Having recently taken over her beloved Secret Bookcase mystery bookstore with work colleague Fletcher, Annie Murray is about to begin a new and exciting phase of her life. She's also passed her private investigators exams and, again with Fletcher, will be opening the doors of the Novel Detectives just as soon as their certification arrives. Before that, she has one more thing to do, finally confront the killer of her best friend, Scarlet, whose murder ten years earlier changed the course of her life.

The annual book fair in Santa Clara is an ideal base for networking and collecting the final clues she needs to close Scarlet’s case because, if she's got it right, they will be located very close by the hotel where she'll be staying. When one of the book fair contributors dies in front of her, Annie knows she has to investigate that as well, especially as the lead detective and fellow booklover asks for her help! With only a weekend to tie everything up and identify two killers Annie needs the help of her close friends, Pri, Liam, and Fletcher, but even with their assistance will she be able to keep everything straight? Dealing with desperate, dangerous people is now part of her chosen career, but can she ensure her first official case isn't her last?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. I have loved all of Ellie Alexander's Secret Bookcase Mysteries, and this one is no exception. Both cases were satisfyingly full of twists, turns, and jeopardy, with the main protagonists all playing their part. The whole series is highly recommended.

This is the last book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery Series. I was sad to realize this is the last one in the series because I have been enjoying it so far. I loved the Agatha Christie mystery themed bookstore and the cast of characters. I thought the premise of this book was interesting, lot’s of high tech bookish things. I personally am not interested in that, but I thought it was a different concept. In this book not only does Annie solve a mystery at the Bookfair she is attending, but she also finally solves the mystery of her friend Scarlet that was murdered ten years ago. This has been an ongoing storyline in this six book series.

Apparently, Ellie Alexander is starting a new series called The Novel Detectives with Annie and Fletcher so if you like these characters like I do, you might want to check out the new series, I know I will!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie Alexander ends her newest cozy mystery series with a bang—and a body—in A Body at the Book Fair, delivering a suspenseful and delightfully bookish whodunit that is impossible to put down.

Annie is finally finding peace in Redwood Grove, a town as charming as it is full of secrets. After years of heartbreak and healing, she’s transformed her life through the Secret Bookcase, her Agatha Christie-inspired bookstore, and is now preparing to launch her own detective agency. But one mystery still haunts her—the unsolved murder of her best friend Scarlet, a case that’s gone cold for over a decade.

When Annie travels to Santa Clara for the annual book fair, she’s hoping for a weekend of literary love, new connections, and maybe a chance to do a little quiet investigating into the Silicon Summit Partners—the shadowy investment firm she suspects is connected to Scarlet’s death. But those plans are shattered when a fellow bookseller is found dead at the fair, and Annie is once again pulled into a murder mystery, this time with her reputation, and possibly her life, on the line.

The suspect list is delightfully eccentric: a famous author with a carefully curated image, a jealous rival, and even a sweet grandmother who may not be as harmless as she seems. With her friend and sidekick Fletcher at her side, Annie channels her inner Miss Marple and dives into the case. But as she unravels the truth behind this latest crime, she’s forced to confront how deeply Scarlet’s murder still affects her—and whether this new investigation might bring her one step closer to justice.

Alexander blends classic cozy mystery charm with modern pacing and depth. The plot twists are genuine surprises, and the emotional threads feel earned rather than forced. Annie is a well-drawn lead: sharp, flawed, and fiercely loyal. The world of Redwood Grove and the book fair is vivid and rich with detail, making it easy to lose yourself in the story.

This book will especially delight readers who enjoy mysteries rooted in the literary world. With nods to Agatha Christie, layered subplots, and a setting that feels like a second home, A Body at the Book Fair is a standout debut in what promises to be an unmissable new series.: A must-read for cozy fans. Full of charm, twists, and a heroine worth following wherever she goes.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

This was the perfect conclusion to Ellie Alexander’s A Secret Bookcase Mystery series and the perfect segway to her new spin off series about their private detective agency. I’m so glad Annie was able to solve the mystery of what happened to her friend Scarlett after all these years and she was able to do it with the help of the found family she’s created in Redwood Grove. Can’t wait to read the new series!!


Thank you publishers and netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

Ellie Alexander is a class of her own, honestly. At a bookseller convention, Annie investigates the murder of a engineer who's selling VR headsets poised to change the future of reading. She also closes in on Scarlet's killer.

The writing remains the absolute strongest point of this series - it's so rich, with lots of details about the various inventions described (some of them I was curious about as a reader, others which felt very gimmicky, all were super impressive to read about), the food everyone is eating and I really really enjoyed the convention part, getting to know the secondary characters and their backstory and reading more about the publishing and bookselling worlds. I did miss spending time at The Secret Bookcase, though! As usual, the investigation into Scarlet's murder felt like the weakest point to me so I'm thrilled it came to a close here and I very much look forward to the Novel Detectives spin-off!

My endless thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

Although advertised as the finale for the series, this seems to be preview of a new beginning under a new name, ie the upcoming Novel Detectives series. It would seem the original characters will continue, albeit perhaps with more emphasis on investigating than murder. Not that there has ever been a lack of cases to investigate, just that the upcoming ones perhaps won't be tired to the book shop. In any case, I'm delighted to hear Annie and her circle of friends will continue. Annie and bookstore co-worker Fletcher are even setting up their detective office at the book shop and, well, this case involved books, so those of us drawn to book connected murders can apparently rest easy. Annie and Fletcher, soon to be joined by Pri and Liam,are attending a book fair where, no surprise, they become involved in investigating a murder. One that basically happens right in front of Annie, no less. She's already of the proof she needs to bring a cold case to an end, this one involving her college friend Scarlet. They were to be investigative partners but Scarlet was murdered. It's a case that has haunted Annie for nearly a decade but she still finds time to, first, take charge of the current scene, way to go, Annie, and somehow be in the right place at the right time to be helpful while still taking on the dangerous task of unmasking the man she holds responsible for Scarlet's death.

I won't detail the plot but have to admit that as much as I've enjoyed this series, it all seemed a bit rushed. Annie's plan to find the proof needed for her cold case involves getting past some seemingly high level, top-notch security. Yet, she somehow manages. Not once but twice. I'll just say this all leads to a dramatic, dangerous conclusion. As for the current case, it seemed more a matter of luck when people she didn't know somehow decided to confide in her, even when they had reasons not to, and to be not only in the right place at the right time but to guess right. In other words, readers, be willing to stretch your belief a bit as you go into this one. Still a good story but, well, didn't quite pull me in like the previous books.

Don't get me wrong. as noted, I did enjoy it. It held my attention and I basically finished it in one day. I'm looking forward to seeing how Annie and Fletcher work together as the Novel Detectives. Although I initially was slow to warm up to Annie, I have come to like and admire her tenacity. I also like the other main characters, a plus for someone like me who is drawn back repeatedly by characters I like that seem like they could be friends or neighbors. Fingers crossed, it appears they'll all be back, even Hal, the original owner of the book shop, who took Annie in when she needed it. He's quite the charmer and has proven a solid sounding board and reliable friend. Pri, best friend, and Liam, Annie's boyfriend, are also solid and add to the story, especially Liam who Annie started out disliking due to his seeming disdain for mysteries. So, don't hesitate to pick up this book/series. It's a fun one that seems to still be evolving. Thanks #StormPublishing for introducing me to Annie and allowing me the early peeks at all that's going on in her life. I'm glad this is just foreshadowing a new beginning.

Absolutely delightful conclusion to this series! With the brand new Detective license
Annie is eager to solve just one case..that’s been hanging over her life. The scenes
that take place are very well written ~suitably complicated and interesting and the
only thing left to do is solve one question. Will she solve the murder of her best friend?
The story is so good that by the time you figure things out, you’re nearly finished with
the great forays into the Secret Bookcase, and on the way to the new adventures.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the download of this book for review purposes.

A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander is book 6 in The Secret Bookcase series. It is published on 18 June. Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the ARC. This is the final book in the series so everything is wrapped up. I notice that it is going to spin off into a new series featuring Annie and Fletcher, the two main characters, as they start up their detective agency. I have really enjoyed this series and one of the stories through the series has been Annie’s investigation into her friend’s murder 10 years previously. In this book, Annie and Fletcher are heading to the California Booksellers Convention at Santa Clara. Annie is using the trip as an opportunity to gather some hard evidence to bring Scarlet’s murderer to face justice. During their time at the Convention, they are also called on to investigate another death. This is a cosy crime read, so is a more gentle read. Really enjoyed this. Every time I read a book in this series, I drool over the book shop. It sounds like paradise. I feel I could spend hours and days browsing through the shop.

First of all, thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC. All opinions are my own honest opinions.

Second of all, I was over the moon when I received this eARC cause I absolutely love this series and have read/listened to all of them. It’s bittersweet for me know this is the last book in this series but Ellie has tons of other cozy series that I’m looking forward to start reading.

Now coming to this book, it was an absolute delight to read. We again have our main characters Annie, the owner of her mystery themed bookstore. We also have her crime fighting partner Fletcher. In this book we see Annie is still haunted by the murder of her best friend that happened 10 years ago. She is determined to uncover this mystery and that takes her to Santa Clara for their annual book fair but Annie has a secret mission, to get close to Silicon Summit Partners, who she strongly believes has something to do with her best friends murder. When a colleague gets murder at the book fair and Annie being one of the first one to be there, she decides to solve this mystery. Everyone is a suspect. Several different characters with different motives. While she tries to solve her best friend’s murder as well. Also of twist and turns and ties everything up beautifully.

I loved this series and highly recommend it.

#ABodyattheBookFair #NetGalley is the last book in this fantastic series by Ellie Alexander.
Annie has been trying to solve the 10 year old murder of her best friend Scarlet .
Running into obstacles has slowed her down, but now that she's a private investigator, Annie is determined to put the past behind her.
I love how the author ended this series, and I'm so excited that a new series will begin, featuring Annie and Fletcher's new agency, Novel Detectives.
I'm am always happy to recommend this author and her books to readers of all types.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

A very quaint way to finalize the Secret Bookcase Mystery series.

I love that the overall storyline was summed up well. Annie has been haunted by the death of a friend and finally has the opportunity to confront her suspicions.
Of course, things always deviate a bit and she finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery, but what I loved most was the intertwining of new and old that culminated in the finale.

I would highly recommend the entire series to anyone that loves cozy mystery, Annie is one of the greats.

Annie and Fletcher are ready to open their private investigator agency, but first they are off to a bookfair, along with a couple of their friends. Annie is also planning to confront the person who killed her best friend, Scarlett. Then, one of the participants in the book seminars dies in full view of a roomful of people. Was it an accident or murder? Annie and Fletcher assist the local police to solve that mystery, but she still has the old murder of her friend to solve. The story brings an end to that story arc, but Annie and Fletcher are entering a new chapter with their new agency. This has been a fun series, and I look forward to reading more of their new adventures.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I've been so looking forward to reading the final instalment in secret bookcase series. The sixth instalment takes place at a booksellers conference and as all of the usual lovely cosy tropes of a victim who had it coming and a list of suspects who are also not great people. The recurring characters are realistic and well fleshed out.

The descriptions are luscious and the scene setting is the strongest part of this whole series, especially the fantastic coffees and cocktails which are described.
This also gives a really great opportunity to resolve the overarching mystery of the series of who killed Scarlett - a character who has always been at the forefront of the story, despite never being alive during the entire series arc.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review

This was the last book in this series. A very quick read but seemed rushed to both wrap up a 10 year old murder and solve a new murder in a couple days. Missed the bookstore setting . Some of the happenings seemed very improbable so this was not my favorite of the series. It was just too jumbled trying to get everything wrapped up.