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Cozy Mystery Bookshop #3
Bound To Be Dead
Sawyer Davis, a chef who runs an inherited mystery bookshop, is marinating in trouble once again. While onstage and strapped to a giant bullseye, Sawyer’s magician father hurls knives at her, but she’s not the one who ends up dead. Her father’s ex is found lifeless backstage making her dad the number one suspect.
The timer steadily counts down as Sawyer desperately searches for clues. She has to solve the crime before her boyfriend, Dylan, the sheriff, arrests her father. Meanwhile, her uncle is trying to steal her bookshop and inheritance while she fights to hang on to her mother’s legacy.
With her book club pal’s help, can Sawyer find the real murderer, put her nasty uncle in his place, and salvage her relationship with Dylan without getting burned?
The timer steadily counts down as Sawyer desperately searches for clues. She has to solve the crime before her boyfriend, Dylan, the sheriff, arrests her father. Meanwhile, her uncle is trying to steal her bookshop and inheritance while she fights to hang on to her mother’s legacy.
With her book club pal’s help, can Sawyer find the real murderer, put her nasty uncle in his place, and salvage her relationship with Dylan without getting burned?
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2021
39 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Tamra Baumann
14 books517 followersTamra Baumann is an award-winning author of light-hearted contemporary romance and cozy mystery. A reality-show junkie, she justifies her addiction by telling others she’s scouting for potential character material. She adamantly denies she’s actually living vicariously in their closets. Tamra resides with her real-life characters—her husband, kids, and their adorable golden doodle in the sunny Southwest. Visit her online at: www.tamrabaumann.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 31, 2021
It's been a while since I read the second book of this series, so it was a slow start for me. That's on me, not this book. However, after a couple of chapters had jogged my memory, it was easy to fall back in love with the characters of this little town. The mystery was solid, and the side characters were well rendered. I just wish that the MC and her relationship with the sheriff was a little more so. That aspect of this series was decidedly meh. I hope that the author gives us another installment (maybe a final one?) of this series. Maybe we'll see the nice heroine have a lovely slice of HEA in that one. :)
April 1, 2021
Cute story
Enjoyed this story and if same characters are in the other ones I will definitely read them. Love books that can be a standalone or part of a series.
Enjoyed this story and if same characters are in the other ones I will definitely read them. Love books that can be a standalone or part of a series.
January 21, 2023
great series!
I Love this series ! It’s funny and keeps you on your toes and entertained. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next .
I Love this series ! It’s funny and keeps you on your toes and entertained. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next .
October 10, 2022
What a roller coaster of a ride this was! In some ways the mystery took a backseat to all the family drama and resolutions happening. Finally, Uncle Frank got his comeuppance 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 though I would have liked a more extended scene on that😁😁
When Sawyer’s father becomes a suspect in the death of his very recent ex-girlfriend during a magic show she was assisting him with, Sawyer is determined to clear her dad’s name. That of course leads to issues with her already shake relationship with Dylan, the town Sheriff as Sawyer is still deciding where they stand and if they have a future. Equally distressing, Sawyer faces the risk of losing Brittany. With so much weighing on her, Sawyer, Madge, her sister, and the Admiral, sus out clues to the murderer before Sawyer loses everything and everyone she loves.
The mystery was a reasonably good one, and though I had a few issues with Dylan’s decision during the case as to their personal relationship, I can’t fault it to much considering Sawyer has been equally as bad at times. In the end, the book is good at evoking the emotions around familial bonds, betrayals, loyalty, second chances, and moving forward.
When Sawyer’s father becomes a suspect in the death of his very recent ex-girlfriend during a magic show she was assisting him with, Sawyer is determined to clear her dad’s name. That of course leads to issues with her already shake relationship with Dylan, the town Sheriff as Sawyer is still deciding where they stand and if they have a future. Equally distressing, Sawyer faces the risk of losing Brittany. With so much weighing on her, Sawyer, Madge, her sister, and the Admiral, sus out clues to the murderer before Sawyer loses everything and everyone she loves.
The mystery was a reasonably good one, and though I had a few issues with Dylan’s decision during the case as to their personal relationship, I can’t fault it to much considering Sawyer has been equally as bad at times. In the end, the book is good at evoking the emotions around familial bonds, betrayals, loyalty, second chances, and moving forward.
May 19, 2021
Third in the series and another great book! I don't see another one listed for the series so this may be the last one. The end did seem to finish off most of the storylines, so if this was the last it was a great finish!
Amazon synopsis:
Sawyer Davis, a chef who runs an inherited mystery bookshop, is marinating in trouble once again. While onstage and strapped to a giant bullseye, Sawyer’s magician father hurls knives at her, but she’s not the one who ends up dead. Her father’s ex is found lifeless backstage making her dad the number one suspect.
The timer steadily counts down as Sawyer desperately searches for clues. She has to solve the crime before her boyfriend, Dylan, the sheriff, arrests her father. Meanwhile, her uncle is trying to steal her bookshop and inheritance while she fights to hang on to her mother’s legacy.
With her book club pal’s help, can Sawyer find the real murderer, put her nasty uncle in his place, and salvage her relationship with Dylan without getting burned?
Amazon synopsis:
Sawyer Davis, a chef who runs an inherited mystery bookshop, is marinating in trouble once again. While onstage and strapped to a giant bullseye, Sawyer’s magician father hurls knives at her, but she’s not the one who ends up dead. Her father’s ex is found lifeless backstage making her dad the number one suspect.
The timer steadily counts down as Sawyer desperately searches for clues. She has to solve the crime before her boyfriend, Dylan, the sheriff, arrests her father. Meanwhile, her uncle is trying to steal her bookshop and inheritance while she fights to hang on to her mother’s legacy.
With her book club pal’s help, can Sawyer find the real murderer, put her nasty uncle in his place, and salvage her relationship with Dylan without getting burned?
January 27, 2023
I want to thank Tamra Baumann, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the Kindle eBook copy of Bound to be Dead ~ Cozy Mystery Bookshop ~ Book 3 that I won in the Giveaway.
Sawyer Davis, bookstore owner, chef, a new mother to a fifteen-year-old is faced with multiple problems all in a matter of days. First is a murder while she is helping her father by preforming in his magic act, then she is faced with her adopted daughter returning to her mother, her evil uncle is trying to break the trust that will take away her inheritance, which includes her home, bookshop, the building she wants to open a restraint and all the money in a trust set up by her Grandparents.
Sawyer and her bookstore group of investigators go to work to help Dylan, the sheriff fine the killer. The humor is great, the crazy investigation lands a catering job, figuring out who the killer and how they did it with poison for frogs on the roses and Dylan getting shot leads to a happy ending. I loved this one.
Sawyer Davis, bookstore owner, chef, a new mother to a fifteen-year-old is faced with multiple problems all in a matter of days. First is a murder while she is helping her father by preforming in his magic act, then she is faced with her adopted daughter returning to her mother, her evil uncle is trying to break the trust that will take away her inheritance, which includes her home, bookshop, the building she wants to open a restraint and all the money in a trust set up by her Grandparents.
Sawyer and her bookstore group of investigators go to work to help Dylan, the sheriff fine the killer. The humor is great, the crazy investigation lands a catering job, figuring out who the killer and how they did it with poison for frogs on the roses and Dylan getting shot leads to a happy ending. I loved this one.
March 23, 2021
I'd give Bound To Be Dead more than five stars if I could.
Bound to be Dead is fun, with a side order of mystery, murder and mayhem. It's book three in Tamra Baumann's Cozy Mystery Bookstore series.
Sawyer Davis is on a spinning wheel as her magician father, Max, is throwing knives at her trying to entertain and amaze the crowds. However, when his ex-girlfriend, Tina, is found dead backstage, the sheriff suspects Max, along with a few others, including Sawyer's nasty and vengeful uncle.
The plot twists, mystery, humor, and whodunit scenarios, along with a zany book club group, makes this a very interesting read and a real page turner.
You'll love it.
Bound to be Dead is fun, with a side order of mystery, murder and mayhem. It's book three in Tamra Baumann's Cozy Mystery Bookstore series.
Sawyer Davis is on a spinning wheel as her magician father, Max, is throwing knives at her trying to entertain and amaze the crowds. However, when his ex-girlfriend, Tina, is found dead backstage, the sheriff suspects Max, along with a few others, including Sawyer's nasty and vengeful uncle.
The plot twists, mystery, humor, and whodunit scenarios, along with a zany book club group, makes this a very interesting read and a real page turner.
You'll love it.
March 27, 2021
First I would like to state that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. I really enjoy the authors writing style, pulls you into the book from the very beginning and you don't want to put the book down. It kept me on the edge of my seat reading from cover to cover. All the characters are very well portrayed though out. When you are finished you wish you weren't. A most wonderful read and I highly recommend this book
April 1, 2021
From the opening line, "Agreeing to let my dad throw knives at me while he's blindfolded might not have been the smartest decision I've made in my thirty-two years here on earth," through to the ending, this mystery is one a cozy reader can snuggle down and enjoy to the fullest. I admit I suspected how the murder was done (some kind of poison) but not the actual weapon. Ms. Baumann played fair with the reader, giving both clues and suspects, but she fooled me. Well done! So grab a cup of tea and a rainy day by the fireside to fully savor this delicious mystery.
April 1, 2021
This is the third in the Cozy Mystery Bookshop series. Sawyer Davis inherited her mother’s Mystery Bookshop and old Victorian home in book one. Her evil Uncle handles the trust from her Grandparents, and is trying to take everything away from her. That subplot is still going on when Tina, her fathers ex, dies. All sort of folks are suspects (her father, her uncle, a few others). Sawyer’s boyfriend Dylan is the sheriff, so they have to breakup during the investigation (oh no!). So now the mystery book club has to work to find out who the real killer is. Easy, fun read.
April 4, 2021
I was given this book by the author to read so thank you for that. I actually reread the first two in the series so that I would be ‘in sync’ with the characters and the ongoing back story.
This book was definitely a good one and I enjoyed it as much as the others . I was glad to see what happened about her uncle (trying not to give spoilers on that). I like the characters especially the dog and the slow romance as I think it makes a more rounded story not just a romance or mystery.
This book was definitely a good one and I enjoyed it as much as the others . I was glad to see what happened about her uncle (trying not to give spoilers on that). I like the characters especially the dog and the slow romance as I think it makes a more rounded story not just a romance or mystery.
April 23, 2021
* I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from a Goodreads giveaway. *
This was a fun read. There are plenty of quirky characters and heartfelt moments to keep things interesting. I knew who did it but was enjoying how everyone else figured it out. This is the first book that I've read in the series but I enjoyed it enough to go back and read the preceding ones. I loved the ending and all the feels.
This was a fun read. There are plenty of quirky characters and heartfelt moments to keep things interesting. I knew who did it but was enjoying how everyone else figured it out. This is the first book that I've read in the series but I enjoyed it enough to go back and read the preceding ones. I loved the ending and all the feels.
March 26, 2021
Loved it. From the second chance romance to the magic tricks and, of course, the murder mystery. Enjoyable characters, with a few not so great ones to give the tale a little spice. Some sweet moments and heart-breaking/heart-warming ones. Adorable dog, too. Thanks to the author for providing a copy for my voluntary review.
April 5, 2021
Great third installment
It feels like going back to a welcoming vacation spot whenever I read about Sawyer and her friends. This one introduced some new townies and they were just as interesting as the new ones.
I’m definitely hoping for a fourth book, I want to follow these characters for a while!
It feels like going back to a welcoming vacation spot whenever I read about Sawyer and her friends. This one introduced some new townies and they were just as interesting as the new ones.
I’m definitely hoping for a fourth book, I want to follow these characters for a while!
April 19, 2021
Fun read! Sawyer Davis is a chef with an inherited bookstore who seems to find trouble wherever she goes. Her father is a not very good magician. When someone is killed at his show, Sawyer and her book group try to solve it. A good mystery with interesting characters. This is the third book in the series and I'm hoping for more. Highly recommend!!!
April 22, 2021
It took me forever to read this book. It seemed to be predictable and slightly boring. I don't know if that is because I have read too many cozy mysteries (that's not possible!!) or if I had not read the previous books in the series. I wasn't invested in the characters so didn't fall in love with them.
February 5, 2024
Audio. This is the third in the Cozy Mystery Bookshop (and probably the last since the story lines through the series are tied up with the ending of this book). It is, I think, the quirkiest and most fun of the three and I totally enjoyed it for what it is - a cozy mystery !
This series is absolutely the best read in order.
This series is absolutely the best read in order.
March 30, 2021
Received a Kindle copy as a GoodReads giveaway. The second I've read in the series, and I liked this one better than #2. Without having read the first in the series, though, I was still a little baffled by the trust and Brittany's story, but I think I followed it better this time.
November 5, 2021
A cozy mystery in a small town is always going to get me excited. There’s something about murder, nosey busy bodies and a quirky cast that makes this story perfect. It’s the third in the series but can be read at any point, there is an arch over the books but the mystery is independent.
April 8, 2022
Bound to be Death
Another excellent story more toward the end when the details surface. It is too sad and upsetting in the beginning with hateful Uncle Frank. Old fashioned entertaining saga.
Another excellent story more toward the end when the details surface. It is too sad and upsetting in the beginning with hateful Uncle Frank. Old fashioned entertaining saga.
July 24, 2024
This is the third book in Tamra Baumann's 'Cozy Mystery Bookshop' series.
With each installment I find that I am getting more and more drawn into the series and in to the main story line. I'm enjoying the character development and I'm eager to read the next book.
With each installment I find that I am getting more and more drawn into the series and in to the main story line. I'm enjoying the character development and I'm eager to read the next book.
September 7, 2024
the BEST of the Trilogy
The characters were balanced. The plot was well paced. I could actually visualize this small down on the cliffs of the Pacific. Could not put last three chapters down. Enjoy!
The characters were balanced. The plot was well paced. I could actually visualize this small down on the cliffs of the Pacific. Could not put last three chapters down. Enjoy!
Read
September 14, 2025Cliff is awful. He keeps pushing her away and then being and she stays away. He literally breaks up with her and then is mad at her, even though he dumped her.
There was a lot happening in this book and the uncle plot line was rushed at the end.
There was a lot happening in this book and the uncle plot line was rushed at the end.
December 25, 2025
DNF at 30%. If anyone who managed to finish this book would please tell me the outcome of the murder and the adoption, I would be grateful.
Slow, annoying, too full of descriptions of food and the boyfriend.
Slow, annoying, too full of descriptions of food and the boyfriend.
March 9, 2021
I loved this book! Sawyer is like a fun friend. I was pulling for her the whole way! I liked the hints dropped along the way so I could follow along to solve the mystery!
March 29, 2021
Awesome
I enjoyed all three books in this series. Hoping there’s more to come. Looking forward to Sawyer and Dylan’s wedding...
I enjoyed all three books in this series. Hoping there’s more to come. Looking forward to Sawyer and Dylan’s wedding...
April 6, 2021
Fun cozy mystery
Love the characters and story. Great mystery!
Started with book 3 and will now go back to the first two.
Love the characters and story. Great mystery!
Started with book 3 and will now go back to the first two.
April 15, 2021
Another fun read, #3 in the Cozy Mystery Bookshop series.
I love the fun characters and the plot always has a great who done it. I look forward to #4.
I love the fun characters and the plot always has a great who done it. I look forward to #4.
May 4, 2021
Loved it
June 18, 2021
Yes, her uncle was outsmarted. Happy ever after.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews