DESCRIPTION:
Behind the shelves of The Secret Bookcase, where the sun slants through the windows onto rows of classic crime novels, a body lies...Bookseller Annie Murray is thrilled when the mystery-themed book festival she sets up to revive the dwindling fortunes of her workplace and sanctuary seems poised for success. But events take a shocking turn when a body is discovered hidden behind the shelves, and it’s revealed that the victim is Annie's old college acquaintance.
Determined to ensure the festival’s success and save the small town of Redwood Grove from a killer, Annie begins piecing together clues with the help of her friends. But as the list of suspects grows longer – a local boutique-owner, an envious old classmate, a bitter ex-boyfriend – Annie is drawn deeper into the case.
With the aid of her old criminology professor-turned-detective, can Annie unmask the murderer before they turn her festival into a real-life whodunit?
Full of lovable, quirky characters and small-town charm, The Body in the Bookstore serves up an irresistible blend of intrigue for fans of cozy crime including Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton.
MY THOUGHTS:
Annie Murray, a bookseller at The Secret Bookcase, yearns to bring excitement to her beloved bookstore. Despite its success and cherished community, the store faces challenges, prompting Annie to plan a mystery festival. This event promises to attract new visitors and revitalize the business.
Amidst the festival preparations, a shocking discovery behind the shelves sets the stage for a captivating mystery. Annie, driven by her determination, embarks on a quest to unravel the truth.
Meanwhile, the charming town of Redwood Grove is plagued by a serial killer. Annie’s life takes on a new dimension as she juggles her bookstore responsibilities with her growing interest in solving crimes. Her intuition proves invaluable as she navigates the complexities of the investigation.
With an impressive array of suspects, Annie finds herself at a crossroads. Fortunately, her past aspirations as a detective come to the fore, and she seeks guidance from her old criminology professor.
This delightful read marks the beginning of a new series by Ellie Alexander. As I currently have the fifth book in the series for review, I was thrilled to immerse myself in this captivating tale. The bookstore setting, coupled with my love for books, creates an enchanting atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience. The humor woven throughout the novel adds a touch of levity, making it an enjoyable and entertaining read.
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MY THOUGHTS:
Bookseller Annie Murray, having achieved considerable success with her previous event at her bookstore, eagerly seized the opportunity to plan another one. When presented with the chance to host a film festival in the quaint town of Redwood Grove, she immediately set her sights on making it a resounding success. However, as with her previous endeavors, An unlikely accident proves to be murder, and Annie Murray, who might be considered a young Agatha Christie, is determined to figure out the mystery behind the murder. The victim is when a film critic visiting town is the victims
While it may have been a mere coincidence that the festival was celebrating a Hitchcock premiere, the real-life murder immediately becomes the focus. This leaves Annie determined to uncover the truth. From bookseller to event organizer to amateur sleuth, Annie efficiently wears many hats.
Doctor Caldwell, Annie’s former criminology professor and the detective on the case, believes Annie has a knack for investigating and solving mysteries. She offers Annie a job, and not for the first time. This opportunity allows Annie to delve into the crime scene and ponder whether she’ll be content as a bookseller or if she should seriously consider pursuing a career in criminology, especially since she’s already taken several classes towards that degree.
This delightful series by Ellie Alexander is highly entertaining, and the second book is no exception. Ellie Alexander is a likable protagonist, and the supporting characters are equally easy to connect with. The mystery is woven with humor, which lightens the mood and adds levity to the book. I’m also thoroughly enjoying the slow-burn romance developing between Annie and one of the town’s residents. I eagerly anticipate where this storyline will unfold in future books of the series. With the fifth book in my reading queue, as well ans the other books preceding that, I can’t help but to hope that this becomes a long-running series.
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DESCRIPTION:
MY THOUGHTS:
Annie Marie found success with a previous event held at her The Secret Bookcase, the bookshop where she is employed. Working as a bookseller and an event organizer keeps her quite busy. With murders that have taken place in her small town, she has also become adept at as an amateur sleuth.
When Annie begins planning an elaborate dinner party at the bookstore, her intent is to make it a mystery party. Hoping to make it as completely immersive for all involved, precise planning definitely needs to be done. However, when someone dies, the question immediately comes up as to whether or not it is murder. As Annie is the one that has planned the event s well as the menu, could something she served Curtis Wright be responsible for his death?
One thing is for certain. Curtis Wright was not a man who was well liked. There could be anybody that would be the easy guilty party. However, since Annie was also helping her friend, Penny, who is struggling, all fingers are pointing towards her, in fact. Can Annie prove Penny’s innocence all while finding the actual murderer? In fact, will Annie’s involvement place her in danger?
As the first two books in this series were very enjoyable, so was this third title. With arsenic being what killed Curtis Wright, the intrigue was handled just right, especially with the mystery party theme.
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MY THOUGHTS:
DESCRIPTION:
MY THOUGHTS:
Annie Murray serves double-duty as a bookseller and an events coordinator. When yet another murder happens in the little town of Redwood Grove where she lives, her former criminology professor, the lead detective on the case, has extended Annie a job in the field. This is not her first offer and likely won’t be the last, especially as she has proved more than adept as a perfect amateur detective. More importantly, armed with a criminology degree, she would be perfect for such a position.
But, the matter at hand is on her mind. Who killed the person who was known as the pillar of the community? While Annie digs for answers, she finds that there is definitely a bevy of suspects. All the while, Annie can’t stop thinking of the murder of her best friend ten years previously, and would love to solve that cold case as well.
While Annie’s personal life is filled with love and happiness, particularly her growing relationship with Liam, her determination to find the killer takes precedence. Amidst the chaos, a touch of romance blossoms as Valentine’s Day approaches, and a matchmaking event is planned.
Although I binge read this wonderful cozy mystery series, actually all as audiobooks narrated by the very talented Ellen Quay, these titles could work quite well as standalone novels. But, I am keen on continuity, and love the atmosphere and sense of community that this series offers.
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