Booked by Becky Clark

Series Name: Sugar Mill Marketplace Mystery Book #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: April 20, 2023
Format: Digital

A despised landlord. A bookstore owner turned accidental sleuth. Can she inventory her books and the suspects in time?

Dena Russo is starting a new chapter of her life in Sugar Springs, Colorado—sinking all her money and energy into launching a bookstore during the Grand Opening of the Sugar Mill Marketplace. She’s near the end of her trope, however, as she attempts to turn her novel idea into reality, especially when faced with the ultimate plot twist. Sure, everyone despises the Marketplace landlord, but nobody expected he’d turn up dead!

Dena uncovers dark secrets and lies, perhaps spelling the end of everything she wanted from her move to Sugar Springs and destroying the Marketplace before it even opens. With unanswered questions and accusations threatening to close the book forever on the Marketplace and perhaps the entire town of Sugar Springs, Dena attempts to decipher who hated enough to murder. Can Dena get the killer booked before the entire Sugar Mill Marketplace gets shelved?

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Dru’s Short Musing:
Booked features Dena Russo and her new business and hometown.

We meet a few of her friends, who also work at the marketplace. I liked that the chapters gave us Dena and her friend’s perspective on what was happening in their small town. Murder, mischief, and mayhem abounds in the first book in the new series. With an entertaining and solid plot, good dialogue, and an eclectic cast of characters this narrative had me immersed in aspects as they try to solve the murder. The author knows how to tell a story that stays with you after it is over. Overall, a nice read and look forward to the next book in this pleasantly appealing new series.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the author.