I'm always thrilled to visit Storyton Hall, and each installment just gets better and better. Along with the lovely atmosphere of the literary-themed luxury resort, there was the filming of a cooking competition reality show, more time with the wonderful supporting characters, and insight into some human rights issues that don't get enough attention. I also loved the crossover with the Books by the Bay series, and definitely want to see more of these characters again. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series from a favorite author, and I can't wait to read the next one! Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the advance digital copy.

I love the A Book Retreat Mystery series, Storyton Hall and the whimsey surrounding it. I have one minor issue with the tendency to preach in 'Murder in the Cookbook Nook'. Information about social issues in the food industry becomes too much as I try to escape to the environs of Storyton Hall. Some of us need a break from the harshness of life, but Ellery Adams at times has a heavy and depressing hand (i.e. Books by the Bay ending). I'm sorry to feel this way, but there is a delicate balance that I think was missed. I will return again, however, with the hopes of finding joy at Storyton.

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

Another great addition to the series. A reality show comes to Storyton Hall, and things quickly heat up as the cast of celebrity chefs bring mega drama with them. Murder and mayhem soon take over the set, while Jane and her regular crew work hard behind the scenes to once again catch a killer.

Ellery Adams knows how to write a story.


Witty, enjoyable read like a cozy mystery book should read. Characters who make you laugh, you find relatable and enjoy their story make it that much more enjoyable.

"Murder in the Cookbook Nook" is another great addition to the Storyton Hall mystery series. Ellery Adams is probably my favorite cozy mystery author of all-time, she does such a great job with character development.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of MURDER IN THE COOKBOOK NOOK (Book 7 of the Book Retreat Mysteries), by Ellery Adams, in exchange for an honest review. A cook-off television program is filming a book-themed competition at Storyton Hall. However, the filming is plagued by scary accidents and set-backs. When one of chefs is shanked with a piece of priceless porcelain from Storyton’s collection, Jane Steward and Storyton’s security staff work together to aid the police in identifying and apprehending the murderer. Did the cooking competition get too heated? Did the man’s awful personality result in his goose being cooked? Was there a mysterious history between the man and the murderer that boiled over into murder? Olivia Limoges (Books by the Bay Mysteries) makes a cross-over appearance and gives us hope that her series has more to come.

I liked this book and enjoy the author’s writings. I recommend this book to fans of the series and to fans of cozy mysteries featuring books, B&Bs, small towns, television shows, and cooking competitions.

#MurderintheCookbookNook #NetGalley

Storyton Hall is its best vacation spot for lovers of books. The big event this summer at Jane Steward’s resort is A Bookish Cook-Off. It’s a blend of the literary and the culinary. Six chefs are preparing to compete in an outdoor tent at Storyton Hall for prizes that will boost their careers. Before the cameras even start to roll, there is a fire outside the tent. Then one of the contestants is found dead in a pantry packed with two centuries’ worth of cookbooks, among other treasures and rarities. Then a gas grill explodes. Are all the events connected?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. Ellery Adams is one of my favorite cozy authors. I read her Books by the Bay series and am now reading this Book Retreat Mystery series along with the Secret, Book and Scone Society series. I love this series and have read the first 6 in the series so was excited to read this one, and it did not disappoint. I love catching up with Jane , Edwin, the Cover Girls, the Fins and Jane's aunt and uncle. The stories continue to be fresh, and the characters continue to grow and develop. The author added a surprise visitor to this book that I won't reveal but was one I thoroughly enjoyed seeing again.

Ellery Adams' A Book Retreat Series is one of my must reads! Murder in the Cookbook Nook us a take on "reality" cooking shows and of course, one of the nastier contestants is soon found dead. There are too many motives and plenty of suspects but Jane with her colleagues and friends are up to the task. I enjoyed this book very much and appreciated the crossover from the Books by the Bay Series, As always I look forward to the next adventure in Storyton! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #MurderintheCookbookNook.

This series gives me all the feels abs this newest book is no exception! Ellery Adams’s cozy mysteries are hands down my favourite books; they’re just the right length to engross you in the mystery, while updating you on the lives of all the characters. This mystery was so soft and cozy, I felt like I was wrapped up in a soft throw with a cuppa.

I am becoming a huge fan of the cozy mystery genre due to books like this. You can read this as an escape from the everyday in a weekend. A really good mystery.

This is one of the more outlandish cozy series I read, and yet it suits me for sheer escapism. A resort that holds invaluable book treasures? Hotel staff who are trained like CIA agents? A community that works together impossibly kindly and well? Um, yes, please? Somehow, it all works, and this entry is no exception.

A reality cooking show has come to Storyton Hall, and disasters soon follow. Love, pain, industry, abuse, and obsession all play into a mystery that ties up neatly at the end. I'd like to book a vacation at Storyton Hall, but perhaps without the murders ;>) For a cozy read, though, bring 'em on!

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

This is book 7 in this series so be sure to check out the others before reading this one so you don’t miss anything. This book is a cozy mystery, one of my favorite genres and this author is one of the absolute best! It’s full of twists and turns that keep you guessing all the way until the end. If you also like cozies or just good books, this is a must read series!

Virginia is for lovers--and Storyton Hall is its best vacation spot for lovers of books. The big event this summer at Jane Steward's resort is A Bookish Cook-Off. It's a blend of the literary and the culinary--but someone's headed for the mortuary...
This is an entertaining and light cozy with an interesting cast of characters and a fun location. Even though this is a cozy, the mystery has some depth and it held my interest until the end. This is a good series to read for some distraction from the real world. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Murder in the CookBook Nook

Jane Steward is preparing to host a cooking show on her property. Things couldn’t go more wrong with a explosion on set burning a crew member to a death of another one. Jane and her friends must find the killer before someone else ends up dead. There are so many suspects to choose from for many different reasons. With Jane’s life on the line all is played out for the cameras and the world to see.

I love this series and can’t wait to visit with Jane and her friends again.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington books for this ARC of Murder in the Cookbook Nook. I just love Ellery Adam's books! Let's just say that even if I'm in the middle of two other books I will drop them and begin reading her books when they arrive like gifts on my kindle.
This is the seventh book in the Book Retreat series, and this time Storyton Hall finds itself hosting a celebrity cooking competition. Explosions, murder, mystery and intrigue soon take over, but Jane and the Fins are more than capable handling things.
The characters are well drawn and realistic. The setting is simply lovely and you can't read this book without wanting to stroll through Milton's Gardens or linger in the Ian Fleming lounge. But the thing that elevates this above a standard cozy mystery is the plot.
While this can be read as a standalone, do yourself a favor and enjoy the whole series. Worth it!

Several Courses Of Murder Most Foul.....
The seventh Book Retreat mystery and great excitement abounds as a big event is underway - The Bookish Cookoff - at Jane Steward’s resort. With six chefs competing at an outdoor tent what can possibly go wrong? Quite a lot it seems, as several courses of murder most foul mar the proceedings. A likeable protagonist, a colourful cast of supporting characters and a fun plot make for ideal escapist reading. A worthy addition to the series.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Nothing says murder like a cookout bake off.

Six chefs are participating in an outdoor tent but someone will succumb to the heat. A body is found in the pantry which has two century worth of cookbooks among its treasures.

Jane and her friends will once again work together to solve this whodunit before bodies pile up and salvage the event. A fun bake off with books.

Always enjoy visiting Storyton Hall, if only there was a real life version! Such a fun cozy series with plenty of twist and turns, loveable characters, and a charming setting even for a cooking competition that ends in Murder. As always looking forward to the next adventure.

Murder in the Cookbook Nook is the seventh book in the Book Retreat Mystery series. It was the first one in the series that I read and it works well as a standalone. However, I loved this book so much that in the two weeks after reading this, I read all the other books in the series. Hope that gives an indication of how much I enjoyed this world, the characters that inhabit it and the author's talent in weaving a mystery and the ultimate unveiling of the murderer and "criminals".

Jane Steward runs Storyton Hall-a place to unplug and read books while relaxing in a gorgeous resort with plenty of amenities. She has agreed to let a cooking TV show, Posh Palettes, use the resort to film a season of their cooking competition. Jane straddles a fine line between wanting the resort to stay a sanctuary while trying to gain exposure for the resort and generate income for the businesses in Storyton village.

Trouble arises even before the competition starts. Someone causes a fire near the tents that would have been used for the competition. Luckily, Jane and her sons noticed it while out bike riding and got help in time. Then one of the chefs is found dead and the medical examiner concludes it was not accidental. Incidents continue to occur.

This book is full of wonderful relationships and characters and the author has a great way of weaving them all together. Jane works with the sheriff to solve the mysteries and they also have a great working relationship. And the sleuthing and crime solving is top notch.

I received an ARC of the book from the publisher but the opinion expressed is entirely my own.

Everything Ellery Adams writes is marvelous! What can go wrong at a cooking competition? Well just you wait, as you go on a hot ride. Murder aside, there are so many things I love about this book: references to other authors and their books; the appearance of Olivia Limoges and her poodle; bringing child labor to the forefront, etc. I would love to visit Storyton Hall, if it was real! Jane is a wonderful host, even with all she has to deal with. Add this to your pile of must read books!