Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Jane Steward, the manager of Storyton Village in Virginia, is taking a trip with her colleague, Landan Lachlan, to North Carolina’s historic Biltmore Estate. While there, she plans to attend a luxury lodging convention. However, her main reason for going is to find her boyfriend, Edwin Alcott, who she believes is being held captive on the Biltmore grounds. On her search for Edwin, a helpful Biltmore staff member is found murdered in his cottage’s reading room. Jane has many obstacles to overcome to solve these cases if she wants to prevent anyone else from becoming a victim.

Murder in the Reading Room is the fifth book in the Book Retreat series, but the first I’ve read. Many cozy mysteries are accessible to new readers, but I don’t think this one is. When I started reading the book, it was like walking into a movie that was halfway over, because this book continues a storyline from a prior book. It starts with Jane rushing to the Biltmore Estate to find her boyfriend who she believes is being held captive there, based on clues she received in the book prior to this one. Since I missed so much of this continuing storyline, I never became fully engaged in the book.

I like the character of Jane because of her determination and dedication to those she cares about. The book is well-written and imaginative as I would expect from Ellery Adams, an author I enjoy. I may have enjoyed the book more if it would have focused on the book retreat aspect of Storyton Village instead of secret passages, secret rooms, and secret societies. Even when the story moves to Storyton, the book is not what I expected. Real books are frequently mentioned, but things like modern day Knights Templar play too large of a role in the plot for my taste. There are twists in the story and a lot of drama which helps keep the book moving even when I felt things were unrealistic.

Once everything is resolved, I like the discussion Jane and her best friend Eloise have about healing. I enjoyed the long and descriptive epilogue and wish more of the book would have been based on realistic moments between friends like those at the very end of the book. There are many positives to this book, and those who have been following the series will enjoying seeing the prior cliffhanger resolved. However, this book just wasn’t for me, and I can’t recommend it unless you have read the previous books in the series.

~ Christine

Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams is the 5th book in the Book Retreat Mystery series, and my first book in this series. I really enjoyed this book, there were times I felt a little loss, but I plan on going back and reading the first four books in the series before the next one comes out. Ms. Adams writes so many different series, I don't know how she does it. The plot and characters were well developed, and full of twists and turns. I recommend this book/series for all cozy mystery lovers, you won't be disappointed.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

While the writing itself and the plot was good, the book overall was not my cup of tea at the current time.

Ellery Adams always has a hit with Jane Steward, the owner/protector of Storyton Hall, the manor house-turned-resort. In this volume, Jane heads to the famous Biltmore Estate in North Carolina to attempt a rescue of her treasure hunter boyfriend, Edwin Alcott. Her time at Biltmore is short, however, and Jane, after receiving the shock of her life, must hurry home to protect her own treasures, which include her family and friends.

Jane is a stalwart heroine, who never shrinks from danger. Her main priority is protecting her loved ones, despite her inherited role of guardian over priceless rare books. There's nothing unlikable about her. How many of us wish we had a loyal staff of people to look after us like the Fins do for her? The groups of people who come together at Storyton Hall are always full of interesting characters, and though we know one of them is always going to die (it's a murder mystery series, after all), we still develop favorites. I'll always pick up an Ellery Adams book (I just need more Magical Pie Shop books!).

. Very cute bookish cozy mystery. This is the first I have read by this author and I definitely plan on going back and reading the rest in the series. This book is not an ideal starting point to the series, as it brings you right into the action from the previous story at the beginning of the novel. Fun book with great bookish details. I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

Murder in the Reading Room
(Book Retreat Mysteries #5)
by Ellery Adams

Mass Market Paperback
Published April 30th 2019



Goodreads synopsis:
Storyton Hall, Virginia, is a paradise for book lovers who come from all over for literary getaways. But manager Jane Steward is temporarily leaving for another renowned resort—in hopes of solving a twist-filled mystery . . .

Jane’s boyfriend is missing, and she thinks she may find him at North Carolina’s historic Biltmore Estate. Officially, she’s there to learn about luxury hotel management, but she’s also prowling around the breathtaking buildings and grounds looking for secret passageways and clues. One of the staff gardeners promises to be helpful . . . that is, until his body turns up in the reading room of his cottage, a book on his lap.

When she finally locates the kidnapped Edwin, his captor insists that she lead him back to Storyton Hall, convinced that it houses Ernest Hemingway’s lost suitcase, stolen from a Paris train station in 1922. But before they can turn up the treasure, the bell may toll for another victim...

***

4 Stars

When I began reading this book I had that feeling you get when you walk into a movie theater and the movie started early. I sat there with the “wait, what?” look on my face knowing I must have missed something key to the plot. I think the previous book must have had some sort of cliffhanger which led straight into this book. After reading a little bit farther I finally figured out what was going on. Thank goodness.

The whole concept of the book was pretty interesting: librarians being guardians protecting ancient artifacts of writers from the past, Shakespeare, Hemingway, Charlotte Brontë, etc. It reminded me a lot of The Librarians TV Show on TNT but without all the fantastical elements. The secondary characters the Fins and the Cover Girls were interesting aspects of the whole “secret library” thing.

I felt bad for Jane when her thought to be dead husband showed up not dead at all, only dead in his memory of her and everything he used to know. I wondered how she would get the best of the bad guy who had kidnapped Edwin and threatened everything she held dear. In some ways, I felt like some of the plot devices were the easy way out. Not that it wasn’t interesting and good. It was, very good.

There is a lot going on in this book, civil war reenactments, prisoners held agains their will, murder. Lots to wade through. The literal climax of the book happened at about 85% in and I kind of wondered if an excerpt of another book awaited me at the end. There was no excerpt. The wrap up was a pretty weighty chunk of the book and I thought a bit too long-winded. But it was interesting to know these after-the-fact facts.

Over all, pretty good. Not enough in the beginning to please my curiosity. Too much at the end. But the middle surely made up for all of that. Quite a clever story that I think most cozy readers would gobble up like chocolate pie. Check this one out but have THE MYSTERY IN THE LOCKED LIBRARY (#4 in the Book Retreat Mysteries) on hand in case you need a refresher of what is about to happen.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this advanced copy for a review. I really enjoyed Murder in the Reading Room and since I binged on the entire series I loved reading how Jane grows into her role as a guardian! Did you ever wonder whether a famous author has a unpublished manuscript? A Shakespeare play no one has heard about? A book someone would kill for? I recommend this series to anyone who loves cozy mysteries and books but suggest you read them in order as there is character development and some background plot arcs.

I just finished Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams and I give it 4 stars. I’m still pretty new to the cozy mystery genre, but I found this one to be very cozy and sweet! I loved the many, many references to literature. I loved the descriptive language of the setting, food and the people. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery itself. I only wish I had read the first 4 books ahead to really have the characters developed. If you’re in the market for a cozy mystery then this will do the trick for you!

I greatly enjoyed the author's writing style, very subtle, full of prose, and so descriptive of the idyllic venue that you want to start packing for your bags.

Jane is a widow with two young precocious boys. She is the manager of Storyton Hall, a pseudo-resort, with a strong literary style that includes a number of themed rooms/ libraries. In her role as manager, she has joined a luxury hotel management seminar that is taking place at North Carolina's historic Biltmore Estate--specifically because she believes that is where her Edwin Alcott is being hidden after his kidnap. The first, very shocking problem, however, manifests when she and Landon successfully discover him--and confront despot rogue Templar Ramsey Parrish as well.

Storyton itself has been in the Steward family for generations and is home to a wide variety of beautiful arts and treasures, not the least of which is possibly the Secret Library which may hide a suitcase stolen from Ernest Hemingway, lost in 1922. Ramsey will apparently stop at nothing to get to the secret library and the suitcase. Jane's own Landon Lachlan (head of Storyton Hall's Recreation Department), is part of an elite group called "the Fins" which is their first line of defense.

The characters are all complex, literate, and deep in the bookish world, upper-class society, and southern history with associated activities. More twists are incorporated into the well-plotted mystery, dripping with charm, nostalgic quotes from many famous and classic authors. This is one series where you might do well to begin with number one for a better understanding of how the story evolved.

While there are casualties, they happen "off page." The pace works well right into a downplayed climax almost smoothed over in the blurred conclusion. I was given this ebook download by the publisher and NetGalley and totally appreciated the opportunity to read and review this unique and captivating novel. Recommended for any bibliophile who knows their books or book lovers in general, as well as cozy mystery lovers. There is something here for everyone--including that touch of romance!

Jane must find Edwin. He is being held captive by a fanatical part of the order he belongs to because they want access to Storyton Hall’s secret library. Jane and Lachlan travel to Biltmore in North Carolina. There are secrets and surprises in store.
Return to Storyton Hall brings surprises during a convention of historians celebrating the first Great War.
Secrets are revealed, an innocent man dies, and past events from other books come to resolution. The author did a great job of maintaining suspense. When I thought it was over, I thought there might be further betrayal, but a happy ending is always welcome.
I wasn’t crazy about the decision Jane made in her relationship with Edwin, but overall this feels a lot like a conclusion to the series. I wouldn’t read this one without reading the other four books first.

Murder In The Reading Room is the fifth book in the A Book Retreat Mystery series.

Jane Steward was able to successfully rescue her twin sons Hemingway and Fitzgerald and has now set off with Landon Lachlan set off to the Biltmore estate where she hopes to find her romantic interest, Edwin Alcott, who has been missing for nearly two months. Jane has signed up for a program on luxury hotel management for a cover while they search for Edwin.

As they walking the grounds they meet Gerald Tucker, who has been the gardener since he was a young man. They feel that he might be the one to learn more about hiding places at Biltmore and go to his cottage to have tea. Before they can really start to find more about The Biltmore, Ramsey Parrish, manager of The Biltmore, drops by for a visit. Before Jane and Landon leave they make plans to come back the next day. The next day when they arrive at Tucker’s cottage they find him in his favorite chair, dead.

That evening they start searching for hidden passages and after a while, they find one and soon find where Edwin is being held. In the room next to him is a man that Jane doesn’t believe she would ever see again. But before they can get the captives to freedom, Parrish shows up. He offers Edwin’s freedom for some Hemingway papers the reportedly stolen from railway station before they had a chance to be published, that feels are in the secret library at Storyton Hall. Jane reluctantly agrees, hoping that they can come up with a plan that will free the men before any papers are turned over to Parrish.

Meanwhile, at Storyton Hall the BackStory Club is beginning to assemble for their honoring of the 100th anniversary of WWI. One of the events the club had was for a battle re-enactment and during that one of the members was killed. What with, Jane being busy with what to do about Parrish, she asks The Cover Girls to be her eyes and ears.

Ms. Adams is a wonderful storyteller and this book is no exception. The store is well-plotted and has an interesting cast of characters. The staff and friends of Jane are ones that I would love to friends with. And Jane’s sons’ Hem and Fitz are a real joy to read about.

I am looking forward to the next book in this exciting and interesting series to see what adventures are in store Jane and Storyton Hall. Hopefully, the wait won’t be too long.

Storyton Hall manager Jane Steward is off to North Carolina's historic Biltmore Estate to search for her missing boyfriend, Edwin. Under the cover of learning about hotel management, she is officially searching the grounds for Edwin. One of the gardeners offers to help, until he is murdered. When she finally locates the kidnapped Edwin, his captor insists that she lead him back to Storyton Hall, convinced that it houses Ernest Hemingway’s lost suitcase, stolen from a Paris train station in 1922. Hopefully they can find it, before someone else turns up dead.

This book is an adventure, from cover to cover. I was glued to the story, and I want to give a blow by blow of what happened, but I also don't . I want to ruin it for people who haven't read it yet

There were several things I really enjoyed about this book that I can share, however. I loved the fact that Jane left her comfort zone of Storyton Hall. To me it showed how strong a character she is, and how strong her connection is to Edwin.

I love the close friendships in this book. Jane has a great support system in the Cover Girls, and the Fins. She is a smart sleuth, and she relies on her friends when she needs help makes her one smart detective, and guardian of Storyton Hall.

I have loved every book in this series, and each one gets better and better. The series is best read in order, and if you have to start from the beginning I envy you. I would love to start it all over again and experience it for the first time.

Fun, adventure, murder, and romance. You'll find it all in Murder in the Reading Room.

I read a digital ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley.

Murder In The Reading Room is the 5th in series. I have adored this series since its inception and love the writing style of the author . This is a fascinating series done to perfection. I find myself unable to stop reading each new release until the book is finished! This is a "definitive" cozy mystery and each book takes the reader on a wonderful new journey of excitement featuring books , a classic Inn and charming characters. I highly recommend the series for your reading enjoyment,. Each book feels like a special gift from the author to her readers. The setting of Storyton, Virginia is beautifully described by the author. Storyton Hall is filled with books , paintings, statutes and other unique items relating to books and its history. Part of the fun of this series is learning more about Storyton Hall in each book. Jane Steward is a widow with two boys. She manages Storyton Hall as well as being the Guardian to the secret library that dates back hundreds of years and is entrusted in her care. . Jane is lucky to have her aunt and uncle living in the hall with her trustworthy and protective staff. Her Aunt and Uncle. are also guardians of the secret library and very protective of Jane and her boys.

In this next in series our protagonist Jane Steward, manager of Storyton Hall, along with Landon Lachlan her assistant and trusted friend are going to Asheville, North Carolina to the famous Biltmore Estate. She has been trying to reach her boyfriend Edwin who she has surmised by a series of clues in the last book is being held hostage at the Biltmore. They are sure that Jane’s boyfriend, Edwin Alcott is being held at Biltmore. He has been missing for several months. Jane’s cover is a participant in a Lodging Seminar . Landon's task is to talk to the gardener on the estate to find out more about the estate and its owner.
After their initial meeting with him Jane and Landon return to give the master gardener a special gift to thank him and they find him in his library chair dead. They soon figure out he was murdered and he has given them clues to the underground areas of the estate where Edwin may be held
. Once they find Edwin in a secluded underground cell his captor is waiting for them, and he has demands .Jane must agree to search Storyton Hall for the papers from Ernest Hemingway’s lost suitcase in order to get Edwin back. He not only is holding Edwin hostage but Jame is shocked to find out he has been holding Jane's husband who she believed was dead. He has lost his memory and has no memory of Jane or their life together. Heartbroken but determined to save them both Jane agrees to the terms and soon they all travel back to Storyton Hall together. This leads to a a great mystery and I could not put this book down. What a fascinating turn of events for Storyton Hall and for the history of the Secret Library.

A fun aspect of this series are the book quotes and references. I find myself needing to write down all great quotes and the books referenced in this series. This is a series for all who love books and a great mystery. I highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment.
Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. My opinions are my own.
I look forward to the next in series .

Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams is the fifth novel in A Book Retreat Mystery series. Jane Steward, manager of Storyton Hall, along with Landon Lachlan are traveling to Asheville, North Carolina to the famous Biltmore Estate. Jane’s boyfriend, Edwin Alcott has been missing for two months and she believes he is being held at Biltmore. Jane’s cover is a participant in the Luxury Lodging Seminar which will give her access to the grounds and buildings to search for Edwin. Landon is befriending the master gardener on the estate to see if he can provide any useful information while Jane has gotten them a tour of the main building from a high ranking employee. When Jane and Landon go to give the master gardener a special gift, they find the kind man dead in his favorite chair in his superb library. It is thanks to the gardener that the pair receive a clue that leads them to the underground passage where Edwin is being held. 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 evil foe? Join Jane on her dangerous quest in Murder in the Reading Room.

Murder in the Reading Room is a riveting cozy mystery. I thought the story was well-written and it moves along at a quick pace. Murder in the Reading Room is the fifth book in A Book Retreat Mystery series, and it cannot be read alone. This series is best read in order and each book is better than the previous. Ellery Adams’ has an engaging writing style, and I was quickly engrossed in Murder in the Reading Room. Jane Steward is a widow with two rambunctious boys. She manages Storyton Hall as well as being the Guardian to the secret library. Jane is lucky to have her aunt and uncle on the premises as well as her trustworthy and protective staff. The characters are complex and continue to evolve as the series progresses. The Fins and the Cover Girls are delightful secondary characters. I like seeing the relationship between Eloise Alcott and Landon Lachlan progressing. The setting of Storyton, Virginia is beautiful (especially in the fall). Storyton Hall is a masterpiece and it is filled with books along with paintings, statutes and other unique items (I want to move in). The mystery is complex and multifaceted. I love it when I am surprised in a mystery, and Murder in the Reading Room has one fabulous and shocking turn of events. There were several great phrases in this book, and it was hard to pick my favorite. I ended up choosing “I think a book is like a good climbing tree. They both yearn to be touched.” I enjoyed the book referenced sprinkled throughout the story which included Maisie Dobbs, Anne of Green Gables and various works by Hemingway. Murder in the Reading Room is my favorite book in A Book Retreat Mystery series. Murder in the Reading Room is a captivating cozy mystery that will have you staying up until the wee hours to finish it.

As I closed the book I was crying. Why? I fell so hard into the story every time I opened the book that I didn’t want it to end. The emotions Jane experienced were so real. She had to make many hard decisions but I loved that she followed what she thought was the right thing to do even if it wasn’t going to be popular. I feel we really got to know the real Jane and what a powerful force she is.

A series I would suggest the start from the beginning so you can connect with the characters and not ruin any surprises along the way.

I am looking forward to seeing how Adams progresses the series. There is a world of possibility and Adams is the best author for the job.

I received a complimentary copy from Kensington through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

I typically read between 60 and 80 mysteries a year and, for me, this 5th installment in the Ellery Adams Book Retreat series is one of the very best I've read in this past year. Simply outstanding.

It's a cozy but it's a riveting, unputdownable cozy (I was up til the wee hours finishing it). The characters are well drawn and have become old friends to me.

In this installment, Jane Steward, the guardian of the secret library at Storyton Hall, sets off to the Biltmore to try to rescue someone near and dear to her. Not to worry, the bulk of story takes place at Storyton Hall, including at a gathering of historians, complete with World War 1 reenactment.

Murder in the Reading Room is a mystery I'd very highly recommend. Note, however, that this book should not be the first book in the series that anyone reads, that is, it should not be read alone but only after reading earlier installments.

(I received a copy of the book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

What an interesting story and characters! So many books and so many secrets. Jane is certainly a strong woman to have dealt with all life has thrown at her. I don’t know if I would want to “be grown” for a position. Seems like a lot of pressure, but she handles it well. I don’t even want to think how I would handle some of the situations she was faced with. I would love to visit Storyton Hall and the merchants in the village. This sounds like an awesome place. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with the Cover Girls? What a great group of ladies. Sort of like those in my book club, except I think they may be more adventurous than we are. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Murder in the Reading Room by Ellery Adams is book five in the Book Retreat Mysteries. This was the first in the series I have read. I feel I should have read the first ones as I was somewhat lost at the beginning.
There were plenty of twists and turns and I was kept guessing until the end but felt is was a slow read.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC for an honest review.

The Book Retreat Mysteries have been among my favorite series since it began, and this fifth installment, MURDER IN THE READING ROOM, did not disappoint. Likeable and relatable characters, heart-pounding excitement, drama, romance, peril, and mystery all come together to make this a unique, delightful read. It is sure to be one of my best books of 2019.

The Book retreat series is unlike any cozy mystery out there. It contains all of the typical comforting elements of the cozy genre and turns it on its head with the addition of secret societies, specially trained guardians, and a secret, priceless library. MURDER IN THE READING ROOM finds Jane leaving her beloved Storyton Hall in Virginia on a quest to find her missing boyfriend Edwin, whom she is sure is being held hostage at the Biltmore Estate. Once there, she receives the shock of her life and also discovers one of the gardeners murdered. Returning home, she must find a way to save the man that she loves and her legacy.

This time around, the murder mystery is not the emphasis of the story, but there is so much going on that readers hardly notice. Adams’ clever and intelligent writing draws readers in from the first sentence and keeps you on your toes until the final page. There is a truly unexpected twist that left me utterly gobsmacked, so much so that I had to stop reading for a moment. But the compelling nature of the tale made me impatient to get back into the story, and even when I wasn’t reading I was thinking about all the ways the story could go. It is unputdownable. The book does have a certain tone that feels like the series is coming to an end, but Adams has assured readers that more books are coming, and I am so glad. I wait with baited breath for the next installment.

Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.