Murder in the Locked Library

by Ellery Adams

I was prepared to love Murder in the Locked Library. I am a bibliophile! How could I not love a cozy mystery about books with a cover that beckons “Sit down and read a while.”? I am sorry to say the book plodded along until about three-fourths of the way through when something happened that totally engaged me. I won’t spoil the book by saying what that event was.

I loved all the literary references and quotes, and I gradually began to understand what the purpose of Storyton Lodge is. And therein lies the second problem: Murder in the Locked Library really, really, really should not be read as a standalone. I did searches within the book to find the first references to “Guardian” and “Fin” thinking I had overlooked their introduction. I even did an Internet search on the terms to see if I had missed references in popular culture. My searches were fruitless. With background knowledge from previous books, this one would have been more enjoyable, but that still doesn’t solve the problem of the first part of the book lacking interest.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #4 in the Book Retreat Mystery Series. It does not work well as a standalone.

Publication: April 24, 2018—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

Even the pleasant cacophony in the kitchens—the thud of a cleaver striking wood, the hiss of steam, the rush of water, the scrape of metal against metal, and the endless dip and swell of voices as the staff chatted and bantered with each other—couldn’t distract Jane.

“We’re among our kind. We’re with book people. People who love everything about books. The history of books. The illustrations. The typography. The paper, covers, edges. The significance of an original manuscript or a signed copy. These people also understand the power of books. They understand how books can impact the world, one reader at a time. They respect the book, as we do.”

She believed they were dancing to his tune, and it was a tune without melody or rhyme. It was the steady tick of a metronome—a metaphor for all the time he’d invested in this scheme. And he wanted a return on his investment.

With the boys back in school Jane is looking forward to the new addition being built at Storyton Hall, a spa. While the space where the spa will be built is being cleared Jane's boys notice a skeleton and all work has to stop. How long has it been there and who could it be? A specialist is called in to figure out just that. When removing the bones a box is found and inside a book in not so great condition. Both Jane and Sinclair try but fail to figure out the identity of the book, luckily Storyton has a Rare Book Conference going on and Jane knows just the group that can help. Bart Baylor from the group recognizes something from the book and in the end figures out just what book it is. It's a book with quite a history, and while telling that history to Jane and Sinclair, Bart seems to have a reaction to something and dies. What looks like an accidental death ends up being murder. Who would want to kill such a nice man? Does the book have something to do with his death? Jane must figure that out and more. Can she find the answers she needs before anything else bad happens? Adams delivers a very intricately weaved mystery filled with an inventive story line which always has me coming back for more. I can't wait to see where the next book leads Jane and how she will take it on!

Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams is the fourth tale in A Book Retreat Mystery series. Jane Steward is excited that the construction is beginning on the Walt Whitman Spa. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the next evening. After the digging begins, it looks like the festivities will have to be postponed. Bones were uncovered by the excavator along with a padlocked box and a farthing. Inside the box is the remains of a badly deteriorated book. It so happens that the Robert Harley Rare Book Society is attending a conference at the Storyton Hall and they are happy to help discern the books title. Bart Baylor identifies the book and then expires in the Henry James library. Jane, with the aid of her trusted, employees delves into the lives of the members of the Rare Book Society to pinpoint the culprit before the conference ends. How does the skeleton relate to Bart’s death? Jane is also worried about Edwin Alcott. There has been limited communication and the recent postcards people have been receiving seem unusually chatty (for Edwin). As the investigation into Bart’s murder heats up, her concerns about Edwin will have to take a backseat. Time is of the essence. They need to work quickly or something very precious could be lost.

I love the concept for A Book Retreat Mystery series. As a booklover, I would love to visit (let’s face it—live at) Storyton Hall. If you are new to the series, I suggest starting with Murder in the Mystery Suite. There is more to Storyton Hall than a beautiful book themed inn. Jane is the latest Guardian who safeguards a hidden library filled with priceless (and rare) books and manuscripts. Jane’s role and that of her staff (the Fins) is explained in the first book. Murder in the Locked Library is well-written, but it does have a slower pace. I did not mind the pace because the story drew me in from the very beginning. Storyton Hall with its beautiful book themed rooms were brought to life for me courtesy of the author’s descriptions. The characters are established and engaging. There is a cast of regular characters that include Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Butterworth, Hem and Fitz (Jane’s twin boys), and the Cover Girls (Jane’s friends which make up the female book club). I like the boys are portrayed as mischievous and curious. Jane loves them dearly, but she does get frustrated with them at times (which is realistic). I like how the three storylines come together in the end. The mystery was compelling and complex. I do wish, though, that it had been harder to identify the guilty party. Two little pieces of information gave it away to me (this is the only weak part of the book). The why did not become apparent until much later in the book. I am glad that the sheriff works with Jane and her group on the investigation. They have resources that are not available to the local police. At the end of Murder in the Locked Library, we get a glimpse of what will be happening in the next A Book Retreat Mystery (which I am eager to read). My rating for Murder in the Locked Library is 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I  received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Finally! I was so excited when I found out the series was continuing, and this book definitely did not disappoint!

The imagery painted throughout the book is just amazing. Whether it's food, a book or scenery, it just comes across so beautifully. I love Ellery's ability to not just write the story, but to paint it with emotions! As always, I loved all of the bookish quotes throughout the book.

I never like when book snippets do not tell you who dies, cause then I end up thinking "Is it him? No her. Just please don't be that person!" Sadly, in this story, it was "that" person that I had grown a fondness for. (Listen, the snippet didn't give it away and neither will I!)

I loved that we get to see more involvement of the secret library in this book. The villain was a total shock to me until Jane announced it. (I love mysteries that suprise me, don't you?)

I can't say enough about each of the Fins relationships with Jane and the twins. I also adored seeing Sinclair with a crush and I wonder if she will make an appearance in a future book.

The worse thing about being able to read an advanced copy, is having to wait twice as long for the next book in the series.

Storyton Hall is simultaneously hosting a Rare Book Conference and breaking ground on luxurious spa addition to the resort. While digging ground the crew unearths a skeleton that was buried with a book. In hopes of finding a clue to why the skeleton and the book were buried on the property Jane and the Fin’s enlist the help of some of the Rare Book guest. While viewing the book one of the guests suddenly dies. Are the two mysteries related somehow?

I loved, loved loved this book. Author Ellery Adams is a gifted storyteller. This is only my 2nd book in the series, although this is the 4th book, and is fast becoming one of my favorite series. The book grabbed me from the beginning and never let go. Both mysteries (one from the past and one from the present) are full of twist and turns until the big reveal. Usually, I have an idea of who the murder is and why they committed the murder but I was completely surprised at who the killer was and why. Jane, her twin sons, family, friends, and the Fins are well-developed and complex characters that are very enjoyable to read about. Almost like reading about your friends and family. I also really love this setting. Storyton Hall would be my idea of a great vacation spot, well maybe minus the murders unless it’s a murder mystery weekend.

I would definitely recommend this book to all mystery lovers. I received this book in hopes I would give a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have no way been influenced.

I adore the writings of Ellery Adams. This, however, was my first in the Book Retreat series and I felt like I was missing out on a joke that everyone else but me knew. I was entirely confused in the beginning with the fantasy aspect and what a Guardian and a Fin was supposed to be, as well as with past and present details of the characters (like exactly how old the twins were). I never completely felt like I was let in on the joke, but as the story ended I became more engrossed and invested in the characters. It looks like I need to go back and get the others in the series because there is a wonderful hook for a future book.

I've tried a LOT of cozy mystery series, and the Book Retreat series is a hands-down favorite. I'd love to visit Storyton Hall, and where in other series it seems like the "extra" element (magic, secrets, whatever) doesn't fit well, Jane's role as Guardian is well integrated into the story. The stakes in this entry get dramatically higher with a twist near the end, and overall the mystery and story is well-handled in this story. The ending of this book leaves it clear there is more to come in this series, and I'll eagerly await it.

Although I enjoyed previous volumes, something about this one felt labored, making it unenjoyable for me. I couldn't finish the book; there was nothing interesting about the mystery or premise (of a librarian secret society) any more. The setting is still a desirable fantasy, but the writing seemed as though the author was just going through the motions.

Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams is the 4th book in the Book Retreat Mystery series. I have not read any and when I began to read this one, I realized that it is important to read the others in the series first. I was able to figure out what was going on but I have so many questions.

The protagonist, Jane is the guardian of a Secret Book Library. She is assisted in protecting this library by a group of people called Fins. (at this point I am not sure who they are). She is a single mother with twins. She runs a resort called Storyton Hall that is a retreat for book lovers. They hold teas, balls, conferences and give book lovers the opportunity of a lifetime. All the rooms, including the group rooms are literary themes. The mystery in this book involves a skeleton found during the digging for a new spa, a mystery book buried with the skeleton, the death of a rich book collector as well as repairing books for others, a hit and run and more.

The characters seem to be well known and developed, but as I have not read the other books, again, I feel I have missed a lot. The plot of this story had me turning pages to see how it would end and it was well-paced. Although there were many guests attending the conference, there were only a few suspects that were investigated. There were a lot of clues, although many I missed until the end of the story. There were also many twists and turns. I had no idea who the real culprit was. The reveal was climatic and leaves the reader with a lingering question that I hope will be solved in the next book. This was a well written cozy with a very different theme from others I have read. I will go back and read the first three books in the series and I recommend that you start and read these books in order. I am sure I would have given it a higher rating if I has done so.

I've previously read (and adored) all of Ellery Adams's Charmed Pie Shoppe series, but haven't before read her Book Retreat series, despite having the books in my library. After reading this one, I see I'll have to remedy this ASAP! The history of Storyton Hall is fascinating, and who expects Templars in a cozy mystery series set in America? The characters are likable, and the descriptions of the cook's food, well, I'm a person who enjoys reading menus, so bring on the lavish spreads! Typically, cozy mysteries introduce two new characters in a book: one gets killed, and the other is the killer. It's easy to solve. In Murder in the Locked Library, I had NO idea who the killer would turn out to be. The disposition of the killer sets up the next book nicely, which I will await after reading the first three books in the series!

Not one aspect of this book captured my attention. The story began flat and stayed that way throughout which was disappointing since I have enjoyed this series from the beginning.

As Jane Steward, Guardian of Storyton Hall in western Virginia, begins to break ground for an upcoming spa addition to her acclaimed bibliophile vacation destination, “a skull and a smattering of bones” are found and with this discovery an old box containing a damaged “cookbook” that when its secrets are revealed will result in deaths, kidnappings, and clues as to where the Fins can find Templars that will stop at nothing to lay claim to a hidden library and the treasures that it holds.

To understand Jane’s responsibilities, the library, and the Fins, you need to start at the beginning -- back to when the books held a fascination -- and work their way through them sequentially. Beginning at the end, will only puzzle the readers and leave a limited desire to pick up another book in this series.

This was the first book in the Book Retreat Mysteries by Ellery Adams, but it won't be the last! In fact I am going to seek out the first two in the series for when I need a good cozy mystery. Even though I had not read the first two books in the series I did not feel like I couldn't enjoy this book.

Our main character Jane is the Guardian, think the tv show/movies The Librarian, or Storyton Manor and she is also a mom. While she takes us into her book lovers world we get a worthy mystery, as well as family interactions and new and old friendships. Jane also has her Fins who are a bit like her Secret Service. Jane works with the local sheriff in a capacity that reminds me Jessica Fletcher. There is no direct romance, although we do learn of Jane's Undercover Templar love interest and we see many sweet relationships on the peripheral, so if you are sick of all of the mysteries which insist upon a romance at the source, this is a nice change. Jane is also a mom to twin boys who add a great layer to the story. Overall, the mystery is the driving force behind the book and it does not disappoint.

I would love to see this series be adapted by Hallmark into one of their mystery movie series!

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this 'visit' to Storyton Hall. The characters' relationships are continuing to develop and I love the Cover GIrls. It is another well-written book (as I've come to expect from Ms. Adams) and the mystery is top-notch with just enough twists and turns to keep me reading way too late in the night.

Jane has decided to add a relaxing spa to Storyton Hall so her guests can have a more pampering book vacation. Her twins are excited to watch the big machinery at work and while doing so they yell at the operator to stop. It appears there is a body buried on the premises. Most unusual is the body is buried with a book. Can the attendees of the Rare Book Conference help Jane discover who is buried in her backyard and why?

Every time I read a Book Retreat Mystery I want to visit but unfortunately it is a fictional place. Can you imagine being able to spend all your time among books and reading whenever without the guilt of having to participate in the real world?

Jane is the mom, friend, boss and sleuth all of us cozy mystery readers want to be as she always is on top of her game. She finds time to cook the twins designed pancakes and work jigsaw puzzles with them. She is understanding of her staffs needs and wants. She never blows off her friends in a time of need and she can always solve a mystery. The only thing not going her way is love of a significant other. She is seeing Edwin but he is currently off on another "job" and the cryptic messages he sends makes her question the relationship. Are the messages real or fake? I don't know you will have to read to find out.

I am interested to see if Celia, the forensic anthropologist, will become a regular since there seemed to be a spark between her and Sinclair. At this point I think she would be a nice addition. She seems to share the love of books like everyone does at Storyton Hall.

You can read each book in the series as a stand alone but for maximum effect I would read in order:
1. Murder in the Mystery Suite
2. Murder in the Paperback Parlor
3. Murder in the Secret Garden
4. Murder in the Locked Library

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As the construction finally begins for the upscale spa Jane Steward has wanted to add to Storyton Hall, her hopes are put on indefinite hold when her twin boys notice a skull dangling precariously from the backhoe’s bucket. The timing of this discovery couldn’t be worse as participants for the Rare Book Conference will be checking in before the day is finished. As it turns out, the conference is fortuitous when the discovery of a rare, historical book is discovered with the body. Jane invites one of the participants to help with the investigation into the history and origin of the book but soon realizes her mistake when he ends up dead.

This is the fourth installment of the Book Retreat series. The storyline is original and the main characters are easy to engage. I enjoyed the overall mystery that James has laid out, however, there are references to characters within the storyline that are not covered with a backstory. For a reader who is new to the series, I would advise you to pick up the first book before reading this. I believe it would make the events within this volume clearer and help define the background and history of Storyton Hall and its inhabitants. It is stated that Jane and her ‘employees’ are part of something bigger and very important, but it isn’t explained. #MurderinTheLockedLibrary #netgalley

Welcome back to Storyton Hall, one of the fictional places in the literary world I wish was real. An entire town with a literary theme, the crowning jewel being a resort where everything is book related? Heaven.

In the latest installment of this fun series, a skeleton turns up at Storyton Hall and a guest is mysteriously poisoned, and the colorful cast becomes involved in solving the mystery of "Oliver the Englishman" and the mysterious book found buried with him.

I like Jane Steward, the main character in this series, very much. Adams writes her as clever, confident, and competent, without making her unbelievable. In fact, the fact that she becomes frustrated with her twin boys and questions her relationship with her new-ish boyfriend makes her more believable as a character.

I particularly like the cast of characters in these books. They are fun and colorful, and each adds a little bit of magic to the mix. Jane has the perfect posse of sassy ladies backing her up in her world of secrets, adventures, and shenanigans.

This book is well-written. The dialogue is snappy and flows easily; the pacing is quick and carries the reader along without any lags; the mystery is complex but not convoluted. The threads of this mystery weave together nicely, coming together at the end in a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, I found this to be a strong installment to the Book Retreat Mysteries, and would recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries, fun adventures with a light dash of danger, and books about books.

Murder in Locked Library by Ellery Adams is the fourth book in Book Retreat Mystery series.
Jane and the twins are enjoying themselves in Agatha Christie Tea room. Plans to open a spa are just starting when bones are discovered along with remnants of an old book.
Before Jane can even begin to resolve this mystery, one of the attendees is found dead.
Time is of essence and number of suspects is getting longer and longer.
This is the first book in the series that I have read, eventhough I have managed to get a hang of it.
I particularly liked that Jane's parenting is depicted very realistically.
However I thought I the sheriff's attitude towards Jane on the other hand is not as realistic.
I enjoyed the characters, both of the mysteries, the one about the skeleton as well as the secret behind the book.
Intricate and clever plot, intelligent dialogue and many twists and turns make this a delightful read.

This is the first book of this series that I have encountered. The very idea of something called a book-retreat seemed like the most magical concoction. My reaction of this idea would rival some people's affinity to something like Disneyland. The concepts described in the book, sounded appealing even though I do not have a fountain of information when it came to information about authors and their connected histories. 

I began with the fact that this book is the first of a series that I have read, because it is the fourth book in a very deeply embedded plot. This plot seems to have a lot of roots which made me feel a little left out at times ( of the tale that is). It is not often that I read books out of order, but in this particular case I would recommend a working knowledge of the people involved in Storyton. There is a conference taking place at the book retreat and there has been a surprise discovery when laying ground for a new spa. This discovery starts a new chain of questions, and in the following the trail led by those questions, more than one person is hurt. There is a lot of fast paced planning and execution, controversies that go way back in time and new bonds made.The people involved in the town and therefore in the unravelling of the case, are pretty interesting and their collective love for books is almost like a fairy tale. I felt the narrative a little stiff (in terms of what I am used to) at times but it is a pretty good book overall.

Murder in the Locked Library was an enjoyable read with an intriguing mystery and a delightful setting.

Jane Steward, manager of Storyton Hall, is looking forward to breaking ground on the resort's newest addition, a luxurious spa. Her spirits are dampened however when upon breaking ground for the spa, a skeleton is discovered along with the remains of an old book. When attendees of the Rare Book Conference being hosted at Storyton Hall learn about the book, they're more than willing to lend their expertise to discover its origins. After one of the attendees who helped with the book is murdered in the library, Jane is left with more questions than answers. As suspects begin piling up, Jane will need to work fast to discover who the culprit is before the killer strikes again.

When Jane isn't spending her time managing Storyton Hall, she's spending it trying to wrangle her twins Fitz and Hem. Jane has a great relationship with her boys and is completely devoted to them. I liked that the author showed her getting frustrated with them rather than going the "everything is perfect" route a lot of authors choose for characters with children. Storyton Hall sits on land that has been in Jane's family for generations and Jane along with her family, still live on the property. Not only is this to help with managing the resort, but Storyton Hall also houses a secret library that Jane's family has been charged with protecting. As the current Guardian, Jane is tasked with the protection and maintenance of a library housing some of the world's rarest books.

In addition to Jane, there are a number of characters who frequently appear in the book. Jane has a large group of friends she is in a book club with who are referred to as the Cover Girls. As the Guardian, Jane has a group called the Fins who help her protect the library. The Fins all work on the property in one capacity or another, so they're always around. Because Murder in the Locked Library is the first book in this series I have read, I don't know a lot about the backstory of the Fins or even how Jane's family came to be the protectors of the library. It isn't explained very well in this book, so I'm guessing you need to have read the other books in order to understand how their group works.

Throughout the book there are a few plot lines that ultimately tie together. The plot that most interested me was discovering the identity of the skeleton and finding out more about the book that was discovered with it. I felt the mystery surrounding this plot point was the best one and it held my attention the most. One element in the book that didn't work for me was how much leeway the sheriff gave Jane when it came to being involved in the various crimes. I don't know if it would have made more sense if I'd read the other books, but I couldn't buy into how much Jane was allowed to do. The way the book ends, one plot line is left open and I'm interested to see where that goes in the next book.

Overall while I enjoyed Murder in the Locked Library, I wish I had read the previous books in the series before reading this book as I felt I was missing a lot of backstory. I will definitely be reading the first three books in the future and would recommend the series to those who enjoy cozies with a focus on books.

Adams has another winner. Things seem to be looking up for Guardian Jane Steward, at least professionally. Her boyfriend Edwin is off on another adventure, but this time doesn't seem to be inclined to keep in touch. Then, just as her boys are getting back in to the routine of school, an old body is found on the grounds, keeping an old secret close. Things get more interesting as rare book lovers from all over descend on Storyton Hall, and danger lurks closer than anyone could have guessed. Jane's courage and commitment are tested in this newest Book Retreat mystery.