“Murder in the Reading Room” by Ellery Adams is an absolute masterpiece, deserving every single one of its five stars. Adams’s Impeccable storytelling skills shine through in this enthralling mystery that takes place in the charming town of Storyton. With its richly developed characters, intricate plot, and a delightful mix of suspense and charm the book keeps readers on the edge of their seats eagerly turning page after page. Adams effortlessly transports us into a world where books come alive, and the library becomes a character of its own. This novel is a must-read for any mystery lover, as it delivers an unforgettable reading experience that will leave you craving more.

Ellery Adams is one of my favorite authors and this series is fantastic. This series is about books and mysteries brought to you with Southern Charm, an old library, a secret society and murders.

The book is filled with twists and mysteries but also with love and friendship. I recommend this series to fans of the late, great Dame Agatha as well as your modern day cozy fan.

First, I have to apologize for the lateness of this review. I'm just now emerging from the Covid hibernation. I read and enjoy all of the Ellery Adams series although the Supper Club one is my least favorite. The Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries and the Book Retreat Mysteries are my favorites. I have read every book of the Book Retreat Mysteries series. I love the strong well-developed characters: Jane Steward the main character and “owner” of Storyton Hall and mother of amusing twin boys, the devoted butler Mr. Butterworth, head librarian Mr. Sinclair, the chauffeur Mr. Sterling amongst others. Best of all are Jane’s eccentric Aunt and Uncle who also live at Storyton Hall.

As others have noted it is probably best to read these books in order. The primary characters are expanded in each book and new characters are often introduced. Unlike in some books the characters are distinctive and give the reader distinctive personalities. There is no “Now who was this guy, anyway?”.

Several mysteries are entwined and some from previous books are solved!

Read this series, you’ll be glad you did.

I have read many of Ellery Adams" books. I have also read every book in this series so far. This series needs to be read from the first book – Adams has created a wonderfully complex world full of characters who aren’t quite who they seem at times and lots of secrets – both secret rooms and secrets characters keep from each other. Storyton Hall, the setting of the book, is also wonderfully complex and a place I would love to visit if it really existed. Jane Steward is a tough but gentle, take-charge mama bear who protects those she loves and holds dear. You will instantly like her, Storyton Hall, Mr. Butterworth the butler, Mr. Sinclair the head librarian, Mr. Sterling the chauffeur, Mr. Landon Lachlan, and her girlfriends of the Cover Girls Book group not to mention her great Aunt & Uncle who live at Storyton Hall. I cant wait for the next one to come out

The most important thing I can say about this series is that it is best that you read them in ordller. It had been awhile since I read the last book, and I felt lost a bit in the beginning until, I remembered the storyline and characters. Jane Steward is the manager of Storyton Hall. She and Landon Lachlan have travelled to the famous Biltmore Estate. They believe that Jane’s boyfriend, Edwin Alcott, who has been missing for two months, is being held at Biltmore. Jane and Lachlan befriend the gardener, and even though he ends up dead, he gives them a clue to find Edwin. Unfortunately, Edwin’s captor is awaiting them, and he has a shocking surprise for Jane. To get Edwin back, Jane will have to search Storyton Hall for the papers from Ernest Hemingway’s lost suitcase. Will Jane and her protectors be able to defeat this greedy evil man to rescue Edwin?

Jane Steward is a strong protagonist. She is smart and can think on her feet. Thanks to Fins, or the guardians, she is also well trained in several ways. The Fins and all the residents and employees are so genuine and each has a role to play. Over the previous books they have become well-developed characters with wonderful interactions and dialogue. This was a complex mystery, with an evil protagonist that Jane hopes to take down once back at Storyton Hall. This story not only has twists but surprises and secrets revealed. This book ties up some storylines from previous books and will take this series in a different direction from here. I will have to see what happens in the next book to find out what is the next chapter in Jane's life at Storyton Hall.

Adams continues her streak of fantastic mysteries with her latest novel. I have visited Biltmore in the past and enjoyed seeing the estate show up in Adams book!

Originally I was slightly confused by this book as I started the series with this book. After I went back and read the first in the series, it made more sense to me. Overall I enjoyed it, but not as much as I enjoy several others of the series by Ellery Adams. Of course, that's a high standard, as they are at the top of my list of cozies.

Secrets Past And Present....
A Book Retreat mystery and book five in the series. Mystery, secrets past and present, a colourful cast of characters, a likeable protagonist and the odd body combine for an entertaining whodunit.

I just couldn't finish it. I felt thrown into the story. I honestly felt that it was historical fiction. I thought we were in England, not Virginia and I thought it was the 1800s. The story started abruptly and I had no time to get myself situated. I didn't care for ANY of the characters and to be super real, I didn't care about what happened. I got through 27% and tapped out.

Thank you though, to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed, are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3040611307

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series. Ellery Adams writes such fun, relatable characters.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Knights Templar, both good and bad, a secret library filled with wonders and oddities, a family who has guarded the library for eons and a group of stalwart protectors of both the family and the library and another group of evil doers who would steal the treasures all combine in this fantastical story. Many of the hidden books were put there for safe keeping as their existence may have caused upheavals. Jane Steward is the current Guardian but when innocent people are dying and her loved ones are put in mortal danger, she begins to wonder if the secret is worth protecting.
Storyton is the scene of a Centenary Event marking the end of WWI. All the elements and characters collide as Jane attempts to thwart the nefarious villain who wants to pluck the treasures from her library and will stop at nothing to succeed. He is a formidable opponent even more so because he has some secret weapons of his own. The betrayals Jane endures makes her question what is her best path forward. It is not an easy decision and she knows whatever she chooses, things will never be the same again.
The characters are fascinating and the story line is intriguing. It’s a good mystery but I would suggest starting the series at the beginning. It will have much greater impact. Four purrs and two paws up.

I don't know if it's fair for me to give this book a star-rated review because it is part of a series that clearly needs to be read in a linear fashion . I have not read the earlier books in the series and, thus, was rather lost trying to get caught up in this plot. That being said, I can definitely state that this doesn't work well as a stand-alone; if you're interested in this book, then I highly suggest you start at the beginning.

Aside from this novel being part of series, I also was quite surprised at the direction the plot took. I actually have had this series on my to-read pile for a while because the first entry in the series looks so good: it is described as being set at a resort for booklovers that is hosting a "Murder and Mayhem" week. Of course, one of the attendees is murdered and one of the guests must be the killer. So this all sounds good, right? That's what I thought. But . . . as I tried to make my way through this novel, I realized that my expectations were misguided. Apparently, you discover in the first novel that this plot goes way sideways and turns into a storyline about the main character being a guardian of a secret library who is surround by some super secret agents and the plots of all the books--I guess--actually revolve around this rather outlandish premise.

This just isn't my cup of tea. Admittedly, I should not have tried to read this without the benefit of the earlier books in the series. However, I don't know that I would actually enjoy this series any way since its Dan Brown/fantasy-esque storyline is not what I'm looking for in a cozy mystery. But if this sounds enticing to you, give it a try--lots of people seem to really enjoy this series!

Title: Murder in the Reading Room



Author: Ellery Adams



Series: Book Retreat Mysteries book 5



Chapters: 17 plus epilogue



Pages: 320



Genre: cozy mystery



Rating: 4 stars





Murder in the Reading Room is the fifth book in the Book Retreat Mysteries series by Ellery Adams. In this one Jane finds herself traveling to North Carolina and the Biltmore Estate in order to find her missing boyfriend. However, doing so will not only put Jane in danger but her sons and the library in danger as well. Because the man who captured her boyfriend knows about the library and wants something from it. Out of all of the books in this series so far this one was my least favorite, but I still enjoyed this one a great deal. Jane is a character that is easy to relate too. Her boys are typical boys always trying to get into misfits. With the fins there is more than meets the eye, and that's the way it’s supposed to be.



With Murder in the Reading Room I did not see any of the twist that happened coming and I loved that. I don't really enjoy mysteries in which I can easily figure out the twist. And even though I didn't like this one as much I did love ending, an ending that lets you know there's another book coming in the series. I do recommend reading this series in order, to me they can't be read as standalone books you end up missing information that you get in a previous book or you end spoiling yourself about something that happened in a previous book. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The fifth novel in A Book Retreat Mystery series, Murder in the Reading Room is a interesting cozy mystery. It is a must to read the first 4 books to understand this one. I couldn't connect with the characters as I didn't know much about them and there wasn't much character development the plot also seemed kinda swift, I tried to understand what I could. But at some points, I felt I was not grasping the entire mystery. I think I would have to revisit this book after reading the previous ones.

Murder in the Reading Room is the 5th Book Retreat mystery by Ellery Adams. Released 30th April 2019, it's 320 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

The author is quite prolific, with many other cozy series, and while this one is also a cozy, it's odd. It has a multi-book plotline and as such does not work at all as a standalone. The plots are half Dan Brown, half Miranda James and for me, those halves make a whole which is jarring and off-kilter. Protagonist Jane Steward is the keeper of the worlds most secret library (containing unknown Shakespeare folios, items saved from the Library of Alexandria, and apparently, previously unknown items from Hemingway (?!). The Stewards (and secret tactical support team called the Fins) are in a DaVinci code style secret war with the Knights Templar (yes those Knights Templar), and the current dastardly leader of the KTs is a deeply disturbed English bibliophile with an unhealthy Hemingway fixation.

Two months after her boyfriend is kidnapped, she's on her way with a sidekick to the Biltmore estate (yes, that Biltmore) to find and rescue said boyfriend. The police aren't involved, the FBI isn't involved, just her and her assistant riding to the rescue with a cover story so lame it wouldn't fool a goldfish (she's there for a conference and plans to look for Edwin, the boyfriend, between conference meetings). The Templars have already killed people and kidnapped her twin 5 year old sons (who are named Fitzgerald and Hemingway) who were happily recovered unharmed in book 4.

Anyhow, in the book's defense, I will say that the author has a deft touch with dialogue and the plotting is taut and well paced. The plot itself was just too much for me, and I couldn't ever completely suspend my disbelief enough to really give the book a fair reading. I had almost precisely the same reaction to everything I've read of Dan Brown's (and spent most of those books wanting to punch Langdon right in his smug face), and they've sold umpty-bazillion copies, so I'm obviously in the minority.

Competent writing, weird plot. Three stars, your mileage may vary.

Ellery Adams continues the Book Retread mysteries with Murder in the Reading Room.. Storyton Hall is under threat but Jane Steward, manager and guardian of its secret library is working to free her boyfriend, Edwin from the nefarious Parrish. Parrish wants the secret Hemingway papers. Secrets are revealed and violence spirals out of control. Is this the last Storyton chapter?

Murder in the Reading Room is the fifth entry in the Book Retreat Mysteries and while it sounded like it may be the last one, I wondered if perhaps the author thought this arc was finished and wished to take it in another direction. I really enjoyed this book, and this series, and hoped that was the case. (Update: After writing this, I just learned there will be a sixth book in the series, Murder in the Storybook Cottage. Yoohoo!!) I do recommend you read these books from the beginning in order to fully understand what is happening in this one as I think it would be rather confusing otherwise.

First of all, to say I was surprised by what happened in this one is an understatement. There were quite a few twists and turns that I did not see coming at all, and I'm still not too sure what to think about them as one of them, in particular, is a bit sad, but it was a doozy. I was curious as to how Jane would finally prevail against the Templars in their continuing battle for supremacy in the book world as she headed into enemy territory in order to find her boyfriend who went missing. The plot moved rather quickly, and I really do enjoy this author's style of writing. I feel like the characters have grown tremendously and I have developed a kinship with all of them. I am particularly fond of Jane's group of friends and love the scenes where they gather for their book club meetings. So much fun! I really enjoy the concept of the Fins although I definitely understand Jane's wish to be 'normal' and not have to worry about her children and the type of world into which they will grow. Jane is such a strong woman, a woman who had to deal with a lot of adversity, but with a strong support group around her. I love how the author really plays on the ties of friendship and support.

Murder in the Reading Room was an excellent addition to this series and I am so happy to learn there will be another book in the series, although it will be interesting to see where it will go based on the ending in this one. Storyton Hall is a place I would love to visit (and perhaps stay permanently?); I enjoy the characters, the setting, and the story. I highly recommend this book and this series.

Welcome to Storyton Hall, found in the Village of Storyton. Storyton Hall is known for it's incredible library and grasp of literary history and the end point for any bibliophile's pilgrimage. What people don't know is that it is also a repository of some the most amazing works of literature that is overseen by Jane Steward the Resort Manager and Keeper of the great works. Works that many people and even a secret society known as the Templars would like to get their hands on and are willing to kill for. Jane's twin boys were kidnapped in the previous story and now the Templars are holding Jane's lover Edwin in the famous Biltmore Estate of North Carolina. Jane and one of her Fin protectors, Lachlan, head to the grand estate full of secret passages and countless places to hide a captive. What Jane doesn't anticipate finding is her dead husband. Thought to have drowned one cold winter's night before her boys were even born, Jane must now figure out how to save the Storyton treasures, Edwin her love, and the man she once called husband. All of this while a group of WWI centennial reenactors make use of the grounds of Storyton Hall. But there is much amiss at Storyton Hall and it is will take all of Jane's will and wit to keep her family, friends, and fellow bibliophiles safe. Great story line and an interesting take on the Knights Templar. Jane is an amazing character full of life and a moral compass that is like no other.

Full of twists and turns, this was an excellent mystery! I was quickly sucked into the story and eager to find out what happened next. A mental battle, as our lead tried to figure out not just the next move, but the move after that. As cliche as it sounds, this was an excellent chess game between our hero and our villain.
I hadn't read the ones before it, usually you can pick up a cozy mystery anywhere in the series and figure things out pretty quickly, but this time after only a few pages I looked up summaries of the rest of the books to catch myself up. This is one you should make sure to start from the beginning.
I tend to prefer the cafe/coffee shop line of cozies, so this was a bit of a change that I wasn't expecting.
If you loved National Treasure and are looking for a good murder mystery with lots of twists, some suspense, secret libraries, and even the Knights Templar, then you should pick this one up!

Normal cozy mystery violence, no warnings apply.

I received a free eCopy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was only a 3 for me. There was a lot of drama in this book that was pretty far fetched. I know cozy mysteries have a bit of leeway when it comes to how much characters can get away with, but much of this book went too far for me. I do support Jane’s big decision at the end of the book. I will read the next installment in the series to see how everything plays out.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.