"Epilogue to a Christmas Murder (Beyond the Page Mystery #11)" by Lauren Elliott got a bit frustrating at points. Mostly because Addie was constantly lamenting that her friends has continued their lives while she was away in England for a year post breaking up with her ex. Then constantly fretting over her feelings for the English detective she met while in England. Especially when he shows up unexpectedly at her American bookstore just weeks before Christmas. I get it, she's been very unlucky in love but even the way they end this book it seems very selfish for her end of things despite him making the offer.

Mystery wise, donated Christmas get stolen and a man is found at the bottom of cliffs near the place the gifts were stolen from. Are the two crimes linked? Well, one for sure gets solved and the second at least has a relatively good ending. Over all, the mystery was the only part that redeemed this story for me. I just don't enjoy angst in adults and outgrew teen angst a while ago.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars – A Bookish Christmas Mystery Done Right
Books, romance, murder, and a seaside holiday? Sign me up.

In Epilogue to a Christmas Murder, Addie Greyborne is back—and this time, the mystery hits close to home, just as she’s sharing the heartwarming message of The Gift of the Magi. When a signed first edition of the classic story goes missing during a charity event, and a body turns up by the lighthouse, Addie finds herself in the middle of a case that’s anything but merry and bright.

📚 Cozy bookshop vibes
🎄 Small-town Christmas charm
💔 A poignant literary tie-in
💞 A touch of romantic tension with a British detective
🕵️‍♀️ Twists that kept me guessing

The mystery unfolds at a perfect pace with just enough seasonal flair, emotional depth, and literary magic to make it feel fresh. The nods to The Gift of the Magi gave the story heart, while the coastal setting added the perfect misty, wintery mood.

Half a star off only because I wanted a bit more time with Addie and DI Parker—but this was festive, clever, and full of heart. A December must-read for cozy mystery lovers.

Addie's back in Greyborne Harbor but is no longer sure she fits there. Life seems to have passed her by while she was away in England. Then a surprise arrives from England that sends her mind spinning. And, oh, there's that rather odd robbery and then, double oh, a dead body. All this while she's busy trying to find her footing once again and help friend Paige have the wedding of her dreams. No pressure, right? Grin.

Not revealing much much more of the plot as it's a fun one to follow not knowing much more than Addie. We spend a lot of time in her head this go-round rather than connecting well with the others and, oh, my, Addie's brain seems caught in a perpetual spin. Determined to help Paige navigate the perils of her Momzilla where wedding planning is concerned, Addie seems caught in a cycle of what ifs? With her own romantic life in limbo again, her seeing the happiness of long time friends now wed isn't helping. She's wondering if she'll ever find her own happily ever after and questioning a big decision made in England. For better or worse, she is caught up in helping solve a rather strange robbery that, no lie, she unknowingly helped assist....in the middle of a major snowstorm at that. Only the next day does she hear about the body discovered nearby by a passerby. Are the two crimes connected? As it turns out, when the body is identified it hits way too close to home.

Bottom line, I keep returning to this series because I've grown quite fond of the characters. Addie, even with her brain on spin, is smart and level-headed (for the most part) and her friends and associates are now well fleshed out characters. True, I rather liked the English setting, hence was extra glad (not a spoiler as it's in the book's official blurb) to see the quite British Detective Inspector Noah Parker show up at her shop. Oh, and did I mention quite handsome, at that? Although we met him in an earlier book, his character is fleshed out more here and he emerges as a strong, caring man who has faced tragedy in his own life. Given Addie's romance record, of course, she's the biggest obstacle he may face winning her over, so that kept me reading until the very end. Let's just say, while I found my eyes periodically rolling at her, oh, not sure what word to use, so let's go with indecision and fluctuating behavior at times, being inside her brain does give you insight into what makes her tick, too. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing and #NetGalley for allowing me this early eek into Addie's mind during a time of such impending decisions. Readers who enjoy character driven stories will enjoy this one and the entire series.

I received a free copy of, Epilogue to a Christmas Murder, by Lauren Elliott, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book eleven in the, Beyond the Page Bookstore mystery series. New England at Christmas time is so beautiful, though fall is pretty beautiful too. This book takes place in Greyborne Harbor. Massachusetts. The town is having a twelve days of Christmas fundraiser, and everyone is excited, until their is a murder, and stolen gifts for the fundraiser, what is Addie going to do? Addie, Pippi, and Noah, are great characters, I really enjoyed them.

Addie finds herself in a life crisis. All her friends and exes are moving on in life and she feels stuck. She's missing Noah, but suddenly he appears in town and ends up working with the local police to solve a murder. Unfortunately the main suspect is Nikki, Addie's roommate and family member of Serena and Marc. Somehow Noah and Addie manage to work somewhat together to solve the murder. I loved this book because Addie finally seems to have found herself and her soul mate. I hope there are more in this series! Great read in the series!
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

This series has had a lot of ups and downs. It started out pretty good but there got to be so much relationship drama, and then things really went off the wall in one book. The England setting was nice, and it felt like it might be a reset for the series but now it's back to where it was and I found I was a little disappointed by that.
This book just feels different than the others. The last book left Addie staying in England for a year and now it's picking up after she's returned to Greyborne Harbor and trying to get back in the swing of things. The other characters have moved on with their lives without her and she seems stuck in the past and maybe taking it out on the people around her. She's left her business for a year, it's running fine without her. (And it doesn't seem she's doing much there now?) I'm thinking a lot about whether it would have made more sense to leave her in England and I'm leaning toward yes.
I had a hard time buying Addie not questioning why Deanna wasn't around when she been so insistent on getting the book now? She spent a lot of time spinning in circles, not finding any clues. Mostly she's lamenting her personal life. We hear a lot of her internal monologue since the other characters aren't around much to bounce ideas off of.
There's such a gulf between Addie and everyone else and as a reader I'm also feeling a disconnect that made this a tricky book. I hope the next one straightens things out because I'm not quite ready to give up on the series. I'm just wishing it had relocated to England.

Epilogue to a Christmas murder is latest book in the Beyond the Page series. Addie Greyborne has donated books to local fundraising event, but first there is a theft and the books Addie donated are stolen, and soon a murder follows.

Addie’s friend Paige is getting married and the friends are in the middle of a wedding mayhem. There are some changes is Addie’s own love life also.

Lauren Elliott’s books are always entertaining cosy crime, and the Beyond the page series is especially fun for all book lovers.

This is a cute cozy mystery with plenty of things to keep me guessing. I haven’t read previous books in this series, but plan to go back and do so now.

It was so nice to be back in Greybourne Harbour and to see Addie recovering! Oh how things have changed since she moved to GH— everyone but her is married with kids— but it’s nice to have a new romance, especially a British one! An interesting mystery, even if the robbery was never explained.

Addie is trying to fit back into Grayborne Harbor as Christmas approaches and all her friends are moving on with their lives. Then, a robbery and murder occur at the same time her maybe love from England arrives. A wonderful Christmas cozy.

Epilogue to a Christmas Murder by Lauren Elliott (Beyond the Page Mystery #11) 3.5 stars

A mystery during the holidays is the setting for this mystery. Addie Greyborne, proprietor of Beyond the Page Bookstore in picturesque Greyborne Harbor is getting ready for the holiday shopping season. In addition, her friend Paige is getting married and she is the maid of honor. In between wedding jitters and holiday angst, Addie receives a copy of the rare book from England, delivered by Inspector Noah Parker from Yorkshire. The rare book is her donation to a local fundraising raffle for a museum, but in the midst of delivering said book she runs into a robbery. The next day there is a body found near the museum. The body is identified as the ex-husband of Addie’s houseguest, Nikki. Guess who is now the number one suspect? Can Addie find the true culprit and prevent the Grinch from spoiling the holidays?

The book is the 11th in this long running series with familiar characters at the forefront. However, as another reviewer has noted you have to read all of the books in the right order to get the full effect. Unfortunately, I fell about two or three books behind so a lot of the angst and introspection that is part of Addie’s internal monologue fell totally flat for me. The actual mystery was okay, but not as good as some of the ones I read in the past. The book felt like a good place to stop because Addie’s life is changing (maybe for the better).

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for this ARC.

This is the 11th release of this series. Addie has returned from England questioning herself more then ever concerning her life choices. Her friends have all moved on and Addie is dissatisfied with herself and her life. She has a surprise when her love interest detective visits from England. As they embark on another murder investigation and a theft case Addie keeps him at a distance. He is interested but she is not. Her investigative skills were definitely off in this book.
Addie was tiresome in this book and for someone who inherited a thriving bookstore and Victorian she is completely disconnected from her life and unaware of the fortune of her life. She spends much of her daily time fussing over her lost relationships and focused on self doubt and chastising herself. It was disheartening to read her complete disinterest in her business.
The investigation brought back a spark of the old Addie and she does end up solving the case in a unexpected manner. In the end she finally admits her feelings for the detective who is now a local resident and will be a fixture in her life. It would be good to see Addie more on in the next book.
Thank you to the publishers, Net Galley and the author. My opinion is my own. This was my least favorite of the series.

Addie is shocked when DI Noah Parker arrives bringing with him a special Twelve Days of Christmas book for the lighthouse fundraiser. Upon dropping off the donations at the lighthouse, Addie is duped by a Santa elf in disguise & then, of course, there is a murder. Paige's mom is being obnoxious with the upcoming wedding plans, Noah is taking over Addie's thoughts, and of course there is a "who did it" to be solved--especially when friends are being accused of committing the crime! The story moves along quickly without the murderer being revealed too soon. Thanks to Ms Elliott for continuing this series! Thanks also to NetGalley & Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Leaving your hometown for a prolonged period, for whatever reason, means changes will happen that you have no idea about. People also move on, their lives change, and things can't go back to how they once were. Addie Greyborne knows this but is surprised by just how out of sync she feels. Christmas is getting closer, however, and the celebrations will be all the more special because her close friend Paige is getting married on the most festive of occasions.

Daydreaming about England and the friends she made there, especially the local police detective, won't change anything but receiving a very special book from England for a local fundraiser seems a fitting end to her English adventure. At least she thought it was the end until the English detective, taking a detour from his trip to New York, delivers the book personally before a winter storm leaves Greyborne . cut off. When a body is discovered the following day and local police chief Marc Chandler has to recuse himself from the investigation, Addie is shocked to find out her English friend is taking over the case, at least temporarily! Unfortunately, all the clues point to Addie's friend and housemate as the main suspect, but she's not going to let her be convicted without a fight,

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. The 11th book in Lauren Elliott's Beyond the Page mystery series ties up a lot of loose ends but there were also some which remained as well as a few enticing hints of Addie's future so hopefully I can continue to enjoy this particular reading pleasure a while longer. I highly recommend it.

Another excellent book in the Beyond The Page Bookstore Mystery series by Lauren Elliott! This book finds Addie Greyborne back in Greyborne Harbor at Christmastime. She had previously been abroad after some serious life-changing events and now she finds herself back where she should feel a sense of belonging with all her friends and the bookstore she owns and runs..... but Addie finds herself feeling as if she's on the outside looking in and seeing all the changes that have taken place for herself and for those she loves and she isn't quite sure what to do with herself. Her best friend, Serena, is now a wife and mother to three little ones. Her dear friend Catherine, is married now and off jetsetting around the world. Her employee, another dear friend, Paige, is busy preparing for her Christmas wedding. Even the two men she considered loves are happily living their lives with others. All this while Addie tries to find how, and if, she still fits in. She does all she can to run her shop, help her friends, and keep her mind off the man she met in England, whom she found both intriguing and frustrating. Addie throws herself into work, into her maid of honor duties for Paige's wedding, and into getting a donation together for the lighthouse museum's upcoming gala. She has several books together for the silent auction and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a rare book for the raffle from the shop where she worked in England. She's a bit stunned when that book shows up hand-delivered by the man she's tried unsuccessfully to push from her thoughts. Addie delivers the book to the lighthouse during a terrible snowstorm and is met by an unlikely character. Things, of course, go a little sideways, as they normally do, and before long there's a mystery .... or two .... to solve. Will Addie figure out who is responsible for both crimes? Will she begin to feel she fits in again in Greyborne Harbor? This excellent read will keep you on the edge of your seat and rooting for Addie throughout. Lauren Elliott does not disappoint with this latest in her excellent series!

Addie is back from England and is a mainstay support to her friend Paige who is beyond stressed by her awful mother. Then the very interesting DI from England shows up, there is a major snowstorm, and a very valuable book is stolen. There's lots more to love in this excellent story but I'm afraid of doing the spoiler thing.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected egalley from Kensington Books/Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Pub Date Sep 30, 2025 *****review @bookbub @goodreads #LibraryThing #NetGalley
#EpiloguetoaChristmasMurder by @laurenelliottcozymysteryauthor @kensingtonbooks #soapopera #BeyondThePageBookstoreMysteryBk11 #familydrama #bookseller #cozymystery #weddingmadness
#investigation #friends #theft #romantic #obnoxiousMIL

Festive Fatality..
The eleventh outing in the Beyond the Page Bookstore series of mysteries and the festive season is about to turn fatal just as Addie is pondering the theft of one very special book edition. Can Addie juggle both cases before a new year dawns? Another enjoyable and entertaining entry to this long running series with a nicely drawn cast and a well imagined setting.

What to say without spoiling can be hard but I'll try.

I'll start with saying I loved this book. I'm a fan of the series and there are ups and downs but this one has lots to love. We start with Addie back in the states and her bookstore where they are preparing for Paige's wedding and Christmas. Of course Martha has to stir things up with the wedding which should surprise no one and not spoil.

The town has events going on and one has a theft and murder! Addie becomes involved due to someone she cares about being accused. So she's trying to find her footing there along with a lovely personal surprise.

We experience character growth in this one and it's nice to be included in the thoughts and actions. The story moves along well and fans will very much enjoy it. We are left wanting more and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for a fair review.

Epilogue to a Christmas Murder is book 11 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore mystery series. It is a cute, cozy mystery set in the quaint town of Greyborne Harbor, MA. There are lots of twists and turns as Addie tries to “assist” the local authorities in proving the innocence of a friend who has been charged with murder. There are many characters and intricacies involved in the series so if you have the opportunity, I recommend reading all the books to appreciate the full effect.

After being left at the proverbial altar, Addie Greyborne retreated to England for a year to recoup and decide what to do with her life. She left her bookstore, Beyond the Page Books and Curios, in the capable hands of her manager, Paige. But the year has ended, and Addie has returned home, eager to welcome the upcoming Christmas holiday and Paige's Christmas Day wedding.

Then she receives an unexpected and surprising visit from Detective Inspector Noah Parker, whom she butted heads with during her time in England. She's not going to let him know how this has shaken her, since seeing him again has taken her breath away. But he delivers a special book for her from the owner of the bookshop she worked for there -- a signed edition of The Gift of the Magi -- and she's going to donate it to the local museum for charity.

When she shows up at the museum she meets one of Santa's Elves who seems to be putting the donations into boxes, and tells her to just add her donations to everything else. Barely questioning it, she does so, then discovers later that everything has been stolen, and the elf is nowhere to be found.

To make matters worse, a dead body is found the next day on the cliff by the lighthouse. Who is the man? Is he connected to the burglary? But when it turns out to be someone who's connected to a friend, and local police chief Marc Chandler is removed from the case, she has no help. At least until Noah Parker is temporarily assigned to the murder case. But the DA and the mayor want it solved quickly. With only one suspect in line for it, Addie has to work fast, and behind the scenes. Will she be able to find a killer before her friend is jailed? Or will everything go terribly wrong and she won't be able to help at all...

This is the eleventh book in the series, and I must say that it is my favorite to date. I am glad that I decided to continue reading this series after one book disappointed me (not going to say any more about that!). While I am glad to see Addie back home in Grayborne Harbor, I miss her friends she left behind in England. But she didn't leave all of them -- Detective Inspector Noah Parker is on holiday, and he's helping with the murder case. Her feelings for Noah are confusing, and she wants to see him and not see him, if that makes any sense.

With Marc off the case, everything needs to be hush-hush or both Noah and Marc will permanently lose their jobs, leaving Addie to do as much as she can by herself. She's also trying to manage her store and keep Paige from going crazy with a mother who's turned into a Motherzilla. Paige also needs her help if her wedding is to go off nicely; Addie's in a pickle and knows it.

Looking for clues, she's pretty much on her own and what she can glean from both Marc and Noah, which isn't much. She's positive the suspect is innocent, and trusts her gut instinct, which is more than not right. However, knowing it and proving it are two different things.

The book kept me interested throughout, and I loved the fact it takes place during the Christmas season. (That's just because I love the holiday, myself). Anyway, watching Addie take what she has and put it all together at the end is the best part of the book. This woman is intelligent, unflappable, and able to take care of herself in a pinch. She can also think on her feet. and that's the best kind of amateur sleuth. It makes Ms. Elliott's books are wonderful; with a taut storyline and a climax that's worth waiting for.

I will not say any more about the book in order not to spoil it for anyone (I don't think I've given any spoilers so far!) I will say I loved the intrigue, Addie's actions and her thinking, and the way the book ended. I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.