I love Lauren Elliot and this series is one that I follow closely.

I had a hard time with it, and I stopped for a few days before picking it up again. The book opens with a humdinger. Right at the alter Addie and Simon are getting married. Gotta tell you that threw me for a loop. Did not like that parallel story and mystery - although I am team Mark. We learn more about Addie's history and that of her great-aunt Anita.... What a sad and lovely story at the same time.

I'm glad Addie is taking time to sort herself out, and I hope the next book finds us rekindling a romance - just with whom? I hope it's my guy.

Personally, this was not my favorite story, but I'm glad the author found a way to give Addie some peace and maybe some closure in the future.

Ok so this book made me need to go back and read the whole series. It can definitely be read as a stand alone. The mystery is great. But the emotions!!!!! I feel like if you’ve been following the entire series this book probably took your heart and stomped on it in the best possible way. For that reason I have to go back and read more so I can fully experience the characters. This book made me cry, some beautiful quotes. Loved it!

Dedication to Murder: A Beyond the Page Mystery
By Lauren Elliott
Kensington
May 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

When the affiant asks if anyone has any objections to the couple getting married, it’s usually considered to be a rhetorical question with everyone just moving right on with the ceremony. Unfortunately that’s not the case for Addie Greybourne, who had thought that she was about to have one of the happiest days of her life. Just as Beyond the Page Books and Curios shop owner and veterinarian Dr. Simon Emerson are about to say their final vows in front of the minister and all of her ones, Addie’s new veterinarian runs in with shocking news. It seems that the annulment papers of Dr. Laurel Hill and Simon were never filed in court, meaning that Addie’s soon-to-be-husband is still married to someone else. As distressing as this news is, it could have been less alarming if Simon had ever mentioned being previously married in the first place.

While Simon assures Addie that this is but a speedbump in their path to the altar, fate seems to be against them as additional surprises keep popping up. So it’s not surprising that Addie attempts to distract herself by delving into the delightful treasures she finds hidden away in a newly discovered room of her building. A dedication written in a first edition print of “The Velveteen Rabbit” hints of secrets within Addie’s family, while a mysterious 1950s wedding dress seems to bond her with another failed wedding. A journal from 1952 further reveals a tragedy that may be linked to residents still living in the Massachusetts town, leading Addie and her supportive friends to an investigation at a Senior Living Center. The sorrow of a brokenhearted bride of 1952 gives Addie some reassurance that she can survive her own disappointments, and she is further aided by her besties and found family.

This 9th in the series also has Addie exploring her family’s past as she deals with the shattering of her future. It’s difficult to not be frustrated on her behalf, especially when Simon seems oblivious to Addie’s difficulty accepting his rather blasé explanations. A satisfying conclusion delivers the promise of more hopeful adventures in Addie’s life, which may take her to another country and even more literary treasures. Fans of bibliophile mysteries, generational family dramas, and bittersweet romances will enjoy this latest installment of a heartbreaking -and heartwarming – new entertaining read.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

I have been a fan of the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series since it began. However, I will say upfront that I struggled with Dedication to Murder. Unfortunately, it was simply too difficult to enjoy because it was far too depressing. I enjoyed Addie’s revelation about her great-aunt, and I even liked the references to classic literature, such as The Velveteen Rabbit, but that is the limit of my enjoyment.

Addie discovers that her great-aunt had secrets while going through some of her old trunks in the attic. She comes across a first edition of The Velveteen Rabbit, which her great-aunt inscribes. But the inscription makes no sense and sends Addie down the path of a cold case murder investigation and changes her life forever. But her life has already been changed by her fiance, who neglected to tell her he had been married previously and that he was still married. Something she doesn’t find out until she is walking down the aisle. To top it off, the woman who told her about her fiance's marriage is murdered, and it looks like Addie is the only one in town who isn’t on the suspect list! It is all just too much for her to take in and sends her spiraling into depression and fear.

Suspects are around, and although Addie is not one, everyone else seems to be. I would have thought Addie would be prime suspect number one as she had the most significant motive at the time, but the author chose not to go in that direction. Evidence is scarce, but Addie finds that the little things point the way. Like the investigation into Addie’s great-aunt’s past, readers need to pay attention to the details. Once revealed, the killer will surprise many readers but is not totally unexpected. The Velveteen Rabbit, I felt, should have played a more prominent role in finding clues to the cold case, passages in the text of the book could have been used as clues, but none were used or hinted at. The fact that Addie takes so long to come to a conclusion most people would have come to right from the start surprised me, and unfortunately, I found the character very unlikeable this time around. She was too wishy-washy as far as I was concerned and showed none of the strong, independent, spirited woman we as fans have come to know. All in all, most fans will enjoy this book.

While this was my first introduction to Grayborne Harbor, I felt this installment in the series worked well enough as a standalone.

There are two mysteries that come into play in this particular story; one that's present-day and another that's decades old. While Addie is trying to avoid the pain of her wedding fiasco, she immerses herself in the old mystery but keeps getting pulled into the details of the present-day murder of her fiance's wife's aunt.

Lots of little twists and turns neatly tie everything together at the end, making this a clever and well-written mystery!

I look forward to visiting Grayborne Harbor again in the future.

Thank you to Lauren Elliott, Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

While not my favorite in the series, I'm always excited to get back to Grayborne Harbor! In this one, Addie finds herself trying to solve an old cold case that ends up hitting closer to home than she expected. This one also had a lot of angst and very little bookstore, which was a bit of a bummer. The ending, though, left me very excited to see what Addie gets into in the next book!!

Dedication to Murder by Lauren Elliott has Addie Greyborne digging into a trunk in the attic. An inscription on a beautiful copy of The Velveteen Rabbit along with journals belonging to her ancestor Anita Greyborne has Addie with a mystery on her hands. This is just the diversion Addie needs. Dedication to Murder is the ninth A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery. This is a series that is best read in order which will allow the reader to get know the characters, their backstories, and how the characters are connected. Dedication to Murder starts off with a bang. There is drama from the very first chapter. This is an emotional story. I had to wonder if the author dislikes her main character. She has certainly put her through the wringer. Addie gets to do some introspection which is needed. Addie also needs a diversion from her current woes. It is a good time to check out the attic (I wanted to check it out with her). Addie uncovers a seventy-year-old cold case. Addie reads her ancestors’ journals and asks questions. There is also a current murder and Marc asks for Addie’s help (pigs do fly). The murder occurred during a tea which everyone in town except Addie attended. There are photos and videos of the event. The mysteries were interesting, but they were a cinch to solve. I kept hoping there would be a twist to surprise me (my mother said I have read to many mysteries). Dedication to Murder is an emotional story. I felt bad for Addie (I do not want to say too much and spoil it for you). There are a lot “woe is me” moments along with some jealousy (both of which are understandable). Personally, I feel that Addie dodged a bullet. The story wrapped up neatly and it left me curious. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Dedication to Murder is a curious cozy with a surprising revelation, a treasure trove of a trunk, a cold case, an unworn wedding dress, a treasured tale, a fatal tea party, surfeit of suspects, a difficult decision, and a doting dog.

Will be reading more of this series , it was a fun and enjoyable cozy mystery to just set and read , and had me smiling though it as I read .

This series is one of my favorites so, when a new one is within reach I will have no willpower. I set everything else aside and focus on Addie and Simon and what mystery needs solving. I knew this one was going to be special because of Addie and Simon's wedding. What comes along with it...well I'm not going to say much because I'm afraid of committing spoilers. In a nutshell, the wedding doesn't go as planned, Addie uncovers a cold case when she is sorting through things in the attic. A case that connects to her family. Add to that a new case and all I will say is wow, I didn't see that coming.
As with the previous books in the series the puzzle is well plotted with twists, turns and the usual number of red herrings but this one will stand out from the rest. It's that good.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dedication to Murder is book #9 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series by Lauren Elliott.

Addie is about to get married. Things don’t quite go as expected.

After reading A Margin for Murder (book 8), I couldn’t wait for this book and it didn’t disappoint. I was shocked at the turn of events in Chapter 1 and I knew I wouldn’t be able to put this down. I like the characters how they’ve developed throughout the series. The mysteries were intriguing and I really enjoyed this story.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

When I find a book that totally wows me, I am either at a loss for words or cannot put a coherent thought together. I am somehow feeling both at the moment. I have loved this series from the beginning; however, this is my favorite of the series!! I adore when there is a past mystery/crime/cold case that is explored and somehow ties into the current issues of the novel.

This book had me like WHOA from the first chapter and never slowed down. There were so many feels from heartbreak to suspense to soul searching, I just couldn't get enough. Although there was some resolution, some things are still unknown. I look forward to the next chapter of Addie's life. I am so invested in her journey; I just can't believe I have to wait until next Spring for more.

This series, and especially this book, is fantastic. This novel blew me away!

Finally wedding bells for Addie and Simon, a mystery wedding dress found in a hidden room in the attic, a first edition of The Velveteen Rabbit inscribed to “granddaughter” – a deep delve into the Addie’s family tree leads to some surprising details.
This book was a bit of a different pace then the last ones I read, but overall a easy to read cozy, with interesting plot and definitely twists and turns you don’t see coming

Dedication to Murder, the ninth novel in the Lauran Elliott's Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, is intriguing and touching. Bookstore owner Addie's gorgeous wedding day doesn't turn out the way the happy couple expected when a surprise announcement delays the nuptials. I was critical of Addie's drama queen response, but I doubt I would have handled the news well either. Needing time to think and escape the attention she is sure will surround any public appearance, Addie turns to works that still needs to be done around her inherited home. An attic find pulls the shopkeeper into an old mystery, and a tea party brings a new one. For once her old flame turns to her for help since she is almost the only person in town who isn't a suspect since she did not attend the painful tea party.
With almost no clues to either mystery, Addie steps back from the new one and is pulled by the old one that involves the great-aunt who left her home and bookstore to the young woman, a great-aunt that Addie doesn't even remember.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for allowing me to read and review Dedication to Murder.. The cover was enough to make me want to read it, and the two-level mystery was enticing enough to keep me enthralled.
#Netgalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurenElliott #

DEDICATION TO MURDER, the ninth Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, is the best book yet in the series. With well drawn characters and two mysteries for protagonist Addie to solve, the story is engrossing from the first page to the last.

Addie finds herself at loose ends when her wedding day does not go as planned, and then it seems the hits keep coming. To keep herself busy, she decides to sort through some of her great-aunt’s possessions in her attic. She stumbles across a chest full of items that lead Addie to look into her family’s past and a cold case murder. When a present-day murder investigation stalls, Addie brings fresh eyes to the investigation at Marc’s request. Revelation after revelation bring the two mysteries together with Addie at the center of it all.

The Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery books are among my favorite cozy mysteries. Addie has been through a lot, but she remains resilient. I confess that I did get annoyed with her at times here, but that’s just because I would probably react the same way if I were in her shoes. All of the recurring characters continue to evolve and grow, and I enjoy spending time with all of them. The dual mysteries are each well developed and compelling. I cannot wait to see what is in store for Addie in the next book.

DEDICATION TO MURDER is wonderful, if a bit different than the other books in the series. I highly recommend it to fans of author Lauren Elliott and any cozy reader looking for a meatier tale.

2.5 ⭐️Not my cup of tea. It’s a cozy mystery and it was just boring to me. I usually read really dark stuff, so maybe that just isn’t what I was expecting. I was just bored with this book and there were too many things going on at once.

With their wedding day finally here, Addie walks down the aisle to meet Simon and start their happily ever after. But this isn’t the only wedding dress in Addie’s life as she finds a hidden room in the attic with an old wedding dress and a series of journals that will reveal things she never knew about.

Surprises, sadness, joy and heartfelt sorrow will all weave their threads through this story and leave you both heartbroken for the past and hopeful for the future. Told and spun into a story in the way that only Lauren Elliott can deliver. This series gets better and better with each entry and leaves me wanting the next one before I even set the current one down at the end.

This was well-written as always, but it was definitely not one of my favorites of the series. I was so looking forward to Addie's wedding, but by the end of the book, I wasn't happy at all with the outcome of the entire book.

The mystery part was good and how Addie managed to sleuth it out like she always does--and cleverly avoid getting killed. But she was really getting on my last nerve at times--and I can't really tell much else or I might spoil something. All I can say is I seriously hope there's another book to get everything resolved. I guess I'm just used to books with endings I'm excited about which is why I read cozy mysteries. I trust this author and am gonna try to be patient though. ;)

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

Have been a fan of Lauren Elliott for a long time and her latest book is another winner. I really appreciate the publisher going to the extra effort to have a beautiful cover that actually represents one of the main themes in the story. The ending was a bit of a shock since these were characters familiar to me from previous books in the series. Thanks to #NetGalley and #DedicationToMurder for advanced digital copy.

Oh wow! I totally didn't see this storyline coming! Addy not only finds an old mystery to solve, but gets thrown for a total loop in her own life. I'm so blown away by this book that I am having trouble finding the words. All I can say is more, more, more! I need to know what happens next and am going to be anxiously awaiting the author's next release! I couldn't put this book down and powered through entirely too fast and am left with a book hangover now! The way the plot lines overlap and wove together...just read this book. I am terrified that I'll give away anything good if I say more! Although I will say that you should read this series in order as the series builds the characters backstories and relationships as each book comes out.