Hardcover Homicide

St. Marin's Cozy Mystery #9

by A.C.F. Bookens

Nail guns have always terrified Harvey Beckett, and now she knows why.

Harvey loves sharing the parking lot of her bookstore with the hardware store across the way, but when an unruly customer is killed in the lot one night, she begins to wonder if the men who own the store are responsible. A few inquiries and a bit of spying later, and Harvey and her best friend find themselves with nowhere to run.

Will the killer be caught before the two women are silenced forever?

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction, Cozy

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2021

Reviews

[A.C.F. Bookens]

Writing this book was so fun. I love thinking through the books I've read and noting the ones that seem to be a good fit for that place in the story. And I truly adore Harvey and all her friends.

In this book, I pushed a little into one of the things that is hard about living in the rural South, the presence of white supremacist organizations. They exist everywhere, I know, but here, they can be a bit more brazen because our cultural preferences are often considered aligned with the ideal of white supremacy. That's a false alignment, but one nonetheless. So that part of the writing was painful, but also healing for me in some ways.

I so hope you enjoy the book. I so hope you find some more books to read from Harvey and Marcus's recommendations. Happy Reading!

[Diana Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always good

Although this book was good, it wasn't up to her usual standards. Seriously, if anyone else winked, I was going to scream. Hopefully the next book won't have so many mistakes and will be up to her usual standards. Ps the author of Little Prince is not St. Expert.

[Karolynn Cechowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the entire St. Marin's cozy mystery series! All five star!

[Johanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ a fun, cheesy, cosy buddy read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the strengths of ACF Bookens writing is the way she explores underrepresented people in cozies. This one is no different. I think she has finally found a subject that is very real and very scary to me. So that was a little unexpected in a cozy. However, facing these real life issues in books makes it easier to face them in real life. So cozies are like the safest of genres to confront these issues. So while I was uncomfortable, it was good to know that I was safe in a cozy.
As to the murder, it happens right at the beginning. There is not much confusion about who did it, but it is more about getting enough evidence. So we see lots of police work.
There are several events going on in the store and Harvey is there for all of them. I do enjoy the realism of Harvey working in her store often and thinking about her profit margin.
And I really enjoyed the new layer of character in Tuck, especially at the end. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t say anything else.
Another great book in St. Marin’s. Be aware that this is a cozy dealing with some heavy real world issues.
I received a copy of this book. This is my opinion.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations on raising another topic of concern and weaving a great story around it. A serious topic that raises its ugly head regularly and needs to be addressed. Harvey and her friends take things in their stride as usual and help in bringing the culprits to justice after a body is found in the alley next to Harvery's bookstore. A great read.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love getting a new Harvey and friends book. I sit down and devour it in one sitting if possible. As always a good mystery, the names of some authors I might want to look into and all of Harvey's friends. I was glad to see that Harvey is learning from her previous adventures and didn't get into too many jams.

[Rebecca Owen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have so enjoyed this series. I love all the regular characters and how they have formed a community. This time, however, I found it much less enjoyable. The political overtones throughout the book really took the joy out of the story. Mentioning an author’s ties to a real political figure was totally unnecessary to the story and was an unnecessary distraction. That is just one example. There were also some errors missed in editing. I agree with another reviewer that this was not up to the same standards as her previous novels in the series.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many “autocorrect” errors. Too bad, it was sort of distracting.

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get all excited when I see a new book on this series!! Starting out I read but didn't know it would lead me into a series and get to know all of Harvey's friends and now a new boyfriend!! All of the characters have a life of their own where they make up this little town ,but who would ever think that a small town would have so much crime in it and that Harvey and friends and her best friend get so involved where at times their own lives are in danger!!! The more I read it this series the town and the people have become real to me as I was telling a friend and by the time I finished explaining,my friend asked me ,Are you sure this is a book series of real people,lol... The books can be read as a series of stand alone because this author gives you just enough background where you aren't lost reading that book!! I so think once you read just one,you will want to read them all and you will fall in love with them all like I have!! Find out what Harvey is up to again at the meeting place in town,her bookstore!!! Will they help solve this murder mystery and end up not only putting her friends in danger but Harvey herself...She just can't help herself and it's so good that now one of the probability four law enforcement people there one of them is her boyfriend and let's see if the Sheriff will be re-elected!!! Some of the town people don't want a black sheriff anymore and it's not cause he is isn't very good at his job it's cause he's Black!!! See what lessons some learn the hard way!!!

[dnsyl57 · Rating 3 out of 5]

ACF Bookens has a way of telling great stories that delve into very uncomfortable subjects. In this latest book, a woman is killed in the alley between the bookstore and the hardware store. The woman once worked for the owners of the hardware store but there is so much more going on. Harvey and friends learn that her foster parents are somehow involved in a white supremacy organization. Was that part of why the young woman was killed? Then there is the upcoming election for sheriff where Tuck Mason is being challenged by Bryan Dooley who seems to have some rather disturbing connections/beliefs and isn't above intimidation or more to win and impose his values as law in the increasingly diverse town. It's a powerful story!

I love the way Ms Bookens tells her stories with so much depth and compassion yet also keeps it in a cozy atmosphere. My only problem with this book is that I came across 18 typos/errors - none of which were critical in of themselves or effected the outcome of the story - just VERY distracting and completely avoidable with a detailed proof read. In an otherwise 5 star story, I can't give this more than 3 stars due to the typos/errors.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading this series of books, set in St Marins in a bookshop (in a converted garage) run by Harvey Beckett.

In this book, the local Sheriff, and good friend of Harvey's is up for re-election, but some people in the town think that he shouldn't be allowed to be in post because of the colour of his skin, so he has an opponent, and not a nice one, least of the local white supremacist group!

As usual, Harvey gets involved when she witnesses a local girl being murdered near her store, are the 2 things linked?

Harvey's group of friends also get involved, especially when an author is booked to appear in the shop.

A great book, mystery, friendship and typical good versus evil, it's well worth a read. Of course, we can't forget Mayhem and Taco, Harvey's delightful four legged furry canines, will they save the day?

These books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.

[Juliet Minerva Swift · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am happy to say that the stupidity in this book feels way less than in the previous one. (Even though I still can’t understand why they don’t seem to sleep together? I get not mentioning sex, but at least sleep in the same bed? It is a cosy book, but also an adult one and I am sure no one will be clutching at their pearls at the mention of two 40-year-olds sharing a bed)

The white supremacy stuff is getting a bit boring. While I liked how all books had some social issue that was mentioned, it got a bit tired now and maybe it got a bit too heavy to the point that there was almost no investigation for the murder. I know they would tie in at the end but I wish the murder was mentioned more, considering that it’s a murder mystery

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hardcover Homicide is book #9 in the St. Marin Cozy Mystery series by ACF Bookens.

Harvey is preparing for an author reading using the expanded area of her store when a person is murdered near the store. When one of their friends is threatened, Harvey and her friends jump in to help.

What I love about these books is that they tackle some difficult topics, but show that there is hope. People can work on making their little corner of the world a better, safer place. This story was pretty intense at times. I liked how it brought some different characters to the forefront.

I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Susan Franke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced page turner. I read this in one day. Harvey is preparing for a book reading by one of her favorite authors. Her friends are helping when a murder occurs in the alley beside her store. Their are a couple of suspects but the clues point positively to the perpetrator. The problem is finding enough evidence. Harvey and her friends are determined to bring the culprit to justice.
This story touches on an all true problem in today's society. It's a thought provoking read.
I recieved an E-ARC from the author per my request

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If people would pay more attention to the actual story instead of whining about punctuation and grammar, they might actually enjoy what they are reading. Yes, there were a few mistakes, but nothing compared to what some of these reviewers were whining about. Talk about "Grumpy"! The point was these books address some very serious human issues! The story is well written and plot is quite easily followed. The issue the story is about is almost as old as humanity and frankly makes we humans look bad. I quite highly recommend this book and all the rest of the series.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is probably the last I will read in this series. They are reasonably well-written and plotted, but I am over the main character being treated as a combination queen and treasured pet. Her friend group is always eager to drop everything and rush to her side (with plenty of delicious homecooked food) at the least sign of distress. People even uproot their lives to be near her. It gets tiresome after nine books. (Obviously, this is a me problem. If heroine worship doesn't bother you , please just ignore this review.)

[M - Hemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe Harvey is into story #9. This author does a great job exploring diversity in her stories. The Harvey stories are always entertaining, even though I personally enjoy some of her other series even more! It helps to read some of her other books in this series as there are so many friends in Harvey's friend group! I definitely recommend reading. I was provided an advance copy of the book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harvey finds a body outside the bookstore. The body was shot with a nail gun but nobody is around. While Sheriff Tucker is working on the murder, he also has to work on re-election. And the person running against him plays dirty. Harvey is hosting a book signing at the store but also trying to help the sheriff with his re-election. There is plenty going on and keeps the story moving. You will enjoy this cozy mystery.

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder in the bookstore’s parking lot? Harvey Beckett can’t help but get pulled into the mystery, even if nail guns and nosy questions put her a little too close to danger.

Like the rest of the series, this one mixes intrigue with warmth. Big topics pop up, handled lightly—just enough to make you pause without weighing the story down.

It’s cozy, entertaining, and brimming with friendship, love, and small-town charm—the kind of mystery that keeps you turning pages with a smile.

[David Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. Bookens did it again, this is a page turner and will keep you guessing. Harvey and her “gang” get involved in some serious stuff after a body is found in the alley outside her store. I really enjoyed it and recommend it.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced mystery with a main character who actually works with the police instead of jumping into danger. I like Harvey and her friends and how they all pull together to help each other. I also enjoy reading about all of the books that Harvey and Marcus recommend for their customers. Unfortunately several of them usually wind up expanding my tbr pile.

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book by this author. One given with her books is that there will always be a murder in town. The interesting thing is how the police go about solving the murder. The townspeople are always there to support the police. If you like cozy mysteries, this is a book for you.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

murder and mayhem in the alley of Harvey's bookstore! Lots of interesting complex and quirky characters. Twists and turns and mystery make this a page turner and a must read! I received an arc copy and this is my honest review!

[Michele Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey Beckett is getting the book store, All Booked Up, ready for a visit and reading from her favorite author, Alix E. Harrow. Harvey and her boyfriend Jared have met for lunch and are sitting on the bench in front of her store when a loud bang came from the alley back of her store. They discovered the body of a young woman who had been killed with a nail gun. Jared, a police officer, called Tuck the sheriff and they began the investigation. Tuck is also running for re-election as sheriff and his competition is running a dirty campaign. Tuck receives a threatening message to withdraw from the race. Are the threats and murder connected? It's up to Harvey and Jared and their friends and family to try to find the answers.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving it free from the author.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy this series. This was a nail biter as Harvey and friends find themselves up against white supremacists. Great read!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Carol Ann Labosky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed reading this series and am looking forward to the next book. I have also downloaded the cross stitch series.

[Dorothy Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A.CF. Bookens is a execellent author.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot how much I enjoy this series! I will be buying the rest of the series soon so I can be up to date. The ally to stop racism in thee book means a lot to me.