Murder by the Book – The 1st Book In The Cosy Crime Club Mystery Series

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

Murder by the Book is the opening novel in the Cosy Crime Club series by M.R.G. Davies, and on paper, it has all the right ingredients for a strong cozy mystery.

A small reading group, a charming bookshop, a sudden murder, and four very different people deciding they know enough about crime fiction to solve a real case.

It is an idea that makes instant sense for fans of the genre, and for much of the book, that promise carries the story along.

The reading group meets weekly at The Quaint Bookshop, and its members only know each other through their shared love of books.

That detail matters because these are not close friends thrown together by history or family ties.

They are acquaintances, united by routine rather than trust, and that shapes the way they react when the bookshop manager, Felicity Penman, is murdered just as they leave one evening.

Four Very Different Sleuths

The core of the story rests on its four amateur detectives, and Davies makes sure they could not be more different.

Harrison Fforde is a struggling actor who changed his name in the hope it might help his career.

He is well-meaning but painfully dim, and much of the book’s humor comes from just how little common sense he shows.

At one point, he is even described as “Raiders of the Lost Brain Cell,” which, while funny, also sums up the problem with his character.

By the later chapters, his lack of awareness starts to wear thin rather than amuse.

Lauren Sherwood is sharper and more forceful. She often feels like the most capable member of the group, although even she tends to jump to conclusions.

Bella Bourton is quieter, worn down by a difficult marriage, and often unsure of herself.

Professor Stone positions himself as the natural leader, confident in his opinions and fond of reminding everyone of his intellect, even when the evidence does not always back him up.

The alternating viewpoints allow each of them to speak directly to the reader, which is one of the book’s strengths.

You get a clear sense of how differently they all think and react, and it helps explain why the group struggles to move in a single direction.

A Murder That Sparks Curiosity

The murder itself is a solid one. Felicity Penman is not just a random victim, but a familiar presence at the bookshop.

Her death feels personal, and it gives the group a reason to care beyond simple curiosity.

When the detective in charge seems slow to make progress, the four decide to step in, convinced that years of reading mysteries have prepared them for the real thing.

As a plot device, this works well at first. Watching people apply fictional logic to a real crime can be fun, especially when those theories start to crack under pressure.

The problem here is that none of the four are especially skilled at joining the dots. Instead of clever leaps or quiet insight, much of their sleuthing feels scattered and unfocused.

This is where the book becomes a little frustrating. Rather than one or two characters guiding the investigation, you have four people pulling in different directions, often with very little idea of what they are doing.

Their confidence is not matched by ability, and at times it feels like a group of slightly lost people hoping the answer will simply appear.

That is not always a bad thing in a cozy mystery. Bumbling sleuths can be charming, and mistakes can add humor.

Here, though, it sometimes tips into repetition. The same misunderstandings crop up more than once, and the lack of progress can slow the pace more than it should.

A Standout Supporting Character

Ironically, the sharpest character in the book is not part of the Cosy Crime Club at all.

A local reporter quietly pieces together information, asks the right questions, and notices details the others miss.

As the story goes on, it becomes clear that much of the real progress comes from her work rather than the reading group’s efforts.

This creates an odd imbalance. While it makes sense that a reporter would be skilled at investigation, it also highlights how ineffective the main group can be.

At times, it feels like they are reacting to events rather than driving them – she’s also the most likable of them all, which says a lot!

Pacing and Structure

The mystery itself is well constructed, and the solution makes sense once everything is revealed.

Clues are planted fairly, and there are enough suspects to keep you guessing. The issue is not the ending, but how long it takes to get there.

By around three-quarters of the way through, I found my patience wearing thin. I was ready for the story to move faster and for the final pieces to fall into place.

Readers who enjoy a slower, more meandering mystery may not mind this, but for me, it dulled the impact of the final reveal.

Overall Thoughts

Murder by the Book is a mixed but serviceable start to a new cozy mystery series.

The central idea from M. R. G. Davies is a good one, the setting works, and the mystery itself holds together.

Where it struggles is in character balance and pacing. When none of the main sleuths feel especially capable, it becomes harder to stay invested in their success.

That said, it is not a bad book entirely. If you enjoy slow-paced mysteries, rotating viewpoints, and amateur detectives who stumble their way through an investigation, you may find a lot to like here.

For me, it was just okay. A solid enough read, but one that asked a little too much patience before finally getting to the whodunit.