This is a solid start to a new series. Annie is an interesting character, although it took a little while to get invested. I’m sure her fixation on her college friend’s murder will be relevant to the larger story arc Alexander has planned, but it was distracting at the beginning. I did get a chuckle about the mystery book festival - going with write what you know. I’m interested to see how this series evolves.

This is the first in the new Secret Bookcase series. Annie Murray works at the Secret Bookcase (bookstore specializing in mystery) in Redwood Grove in Northern California and although she loves her job she is haunted by her past and worried the bookstore is going to close. Annie has lived in Redwood Grove for the past eight years, she accepted a job from Hal the owner after college as opposed to using her criminology degree. Annie is still struggling with the death of her best friend Scarlett in college and still is trying to solve her murder. In an effort to save the bookstore, Annie puts together a festival to bring mystery lovers to them. Annie along with Fletcher her co-worker, Hal and all the major businesses in town all work together and have the festival goers solve a mystery by leaving clues all over town. On the first night of the festival, Annie is shocked when some of her former classmates from college were in attendance. When one of those classmates is later found dead in the bookstore, Annie does what she can to keep the festival on track and help solve the murder. The police detective turns out to be Annie’s former college professor Dr. Caldwell and Annie was always one of her favorite students so she actively seeks her assistance. The story moves well and there are lots of possible suspects. I enjoy Annie’s relationship with her friend Pri as well as Fletcher and her boss Hal. Annie also has a potential love interest with Liam the owner of the pub who doesn’t like mysteries and there banter makes it obvious the two are destined to get together. This was an enjoyable read and I really like Annie and all the characters. Looking forward to the next in the series.

I read the 2nd book in this series first so there a some references in the 2nd book that happens in this book. This book is ok. I found myself frustrated about all the references to Scarlets murder yet nothing is done to investigate it. There’s a lot of college angst in the book which I found unappealing. #TheBodyintheBookstore #NetGalley

When The Secret Bookcase, the bookstore Annie Murray works for, may have to close due to declining sales, she comes up with the idea for a mystery festival. Most businesses are quickly on board and tickets sell out quickly. Annie is surprised when several of her old classmates from university show up especially when it seems there is a great deal of antagonism among them. When the body of one classmate is discovered in the secret room of the store and a friend becomes the main suspect, Annie, who studied criminology at uni, is pleased that her favourite professor, Dr Caldwell, is part of the investigative team. She is even more pleased when Dr Caldwell seeks her help. But it becomes clear very fast that the victim had a lot of enemies not only among her old classmates but among the town people and someone seems willing to do anything to keep the murder from being solved.

There is something especially enjoyable about cozy mysteries set in bookstores or libraries and The Body in the Bookcase, the first book in a new cozy mystery series, A Secret Bookcase Mystery by Ellie Alexander, is no exception. The characters are well-drawn and Annie, the main protagonist, is smart, resourceful, and likeable. If I have an quibble, it would be that the perpetrator was a bit too obvious but there was enough going on that it had little effect on my enjoyment. Overall, a fun read and I look forward to Annie's future adventures in the Secret Bookcase bookstore.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

I wasn't expecting to be so obsessed with this series and author, but I am so glad I found this book. I was only halfway through when I requested the ARC for the next book, 'Murder at the Movies.'

This book brought back nostalgic memories of reading in my school's library during lunch breaks while everyone else was playing. I would be tucked into a small corner, reading Nancy Drew or another cozy mystery, lost in the world of the characters and away from the chaos and responsibilities of the outside world. This was exactly how I felt while reading this book. I am so excited to read the other installments in this series!!

Thank you, Net Galley and Storm Publishing, for a copy of this arc.

I love the idea of a cozy mystery series in a bookstore, how perfect! The cover of this novel is great, as well! Annie was a great main character, and brought a lot of joy to this book. I haven't read any of Ellie Alexander's work prior to this, and I am excited to dive in! Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fantastic, well written who Dunnit with such likeable characters. I flew through this book.

Book lovers know the singular joy of browsing the shelves of a bookstore. So many worlds await exploration! And, no matter how one is feeling, there's a book to fit the mood. Book lovers also know the singular sadness of seeing bookstores struggle or close. It feels like the loss of a friend or a safe place where we can dream and discover. That is the possibility book seller Annie faces at The Secret Bookcase, a mystery-themed independent bookstore in Northern California.

Annie enlists the entire town's help (well, just about!) in creating and hosting a mystery lovers festival that promises to bring readers and revenue to Redwood Grove. However, when readers praise the professionalism of the actor playing the role of a dead body, Annie knows something is terribly wrong.

As a former criminology student, Annie is perfectly placed to help figure out what happened, especially when she learns that her former professor is the lead detective on the case. But given that the victim and suspects are former college classmates whom Annie hasn't seen in nearly ten years, she can't help but wonder if the events are tied to the tragic death of her best friend just before graduation. While Annie helps find the killer of the body in the bookstore, readers will need to keep reading this new cozy series to uncover the events surrounding her best friend's murder.

I've been a faithful reader of many of Ellie Alexander's cozy mysteries, and it's fun to meet a new cast of characters in The Secret Bookcase Mystery series. Her signature style shines in this book--a well-conceived plot, strong friendships, and a vivid canvas that I wish I could step right into.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for making this series debut available in exchange for my honest opinions.

The the first in a new cozy mystery series centered around Annie, a bookseller in a small town. To help drum up business, she comes up with a murder mystery festival. Things take a turn though when an actual murder occurs. Annie sets out to find the culprit before it ruins the festival.

I really enjoyed this debut! I thought the characters were good, and there were some hints of deeper backstory that we will continue to get with Annie. It did feel like it wrapped up really quickly - there was not really a big climactic scene like in many cozies. Besides that, a really good debut! I’m looking forward to more mysteries with Annie.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A perfect cosy crime for a summer read, I read it in a day and enjoyed it. The town is portrayed as picturesque and has that charm of American small towns and you can really buy in to the characters. The thread of the murder of Scarlet haunts Annie and gives a thread of continuity to the books.

I absolutely love this new series by Ellie! Her writing always brings the pages to life, you feel like you are there with all the characters. I can't recommend her enough! Every series she writes is just amazing! If she writes it I will read it.

I read Books 1 & 2 back to back, so this review is for both. There's lots to like in this new series, including a bookstore setting, likeable main and secondary characters, and good, methodical plotting so that there aren't any loose ends. The premise of having town festivals to keep the bookstore and the town in business isn't a new one--but it's done well here. And having various festivals allows for a new set of criminals, red herrings, and victims with each book. Yay!

I will say that the whole trope of the annoying-but-handsome-guy-whom-I-can't-stand-but-secretly-really-like feels very overdone. It makes Annie seem kind of immature...adolescent. I like Annie's background of having a degree in criminology, and the aftermath of the death of her best friend back in college feels meaningful in both books.

While I'd like less tugging on pigtails (metaphorically speaking), I did enjoy both these books, and I'll keep an eye out for Book 3.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

With the mix of a bookshop, a mystery fiction festival and murder this book had all the elements of one that I thought I would love. Unfortunately, for me the book fell short in several ways including the storyline; and, just when I thought finally we are getting somewhere, the book ended with the promise of the next book in the series. While there were a few good moments in the story, I don’t have a desire to continue the series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read a copy in exchange for my review.

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander is the first installment in A Secret Bookcase Mystery.

The title alone makes you want to pick up the book immediately.

The story is steady paced, there is always something happening and never a dull moment.

All the characters are well developed, the clues are clearly left for readers to follow should they wish to solve the mystery together with the protagonists.
The main character is smart, relatable, cautious and down to earth. She is someone you would like to have as a friend.

There is also a hint of a romance but in doesn't in any way interfere with the mystery itself.

Really great start of the new series. Can't wait to read the next.

Cosy mystery when a body is found in a 'secret room' in a bookshop during a book festival. The owner helps the detectives tease out the clues and, for once, does indeed help the detective. Well written and some nice twists. Happy to give it a four * although the sometimes excessive 'twee ness' of the festival was too much for this Brit. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

The Body in the Bookstore is book one in A Secret Bookcase Mystery series

I really enjoyed this read. It's a cozy mystery that will keep you guessing who done it. I really loved the storyline and writing style of this new to me author. What's not to love about a great story that includes a bookstore and a mystery inside a mystery book?! I would recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading book 2 once it's released!

"The Body in the Bookstore" by Ellie Alexander kicks off an exciting new cozy mystery series, "A Secret Bookcase Mystery." Set in the charming town of Redwood Grove, the story unfolds with a delightful mix of mystery and humor, as Annie sets out to save the bookstore where she works, navigating intriguing character dynamics and interactions. The potential for a love interest with a grumpy local business owner adds an extra twist. Alexander's storytelling is engaging, drawing readers into a world where secrets and surprises await at every turn. (I received an advance reader copy of this book, and all opinions are my own.) With its relatable characters and interesting setting, this book is a promising start to what is sure to be an enjoyable series for cozy mystery enthusiasts.

love love love cozy books!! It is the perfect short book to help you get out of a reading slump which it did. I loved the story line and the characters and how they solved the murder at the end.

I am a fan of Ellie Alexander having read her other two series, so when I saw she had a new one debuting I knew I definitely wanted to read it. Ms. Alexander excels at creating charming small towns and populating them with characters that resonate with the reader. This series continues that tradition. The story kept my interest, there were plenty of suspects and motives and in the end I very much enjoyed this book. I'll be reading the next in the series.

5/5 stars

This is my first book by Ellie Alexander and it won't be my last. I absolutely loved this book! The small town setting, the main character Annie has so much depth to her. This book is the definition of cozy mystery and I can't wait to keep reading the series.

As Annie Murray plans to help save the small town mystery bookstore, she organizes a book festival in charming Redwood Grove. The businesses in town participate and it's a fun and successful event until a body is found in the bookstore. The body is no other than a former classmate of Annie's from college. Science Annie studied criminology, she wants to do whatever she can to help find the killer.

What I loved most about this book:
-the small town setting
-dynamic characters
-the ending
-Annie and her co-worker Fletcher's friendship
-the who-done-it aspect

I can not wait to dive into other books by Ellie Alexander!