Sentenced to Murder (Bookstore Mystery #5)
Author: Sue Minix
Genre: Murder Mystery
Published by Harper Collins
Pages: 320
MRP: Rs. 499/-
Book review in association with Book Reviewers Club and Harper Collins India
Sentenced of Murder, written by Sue Minix, is the fifth book in The Bookstore Mystery series. It takes place in Riddleton, South Carolina—a delightful cozy town. It is about Jen who is a mystery writer and owner of a bookstore living in small-town life, murder investigations and her personal relationships are some of the things that Jen has to juggle about.Did you know! People can’t just go ahead killing other people for no good reason? So what did my friend do wrong here?
Plot Overview: Running together every morning is nothing new to Jen and Angus. However, their peace is disrupted when they engage in talks concerning a new real estate development going on around them and Angus thinking of selling his food center and diner. Small town dynamics are set up here which are key elements in this story.
In addition, as an amateur detective she was unconscious of it, there was a death in the community forcing her back into action.This creates tension since one never thought at all that he or she would be killed by their friends’ parents.
Character Dynamics: In this regard, Sue Minix seems to do a great job making Jen seem normal yet interesting enough for anyone to like her. Also, interactions with the German shepherd named Savannah and Eric (her boyfriend) work out well because they add some personal touch to the mystery-solving process. Her banter with Angus and her reluctance to discuss romance add depth to her character and inject humor into the story.
Angus is a person who can be relied upon by others. His determination over the fate of his café brings to light what many people in small towns usually go through, that they have to strike a balance between change and keeping things the way they are. The whole novel revolves around this theme especially when there are new changes in town due to development.
Writing Style and Themes: Minix’s prose is engaging and accessible, combining the feel of an inviting environment with hints of murder mysteries. The plottedness continues at an even pace, while it enables one to know the characters intimately because it is set in a small town. There is pathos attached to these stories as well about community feeling, friendships and how love can be complicated.
It has got crisp dialogue which sounds very real, but also contains enough laughs as seen through Jen’s internal musings and her interactions with Angus. It portrays southern society so vividly that we can perceive its rustic nuances such as ‘home-grown’ talk or age-old animosities towards strangers.
Sue Minix’s “Sentenced to Murder” is a delightful cozy mystery, but there are a few angles which may not be every reader’s delight:
Predictability:
• The mystery might appear obvious to some readers, especially those who are long-time followers of the genre of cozy mysteries. Experienced readers will recognize some of the plot points as they come up and this makes the final reveal less surprising.
Slow Pacing at Times:
• Within the confines of small town life, character development is really extensive, but some parts of it can be slow. Stories that do not necessarily contribute directly to the solution may drag for faster-paced narrative-loving readers.
Limited Depth in Side Characters:
• While Jen is well-developed as a main character, other characters such as townspeople leave much to be desired in terms of depth. This would make their motives and characteristics more complicated in relation to the mystery.
Romantic Subplot Feels Forced:
• In any case, some readers may think that the romantic subplot between Jen and Eric is clichéd, although it is cute. Their relationship with each other does not always merge seamlessly into the main crime plot and occasionally feels added for romance rather than story related reasons.
No High Stakes:
• In comparison with the more hard-hitting crime novels, “Sentenced to Murder” as a cozy mystery has low stakes. These readers though may find such lack of immediate danger and urgency, dulls the excitement in the investigative process.
Themes that keep recurring:
• There are some themes like small-town gossip or distrust of outsiders that seem repetitive by appearing in different cozy mysteries. This might make the book seem less original to readers familiar with other works in the genre.
Verdict: “Sentenced to Murder” is a satisfying cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of small-town crime stories with a touch of humor and romance. Sue Minix has created a charming protagonist in Jen, whose investigative instincts and personal challenges make for an engaging read. The murder mystery is well-constructed, with enough twists to keep readers guessing until the end.
If you enjoy light mysteries with a strong sense of community, a dash of romance, and a clever sleuth at the helm, this book is definitely worth a read.
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4fTpnPl
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