A Murder Like No Author

Main Street Book Club Mysteries #3

by Amy Lillard

Bookstore owner Arlo and her Friday Night Book Club sleuths are going to have to read between the lines to solve this mystery!

It's movie time in Sugar Springs and the whole town is pitching together to get the historical Coliseum Theater ready for the event of the year--the premiere of Missing Girl, local author Wally Harrison's bestselling novel turned film.

Thrilled to bring tourists to Sugar Springs, the town comes together to host the late author's event. But when a stranger arrives, boasting he has definitive proof that Wally didn't write Missing Girl...well, drama leaps from the page into real life. Mishaps start taking place around the theater--and then the stranger is discovered dead in his hotel room right before his press conference.

Can Arlo and her Friday night book club to sleuth out the killer and solve the mystery before the town's Hollywood dreams go up in smoke?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Adult

264 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2021

About the author

I'm a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I've retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I'm from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son--a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels--not necessarily in that order. I'm a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I'm shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that's why I adore romances.

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I'm a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that's me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I'll get to it or I won't, either way I'm good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I'm alone on this last one, and again, I'm good with it.)

Favorite movies--(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940's movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven't seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn's and Audrey's.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast, pleasant story about a book store owner with the unusual name of Arlo and a group of three older ladies who like to investigate crimes. The murder occurs very early in the piece and then fun and chaos follows as they alternately assist and impede the police investigation.

I enjoyed the small town setting and the fact that a book shop was involved. The characters were interesting and entertaining although I thought Arlo needed to stand up for herself (and maybe get a new name. I struggled with that one!) The mystery was solved nicely with all the loose ends tied up.

This was a nice, easy read but not compelling enough for me to seek out the previous two books.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are picking up in Sugar Springs, Mississippi with the premiere of the movie, Missing Girl, coming up in two weeks. The movie is based on a book written by deceased hometown author Wallace Harrison. The antics of the three senior citizens who make up the Friday Night Book Club, that meets every day and do more sleuthing than book discussion, make this a fun series. Arlo Stanley owns the local bookstore where she started the book club hoping to attract young adults but her aunt and two friends were the only takers. With the movie coming up at the local historic Coliseum, sprucing up is needed. Things get dicey when Aunt Helen discovers the body of Petro Chenko in the Coliseum. He is in town saying that Wally did not write Missing Girl. Someone wanted to shut him up and was successful. The three women began their own investigation with Arlo trying to hold them back to keep Police Chief and old boyfriend, Mads Keller, happy. As we have come to expect, there are lots of awkward and sticky situations created by the three friends as they investigate. This is a great addition to this fun cozy set in the Deep South where traditions are important and everyone knows each other's business.
I received a complimentary ARC from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are mine only.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a book to warm your heart during the cold winter months? Look no further than this cozy mystery!

Set in Sugar Springs, Mississippi, local author Wally Harrison’s novel Missing Girl was just adapted into a film. The small town is getting the Hollywood treatment with a huge incoming flock of tourists coming into town for the film’s premiere. Arlo Stanley who owns the local bookstore and runs a small book club is working hard to restore the historic theater where the film is set to premiere.

Petro Chenko arrives in town and claims that Wally did not write the book. The next day Petro is found murdered in the aisle of the historic theater. It's clear that someone wanted to shut Petro up, but who?

With the film’s premiere date coming up Arli and his book club of amateur sleuths dive into the case. But can they solve the case and find the killer before the town's Hollywood dreams crash down?

A Murder Like No Author is the third book in the Main Street Book Club Mystery series. This is the first and only book that I've read in the series. This book can be read as a standalone, you don't have to read the whole series to know what's going on.

The stars of this book are Ellie, Fern, and Chamille, the three members of Arlo’s Friday night book club. All three of these ladies are in their 80’s and I literally laughed out loud on numerous occasions! The sleuthing and situations these ladies get in are absolutely hilarious!

Cute, quirky, heartwarming, and centered around a mystery I can't remember the last book that I've read that I've had more fun with! I fell in love with not just Arlo and the book club but the whole town of Sugar Springs!

A Murder Like No Author was published on November 30 so it is available now! Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted copy!

[BonnieM☂️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Murder Like No Author is the third in the series. I really liked this book and plan on reading the first two. The story takes place in Sugar Springs, Mississippi. Arlo Stanley and Chloe Carter are partners in a book store called Books and More. The town is renovating the Coliseum Theater for the showing of Missing Girl by deceased book author, Wally Harrison. A man named Petro Chenko arrives in town stating that Wally's assistant Inna Kolisnychenko has written the book not Wally Harrison. Her aunt, Helen (Elly) Johnson calls and tells Arlo that Petro Chenko is dead.in the theatre. As Arlo is about to leave Fern Conley, one of the members of the Friday Night Book Club arrives. They both go to the theater to see Elly. Upon arriving at the theatre they see the crumbled body between the seats. Arlo calls the police chief, Mads about the dead body. This is where the story gets very interesting. The Friday Night Book Club consists of Ellie, Fern and Camille. They are all in their 80's and drive the police chief crazy with their sleuthing. Arlo has a hard time keeping them out of trouble. The other characters add to this story of murder, mishaps around the theatre and talk of ghosts and the Lady in Red. At the opening of the movie all mayhem breaks loose with a surprising ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for this ARC.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't know anything about this author before reading an ARC, I was drawn to the setting of a bookstore and leaped at the opportunity to read. The story's plot did not appeal to me. This book could have been improved by focusing more on the mystery itself.I was amused by their antics and laughed at their justifications for snooping.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

It has finally arrived! The premiere of Missing Girl based on a book written by local newly deceased (Can’t Judge A Book By Its Murder) author Wally Harrison is taking place in his hometown and everyone is working to make the historic Coliseum Theater red carpet ready. That is until a man arrives in town claiming Harrison didn’t write the book. Soon thereafter Helen (Elly) finds the man dead between the seats in the theater. Of course, the Friday Night Book Club much to Arlo and the Sheriff’s regret butts their noses right into the murder investigation. It is about this time “accidents” start to happen at the theater. One “accident” leaves Arlo injured making it harder to reel in the octogenarian sleuths as they try to catch the killer.

________

First, I must recommend these books be read in order because each builds on things that happened in the previous book. It also helps you understand the relationships of the core characters.

Arlo is a strong main character and she has the patience of a saint. Fern, Camille, and Helen are very active ladies and quite a handful when they get an idea in their heads. Mads also has a bunch of patience but readers will truly understand that it is waning too with the senior sleuths. Also in this story, Sam is dealing with a tough family situation and my heart felt for him. All these characters are well-developed by this third book in the series but feel there is room for growth if there is a fourth book in the works.

The mystery itself is well-plotted and the author drops plenty of clues for a reader that isn’t distracted by all the mayhem caused by Helen, Fern, and Camille. Poor Chloe gets left manning the bookstore/cafe while Arlo works so hard to corral those ladies while trying to help a friend, keep the sheriff happy, and maybe just have a little time for herself. I really enjoyed the exciting ending and the way all the pieces fell nicely into place.

A Murder Like No Author may bring the Wally Harrison story to an end but I hope that doesn’t mean we won’t be visiting these characters again. I am curious about many facets of Arlo’s life especially if she is going to sort out her romance troubles. I am sure that Friday Night Book Club would have a lot of input for her in that regard. I am also sure there could be another murder afoot in sweet Sugar Springs. I definitely wouldn’t say “no” to another visit to Arlo and Chloe’s Books & More.

Amy Lillard has penned another very entertaining read.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I REALLY wanted to like this book, I really did. There is just so much about it that is problematic. From the [stupid, ridiculous, no-woman-should-wring-her-hands-over-TWO-men-who-are-giving-her-NO-encouragement] love triangle, the C O N S T A N T repetition [I DO NOT need to be told again what was just told to me 2 chapters before [over and over and over again] - we are not 5 authors, please stop doing this], which leads to no real plot, no real character development and a reveal that was so tepid, that I actually said out loud "THAT'S it?" to the fairly obvious killer amongst other really obvious things to everyone expecting Arlo to "babysit" three GROWN WOMEN who should both know better and also be able to take care of themselves [so they get in trouble; why shouldn't they have the consequences instead of Arlo? I find it also very problematic that Mads thinks its okay to almost demand that Arlo "take care" of them. They are GROWN WOMEN; let them take care of themselves for crying out loud], this book started out weak and just grew even more weak and tepid as the book went on. I haven't been so relieved to be done with a book in a long time [especially after the 3-second reveal that wasn't a surprise]. Such a huge disappointment. This has the potential to be a really great series and it just is not ending up to be that. I do like Arlo as a MC [minus the hand-wringing] and I LOVE the bookstore setting, but the story and the mystery and character development needs to be much stronger; I am not sure I can continue with this series if the next book is more of the same that was this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Lillard, and Poisoned Pen Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arlo and the Friday Night Book Club take off on another adventure in this latest book by Amy Lillard.
The story is interesting and kept me engaged from the beginning. Everyone is excited to celebrate a local author's new book, but a murder puts a damper on the party. Rumor has it that the author didn't write the book as he claims, and everyone turns to Arlo to solve the problem.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐⭐

I read a lot of cozy mysteries and some are just better than others. This one wasn't one of the better ones, unfortunately. I honestly have little to say about it. I found it a bit boring; the characters are not overly likable. I found it annoying the sheriff would be angry at Arlo for not controlling three grown ass women (this is her job...why??!) On a positive note; I enjoyed the setting, and the three hilarious grandmotherly ladies. Their antics made me laugh.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Mint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hollywood is coming to the small town of Sugar Springs! A film adapted from local author Wally Harrison's book is about to premiere. Everyone, including bookstore owner Arlo, is doing what they can to make sure the town is ready for its day in the spotlight. However, when a stranger comes to town claiming that Wally didn't actually write the book, the premiere is put in jeopardy. When the stranger is found dead in the very theatre the movie is supposed to premiere in, Arlo knows that it could be lights out on Sugar Springs' big day if the police don't catch the killer - and fast.

It's refreshing to see a book where the protagonist doesn't actually want to jump head-first into the sleuthing. Instead, Arlo is the one who has to restrain her enthusiastic Book Club friends from interfering too much in the police investigation! This doesn't mean she's a passive protagonist either though, as she works hard to piece together the clues.

I can feel Arlo's irritation with the Book Club's antics through the pages! I can also feel her empathy for others and her love of Sugar Springs. Arlo is an expressive narrator with a clear voice. The town of Sugar Springs also seems lovely, like a real town I might one day want to visit.

There is a lot of action in this book, which makes for a fun and fast read. At the same time, having too much action can sometimes mean that some parts of the book aren't as developed as they could be. In particular, I feel that there could have been a larger emphasis on the mystery itself, even if Arlo is reluctant to directly participate herself. At times, I felt that the mystery was secondary to some of the other subplots. Spending more time on fleshing out the clues would lead to a fuller and more complex mystery.

That being said though, I did appreciate that the mystery was clearly executed. By the end of the book, I could see how the pieces of the mystery felt together in spite of the book's twists and turns.

It's possible to read this book as a standalone, but I think new readers to the series would benefit from starting from the beginning. This way, they will get to know the starring characters and their relationships better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Readers should know that there is no foul language and minimal violence in this book. The book has a significant romantic sideplot; readers who are not interested in romance may want to skip this one.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard is the third book in the Main Street Book Club Mysteries, and I had hopes that this series would get better after reading book two, but this is my lowest rated one in the series. And the biggest reason comes down to me skimming a lot of the book because of Arlo continually trying to contain octogenarians and the sheriff being angry with her because she couldn’t… even though I don’t feel as if she should even be trying.

If Lillard would get rid of Arlo and let Fern, Camille, and Helen continue to be their fabulous selves that infuse humor into each book while solving the mystery, this series would be fantastic!

I do have to give Lillard kudos for being able to keep the theme of Wally and the “did he or didn’t he write the bestseller book” going through all three books. It is pretty ingenious how she is using this plot device to span the series…. That being said, if I read book four in the series, I hope that question gets answered and Lillard goes onto something else.

And I was also happy that Lillard introduced a character with a different lifestyle than many people have, and some cozy readers may even be aware of. But as much as I appreciated it, and hope to see more of this in other cozies, the way it was presented didn’t feel as fresh as it could have. Lillard did try to address this with the octogenarians not being PC about it, but even putting that nod towards it didn’t help.

As always, this is just my opinion. You may love this series, which always makes me happy when people enjoy a book. I will most likely try book four in the series, but if it keeps having the same problems, I’ll be reading other cozy mysteries since there are so many great ones out there.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying the Main Street Book Club Mysteries and was looking forward to this book. The town of Sugar Springs is working together to get the historical Coliseum Theater ready for the event of the year—the premiere of Missing Girl, local author Wally Harrison's bestselling novel turned film. A stranger shows up declaring that he has proof that Wally didn't write the book! When he is found murdered with a broken neck, the bookclub decides they need to find out what happened to save the premiere. Despite Arlo's protests, the three octogenarian sleuths start sticking their noses in where they don't belong. Will they find out who murdered Petro Chenko?

I have to say, I was a bit disappointed in this one. I found the mystery interesting, with a few suspects and plenty of red herrings, but it got bogged down in the minutiae. Everything was extremely detailed from clothes, food, shoes and even women shaving. The characters are fun and a bit quirky which I do enjoy. Arlo is single, but there are two possible love interests, men she has a past with. Sam is sweet and returned to Sugar Springs because of his mom's illness. She passes in this book, so will he stay? There has been some chemistry between Arlo and Police Chief and old boyfriend, Mads Keller, which I would like to see built upon. I sure hope we don't end up with a love triangle. Overall, this was an entertaining story. You can read this as a standalone, but because it is only three books in, I recommend you read them in order.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, enjoyable cozy with pleasant characters and some funny moments. It was a satisfying mystery. There was some repetition I thought was unnecessary, particularly the amount of times the name of the town was mentioned. That is not normal.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the first two books in the series and I was still a little lost with all the characters in the book. You almost needed to have read them recently to remember what had happened in the past books to fully understand what was happening in this one. That aside, it was still a fun book. Arlo is more of a secondary character, the main character is really the book group. They are the ones getting into trouble and annoying the sheriff and Arlo is the one who has to make the peace. It's kind of charming, but Arlo really has no control over the seniors in her book group, which makes for a funny read.

[Ell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid cozy mystery with an interesting plot. Typically, I find most cozy mysteries can stand on their own. However, in this case, I felt a little lost regarding the characters’ behaviors. I read book one two years ago and missed book two. Subsequently, I found myself wishing I had a bit more background information on the residents of Sugar Springs and I wish the introductions to each character was a bit more well-rounded. Occasionally, I found descriptions for the mundane a bit verbose. However, Amy Lillard is obviously a skilled author and it’s easy to see why she has such a large fanbase. I believe reading the book that preceded this one in this series may have equated to a better reading experience for me. My recommendation is start with book one in the A Main Street Book Club Mystery series.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it’s the 3rd in the series, it was the title that drew me to this one. It could easily read as a stand-alone as the author gave you enough background information. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery and would like to go back and start with the first book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced reader copy. My opinions are my own.

[Gail C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arlo, central character in the Main Street Mystery series by Amy Lillard, is busy herding cats. Not literal cats, but the three members of her so-called book club. Trying to get these senior citizen women to actually read books and discuss them like, you know, a normal book club, is just like trying to get a cat to stay off the furniture. They are going to do what they are going to do, and in this case that means try to solve the latest murder in the small town of Sugar Springs, MS.

The murder itself is contained within the book, but the story of its author and the development of the book have threads that go back to the previous books. That may not matter to most readers, as it is enjoyable either way. In fact, if you read this as your first introduction to the people of Sugar Springs, you may be so entertained you decide to go back and read the other two books.

The book opens with the murder of a famous author from Sugar Springs whose last book before his death has been turned into a movie. The Hollywood movers and shakers have decided to have the premier in Sugar Springs and the book club ladies, lead by Helen, are the main volunteers working to get the coliseum spruced up for the event. Unfortunately, Helen has barely started work that day when she finds the body of the man who has come to town claiming someone else had actually written the book. She calls Arlo who rushes down along with the other book club members. Chaos ensues as the women decide to investigate and Mads, chief of police, demands Arlo get them under control, thus the herding begins. Arlo’s attempts to control three 80+ year old women are hilariously believable for anyone who has tried to reason with a strong willed senior citizen.

As the book club, along with Arlo, rush around town in search of clues, they constantly ignore not only Mads’ directives, but any thought of leaving evidence alone. Arlo has her hands full trying to keep them off the balcony where the victim was pushed; out of the victim’s room at the B&B owned by Helen, even though there is crime scene tape sealing the area; not to mention making copies of half a note they find written in what appears to be Russian.

The mystery is well plotted, and there are plenty of clues for the reader to use in solving it if they don’t get too tangled up in the humor of it all. The characters are well-crafted and unique as is the depiction of a small southern town. Passages throughout the book reveal an author who understands the south and what living in a small southern town is like. For example,there is the description of a gathering after the naturally occurring death of one of the characters which measures the townspeople's admiration of her by “the number of casseroles, pies,and mayonnaise-based salads” that have arrived.

As the book club ladies run around town, gathering clues and questioning people. Arlo is left to frantically run behind them, trying to get them back to the bookstore she owns and the area she set aside for the book club when she had what she thought was an inspired idea. In between investigative tasks, the women can be found in the coliseum, painting, dusting, and polishing the floor. That is until a wayward beam falls and Arlo has to take a dive to push one of the women out of the way. The result is a broken ankle for Arlo, so she winds up doing much of her herding with her right leg in a knee high cast.

Enough about the plot and interactions, trust me, it’s more fun to read them as they happen than to read a description of it. This is a cozy series not to be missed as it has it all: a central character with her own conflicts, a senior citizen group that is nothing if not laser focused, a handsome chief of police who once had a thing with Arlo and the man who, as a teenager, broke them up on prom night. Oh, yes, it also has a well plotted murder mystery and excellent pacing that keeps pulling you through the book until you are surprised that the whole thing is over.

I received an advance copy of this novel through Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A Murder Like No Author” the 3rd instalment in Main Street Book Club Mysteries by Amy Lillard set in the town of Sugar Springs Mississippi. I have not read the previous books, and had no trouble following along but I recommend reading in order.

Bookstore owner Arlo and her Friday Night Book Club sleuths are going to have to read between the lines to solve this mystery! Can Arlo and her Friday night book club to sleuth out the killer and solve the mystery before the town's Hollywood dreams go up in smoke?

I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to read the previous books. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers copy from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley.All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sugar Springs is gearing up for the premier of a movie based on a book written by one of their own. It’s a big event in town and everyone is excited, then a stranger shows up and claims he has proof that the book the movie is based on was not written by Wally.

When the man making the claims is found dead, Arlo and the book club are on the case. They work to find the killer and try to prevent the premier from turning into a nightmare.

I enjoy Amy’s books. She had another series I truly enjoyed based in Amish country so I was thrilled to see her new series and this new addition to that series is just as awesome as her other works. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arlo Stanley stayed in Sugar Springs, Mississippi when she was sixteen, leaving her hippie family who traveled from town to town. She's put down her roots, owning both a home and a business; a bookstore and coffee bar with her best friend, Chloe. Then there's the Friday Night Book Club -- a trio of elderly ladies, Fern, Camille, and Helen, whom Arlo calls 'Elly,' since she lived with Helen from the age of sixteen to twenty-five. These ladies helped solve the murder of Wally Harrison, a local author whose book is being made into a movie, premiering in Sugar Springs. Now these ladies think they are super sleuths, after helping with not one but two murders being solved, and they're off again...

When the body of one of Helen's guests at her inn is found dead in the theater they're renovating for the premiere, she's afraid she's going to be a suspect. Arlo assures her that's not the case, and then they're sure it's going to be Wally's ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Chloe, or his ex-wife, Daisy. So the women are into the sleuthing game again, much to the consternation of Arlo and the displease of the chief of police, Mads, who thinks Arlo should control them. But that's out of the question, as they do what they want, and Arlo just tries to keep them out of too much trouble. But when an accident befalls someone, and more accidents take place in the Coliseum. it's looking like a killer might just get away with murder...

I have read the previous two books in this series and I really loved them. I know that I've said I abhor love triangles, and I really do; but it is different in this series. You'll have to read the series to find out why, but I guess I will say that I am leaning towards Sam, as he seems more outgoing and fun. Trust me, a man who can make you laugh is worth more money than anyone has. The brooding look has never done it for me (but that's my opinion and you'll all have your own!)

At any rate, I did know who the murderer was the minute they stepped onto the page, but I do read a lot of mysteries, so there's that. The mystery itself was done very well, and the clues were there, but we, along with Arlo and the ladies, had to put them together, which was fun in itself.

The only thing I didn't understand is why if the town was getting the Coliseum ready, why were the three ladies doing all the work? These are women who are over eighty, and I don't see how they could get down on the floor and have no problem getting up again. I have problems, and I'm decades younger than them. So that was the only thing that really bothered me.

Other than that, the book was very good, and the descriptions of everything going on were indeed well written. We are given a view of a small town just trying to keep that small-town-feel, and the characters are becoming more defined as we go along. At the end, when the killer is revealed, the reasons why are rather convoluted, but then again the mind of a murderer isn't normal, anyway. I do feel that they were written believably, and I did enjoy the book quite a bit and will continue with this series. Read this if you get the opportunity; better yet, start with the beginning book and read all three, even though this can be read as a stand alone. Recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

[Tori (tori.b.reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arlo Stanley runs a bookstore, Books and More, with her best friend Chloe in Sugar Springs, Mississippi. A little over a year ago, local author Wally Harrison was murdered in front of Arlo’s store just as his first book was published. Now, Wally’s book "Missing Girl" is being turned into a movie, and the premiere is set to take place right here in Sugar Springs. However, a man by the name of Petro Chenko claims that Wally isn’t the author of the novel, but that it was actually written by his assistant, Inna, who went away to prison for Wally’s murder. Before Petro could share his evidence with the media, however, he was murdered in the very Coliseum Theater where the movie premiere will take place.

Chief of police, Mads Kelley, is on the case. However, the three little old ladies in Arlo’s book club believe they can solve Petro’s murder first. Helen, Camille, and Fern have tried to interfere with Mads’ investigation in the past, so Arlo must prevent them from interfering with Petro’s murder, too! The only problem? She can’t seem to keep her book club under control!

My favorite character was definitely Fern. She seems like the stereotypical little old lady that can’t stop sticking her nose in places it doesn’t belong! Whenever someone in the book club comes up with a bad idea (although it is usually Fern), she always encourages the rest of the ladies to follow through with it. I also really enjoyed the friendship dynamic between Fern, Helen, and Camille. They seem like three really sweet, grandmotherly figures who treat the entire town of Sugar Springs like they’re their family.

As for the actual mystery, I feel like I caught on to both the murderer and the red herring very quickly. I realized the woman in the red dress was the red herring almost immediately after she was introduced. What ultimately confirmed it for me was the red shoe cap. Making not just one, but both things red screamed red herring a bit too obviously for me. I did not predict that the woman in red was Sasha, though, so that was a pleasant surprise! I did, however, suspect that the Alayna Adams look-alike, Missy Severs, was the killer. I’m not usually good at predicting the murderer, but Missy just seemed like the glaringly obvious choice to me. She’s an outsider obsessed with one of the actresses in the film, and just crazy enough that murder seems like a reasonable solution to her. I really enjoyed that there were enough clues that I was able to guess alongside the characters!

The one aspect of the story whose presence confused me was the barely-there love triangle between Arlo, Mads, and her ex-boyfriend Sam. I could understand using the angle of Arlo and Sam getting back together after roughly 15 years, but bringing a second ex-boyfriend into the mix felt unnecessary to the plot and didn’t really add any character development.

Taking into consideration that "A Murder Like No Author" is the third book in the series, I had no trouble following along. I meant to read the first two books before I started this one because I feared not having enough information, but I wasn't able to read them beforehand. That being said, I think Lillard did an excellent job of character introductions and providing just enough backstory that I wasn’t confused jumping straight into book three. So don’t feel pressured to read the first two books in the series before picking up this one!

"A Murder Like No Author" is the perfect cozy mystery for booklovers and mystery aficionados alike to read this fall!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard has Arlo and the book club group try to solve the murder of a visitor who was causing a ruckus in town. The town of Sugar Springs is getting ready to host the movie premiere of Missing Girl. The film is based on the bestselling book by the late Wally Harrison. The victim claimed he had proof that the author’s assistant really authored the novel. He was killed before he could produce his evidence. Arlo and the Friday Night Book Club (which is now meeting every day and rarely discusses books) set out to solve the crime before the movie premiere. Arlo has her hands full this time trying to wrangle the ladies to keep them out of mischief and out of the Chief of Police’s hair. Matters are further complicated by a series of incidents at the theater. Fern claims it is ghosts, but Arlo has her doubts. Can Arlo and the book club ladies get to the bottom of the murder? A Murder Like No Author is the 3rd book in A Main Street Book Club Mysteries. I suggest reading the books in order as each book builds upon the previous one. It will allow you to understand the characters and their relationships. The characters are developed and unique. Arlo is a kind woman who is always there for her friends. She has the patience of a saint. She tries so hard to wrangle Helen, Camille, and Fern. They can be a handful especially when they have an idea. Mads Keller, the Chief of Police, is a good man who is rapidly losing patience with the senior sleuths. Sam is going through a tough family situation. Arlo feels for him and wishes there was more she could do for him. My heart went out to Sam. I understand what he is going through very well. The town of Sugar Springs is charming. It is full of quirky residents and quaint shops. I love the bookstore, though, I do not how Arlo can listen to Faulkner all day. The mystery was thought out and there are good clues to help readers solve the crime. I liked the red herring. The crime can easily be solved long before the reveal if you do not let Helen, Camille, and Fern’s antics distract you. Everything comes together for a satisfying ending. The Wally Harrison storyline which has been running through the first three books is finally put to bed. There is plenty of humor in this cozy mystery that will have you chuckling and shaking your head. I could do without the repetition. It is a bit much after a while. I also am not a fan of the sort-of love triangle between Arlo, Mads, and Sam. I am hoping that Arlo will get with Mads. Their relationship makes more sense to me, and they are a cute pair. A Murder Like No Author is a spirited whodunit with a departed rebel rouser, hilarious hijinks, a cross chief, a lady in scarlet, and an overburdened bookstore owner.

[Belinda (Belle) Witzenhausen]

I received a complimentary ARC copy of A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in order to read and give an honest review.

“…a cute and quick read but has a solid mystery, quirky characters, just enough action and a touch of romance…all the hallmarks of a good cozy…”

With the success of the book Missing Girl from deceased author and Sugar Springs native Wally Harrison it was only fitting that the Missing Girl movie be premiered in little old Sugar Springs. The whole town is abuzz, including bookstore owner Arlo and her notoriously inquisitive book club. The town is going crazy preparing for its big day, especially the historical Coliseum Theater which they are attempting to restore to its former glory. It is time for Sugar Springs to shine in the spotlight, but they are face with a major snag. When a stranger is intent on exposing that Wally Harrison did not really write the bestseller is silenced, the town is put under a different kind of scrutiny and puts the premiere in jeopardy. When the body is found in the Coliseum and freak accidents began to occur many are to ready to accept that the haunted reputation of the theatre is responsible, but Arlo and her book club featuring, three octogenarians are not completely convinced. As usual the book club goes into snoop mode with Arlo desperately trying to keep the reigns on the feisty trio and let the police do their job…without interference.

In reading the series a part of me admires these feisty women but I also feel Arlo’s frustration, I am sure in so many ways baptizing a cat would be easier than keeping the book club trio out of trouble. Especially after Arlo is injured and is pulled in so many different directions, I was actually getting annoyed for the character, which is unquestionably a testament to the author.

A Murder Like No Author, is a cute and quick read but has a solid mystery, quirky characters, just enough action and a touch of romance…all the hallmarks of a good cozy. which I would definitely recommend.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review for book three in the series is basically the same as book 1. It's light on the mystery, both in the development and suspects. I knew who it was as soon as the person made a comment. (These are deliberately vague to make them as non-spoilerish as possible.) I also don't believe it was mentioned how the murder knew the victim in order to get the motive to kill him. It was noted very near the end that the victim could have been saved when we get an additional detail that I don't think was also mentioned earlier. However, I think that possibility is wrong as well.
Why does one of the characters do something in the victim's bedroom that would be noticed?
It made no sense and didn't help the person?

Regarding the characters and their development: The romance aspect is quite light in this book, but an undeveloped triangle still exists. I still feel the book club members could be any age, there's really nothing other than some minor physical descriptions (hair color) to indicate age. At one point, Helen was on her knees, then sits back on her feet (ok she does mention needing help to get up, still, I need help or a chair and I'm a few decades younger), not something my 70 and 80 year old parents could do or were likely to do. Some reviewers say that the book club members tell Arlo what to do and make her do things. I find they pretty much have an equal standing and at one point, Arlo says something a bit harshly.

Arlo mentions polical correctness and stopping herself. Yup, a whole lot of issues brought up such as the town not being the best place for people who are different. However, there was less, maybe only one mention of church in this one unlike the first book. There are some big leaps to categorize the victim as different.

The read was still pleasant enough to finish, yet I wouldn't really recommend it due to the weakness of the mystery element.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: I know that the three elderly ladies that comprise the Friday Night Book Club are whacky and over the top. But sometimes when they do some of the things they do, they make me want to hiss. I certainly cannot blame either Mads or Arlo for their frustration with them. Begrudgingly both do put up with their shenanigans which is a good thing. Often they turn up some detail that was hidden or missed but they do test the patience of a saint.

In the wake of the local murdered author whose best seller is soon to be a premiered movie, Sugar Springs is going to play host to a plethora of Hollywood glitterati. But there is one more visitor to town- a man intent on ruining the big event. When his body is discovered at the bottom of the balcony in the local theatre, the suspects include some of Arlo’s friends, some imports to town and the ghosts in the theatre. As before Arlo’s involvement is less trying to investigate and more trying to keep the elderly wild bunch from running havoc over town and the case.

Arlo ends up being hurt while saving one the three ladies so with everything else on her plate, she must hobble along trying to wrestle with them. She is also wrestling with some ghosts of her own. Two of the men she loved in her youth, Mads and Sam, are both nearby. Arlo is friends with both but she is beginning to wonder if there is more in her future… and if so, with whom. She does not let any of this stop her from discovering the killer, although it took her much longer than it did me. The character did something so obvious I was convinced I knew the villain. A couple of false clues made me question it but I was right and for the exact reason I suspected.

It didn’t detract from the book. I like the characters and the relationships even if the old girls sometimes venture beyond the pale. Four purrs and two paws up.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous third instalment in what is proving to be a promising series! Mississippi bookstore owner Arlo Stanley along with the rest of the town is getting the historical Coliseum Theater ready for the premiere of 'Missing Girl', local author Wally Harrison's bestselling novel turned film. 'Missing Girl' was the book club selection of the Friday Night Book Club - octogenarians Fern, Camille, and Helen. When a stranger arrives claiming he has definitive proof that Wally didn't write 'Missing Girl' he is later discovered dead in his hotel room. The mystery book club gang, with Arlo's help, are intent on nailing the culprit(s).

Set in Sugar Springs, Mississippi, A Murder Like No Author was an exciting read. Amy Lillard gave the story a sense of place and the pacing was spot on. There was always plenty going on and there was certainly never a dull moment! The author clearly knows how to write a story that is compelling, entertaining and fun and I really enjoyed my time spent in Arlo's company and the Friday Night Book Club members' shenanigans. All of the characters had a great part to play and all had plenty of audacity and spirit.

The plot was brilliantly executed and I was desperate to find out what was going to happen next. The combination of description and dialogue was great and I had opportunities to play armchair detective as the story progressed. All in all, I loved this fascinating mystery and I highly recommend this humorous, easy to read cozy. I am already looking forward to reading the next book in the series. A well-deserved five stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arlo and her business partner, Chloe run a bookstore called Books and More in the town of Sugar Springs, MS. The bookstore has a book club called the Friday Night Book Club and it is so much more than that. First there are only three members, all senior citizens. Second, they are determined to solve crimes and three, no matter how hard Arlo tries, they will do it their way.
This time the crime revolves around a past murder they investigated, the death of local author Wally Harrison. His book, Missing Girl, has made it to the silver screen and the town has been working hard to spruce up the local Coliseum Theater for the showing. Petro Chenko arrives in town to throw in a very big monkey wrench. He is claiming that Wally didn't write Missing Girl and he's going to prove it. Soon enough his lifeless body is found by Arlo's Aunt Helen, wedged between the seats in the theater. In no time the members of the Friday Night Book Club - Helen, Fern and Camille - are on the case much to the dismay of both the sheriff and Arlo. Controlling those ladies is harder than nailing jello to the wall. Then accidents start happening and Arlo is having a really hard time keeping up with the ladies.
This is a series best read in order. The back story is important to the current mystery. The mystery is well crafted with plenty of clues to follow. I hope there will be more books in the series.
My thanks to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Murder Like No Author is the third book in the series. I have read the other two books in the series. I like Arlo and I like the setting in a bookstore.
There are some points of irritation in the series.
1. Most everyone in the book keeps looking at Sam and Mads as being involved romantically in Arlo. Each was involved with Arlo in the past but isn’t any more, not really any way. It would be nice if the author decided whether she was going to have Arlo have a love interest or not. I’m not a fan of (sort of) love triangles in cozy mysteries. And hemming and hawing around for three books is plenty. The friendship between Arlo and Daisy isn’t really going to make real progress if Daisy is dating Sam.
2. The supposed book club. As individuals I like Helen (Elly), Camille and Fern. Together and misbehaving I grit my teeth a little and tell myself to keep reading. Could the ladies just be a bit less of a nuisance? Part of the problem for me is that Arlo feels she has to run around after them. It causes trouble for her and doesn’t keep the book club out of trouble.
The mystery is interesting and the killer well hidden but the “book club” running amok makes it a bit more quirky than I enjoy.
The author has a creative mind and this is a well designed mystery. It was a good read despite my stated irritations.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

[Tari · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always an interesting trip to Sugar Springs, MS to visit with Arlo and her friends. If you ever wondered what it was like to herd cats or toddlers, follow Arlo around town as she tries to ride herd on her three favorite older ladies. I can tell she loves them all like surrogate grandmas, but sometimes they do try her patience, lol. But always in a good way. They're sharp as can be and can be quite intimidating with their smartphones, cookies and "the look" that only a grandma-like lady can give! I just love those ladies and as a collective unit, they're such a hoot, especially that Fern!

This time they were all over the murder that took place at the theater where the movie was premiering. I won't rehash the plot, since you can read that in the blurb. There was a side mystery along with the murder which became solved in a twist toward the end. I hadn't guessed the killer, and the showdown was a good one.

You can definitely read this book by itself since the author does a very good job of recapping the previous stories. But you might want to start from the first book because sometimes things are mentioned that might be a little confusing otherwise...and you'll understand more about why there's a movie premiere and what that book was all about.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

(NOTE: I received this book as an Early Reads Preview from Sourcebooks.)

I've not read too many mystery stories, and certainly none as cozy as this one. While this book is the third in a series it's the first one I read, but that didn't seem to matter much. I didn't feel like I'd missed much since the characters and previous events were described and mentioned in such a way that I felt like I was reading a Book 1.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and I didn't get a really good mental image of any of them (I kept forgetting half of them are supposed to be 80+ years old!), so that was a downside for me. The plot felt a bit forced at times, and there was a lot of peripheral stuff going on irrelevant to the mystery that kept throwing me out of the main story--but it's early in the series so I imagine there's a lot of world building left to do and interest to uphold in the characters' lives as the series progresses. I get it, but I would have been content with a straight-up mystery and none of the internal monologue the main character had about her love life.
This was a fast read with a satisfying ending...though again, the dynamics surrounding the characters felt a bit forced at times. I am glad I read it, as this is a new genre for me so I enjoy getting a feel for how things are supposed to look as I hunt down some other soft mystery-type books to expand my horizons!