This was my first time reading a book in this series and I found it to be a really enjoyable mystery. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

This is the four book in the Beyond the Page Bookshop series, and should be read in order, since characters are continued in the storylines. Addie is the smart, charming protagonist in this book and she is off to an estate sale looking for books for her shop, but along the way there is a murder, ghosts, and romance that have you reading till the wee hours of the morning. This was a well written book and I loved the twists and turns that the story took. I was excited to figure out who the murderer was, and I was not disappointed.

As a first time reader to this series, I found the book very accessible. The author provided narration that brought new readers up to speed, but I don’t think readers who have been there since the beginning would be put off by the summary. I really liked the characters and the setting of the novel; sometimes cozy mystery characters are very derivative of each other, but I did not find that to be the case here. Overall, I quite enjoyed this book, and I will be reading the others in this series.

Proof of Murder by Lauren Elliot is the fourth book in the Beyond the Page Mystery series. Bookshop owner Addie heads to an estate auction hoping to finds some books for her shop. Instead the following day she finds a dead body inside a locked room. In addition some very valuable books are missing. The mystery was good, but I had a few areas that bothered me personally. First Addie abandons her own shop to constantly help out at the auction. I could see a bit of time spent helping, but she practically gave up her own business. Second her ex-boyfriend (almost fiance) returns to town with a new girlfriend. This new girlfriend immediately decides Addie is guilty of everything. If the ex had mentioned "following the evidence" one more time, I would have happily had him be the next murder victim. Addie would have been better off hiring a lawyer to sue for harassment and go back to her bookshop.

Locked room murder mysteries are one of my favorite. This one was well crafted with enjoyable characters. Rescuing a rare book is another favorite story line and this one was very well done.

Proof of Murder: A Beyond the Page Mystery
By Lauren Elliott
Kensington
June 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

There are two things that Beyond the Page rare book and curio shop owner Addison Greyborne finds irresistible; mysteries and estate sales. The auction being held at Hill Road House offers both of these, having not only a huge library collection up for sale but also its own myth of residing ghosts. In 1945, new wife and mother Kathleen Gallagher fell down the stairs to her death, while her in-laws would commit suicide there five years later. Addie doesn’t believe in ghosts though, and she has a very living relative from her past reappearing to complicate her life. Kalea Hudson has whisked into Greyborne Harbor, New England ostensibly to visit the cousin she hasn’t seen in 10 years, but Addie suspects that the man-motivated flirt’s presence is motivated by reasons related to her still-married boss. Nevertheless, both women are enlisted in helping catalog the enormous book collection up for sale when the Addie’s longtime family friend is unhappy with the pace of his auction house’s current insurance appraiser. Charlotte McAdams reluctantly accepts their assistance, but when she becomes a part of a locked-room mystery she completely upends the auction and puts Addie in the hot seat. Addie and Kalea have the horrific experience of finding Charlotte dead in the locked room of the library, but just as alarming as Charlotte’s frozen face of terror and Kalea soon going M.I.A.

Also missing from Addie’s life for months was Chief of Police Marc Chandler, who reappears at the most awkward time with a very unwelcoming addition. FBI agent Ryley Brookes displays interest not just in Marc but in seeing Addie behind bars, gathering up evidence and interrogating her in such a way that leaves no question of whom the agent suspects of being a murderer. Not about to allow herself to be railroaded into prison despite Marc’s warnings to stay uninvolved, Addie unravels the discrepancies in the library inventory, most specifically the missing collection of Sherlock Holmes books. Worth over hundreds of thousands of dollars, Addie is the only one now present able to testify that the books were ever present in the first place. With coroner – and suitor- Simon Emerson at her side, Addie and her superstitious friends must determine whether the lingering ghosts of the past may have somehow led to the book theft crimes of the present.

This fourth in the series is so successful at building up Addie as an admirable and likable lead character that every attack against her feels very personal. Marc’s stubbornness and faith in Ryley is infuriating and unfair, especially considering Addie’s past record in finding clues and tracking down killers. Her BFF and tenant Serena Chandler – also Marc’s sister – is as wary of Hill House ghosts as Addie’s bookstore employee Paige Stringer, but they are dependable allies and emotionally supportive. Even more rewarding is the presence of the charming Simon, who proves his reliability by staunchly defending her against police accusations and Marc’s jealousy-driven intimidations. Book lovers will delight in the mystery worthy of Sherlock Holmes’s attention, especially the drawn out reveal and confession by the culprit. A dénouement tying up loose ends and serving up satisfying resolutions leaves readers more than satisfied and eager for Addie’s next adventure full of romance, books, and mysteries.

I was really excited about heading to New England, meeting Addie, and wandering through the aisles of Beyond the page (Addie’s bookstore). The estate sale I was going to attend with her...I could take or leave. Upon arriving I got a quick tour of the shop and met Paige (Adde’s assistant @ the bookstore), and then Addie was rushing us out the door to head to the estate sale for a sneak peek of the books. Even though auctions aren’t really my thing...I was excited to wander through the mansion and intrigued when Addie told me the estate was supposedly haunted. We finally made it to the house...it would have been faster, but some impatient driver whipped into a spot Addie was clearly going for. After the rude encounter and finally finding a parking spot we made our way inside and headed straight to the library. This place was truly amazing! Addie was looking @ some very valuable Sherlock Holmes books, when a woman came bursting in yelling at us for being in the library. She was going on about a sign on the door, but the door was open when we came in, and the sign was hidden. The woman seemed to be not listening to explanation when an older gentleman came in to see what the fuss was about. Turns out the older gentleman Blake was a friend of Addie’s father, and was handling the estate sale. This day was a reunion of sorts...we had already run into Addie’s long-lost cousin Kalea. The angry woman turned out to be the appraiser of the sale Charlotte McAdams. Addie offered to help Charlotte with the inventory of the books for the sale. After the lady realized who Addie was...apparently Addie was well known for her appraisal of rare books @ the Boston Public Library, and the stress she was under for the sale to go well….she was happy to have Addie’s help. Well a couple things about that statement are wrong...first she wasn’t happy (she really wasn’t even grateful for the help), and two it wasn’t just Addie’s help...it was also mine and her cousin Kalea’s help. We worked for what seemed like forever. Finally we wrapped up, and went home….well actually after helping all day doing their work...we were not so kindly Dismissed. The next morning when we arrived for the auction...we greeted Blake and agreed to do a few odds/ends things before meeting up at the library to check on Charlotte and her assistant Robert. When we made our way to the library we knocked and waited for your highness to grant entry. It was silent and the door was locked. Blake had a master key...so no problem. Problem...after unlocking the door it still wouldn’t open. Blake explained that there was a bolt that could only be latched from the inside. Needless to say, it was like fort Knox getting into the room. We finally got the door open, but it took the maintenance guy to do it…. at first we thought the room was empty….but how could someone lock it from the inside? Then we noticed that someone was sitting in the chair, and it was turned around….anyone see where I'm going with this? Yep, the woman in that chair was dead! The woman was Charlotte McAdams the appraiser for the estate sale. Her death was labeled a homicide. Here’s a tip for you: when your ex boyfriend’s (the chief of police) new girlfriend is an FBI agent...that just wants to “speed up the investigation” you get put at the top of the suspect list. We had to work fast to figure out what really happened to those precious missing books...oh and Charlotte…


My thoughts:

I have never read any of the other books in this series, and although it is a standalone...it would have been very helpful to have read the first three first. Specially to understand that dynamic between Mark and Addie. I enjoyed the author's writing style and I thought the mystery was done well. It kept me guessing with lots of twists and turns. The main character was witty, intelligent, and maybe a little bit stubborn at times. The secondary characters were well developed, but I will say I don’t like really mean characters (a little obstinate/cranky fine but just plain mean...no) in my cozy (and some of these characters were right at my line in the sand)...unless they are being offed….otherwise I think it takes away from the cozy vibe.


My best endorsement is to say that immediately upon finishing this book...I ordered books 1-3. It’s getting harder and harder to hide the amazon boxes from my husband. Lol.

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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Lauren Elliott, and the publisher for this opportunity.

My thoughts

Would Recommend it? Yes

Would I read more of the series? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

First time I read anything by this author , and I'm glad I picked this up,what could be be better then a bookstore own who gets in pulled into a murder case. Other thing I liked about this book was how the author used old book titles in her story as well as a creepy old house that had a spooky history to it as well. The only thing that I didn't really enjoy about the story was the love triangles that was going on and how Marc treated Addie , as well as the treatment that she got from the friend of his, and how one moment he was saying he was a friend and the next wasn't even listing to her or believing her at all. But thank goodness that she had Simon, because he was there for when she needed someone, other then at I found this story to be well-written, delightful, and thoroughly entertaining reading and at times I was smiling because of Simon and Addie, so much so that I want to read more of the series ans see what happens next. With that sais I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read and review it .

All In A Days Work.....
Book four in the Beyond The Page Bookstore Mystery series finds bookstore owner Addie attending an estate sale in a grand old mansion. Little does Addie know that ghosts and ghouls, rare books and a dead body will be all in her days work this time. Can Addie find a killer? An enjoyable, fun cosy mystery and a light hearted read.

A bookshop, a Sherlock Holmes original, a murder in a seaside New England town – what more is there to love in the premise of this story. Home to many grand estates, Greborne Harbor where Addie inherited her great aunt’s estate and Beyond the Page bookstore. Addie, looking for rare editions as a bookstore owner, discovers a rare book, A Study In Scarlet Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes novel in one of the estate sales. However, a mysterious death in the library with the room bolted from the inside of the rumoured haunted home, piqued my interest and kept my fingers turning those pages. I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and a first book I have read from this author. I highly recommend this and worked for me as a standalone book.

When I read the first book in the series I wasn't sure if it would be one I would be excited about. Let me tell you my first impression was wrong. I get super excited when a new book is released. I have enjoyed seeing Addie come into herself as a bookstore owner and learn to love again after the death of her husband.

I have found myself learning new things as I read this series. As crazy as it sounds for a mystery buff like me I have not read any Sherlock Holmes novels or stories. I found it very interesting to learn about the first story in the series was released.

I have found I enjoy reading the books much more than listening to the audiobooks. I listened to a little of the audiobook for this book and the previous. The narrator is good but she doesn't fit what I think of as Addie.

All the covers in this series are absolutely gorgeous. I could look at them for hours and still find something I missed. They are true works of art.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Lauren Elliott gives us another Beyond the Page Bookstore mystery. Addie is roped into helping review the books in a house contents auction; she stumbles over a body. What could go wrong? Someone is trying to frame her and the girlfriend of the police is eager to follow that trail. Is the murder house haunted? Is a former associate stealing first editions from the mansion? Lots of red herrings. Enjoy.

This is the fourth book in Lauren Elliott's Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, and I continue to enjoy it. In this outing, Addie Greyborne is attending an auction preview at a mansion that is rumored to be haunted. When she arrives, she meets up with a family friend who is running the auction. The appraisers he has hired are not finished and the auction is supposed to occur the next day. She is asked to help appraise some extremely rare and valuable books. She leaves all the information for the appraiser to enter into the computer listing, but the next morning, the appraiser is found dead, the valuable books are missing and all the information Addie left is gone. In previous books in this series, Addie is in a relationship with Marc, the local police detective, but it did not work out and Marc left town. Well, he's back and is investigating the theft, but he's not alone. Arriving in town with Marc is an FBI agent, who might be on administrative leave, and she is out to prove that Addie is the murderer, or at least the thief of the rare books. It seems she is in a relationship with Marc and is a tad jealous of Addie. Well, Addie is not taking it sitting down and is bound and determined to find the real culprit to clear her name.

I really enjoyed this well-written mystery. I like Addie, even though she can be a bit brusque. She is smart, stubborn, creative and a bit reckless. She is also loyal to her friends and willing to help them out when they need it, which is what got her into trouble in this book. The mystery was well-plotted, with just enough suspects and a few red herrings to keep readers engaged. I loved how the house became a character in this story. It was the history of the house that finally allows Addie to solve this one. There was a bit of a paranormal feel to this story as well. I enjoy the characters in this town, some are wonderful, some not so nice, but that is the way of the world. I enjoyed the ending and final reveal in this story and was quite satisfied with the ending. I look forward to my next visit with Addie and her friends in Greyborne Harbor. I recommend this series to those who enjoy cozy mysteries, especially those involving books, bookstores or libraries.

Disclaimer: I was given an eARC of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the fourth book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. It does have a bit of a different tone than the previous books but it was just as good as the previous books. This installment does seem to have more at stake for Addie personally which did give me more of an investment in the story.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys cozy mysteries.

Proof of Murder by Lauren Elliott
Book #5: Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Kensington Books
Rating: 4½/5 stars

Addie Greyborne just never seems to be in the right place at the right time. In her twoish years in Greyborne Harbor, she’s been pulled into three murder investigations, seen her best friend accused of one of them, met two intriguing men, and been generally off kilter since arriving in town. With hope in her heart, Addie is looking forward to a stretch of good and quiet where she can focus on her business, her growing relationship, and her burgeoning friendships.

And then Addie arrives in the wrong place at the wrong time!

With nothing but good intentions, Addie volunteers to help an old family friend get ready for an impending local auction. With her appraisers’ hat on, Addie sets to work and discovers some beautiful and very rare books that will surely bring a fortune at auction. Thinking she’s done nothing but a good deed, Addie leaves the site looking forward to participating in the auction the next day. As the next day dawns and Addie arrives at the auction site, she finds herself, once again drawn into a murder, only this time, Addie is the prime suspect.

In months and investigations past, Addie has been able to rely on her relationship with the police chief to help her through difficult times. This time, Marc is not only adamantly and angrily against her, but his new girlfriend seems to have a huge grudge against Addie and is looking to put her behind bars. With few people to rely on and trust, a very hurt Addie drags out her trusty murder board and begins to put the pieces together.

As always, the evidence and clues lead Addie down a long and winding path that takes her from the present to the distant past and through the lives of a troubled family and their dilapidated home that is now considered haunted. What’s more, the house is the site of the impending auction and for weeks, valuable items have been going missing and is the site of the murder Addie is accused of having committed. What Addie uncovers is a sordid tale of lechery, deceit, and murder that has left at least one person with nothing but revenge and retribution on the brain. To be sure, Addie is up to her neck in the mess and if she doesn’t uncover the identity of the real killer, she may be spending the next several decades behind bars.

The Bottom Line: I feel like this series has really hit its stride and I hope to continue seeing books of this quality. As with the previous books, the mystery is suitably complicated and interesting to have me turning pages like a mad woman. I absolutely love the combination of the past meets the present and that is prevalent in this book. I also like all the complicated relationships currently in Addie’s life. She is really rolling in emotions in this book and it made for a great secondary plot line that FINALLY brought out some real anger in Addie. I loved seeing her mean side especially towards those who more than deserved it. In all, a cozy mystery series that I have been impressed with and hope to see continue in a similar manner.

Addie Greybourne inherited Beyond the Page bookstore in this New England town of Greybourne Harbor. She also inherited a large Victorian mansion. Hill Road House is another mansion in town that has been empty for years. It is now being sold due to back taxes. It is rumored the mansion is haunted. There have been several mysterious famly deaths. Addie goes to check out the estate sale and with her cousin, Kalea Hudson, tthey are helping the appraiser Charlotte McAdams appraise books that were recently found in a bookcase. Addie finds several rare, valuable books in these. When Addie comes back the next day she finds Charlotte in the locked library dead. The rare books are missing and have been replaced by fakes. Addie is sure she has seen an apparition appear at the top of the stairs.
There are many characters in this book so it is hard to figure out who or what could have killed Charlotte. Marc Chandler, the Chief of Police, has been gone for three months studying at Quantico with the FBI. He now has a new girlfriend, FBI Agent Ryley Brookes, who is determined to find Addie guilty of Charlotte's murder and the theft of the rare books.
Will Addie find out the truth before Ryley finds enough evidence to charge Addie?
This is the first book I have read by Lauren Elliott. I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of this series.

Another captivating and intriguing cozy, with great characters and a cool storyline. Addie is bull headed and refuse to back down, clearing herself from a murder and burglary charge, was imperitive. Although obstacles were thrown in her way by none other than her ex boyfriend's new girlfriend. Addie refuses to standby and let herself be railroaded to jail for a crime she was obviously being framed for. So she put on her Sherlock Holmes face and got down to some serious sleuthing.

This is one of my favorite bibliomystery series. Addie Grayson has inherited Greybourne Manor and owns a bookstore, Beyond the Page - Books and Curios. Things have not been easy since she arrived in town. Even though she is a descendant of the colonial founding family she has been seen as an outsider. Now she's more comfortable with her bookstore and needs to do some restocking of old and rare books. When an estate sale is to be held in one of the old mansions in town, she sees it as the perfect chance to buy some books. At the same time, a friends asks her to help out his appraiser valuing the books. Add to that the mansion is reputed to be haunted. Not a problem as far as Addie is concerned. Murder, on the other hand? That really becomes a huge problem when the appraiser is found dead in a locked room and the very valuable copy of A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle is missing. Addie connects the killing and the robbery but never in her wildest imagination did she think that she would be prime suspect number one and be arrested for the killing. Somebody is really out to get Addie thrown in prison, weaving a believable, to some, frame up. Addie better solve this case fast or her new address will be the state pen. Up against Mac and his FBI girlfriend who is certain that Addie is the killer, well, Addie's life has become very complicated.
Besides being a great mystery, it's also a locked room puzzle - all the better for this reader. The haunted house is a nice extra dimension to the mystery. There are also plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to have me glued to the page to the last sentence.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Another great one! I have fallen in love with the town and I like the on going characters. This is book4 and it is as good as the first three. I can't wait to read more.

Lauren Elliott
She has certainly done it again! One of my favourite authors.
I have enjoyed this brilliant book and storyline with great characters.
Finally Addie has made her love match (the right choice).
Clever, interesting and entertaining mystery , i couldn’t put it down.
Roll on Lauren’s next instalment can’t wait.