A Holiday Homicide was such a fast, cozy read. Lily Hawthorne, a very famous influencer, turns up dead at the Secret Bookcase which is a bookstore in Redwood Grove. Annie, her co-worker Fletcher and the store owner Hal are all distraught and must help find the killer before all of Lily's fans and sponsors find out she is dead. There are too many suspects and very little time before someone discovers that Lily is gone and that her assistant Becca has been posting as Lily on her social media. I enjoyed the settings, the characters, even Redwood Grove sounds like a town from a story book. A must read for these cold months.

4.5 stars
This is the fourth book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series and if you have been following this series, you are in for a treat with this one. Annie Murray is full of ideas on how to draw more customers to the Secret Bookcase bookstore owned by Hal Christie. The latest event is a gingerbread house contest, partnering with popular baking influencer Lily Hawthorne. On a personal note, Annie is at a crossroads in her life - should she take Hal up on his offer for her and her friend and co-worker Fletcher to take on a larger role in the bookstore or should she use her criminal justice degree to pursue a career in law enforcement? When a suspicious death takes place during the competition, maybe Annie's assistance with the investigation will help her decide.

This book is my favorite in the series so far. It has a holiday-related plot, progress in Annie's relationship with bar owner Liam Donovan, and new information on the death of her high school best friend, an overarching storyline through all the books. I've included all four of the books in my photos, because they all go together so well. They are all quick, fun reads with interesting characters in a fun setting. I love the ending and look forward to more in this series.

I was provided a review copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Storm Publishing, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

oh this was fun. looking for a silly little mystery? look no further. i had a great afternoon reading this. the cover also makes me feel nostalgic and i love that! pacing was pretty decent and easy to follow!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of Ellie's Alexander's newest Nobel A holiday Homicide.

This was the perfect cozy room mystery to get me back from a reading slump. Although, I have not read the other 3 books in the series A Secret Bookcase Mystery, works well it can be read as standalone for the majority of the book.

Thank you again NetGalley and to Storm Publishing

The flow of this installment was a bit choppy, and I wished for more of a backstory on Becca. At one point, I was guessing who the killer was.
Another good installment and looking forward to the next.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Storm Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

A Holiday Homicide is the 4th book in A Secret Bookcase Mystery, by Ellie Alexander. The setting is a small town in Northern California. I do not think I have ever read a cozy bookshop mystery situated in Northern California. Most of these mysteries are set in the UK, Ireland or Scotland, or in New England. This CA setting was a refreshing change. There are two murders in this series, one is older, a so-called cold case that haunts protagonist Anne, and another is a new murder that happens early in A Holiday Homicide.

Alexander does a good job with descriptions, which definitely bring the setting to life. All the main characters are fleshed out, which distinct personalities. The murder, which occurs early in A Holiday Homicide, is not a surprise, It does make sense in a cozy mystery to have a character, whose behavior seems to scream murder, but I do wish that an author would be brave enough to murder a well-liked character, or perhaps I don't? A Holiday Homicide can stand alone, but at the same time, reading the first 3 novels in order would enhance the understanding of these characters. A Holiday Homicide is my first novel in this series, and while there was a lot of background detail, I do wish I understood these characters better.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I do recommend this series.

THis is a GREAT COZY MYSTERY READ. Murray is the amateur sleuth and she stops a nothing to figure out who done it as she went to college to be a private investigation. Murray also works at the Secret Bookcase Bookstore. This weekend they are sponsoring a Gingerbread house competition and Sugar who owns a bakery has brought in Lily, a social influencer ,who has around 500,000 followers. There is so much going on and so many suspects it would spoil it if I started . So this is one that you will have to read.

Book 4 in the secret bookcase series and it doesn’t disappoint. Lily is an influencer who is a guest at a gingerbread themed event at the bookstore, but she is soon found dead. As Annie investigates, she is also trying to decide her future professional path and work on solving the death of her friend Scarlet. The ending of this book is different from the previous ones but it works.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Annie loves the holidays. She is working a case, that will take everything she has to solve a murder. This book grabbed my attention from the start.

The perfect holiday mystery. It’s a the boom equivalent of sipping a hot chocolate, eating gingerbread as the snow falls on the local Christmas lights!

I’m loving this secret bookcase series and the small town feel to it. It’s probably less cosy, with a more CSI feel to it with the main protagonist being an old criminology student. The characters get your attached and the plot of prompt and enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early opportunity.

This cozy mystery series is addictive. I’ve enjoyed all, and this holiday themed addition is one of my favorites of the four so far..

The setting is a Northern California town with a vibrant and caring community. The main character, Annie Murray, came to the town to heal after her best friend was murdered. She works at a mystery bookstore that is in an old estate. She has successfully initiated events to help sustain the bookstore, and this holiday-themed entry into the series features a gingerbread contest. As in all the books, a murder occurs, and Annie helps the police figure out the culprit.

I loved the description of the decorations in the store and the town. In the best sense, this is across between a Hallmark Christmas movie and the old tv series, Murder She Wrote. The overarching theme of solving her best friend’s murder is picking up steam as is her budding romance with Liam, the town’s cafe owner. There is also a hint of an intriguing back story of Liam’s past that (so far), we know nothing about. Annie is also moving forward with starting a private detective agency, and taking over the bookstore, along with a partner.

I always enjoy returning to the charming town of Redwood Grove and trying to solve the murder mystery, along with Annie. However, I really appreciate that some of the ongoing plot lines are moving forward.

Thank you netgalley and Storm Publishing for this arc.
Book 4 in Redwood Grove with Annie and the gang. This time it is Christmas and the Secret Bookcase is hosting a gingerbread competition with an influencer. When Annie once again finds a dead body, will they solve the case and not ruin the holidays?

I am really enjoying this series of cozy mysteries. It is fun to get to keep following along and learning more about the characters. I did find that this one started a little slower than the last 3 with more of a recapping of who people are and what has happened, but given it's book 4 I guess that makes sense. I'm glad we are getting deeper into the Scarlett subplot, really looking forward to Annie eventually getting justice for her.

These just feel like a Hallmark murder and mystery series in the making to me. Can't wait for book 5!

This is another wonderful read in this new series by Ellie Alexander. Annie is going all out to celebrate the holidays in the bookstore by hosting a gingerbread house contest being sponsored by a new local bakery owner and a famous baking influencer. The influencer and bakery owner display amazing concoctions they have made, and over 90 locals have houses to be entered in the judging. With the glorious decorations, samples by local student bakers, and holiday carolers, the atmosphere is wonderful until Annie comes across the social influencer, passed out on the floor and though she tries, fails to resuscitate her. Was it a heart attack or something more sinister? Did the influencer have enemies? Who is missing the holiday spirit? While Annie deals with this, she is also dealing with questions about her professional future, her relationship with Liam and her upcoming meeting with the man who maybe able to shed some light on what happened to her friend Scarlet. Annie and friends are straight out in this holiday page turner. Perfect holiday cozy read. Thank you to #Netgally, #StormPublishing, and the author for the opportunity to read. #AHolidayHomicide #EllieAlexander #ASecretBookcaseMystery #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

This is the 4th book in the series. You could read it as a stand alone, but would miss a good bit of the backstory.
It's almost Christmas and The Secret Bookcase is hosting a Gingerbread competition. Annie Murray and her boss Hal Christie and co-worker Fletcher are excited to have the event in their store. Influencer Lily Hawthorne is livestreaming with her assistant, Becca. There are lots of creative gingerbread constructions from Kindergarteners to seniors. Just as the event gets underway, Lily "accidently" smashes the very detailed gingerbread replica of Redwood Grove by local baker, Sugar Lester. Then, Shane Briggs, labeled a stalker by Becca, gives an expensive pen to Lily. And Kari Harris wants Lily to sign a contract with Queen Mary Flour and is showing up at events.
It should surprise no that Lily is found dead at the event. Becca thinks it is Lily's heart condition, but the police suspect poison.
Annie has another crime on her mind; the ten year old murder of her best friend and fellow criminalist student, Scarlett. She hopes she will finally get some answers when Mark, an employee at the company where Scarlett was investigating.
As Annie and her friends sift through the clues and her relationship with pub owner Liam Donovan deepens, danger lurks but is it from the past or present?
It is always a pleasure to visit Redwood Grove and see how old and new relationships grow and change. As an amateur baker, I enjoyed the descriptions of the gingerbread creations. I also would really like to visit The Secret Bookcase and explore the different rooms while sipping a cup of tea. The book draws you into the little town and makes you want to visit it in the real world.
I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

Though I enjoyed the whole book as a whole, the story was so heavily based on social media presence that it bordered on overbearing.

The writing of the book flows easily, but has a lot of details regarding the competition, which I personally feel could have been avoided. Also the background story of Scarlett feels way too old though I am glad there was finally progress.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Christmas is coming, and local bookstore worker Annie Murray is both excited and thrilled to be helping host a gingerbread baking competition at the Secret Bookcase in Redwood Grove. Local baker Sugar has arranged for a very popular influencer to attend, which pretty much guarantees the success of the festive event.

The discovery of a body in the bookstore changes everything, and Annie soon finds herself looking for clues rather than picking her favourite gingerbread house! At the same time she has major decisions to make regarding her future with two job offers, a new and exciting relationship to enjoy, and the chance to finally gain further information regarding the death of her best friend a decade earlier. With so much happening, Annie is glad to have her friends around to help, but with danger stalking her every move, will anyone be able to save her?

Book four in Ellie Alexander's Secret Bookcase Mystery Series seems to be a pivotal instalment. Added to the murder investigation are job offers, new clues in an old case, and the prospect of a romantic Christmas after too many festive seasons alone. Even with all this going on, there is no confusion, and everything fits together seamlessly. I like Annie, Pri, Liam, and all the main protagonists, and the scenes in the bookshop are always a joy to read. Book five is released just in time for Valentine's Day, and I can't wait to see what will happen next with the intertwining storylines.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a great book but has a few spoilers, so I would recommend reading these in order. Recommended. 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.

A Secret Bookcase Mystery is quickly becoming a must read series for me. I can’t wait to get my hands on the books when they come out! I devour them in a day. It would be sooner, but life just gets in the way. 😉
There are many twists to this book and that doesn’t include the mystery at hand!
What will Annie do, follow her dreams of the past and work as a criminal detective or buy the bookshop? What is the latest in solving her best friend’s murder? How is her relationship going? So many updates in this book and so many teasers about what is going to happen next!

There is a gingerbread house contest at the bookstore which brings in an influencer baking celebrity to town, but she doesn’t leave town. Now it’s up to Annie and her gain to solve the whodunit.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own

I like this series a lot. You can start at the beginning of jump straight in as it can be read as a stand-alone (although I always prefer to read the entire series).
Once again, we are following Annie. I enjoy her development throughout the series. The cast of side characters is enjoyable and I just love it. Her relationship with Liam is one of the subplots that will give you that warm cozy feeling. The backdrop of the festive bookshop, gardens, and gingerbread contest gives this murder mystery a cozy holiday vibe. I enjoyed the plotting and how the story moved forward, keeping me turning the pages.
I definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy murder mysteries.

When an Instagram-famous baker comes to town to judge the Gingerbread House contest at the Secret Bookcase, she is murdered. Annie uses her investigative background to get to the bottom of the mystery. Fun to see Annie's relationship with Liam blossom. A fun cozy mystery for the holiday season.

A Holiday Homicide is book four of A Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. This is my first book by Alexander. It’s a perfect cozy holiday read. It has all the right touches to bring Christmas mystery right to your doorstep. This is a great book to take a break with and settle in with a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket. It’s set in a fictional small town bookstore in Redwood Grove, CA. The description of the bookstore alone, made me wish it were real and in my hometown.

The mystery revolves around a baking influencer Lily Hawthorne, who’s come to town to judge the gingerbread house contest at the bookstore. She was invited by the local baker appropriately named Sugar, who’s hoping she might bring some attention to her bakery as well as the bookstore. But all is not sugar and spice and everything nice. So murder is not far off. And Annie (the lead character in this series) who works in the bookstore and is trained in criminology, is trying to get to the bottom of who the murderer is and if it is connected to one of her friends.

There’s an another murder running as an undercurrent through this book that seems to be continued from previous books and leaves us with a cliffhanger, after teasing us with new information.

This was enjoyable and light. I’d been wanting to read an Ellie Alexander book and this was a good place to begin. Although I’d recommend starting at the first in the series to enjoy it even more. Ms. Alexander does a good job of filling in the blanks if you haven’t read prior books. But as it’s only book four, might as well work your way through. There’s a nice cast of supporting characters and you’ll feel right at home.
#AHolidayHomicide #netgalley