I really enjoyed this cozy mystery . Annie, the amateur sleuth is really good. She and her friend Pri really get to asking questions. The Mystery
Festival brings lots of readers to town and of course there has to be a murder. It seems there is a group of people that are old college friends .
The murder took place in the book store where Annie worked and it was Kayla, one of the college group that was murdered. Annie's college professor Dr. Caldwell was the detective on the case and was happy to run into Annie , her student that she thought she would become a detective to help her. See how Annie helps to figure out who killed Kayla.

Absolutely loved this!!! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and had no idea who dunit until it was revealed. Everything I thought, I was wrong and I love a good twist! Cannot wait for the rest of this series.

This was an really enjoyable book! I loved the main character Annie and the whole "book nerd" vibe of the story.

In the first few chapters I was initially put off by a bunch of cliche phrases, but, with those out of the way, the plot was formed nicely. I never lost interest in Annie and her friends' doings, and the mystery book festival was lots of fun to read about. I would certainly love to attend one!

The author kept my suspicions switching around among all the main characters, and although I wasn't entirely surprised at the identity of the murderer, the motive never occurred to me.

I look forward to the next books in the "Secret Bookcase Mystery" series as Annie continues her long-term investigation.

I obtained an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

Annie Murray works in “The Secret Bookcase” a struggling bookstore in the cosy town of Redwood Grove, specialising in anything mystery themed. After creating a town-wide mystery event, the weekend appears to be a great success. However, when a real dead body is found in the hidden bookcase located within the store, a true mystery unravels. In between criminology graduate Annie attempting to solve her best friend’s murder that occurred during their time at university, expect a cosy whodunnit with themes of friendship, light romance, and a small town mystery.

I did think that at times the story was slightly cliche - which to be fair, a lot of people may love in this kind of book - with a lot of coincidences, e.g. Annie’s old college professor happening to be the detective working the murder case. And unfortunately, I did manage to guess the killer before the big reveal.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

I love Ellie Alexander's mysteries and was so excited to get her newest as an ARC from NetGalley! In the first book of this new series, Ellie introduces us to a new setting in California with bookseller Annie Murphy, who runs the Secret Bookcase in Redwood Grove. In hopes of increasing business, Annie develops a mystery-themed festival that takes place across the city and is reminiscent of Ellie's Ashland Mystery Festival she started last year! Of course, all is not calm for the festival and the Secret Bookcase with murder on the agenda. This was a fun cozy with all the elements that I love. I'm looking forward to more fleshing out of the characters as the series goes along and learning more about Redwood Grove. A solid start to a new cozy series!

Annie was destined to follow a career in solving crime. She and her friend Scarlet had planned to set up a agency together once they graduated but Scarlet was murdered just before graduation. Annie turned her back on their dream and became a bookseller in Redwood Grove and also could not let go of trying to work out who killed Scarlet.
Loved this book from start to finish. Nice easy crime fiction read. And the hook at the end left me eager for the next book.

I have to start this out by saying Ellie Alexander is one of my most favorite cozy mystery writers. I was all so very happy to see her start a new series.

Annie Murray is the manager of a struggling book store and she is trying her best to figure out ways to increase revenue and traffic into the store. Annie decides to plan a mystery lovers weekend. This will not only involve the bookstore but other neighboring businesses too. Unfortunately, in the middle of the mystery fest a body is found which happens to be an old childhood friend of Annie’s. This also reminds Annie of the murder of her college best friend ten years ago and Annie feels responsible for her death. Annie goes into detective mode trying to find out what happened. Will she be able to find out who the murderer is and will she ever be able to find out what really happened ten years ago? Ellie Alexander you have done it again. This series is going to be a hit!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this wonderful ARC!

"Books had gotten me through my worst days. They were comfort, escape, and provided closure, which remained elusive in real life."
The first book in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series has our protagonist Annie living a quiet life in the small town of Redwood Grove, trying to recover from the murder of her best friend in college.
The bookstore Annie works in is in financial trouble so she decides to plan a Mystery weekend to bring new customers in for all the stores in Redwood Grove. The descriptions of the town and the different pubs and stores made me feel a part of the action. I did feel some of the characters needed to be a bit more descriptive. I had a difficult time remembering which of Annie's college friends were who, and what they each did during college and in the present. But with that said, I had a great time reading this and happily look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Unputdownable cozy mystery!! This was such a fun read I could not get enough of.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Ellie Alexander for an Advanced Reader Copy and the chance to share my honest review.

Annie Murray is a book seller working at a struggling-to-stay-afloat mystery-themed book store called The Secret Bookcase. In an attempt to boost sales and save the store, Annie organizes a town-wide mystery book festival. Everything is going perfectly. . .until a dead body is found in the bookstore.
Annie uses her background in criminology to work alongside law inforcement and try to stop the killer before another body is found.

I am so excited to have found this author and can't wait to dig into her other works! Even more so cannot wait to hear more stories with Annie Murray. Annie is smart, brave, and witty. A relatable and likeable character. The town and bookstore really drew in the "cozy" that makes a cozy mystery. I loved the layout of the plot. It felt like a classic Hercule Poirot or Benoit Blanc mystery. Perfection!

A Secret Bookcase Mystery. That series name made me want to pick up The Body in the Bookstore as soon as I heard about it. Already a fan of Ellie Alexander’s writing, I admittedly would give this book a try just because it’s from Ellie’s imagination. But The Body in the Bookstore recommends itself to the reader.
Annie Murray is an engaging character. Redwood Grove and The Secret Bookcase are places that are nearly characters themselves.
To save the bookstore Annie comes up with the idea for a mystery festival weekend. It was fun to read about. I was curious about the authors who came to the festival, but only one to be published author was mentioned by name, Eli. I was curious about the readers who came and only those who would play a big part in the mystery that unfolds were named, Kayla, Monica and Seth.
These along with some of the town’s people: Caroline, Fletcher, Hal, Priya, and Liam Donovan are well introduced and characterized.
I enjoyed following the clues to the end. I highly recommend giving The Body in the Bookstore as try.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

What a magnificent read! I eagerly turned each page. This is a perfect cozy mystery. It was funny at times. It’s got an eclectic cast of characters. I had fun trying to guess who committed the crime. The author described the town so well. Felt as though I meandering around the town taking in all the sights. I very much enjoyed this book! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This was a really good cozy mystery. The fmc is Annie, whose best friend was murdered back when they were criminal justice students in college together, and the crime was never solved. So I was hooked by the back story right away. Fast forward about 10 years and Annie never returned to criminal justice but instead works at a bookstore, an Agatha Christie inspired bookstore. Hello! This is the bookstore I see in my dreams! During a mystery fest, an old classmate ends up dead, and the crime solving begins. This was the first book in #asecretbookcasemystery series, but I’m definitely hoping for more. There seems to be a potential romance in the future for Annie, but I would have liked a little more info there, because right now Liam doesn’t seem like a redeemable grump, he just seems like a jerk. Time will tell. 4⭐️

This book is cosy crime! The author gives a fullsome description of what that means along with lots of support for romantic fiction in the narrative. I love Agatha Christie and clearly this book has a lot of love for her too. It’s a fun murder mystery rump that doesn’t ask too much of the reader. It’s clearly set up for a long run and has a mystery running through this book that will. I’m sure deepen in the series. For it is clear, there will be more!
It’s light, fun, and not too long, however, it’s not for me.

The Body In The Bookstore, the first book in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery Series

We head to California for this book, to a small town, with a bookshop that could close soon.

Annie is still trying to figure out who murdered her best friend 10 years before, just before college graduation, when 3 old college classmates appear in town for her Mystery weekend.

When one is murdered, Annie finds her old criminal justice professor is now a detective in town, and Annie tries to help her solve the crime.

Each suspect has a very good reason to kill someone, and this one kept me guessing.

I had a suspicion about one character, and I was WAY off.

I would love to give more info, but you just need to read the book.

I’m already excited for book 2!

Release Date: 6/19/2024

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this cozy arc of a new series.
No one expected a book festival and a reunion of college friends would lead to murder, least of all bookseller, Annie.
Business shenanigans, secrets, arguments and red herrings made this book interesting and a fun read. A great way to start a new series and I look forward to reading the next book, as I’m sure Annie is not done investigating. The comments and review of this book is my honest opinion.

This review of The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander is courtesy of NetGalley
#TheBodyintheBookstore #NetGalley

Rating 3/5
Publication Date: Jun 19 2024

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander is the first book in a new series and the first I've read by Ellie Alexander. It started off uniquely for a cozy series with a reference to murder, not with someone moving to a new location for the first time as many series often do which I liked. The initial murder reference was for the past and gave insight into the main character Annie, who despite working at a bookstore, turns out to have a criminology degree. With Annie's criminology background, as she takes part in the investigation of the dead body, there are occasion tidbits of "dos & don'ts" which is cool. It's written in the first person from Annie's point of view.

For those looking for a hint of romance, as with many cozies, there's a potential love interest (obvious to the reader and Annie's current best friend but not to Annie).

Things that made me lower the rating down from 5 to 3:
* Annie's obsession with her best friend's murder in the past and it being the explanation of many of her character flaws/quirks
* Annie finds the body and is questioned by the detective who turns out to be her former criminology professor and at the end, the detective asks Annie to help investigate without really clearing her as a suspect. I find this unbelievable.
* At one point, Annie's morning actions are being described and suddenly there's a jarring statement that she absolutely cannot function or start the day without making her bed which threw me out of the story
* Annie has a set of 4 suspects, names them, goes and talks to one and later mentally comments that her suspect list hasn't shrunk but grown to 2 of the names!
* While following along with Annie, we get information, she and by extension, us the readers, don't actually solve the mystery and figure out who the killer is. The detective later tells Annie prior to the capture.

Ellie Alexander is one of my favourite cozy mystery authors & the one that first got me into the cozy genre to begin with. So I was gobsmacked when I found out she’s starting a new series. And it’s setting is a book store! And what she did for baking in her other series, she now does for a mystery book store. Alexander creates a completely compelling world to get lost in, with a lead character Annie, who feels as though she could walk off the page.

This series is a tad darker than her previous ones, but in a good way. The mix in of more criminology I found to be a perfect choice. And the murder of his best friend lingering in the background was very unique & something I imagine will be revisited & eventually (hopefully) solved. There’s a really good foundation for a great series here, amazing locale, interesting characters & a solid lead. As always Ellie Alexander, for me, can do no wrong!

📚

Read if you like:
* Bake Shop series by Ellie Alexander
* Witch Way Librarian series by Angela M. Sanders
* Cozy Capers series by Maddie Day

The Body in the Bookstore is a cozy mystery starring bookseller Annie Murray who creates a Mystery Festival in town with the help of several local businesses to aid getting the bookstore, The Secret Bookcase, back in the black. When former classmates of Annie’s start popping up with one of them meeting an untimely demise, Annie decides she must help Detective Caldwell (Annie’s former Criminology professor) solve the case! I absolutely loved the Mystery Festival concept, something I would very much want to attend in real life! I also enjoyed the characters, food and drink descriptions, and nods to great mystery authors! This is for fans who love all things bookish, mysteries, and cozies with great food and drinks! I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

Publishing 6/19/24

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Ellie Alexander ( @ellie_alexander ), Storm Publishing ( @stormbooks_co ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read The Body in the Bookstore early (comes out June 19, 2024).

I’m a HUGE Ellie Alexander fan and this first in the new Secret Bookcase series is a great addition to her other works.

Bookseller Annie Murray, who studied criminology, sets up a literary festival in her small town that brings in lots of tourists-and a murderer of a former college classmate!

Small town, enemies to (hopefully) lovers, and a continuing mystery surrounding the death of her best friend—this is a perfect new cozy from the delightful Ellie Alexander.

I can’t wait to read more of Annie’s adventures.

#TheBodyintheBookstore #NetGalley

I am so excited Ellie Alexander is coming out with a new series! She has such a way of making you want to be in the town the books are set in. I found myself immediately wanting to be in Redwood Grove and cozy up in a mystery bookstore. The premise of a bookseller (who has a sad past she is stuck on) trying to save her beloved bookstore with a mystery festival that brings much needed commerce to the town was so fun! As well as the murder of a former classmate. The suspects had me guessing the entire book of who done it. I am looking forward to learning more about Liam’s past and Scarlett’s murder in the upcoming series.