Publication Date: May 19, 2025
Murder is brewing in Magnolia Square…
Sadie Bennet thought she’d left all her troubles behind when she moved to the charming town of Magnolia, Georgia, to open Books ‘N Brews—her dream bookstore and coffee shop. But her grand opening turns deadly when she discovers the body of city council chairman Geoffrey Powell in the alley behind her store.
As if finding a corpse wasn’t bad enough, Sadie quickly learns that Powell wasn’t exactly beloved by the local business community—and plenty of people had reason to want him dead. With her bubbly assistant Abby by her side and her grumpy Persian cat Fitz offering moral support, Sadie begins her own investigation to clear her shop’s name.
But when a second poisoning rocks the quiet town, Sadie realizes she’s dealing with a killer who’s willing to silence anyone who gets too close to the truth. Now she must brew up the courage to catch a murderer before she becomes the next victim.
Can Sadie solve the mystery before her business—and her life—comes to a bitter end?
Sadie moves to Magnolia, Georgia, hoping to leave her problems in her wake. However, when she discovers the dead body of the city council chairman, trouble seems to have found her once again in Shawn Wyatt’s Murder in Magnolia Square.
The dynamic between opposites, Sadie and Abby pair well on paper, and they have good chemistry. Sadie is the quiet, serious protagonist who seeks a quiet life. Her friend, coworker, and fellow sleuth, Abby, is fun, extroverted, and ready for almost anything. Add in the Persian cat, Fitz, to round out the dynamic.
The story was entertaining, with a fantastic plot and storyline. It was quick-paced, the plot made sense, and there was an ending that tied the whole story together.
The dialogue was well done and sounded very natural—not stilted. Writing natural dialogue isn’t easy, so I tip my hat to authors who are able to write it well.
There are hints of a possible future romance for Sandie in the form of police detective Adam Brooks, and I’m excited to see where the author takes that.
Murder in Magnolia Square is an enjoyable, cozy mystery filled with a well-plotted storyline and engaging characters.
 
Shawn Wyatt is the author of several cozy mysteries and fantasy novels that blend intrigue with heart. When not crafting tales of small-town secrets and magical mishaps, Shawn can be found perfecting a new cake recipe in the kitchen, hunting down the perfect cup of coffee, or getting thoroughly defeated at tennis (but having fun anyway).
