For Whom the Book Tolls - Cozy Mystery Review

 Goodreads:  For Whom the Book Tolls (Antique Bookshop Mystery #1) by Laura Gail Black

Rating: Liked It
Source:  Publisher

Description:  Trouble follows Jenna Quinn wherever she goes. Fleeing some unsavory doings in her hometown of Charlotte, Jenna accepts her uncle's gracious invitation to stay with him in small-town Hokes Folly, NC. In exchange, she'll help him out in his antiquarian bookstore. But soon after she arrives, Jenna finds her uncle's body crumpled at the base of the staircase between his apartment and the bookstore.

Before the tragedy even sinks in, Jenna learns that she's inherited almost everything her uncle owned: the store and apartment, as well as his not-so-meager savings and the payout from a life insurance policy...which adds up to more than a million dollars. This is all news to Jenna--bad news, once the police get wind of her windfall. An ill wind, indeed, as a second murder cements Jenna's status as the prime suspect in both deaths.

Jenna can hit the road again, taking her chances that she can elude trouble along the way. Or she can stick it out in Hokes Folly, take over the bookstore, and try to sleuth out her uncle's killer. On the one hand, she's made some wonderful new friends, and she feels she can thrive in the genial small-town environment. On the other hand, trouble knows her address--and so does the killer, who is determined to write the final page of Jenna's story.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I can't resist bookish books - especially bookish cozy mysteries!  Plus, I always like getting in at the beginning of the series.

My Impression:  I do like a cozy mystery with a main character who is starting over and I don't think I've met one who is starting over quite as much as Jenna.  Jenna has just had her entire life turned upside down. She lost her job, she lost her fiance (who she admits wasn't much of a loss), she lost her reputation, and she had just about lost hope when she received the email from Uncle Paul offering her safe haven.  And she then finds herself right in the middle of a murder investigation.

The mystery wasn't the strongest and I did have some questions about how things happened in regards to Paul's estate.  That said I feel like this is the setup for a strong cozy series.  Jenna is a good heroine.  She's got some serious baggage but she is also really wanting a place to settle in.  I am hoping Rita, Craig, and Keith stick around because I thought they were all fantastic side characters and can't wait to see what they're going to add to the store.  

This is a solid start to a series that has lots of potential.  I enjoyed this read and getting to know Jenna and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Definitely!  While this one wasn't flawless it still hooked me and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes in the future.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy bookish cozies with likable heroines then I think you would enjoy this first book in the series.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *