Death at the Dinner Party - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death at the Dinner Party (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #3) by Ellie Alexander

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  When her friend Penny confesses she’s struggling to finance the restoration of the historic Wentworth farmhouse, Annie is instantly inspired. The beautiful property has stood empty since the 1970s, but rumors still swirl about the eccentric Wentworth family and their hidden fortune. It’s the perfect setting for a spooky, immersive dinner party, and the evening is a roaring success – until neighboring landowner Curtis Wright drops dead at the dining table…

Annie knows she didn’t add arsenic to the entrée, so who messed with her catering, and why? Everyone in the party had some reason to hate renowned bully Curtis – not least Penny, who was under pressure to sell land to him. Annie realizes she’ll need to clear her friend’s name fast. Soon, she’s in deep, uncovering long-buried family secrets, shady business deals and pitch-black hidden passageways.

But as Annie closes in on the truth, the killer is determined to stop her at all costs. Will justice be served in time, or will Annie get a helping of death with dessert…?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed the previous two books in this series and the author is one of my favorites so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression:  I really enjoyed the previous two mysteries and was so excited to see that this one involved the Wentworth family mystery that is talked about in the previous books.  I also really liked that Penny is finding she bit off more than she could chew with the renovatation which lines up with pretty much everyone I know who has done any kind of big renovation.  I really enjoy spending time with Annie and the rest of Redwood Grove.  The mix of bookish and foodie characters is nice and provides a good mix of personalities.  As before, The Secret Bookshelf is on my top five fictional places that I wish were real and I love the relationships between Annie, Fletcher, and the owner whose last name just happens to be Christie.  

What kept this one from being a favorite is that it felt a bit unbalanced.  Over 40% of the book takes place in the dining room after the murder happens and while Annie is in charge there really isn't any investigating.  I also found a few things that happened a bit questionable - especially the moving the body.  As well, Annie's continual referencing to her training got a bit old.  

While this wasn't my favorite of the series so far it was a fun read.  This series has everything a good cozy is supposed to have - good characters, a memorable community, and an entertaining mystery.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? If you are a cozy mystery reader you really must try Ellie Alexander.  I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read by her.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would recommend this with no hesitation but you do really need to start at the beginning of the series as there are a number of longer plotlines and a lot of relationshps to figure out.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *