We are back at Storyton Hall and it was another excellent addition, #9, to "A Book Retreat Mystery" series!
Jane and Edwin are going on a much needed vacation, just the two of them. Storyton Hall has been so busy and Edwin's restaurant has been just as busy so they need to have a relaxing getaway. But there is nothing relaxing about their trip to the ocean town in North Carolina. Excellent story and it kept me reading.
I have read this series since the first book and I love how Ellery Adams can pull you into a story that you don't want to put down. Life got in the way of me reading this in one sitting but I did finish in 48 hours. It's sad to see such a good book end but I have to remember there will be another one and I look forward to it.
The characters are wonderful and well thought out. Jane owns Storyton Hall and it is a readers paradise. Full of books and quiet places to read them. It's hard to ask for more when you have that.
Love this series and anxiously awaiting the next book.
Highly recommend!!

What a pleasure to return to Storyton Hall and all the wonderful regular characters who live there. Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is the ninth installment of this delightful series, but hopefully not the last! This unique cozy series features secret treasures and books, a sweet romance, lively family chats, and books. The mystery is always twisty, and fun to try and solve. The blurb will pull you in without giving anything away-- but I encourage a newbie to the series to begin at the start to get the most enjoyment from the characters.
I received an advanced ecopy of this book, by my request---all thought and opinions are my own. Thank you to #KensingtonCozies, NetGalley and #ElleryAdams for granting my request.
#MurderintheBookLoversLoft #NetGalley

One of my favourite series and this might be my favourite one in this series. The mystery was just so much fun, the way they methodically worked to solve it was great, plenty of red herrings, and a bit of romance thrown in! If this is the end of the series, what a lovely way to go.

In what appears to be the last book in this series, Murder in the Book Loft finds Jane and Edwin taking a vacation to visit their friend Olivia in North Carolina. While there, Jane discovers not one, but two dead bodies, and she is of purse, drawn into the investigation!

I found the story to move at a decent pace and the mystery to be compelling. There were some twists I didn’t see coming, as well as some plot developments for a few of the other primary characters. There is a satisfying ending, and even though there is a scene where the author could return to the series, the ending wrapped up many loose ties, leading me to believe this series is finished.

I enjoyed this 9th book in the series. It was somewhat of a surprise that the beginning of the book took place in another location, The way the town of Oyster Bay was described made me want to take a vacation there also! Hopefully, I would not end up in Edwin's place. It was also a nice way of combining Olivia and her dog Haviland once more with the Storyton people. The plot was well thought out and I didn't guess the bad guy right away.

I am saddened though, because of the way the book ended. Quite a few of the story lines seemed to come to an end, and to me there were hints that this was the last book of the series. I really hope that I am wrong, because I liked it so much.

Thanks NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the chance to read this book.

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams is the ninth in the Book Retreat Mystery series and the first that takes Edwin and Jane away from Storyton Hall. They deserved a break and they took it. Sadly, the first day out, just as Jane was discovering a dead body, Edwin was getting stabbed on the bottom of both feet by a stingray’s barbs. He nearly drowned but got out of the water in time. They ambulance came and took him to the hospital where they removed the barbs, kept him overnight, and sent him back in a wheelchair. It would be a couple of days. Olivia Limoges, one of the reasons they had come to Oyster Bay, was having a book signing at her bookshop that evening, which Jane attended as Edwin was in the hospital, asleep, recovering. There were supposed to be three authors, but there were only two as the third had been the body Jane had discovered earlier: Justin St. James, who had a loyal following, but was disliked by a few people as he had taken their personal tragedies, and written books about them, thinly disguised. Olivia was one of them, as were the two other authors in attendance. Jane quickly discovered that the police in Oyster Bay were certainly different than those in Storyton.

As it was Halloween when they returned, there was to be a masquerade ball, at which they hoped to trap the killer. Most of the attendees they knew and they found out a way to track the others. The characters and over arcing plot in this series are always entertaining. Jane has mostly succeeded in rehoming the valuable books her family had been guarding for centuries so most of the danger had passed. Things still popped up, though. One body in Storyton and Justin St James in Oyster Bay. The mystery was a good one, and some might even say they got what they deserved. It took a while to track the killer, though, and it made a good read. As always, this was a very satisfying venture into the world of books.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Kensington, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Kensington #ElleryAdams #MurderInTheBookLoversLoft

I love this series so much, and this latest installment was excellent. Loved the two settings and I can't wait for the next one!

I have loved every book in Ellery Adams’ Book Retreat cozy mysteries series but Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft (the ninth book in the series) may be my favorite so far. This book has a bit of everything – a romantic vacation, a Halloween Ball, books, and of course a murder or two. I love the fact that Adams has added Olivia Limoge from her Books by the Bay cozy mystery series (if you have not read that series, you should) – it is nice to catch up with Olivia and see how she is moving on with her life (I was delighted with some of the things that happened with her in this book!). The mystery is well done with more than a few twists and turns and surprises – I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad when the killer was revealed. Finally, I just love the ending of the book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

The whole series is a book lover's dream since it is set at a luxury resort in Virginia that has thousands of books that can be borrowed by guests, but this newest book may be my favorite. The main character, resort owner/manager Jane Steward, and her fiancé Edwin Alcott, are taking a break from Storyton Hall. They visit their new friend Olivia Limoges (from the author's Books by the Bay series) in Oyster Bay, North Carolina. Their relaxing vacation takes a turn when Jane discovers a dead body. This investigation is intriguing but Jane and Edwin must return home before it's solved.

Back at Storyton Hall, a masked Halloween Ball is being held, but danger has followed them home and it looks like they may have a murderer as an uninvited guest. This part of the book is dramatic and suspenseful and I was on edge right along with Jane wondering how the evening would turn out. Jane's twin sons are as charming as ever, and I enjoyed spending time with them and the other regular characters from this series. The surprising ending of the book is perfect and one that fans of the series will especially appreciate.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

This is a series that I joined late and I must try and find the time to go back and read the earlier books. The stories are set at Storyton Hall, a book retreat managed by Jane Steward. In Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft Jane goes on a short holiday with her partner Edwin but bad luck follows them. She stumbles across a dead body and he steps on a stingray. All the events that follow indicate that Jane is being targeted and all her associates swing into action to catch the guilty party.

Although this book is certainly a cosy it has a certain aspect of being a bit more with Storyton Hall's history, the secret library, the Fins who are actually guards, and mentions of past espionage. The author writes well and the story is well paced and always interesting. It even has two children in it who are well mannered. A rare event in most books today. I enjoyed it very much.

This is part of a series, and I haven't read all of them, but this makes sense as a standalone story. Storyton Hall is a charming hotel setting for book lovers. The murder is a bit more complex than what's found in some cozy mysteries. There are many suspects, which keeps the reader guessing. The mystery is fast paced, and there's even a bit of romance thrown on (that, thankfully, isn't an overwhelming part of the story). If you're looking for a fun summer read, this book is a good option.

I rarely give cozy mysteries 5-star ratings, but this series consistentely earns them! This is another perfect addition to the Book Retreat series, with an interesting and unique mystery, complex (for a cozy) characters and themes, and a totally fun mashup of Storyton and Oyster Bay. I absolutely loved it! The ending and the author's note do have a "wrapping it up" vibe, so I hope I'm wrong that this may be the end of the series, as I could keep reading it forever. If it is, I'm thankful to have had this experience with this wonderful retreat and cast of characters. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advance digital copy!

This review of Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is courtesy of NetGalley
#MurderintheBookLoversLoft #NetGalley #KensingtonBooks #CozyMystery
Rating 4/5
Upcoming publication date: Aug 1, 2023

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is the 9th book in Ellery Adams's The Book Retreat Mysteries series. While I hadn't read any books from The Book Retreat Mysteries series before, I have read Ellery Adam's A Secret, Book and Scone Society series as the books flitted in and out of Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program. Note that as of this review writing, books 4-8 of The Book Retreat Mysteries series are currently available in Kindle Unlimited.

The book starts with an epigraph quoting Jack Kerouac that is immediately followed by a Welcome to Storyton Hall which includes a listing of the staff, select Storyton village merchants, a listing of some Oyster Bay residents and a list of (fictional) authors referenced in the book. This was followed by a map of Storyton and really gave off an epic fantasy feel (usually where character lists and maps are common). I did end up referring to the list of staff and merchants while reading. Despite the initial epic fantasy feel, it's not a magical fantasy mystery.

Things I liked about the mystery: Despite not having read the first 8 books of the series, Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft was easy to follow. The main character Jane doesn't do anything stupid as she attempts to solve the mystery and works with her friends and colleagues to figure out who the killer is. She doesn't attempt to do anything illegal to gather info. As a book lover, I loved one of the lines of Jane's Aunt Octavia "If there's no truer friend than a book, there's no better person than a book-loving friend."

Things that kept it from being 5/5 (things I didn't like as much): Chapter 11 had 3 typos in close proximity which made me feel I was reading a self-published unedited book: a bad sentence that didn't make sense, messing up a character's name with extra space, and odd hyphenation. The murderer's confession was just a bit too easy.

Loved it! Now that I have read a previous book the characters are so much more enjoyable. Jane Steward the owner manager of Storyton Hall, a book lovers retreat along with the Fins, the Cover Girls, Edwin and more are back. This time Jane finds not 1 but 2 bodies on her and Edwin’s getaway vacation. But when a key chain of Storyton Hall is found near one of the deceased, she wonders how it is connected to home?
Well written twists and turns that keeps you guessing till the end. Plus a beautiful HEA. Now to read the ones I missed in the series. You truly do need to read some of the previous books or you will miss out. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #MurderintheBookLoversLoft

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is the 9th book in the wonderful Book Retreat Mystery series by NYT Bestselling author Ellery Adams. I love this series, and this latest installment did not disappoint!

Jane and her fiance Edwin take a long overdue vacation to the coast of North Carolina, but trouble is just behind them as Edwin steps on a stingray and Jane discovers a dead body. Jane is drawn into the investigation as the situation turns personal in more ways than one. Jane must uncover a killer for the sake of those she loves and Storyton.

Action-packed, this one delivers! It is well-written and skillfully plotted with a complex mystery, a bright and very likable sleuth, charming secondary characters (including crossover characters from another of Adams's series), a trip to the North Carolina coast, Halloween festivities, and a super satisfying ending.

Adams excels at writing clever mysteries packed with delightful literary references, from places to quotes to character names. There's always lots to make book lovers smile! This series is one of my faves. It has an escapist quality for me, and I wish a place like Storyton Hall existed because I absolutely love spending time in this world. The relationships between the characters run deep and are heartwarming throughout the series, but especially sweet in this book. Cozy mystery lovers, you'll want to add this to your tbr!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this ARC!

I love the Book Retreat Mustery series, and this one is a lovely addition. I fear it may be the final book in the series based in the way the ending is written. Despite my fear that I may only be able to relive a mystery series that has brought me great joy, this book is amazing in so many ways.
Jane and Edwin are engaged and leaving for a relaxing extended weekend in Oyster Bay, which is a beach town that is the setting of one of the author’s other series. Olivia the main character of that series has visited Storyton Hall before and she is a big part of the mystery in this book.
The twins Fitz and Hem are middle schoolers now. I love that the author is progressing the reader through time.
Jane and Edwin’s weekend doesn’t go as planned. Dead bodies start popping up. The way this mystery was woven into books and authors and past history was so interesting. I was sure an old set of villains were responsible, but I can deal with being wrong.
I will remember this book for a long while. I heartily recommend going for a visit to rural Virginia and Storyton Hall with a side of an oceanside small town.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to review this book.

Books have the power to heal, but also the power to wound.
When an author lifts plots from real-life events, what are his or her responsibilities to the survivors? In Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft, Adams looks at the potential power authors have to wound readers, especially when the book’s plot is too familiar to those with intimate knowledge of the real-life situation. Sometimes changing the setting or a name isn’t enough. Sometimes it’s too much. Either way, it’s writing with real-life ramifications, and some of those ramifications may lead to murder.
In this book, the setting moves from the delightful Storyton Hall to Oyster Bay, North Carolina. Jane Steward and her fiancé, Edwin Alcott, are leaving for a few days of rest and relaxation. Before they leave, though, the body of an unidentified man is discovered by one of Jane’s workers. He isn’t one of the resort’s guests, so Jane puts him out of her mind and focuses on her upcoming five days away with Edwin.
In Oyster Bay, Edwin and Jane meet up with Olivia Limoges, a friend of Jane’s. While there, Jane discovers another dead body, an author scheduled at an event at Olivia’s bookstore. Olivia’s intense dislike of the author is well-known, and she becomes a suspect in his murder. Jane’s knowledge of books as well as the expertise of her Storyton staff are needed to exonerate Olivia. But then the murderer follows Jane back to Storyton, threatening Jane and her family.
Several things have kept drawing me back to this series. One is the setting of Storyton—if you’re a book lover, what’s not to like? The resort is a bibliophile’s dream and I want to go there. The literary references throughout the books in the series are also fun, and a good way to build a TBR list.
But the biggest thing that keeps bringing me back are the characters, especially Jane. Jane is a strong female character. She is smart, confident, and capable of standing on her own two feet. Olivia is another strong female character. Both women have also suffered deep, personal losses. Now on the other side of those painful events, each is moving into the next season of their lives, unless murder interferes first. Only with the help of friends and family will Jane be able to put the past behind her and move into the future with the knowledge that family, love, and friendship will be there too.
I enjoyed reading this book, and if you love a solid mystery centered in a book-focused world, give this book (and series) a go.
Thanks to #NetGalley for providing a copy of #MurderInTheBookLover’sLoft.

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is number 9 of this series. I didn't read the other 8 books so it was a little hard for me to put all the characters together. That being said I am a fan of cozy mysteries and if you are you will love this book.
Jane Steward is one of the caretakers of Storyton Hall a wonderful resort that also has a secret library that Jane's family keep watch over. Jane has a wonderful staff that help her run this fabulous resort.. Many people come to Virginia to be part of all the fun and festivities. Jane lives on Storyton Hall grounds with her twin sons, her fiance Edwin and her great aunt and uncle.
We start off with Jane and Edwin getting ready to go on a long over due vacation to Oyster Bay, North Carolina . They looked forward to walking on the beach and just relax. Well as all cozy mysteries go you know things do not always go the calm way. Jane is with her writer friend Olivia when the discover a body in front of Olivia's house. Just then Edwin has a water emergency. As Edwin is taken to the hospital Jane is trying to figure why a famous writer was buried in front of Olivia's house. There goes the relaxing vacation.

As I have stated before I have not read the previous books. I did love the character of Jane. She is a multi tasker . She cares for the people she loves, she runs a famous resort and when she stumbles upon a murder she gives it her all and looks at the murder from all sides. She has a staff , her book club friends and has a good relationship with the police that help her in any way she needs. Jane is a strong women who has gone through some tough times but pushed through to become the woman she is. Edwin balances her out with his love of books and his love for her sons.

The plot has many twists and turns. When Jane and company figure out one thing and a new problem pops up. That is what mad this books fun., all the twists and turns. I loved all the secondary characters. They all help and look after Jane and family. The books shines a light on family, friends and community. The ending surprised me. I didn;t see it coming but the story itself was tied up nicely.

Thank you Ellery Adams for a very entertaining book, with lots of love and well written characters. Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I hope this is not the end of Jane Steward and company. Jane has many more stories to tell, especially when it comes to Jane's aunt and uncle.

Jane and Edwin take a short vacation trip to North Carolina. However this trip isn’t the romantic trip to the beach they envisioned when a dead body or two turns up. Return to Storyton is the only way they can help solve the murders and for Jane to know her life can be at peace again.

I love this series. Jane and Edwin are a great couple their friends and families are interesting and have great chemistry with one another. The mystery is a complex web of red-herrings that are expertly woven into the storyline to entertain you and to keep you guess. Eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been influenced by anyone.

Murder In the Book Lover's Loft by Ellery Adams is the ninth book in her Book Retreat cozy mystery series and is a terrific addition to this series.
Ms. Adams has organically developed all of the characters in this series until it feels like visiting old friends each time I open a new book. Jane and Edwin are taking a vacation to Oyster Bay, North Carolina to visit Olivia Limoges (previously featured in Ms. Adams' Books by the Bay cozy series). It was fun to visit Oyster Bay once again and visit with some of those characters. Within the first day of their vacation, Jane and Olivia find a dead body and Edwin steps on a stingray while swimming. Jane and Olivia begin to investigate while Edwin recovers in the hospital.
The plot moves swiftly with a wide range of suspects and several deft twists and turns that kept this reader turning the pages. The surprising and emotional reveal stunned me as the "murderer" was never on my radar. The lovely ending with Jane and Edwin's wedding added a romantic touch to the book that I thought fit perfectly as Ms. Adams has always included family, friendships and a touch of romance in all of her books. I was left with question at the end of the book: What is Uncle Aloysius up to???