A Victim At Valentines Review:

A Victim At Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander follows the story of Annie, owner of the Agatha Christie inspired bookstore located in Redwood Cove. While Annie is setting up for a Valentine’s Day matchmaking event at her bookstore, the unthinkable happens, one of her friends and coworker unexpectedly dies. Annie is stuck between trying to figure out was it a sudden accidental death or was it a murder on Valentine’s.

While reading this arc I felt as though the story was a little slow paced, as it took a while to get to the plot. This book is more character based than plot based as we were following our female main character, Annie, prepare for a party all while navigating the death of a friend who we lost years prior (whom she has never healed from). We read about how Annie gave up hopes and dreams to solve the case of her friend’s tragic death only to have another friend pass away and for her to want to do the same thing, get justice and figure out the truth.

I love how Ellie Alexander has a way with words. As somebody who never read any of the other books within the series, Ellie made it easy to go ahead and get a grasp of each individual character all while still staying true to their story. However, I wish that while still getting an in depth review of each character we would’ve also received more about the murders. At times, I felt as though we were so consumed with the individualities of each character that we lost sight of our plot. With that being said, this book is still good for fans of Agatha Christie, and readers in general who enjoy a whodunnit book.

I would like to thank Ellie Alexander and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

I received a copy from NetGalley. I was excited to be reading a mystery novel that takes place in a bookstore, we had it all a book lover would love coffee shop and investigations. The book takes place during the vaelentine holiday with a matching of couples event and later follows the untimely death of a friend. However this story continues the connecting the puzzle pieces of Scarlett’s death. I enjoyed reading this book and at times I was anxious with anticipation of what was going to happen next, it has a mystery feel with some triller.

Another fun cozy mystery. This is part of the Secret Bookcase Mystery series but the first one I've read and I think you can definitely read this as a standalone, although you probably miss out on past characters and interactions, I still found it to be an entertaining and fun mystery.

A body is found at Annie's Agatha Christie inspired bookshop on Valentine's Day. Annie helps to investigate the murder before her, or anyone else ends up in trouble. This is just a nice cozy, that has a mystery with multiple could be suspect and some funny parts to keep it light. I would read more from others in this series!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

A Victim at Valentines is set in the fictional town of Redwood Grave, CA. It takes place mainly in the Secret Bookcase book store. Annie and Fletcher are in the process of buying the bookstore from their boss, Hal. If this were an actual bookstore, I don’t think I would willingly attend their special events. Someone always ends up murdered. Annie and Fletcher are starting a detective agency. Annie also works with the detective in Redwood Grove to solve the murders. The series is a quick read. The characters are relatable. I’m always happy when a new book comes out.

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

Over the course of reading this series, I've grown to love these characters. Particularly Fletcher, despite being a bit of a sidekick. My favorite thing about a bookstore is the picturesque atmosphere and Annie, our amateur sleuth who plans events to celebrate the bookstore where she works. In all honesty, I was not interested in the murder or the characters involved at first, but as I read on, I became intrigued. As the story progressed, I was left wondering what would happen next.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was a good mystery read and a fast read. It reminded me of the series that was on Hallmark with Philbie and his side kick. Definitely an unexpected ending to the mystery and it appears there are more books yet in the series. Although I did not read the first in this series I was able to pick up on what was happening and picked up on the characters pretty fast.

A cozy mystery I would recommend to others.

A Victim at Valentine's is book #5 in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander.

Annie Murray has teamed up to bring a matchmaking event to the bookshop. When a beloved case member of the community is found dead, Annie is on the case. Along with the murder, there was some progress on the Scarlet cold case investigation. I was with Annie on the murderer, but not the right reason and the ending totally shocked me. I look forward to seeing how the cold investigation wraps up and Annie and Fletcher prepare for their new adventure.

Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I love this series! The characters are great. I feel like the characters from this series would get along with the characters from her Bakeshop series. At first, I felt like we did not get enough Liam. That was until we got to the end and then it was all worth it. Each book feels like two mysteries in one. The current murder plus the investigation into who killed her best friend, Scarlet. Each book keeps me wanting more. I got to the end, and it said to look out for the final book in the series. I said “Final? no that can’t be”. I will be sad to see the series end, but I cannot wait to see how this wraps up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Secret Bookcase is staging a matchmaking event for Valentine's Day, but at the start of the festivities a customer is murdered. There's no shortage of suspects, including the victim's various business partners and romantic interests, and bookseller and sometimes-detective Annie is on the case.

Fortunately, Annie has time for plenty of home-cooked meals, fireside chats, and raspberry mochas while solving the mystery, which never really heats up enough to disrupt the matchmaking weekend. The ultimate cozy mystery, emphasis on "cozy". 4.5 stars.

(This is part of a series. It's enjoyable as a standalone, but there's an ongoing mystery in the series as well.)

The bookstore's latest event is a matchmaking event around Valentine's Day. But when a member of the community is found dead there are plenty of suspects for Annie to try and sift through. And in the background, she's still trying to investigate the mystery surrounding the death of her friend years earlier - could the two be linked?

This is the fifth - and from the sounds of it penultimate - book in the Secret Bookcase series. They're a pretty easy read - and I'm enjoying them, although I do wish that the background mystery would get wrapped up a bit faster - or at least progress a bit faster. It does sound like we're nearly there though and that that will conclude the series, which I'll be a bit sad about if that is the case.

The Secret Bookcase has a Victim at Valentine's. Ellie Alexander has the bookstore partnering with a relationship guru who has a relationship with a wealthy friend of the bookstore, George. Then George is found dead from a mold anaphylactic shock; the crows give warnings. Whodunit? George's past contains dark secrets. Read and figure it out.

Just in time for Valentine's day!

Annie Murray, manager of the local indie/Agatha Christie bookstore in Redwood Grove CA has arranged a major Valentine's event. She's bringing in a matchmaker with an excellent track record, and going all out with other vendors in town. She's *this* close to getting her PI license and officially launch Novel Detectives from the bookstore offices with her partner, Fletcher.

As Annie approaches the store to open up for the first day of festivities, she finds local philanthropist, George, dead on the steps! Annie helps her mentor, former professor and town detective, Dr. Caldwell in finding clues to this horrible murder. And there's no lack of odd characters drawn into town for this event, and all are suspicious in their own way. And somehow, this seems to be linked to the tragic death of her best friend, Scarlet.

Ellie Alexander's work is always enjoyable - another great addition to the series!

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Ellie Alexander for the eARC.

4.5★s

Annie Murray's Secret Bookcase bookshop in the small town of Redwood Grove was getting ready for Valentine's Day, with a huge, weekend long matchmaking event. She, along with Fletcher and Hal were in full preparation mode, and they were excited about what lay ahead. The first day was a huge success, but when Annie was heading into work the following morning, early, she came across the body of a well-loved member of the community. How did George die? Was it natural causes? The police were soon on the scene...

As the matchmaking weekend continued, Annie began searching for clues into George's death. There were plenty of suspects and her friends were helpful as she bounced her ideas off them. She was also wondering if in some way, this death was connected to the death of her best friend Scarlett, ten years prior. Would they find the person responsible for the murder?

A Victim at Valentine's is the 5th in A Secret Bookcase Mystery by Ellie Alexander and I enjoyed it very much. I'm also looking forward to #6 which will be the final episode in the series. Annie is an excellent character, along with most of the others. Well written, the plot drew me in from the first page. A fun and entertaining cosy mystery which I have no hesitation in recommending.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

Love this series! You could read this as a standalone, but your would lose some character development and miss a lot of the story arc that spans the whole series. It is still a good story however you choose to read it.
It's Valentine's Day and the Secret Bookcase bookstore is hosting a bookish matchmaking event with online matchmaker Storybook Romances, Aaliyah Kingston. Annie Murray already has her match with local pub owner Liam Donovan, but her co-worker, Fletcher Hughes hasn't found his someone special. Beloved local benefactor, George Richards, has interests in many people.
When George is murdered on the Secret Bookcase property, Annie is called on by her mentor, Dr. Caldwell, to help with the investigation. Was it Aaliyah, who wasn't sure if her agreement with George would still be honored after his death? Maybe pushy Elspeth Prachett, palm reader and psychic? Possibly Gertrude Demeuere, 70 year-old newcomer? Or Linx, a trainee barista who spurned George's help with her education?
As Annie and friends find more and more information about the suspects, it seems to be about the decade old murder of Annie's friend, Scarlett, as well as George. As Annie gets closer, the danger to herself grows.
Wow! this series gets better and better. Liam and Annie reveal more about their pasts. Fletcher possibly finds his own love. Friends Hal and Pri continue their relationships. And, as always, Annie escapes the danger, but this was truly scary.
With themes of revenge and coverups, one "bad guy" just seems sad and a waste, but the other culprit is purely evil.
Can't wait to read the next book and see what they get into then.
And Miss Inez, my 4th grade teacher is laughing hysterically in Heaven as I am VOLUNTARILY writing a book report! (I never minded reading the book, but complained a LOT about having to write about it!)

Set in Redwood Grove, California, the Secret Bookcase book store with an Agatha Christie theme is celebrating Valentine’s with a date themed weekend. They have a matchmaker who is supported by a local philanthropist. The first night begins with lots of excitement; however, the next morning begins with a death. Annie and her cohorts strive to keep the event weekend going while trying to find the murderer. Once again, this is an enjoyable story. The continuing characters are growing in their relationships and plans are being made for the next step in the book store and their lives. I love this series and look forward to the next episode.

4.25⭐
To celebrate Valentine's Day, the Secret Bookcase Bookshop has partnered with a professional matchmaker for a weekend full of events and hopefully a love match for those so inclined. Unfortunately, the untimely death of a local benefactor nearby threatens to dampen the festivities. Besides an array of possible suspects, a delightful pair of crows adds to the action. Fifth book in this delightful series.

Ellie Alexander can do no wrong with her cozy bookstore mysteries! A Victim At Valentine's is the fifth installment of The Secret Bookcase Mystery series, and it is just as good as each book before it! It's a cozy mystery set in Redwood Grove, where our girl Annie Murray is back at it again, solving another murder mystery.
It is right around Valentine's Day, and Annie is contacted to host a Valentine's Day singles mixer at the bookstore. Annie is excited, and with the help of her partner, Fletcher, she's sure she can pull it off. But of course, this wouldn't be a Secret Bookcase Mystery without a murder!
This is yet again another great cozy murder mystery by Ellie Alexander. By this point, I feel so connected to each character that I go into these books 100% invested. The plot is great, the twist at the end was wonderful, and as usual, Annie and Liam.. loved them! Fletcher is a favorite too, and I'm happy to see him exploring this new side!
My only issue is the whole Scarlett situation. With every book, we only get a little, small nibble. I'm starting to wonder how long it would take for us to actually make some real progress in solving her murder. A solid 4 star read overall.
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Ellie Alexander for this ARC.

The Secret Bookcase is hosting a Valentine's Day matchmaking event, with couples being matched according to their taste in books. Then a sponsor of the event, who was important to the town of Redwood Grove, is found dead, Annie and the police must solve the crime before someone else is killed.

This is the fifth book in this series, which I have enjoyed since the very first book. I like the interactions between Annie and her co-worker Fletcher and their boss Hal. They work well together, complementing each other's skills and preferences. I would love to find a bookshop that has a secret bookcase, and have fun imagining what I would put behind such a structure :)

There were several possible suspects to consider for the murder, and I thought I had it figured out. I was wrong, but wasn't surprised at the identity of the culprit, although the motive wasn't quite what I'd expected.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series this summer, although I'm disappointed to learn that it will be the last of the series.

Annie Murray has scheduled a Valentine's weekend event with Aliyah Kingston, a matchmaker, for The Secret Bookcase. Lots of people have signed up and it looks like it will be a success. Then Annie finds the body of George Richards on a bench on the terrace of the bookshop early one morning. From the looks of it, it could be an accident, but Annie is not so sure and neither are the police. There are many suspects and since George was quiet about his past, there is not much to go on. When the murderer is revealed, it is a shock to everyone in town. And while dealing with the conclusion of the murder, Annie is attacked and nearly killed due to an event in her past she cannot let go of.

A quaint murder mystery that takes place at a bookstore matchmaker weekend. The story keeps you reading but doesn't really have much suspense and action. Alright for a cozy mystery, what kept me reading was the character's. Wasn't really my cup of tea but that's only my opinion, the writing did flow along.