A Holiday Homicide (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #4), by

 

Publication Nov. 20, 2024

This has quickly become a favorite series. The author does an excellent job catching you up on what's gone before in just the first chapter with snippets throughout. I honestly didn't much like Annie in the first book but as more of her past was revealed, it became understandable why she acted as she did and, hey, she has improved as the series has gone along. I'm still not quite sure she has the inner core makings of a true investigator but she's definitely got the skills. 

To cut to the chase, this is really two mysteries in one. One that haunts Annie, the other currently. Even worse, in the bookstore where she works with Fletcher and Hal. A celebrity baker drops dead during the big reveal of community made gingerbread houses. Young and healthy. Why? Who'd kill her? As it turns out, more than a few. Quite frankly, I found myself more interested in the old, cold case. Maybe because it mattered so much to Annie or that the victim sounds like a much more likable person than the current one. I definitely wasn't expecting the huge reveal on the cold case near the end, that's for sure. Nor was Annie, quite frankly. It'll be fascinating to see how Annie, with the help of her former criminology professor, now town detective, and friends processes all she is finding out. Pri has her back but it was great to see the relationship between Annie and Liam Donovan getting stronger every book. As for the current case, I had an inkling (I read too many cozies) of whodunit but honestly wasn't sure until the final reveal, just not how it was done. Still thoroughly enoyed the relationships between the characters and seeing Annie's growth as both a human being and amateur sleuth. Her ties to the bookshop are strong, though, so it's a struggle between past plans and her current situation.

Bottom line, as usual, Ellie Alexander has given us a delightful, bewildering, multi-layer mystery to ponder. The characters are people we could all know and mostly like. The setting is a delight and, oh, my, the descriptions of those gingerbread creations was enough to give me a yen for gingerbread. So, kudos to the author. She not only kept my mind whirling as I read but made me hungry for something I normally wouldn't be craving. Thanks #StormPublishing for allowing me this early peek into life with Annie and all those who make the Secret Bookcase shop so memorable. It left me craving the next book, too!

Death at the Dinner Party (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #3), by Ellie Alexander

 Publication Sept. 30, 2024

Absolutely love this series. It's been a delight to watch Annie's growth as a sleuth while getting to know her and the side characters better. Liam Donovan is definitely a keeper...at least if Annie doesn't give him a heart attack with some of the situations she finds herself in. I also love best friend Pri(ya) Kapoor, whose sense of humor seems to shine through even during some seriously tense situations. I'm so glad she and Double Americano, her original nickname for now romantic partner Penny Shurr, have found each other, too. 

Even though it didn't go according to the script Annie had penned, I loved the vibe of the Clue styled dinner party. The addition of a torrential rain with lightning storm, not to mention the power outage and flickering lights and candles in the rumored cursed Wentworth farm, the setting of the crime, was perfect. It didn't hurt that chef Liam was on hand to distract Annie from only thoughts of murder, either.

Of course, the real murder quickly is on everyone's mind. One of Ophelia's acting troupe, Jeff, is a suspect. But, why would he have killed Curtis Wright? It soon becomes apparent that Jeff isn't the only one on the suspect list. Nope, not going to detail the plot, that's what blurbs are for, but will say it includes not just thunder and lightning but mysterious footprints, locked doors, hidden treasure, hidden passageways, spiders, condescending males, missing items, money worries, bookish references, and, well, lots more explosive events, including romance. It's interesting being inside Annie's head as she pulls up bits of crime solving tidbits, such as don't act on impulse. Needless to say, Annie doesn't always follow her own (and Dr. Caldwell's) advice. Impulsive, thou name is Annie.

Bottom line. loving this relatively young series and thoroughly enjoyed this episode, even if I did fret about Pri's status briefly as Annie is caught up in her knight in shining armor's actions once again. Author Alexander is also top-notch at not just giving us well fleshed out characters that are interesting in their own right but describing the town of Redwood Grove and the buildings involved themselves. It sounds like a delightful place and I'm looking forward to more time with bookshop owner Hall Christie and Annie's coworker Fletcher, too. Thanks #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for allowing me an early entry into Annie's world. It's definitely never a dull one.

Sticks and Scones (A Bakeshop Mystery, #19), by Ellie Alexander

 

Publication August 20, 2024

As usual, I feel compelled to tell you to stock up on tasty treats before you read. The descriptions of food and food preparation, not to mention the recipes at the end, will have you ready to savor something delectable. Even better, you'll be able to pick up lots of tricks to use when preparing such recipes yourself. Kneading bread seems to be soothing for main character Jules/Juliet Montague Capshaw and she needs all the stress relief she can get right now. The last thing she needed was another murder but, hey, it wouldn't be another Bakeshop Mystery without a murder, right?

As the book opens, Jules and her amazing crew are preparing to cater opening night of the opening of Lance's theater production of "Taming of a Shrew". Long time readers can already guess that Lance has added a few twists of his own to the show, adding some extra spice. Then, oops, his leading actor, after a wonderfully received opening show, is found dead. By Jules, no less, and the investigation is on. Jimmy Paxton seemed to be more disliked by his fellow cast members than appreciated, so there is a cast full of suspects. Jules isn't quite on top of her sleuthing game right now but doesn't let that stop her. I won't detail the plot much further but will note that the suspect list seems to keep growing, not dwindling. Who killed Jimmy and dumped him in the wine cellar? What did Sophie see in Jimmy? What was the costume lady up to? Will the understudy make it there on time to take the stage? Hmm, could he somehow be involved? Why does it seem like everyone is pointing the finger at someone else? Why are so many seemingly feeling guilt? And, yikes, what bad news does one of Jules' crew members have to share? Who is....oh, more than enough teasers and I haven't really even gotten to the side-stories! 

Bottom line, another winner from Ellie Alexander. This series is a favorite although I have to admit her latest bookshop one is moving up the list. The characters here are fully fleshed out, with both strengths and weaknesses, and are people I'd love to know in real life. It's been fun to watch these characters grow. Even though I'm not much of a wine drinker, I wouldn't mind spending some time hanging out with Carlos at the winery, either. He shows both courage and good thinking this go-round, btw. Ashland, OR, sounds absolutely dream worthy, too, with everything blooming, wildlife about, and natural aromas to give the aromas drifting from Jules' bakery some competition. The plot flows naturally, with side stories and background info shared naturally, making this a solid stand-alone for new readers. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me this sneak peak at Lance's new project and the chance to catch up on Jules' life, which just seems to get busier and busier and more complicated every book. Love that big teaser at the end. Can't wait to pop back into Torte and catch up with the changes and, of course, sneak a few scones.  

A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #2), by Ellie Alexander

 Publication June 19, 2024

Ellie Alexander has done it again. Hooked me on another of her series. While I wasn't quite sure about Annie Murray when I began the first book, by the end of this second one I found myself genuinely liking her and the cast of regulars. We find out more about Annie's demons, so to speak, in this installment, why she didn't pursue a career in criminology, not to mention a very personal connection to her past. Pri, who emerged as Annie's closest female friend last book has her story fleshed out, too, though we don't learn too much more about the irritating but maddeningly attractive to Annie that is Liam Donovan. Maybe next book? I genuinely liked him as well as Hal, the owner of the bookshop that employs both Annie and Fletcher, the Sherlock Holmes buff, too. 

As for the murder, well, there didn't seem to be many who grieved the death of arrogant movie critic Martin. On the other hand, the list of suspects for his shocking murder was long. The Hollywood contingent there for the premiere of their supposedly Hitchcock inspired movie all seem to have reasons to want him dead, some of them even voicing them. Annie tries to be the polite, efficient organizer of the event that she was but, well, her background in criminology pretty much guarantees she is driven to ask questions and try to make sense of it all, all the while encouraged by Detective Caldwell. As we learned last book, Caldwell was Annie's much respected criminology professor in college and Annie still calls her Dr. Caldwell, not detective. She's dangling a tempting opportunity in front of Annie. Will Annie leave the Secret Bookcase to accept it? To be honest, I suspect  there's a workable compromise in there because, quite frankly, I not only like Annie's bookish self and this is the Secret Bookshelf series, but she seems, while highly competent as an investigator, to still be fragile from events in her past. I must admit, that's it's interesting to get a professorial look at the art of criminology, which Caldwell, ever the professor provides.

Bottom line, I am thoroughly enjoying this new series. Annie is sometimes a mess but, hey, aren't we all, and the circle of friends she's gathered is equally likable. As noted, I want to know more of Liam's back story, though seeing Pri's character being fleshed out was fun. Redwood Grove seems to be a lovely place, one we all wish we could visit in real life, and I'm curious to see where that vital clue that pops up at the end takes us next. It definitely got Annie's attention, that's for sure. Thanks #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for allowing me to continue to get to know Annie, Liam, Pri, and the town of Redwood Grove. I am looking forward with anticipation to my next visit.