Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

The Body in the Bookstore is a delightful and promising start to Ellie Alexander’s new cozy mystery series, filled with charm, suspense, and literary intrigue. As a reader, I was immediately drawn to Annie Murray, the intelligent and relatable protagonist who works at an Agatha Christie-themed bookstore. Annie’s background in criminology gives her amateur sleuthing a believable edge, especially as she finds herself investigating the murder of a former college acquaintance found dead in her store. The small-town setting of Redwood Grove is rich with atmosphere—quirky shops, cozy cafes, and a tight-knit community that’s both endearing and full of secrets. Alexander’s literary references throughout the book, particularly to classic mystery icons like Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple, make it a treat for book lovers. The mystery itself is layered and satisfying, with a well-constructed plot and a cast of potential suspects that kept me genuinely guessing until the final reveal. Overall, this book is a captivating, feel-good mystery that balances nostalgia with fresh storytelling, and I’m excited to see where the series goes next.

Up until The Body in the Bookstore, I had read one Ellie Alexander book. And I hated it. Hate might be a little strong. I finished it and greatly disliked it and decided not to continue on with the series. THEN I received this eArc from net galley. I held off reading it. I finally delved into the book and I'm pleasantly surprised. I like it! Annie works at a delightful sounding bookstore and drums up business by hosting a mystery authors weekend including the whole town for an immersive experience for attendees. (If that doesn't hook you then you're probably not avid mystery reader.) All is going well until old college acquaintances show up and stir up emotions for Annie. Annie is obsessed with her college friend's death. She died working with Annie on a criminology class project and her murder was never solved. Now there's a new murder that Annie is involved with. Will it ruin the Mystery Festival? Is it connected to her's friend murder? And can Annie help solve not one but two murders? Read the book and find out! This book deserves a sold 3.5 stars. (Average for me.) I enjoyed the writing and the premise for the story. I have a few caveats about the story. Annie is definitely obsessed with the murder of her college friend. It's repeated on just about every page. Slight exaggeration, but Ellie Alexander is making sure that the unsolved murder is always on your mind. The murderer and reason why the current murder happened is believable. But there is a discussion between Annie and her friend Pri near the end that left me scratching my head as to how the concluded why the person was killed and who the killer was. It's a setup for the ending but felt off. Other than that, it was pretty good. AND I'll be continuing with the series. So I am glad that my book faith in Ellie Alexander has been restored. Thank you #StormPublishing for an approval to read the eArc.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest personal review. This is one of the best cozy mysteries that I have read in a long time! I was invested in the characters immediately. Annie works at the Secret Bookcase in a beautiful Northern California town after completing a degree in criminology and the loss of a good friend. When an old college acquaintance comes to town, trouble ensues, a body is found and Annie is on the case. Very enjoyable read, looking forward to next one.

This was a cute cozy mystery! I loved the Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and Edgar Allen Poe references and nods. I felt the characters were lacking a bit and I didn’t love that it ended on a cliff hanger. But overall it was ok.

What a fun book this was. A great book to read after you have read a few full mystery, crime or historical fiction. I do love having a varied reading list and this one was fun, mysterious and definitely cosy. I enjoyed Annie Murray and all the characters in this book. Redwood Grove is a great spot/setting and I certainly did love the Mystery Book Festival. That sounded like a lot of fun.

A charming cosy read and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next instalment. I mean what's not to love? Books, a book shop, a book festival and a murder. Need I say more!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I first want to thank the publishers for and Netgalley for providing this kindle book for an honest review. The story started a bit slow at first bur definitely picked up. I did not guess the "whodunnit" part and like how they wrapped it up. I really enjoyed the main character's (Annie) best friend Pri and their fun conversations. I will probably continue on in the series and see where it takes Annie!

My best friend was the one to tell me that Ellie Alexander released a new series I had to go and find it. I was not let down this by far will vastly became my favorite.

The Body in the Bookstore is a charming, cozy mystery with just the right amount of intrigue. The setting of a mystery-themed book festival in a small town is a delightful backdrop, offering a perfect blend of bookish atmosphere and suspense. Annie, as the determined bookseller and amateur sleuth, makes for an engaging protagonist, and her relationships with the quirky town residents add a fun dynamic to the story. While the pacing can feel slow at times, the gradual uncovering of secrets and the supportive friendships keep the plot engaging. Overall, it's a satisfying read for fans of cozy mysteries with a literary twist.

Many thanks to Netgalley for this book. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This is the first book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. I have read other books in the series and it was very interesting reading the series in a kind of backwoods way but I like seeing the progression from the more recent books to the very first. Annie Murray decides to host a murder mystery festival for book lovers to keep the Secret Bookcase in business. Annie finds out that people she knew from college are there for the weekend and one of them ends up murdered. Annie’s old criminology professor is helping the police and is helping investigate the murder. This book was so cute and makes a perfect first book to what I think is a great series.

Ellie Alexander’s “The Body in the Bookstore” is a delightful addition to her cozy mystery books, showcasing her masterful storytelling. The novel follows her signature style of blending specific charm with intriguing murder mysteries.

Alexander’s writing shines in her ability to create a warm, inviting world where books and mystery intersect. The pacing is brisk, with enough suspense to keep readers guessing and enough humor to make the journey thoroughly enjoyable. Her deep connection to the characters, developed over her other series, adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

While not groundbreaking, “The Body in the Bookstore” delivers exactly what fans of cozy mysteries crave - a charming, light-hearted whodunit with a delicious twist. I would read a follow up in the series.

4.5 stars rounded up

I'm so sad I didn't read this book right away and that it collected imaginary dust on my kindle shelf. But in true goodness I can now binge the whole series. Well at least the first five books. I'm a big fan of the author and I'm so glad there is a new series. I loved the town and the premise. I loved following clues with Annie and her backstory. I also like that the MC has a degree in criminology. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest.

The Body in the Bookstore is the first book in the brand new series, The Secret Bookcase Mysteries, by Ellie Alexander. Annie Murray has set up what she hopes is the perfect event to bring life back to The Secret Bookcase and to the town on Redwood Grove. People are coming from far and wide to the very first Mystery Fest. The mood shifts, however, when a dead body is discovered during the festivities. Annie is thrust into the middle of real-life murder case, using her degree in criminology and unofficially partnering with someone from her past.

I really enjoyed this first book in the brand new Secret Bookcase Mystery. There are several threads woven into this story. It's not just a current murder mystery. Annie lost a friend years ago to murder and she's still trying to figure that one out. Now there's a body in one of the clue locations created for the festival. When a bunch of old college friends/acquaintances come to town, their reasons, actions, and revealed secrets add them Annie's list of suspects.

The characters are interesting, likeable, and 3-dimensional. The author wrote them realistically with personality (or lack thereof, as it were for some of them), dimension, and emotion. I enjoyed the small town feel created and developed, and I felt like I was there assisting Annie figure out who had the means, motive, and opportunity. The story and mystery really pulled me in and kept me engaged. The death/murder mystery kept me guessing. I found the entire book to be well thought out with wonderful pacing.

Amazing book and amazing story. Ellie Alexander never fails to impress with her characters and stories.

Oh my stars, I can't believe I forgot to give feedback until now! Author Ellie Alexander introduces us to a fun new series with The Body in the Bookstore.(A Secret Bookcase Mystery). I adore cozy mysteries, and the setting of this one is just fantastic! Annie Murray has converted a large manor house into a bookstore. She now planning Redwood Grove's first Mystery Fest, when a body turns up in her store. With Annie's background as a criminology student, she's not your average amateur sleuth, which was a fun little twist. I so enjoyed not only Annie, but the other characters in the town of Redwood Grove. This book had me hooked from the start!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.

Every event organizer tries to plan for everything, but murder was not on the agenda. This is a nice start to a new series. I enjoyed the characters and setting. The mystery was sufficient to keep me interested. I look forward to seeing how things develop as the series progresses.

This is the first of a series of cozy mysteries that I am behind on. A woman who works in a book store who feels a sense of guilt because a friend of hers was killed in college and she was trying to help solve the murder, but never did. Now, history repeats itself and an old college mate, though not a friend, comes to town and gets killed in her book store during an event that the narrator planned. The premise is good. There were moments when the book meandered, perhaps because it is the first and is trying to give the reader a sense of where this is taking place and who is involved. Nonetheless, it was a fast, enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the others.
Thanks to NetGalley and to Storm Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book.

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander is a charming cozy mystery that introduces Annie Murray, an amateur sleuth with a passion for crime fiction and a personal stake in solving mysteries. When a body is discovered during the town’s Mystery Fest at her beloved bookstore, Annie is thrust into solving the murder! The murder happens during the towns inaugural Mystery Fest, which provides a perfect backdrop for this cozy!

The small-town setting of Redwood Grove and its quirky bookstore is cozy mystery perfection. This book does follow the basic cozy template which I didn't mind and sometimes I fall back on cozies because I know what I'm going to get. The mystery wasn't anything too surprising or original.

Overall, it's an engaging and heartwarming mystery that will appeal to fans of the genre. I’m eager to see where Annie’s sleuthing skills take her next! Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review The Body in the Bookstore, by Ellie Alexander.

Let me start by saying I was about to be so disappointed because I felt like this book was foreshadowing a major hole in the story for another book down the series. I was pleasantly surprised when they brought it up at the end. Yes, it flows into book two but I'm happy it was at least addressed!

Now, on to the story. Annie Murray works at the Secret Bookstore with a sweet older gentleman named Hal and her coworker Fletcher. In the aftermath of her college friend's untimely death, she settled into a lovely small town.

She discovers that Hal isn't sharing how little money the store is bringing in lately so she sets up this town-wide murder mystery event to bring people to the town for books and fun. Everything is going so well until a few more college acquaintances arrive and one shows up dead in the bookstore!

Now Annie must help her old professor turned detective to find the murderer before he strikes again

What a wonderful start to a new series! I have loved several of the series Ellie Alexander has written over the years and was thrilled to see a new one being released. And the fact that it is a cozy mystery that takes place in a bookstore just added to my joy. The characters are well developed. And though you are just getting to know them, you will find yourself caring deeply about them and their relationship with each other as well as the people in Redwood Grove, California. The mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. There are lots of twists and turns and clues that will have you invested in the story and flipping the pages quickly to see if you can figure out who is guilty of committing murder. This is definitely one to put on your to-be-read list.

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

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I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. You just can't beat the setting - a mystery-themed small town festival. And the bookstore has a secret bookcase! Who wouldn't want to spend time in Redwood Grove? Along with the great setting, I enjoyed the characters, and there are plenty of suspects to go around. This is a fun mystery, perfect for fall reading!