I have mixed feelings about this book. While it contained an interesting plot, and was certainly unique in many ways, it dragged at times.

I enjoyed the thought that unpublished works by authors from the past are being held in a safe location because they contained information and thoughts that were better left unpublished at one time or another. Secret rooms and even more secretive organizations add to the appeal, but with all that, it still felt a bit flat. The writing style feels like something that came from the past.

All in all, it was a good story, but it could have used a bit more action and excitement. It also didn’t contain graphic sex, but it was apparent from the wording what two of the characters were going to do. Is it just me, or do others turn to these cozy mysteries because they want a good, clean story? Please don’t add sex to these books. We can find it in abundance every where else.

This series by Ms. Adams has become one that I avidly look forward to reading.

Although this was not my favorite book in the series, I still felt that the mystery was solid and well-written. The characters are like old friends that you just want to have dinner. I love Storyton Hall and so wish that one could actually book a visit!

I'm looking forward to seeing how the series progresses from this book.

Another mystery at Storyton Hall - best one yet! Jane Steward the guardian of the secret library decides that she needs to find her lover, Edwin, by visiting the Biltmore estate in NC. Clues have led her to believe that Edwin is being held there. Taking only one Fin with her, they are able to locate Edwin, but they are caught trying to free him. The Templars are Edwin's captors and they are willing to realize him but for a price. Will Jane be willing to pay that price?

Having visited the Biltmore estate, I could very well believe all the twists and turns that occurred in this mystery related to this huge estate. But the best part is when they return to Storyton Hall and how Jane's past collides with her future.

I received a free copy of MURDER IN THE READING ROOM (Book 5 of the Book Retreat Mysteries) by Ellery Adams in exchange for an honest review. Jane Steward has figured out where she can find her kidnapped boyfriend Edwin. When the rescue doesn’t go as planned, the secrets hidden at Storyton Hall become endangered. A nasty and evil man from a rival organization brings chaos, misery, and death with him to the History Book Retreat. In comparison to human life, how important are the secrets of Storyton Hall?

I enjoyed both this book and this series. This novel was a lot darker than the prior stories in this series. Jane makes more than one huge decision at the end of the book, which makes me wonder if this is the conclusion or if things will progress on a different track. I recommend both this book and this series.

#MurderInTheReadingRoom #NetGalley

I always find myself wishing that Storyton Hall (which is the setting for these books) was a real place that I could visit. This book picks up right where Murder in the Locked Library finished and once again stars Jane Steward and the Fins. Jane attends a hotel manager conference, at The Biltmore. It is the perfect cover for her to search for the man she loves. He has been kidnapped by the Templar's and she figures they are holding him someone on it's grounds. This book has an expected plot twist and a WWII reenactment turned deadly gives Jane a second mystery to solve. She will uncover the truth and save Storyton Hall and I enjoyed going along for the ride from the safety of my recliner!

Edwin is missing, and Jane is certain she knows where he is, she just doesn't know who has taken him. Attending a conference on luxury hotel management is an excuse to get her on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate, where she hopes to get a chance to poke around looking for where he might be hidden. When she finds him, though, his captor throws a monkey wrench not only into Jane's plans for the future, but into her past as well, and she faces one of the toughest decisions of her life.

This is the fifth book of this series, and I have grown to like the series more with each installment. The characters are like old friends to me, and I would love to attend a book retreat at Storyton Hall. What lover of books could pass up an opportunity like that? Actually, I would love to live in the area, attend book group meetings with the Cover Girls and get to know the other residents of the town. The mystery in this book didn't seem as important to the story as in previous books, but instead, the plot was more focused on several serious decisions that Jane had to make and how her life would be affected by those changes. The book almost feels like it's wrapping up the series, but I hope it's not, as I would love to read more about Jane, Uncle Aloysius, Aunt Octavia and the rest.

Picking up right where Murder in the Locked Library ended, readers are thrown into a new story featuring Jane Steward and the Fins. While attending a hotel manager conference, Jane must follow clues and search for the man she loves. After an expected plot twist and a WWII reenactment turned deadly, Jane has a second mystery to solve. Will she uncover the truth and save Storyton Hall, or will her literary secrets be her undoing? Perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Kate Carlisle.

Everything about this book is magical. The settings, the history, the characters. Such an easy book to get lost in. The characters and story are so intertwined, nothing feels out of place or as filler. This author just continues to write phenomenal stories again and again.

The excitement picked up right where it left off in the last in Ellery Adam's A Book Retreat Mystery series as Jane is on a quest to rescue Edwin. This series is so intriguing and quirky, I just love it. Revelations were literally shocking, and so many questions were answered. I have only one problem with 'Murder in the Reading Room'. It felt like a final book in the series. I hope not. I really like visiting that world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions express in this review are entirely my own.

Another great entry in the “Book Retreat” series, the Biltmore Mansion features prominently in the storyline. The interesting plot, believable characters drive the book’s momentum.
Do read Murder in Locked Room first because this book continues the mystery begun in the 4th book in the series.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced digital copy.

It's rare that I give a 5 star review for a cozy mystery as they are good stories, but not typically going to make my all time greatest books ever list...however...in this book there are several amazing twists that are revealed in a unique and intriguing manner that warrant a 5 star rating! While I have loved this entire series, this is so far my favorite book. I certainly hope the author will grant us with another book in the series, but if not this one was an amazing one to end on. Please, please hope that it isn't the end of the series though. For best enjoyment of the series, you should really start with the first book and work your way forward so you can really get to know the characters and I think you will agree that this one is an exceptional entry into the series. There is so much to love about this book, but I don't want to give away any spoilers so I'll just say, you should read it!

I love books about books, libraries, etc. so have been devouring this series since it started. I am a fan of Ellery Adams and have read her previous series, so knew I would like this one. I had the chance to get an ARC from NetGalley so jumped at the chance to read another installment in the series. Storyton Hall, Virginia, is a paradise for book lovers who come from all over for literary getaways, and in this installment a history group gathers for a conference and battle reenactment.. But manager Jane Steward is temporarily leaving for another renowned resort. Jane’s boyfriend is missing, and she thinks she may find him at North Carolina’s historic Biltmore Estate. Officially, she’s there to learn about luxury hotel management, but she’s also prowling around the breathtaking buildings and grounds looking for secret passageways and clues. A staff gardener tells her he can help, but before he can, he is found dead in the reading room of his small cottage. Jane locates the kidnapped Edwin, but his captor insists that she lead him back to Storyton Hall, convinced that it houses Ernest Hemingway’s lost suitcase, stolen from a Paris train station in 1922. Before they leave Biltmore, the kidnapper reveals a secret to Jane that sends her reeling. Back at Storyton Hall, the conference goes on as well as the reenactment, with a surprising result of another death. She has to make a decision in her personal life as well as try and solve two murders. This series is so well written and always has unexpected surprises in the plot.

I have always enjoyed this ridiculously fanciful series. It's full of family, close friendships, books, and murder. Perfect. It's never believable, though I found this one even LESS believable than the other entries, mostly because of the unconvincing change of heart of one of the criminals from Storyton Village at the end of the story. Still, it was a very enjoyable read and a lovely escape. If I could visit Storyton Hall, I would--in a heartbeat.

I'm assuming this is the last in the series...maybe? It seemed to be heading that way, though there are just enough loose ends that I'm uncertain. If it is, it has been been lovely spending time with you, Jane!

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

Ellery Adams fabricates a complex thriller so compelling it’s difficult to put down. This suspense driven mystery combines secret libraries, long hidden lost manuscripts, conspiracies involving the Templars, kidnapping and murder.

Traveling to the Biltmore Estate with Landon Lachlan, Jane Steward is searching for Edwin Alcott, a Knights Templar agent and her lover, who is missing. Since clues lead them to the legendary estate in Asheville, NC, she attends the Luxury Lodging Symposium as a cover to check out the house with 250 rooms and an unknown number of hidden passages and rooms.

Jane and Landon visit Gerald Tucker, Biltmore’s head gardener, to pump him for information about the estate and Ramsey Parrish, the Biltmore manager drops by to see Tucker. That evening, Jane and Landon locate Edwin locked away and find themselves confronting Parrish who demands access to the Storyton Hall secret library in return for freeing Edwin. Complicating that demand is the fact that Parrish also claims William Steward, Jane’s late husband, is not dead but alive at the Biltmore, under his care. Thus, the fifth adventure in the Book Retreat Mystery series begins, followed by engaging subplots artfully woven into a well-paced narrative.

An accomplished storyteller, Ms. Adams continues to keep readers intrigued. The twists unique, the characters skillfully and fully developed, and the unexpected ending presents an interesting opportunity for exploration.

Another wonderful cozy mystery from Adams. This one picks up right where Book 4 left off, so I would not recommend picking this up without having at least read the previous in the series.

This story continues with the cliffhanger from book 4 and introduces World War 1 re-enactment, Lost Generation mysteries, and of course, lots of lovely quotes from authors of all types. Books and books are always fun, and a mystery that includes secret libraries is perfect for fans of literature.

I received an ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Ellery Adams, Book Retreat Mysteries are a wonderful series. If you love mysteries and enjoy a little fit of fun these are perfect for you. Jane Steward is back for mystery number 5. I have to say these have gone fast. I look forward to a new one now.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the E-arc copy.

Murder in the Reading Room is the fifth book in Ellery Adams’ Book Retreat Mysteries. The plot moves quickly, and the well-developed characters and complex mystery kept me turning the pages.

Jane Steward is the guardian of Storyton Hall, a resort in Virginia, which draws book lovers from all over the world to read and enjoy time in the hotel’s book-themed rooms. In this installment, Jane is tasked with rescuing her boyfriend, Edwin, who has been missing for almost two months. She’s convinced Edwin’s being held captive at Biltmore Estate most likely by those responsible for the recent kidnapping of her twin sons, Fitzgerald and Hemingway, but fears the outcome won’t be as successful. Landon Lachlan, one of the Fins tasked with protecting the members of the Steward family, accompanies Jane to the Biltmore under the guise of being an attendee of the Luxury Lodging Symposium being held there. Jane and Landon are able to locate Edwin, but Ramsey Parrish, his captor, arrives before they can rescue him and puts a stiff restriction on his release. In the process of negotiating Edwin’s release, Jane receives some shocking news. When they find the body of Gerald Tucker, the Biltmore’s gardener, in his cottage, Jane suspects he was murdered and that he died because he befriended them. Upon their return to Storyton Hall, Jane helps with the final preparations for hosting a group of historians who have been touring the United States celebrating the centennial of World War One and learning everything she can about the attendees. She enlists the Cover Girls, her beloved book club friends, to help keep an eye on things and report any shady or odd behavior. Sadly, a casualty occurs during the reenactment of the Great War.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I appreciate the opportunity from NetGalley and the publisher to read an advance copy of Murder in the Reading Room in exchange for my honest review.

Loving the world of Storyton Hall as much as I do, I didn't think anything could improve upon it--until I started this book and found that Jane makes a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. One of my favorite fictional locales meets one of my favorite real-world locales!

Is Biltmore a secret Templar lair where Edwin is being held against his will? Can Jane and Lachlan rescue Edwin and keep the secrets of Storyton Hall and the Steward family safe? This action-packed story won't disappoint!

I received an advance ebook copy of this work from NetGalley.

I did not know when I requested the book for review that it was number five in a five-book series. Not having read the earlier books, I found it rather confusing trying to work my way through the present story when I was missing all the backstory, previous events in the characters' lives, rivalries, baggage, secondary characters and their functions, secret societies, hidden treasures, and on and on. And quite frankly this book did not hold my interest sufficiently to send me back to read the other four.

I have read an earlier series by this author, the Books by the Bay Mysteries, and enjoyed them. But I don't think I will be adding this series to my list of keepers.

I also found some of the dialogue unconvincing, i.e. not the way real people actually talk. I mean, who actually would say this in a casual conversation with friends? "No matter what, you're bound to leave the spa feeling rejuvenated. We're offering a line of organic skincare for purchase, and our guests can relax between services near a large wall fountain. They can read in a comfy robe while sipping citrus-infused water. Tammy suggested we have a smoothie bar, but I don't want people to be subjected to the whine of a commercial blender. I want them to feel absolute peace."

Really? Sounds more like an advertising brochure. I was surprised that I found dialogue like this all throughout the book, since this author is an experienced writer, and I don't remember seeing dialogue problems in the earlier series that I read.

Other reviewers enjoyed this book far more than I did, so it is clear that mileage varies widely. As a book lover, I would have enjoyed the literary-themed setting of the story far more had it not been surrounded by the issues described above.

Thank you to NetGalley and author for the opportunity to read Murder in the Reading Room in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I loved it.
This book is an elevated cozy mystery full of literary quotes, facts and history about several authors, as well as an outstanding list of book titles. My TBR list just got longer!
This book is number five in the Reading retreat series by Ellery Adam's. While it's helpful to have some background knowledge of these characters, it is not essential. The author weaves past events into her narrative so that you will not feel lost.
Several reviews have mentioned that big changes at the end of this book may indicate the end of the series. I sure hope that Storyton Hall will emerge from these changes with continued adventures for bibliophiles.