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???

Jane just wanted a peaceful, quiet book filled vacation with her fiance... no dead bodies or mysteries to solve. But it was not to be. A skull in the shower and not one but two dead bodies put an end to peace and quiet. With the help of many friends, family, and employees Jane solves the murders as well as a family secret, then has the most beautiful wedding to the man she loves that any woman could ever ask for.

It's vacation time for our favourite couple at Storyton Hall, Jane Stewart and Edwin Alcott. They're headed to Oyster Bay for a little time in the sun. However, not all goes to plan when Jane discovers a body on the beach. The victim is Justin St James, a visiting author, who leaves a trail of very unhappy people in his wake. It's up to Jane, Edwin and Olivia Limoges to uncover the secrets of his death.

There is nothing I love more than Storyton Hall. The cozy bookish atmosphere that Ellery Adams has created in Storyton Hall is absolutely everything! Visiting Storyton Hall, among the pages, is akin to climbing into a comfortable chair with your favourite book! I am so thrilled that a new adventure is here to entice me once again!

I really enjoyed this mystery. Jane and Edwin team up with Olivia to solve the murder. Without giving too much away, this mystery really delves into Olivia and Jane's back story and it's an action packed mystery.

I can't recommend this series enough! Honestly if you read mysteries and this series isn't on your shelves, what are you doing with your life? I love this series that much! It is definitely a series that you have to read in order, as the storyline about the "secret library" builds with each book.

Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is the best in this series so far! I absolutely can't wait to see what Ellery Adams has up her sleeve next!

Jane Seward and Edwin Alcott start a five-day beach vacation when Jane and her friend Olivia Limoges find a dead body in the dunes. At the same time, Edwin steps on two stingrays causing debilitating wounds that require hospitalization.

The dead body is author Justin St James one of three panelists appearing at Olivia’s bookshop to discuss their titles. An unknown facet of the panel is that Justin wrote four novels based on unfortunate events in each of the other participants’ lives, maligning the people involved even though disguised. When Jane discovers Justin’s next book topic is Storyton Hall, she begins investigating immediately, hoping to avoid the exposure a book by Justin would bring. She also wants to clear Olivia since she is “a person of interest.”

Ellery Adams writes an exquisitely complex and intriguing mystery that proves to be a riveting read. Ms. Adams challenges readers to keep up with her storytelling skills as she continues to weave fascinating plots with well-developed characters in suspense-driven stories.

Ellery Adams does it again!!! Every book in this series is incredible, and this one lives up to the others. I can’t wait for the next book!!!!

I love this series. Jane Stewart is a great main character, and the plots are exciting, imaginative, and always have something to do with books. In this book, Jane is trying to finally get rid of the secret book library which has caused so much trouble. She and Edwin go for a short vacation to Oyster Bay. When Jane looks in the bathroom of their cottage, she see's a human skull in the mirror on the shelf behind her. The manager comes and tells her it isn't real, and the previous guest, an author called Justin St. James, always carries it with him.

Jane's friend Olivia who owns a bookstore is having an event at which three authors will talk about their books. Olivia's new manager has invited St. James as well as two women writers. Olivia tells Jane that St. James is not only an obnoxious male chauvinist who believes only men are good writers, but he bases his books on other people's tragedies, including one about Olivia's family.

Jane and Edwin go to a beach near Olivia's home. Edwin goes into the water while Olivia shows Jane how to use a metal detector to look for hidden items. Just as Olivia and Jane find something, Edwin calls for help. Jane runs to help Edwin to the beach, and finds he has barbs in his feet from stingrays. Meanwhile, Olivia has found the body of Justin St. James, along with a Storyton Hall Key Chain! Edwin is taken to the hospital where he has to stay overnight. The next morning, Jane finds a young cleaner for the hotel dead outside her bungalow. This is definitely not the vacation that Jane and Edwin were expecting. Of course, the local police believe the killer could be Jane or Olivia.

However, they are allowed to return home; Jane continues to investigate with the help of Butterworth and the other Fins while they all prepare for a gala Halloween ball. Jane is sure something will happen at the ball. As it turns out, the murder is solved, and the book has a very happy ending.

I thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. The review has my own opinions.

If you love books and cozy mysteries, then Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams may be the book and series that will delight you. Jane Steward is ready for a vacation with her betrothed Edwin Ascott. Jane manages the family resort, Storyton Hall, and Edwin owns a restaurant. While living in the western part of Virginia, they are vacationing in Oyster Bay, Nort Carolina. While their vacation cottage has floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a view of the ocean, their stay isn’t the relaxing vacation they needed. Edwin has a medical emergency and Jane finds a dead body. Naturally, they feel they need to investigate the death.

The characterization in this book is excellent. Jane loves books and organizing. She takes a pragmatic approach to the investigation. Despite some setbacks, she remained sanguine about their ultimate success in solving the mystery. Edwin balances Jane, works hard, and enjoys books as well. Add in the staff at Storyton Hall, multiple authors, book club members, vacation resort staff, and police in two locations and readers will enjoy a wide range of characters with different backgrounds and dynamics.

The plot is twisty, the story is well-written, the settings were easy to visualize, and the characters were memorable. I was easily pulled into the inner world of the characters. I also enjoyed the occasional humor that was sprinkled throughout the book. The ending wraps everything up well. This novel shines a light on friendship, family, romance, found family, books, death, and much more.

Overall, this entertaining story immediately grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the book. This series is best read in order. I hope there will be more novels in this series. Those who enjoy amateur sleuths and cozy mysteries will likely enjoy this novel.

Kensington Books – Kensington Cozies and Ellery Adams provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for July 25 2023.

This is one of my top 3 favorite cozy series and the 9th in series. Thank you to the author, the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

Storyton Book Retreat is a biblophile dream with each room themed to a author and book retreats for authors, biblophiles and fans of particular authors. Jane has been hosting retreats since she inherited the retreat center. She has a close security group called "The Fins" that help her manage the resort where murder seems to be front and center of every retreat. Jane is also responsible for a secret hideaway of precious ancient manuscripts and books that many have tried to steal. She is slowly selling and donating them to ensure safety for herself and her two twin boys in the future.

In this next in series Jane and her fiance Edwin are going on a trip to the North Carolina coast where they are staying in a romantic setting with books they both love. Before they leave another body is found on the grounds. The leave on their trip but Instead of the romance they hope for Jane finds a skull in the shower where they are staying. She becomes involved in a mysterious past set of circumstances that intriques her to solve when she finds a body on the beach belonging to a author. Soon she finds evidence of the suspect and the mystery surrounding the murder that may put her Storyton Retreat in danger and those she loves.

I loved this next in series and read it cover to cover. In this book much is decided for Jane and family that leads the reader wondering if this is the last book. The author has gifted us with two endings . One is the wedding of Jane and Edwin. The secondary ending solves the mystery of the two bodies . We fans hope this is not the last book as this is a wonderful series with captivating sleuths and wonderful characters. This book brings Oliva from the author's other series and her bookstore which is a fun addtion to this next in series. Bravo to the author. This is cozy mystery perfection.

This is book 9 in the series, and picks up after the evets of the last book. It's an interesting diversion for the series- setting a god part of the book away from Storyton, and allowing the locals in NC to share space with familiar ones, to freshen up the storylines. Add in some murder, some seemingly untraceable clues to Storyton found at the scene, and you know its business as normal for Jane. The book allows for backstories of some of the characters to come to the front, and to allow the 'sub characters' to shine, all the while supporting Jane and Edwin. Add in a storybook wedding, and you've got a summer pleaser of a book.

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is the ninth cozy mystery in the Book Retreat Mysteries series. When Jane, owner of Storyton Hall, the perfect getaway for book lovers, take a break of her own with her fiancé, Edwin, they head to North Carolina for some rest and relaxation. Or so they think. As always with Jane, trouble seems to follow her everywhere and rest isn’t in the cards. Jane stumbles upon another dead body and in order to save Storyton, she works to uncover the full story before time runs out.

I have read every book in this series and this one was one of my favorites. I always love the Storyton Hall setting and really wish I could visit it, but it was nice to get away from Storyton for a little while and see Jane in a different environment. This series is full of great characters and mysteries that unravel the secrets of Storyton Hall that are intriguing. I always love visiting Jane and I really loved her in this book. The whole book was great and the mystery had me guessing the whole time, but the last chapter was my favorite. I hope to visit Storyton Hall again soon and see what else is in store for Jane and company.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book!

Well written story that is 9th in the series. I can definitely say this book can be read as a stand alone but I think the ending will bring joy to long time readers. No spoilers! A delightful read from beginning to end that kept me guessing with a few surprises thrown in. Ellery Adams does a wonderful job to include background stories where appropriate and needed.

The characters in this book feel as if they are a group of mystical superhero spies with a knights of the roundtable vibe. Yes, I actually wrote that in my notes. No magical powers. But a lot of well read, well trained bibliophiles who are confident in themselves, loyal to one another, and oddly able to predict people's behavior. Sounds weird, but I want to be like them when I grow up. Which at my age, will likely not happen.

Body number 1 is found just as Jane and her fiancé are leaving for vacation. (Not a spoiler, it happens very early in the story.) Since it's not on their property and the sheriff is handling it, they head off to a relaxing coastal town. Only to find a dire warning left in their bungalow. They have one dreamy evening together before chaos ensues. By the time they return from their not so relaxing vacation, I had all but forgotten about the first body. (I see what you did there Ellery.)

I recommend this to all cozy mystery readers. But especially those who enjoy the classics. Multiple murders. Secret rooms in manors and just well written mystery novels that you can loose yourself in. Thank you #netgalley and #KensingtonCozies for the DRC of this book.

Jane and her fiancé, Edwin take a vacation week away from Edwin's restaurant and Jane's five star resort, the Storyton Hall. They look forward to a romantic, relaxing week on the North Carolina coast but it turns out much different than than they had planned.

They lose all hope of a romantic week when Jane finds a dead body on the beach and Edwin spends a night in the hospital after stepping on a stingray while walking in the ocean. Their unromantic week is spent trying to identify a murderer while Jane pushes Edwin's wheelchair.

They return home from their trip hoping that the murderer has been identified and the mystery is solved. Unfortunately they find that the mystery followed them home to Storyton.

Like the last Storyton book I read, I couldn't put this one down until I was finished. . The characters are great and the story is believable and yet totally unpredictable.

Jane and Edwin head to coastal North Carolina for a long-awaited vacation. When Edwin steps on a stingray at almost the same moment that Jane finds a body on the beach, though, their vacation plans are out the window. During the ensuing investigation, Jane learns a secret from her family’s past that threatens her future – and that of Storyton Hall.

I have liked this series from the very first book, and it keeps getting better and better. I like Jane and have enjoyed watching her grow and change as the series has progressed. Since she and Edwin are away from their home base in this book, they don’t have their customary friends and connections to call on for help, but they’re not without friends and resources here, even while on vacation.

The murder victim here was not very well-liked, but was a guest in town who had previous connections with only a small group of people, so those people were at the top of the suspect list. The names on that list kept shifting around as the investigation progressed, and I appreciated the way Jane reported her findings to local law enforcement rather than keeping things to herself. I wasn’t able to figure out whodunnit or the motive until just before it was revealed in the story, but that’s not unusual.

I’m angry that this book gives away a *major spoiler for a book in one of this author’s other series. Yes, that book has been out for several years, but I haven’t read it yet. This is something I won’t be able to forget, so I’ll have this information hanging over me while reading the book, and that bothers me – a lot.

This book reads like it’s the end of the series, but I hope that’s not the case. Despite the spoiler issue, this author is one of my favorites, and I like this group of characters and the setting for most of the series. If there are additional books in the series, I will certainly read them.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the chance to read an advance copy of Murder in the Book Lover's Loft by Ellery Adams. This is the 9th book in the Book Retreat Mysteries series and is just as fantastic as the previous books. I loved the plot of this book, the returning characters of Storyton, and some characters that we met in the last book. Jane and Edwin take a "vacation" to Oyster Bay, and Jane thinks she will not have to deal with murderous plots and dead bodies...but she couldn't have been more wrong!
I hope the series continues, although I worry that this may be the last in the series as Jane has finally emptied the secret library that her family has been guardian of for years.