Anytime I need a quick, cozy mystery, I turn to Ellery Adams for a guaranteed good read. This latest in her Book Retreat Mysteries doesn't disappoint. Its got a fun set-up of a cooking competition show that takes place at the resort along with an actual social message at part of the drama. Recommend for fans of literary puns, cooking competitions, and any cozy mystery.

I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

What do you get when you combine a cooking competition at a secluded book retreat? A murder with as many suspects as available books. Will Jane be able to figure this out before her beloved Storyton Hall is ruined forever?

Every time I don't think the series can surprise me, it does. I loved the addition of Olivia Limoges from Adams' Books by the Bay series. (If you haven't read that series what are you waiting for???) I think Jane and Olivia teamed up is a duo not to be rivaled.

As always, Adams shares wonderful books that I must put on my radar immediately. Over the weekend I read Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski, an author I had never heard of. A great read to show what early Florida was like for farmers.

Although this book can be read as a standalone, I would suggest you read the series in order.

Another five-star but one of the best cozy mystery authors.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books & Ellery Adams for the preview of Murder in the Cookbook Nook in exchange for an honest review..

I am a big fan of Storyton Hall and this series. I love finding out where Jane & her family, as well as the rest of the Fins & neighbors are. A reality cooking show arrives, a chef is a bit testy, the hostess a bit over the top & murder & mishap appear. I feel that this book could be a stand-alone, however, would probably be more enjoyed as part of the series. Once again, I had no idea who the killer was, thanks to Ms. Adams writing.

Storyton Hall is host to a famous cooking competition and Jane is trying to make everything perfect when a fire breaks out near the party tent. Fortunately, everything is ok. However, when an ornery chef is found dead in the Cookbook Nook, Jane and her Fins are on the case.

I loved this book. Even through turmoil Storyton Hall is a place you want to go.

Another murder in Storyton. A famous cooking show has come to the hotel to shoot their competition and be surrounded by inspiration from long dead authors. Did they know that one of their own authors would soon be dead? Who is sabatoging the show, and why?

Murder in the Cookbook Nook came out April 27th and is the 7th book in the Book Retreat Mystery Series by Ellery Adams. This is my first book in this series, but I am a big fan of Adams' other series, The Secret, Book, and Scone Society. Adams is a prolific writer, and I really enjoy her work. The characters feel real to me even if they are constantly in unreal situations.
In this book, Jane hosts a cooking show, ala Iron Chef, at Storyton Hall, her family's inn with a past in rural Virginia. Of course, things immediately go awry, and Jane and her trusty sidekicks, both at Storyton Hall and in town, must figure out who done it.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to going back and reading the whole series.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

4 stars

This is the seventh book in the Book Retreat mystery series by Ellery Adams.

This book is reality show meets cozy mystery. I wish there had been a bit more reality tv show in here. Seems like they were walking around the subject most of the story. Oh, we got to interact with all the Chefs and newcomers but I never really felt invested in the storyline. Even Jane and her significant other didn’t really connect for me. It was almost like everyone was just going through the motions. I think Butterworth really stood out for me the most.

The mystery was nice and the pacing good but I just couldn’t get into it like I have other books by Ellery Adams. Maybe it was just me and my mindset at the time of reading that skewed it all. Who knows.

Definitely pick this up if you are a cozy mystery lover.

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. Opinions are completely my own.

Jane Steward, is the single mother of twin boys Fitzgerald and Hemingway (Fitz and Hem) for short. She is also a ages of Storyton Hall the renowned resort of bibliophiles. The twins had become Anglophiles back in February when Janes beau, Edwin Alcott had given her a thoughtful and generous Valentine a literary tour of London. A fire breaks out in the woods and when it comes to safety of Storyton Hall guests Jane erred on the side of caution. The fire was in the archery field. Drama makes good television. If drama doesn’t happen naturally we create it. The fire wasn’t an accident someone wants to sabotage filming. Mia Mallet is going to introduce Storyton to 3 million followers with her cooking show. Had chef Pierce been included because he was bound to irritate his rivals and shock the viewing audience? Had he been preassigned the role of villain for the sake of drama? Since an attempted arson failed what’s next? A captivating story to see which way things go. Fun and exciting at the same time .

Enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery. I don't recall reading all of the previous ones in this charming series. I thoroughly enjoyed the surprise guest. Dying to say more about that, but want other fans of Ellery Adams' work to also be delighted. Lots of books and food throughout the clever murder mystery. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

This is the 7th installment in the Book Retreat Mystery series. Jane Steward is the guardian of Storyton Hall in Virginia. The Hall is the ancestral home of her family which has been converted into a resort for book lovers and the Hall is currently hosting a reality cooking show with six renowned chefs and before it even starts there is a fire in the tent that is going to have some of the competition. Jane gets a weird vibe but hopes that all will go well. The host of the show is Mia Mallett who is a social influencer and billionaire who is very nice to everyone on the staff and crew. All the chefs are exceptional at cooking, however, Chief Pierce seems to rub everyone the wrong way and when he is in the Hall’s kitchens and pinches the behind of a server he is finished on the show and Jane lets Mia know. Mia promises to take care of it and unfortunately the next day the Chef is found dead in Mrs. Hubbard’s cookbook nook. Jane and her Fins along with the Sheriff need to figure out what happened and if the accidents on the show are related. I love this series as you always get a good mystery but you get to see friendships and the Cover Girls (Jane’s book club) are always ready to help each other out. Eloise (Edwin’s sister and Jane’s best friend) is soon to be married to Lachlan (one of the Fins) and there is much discussion on this as well. This is an enjoyable and fast read. You will not want to put it down. Can’t wait for the next installment.

Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams is the 7th book in the Book Retreat Mystery series, and another fun addition. I have not read all the books in the series, but after finishing this book I read the 1st book in the series, I love the characters and magic in this series. Ms Adams is such a talented writer, my favorite series is the Secret, Book & Scone Society series, but this series is not to far behind. Ms. Adams writes so many different series, I don't know how she does it. Jane Steward is busy hosting a cooking show, unfortunately there is a killer on the loose, and Jane is determined to find them. The plot and characters are well developed, and full of twists and turns. I recommend this book/series for all cozy mystery lovers, you won't be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It was way too long since my last visit to Storyton Hall, and it was good to return to read about people I'd love to be friends with. Jane and all the Fins are just so awesome, and the boys are growing like crazy! I got a kick out of them wanting to make and sell jam. Those two, even from the get-go of the series have never gotten on my nerves as far as kids can do in a story. They're sweet, intelligent and very non-annoying lol. I enjoyed having Jane and Edwin in a good place with their relationship. They're awfully sweet together.

Speaking of characters, it was just so cool to have Olivia and her dog Captain Haviland from Books by the Bay come to visit and interact with Jane! It was a really fun surprise, and now I do want to make more of an effort to read more in Books by the Bay-so far, I've only read the first book. It'd be great to see Olivia guest again sometime.

There was a lot of dangerous stuff going on surrounding the filming of a cooking reality show with book themed challenges, and there were quite a few suspects, secrets and twists. The showdown was partially planned out (I always love how the Fins and the book club spring into action to help Jane), but it still went well as far as catching the perp. As with all this author's books that I've read, it's so character-driven and so much about people who care about one another that I just didn't want it to end. But she does do a really nice wrap-up at the end, which gives readers more of that book euphoria that can last quite sometime.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams takes us back to Storyton Hall where Jane is working very hard to keep her resort running smoothly while raising her sons and having a life. Storyton Hall is a huge old house remade into a resort for booklovers with a fabulous library as well as rooms/places and menu items named after book and authors. It is the last place you would think to find a reality TV showing being filmed, and yet, it was. Posh Palate with Mia Mallett was a program pitting six famous chefs against one another in pursuit of fame and a cash prize. Mia Mallett was not only the host but a famous Instagram influencer who, it turns out, had been corresponding with Mrs. Hubbard, Storyton Hall's chief cook, for weeks. They were now firm friends before Jane had even met her. At the first day of filming there was a fire on one wall of the huge tent that had been hired to house some of the episodes. No one was hurt and the plan for the day progressed. Shortly, though, someone was hurt, murdered, in fact. One of the chefs, Chef Pierce, and some of the Hall's precious china had been broken in the act. Then a grill exploded, thankfully only injuring one man, and other things were going wrong. It was too much. Jane wanted to stop filming but apparently that was not an option, so they carried on.

Storyton Hall is a wonderful place with a very interesting history. Jane was its newest guardian but great uncle Aloysius and great aunt Octavia had resigned the position but were still living there. There were also a half dozen ultimate security personnel on duty disguised in other positions, ready at a moment's notice to defend Jane and Storyton Hall. It was a tradition that had gone back generations. Additionally, there was Edwin, Jane's partner, who now ran a restaurant in Storyton Village, but had been a Robin Hood of book thieves, returning books to their real owners. Not to mention, Jane could take care of herself. The back-story is as interesting as the current mystery. All of this makes The Book Retreat series a go-to in the cozy mystery genre. This is no exception: a terrific mystery, a visit by a cross-over character, Olivia Limoges, a plethora of interesting characters who are a part of this story only, as well as the Cover Girls book club and other residents of Storyton Village. A must read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #murderinthecookbooknook

It all started with a sabotaged electrical box causing a grass fire. But the Murder in the Cookbook Nook was the last straw for Jane Steward, “manager of Storyton Hall, the renowned resort for bibliophiles” in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It had sounded like a great publicity idea to allow a reality cooking contest to film on the Storyton Hall’s grounds. But now everything was falling apart. Jane couldn’t afford to watch the entire cast and crew of the show leave their rooms early if the shoot is cancelled. Jane must find the miscreant! But she will need the support of her book club gals, The Cover Girls.

It was fun to get a behind-the-scenes look a televised food competition. I also enjoyed the ongoing characters like Jane, her boyfriend Edwin, and The Cover Girls. Mrs. Hubbard, the resort’s head chef, gets a much bigger role this time around. However, I thought the mystery within Murder in the Cookbook Nook was much too easy to solve. 3 stars.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

"Murder In The Cookbook Nook" is the seventh delightful book in this charming bibliophile based series. This is one cozy series I read from cover to cover and am always delighted to return to the world the author has created for her devoted readers. I have read the entire series and highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment. Thank you to the author, the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. This is one of my favorite in the series .

Our savvy protagnist Jane is hosting a cook off with six chefs at her book retreat resort Storyton Hall. Storyton is so beautifully described as a retreat for book lovers with each room featuring a theme of authors and books. The author brings Storyton to life for her readers with each book as a heavenly repose from life to escape to. Jane has been entrusted with running the resort and protecting the secret libraries that are on the property. She has a very unique security team that are charged with keeping the resort ,Jane and her family safe. The team of the "Fins" are devoted to Jane and her protection.

As the festivities begin a nefarious drunken chef is causing problems for all and soon to be asked to leave by Jane. Before he is exited from the property he is murdered. The murder takes places in the resorts cookbook nook which is a retreat for their long time cook and keeper of all the cookbooks. Each detail of the cookbook nook is described to the reader as a delight of cookbooks and antiques amassed over the years of the resort. Once he is murdered suspects abound and clues are soon divulging into different directions for Jane and her team.

The sleuth was so well crafted it kept me guessing to conclusion. I love the details in this series that the author brings to life for her readers. Each charcter we want to meet in real life and know. The Fins and Jane are a team that is devoted to all things books and their resort. Her twin boys are adorable pair of scamps. The resort is a dream and the perfect escape for the authors readers. I look forward to the next in series of this delightful bibliophile based cozy series.

Murder in the Cookbook Nook: A Southern Culinary Cozy Mystery for Book Lovers by Ellery Adams
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication Date: April 27, 2021

Murder in the Cookbook Nook is the seventh book in the Book Retreat Mysteries series by Ellery Adams. I had not read the previous books in the series, but was able to read this as a standalone mystery.

This was a fascinating cozy mystery! There were so many twists and turns. I loved that it was set in a literary hotel...that sounds like my dream vacation! I found the characters to be interesting and engaging.

I look forward to reading the other books in the series!

I'm so grateful to Ellery Adams, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Six chefs are at Storyton Hall to compete in a a cooking competition. But one of them is murdered. It is up to Jane Steward and her crew to find out who killed the unlikeable chef before something else happens to derail the competition.
Every year I look forward to opening the pages of the newest Book Retreat mystery and visiting with Jane Steward and her crew. This year’s offering was perfect to me, because I love cooking competition shows, and I love murder mysteries. Mixing the two of them made for a perfect read.
Murder in the Cookbook Nook starts with a fire in the tent, and the story burns through the pages, making it a real page turner. Ms. Adams’ books are character driven, and her characters are magnificently drawn. Ms. Adams’ ability to paint characters so vividly keeps the reader enthralled. And her skills don’t stop with characters. The way the place is written makes Storyton Hall a character of its own. If it were real I would love to visit often and sit with a book and a pot of tea all afternoon long.
One of the things I love most about Ms. Adams’ books is that the killer is not easily identified. I love that they keep me guessing to the end, and Murder in the Cookbook Nook is no different.
If you haven’t read any of the Storyton Hall books I highly recommend them. Each book is a standalone, but if you read rom the first you can follow the history of Storyton Hall and its residents.
Kudos to Ms. Adams. I can’t wait or a return visit.
I read a digital copy of this book provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley.

Ellery Adams really knows how to take you into a story. I so love the adventures Jane and her cohorts get mixed up in. Fitz & Hem are like small adults as they help their mom and the Fins. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I hope Ellery writes many, many more books!

I received this ebook ARC from Netgalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

Jane is excited that a cooking show will be filming at Storyton Hall, six chefs will be competing in hopes of winning the grand prize. When an accident happens to the tent the filming will be happening in Jane begins to worry about the whole production. Things go from bad to worse when the most hated chef amongst the contestants is murdered. It doesn't help when more accidents plague the show. Jane wants everything shutdown, fearing something worse might happen if things continue on as they have. The town has also seen an influx of pranks and Kane can't help but wonder if all the incidents are related to one another. She knows she must do everything she can before someone else ends up dead in the place she loves and calls home. Follow along as Jane tries to put all the clues she has found together so she can figure out just what is going on. This was a wonderfully written cozy read that was filled with an intriguing plot line, beautiful imagery, and characters that you would just love to know.

I am a huge fan of the Book Retreat Mystery series, and each book is unbelievably better than the last. What could be better than a book-themed five star resort, glorious talk of food, a crossover visit from an old literary friend, a touch of romance, and a complex murder mystery to solve? MURDER IN THE COOKBOOK NOOK has it all.

This installment finds resort manager, and guardian of priceless literary treasures, Jane busy with a reality cooking competition that has set up camp at the resort. Things immediately take a dangerous turn when there is an electrical fire followed by one of the chef contestant’s murder…and that’s just the beginning of the danger, action, and puzzles that Jane and her Fin cohorts must face.

There are plenty of new characters to get to know within these pages, all varied and interesting, but my favorite is getting to see Olivia Limoges, her canine companion Captain Haviland, and Chef Michel from Adams’s Books by the Bay series again. I’ve missed these characters so much and dearly hope that Jane and Olivia remain in contact with one another. As always, Jane is intelligent, insightful, and calm under pressure. Her Fin cohorts are fabulous at digging up information and solving clues, and Jane’s twins Hem and Fitz are growing into wonderful tweens.

The motive for all the mayhem is darker than some cozies out there, but it is an important issue handled well with Adams’s deft abilities. The subject never comes across as preachy, and it is a timely message. The mystery is well thought out and executed with aplomb. Every character and event serves a purpose, and the story moves along at a brisk pace. I suspected “whodunit” but was unable to put it all together before Jane and the climactic reveal.

MURDER IN THE COOKBOOK NOOK is one of my best reads of the year. It is a bibliophile’s perfect escape. I cannot wait to spend more time with Jane and company. Highly recommended!

I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Books and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.