I thought it was another person who had committed the murder. So much so, that I think I tuned out other possibilities.

As the book was winding down, it appeared to be the end, or possibly close to the end of this series. There are ways to branch off, especially with Jane’s Uncle Aloysius and his little secret, but that might have to wait until Hem and Fitz grow up. We will have to see since no one ends a series with book #9. Or do they? Maybe there is another secret that we haven’t yet been privy to. Wondering minds what to know.

Jane Steward and Edwin Alcott are off for some time alone, away from the cares of Storyton Hall and the Daily Bread Cafe. Leaving Jane's sons and their poodles (Merry and Pippin) in the care of Jane's aunt and uncle and all the faithful staff at the inn, the couple visits Oyster Bay. As Ellery Adams fans know, the bay is home to Olivia Limoges (from the Books by the Bay mystery series), who had visited Storyton and then invited Jane and Edwin to visit her when they had the chance. Sadly, their rest and relaxation is not meant to be. Edwin steps on a stingray and Jane discovers a dead body with a Storyton keychain nearby. Is this death linked to the inn somehow?

No matter where Jane and Edwin go they are always involved in some sort of mystery. And when they return home, the mystery follows along as they try to find out how that keychain fits in with everything they have learned. All the suspects in the murder were people whose life stories the victim had made his career out of fictionalizing and making a profit from. Could Jane have been his next target for a new book deal? Every family has secrets - the Stewards more than most.

It was entertaining to see Jane and Edwin without the buffer (or interruptions) of everyone at the inn for a short while. And with the tie between the characters from Storyton and Oyster Bay (see Murder in the Cookbook Nook) reinforced by this second murder investigation, fans may hope to see even more crossover between the characters from the two series. A satisfying murder mystery with plenty of book references. As Mrs. Pratt says, "Books can't solve all our problems, but they can always help us escape them for a little while." I hope readers find this an engaging escape from their own concerns. After reading the description of the book lover's loft that the couple stays in for their getaway, I want to find a similar spot to vacation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams. The cover of this cozy mystery was super cute and the synopsis intriguing. When I got the notification that I was approved to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review, I was excited.

This book was an easy read as well as super cute and fun. It reminded me a bit of a Nancy Drew book. Although Murder In The Book Lover's Loft was a bit predictable at times, it was thoroughly enjoyable. I really enjoyed the characters of Jane, Edwin, and Olivia. I even liked Mr. Butterworth . . . he reminded me of the butler in the 1998 version of The Parent Trap. There were plenty of suspects throughout the story and plenty of clues pointing to the murderer. However, I couldn't quite figure out who it was because so many of the people had such good motives.

I look forward to reading all the preceding books in the Book Retreat Mystery series and all that come after this installment. Five out of five stars is what I gave Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the books in the Book Retreat series by Ellery Adams. Between a book about books and being a cozy mystery, I’m a fan! The characters are well developed and the settings … in Oyster Bay, NC and Virginia were entertaining. There were lots of twists and turns and the story kept you guessing until the end. I have missed a few of the books in the series but will definitely go back and fill in the gaps. It does make a difference if you read them in order.

I strongly encourage you to get lost in the pages of this series. You will find yourself immersed in the story and the lives of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Cozy Mystery Series do not get more enjoyable than the Book Retreat Mystery Series by Ellery Adams. To attain the most enjoyment when reading this stellar work wait for a day that is overcast and cool, make a pot of tea, and pull out your favorite blanket. Jane and Edwin leave Storyton Hall for a much-needed vacation and of course stumble upon a murder at the inn at which they are staying. I had a delightful time trying to figure out the 'who-done-it" due to the excellent suspects. If you haven't read the other titles in this series, you may well be moved to go back to the beginning.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title in exchange for a review.

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is an interesting addition to the Book Retreat Mystery series. Jane and Edwin take a short vacation trip to North Carolina. They meet up with an author that has a reputation of writing books that deal with other people's tragedies. He is also a philanderer and is not well liked in the writing community. When they are out on the beach, Jane notices a man lying in the sand and discovers that it is the author. At the same time she is dealing with Edwin who stepped on a couple of stingrays and has barbs in his feet, the poison causing him to have an allergic reaction. Once Edwin is discharged from the hospital, they head back to Storyton to try and figure out why, Jane's family was the next one on his list to write about. Ellery Adams gives background information about Jane's first husband and the tragedy surrounding his life and death. Will the murderer follow Jane back home?

I liked how Ellery Adams brought Olivia Limoges, the protagonist of her Books by the Bay series into this story. This was another well plotted and developed mystery, with several suspects and twists. Jane knew that whoever the murderer was, they had been to Storyton before, and she was hoping they would appear at the ball they were having at the resort. So many of the characters are moving on to a new life, and all the dangerous books have been sold off or donated, or have they? As I read this story, it felt like the series was coming to an end with so many loose ends tied up, but then there is a scene that leaves the door open. This was another great story, with a mix of mystery and personal stories of the characters. I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as the last one.

This was hard to rate. I enjoyed the mystery part of the story as I always do. But the prude in me was SO VERY DISAPOINTED in the author that I just couldn't let it pass. In fact, as much as I have loved this series, very soon after beginning the book, I decided that this would be the last of the series I would read. I heard another cozy author say that many authors are trying to push the envelope of what they can write. Most of them seem to be going "woke" and include LGBTQ+ characters and scenes, but Ellery Adams has decided to attack different traditional values.

In this book, Janet and Edwin, still unmarried, go off on a romantic vacation together. They share a bedroom, and it is presumed form the text, an intimate relationship. Okay, I know that they are adults. I know that people do this as a matter of course these days. But I was still shocked that this was so flagrant. I believe in the past, Edwin has stayed at Jane's house, but I always had understood that he stayed in a guest room, not with Jane.

And then, the author goes on to state that "Books had taught her about mortality, fostered her independence, and encouraged her dreams and ambitions." So what were the books that a Jane was reading? Probably not Jane Austen who would have NEVER had such a situation be seen as proper. Is there some sort of traditional morality with sex outside of marriage going on in the author's mind? Does she not think that Jane is setting an example for her 12 year old twins who surely can figure out what is going on? Is that the morality that Jane wants for Fitz and Hem?

And then later, when talking about costumes she tells that Geppetto would never offer "sexy costumes." Why not? What is the morality that prohibits Gepetto from making a "sexy costume" and who decides what is "sexy"?

SPOILER:
The way the book ended, this could easily be the last of the Book Retreat series. After all, it seems that now there is no need for the Fins and they are now each free to go about whatever life they want. They are no longer bound to secure the treasure of Storyton Hall.

And while, now married, I needn't worry about that, I have no desire to read Ellery Adams anymore knowing that she has succumbed to the mortality of the current age. This is all the more surprising seeing that Ellery Adams is also an author of the Hope Street Church Mysteries which I also adored. (At least she didn't have Cooper Lee jumping into bed with another character in Hope Street Church!)

So sad. I am being pushed more and more into rereading older books that actually had traditional morality.

Even though this book is not the first in the series, it is the first one I have read. It was easy for me to understand the characters and their roles. I enjoyed the story which has a bit of whimsey to it. Jane and Edwin as set to take a little vacation to North Carolina. They are staying at a resort and in a room that has floor-to-ceiling bookcases. When Jane walks into the bathroom, she finds a skull and a warning note on the mirror. The next day she attends a book event hosted by her friend. Three authors are featured. One of them was the previous occupant of the room Jane is currently staying at the resort. He also has made a nasty habit of writing his stories based on true life tragedies. These tragedies happened in the lives of his fellow authors! He may have Jane's family targeted for his next book! When Jane stumbles upon his body on the beach, it throws her into the case. He is found with a keychain from her own Inn. What is the connection and who really killed him.

Great story. I now have to go read all the previous books in this series! The story was a nice escape and kept me engaged. I like Jane, Edwin, and all the other characters. There are a few twists and turns along the way.

The 9th book in the Book Retreat Mystery series and my first installment...why have I waited so long to dive into this series??

In this book, Jane and her fiancé Edwin are off on a vacation of their own. But some chaos ensues when Edwin is injured and Jane stumbles upon a dead body...what a way to spend a vacation! There are plenty of suspects and lots of cozy fun, and I am hopeful that this is not the end of this delightful series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Now that Jane has arranged for the precious treasure of books she and her family have protected for centuries in Storyton Hall are set to go to new homes, she and her fiancé Edwin can take a break. They head off to Oyster Bay on the coast, checking in at a glorious resort. Their plans for a restful romantic stay are thwarted almost immediately first by an accident and then by two deaths. It seems violence has followed them.

Jane is at a loss to figure out her connection to the happenings other than the fact she discovered both bodies. But there is a link and once she finds it, she is convinced she will also reveal the killer. It is a complex story with many twists and turns. When she and Edwin leave for home, the local authorities think they have the villain in custody. Jane is not so sure and elaborate plans are made to lay a trap for the killer. When the person is revealed, the backstory is tragic and heartbreaking. It does not excuse the killings but even Jane has a lot of sympathy for the perp.

This is a lovely series that blends books and mysteries with a touch of James Bond with a magical place that I would love to visit were it real. This book could be read as a standalone but treat yourself and go back and read through the series. Five purrs and two paws up.

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is the 9th book in the Book Retreat Series by Ellery Adams.
I love this series so much. First, Adams is great at crafting the mystery itself, but more than that, the book is about family and friends with a touch of romance too.
This case involves a mystery writer whose stories touch a bit too close to home for some of his fellow writers, so when there is a murder in the small town of Oyster Bay where our main characters, Jane and Edwin, are supposed to be enjoying a vacation away from the frequent murders at Storyton Hall, their home, they need to stay and help their friend, Olivia, figure out what is going on, especially since there is a connection to Storyton Hall that they all need to figure out.
The way the story ends makes me think this might be the last book in the series, but I certainly hope not!
Thank you to Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft: A Book Retreat Mystery
By Eller Adams
Kensington
August 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

Stoyton Hall Guardian to the secret library housing thousands of priceless books and unpublished manuscripts is finally taking a vacation. For the first time Jane Steward Butler is leaving her twin sons at home in Virginia while she and her fiancé Edwin Alcott spend five days at the Admiral’s Inn in Oyster Bay, North Carolina. As someone whose family has for generations been sworn to protect and guard some of the most dangerous and valuable tomes of the world, it shouldn’t be too surprising that Jane has chosen to stay at a resort designed to inspire writers and serve as an authors’ retreat. Jane and Edwin’s stay is off to a bit of a rocky start when their room unexpectedly includes not only a skull, but a menacing message written on a mirror. While it’s uncertain for whom the threat was intended, the skull was apparently a prop owned by the previous tenant, the famous thriller writer Justin St. James. In town for a booksigning at Bayside Books, St. James is not entirely welcome by the Admiral Inn’s owner, Olivia Limoges. It seems that St. James frequently took inspiration from real-life tragic events and twisted them into unrecognizable versions for entertainment, with one of his subjects being Olivia’s late husband. So when the author’s body is found dumped on the beach owned by Olivia and on Admiral’s Inn’s property it won’t be long before she becomes the primary suspect.

With Edwin sidelined due to an unfortunate interaction with a pair of stingrays, Jane and Olivia join forces to follow the trail of lives devastated by St. James’ best-selling depictions of them. It becomes even more crucial when a keychain from Storyton Hall is found near his body, along with a book page leading back to the Steward family’s secret purpose. While she has made it her mission to release the works into the world (with a few dangerous ones still kept under lock and key), Jane worries what exposure could do to her family and those devoted to help her. Focusing instead on those with personal reasons to want the author dead, Jane begins looking into the other writers featured at the Triple Thrills event, authors who attended for the sole reason of confronting St. James for plagiarizing from their lives. Even after another body is found and a culprit quickly arrested, both Jane and Olivia find it a bit too convenient and begin looking into authors who all seem to have motives, means, and opportunities to eliminate the man who profited off of their greatest tragedies.

There’s a reason fans love to see their characters crossover in movies and television shows. It’s such a treat to see their fictional friends meet one another, and here we enjoy Storyton Hall’s book Guardians and protective Fins vacationing in Oyster Bay along with Book by the Bay series heroine Oliva Limoges. This is still a Book Retreat mystery though, with a body being found in Storyton Village at the beginning playing a large role as the setting returns to Virginia by the latter half of the novel. While this series could continue for as long as the author feels inspired to do so, this does feel like an appropriate send-off as it circles around to an All Hallows’ Ball celebration similar to the Halloween event that first brought all of the characters together. Longtime fans will be rewarded as Jane celebrates with her new family, Uncle Aloysius continues to be mischievous but well-intentioned, and Storyton Village embraces all who appreciate the written word. Literature and those who create it always play a central role in this series, making it such a satisfying and exhilarating read for all those who embrace the love of books.

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is another fantastic installment in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.
Jane and Edwin are off to Oyster Bay for a much needed vacation but of course, murder disrupts their plans. Unfortunately, the murder has ties to Storyton Hall so they cannot leave it behind as they return home.
Ellery Adams always writes a great mystery full of twists in a style that keeps the pages turning without any slow spots. The characters are complex and very likable, except of course those the reader is not supposed to like. I have loved reading how the recurring characters have evolved over time. Each visit to Storyton is like returning to visit old friends.
The cross-over with Olivia and the Oyster Bay gang is a bonus for Adams' readers who enjoy her other series but causes no issues for those who haven't read the other series.
I highly recommend Murder in the Book Lover's Loft to all cosy mystery readers.

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is book #9 in the Book Retreat Mysteries series. Does cozy mystery series is all about everything? Literary including Storyton the hall, a Ritzy Resort Retreat for book lovers, authors, and...murders! Not to mention a collection of priceless books hidden away in a secret room. For once, the murders do not take place at story 10 hall. But you can be assured that Jane and her fiancé Edwin are still very much involved. Written with an intricacy that's often missing in a cozy mystery, this book will keep you guessing and keep surprising you till the end. And speaking of the ending… could this be the end of this series? It seems to wrap up and close out a lot of details. Perhaps a new spin-off series is coming? If you love all things literary, then this is the book, the series for you📚💕

This was a little.....clunky for me. The dialogue was stilted; information that came from dialogue felt very cheesy and forced. I know we need to learn through dialogue, but it wasn't done very well. I wasn't too involved in the mystery because it had a lot of pieces in it and that made it hard to follow along.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

I adore this series. Everything is literary related and the characters all love books as much as I do. Jane and Edwin go on vacation and murder follows them. As they head back home, the mystery is still unsolved, and comes around to their home. All of the recurring characters are great in this one, and it leaves me wishing for a book club as amazing as the one they have in this book. The ending felt like it could be the end of the series. I hope not, but it was fitting for a finale. I hope there are more to read!

I've loved this series since the first book I've read. And this one which turns out to be the last one in the series is no different. It wrapped up the mystery in the book as well as the whole series. But did leave a few things open for possible spin off series.

If you like a good mystery series with amateur sleuths and wonderful characters, this is a great series to check out. Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is the ninth in the Book Retreat Mystery series and, after reading it, I’m guessing it may be the final one - which makes me a bit sad, as I really enjoyed both the story and the characters.

The main character is Jane Steward, whose family has run Storyton Hall, a hotel/resort in western Virginia that caters to book lovers. I was a bit disappointed at first that the story sends Jane and her fiancé Edwin to the North Carolina coast for a short vacation, but that setting was also really lovely with interesting characters, and the second half of the book sees them back at Storyton Hall. Murder seems to follow Jane! A body is discovered near Storyton Hall right before they leave for their vacation, and more deaths occur in Oyster Bay, North Carolina while they’re there, one right in the cottage where Jane and Edwin are staying! Are they connected? If so, how?

I’m very late to this series, which is odd because I have loved another series by the talented Ellery Adams (the Secret, Book and Scone Society series). In addition to this book, I’ve only read the first book, Murder in the Mystery Suite. I’m quite glad I read that first book, for its story and all the backstory on the secret library at Storyton Hall, but I think this one would work as a standalone if you haven’t read any of the others - of course, you’ll appreciate the continuing characters and backstory much more if you’ve read at least one of the previous books in the series. In addition, this story seems to be a bit of a crossover from another of Adams’ series that I haven’t explored, Books By The Bay!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This has to be one of my favorite one in the series. I've read these from the first one and each has gotten better and better. This one finds them on a vacation to North Carolina to visit with Olivia Limoges and murder seems to follow. The book is well-paced and a great mystery. However, I think the reason that I look forward to these books so much is the characters and their relationships. I loved reading about the cover girls, Olivia, the kids and the staff of Storyton. Overall, this is definitely a 5-star book. I'd give it more if I could.

Jane finally feels comfortable enough to leave Storyton and is happy to get away with her fiance Edwin. The two are traveling to the North Carolina coast to vacation and Jane is excited about the floor to ceiling bookshelves in their room. The two start out having a lovely time until Edwin steps on not one but two stingrays which sidelines him from doing any real exploring because he has to use a wheelchair. Things get even worse when Jane finds a body and learns that it is an author who was not only staying in the same room she is in now but he is also the headline author at her friends book signing. She learns said author enjoys taking hardships that real people have experienced and turns them into fiction. Jane isn't one to sit by especially when her friend seems to be among the suspects. Follow along and see whether Jane can find the answers she seeks and bring a killer to justice.