Murder in the Storybook Cottage was a very good book, but it was a bit different than the previous books in this series. This one wasn't really a cozy mystery. It was more like a very mild thriller/suspense book. For the first time the murders weren't linked to the secret library, so that could be why the book felt different. I guessed part of the solution pretty early on, but I didn't figure out who did it so that was a huge surprise. I'm looking forward to continuing this series to see what else happens at Storyton Hall.

I really enjoy the Book Retreat Mysteries. I would love to attend a retreat at Storyton Hall, a resort that caters to book lovers. In this sixth book in the series, Jane Steward's resort and its staff are hosting Peppermint Press's conference, a publisher for children's books. Coinciding with this conference, the town is hosting a Fairy Tale Forest and Village with lots of activities for the many children who will be attending the conference with their parents. Taking her family and friends for an early tour of the exhibits, Jane stumbles upon a dead woman dressed up as Red Riding Hood, who appears to have died from anaphylactic shock. All is not what it seems when another victim turns up also looking like she was killed based upon a Grimm's Fairytale. Jane gets her Finn's involved to help identify the victims as well as solve the crimes, especially when her boys are threatened.

One thing I like about this series is all the talk about books and this story deals with children’s books, authors and fairy tales. I do recommend you read these books in order, or you might be overwhelmed with the number of characters, but having read them all, I really like how the characters are integral to the mysteries and they have come to feel like friends and acquaintances. The setting is a favourite of mine. The mystery had a few twists and the clues were shared sparingly, but they were there. I really enjoyed how this mystery was tied up and that the book ends on a happy note with the story dealing with family and friends. There is also a romance or two on the go but they are low key, just part of life. I enjoyed this one, especially with all the books from my childhood being front and center.

This book is worth reading for the descriptions of the parties, the decorations, the costumes and the food alone. The mystery part isn't quite as good as I was expecting, but it still will make for relaxing summer reading, and honestly, I didn't have it figured out until the end when the hints started coming in fast and furiously.

I love this author and it didn't disappoint! I read as a standalone but I can see why I need to read the other books in this series as I'm addicted! I felt like I was in adult candy land for a day. As a lover of cozy mystery books this was perfection. Great characters and storyline. I bought book one to treat myself! Loved it.

I really loved this book in a new to me series. Tha characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

Jane has been working hard on her vision for Storyton Hall. The new fairytale exhibit is set to open and lo and behold she and her wonderful friends find little red riding hood dead. In her basket is a very valuable book. Who is she and how did she get there. Withheld help of her Finns Jane solves the mystery with her usual compassion and intuition. I love this series and always look forward to the next.

It was a lovely sweet book. Not What I had been expecting. But it was fun to read. It was well written. Easy to read. Hit

I really enjoyed the mystery in this book and loved how the characters and animals interacted with each other

I really loved this book. Ellery Adams is a wonderful cozy author, and she did not disappoint! I want to live in this world, I love the characters, and I love the decadent atmosphere.

Disclaimer: I was given an eARC of this book by Kensington Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved all of the previous books in this series by Ellery Adams and this was no exception! I like how fast paced they are and that the killers are never obvious, it makes for a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone that likes cozy mysteries.

I am so excited that this series didn’t end with the previous book, as I had thought it might. I love Jane and all of Storyton, and this mystery was no different. I love that each book has an underlying theme, and fairy tales was this one’s. Another conference, another murder, and its up to Jane and gang to solve everything— saving the day and the books. Very well paced and well written, I devoured it in one sitting. Highly recommended.

Title: Murder in the Storybook Cottage

Author: Ellery Adams

Chapters: 18 Plus epilogue

Pages: 304

Series: A Book Retreat Mystery

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 Stars

Publisher: Kensington


Murder in the Storybook Cottage is the sixth book in the A Book Retreat mystery series by Ellery Adams. And it was my favorite in the series so far.

Outside of the murder mystery this one focused on children lit and the love of reading. As well as giving the love of reading to children. As well as a sweet bookish proposal. Which I have to say was one of my favorite proposals in literature.

I look forward to the next book in this series. As well as looking for other books and series by her. This is one series that you need to read in order because even though each book has a different mystery the characters and an underlying storyline builds from book to book.

This book and series is the perfect cozy series for bookworms.

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.

Another book from Ellery Adams! I am a big fan of her stories, which are just cute, cozy, and heartwarming.
Murder in the Storybook Cottage is just that.
Though the story is about a series of murders, it is far enjoyable and you will fly through the pages.
Thank you Kensington Books, for letting me read this ARC and I would definitely recommend it to my colleagues.

I love returning to Storyton Hall in Virginia. I know it will be a wonderful who-done-it and it's a chance to revisit Jane and her twin boys. Jane has a full house with a Children's publisher hosting a conference but also the debut of the Scavenger Hunt in the Fairy Tale forest. First Jane finds a woman dresses as little Red Riding Hood murdered in one of the exhibits. She has a valuable copy of Grimm's Fairy tales in her basket. When a second body is found the Fins must gear up to protect their secret library. This is Book 6 in the Book Retreat series and it could be read as a stand alone but you'll probably want to read the previous books to understand all the characters. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Fun and interesting cozy mystery. Well-written with interesting charters. I liked the fairytale theme to the murders. It's the first book I've read in this series, but I enjoyed it without feeling lost.

Thanks to the publisher, Kensington, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

I was really excited by the blurb (especially all the references to fairytale characters) and for some reason, I never managed to get into the story. It's quite frustrating, but I'm wondering whether I should retry this read later on, because of all the positive reviews. I might have better luck next time.
Sometimes it's just a matter of timing, so don't keep from reading it upon my current block.

This is the first book I have read in the series, and I was not sure I was going to enjoy it. There was so much going on with the secret library and spy like activity. I would not classify it as a cozy mystery. It borders on the edge but dealt with too many social issues and gruesome murders to be a true cozy. Overall I enjoyed the story.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Review:

This is one of the most elegantly written cozy mystery that I’ve read, fascinating in every way! It is not a fast read, rather, one to be slowly savored. One comes away with an understanding of the Storyton residents, especially Jane Steward, the manager of Storyton Hall and Guardian of the secret library tucked away in her ancestral home. We enjoy those who work with and protect Jane and grounds, her friends, and her twin sons. There are excellent descriptions of the pertinent the Hall and grounds so that one can feel the same wonder as the guests, especially the children who come to special events. The mystery is complex; Jane has a huge challenge finding the real culprit(s) may be.

Storyton Hall sounds like an amazing destination for booklovers of all ages; it is a five-star bibliophile resort. Jane’s great uncle Aloysius and great aunt Octavia are now retired from the daily activities but are still on top of all that occurs. Jane has been in charge for a few years with the help of the Fins, a specially trained group of men who protect the family and the secret library as well as overseeing day-to-day security.

The Hall is preparing for a five-day children’s book conference. They will also welcome a family chosen to win a prize package of several days and activities at the Hall, and many more families with children anticipated for the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend.

They will be there in time for the opening of Storybook Village, a fairy tale world on the grounds that children will love. When their book club meeting is over, Jane takes the Cover Girls out to see the Village. Their awe turns to horror when entering one of the cottages to find a woman lying on the floor dressed like Little Red Riding Hood. She is clearly dead, but it is not obvious what she died of. They learn that she only has a basket from which a book has fallen, a costly edition of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. She was not a guest at the Hall. They later learn she had been murdered by anaphylactic shock; the murder “weapon” had been removed from the cottage.

A couple mornings later, a senior editor from a children’s publishing company was missing. Jane and the Fins conducted behind the scenes searches to no avail. The next day, one of the Fins found the woman, dressed as another storybook character, dead, but not from the snowstorm. Gloria was also murdered, but in a different, ghastly manner. In her room was a valuable copy of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. Jane, the Fins, and the Sheriff feel the pressure to solve this quickly as the families with children are arriving.

The characters are three-dimensional; I loved catching up with them! I think those I enjoy most are Jane and her aunt and uncle, her best friend Eloise and all the Cover Girls – the women in the book club – and the Fins. Jane takes her responsibilities to her family and guests seriously and would go to almost any length to protect them. Eloise, her best friend, owns the bookstore in town and her knowledge of Storyton’s secrets is safe with her. The Cover Girls have been together for several years and are totally loyal to each other. If one is in need, the rest will help unless personal circumstances prevent it. Three of the Fins were around when Jane was growing up; they are family.

Storyton Hall sounds like the best place in the world to grow up, a wonderland of adventure and books. Aloysius and Octavia have been loving and very wise parents as well as managers of the Hall. I am very impressed with the author for designing such an incredible place, down to every detail! The mystery is as complex as Storyton Hall, with plot twists that would change the texture of searching for the real killer. I thought I had guessed who did the murders except for a couple points, including what the motive could possibly be. There were many surprises in the final chapters, with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend this novel!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

I was scheduled to read and review this book on the release date of April 28, 2020, but unfortunately, my mama passed away three days prior and I was unable to do so. When I was able to read again Ellery Adams was able to bring a sense of comfort and love when needed. Her characters feel like friends every time you open up a book.

Even though a murder or two occurs in the book love shines through in many forms. We have the love of lovers during Valentine's Day, the love of our fellow man no matter the age, race or gender, and the love of books. I was reminded so much of my mama. She introduced to me at a very young age the love of books and reading. She continued to nurture that love up until her passing. Valentine's Day was a time for her to shower those she loved with cute cards and treats. Most importantly she taught me to love others by seeing what was inside and not on the outside.

The ending left me happy and eagerly anticipating the next book. I am not going to say anything more as I want you to be as surprised as I.

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

This was the first book in this series that I have read, and I found it very easy to catch up as the story unfolded. I really enjoyed the cast of characters and the setting in which the story takes place; it is one of those fictional places that you really wish did exist