Thank you in advance to JustRead Publicity Tours and the publisher for providing a review copy. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own.

This book gave me the “Murder: She Wrote”/Cabot Cove vibes. But, I say that in a good way. My grandma didn’t watch much TV, SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED “MURDER: SHE WROTE”.

If you’re not at all familiar with the series, check it out. Here’s a quick synopsis:

“Mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher - a down-to-earth, middle-aged widow - ferrets out the criminals in idyllic Cabot Cove, Maine, which apparently is the murder capital of the United States for the show's 12-season run.” (#1)

“Professional writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher uses her intellect, charm, and persistence to get to the bottom of every crime she encounters.” (#2)

Okay, with THAT explained, you can see why I’d make the comparison of this cute little novel to the TV series.

“Murder at the Courthouse” is the first of a series in the Grace Pointe Cozy Mysteries. It is a Christian-themed, clean read.

MacKenzie Baker has more on her mind than a callous comment at church library meeting – “Fiction is a waste of time”. She’s determined to set up a church library and nothing will stop her.

That is until Judge Antony Vail ends up dead at the courthouse, in his chambers, discovered by MacKenzie and her pastor brother.

Who would kill a judge?

Who indeed? But, before that scandal … who is MacKenzie Baker?

She is an eavesdropping small-town librarian who lives in the apartment above the garage of her pastor brother’s home and refuses to be defined his single sister.

For years she thought she was happiest re-shelving books and helping patrons find their next great read, but as she turns forty, she wonders if she should do more with her life. But, what exactly?

As she begins to try to figure it out – murder! And, solving a murder in the small town of Grace Pointe wasn’t exactly in that plan she didn’t really have. But, after discovering the body of the judge, who had come to her brother for counseling, something changed.

She’s also trying to figure out who would use a volume of the Indiana Code as a weapon.

That brings MacKenzie to another suspect – fellow judge Gregory Canter. His handsome; and very single son; Ian is a criminal justice professor. And, wanting to clear Judge Canter’s name, Meghan starts poking around on her own, the law book and a mysterious flower on the floor her only clues.

Despite the detective in charge telling her to stick with making casseroles for the church pitch-in, MacKenzie soon discovers Vail’s scheming wife, his rebellious teen daughter, a network of lawyers in Grace Point who were disgruntled with the Judge, and even secrets that lurk among the library ministry team.

But with the help of her new kitten Mr. Darcy, her best friend Callie, and her always-pastoring brother; MacKenzie debates the pros and cons of attending law school mid-life while she searches out a killer.

Grace Pointe… where most of the people are friendly, the church is to die for, and the sleuthing is as strong as the coffee.

With that description who wouldn’t want to read this book?

This is an absolute ADORABLE take on “Murder: She Wrote” for a newer generation; especially those seeking Christian themes and cleaner reads.

It has that “small town” vibe, the shocking murder, and MacKenzie’s sleuthing. The cover is adorable and definitely suits this book. There are no sex scenes, no real romance scenes, and no violent scenes either. The writer keeps everything on track and on pace with the theme of the novel.

Told in third person, only from MacKenzie’s point of view, this was a short, but highly addicting read. It has a steady pace but doesn’t rush itself. There are some funny moments in it and the tone is very “light” despite the murder being at the heart of the novel. The murder weapon is not even a “violent” weapon either.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though I do wish there had been additional POVs – the detective or even Ian to show the progression of the investigation from the other side.

I would definitely read other books in this series as I would like to see the progression of MacKenzie’s choices as well as her “budding” romance with Ian. ( )