Rants, Raves, and Thoughts

I had to force myself to put down Middlegame to read this book, as it's release date was sooner. After reading The Hummingbird Dagger and some of Locke and Key, I was in a mix of book hangover and dreading anything that wasn't exactly what I wanted to read. 

Thus, the first few chapters of Prologue to Murder I definitely did not give enough of a fair chance. It is definitely more overt about the cozy mystery tropes it uses, which after reading April Fools, I was quick to roll my eyes at. Addie is clumsy, she's dating the chief of police, she's a bit of an outsider but definitely comes from old money that relates to the town... it is definitely a recipe for a boring cozy mystery book. However, Elliott proved to me quickly that I was being too hard on the book and that she definitely has everything under control. 

This book has a little bit of everything I enjoy with cozy mysteries: a little bit of town history repeating itself, not one but TWO love triangle potentials, backstabbing drama, a death, and a cozy reader. It also does somethings I'm not used to, but greatly appreciated. Usually the "detective" of the story is getting in the way of the local law enforcement, and the reader of the story has to suspend belief that she isn't ruining all the evidence or causing so much liability for the police. This book solved that quickly by having the commissioner ask for Addie to be a consultant for the case. Perfecto! My anxiety level drops a bit. 

I also really like the way the love triangles are handled in this book. Addie might be dating Marc - who knows! But it gets even more complicated when his ex-fiance Lacey shows back up in town. Lacey, who is California gorgeous and definitely out to get Marc back. And, after a weird interaction between Addie and Marc, Lacey might be actually winning. Lucky for Addie, new guy Simon is in town, and also seems to enjoy solving mysteries! 

Final Moments

If you like cozy mysteries, especially ones that have pirate histories, family drama that goes back for decades, and seems to have both tropes of cozy mysteries but also something new for a long time fan, then check out Lauren Elliott's series. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I really liked this book! Dialogue and action improved the momentum, and plenty of clues kept me guessing until the very end. Author Lauren Elliott does a great job of keeping the reader's attention with the right pacing and flow.
Although "Prologue to Murder" is the second book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, it can be read alone. The author does a good job at providing adequate backstory so readers sufficiently understand the past. However, I would recommend reading this series in order mostly because this book is so good!
I only give it four stars instead of five because there are quite a few characters to keep track of which became confusing toward the end. Otherwise, it would have earned a five-star rating!

I adore this series. it has quickly become one of my favorite new cozy series. This is the 2nd in series . I do recommend the first in series and highly recommend this next in series. The series is fun, has a lot of humor, a great sleuth and fun supporting characters.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for the advanced copy. My review is my own opinion.
Addie Greyborne is a former researcher for Boston Public Library. That was the life she was comfortable with and now as a new resident for Greyborne Harbor she is a fish out of water. The locals do not want her there and in the first book did all they could to drive her out and close her business . What they did not count on is that Addie is a tough businesswoman and is determined to make a go of her new business, a bookstore. She has inherited the family mansion and is setting up her new home and business determined to make a life in her new town, In the last book I found myself rooting for her as she faced many challenges many of which are a result of her families history. She also solved a murder and is a victim of gossip and innuendo.

Now a new gossip columnist who has just been hired by the local paper is targeted Addie . That is harming her business and making her life difficult. Her business is down and she is worried she may have to close the store. Unknown to her the columnist is a former girlfriend of the Chief of Police who is now interested in Addie. As the tension grows Addie and the Chief part ways and Addie becomes interested in a local Doctor . He is charming and soon the Chief and Addie seem to have a non repairable relationship in the midst of a murder and her harassment by the townspeople that keep the three of them in constant contact. This leads for some snappy repartee and hurt feelings on all sides.

When the former librarian has been found dead rumors abound that Addie committed the murder . Now she faces increased scrutiny. As Addie investigates she finds a link between the research the dead woman was doing on Pirate lore in their area and even Addie's family. She soon discovers further information as to why the townspeople do not want her there and why their is a hundred year old feud between warring families. As she investigates someone is trying to kill her and soon she finds clues abound within the pirate legends of the area and her family as the two intertwine into her solving the murder with the help of the handsome doctor and her true love,, the Chief of Police.

This has a wonderfully well crafted sleuth that kept me guessing. I love how tough Addie is and that she does not let anyone get in her way. She is standoffish because she is fighting for her right to run her business in peace . Her home has been burglarized and vandalized yet she keeps the faith that no one will stop her from living her life. She is braver then most protagonist and I love that her personality calls out people and does not suffer fools. She has proven in the first book and this one to be a savvy smart investigator . I hope she is more well liked in the next books as she truly loves her town but is so disliked that her business and her home life suffer. She is likable. and a protagonist that I enjoy following in this series. Very well done to the author and I look forward to the next in series.

This is book 2 in Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. It works well as a standalone; This is the first book I read, and I didn’t have any problems following the story as well as getting to know the characters.

The main character, Addie Greyborne, is very likeable; although her reactions are a bit over the top at times, and she could use a bit of work on her communication, especially where the chief of police, her almost boyfriend, Marcus, is concerned. These little details make her very human, and I like that the author doesn’t present someone who is perfect. Lauren has added some people that I disliked to her book: at the top of that list is Lacey, who prances around town stirring up trouble, trying to get her claws into Marcus, destroy Addie’s business and get everyone that Addie cares about on team Lacey.

Addie, Marcus and a new male character work to solve who the mystery of who killed the librarian. There were some unexpected twists, but the mystery was neatly wrapped up by the end of the book. The bookstore setting is also a nice touch, so this is up there as a great choice for anyone who loves bookstores and cozy mysteries. I am looking forward to the next addition to this series.

In the much-anticipated second novel in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, this reader is delighted to find it is every bit as exciting as the first. The characters are equally as endearing and well-defined, and the mystery is multifaceted. The history of this New England coastal area is interesting; I forget the years of pirates up and down the eastern seaboard!

Addie Greyborne inherited the family home in Greyborne Harbor from her great aunt Anita when she died. She left her job in research at the Boston Public library to move to the town founded by one of her ancestors. She opened Beyond the Page Bookstore, stocking some of the old or rare books from her aunt’s vast collection as well as current titles.

The Founder’s Day festival approaches, and the most popular book about the history of Greyborne Harbor was published about two years earlier. It has been a local bestseller since then, written by Greyborne Harbor’s own June Winslow, the librarian in town. June has very recently gone missing without any clues.

Addie, still considered a newcomer, has been on the radar of Miss Newsy, the gossip columnist at the local newspaper. It’s bad enough that nosy Newsy is accusing Addie of possibly knowing much more about the librarian’s disappearance than she would admit to for ludicrous reasons. When June is found dead, possibly murdered, Miss Newsy gets worse, doing everything short of accusing Addie of murder.

Addie meets a woman returning to town who says her mother is dying. Addie learns that Lacey had a special relationship with the two people she is closest to – Marc, the chief of police, and Serena, his sister and owner of SerenaTea next door to Addie’s shop. Addie has been dating Marc and Serena is her best friend since she moved into the Greyborne property. Lacey monopolizes Serena’s time, claims to be helping her at the Tea shop, and demands private conversations with Marc. She was once engaged to Marc, and Serena now thinks they should be back together – and could Addie think about it and see her way to let Marc go as obviously he and Lacey were meant to be?

Addie meets the new guy in town, Simon Emerson, who is a part-time trauma surgeon at the local emergency department and part-time forensic pathologist. He is enamored of Addie, and when the slip of a tongue separates Addie and Marc, Simon is happy to throw his hat in the ring for her. Addie enjoys solving mysteries. When she comes up with an unusual solution to June’s murder, Simon is willing to help her out, even as Marc appears jealous when seeing them together.

This fast-paced mystery is exciting and fascinating, especially since I couldn’t figure out whodunit. Addie and Marc have worked together well in the past to discover who the bad guy is, and she misses him terribly, so her consulting to the tiny local PD along with Simon is uncomfortable. I was very surprised to learn who the bad guys are and why! This exciting novel closes with all loose ends tied up, leaving me looking forward to the next one in the series. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries that are hard to solve, and include bookstores or libraries.

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Prologue To Murder is the second instalment in the "Beyond The Page Bookstore Mystery" series by Lauren Elliott. It's a great fast paced, fun mystery!

After a career working with rare books at the Boston Public Library, Addie Greyborne is back in her seaside New England hometown—where unfortunately, murder is not so rare . . .

Gossip columnists love a bold-faced name—but “Miss Newsy” at Greyborne Harbor’s local paper seems to specialize in bald-faced lies. She’s pointed a finger of suspicion at Addie after librarian June Winslow never makes it home from a book club meeting. And when June’s found at the bottom of a steep flight of stairs, Addie’s not only dealing with a busybody, but a dead body.

It’s a good thing the guy she’s dating is the police chief. But both the case and her love life get more complicated when a lanky blonde reporter from Los Angeles shows up. She’s trying her hardest to drive a wedge between the couple . . . as if Addie doesn’t have enough problems dealing with angry townspeople. Despite all the rumors, Addie doesn’t know a thing about the murder—but she plans to find out. And the key may lie in a book about pirate legends that June published. Now she just has to hunt down the clues before she becomes a buried treasure herself . . .

I am really enjoying this instalment to the series, some people are saying they don't like Addie but I like her and think she is a good protagonist.
She seems real, we all say things we don't mean too as well as do stupid things (maybe I could just relate to her ). The story was well paved and drew me in right away I think I read over half the first night and finished it today. There were just enough red herrings and twists to keep me intrigued , overall I think this is a great story and recommend to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

I am looking forward to the next book, Murder In The First Edition, due in September

**I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.**

Loved it! A delightfully fast-paced page-turner cozy mystery. The history of the town and pirates was interesting. The romantic issues provided a fun punch to the tale. I am eager to read the next one.

Founder's Day is coming to Greybourne Harbor, a seaside town along the Massachusetts coast that was home to both mercantile sea captains and pirates before the American Revolution. Addie Greybourne, a many times removed descendant of of the original founding family is looking forward to this day. That is, until her best friend Serena shows her a nasty item in a gossip column which implies that Addie is behind the disappearance of the local librarian, June Winslow. Addie is still a newcomer to Greybourne Harbor. What could she have done to cause such ugly behavior ?

She does have allies. Serena Chandler and her brother Marc, long time residents are friends. Marc, the Chief of Police, is occupying more and more time in Addie's thoughts. The still vulnerable young widow, increasing feelings of affection become confused when Simon, the new Medical Examiner and ER doctor, also shows an interest in her. The romantic rivalry is compounded by the discovery of June Winslow's body. Now the stakes are much higher for Addie as the gossip columnist, Ms. Newsy basically accuses her of murder.

Addie also has adversaries, There is Martha, introduced in book 1, who still tries to cause trouble for Addie and her shop assistant, Lacey, a former newscaster from Los Angeles, is determined to rekindle her romance with Marc. Lacey is not a character one would welcome into their life. Indeed, her only grace is serving as a reminder that most folks are kinder.

The reason behind the murder is clever. The characters are fully developed, speaking naturally.
Addie, the amateur sleuth, does have a good reason to become involved in the mystery. The solution is very satisfying. I look forward to book 3.

Full disclosure: I received an e copy of this book from netgalley.com and Kensington in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for the opportunity.

This second book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore mystery series pulled me in. I read the first half in one night. The mystery is intriguing with many pieces contributing to the whole. There are some new characters and in a few of them function as red herrings to who committed murder. The reason the town librarian, June, was murdered takes some creative thinking by Addie.
I was put off by how Marc Chandler acted cold, curt and often rude toward Addie throughout the book. Lacey was another character to despise. Simon added some fun to the story, but I was disappointed the author felt the need to create a love triangle.
Marc's behavior put this book at 4 stars. I really enjoy Addie and Greyborne Harbor.
I will definitely be looking forward to the third book which comes out in September 2019. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book.

Thanks​ to Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this eBook.   The views expressed are my own. 
Amateur sleuth Addie Greyborne investigates the suspicious death of the author of a history book about the New England seashore town founded and named after Addie's ancestors. There's rumours of an early manuscript for the book containing directions to a pirate treasure trove left behind when the British chased out pirates in the 1700's. While Addie chases down this manuscript she is harassed by local yahoos who resent her returning to Greyborne Harbor and setting up her book and curio shop, Beyond the Page. Several mysterious men lurk in the background too and she receives several warnings to stop her investigation.
Addie has a complicated relationship with the town's police chief, which gets more complicated when the chief's former fiance returns to town after a scandal forced her out of her television career. Lacey Davenport plays the role of mean girl to Addie's good girl, and then simply disappears from the story. All of this is a bit of soap opera drama added to the whodunit. The romantic drama increases when a new doctor comes to town and shows interest in Addie, much to the chagrin of the police chief.
With the soap opera in the background the murder investigation continues, and comes to a suspenseful conclusion in an underground cavern.
It's a clever story written from Addie's point of view, with a small cast of supporting characters. Lacey, the mean girl, is a standout and her sudden disappearance is a letdown: readers don't get to see he get her comeuppance. (Maybe she'll be back in a sequel?) The mysterious bad guys lurking the background are there for suspense, but do not play a role in the story except to add an atmosphere of danger.
This is the second of a series featuring Addie and her Greyborne Harbor bookstore. It can be read as a standalone without difficulty. The series shows promise: the teaser for the next book in the series is included in the eBook and it looks interesting.
Recommended.

Prologue to murder.
This is the second book by Lauren Elliott.
A great series to read highly recommend this author.
Addie once again in the spotlight.
A body of well known and loved librarian June I’d found murdered, Miss Newsy at the local paper announces that Addie is to blame.
The news affects Addies book shop sales and people stop coming in. Addie is on the case.
The pirate theme ,secret tunnels and treasure keeps you hooked.
I now understand why the lady next door in the bake shop took instance dislike to Addie which was a bit puzzling in the first book.
Not sure if I like the new love triangle between Marc and Simon. Hopefully it will be resolved in the next book.
Brilliant story line also kept you guessing with plenty of twists. loved this book ,looking forward for the next book to come out.
Many thanks to Kensington books and Nettgalley for advance copy for a honest review.

Prologue To Murder is the second book in the Beyond The Page Bookstore Mystery series.

Addie Greyborne has recently returned to Greyborne Harbor and still experiencing some of the resident’s displeasure with her return, even so, her recently opened bookstore is doing reasonably well until the disappearance of Jane Winslow, the town’s librarian. Miss Newsy, the gossip columnist of the local newspaper, suggests that Addie wants the librarian’s job and that she might know something about Winslow disappearance. When the body of Winslow is found, Miss Newsy suggests that Addie might have had the one to end Winslow’s life.

Greyborne Harbor is getting ready to celebrate Pirate Days and before Winslow’s body was found, her daughter had brought to Addie her mother notes for the book she had been writing on pirates of the area and the possibility of treasures that might have been buried in the area. When Addie begins to review the notes she finds that only two city officials had read the manuscript and they had refused to fund additional research by Winslow. This raises a flag for Addie and she suspects that Winslow had found some information that points to some valuable treasure might just exist. When Winslow’s notes are stolen, Addie is sure that her book was the reason for her murder. Hopefully, she will find the missing link before the killer makes her the next victim.

Addie romantic life is also in turmoil and is also causing her friendship with Serena, who owns a tea shop near Addie’s bookstore. Addie has been dating the police chief, Marc Chandler, but when his former girlfriend, Lacy returns to town and makes it clear she will do anything to win back his affection. Serena has welcomed back Lacey but at the same time tells Addie she has nothing to worry about Marc taking up with Lacey again. Then when Simon, a new ER trauma surgeon arrives in town and expresses romantic interests in Addie, she is not sure where her romantic interest might lie.

This is another well written and told story from Miss Elliott. I really like the characters in the book, as they are all very interesting and believable.

I am looking forward to the next book, Murder In The First Edition, due in September.

In this second book, Addie Greyborne has some difficult times, but the plot is well developed and continues to it's surprise ending.

Miss Newsy, the writer of the gossip column in the local newspaper appears to dislike Addie Greyborne. She writes that Addie is possibly responsible for the disappearance of librarian June Winslow. She later implies that Addie has been arrested, and further untruths. Addie is losing her customers because of the bad publicity. It appears that Addie's worst enemy is Lacey, a former resident of Greyborne Harbor (named after Addie's ancestor) and formerly engaged to Marc, the handsome Chief of Police who has been dating Addie. Lacey is vamping Marc, and he seems to be angry with Addie. Catherine, a friend of Addie's father asks Addie to Chair her book club which is reading June's book about the history of Greyborne Harbor. One of those in the book club is Dorothy, the assistant librarian who worked with June on the book at first, but for some reason was asked to stop.

Meanwhile, Addie is continuing to do research into June's book. She gets some material from June's daughter, Jean. She finds that the Town Council told June to cut part of her book which talked about old pirate tunnels and hidden loot. At June's funeral, Addie meets Simon, the new doctor and coroner. He appears to have fallen for her and begins helping her with her research. Two gift boxes with a dead mouse and a fake sword piercing a heart are found on Addi's doorstep and Addie and Paige, her bookstore aide have rocks sent down the path they are on. Addie finds that June had done some of her research in Addie's aunt's house (now Addie's house), and Addie finds the room where she worked in her attic. Soon she has not only the removed part of the book, but lots of maps of the pirate tunnels. She realizes that June may have been murdered by Lacey's brother and Jean's boyfriend who are looking for pirate treasure.

Near the end things get pretty exciting. Addie finds June's missing cell phone; June's daughter's friend is attacked, and Addie goes into a tunnel she shouldn't have with almost disastrous consequences. However, in the end, Addie not only solves the mystery; the culprit is not one of those she had been suspecting all along. She also seems to have won back the interest of Marc as well as permission from the DA to help work on crimes.

I enjoyed reading the first book in this series, Murder By the Book, last year and was excited when I saw this sequel pop up. There was a lot going on throughout the entire story which made this a very entertaining read. Addie’s reputation and patience is put to the test when Marc’s ex shows back up in Greyborne Harbor. Someone is slandering her name in the paper, her best friend is torn between relationships and business is definitely down in her store. If that’s not enough to deal with, Addie quickly finds herself deep in another investigation when a book club members turns up murdered. The clues lead her to discover a hidden tunnel in the most surprising place, stories of lost treasure and even a local pirate.

The mystery was really well done!!! There are several suspicious suspects that kept me double guessing until close to the end. I was a bit surprised by the sudden twist with the love interest, Marc (the Chief of Police) I’m still unsure if that will be resolved. A love triangle was introduced and I have to admit I kinda love the new guy. Simon is a charming, thoughtful doctor / coroner who is clearly attracted to Addie. I’m curious to see how their relationship or friendship will develop. I loved learning a tiny bit more about Paige. I kinda hope she takes Addie up on the living arrangement offer or has her own main storyline in a future story.

I look forward to reading book 3, Murder in the First Edition, which comes out in Sept. It’s going to occur during Christmas and involve an 1843 copy of A Christmas Carol.

Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott is the 2nd book in Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. Addie Greyborne was a librarian at the Boston Public Library, working with rare books. After her fiance was murdered, and her father was killed in a car accident Addie is now living in a small town in New England where she inherited a mansion, Greyborne Manor, from her great aunt. With all the books left in her aunt's home she was able to open her own bookstore. Addie makes quick friends with Serena, who owns a tea shop next door and her brother Marc who is the Chef of Police. Someone is out to get Addie by writing lies about her in the newspaper's gossip column, which leads to a dead body. On top of that Marc's ex fiance, Lacy, is back and determined to win him back. Addie is determined to get to the truth, and keep her bookstore going. I enjoyed this cute book, with all the twists and turns, and I can not wait for the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I recommend this book. 

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

This is the second book in the series, but it's already heating up to be a favorite! Of course I love books about books; what reader doesn't? and this one is all about pirates and lost treasure. I did knock it down a star because I felt like the actual mystery wasn't up to snuff; I found the eventual reasoning to be a bit stupid, honestly. Also, I despise love triangles, and that is where this is headed unfortunately :/ Boo.

BUT I did like the friendships, the small town vibe and the writing. I think a different mystery would need to be read so I can properly appreciate this as a series. Just because this mystery was a little off doesn't mean they all will be, so I'll give this a chance. The things I did enjoy, I did so immensely, so there is that to pull me forward.

Hoping to see a little more next time. Four stars.

Prologue to Murder is book 2 in the A Beyond the Page Mystery Series. In this series, Addie Greystone has returned to her family’s home and opened a book shop and is living in the family manse. There is a lot of history with the Greystones and other founding families in the town and not all of it is positive. This makes for some tension and creates some difficulties for Addie in fitting into life in the town. A murder, hidden treasures, secret tunnels and maps, pirates, a nasty gossip columnist, and a couple of love triangles all add to the story. There is quite a bit going on here with several characters appearing quite rapidly. A fun, quick mystery read.

I enjoyed reading this 2nd book in the series more than the first one. Addie is once again suspected of a local murder so she sets out to help solve the crime. Since the crime involves books the police ask for her help. I always like it the amateur sleuth works with the police. I enjoy the New England Setting and the pirate background was fun. I liked the new character Simon. I hope Addie and Simon stay friends and it is not a start of a triangle. Marc and Addie are still acting like teenagers and in my opinion this is the weak part of the story. The mystery was good and there were enough suspects to keep it interesting. I was able to figure out the killer and the solution made sense. I look for word to reading more in this series. Enjoy this fun cozy.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. It is the second book in a series but can be read as a stand-alone (I’d not read the previous book). Addie Greyborne is accused, for the second time, of causing someone’s death, since her return to her hometown after a career working with rare books at a major library. Since the local gossip column is pointing the finger at her, Addie decides to do her own investigating. This causes issues with her sort-of significant other, the town Chief of Police, Marc. At the same time, a new male character, Simon, enters the story and makes his interest in Addie clear. Add in the return of Marc’s ex-fiancée and things get very complicated. Unfortunately, I didn’t find Addie that likeable a character. The author writes well but I’m never a fan of books where the heroine finds ways to get around promises she makes. The author does add back-stories to several other characters in the book, indicating they can be expected in future mysteries. Relating components of the mystery to Addie’s work as a rare book librarian is well done and very clever.

Another Great New England Mystery
This is a great cozy mystery. It is full of pirates and ghosts and witches and strange goings on! Anyone who enjoys coastal history or old books should enjoy this story. The plot is great. The reader is given details in the reveal that are not given earlier in the story, but it all works out great. This is the second book in this series that I have read and it may be a bit better than the first. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.