Hardcover Homicide (St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series) by A.C.F. Bookens

Hardcover Homicide (St. Marin's Cozy Mystery Series) Reviews

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  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!
• 
  Johanna

  3.5 ⭐️ a fun, cheesy, cosy buddy read.
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  Andrea

  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.
• 
  Diana Anderson

  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.
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  Trick Wiley

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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.
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  Larry

  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.
• 
  Dwayne Keller

  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.
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  Beth

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

  3.75
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  Danielle Mccoy

  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.
• 
  Lori

  I have really enjoyed all the books in this series.
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  Shelly Mendenhall

  Loved, loved this book. The only reason it took me two weeks to read it is due to the fact I’m reading three books simultaneously by a couple of different authors. I absolutely love the Harvey Beckett books and this one did not disappoint either. If you love a good cozy mystery you need to read this one.