Source: Publisher
Description: 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?
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I love Ellie Alexander's books and the a mystery themed book festival seemed to good to pass up.
My Impression: I have a list of fictional places I wish were real and I'm pretty sure that The Secret Bookshelf - an Agatha Christie themed bookstore in a Victorian house complete with a secret bookcase - is pretty much at the top of the list. There's also a cat named Professor Plum which makes me smile everytime he makes an appearance on the page.
When times are hard at the bookstore and all the of the ideas Annie comes up with to drum up business are failing Annie decides to shoot for the stars and comes up with a town wide mystery festival (another thing I wish happened in real life). While Annie is thrilled about the turnout and the response she's not thrilled to connect with some of her old college friends - especially one who ends up dead early on.
I enjoyed this mystery. The setting is amazing, Annie and the rest of the characters are likable (except for the ones that aren't supposed to be), and Annie even has a mystery in her past. Ellie Alexander excels at creating small towns with just the right amount of quirk and fun characters and once again she has created another small town that I would love to visit. There is a bit of a slower start as the reader is being introduced to the characters and the basic premise but this is a series I'm excited to continue with.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course! Ellie Alexander is one of my absolute favorite authors.
Would I Recommend this Book? I would - especially if you're a cozy mystery fan!
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Recommend this Book? I would - especially if you're a cozy mystery fan!
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I'm always drawn to books with bookish settings like bookstores and book festivals. I should try this mystery series. :D
ReplyDeleteThis really sounds like a good one. It's on my list.
ReplyDeleteThe setting sounds wonderful. Glad the mystery was good too.
ReplyDeleteYes this bookstore is made for you! Pity it is only in a book but then you can visit via the next book. I like Ellie Alexander and wouldn't mind picking up this first book in the series.
ReplyDelete