had a Twinkie? Seems like the first book ever from this author, with absolutely no editorial help whatsoever. Still, I read the whole book and it went rather quickly. The plot was very strange and twisted though.
October 4, 2018
I'm now reading the 2nd book, The Body In The Snow, because I really like this one. It was a smooth read, murder mystery with a very strange and I mean strange twist, a kooky friend with crazy hair colors, demented towns folks. Hey, it's a awesome cozy mystery with a good ending. The nut case is truly crazy.
December 28, 2017
Keeps you guessing
This was a nice fast paced easy read. The plot had quite a few twists and turns that kept you holding your breath until the end. The characters had depth and there was no shortage on those you love to hate.
This was a nice fast paced easy read. The plot had quite a few twists and turns that kept you holding your breath until the end. The characters had depth and there was no shortage on those you love to hate.
December 19, 2018
I don't even know what I just read. Oi.
December 21, 2025
I feel the author spends too much time over describing mundane minutia such as the following:
"Brent pushed three-quarters into the coin slot and pressed a button that read 'Black.' The coffee machine came to life, began percolating, and finally slid a brown paper cup down into a metal cup holder. Seconds later, black, steaming hot coffee filled the cup. Taking the coffee from the cup holder, Brent walked back to the table, put it down on the table, and sat back down."
This scene is in no way beneficial or necessary to the storyline and in essence drags and slows it down. What is annoying is that this happens too frequently about non-essential and uninteresting things throughout the story and bogs it down. It seems to me as if the author is trying to bump up her word count which in the end takes away from the main story. Overall, the storyline had a flimsy plot for a cozy small town mystery story with a really unbelievable framework of along with being hindered by this unnecessary word babbling.
"Brent pushed three-quarters into the coin slot and pressed a button that read 'Black.' The coffee machine came to life, began percolating, and finally slid a brown paper cup down into a metal cup holder. Seconds later, black, steaming hot coffee filled the cup. Taking the coffee from the cup holder, Brent walked back to the table, put it down on the table, and sat back down."
This scene is in no way beneficial or necessary to the storyline and in essence drags and slows it down. What is annoying is that this happens too frequently about non-essential and uninteresting things throughout the story and bogs it down. It seems to me as if the author is trying to bump up her word count which in the end takes away from the main story. Overall, the storyline had a flimsy plot for a cozy small town mystery story with a really unbelievable framework of along with being hindered by this unnecessary word babbling.
August 3, 2024
3.5🌟
This was a cute mystery. Easy to read. My main complaint is she made Bonnie's friend Sarah talk like a juvenile. It would have been ok if done sporadically, but she used it through the whole book.
This was a cute mystery. Easy to read. My main complaint is she made Bonnie's friend Sarah talk like a juvenile. It would have been ok if done sporadically, but she used it through the whole book.
January 27, 2021
WOW, GREAT BOOK!!!!
10 stars!!!!
My first time reading this author, and boy, is her book good. And it's a cozy mystery, it gets pretty scary with a vengeful person running around town.
And it really starts out whom and why, Bonnie Mayberry gets caught in the middle being a new comer in the small town, just like detective Brent Mintfield was. Sarah Bates became good friends with Bonnie when the whole town is very weary of her and thought she committed a hideous crime.
Just because she moved in an old farm house outside of town, she is getting over a very nasty divorce and just wanted peace for awhile.
It took all three of them to figure out what was going on and the very dark secret the town was holding on to.
You have to read the details. You won't be able to put it down. Lots a lot of sleep reading it.
10 stars!!!!
My first time reading this author, and boy, is her book good. And it's a cozy mystery, it gets pretty scary with a vengeful person running around town.
And it really starts out whom and why, Bonnie Mayberry gets caught in the middle being a new comer in the small town, just like detective Brent Mintfield was. Sarah Bates became good friends with Bonnie when the whole town is very weary of her and thought she committed a hideous crime.
Just because she moved in an old farm house outside of town, she is getting over a very nasty divorce and just wanted peace for awhile.
It took all three of them to figure out what was going on and the very dark secret the town was holding on to.
You have to read the details. You won't be able to put it down. Lots a lot of sleep reading it.
October 25, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. She definitely has potential, but this book suffered from continuity problems. Every other scene has heavy snow falling and howling winds, but it never seems to deter the characters’ movements. I agree with the reviewer that called this a cozy thriller. Most cozy mysteries have a misguided murderer, someone you almost feel sorry for. This murderer is a cold-blooded serial killer. Though there is an attempt to give the murderer an empathic history, he/she is straight up psycho. And the secondary reason given for the murderer’s hatred is improbable. The name calling by the main character’s friend got old fast. But there were moments that made me hold my breath in suspense and moments that had me laughing, though maybe not for the reasons the author intended on the latter.
February 20, 2018
This is the first one star rating I've ever given, and believe me, I'm an easy audience. The only reason it gets even one star, is that it had an interesting premise. I only continued reading to see how it concluded. No depth of character development. No valid reasoning for persecution of the main character. Cheapening of the killer's motivation, by adding money to the mix. Completely absurd assertion that ALL the parents would choose themselves over their children. Use of the appellation, "donut breath" time and again. Donut breath? REALLY? Given the premise, this could have been an incredible book, that's what makes me so angry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2018
I can't believe this book currently has a 4-star rating. It could have been good, had the author had any experience or an editor. The characters were shallow and unbelievable, the relationships between them ridiculous, and if I had used a sentence like 'she took the green thermos out of her pink backpack and set it on the brown table' (paraphrased) my 8th grade creative writing teacher would have flunked me. I finished it because I had hope. My hopes were foolish. Any reader wanting a good mystery should avoid this book and this author.
February 4, 2019
The ratings for this book were either one star or five stars . . . interesting. This book was very difficult for me to rate. I liked the plot but then it went far left. Did not like the characters. Can definitely use better editing. Will continue with the series and hope for improvement.
March 14, 2018
i had a hard time with the characters in this book.
April 24, 2018
Poorly written and edited. Unlikeable characters, thin plot, stilted dialog, and grammatical errors.
November 20, 2019
Great suspence
A big story wrapped in a small book. This book was exciting and constantly filled with suspense. I found myself holding my breath for the characters. Great plot!
A big story wrapped in a small book. This book was exciting and constantly filled with suspense. I found myself holding my breath for the characters. Great plot!
May 25, 2020
A fairly quick but intense cozy mystery. At times it read like a thriller and was really exciting trying to hunt down that killer and find where he'd strike next. I quickly grew to like Bonnie, and her friend Sarah was an absolute hoot! I laughed so much at some of the banter between Sarah and Brent, the detective. The woman was a psychology genius but came off as a real kook and had that rep in town. Bonnie was a mystery writer who'd only been looking for some peace and quiet for her life.
The killer was creepy and in a sort of inverted mystery was revealed early. The trick was to guess where he'd turn up or what he was going to do as well as how Bonnie and Brent were going to stop him. There were others involved along with the killer, and it was a very weird twist, but it had a good and satisfying ending. I'm really hoping this killer never escapes, he's just nuts!
The killer was creepy and in a sort of inverted mystery was revealed early. The trick was to guess where he'd turn up or what he was going to do as well as how Bonnie and Brent were going to stop him. There were others involved along with the killer, and it was a very weird twist, but it had a good and satisfying ending. I'm really hoping this killer never escapes, he's just nuts!
November 16, 2019
Evil in an Old Man
More of a thriller than a mystery. A cozy thriller?? Everything worked a little *too* well in the story. Bonnie was an okay character who deserves more to have her history fleshed out more. Brent doesn't seem like the smartest crayon in the box, but has room for romantic development. Bonnie's best friend, Sarah, was obnoxious, immature, and didn't feel fully created. Like perhaps she was added in the last edits?
The plot was the most interesting. An old, smart man seeking revenge for the wrong done to him years ago. And he is psycho! Completely snapped. He makes a great devil antagonist. We could have really dove deeper into the thriller aspect of the story and it would have been Creepy!
More of a thriller than a mystery. A cozy thriller?? Everything worked a little *too* well in the story. Bonnie was an okay character who deserves more to have her history fleshed out more. Brent doesn't seem like the smartest crayon in the box, but has room for romantic development. Bonnie's best friend, Sarah, was obnoxious, immature, and didn't feel fully created. Like perhaps she was added in the last edits?
The plot was the most interesting. An old, smart man seeking revenge for the wrong done to him years ago. And he is psycho! Completely snapped. He makes a great devil antagonist. We could have really dove deeper into the thriller aspect of the story and it would have been Creepy!
May 28, 2018
This is the first in the series and the first time reading this author for me. The main characters are Bonnie, a new home owner in Pine Hills and Brent , a detective and they are thrown together to stop the murder of children in town by an old man named Danny who wants to kill them all. They had almost the entire town against them but somehow the have to figure out the why and the how of the whole thing. It is a crazy story but one you can see happening these days. Loved the story and look forward to reading more of this series.
February 5, 2018
I enjoyed this well written cozy mystery from an author I have not read before but will be looking into in the future. In a small town in New Hampshire Bonnie Mayberry just wants to live a simple life. She has her parrot, Max, and a couple of good friends. But when one is murdered, Bonnie finds herself stuck in the middle of a mystery and a suspenseful adventure. The author does a good job capturing a raders' attention and keeping it as the story twists and turns and ends up just right.
September 18, 2019
I enjoyed the story, and the ending was a bit of a twist for me—which I love since I often correctly guess the endings of such mysteries, and what's the fun in that? However, the writing could have used a bit more editing. I was distracted often by my desire to edit the book rather than read it for the story. The characters were interesting... One of them repeated the same phrase too often to be any sort of realistic.
March 25, 2018
Whodunit in a small town
The mayor is harboring a terrible secret that has already cost the lives of two young people including his own son, Matthew. Murder mystery writer, Bonnie Mayberry and Detective Brent Mintfield have to track down murderer, Danny Fitzgerald before he takes any more young lives. Time is running out. Can they catch the killer before he catches them.
The mayor is harboring a terrible secret that has already cost the lives of two young people including his own son, Matthew. Murder mystery writer, Bonnie Mayberry and Detective Brent Mintfield have to track down murderer, Danny Fitzgerald before he takes any more young lives. Time is running out. Can they catch the killer before he catches them.
October 15, 2019
Interesting premise Mystery writer settled in a small town and becomes involved with a mysterious man seeking revenge on a small town.that wronged him years before. She has help figuring out what exactly is going on. There is also a detective who is investigating the first murder and then the second one of the Mayor's son. They succeed in closing the case.
February 27, 2025
Is it really necessary to use the trope of rude and disrespectful and cruel man who is hot get away with continually putting down a woman. Sheesh just cause someone is attractive, doesn’t mean they . Had to stop reading because of all the ridiculousness. What is this middle school?don’t get held to standards too
February 6, 2018
You've just gotta love these small-town mysteries. The plot of this one is quite original and a little scary. Bonnie and her crazy friend Sarah go out of their way to solve the murders, turning the whole town upside down along the way. Exceptional reading!
March 2, 2018
Great book
This book was a great read. The characters were well written but the "bad guy was a little over written". Plot was a little overdone but the book was a fast paced read. I would reccomend.
This book was a great read. The characters were well written but the "bad guy was a little over written". Plot was a little overdone but the book was a fast paced read. I would reccomend.
March 5, 2018
Short and intense mystery
Easy enjoyable read. Only 132 pages but packed with suspense and mystery that twists and turns until the end. 3 outsiders divorcee found friendships in hope to outsmart a very smart evil murderer.
Easy enjoyable read. Only 132 pages but packed with suspense and mystery that twists and turns until the end. 3 outsiders divorcee found friendships in hope to outsmart a very smart evil murderer.
March 10, 2019
A few editing mistakes especially in the beginning. Only part of the story actually took place in a bookstore. I still wanted to continue reading to see how it turned out. Interesting enough to pull me out of a reading slump.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews