There was considerable improvement in this second of Lauren Elliott's Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, however I still have issues the main characters. Addie and Marc's conversations are still sophomoric. Simon was a breath of fresh air for the series, although a love triangle being introduced seemed formulaic and stilted. The backstory of buried treasure and how the Greyborne and Davenport families interchange was engaging and a real positive for the series. I have hope that the improvement in 'A Prologue to Murder' will continue in future offerings. I can't quite give it 4 stars.

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

Prologue to Murder
(Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #2)
by Lauren Elliott

Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Expected publication: April 30th 2019 by Kensington



Goodreads synopsis:
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 . . .


***

4.5 Stars

I thought this book was really interesting. The backdrop of the Greyborne-Davenport fued and the mysterious book with its edited content the former Librarian, June, wrote about the town made this such a compelling read.

I did have a few issues with the characters. Police chief Marc, for instance, if I were Addie, I am not sure I would consider dating such a fellow. He used some mean mental tactics to supposedly “keep her safe” that just rose my hackles. And then there was the doctor, Simon, who appeared out of no where with his striking blue eyes and his strange attachment to Addie as soon as he spotted her. I felt a lot of these interactions felt forced and just plain weird. I am not sure I would have dated either of them. But I did like the whole “two men vying over Addie” storyline. It reminded me a bit of the Mike/Norman rivalry in the Hannah Swensen books by Joanne Fluke.

There was a great character in here and you will love to hate. Lacey Davenport came back to town and immediately set her sights on her former fiancee she practically left at the alter. And of course, that former fiancee was Marc, Addie’s current love interest or maybe good friend. They both were never sure of their relationship status.

How Addie fell into the book club group felt completely natural considering how small towns operate. And she found many a clue stashed away in this group. There were some forced aspects of this book and then some that were completely natural. Overall I loved the story Lauren Elliott crafted and came to really like most of the cast. I am glad to see this is a series. I have already picked up book one on my Kindle to read later this month.

There was only one detail I felt went unaccounted for. Lacey was seen giving a bunch of money she had secreted away from Marc’s sister Selena’s tea shop. I would have wanted that part dealt with and maybe it will be in future books. Other than that this was a great cozy mystery any mystery fan will love. Check it out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

AARGH- why on earth do so many people dislike Addie? She's new to Greybourne Harbor, yes, but she's also worked hard to establish her bookstore, she's dating Marc the police chief, and she helped solve a murder. Now, though, she's really become a target = June the town librarian is murdered and Marc's ex, now a gossip columnist wants to pin it on Addie. Hah! Don't worry if you didn't read the last book- this is only the second in the series and you haven't missed much. Those who did read the last one will find out why Martha, who owns the bakery, doesn't like Addie. Elliott also introduces some new characters, notably Simon who might become a love interest, especially since things aren't going well with Marc. Old grudges figure big. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. You, like me, might know who the murderer is early on but this is a fun read.

Addie has worked with books and in a prestigious library at that. She has now moved into her hometown to settle down with a small shop.

Her friendship with the Police Chief does not go down well with a certain lady and when June is found murdered, Addie finds herself mired in innuendo connecting her to the lady's death. No slander no libel possible, just a gossip column doing untold damage to her reputation and to her business.

Addie is determined to get to the bottom of the story and slowly a plot of pirate treasure, caves, family feuds going back centuries are uncovered. Added to this is Addie's own troubles of the heart, having just got over her relationship and now finding both the Chief of Police and the new Surgeon at the local hospital both attracted to her. She herself is in a quandary not knowing whom she likes the most and this makes her very unpopular!

Told in a step by step cozie mystery manner, this was a nice mystery murder read.

Fantastic story. I was immediately engaged with the characters and found myself on the edge of my seat until the reveal.
Will definitely read more in this exciting series.

Prologue to Murder was an enjoyable read with a solid mystery surrounding pirates, buried treasure, and a hidden manuscript.

Miss Newsy, the gossip columnist at the local paper, is stirring up trouble for Addie Greyborne after she accuses Addie of having something to do with local librarian June Winslow going missing. And after June’s body is found in an underground tunnel in town, Addie is accused by the columnist of being involved in June’s death. Determined to once again clear her name, Addie begins looking into June’s death which in a surprising turn of events leads to legends of buried treasure in town.

The mystery in this book was incredibly well done with several surprising twists and turns. Upon looking into June’s death, Addie discovers the woman wrote a book about local history and legends. After learning the town council blocked certain sections of the book from being published, Addie sets out to uncover the original manuscript. I enjoyed Addie’s quest to find the manuscript and the inclusion of pirates just made everything more exciting. Addie’s murder board returns in this book and I like how Addie uses it to work through her ideas. I thought the reveal of June’s killer was well done and I was surprised by a few things we found out. I definitely think the mysteries in the series are the best part of the books.

Addie is where I had a few problems with this book. I enjoy her love of books and her investigative techniques are fun to follow along with. I mean who wouldn’t want to go to a pirate museum for research? But unfortunately I don’t like how wishy washy Addie is when it comes to keeping her promises. Rather than state her intentions from the start, Addie likes to find creative ways around her promises so she can do what she wants. I think I mainly have an issue with it because her love interest, Marc, is the police chief and so she lies to his face on numerous occasions. I’m hoping this is something Addie works on in future books as it’s a character flaw I can’t seem to get past.

As to the side characters, I was happy we got a bit of background on Martha, the owner of the bakery next to Addie’s shop, that helped shed some light on why she dislikes Addie so much. Knowing her reasoning, even if I found it to be flawed, was infinitely better than her simply hating Addie on sight as was the case in the first book. Addie and Serena’s friendship hits a few bumps in this book, but I was happy to see the pair actually communicate and work things out. A new character, Simon, is introduced and it’s clear right away that he is another love interest for Addie which sets up a love triangle between Addie, Marc, and Simon. Ultimately I found the love triangle to be tiresome and I’m hoping it’s not going to be an ongoing thing throughout the series.

Overall I ended up having the same issues with Prologue to Murder as I did with the first book in the series, but the mysteries in these books are fantastic enough to keep me reading.

I tried a few times to get into this book but never did. The story sounds terrific but for some reason it didn't interest me.

Addison 'Addie' Greyborne is finally settling into life in Greyborne Harbor – she’s making new friends and her bookshop is starting to do well… that is until the local newspaper’s new gossip columnist, ‘Miss Newsy’, takes a personal interest in ruining Addie’s reputation.

When the local librarian, June Winslow, goes missing, Miss Newsy implies that Addie has something to do with June’s disappearance and subsequent murder. Before she died, June had written a book on Greybourne Harbor’s origins, which included the possibility that there was pirate treasure hidden in some underground tunnels. Could this be why she was killed?

It also doesn’t help that Addie’s blossoming romance with Police Chief Marc Chandler hits a rough patch when his ex-fiancee, Lacey Davenport, returns and is obviously interested in rekindling their romance. Even Serena, Marc’s sister and Addie’s closest friend in town, seems to have abandoned Addie for Lacey.

Addie starts feeling lonely and anxious – her bookshop is all but empty as her customers are staying away in droves, thanks to Miss Newsy. But all is not lost! Enter Dr. Simon Emerson, the town’s new ER trauma surgeon and part-time forensic pathologist, who takes an immediate interest in Addie and joins her in her effort to solve the murder mystery and clear her name.

There are a few ‘drama-queen’ moments that bother me about Marc – he seems to be overreacting to Simon’s appearance in Addie’s life and says some harsh things that Addie totally should have called him on, but didn’t. Simon, on the other hand, seems too perfect and dropped into Addie’s life so quickly that I suspected him to be up to something for most of the book.

I generally dislike love triangles, especially in cozy mystery series, as they tend to drag on and ON. But I can’t pass judgement on this love triangle yet because it’s still fairly new, having only been introduced in this book. Also, I can honestly say I don’t have a preference yet either – Marc and Simon both have their strong points and I could see Addie with either of them.

I like that Addie continues to flex her research skills and delves more of the history of the town and her own ancestors. Addie also doesn’t seem as helpless as some other cozy mystery protagonists but has enough quirks about her to make her seem normal.

The mystery story itself is full of twists and turns, which kept me guessing until the end. There were just enough clues to make me think I had it solved… when really, I didn’t have it at all. I’m looking forward to Book 3 to see if the love triangle gets resolved and hopefully see Addie settle into her new life in Greybourne Harbor more.

*** Thank you to Kensington Books for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. ***

Loved this book, hard to put down. Wasn't wild about the love triangle, but the mystery was fantastic and very interesting. Ending was a complete surprise. Loved all the little revelations and side stories. Great book!

An intriguing read with mystery, small towns, and a touch of romantic chaos. When suspicion falls onto Addie of causing the disappearance and death of the librarian by the town gossip and busybody, she has to work overtime to discover who the real culprit is.
A story that is beautifully woven from start to finish, you will not be able to put it down.

Addie Greyborne, proprietor of Beyond the Page bookstore, is gearing up for a weekend festival in town. When a gossip columnist starts making accusations that Addie was involved in a local librarian’s murder, she decides to investigate. At the same time, a woman comes back to town to try and rekindle a romance with Marc, Addie’s sometimes boyfriend and local police chief. Then, when she starts to feel abandoned, she leans on the newest resident and doctor, Simon. Will Addie be able to find the truth behind the librarian’s murder without losing the reputation she has built?
I loved this story, it was full of nefarious characters, and plot twists. I was at the edge of my seat until the end. The romantic subplot was intriguing and lent some needed tension. The only thing I didn’t like was that a certain character seemed to have escaped without paying for what she did. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

I read the first one, thought the series had potential and decided to try the second installment.
Unfortunately it's not my cup of tea, the issues I found in the first book are still there, and won't surely read other books in this series.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC

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.



Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book couldn't put it down

Bookstore owner Addie Greyborne is back in Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott.  In between running her store and trying to learn the history of the small town named after her ancestor, Greyborne Harbor, Addie is juggling her love life and murders.  

As a "certified" amateur detective, and despite the misgivings of her potential boyfriend, the chief of police, Addie uses her research skills to investigate the murder of the local librarian.  

This is book two of a new series, but it's not necessary to have read the first one (Murder by the Book) to appreciate the story.

This is the 2nd book in this series and has everything I love about cozy mysteries! Addie owns a bookstore and is a descendent of the original town founder. This brings additional problems for Addie who is just getting settled. It is the town's Founders Day festivities and the beloved librarian is found dead. Who would have wanted her dead? This book has a good pace, likable characters, friendship, and a little bit of
romance trouble. The mystery isn't graphic, intense or suspenseful but is intriguing. Can't wait for the next book!

Prologue to Murder, the second book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, is an entertaining visit to a community that revels in its pirate history as well as an interesting mystery. The store owner’s connections in the community are new but we see the strength that even new friendships can bring. I especially enjoyed watching the evolution of the relationship between Addie and her young goth clerk. Atmosphere and action enhance this intriguing novel while Addie works to bring back business and find the murder.
Just as things are setting down for Addie Greyborn in her new town and with her inherited book store the much-loved librarian is missing and a gossip columnist announces that the new bookstore owner is responsible. Business disappears as complete as June, the librarian. Before long the body turns up and the evil anonymous columnist decides that Addie is the killer and customers are absent. Friends assure her that the buzz will die down, but she remembers what happened not much earlier and has doubts that they are right. She has doesn’t know where to start but is determined reveal the real killer. The town’s people are getting ready to celebrate the pirate history of the community, and Addie learns that the library has written a book about pirates in the area. When she learns that there may be some information missing from the manuscript, with no other clues, she is determined to discover if that book and that treasure be behind the murder. It doesn’t help that her new love interest is being chased by his gorgeous ex-fiancé.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley.
#NetGalley #ProloguetoMurder

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of PROLOGUE TO MURDER by Lauren Elliott. This is the second book in the series featuring Addie Greyborne, former researcher for Boston Public Library and new resident for Greyborne Harbor. It isn’t necessary to have read the first book in the series to understand this one, and the mystery stands alone in each book. There are some relationship developments with a couple of other major characters that were started in the first book, but Ms. Elliott makes it easy to understand what those are if you start reading the series with this book.
In this novel, Addie is once again confronted with townspeople who are less than pleased that she has moved to the area. Just when she thought she had earned her place by solving the previous murder, she is plunged into a second one courtesy of a new gossip columnist who has just been hired by the local paper and who seems to have targeted Addie for some reason.
There are others around who also have it in for Addie and make her life uncomfortable. Starting off, there is Lacey Davenport, one time girlfriend of Addie’s possible love interest, Chief of Police Marc Chandler. She has come back to town after spending time on the west coast and seems focused on driving a wedge between Addie and the rest of the town, especially Marc. As the book unfolds, her reasons become more clear; although from the beginning the tension and dislike between the two women is evident. There is also Addie’s business neighbor who runs the local bakery. She made it clear in the first book she didn’t like Addie and that seems to have deepened with this novel. She marshals a number of other people in town who seem intent on making Addie miserable.
All of this combines to create a hole in Addie’s business and a rift between both her and Marc as well as her best friend Serena, Marc’s sister. Addie is confused about why she is on the receiving end of such hatred and has no way to combat the problem. The rift between Marc and Addie seems exceptionally mercurial and they go from warming to each other’s company to arguing and going in separate directions in such a short time it feels a bit unnatural.
The mystery is well done. June, the former librarian has been found dead and there are limited clues as to what has happened. The gossip columnist, “Miss Newsy” starts spreading the rumor that Addie commited the murder because she wanted the position of librarian, and although she explains to every one she isn’t a librarian but a researcher and has no interest, her protests fail to sway anyone’s opinion.
The murder takes place as the town is preparing for it’s annual pirate fest. June, the victim, had done extensive research on pirates who settled in Greyborne Harbor until Addie’s ancestor came along and drove them out. Could it be that some of June’s research has information about possible buried treasure? Adding to this theory is the information that Lacey’s ancestor had a feud with Addie’s ancestor over driving the pirates out and the thought that perhaps Lacey is continuing the bad feelings from that distant feud.
Into the midst of all this comes Simon, a new doctor in town who develops an immediate interest in Addie. She is conflicted because she has feelings for Marc, but acknowledges there is something about Simon that draws her to him. There is a setup for a perfect triangle in these relationships that continues throughout most of the book.
The clues and red herrings throughout the book are good, although it was easy early on to determine the identity of the murderer. The book is interesting, but the sudden shifts between attraction and anger between Addie and Marc create some unnecessary tension and serve to bog down some of the rest of the story. It’s as if the book is half mystery and half romance, not fully one or the other.
Overall, I liked most of this book, although I did not like it as much as the first book in the series. I will read then next book in the series before I make a final decision as to whether or not to continue reading the series.

I decided to give this second book in the series a try even though I did not enjoy the first one.
Unfortunately I still find the protagonist annoying and unlikeable.
I could not finish the book.
I will not publicly post this review.

The action in this second Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery is quite lively as Addie deals with almost libelous statements in the local newspaper’s gossip column, an old flame coming on to Police Chief Marc Chandler and meeting a new resident, Dr. Simon Emerson, who wants to sleuth with Addie.

Seems the missing librarian, June Winslow, is found dead. Rumors are being spread that Addie may be a suspect. Then there’s June’s book about pirates and the fact that there are hidden tunnels under Greyborne that were used by pirates to stash their loot back in the day.

The red herrings and twists keep interest high. The characters relatable, relationships and dialogue realistic, and the pace strong and steady. Lauren Elliott writes a compelling sequel that is a delightfully fun read. Hope number three is coming soon.

Great mystery. Loved the characters and the plot. Didn't guess the ending....great ending. Thank you Lauren Elliott for this story. Looking forward to reading more.