Another great book in the series. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery was fun and had me wondering who done it throughout the story. Such a fun read!

I have not had the best luck with cozies lately, even with series that I have loved for years, so I will admit going into this book with some trepidation. Thankfully, with the exception of the ending, this book exceeded my expectations and I feel funny for having doubt! :-)

Set in Oyster Bay [and can we just take a moment to talk about how awesome it is to be back there AND to have Olivia back in our lives? I loved her in the cooking challenge book and it was so awesome to see her again in this book - her decisions are some of the best parts of the ending] and then back at Storyton Hall, this book has many twists and turns and kept me guessing to the end [which is NOT what you expect and is much sadder than I had anticipated] - I didn't have a clue about the killer and I think you too will be surprised at what the reveal reveals. Jane is so very generous and has a way better heart than I do - that is ALL I will say. ;-)

There were quite a few revelations throughout this book and it was really lovely. My only complaint was the end - it all seemed rather rushed and since we have been following Edwin and Jane for so long, a little more of their romance would have been lovely. Rushed endings are not my favorites and it just seemed like there was too much crammed in at the last 20 minutes. It didn't change my rating [or overall feeling of the book], but it did make me a touch disgruntled. ;-)

I am not sure there will be another book as this one feels really final, but if there is, I will be there with bells on - this series has been one of my favorites from the beginning and I have loved watching all the great things that have happened to everyone in these books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ellery Adams, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a crossover series, and Ellery Adams never disappoints with her cozy mysteries.

I enjoyed the storyline and the pace was great - I never got bored.

When a visiting author is murdered, Edwin, Jane and Olivia join forces to find out why. Full of so many twists, this story kept me guessing. I thought the storyline of an author using others’ tragedies for his story fodder was really clever and made for a great read (and mystery). It was also fun learning more about Storyton Hall‘s history.

Can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is such a creative series. Storyton is such a unique setting. The literary references and the bookish themed mysteries make this a great series for book lovers. Jane and Edwin are getting away on a mini vacation for some rest and relaxation, but it wouldn’t be a mystery without those plans going somewhat awry. The story moves from Oyster Bay back to its culmination at Storyton Hall. The characters in this series are well developed and very engaging. The mystery is compelling and entertaining. I always look forward to the newest installment in this series and this one certainly didn’t disappoint!

Calling all cozy mystery bibliophiles! Here is a new one for you by Ellery Adams. In Murder in A Book Lover’s Loft, all Jane and Edwin wish to do is to have a nice relaxing vacation. They choose to stay in a harborside loft which has bookcases full of books that go from the floor to the ceiling (I would love to stay there)! Unfortunately, their trip ends up not being so relaxing. Edwin steps on a stingray and Jane finds a dead body!

While I enjoyed reading Murder in A Book Lover’s Loft, I did not enjoy it as much as some of her other books. Still, I would recommend reading the book.

I adore books about books, especially mysteries. I have been a fan of this series from book 1. The setting and cast of characters are so engaging that you feel like you are in Storyton.

The mysteries and stories in this installment are written beautifully. This was written with the perfect mixture of old and new cast. The stories in this novel truly touched my emotions.

I love the progression of relationships, both romantic and friendship. I feel as if this novel wrapped up the series well. I am not certain if this is the last book and I hope not, but it was a great ending.

I was hooked from the beginning, and I couldn't put the book down until I found out who the killer was. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing, and I was surprised by the reveal at the end.

Overall, I enjoyed Murder in the Book Lover's Loft. It was a fun and cozy mystery with likable characters, a well-developed setting, and an engaging mystery. I would recommend it to other fans of cozy mysteries.

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is book #9 in the Book Retreat Mystery series by Ellery Adams.

Jane and Edwin are off for a romantic getaway, but the vacation doesn’t go as planned.

I loved this book! Fans of the Books by the Bay series are in for a treat. The vacation starts off well, but finding a body changes things. I’ve read the whole series and seeing Hem and Fitz grow up and Jane and Edwin’s romance grow has been a pleasure. The mystery was interesting with plenty of twists to keep me guessing. This felt like it could be the end of the series, but I hope it isn’t!

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.

This series just keeps getting better and I am beyond thrilled that it has crossed over with the Books by The Bay series!!! I am beyond thrilled that Olivia and Captain Haviland are back for another visit and hopefully will be making many more appearances in future books since it appears she may have a connection with a long time Storyton Hall resident! Yes, I am full on bouncing in my chair like a toddler in joy at this possibility!!! I absolutely loved the Books by the Bay series and have fallen in love with all the characters in this series so to have a crossover of favorite characters brings me immense amounts of pleasure! Once again Jane is forced to investigate a murder especially when it looks like a friend is in danger of being blamed and it connects back to Storyton Hall in some weird way! If you haven't read this series, you are missing out on an amazing literature inspired cozy mystery series. Excellent characters, fantastic dialogue and interactions and a drool worthy setting that makes me so jealous that I can schedule my next vacation at Storyton Hall in real life! I can't wait for the next adventure for this crew of characters!

MURDER IN THE BOOK LOVER’S LOFT, the ninth installment in the wonderful Book Retreat Mystery series, just might be my favorite to date. With characters from both author Ellery Adams’s Book Retreat and Books by the Bay series and a compelling puzzle to solve, it is sure to please fans and new readers alike.

Jane and Edwin take a few days away from Storyton Hall to visit new friend Olivia in Oyster Bay, NC, but their plans quickly derail when Jane discovers a body on the beach and Edwin has a medical emergency. As the body count rises, it soon becomes clear that Jane is a target. With Olivia and the Fin’s help, they do all they can to catch the killer.

It is no secret that Ellery Adams is one of my most beloved authors. I have enjoyed all of her series so it is quite the treat to once again see characters from the discontinued Books by the Bay series and visit Oyster Bay. I love all of these recurring characters; reading is akin to getting to visit with old friends. Jane continues to be a favorite amateur sleuth. The mystery within these pages is challenging and interesting. I did not figure it all out until the exciting reveal. The ending ties everything together. I do hope there will be more books to come.

Highly Recommended!

MURDER IN THE BOOK LOVER’S LOFT can be read on its own, but I do suggest starting this series with book one, MURDER IN THE MYSTERY SUITE. There is a major spoiler in Lover’s Lot for another book in the series.

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

My favorite author has done it again…….created a world so believable that I long to be a part of it. The ending was so sweet and sentimental that it felt like the author was. concluding this series. I hope that is not the case.. Because I want to read further adventures of characters who range from children to great-aunts and great-uncles, whose friends become relatives, whose lives revolve around books, good food and beautiful settings. Thanks to #NetGalley and #Murderinthebooklover’sloft for advanced digital copy.

Jane and her fiancé Edwin leave Storyton for a week at the beach. However, their vacation quickly goes awry. A skull and a threatening message is in the cottage bathroom. The following day Edwin gets stung by sting rays and suffers an allergic reaction. And then the murders begin. Needless to say this isn’t the vacation they had in mind. Another great Book Retreat mystery.

Murder In The Booklover’s Loft is the ninth book in the Book Retreat Mysteries series by Ellery Adams.

The story begins with a body being found on Storyton Hall's property. The dead man is not a guest of Storyton Hall, so she will let the local sheriff and her staff handle the investigation as to who the man is. Jane and Edwin are ready to leave Oyster Bay, North Carolina, on vacation. They will stay with their friend Olivia and her standard Poodle, Captain Haviland, at Olivia’s beachfront home.

On the first day of vacation, they all head to the beach. What would be a beautiful first day of Jane and Edwin’s vacation will turn to horror. As Jane finds Justin St. James near a dune, a room key from Storyton Hall is near his body. She soon hears Edwin yelling for help. Edwin has stepped on a stingray and has several barbs on the bottom of his foot. After removing the barbs, he soon has an allergic reaction and must be hospitalized for a few days.

St. James, an author, is in Oyster Bay to join two other authors appearing at Olivia’s bookstore to discuss their books and book signing. St. James was not well-liked. For one thing, he believed that only men could write good books, and secondly, he would take true tragic stories and change just enough facts and names to keep from being sued. Olivia is one of those that St. James wrote about, and she let it be known that she most definitely didn’t like him and she will become a prime suspect. One of the panel members also had her life story written about by St. James. Even though the case hasn’t been solved, Jane and Edwin can return to Storyton Hall. Once back home, they fear the killer has followed them to Storyton Hall. Jane and the Fins hope to catch the murderer at the Halloween ball before any more lives are lost.

I enjoy Ms. Adams's writing, and this book combined characters from my favorite series, the Book Retreat and Books By The Bay. Ms. Adams is a skilled storyteller; her writing is so descriptive. This story is well-written, plotted, and exciting. The characters are all excellent and fascinating. I would love to call them my friends.

I hope there will be more books in this wonderful series.

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams is a delight to read. We journey back to Storyton Hall in Virginia where Jane Steward is getting ready to go on a vacation with her betrothed, Edwin. I would love to visit Storyton Hall. It is a resort for bibliophiles and writers (for anyone who loves and appreciates books). I thought Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft was well-written with a great cast of characters. I have enjoyed getting to know Jane, Edwin, the twins, Aunt Octavia, Uncle Aloysius, the staff at Storyton Hall, and the Cover Girls. I like that the author tied this story in with her A Books by the Bay Mysteries which features Olivia Limoges and her canine companion, Captain Haviland (a black standard poodle). Jane and Edwin travel to Oyster Bay, North Carolina for a vacation and end up embroiled in a mystery. It is a well-plotted mystery. There are several suspects because the victim who is author Justin St. James was not a nice man. I had a good time following Jane as she questioned people and searched for clues. The costumed All Hallows’ Ball was a great place to catch a killer. The Fins and the Cover Girls as well Sheriff Evans (loved his costume) and his deputies were there to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. I loved the ball with everyone in costume. It made for an entertaining and lively reveal. I like how all the various elements tied together. The last chapter will delight fans of the series. I finished Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft with a smile on my face. I was sad that Jane felt the need to dispose of the treasures in the secret room (she has been doing this in the last couple of books). I can understand being afraid of people breaking in to get their hands on the special items hidden at Storyton Hall, but I do not if I could have let go of such unique items. I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story. I like that the author included Olivia Limoges and gave us a conclusion to her story. The woman certainly deserves to have a happy ending. Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is the ninth A Book Retreat Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. However, I have enjoyed following Jane Steward on her journey since the beginning. It has allowed me to get to know her as well as the other characters and the secret of Storyton Hall. Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft has friendships, family, books, murder, furbabies, food, romance, and fun. I sincerely hope that this is not the last book in A Book Retreat Mysteries because I will miss my yearly visits to Storyton Hall. Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is an entertaining tale with an odd death, a beach retreat, murdered author, playful puppies, fishy suspects, bookish costumes, and a startling reveal.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies for the eARC and to Tantor Audio for the ALC! It’s such a privilege to read/listen before pub day and provide my candid review.

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Audiobook Rating: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Steam: 🔥 (0-5) kissing only, not a romance book

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Mood readers—Halloween time and costume fun with Pinkoween, & All Hallows Ball.
🤩 The mixed small-town & beach-town settings between Storyton (Storyton Hall hotel) & Oyster Bay (The Book Lovers Loft at The Admiral’s Inn). Read the blurb.
🤩 Such beautiful and interesting descriptions—immersive.
🤩 So many clever one-liners, constantly made me smile.
🤩 Book club, book lovers, book store—all the bookish fun. “Books, booze, and a bunch of people obsessed with murder. What could possibly go wrong?”
🤩 Eight ball decision-making. Ha! I need The Cover Girls book club friends in my life.
🤩 The MCs are the sweetest—the romance lover in me was glad to be hanging out with Jane and Edwin.
🤩 The mishaps and mystery-solving fun make for an intriguing plot.
🤩 The twist, the end (I had no idea). I got goosebumps and had tears in my eyes.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I don’t love dead people in my books, but this was tolerable and not gory. Maybe I can have a goal to read at least one cozy mystery per year like I do thrillers (or possibly two).

Jane and Edwin take a mini vacation. Some vacations don’t always turn out as one had planned. The perfect getaway bungalow takes on a sinister affect when writing is found in their bathroom along with a skull. To add to the woes of the couple, Edwin has a mishap in the ocean while Jane and her friend, Olivia, discover a body close by. As in prior books in Book Retreat Mysteries Series there’s also festivities happening: imagine a town where everyone dresses up in pink for charity. The murder victim seems to have a connection to Storyton Hall so all is alert at the Masquerade Ball. All the lovable characters around Storyton Hall including Jane’s twins Hemmingway and Fitzgerald play a role in the end—one that felt like an end to the series; if so, I can’t wait to read the next series by Ellery Adams. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for advanced reader copy; this is my honest opinion.

Again, another wonderful masterpiece. I finished reading this mystery in one sitting, In the 9th Book Retreat cozy mystery, Jane and Edwin travel to Oyster Bay, North Carolina. Their friend Olivia Limoges, from the Books by the Bay series, lives in Oyster Bay with her dog, Captain Haviland.

When Jane and Edwin arrive at the Booklover's Loft, they are rudely surprised by a fake skull in the bathroom. They learn that someone was targeting the person who was staying at the same cottage before Jane and Edwin's arrival. And there is a strange message on the mirror.

They overhear an argument at a bookstore and one of the people involved in the argument winds up dead on the private beach. It looks like Olivia is the suspect in the murder. Jane and Edwin ask for the Fins' help in finding the real killer.

Wonderful story development. Interesting characters.

4.5, rounded up. There's a reason this is one of the cozy series I've recommended most often. Even with a change of setting for the majority of this book, away from Storyton Hall, it was still a well told, bookish to its core mystery with well developed characters. Ellery Adams also does an incredible job making each book feel complete on its own, so while this one feels like it could be an ending, there is also room for further books.

Jane and her fiancé, Edwin, are heading off on vacation for the first time by themselves. Their plan is to spend the next five days relaxing, enjoying their accommodations and the beach, but life throws them a curveball. Edwin ends up in the hospital and Jane discovers a dead body.

Her initial plan was to enjoy vacation without having to solve any murders, but that idea has gone out the window. Back in Storyton, she collaborates with her nearest and dearest to ensure the safety of her family, friends, and what she has sworn to protect.

This is the second novel that I’ve read by Ellery Adams, and I can’t wait to read more. Since this is the ninth book in this series, I’d love to go back and read the others. Storyton Hall sounds like the perfect getaway for a book lover, mysteries and all!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #MurderintheBookLoversLoft

A romantic getaway! A Halloween party complete with custom made costumes! A storybook wedding! It all sounds enchanting, doesn’t it? So why did I dislike the new cozy mystery, Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft, so much?

Jane’s family has a long history of protecting a secret vault of unique manuscripts such as an unpublished play by Shakespeare. Generations of four families called the fins have also pledged to keep the documents safe. After Jane’s husband is killed, Jane is called to carry on with the stewardship until her young male twins are old enough to continue the family’s tradition. Jane decides that the risk of protecting the sacred documents is too great for her wee feminine hands. She starts donating and, worse, selling the library. While I agree that the money will be useful to educate her children, what about her and the fins’ century-old family tradition and values? The feminist within me recoiled constantly while I was reading this book. To have the last adult male in Jane’s family be the savior of the family’s tradition was the fatal stroke for me. Ugh, that’s why I actively hate this book despite liking the previous two in the series.

Since I always try to leave at least one positive comment in my reviews, here is my lone good thing to say about Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft. It appears that this is probably the end of Jane’s story and possibly the series. Rest in peace… 2 stars.

Note that everyone else seemed to love this book. If you decide to read it, you may enjoy it more than I did too.

Thanks to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.