Mystery Bookshop — by V.M. Burns

Order	Book	Date	Rating
1	The Plot Is Murder	Dec-2017	5
2	Read Herring Hunt	Apr-2018	4
3	The Novel Art of Murder	Nov-2018	5
4	Wed, Read & Dead	Apr-2019	5
5	Bookmarked for Murder	Nov-2019	5
6	A Tourist's Guide to Murder	Feb-2021	5
7	Killer Words	Dec-2021	5
8	Bookclubbed to Death	Jan-2023	5
9	Murder on Tour	Nov-2023	5
10	The Next Deadly Chapter	Feb-2025	4
11	Murder from A to Z	Jan-2026	4

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Series Premise

Sam runs the Mystery Bookshop in the quaint town of North Harbor, Michigan, where she hosts book clubs, author events, and daily life among mystery fans—until murders begin occurring with eerie parallels to classic whodunits, pulling her into amateur sleuthing. With her loyal circle of friends and a knack for spotting clues others miss, she investigates the crimes while keeping her beloved shop afloat and protecting the people she cares about.

The series can be read in any order. Each book features a self-contained mystery with its own crime, suspects, investigation, and satisfying resolution. While Sam’s personal life (friendships, budding romance, shop developments) evolves gradually and there are occasional light references to prior events, there is no overarching plot or major cliffhanger continuity that requires sequential reading—order doesn’t matter significantly, and readers can start with any title without confusion or missing essential context.

The Mystery Bookshop Series Characters

Samantha “Sam” Washington — The protagonist, a smart, passionate mystery lover who owns the Mystery Bookshop after a life change. Observant, kind-hearted, and quick-witted, she can’t resist solving puzzles and often finds herself in the middle of real crimes.

- Nana Jo — Sam’s feisty, sharp-tongued grandmother, a retired teacher who is fearless, outspoken, and surprisingly adept at investigation. She provides humor, wisdom, and occasional reckless bravery.

- The Book Club members — A colorful group of loyal friends who meet regularly at the shop: Nana Jo’s friends (including the irrepressible Dorothy, the practical Irma, and others) who offer gossip, support, and amateur sleuthing help.

- Frank — A kind, steady police detective and Sam’s love interest, who is initially skeptical of her involvement but grows to respect (and eventually love) her sharp mind and determination.

- Supporting townspeople — Local residents, shop owners, and friends who add texture, humor, and small-town authenticity while serving as suspects, witnesses, or allies.

Setting of the The Mystery Bookshop Series

The series is set in the fictional small town of North Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan, a picturesque community with a historic downtown, charming shops, a bookstore café, cozy homes, and the ever-present lake and surrounding woods. The Mystery Bookshop itself is the central hub—a cozy, book-filled space with mystery sections, reading nooks, a resident cat named Oreo, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that draws locals and tourists alike. Mysteries often unfold in familiar places: book club meetings, community events, the local library, the beach, or nearby historic sites, creating an intimate, small-town backdrop where everyone is connected and secrets don’t stay hidden for long.

Tone & Themes of the The Mystery Bookshop Series

The tone is warm, witty, and gently humorous, with a classic cozy mystery feel that emphasizes clever puzzle-solving, friendship, and community over darkness or violence. The stories are suspenseful but never scary or graphic—crimes are treated seriously yet handled with compassion, and the focus remains on human motivations, clever deduction, and light-hearted banter. Humor comes from Sam’s dry observations, eccentric book club members, small-town quirks, and the absurdity of murder in such a peaceful place. The overall mood is cozy, optimistic, and comforting: justice prevails, friendships endure, and even the most baffling cases end with hope and laughter.

V.M. Burns’s Mystery Bookshop series offers delightful, cozy mysteries that celebrate the joy of books, the comfort of friendship, and the quiet thrill of solving puzzles in a charming small town. Through Sam’s clever sleuthing and the unwavering support of her book club family, the books explore community, loyalty, curiosity, and the simple truth that even in the most peaceful places, a good mystery—and good friends—can make everything right. The series remains a warm, engaging favorite—perfect for readers who love traditional whodunits with humor, heart, and a strong literary theme. It leaves the happy assurance that no matter how tangled the clues, love of books and loyalty to friends will always lead to the truth.