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A Secret Bookcase Mystery #5
A Victim at Valentine's
In the cozy town of Redwood Grove, Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.
As Annie assists the lead detective in unraveling the mystery, she quickly identifies a host of likely suspects – from an oddball psychic, to a professional matchmaker, to a rival bookseller – each with a worryingly plausible motive.
With her keen eye for detail, soon Annie suspects there may be connections to the decade-old tragedy of her best friend’s death, which still haunts her. Putting her own Valentine’s Day plans with the irresistible Liam on hold, Annie must solve the crime – before she ends up on a hot date with a killer.
This charming and utterly addictive cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of Tonya Kappes, Lauren Elliott and Ellery Adams will love this murder mystery with a dash of romance.
As Annie assists the lead detective in unraveling the mystery, she quickly identifies a host of likely suspects – from an oddball psychic, to a professional matchmaker, to a rival bookseller – each with a worryingly plausible motive.
With her keen eye for detail, soon Annie suspects there may be connections to the decade-old tragedy of her best friend’s death, which still haunts her. Putting her own Valentine’s Day plans with the irresistible Liam on hold, Annie must solve the crime – before she ends up on a hot date with a killer.
This charming and utterly addictive cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of Tonya Kappes, Lauren Elliott and Ellery Adams will love this murder mystery with a dash of romance.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2025
699 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Alexander
78 books3,034 followersEllie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
January 19, 2025
I received a free copy of, A Victim at Valentine's. by Ellie Alexander, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book five in A Secret Bookcase Mystery series. A dead body has been found at Annie Murray's bookshop. Annie has a mystery to solve. This was a nice cozy mystery.
February 4, 2025
This is the fifth book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. Annie works at a bookshop called The Secret Bookcase in the small town of Redwood Grove. I have read and enjoyed each of the five books.
In A Victim at Valentine's the bookstore is hosting a match making event for Valentine's Day when a well-liked member of the community is found murdered. There are two threads to follow - the above-mentioned murder investigation, and new information coming out about the death of Annie's friend Scarlet.
I very much enjoy this bookshop related series. The characters are well described, the mystery is tricky to solve, and the author keeps coming up with great ideas for promoting book sales in her imaginary shop. I am looking forward to book 6.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In A Victim at Valentine's the bookstore is hosting a match making event for Valentine's Day when a well-liked member of the community is found murdered. There are two threads to follow - the above-mentioned murder investigation, and new information coming out about the death of Annie's friend Scarlet.
I very much enjoy this bookshop related series. The characters are well described, the mystery is tricky to solve, and the author keeps coming up with great ideas for promoting book sales in her imaginary shop. I am looking forward to book 6.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 6, 2025
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.
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.
February 1, 2025
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining!
Anne Murray is almost the co-owner of the Secret Bookcase Bookshop and is hopeful about her future. It’s Valentine's Day, and the bookstore is ready to celebrate lovers. When local philanthropist, George, asks Anne to host an event for a matchmaking company, she is excited.
The D-day arrives and brings crowds as well a mystery package and a death. Anne now has to solve a murder instead of spending the day on a dinner date with Liam. And what about the case that has been haunting her for years?
The story comes in Anne’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is the fourth book in the series and may not work that well as a standalone. The overarching plot takes more space in the previous book and this one, so having some prior knowledge about the story will help.
Since is this an easy cozy series (yeah, I came up with a new subgenre), the mystery is pretty straightforward despite the presence of multiple suspects.
The characters are quite interesting, and the descriptions of the setting are beautiful to read. The pacing is great too (nothing like a short mystery with a quick pace). I like the growth in the main characters. It’s subtle but there.
There’s a slight development in the personal/ love track, which is nice to see. We meet the side characters again. I do wonder if 90% of Indians have arranged marriages, that too in 2025? I think not!
And oh, there’s a bit of danger in this one. As the MC gets closer to the truth, the threats seem to be increasing. Makes sense, right?
I have to mention the crows here, especially Jekyll and Hyde. Flecther’s idea certainly has merit (even if it is not entirely legal, lol). In fact, a Telugu comedy movie has a similar scene.
To summarize, A Victim at Valentine's is a quick and light read with a murder in a romantic bookish setting. The next book will be the last in the series, so I’m curious to know how the main case (the overarching mystery) will be solved.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #AVictimAtValentines
One Liner: Entertaining!
Anne Murray is almost the co-owner of the Secret Bookcase Bookshop and is hopeful about her future. It’s Valentine's Day, and the bookstore is ready to celebrate lovers. When local philanthropist, George, asks Anne to host an event for a matchmaking company, she is excited.
The D-day arrives and brings crowds as well a mystery package and a death. Anne now has to solve a murder instead of spending the day on a dinner date with Liam. And what about the case that has been haunting her for years?
The story comes in Anne’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is the fourth book in the series and may not work that well as a standalone. The overarching plot takes more space in the previous book and this one, so having some prior knowledge about the story will help.
Since is this an easy cozy series (yeah, I came up with a new subgenre), the mystery is pretty straightforward despite the presence of multiple suspects.
The characters are quite interesting, and the descriptions of the setting are beautiful to read. The pacing is great too (nothing like a short mystery with a quick pace). I like the growth in the main characters. It’s subtle but there.
There’s a slight development in the personal/ love track, which is nice to see. We meet the side characters again. I do wonder if 90% of Indians have arranged marriages, that too in 2025? I think not!
And oh, there’s a bit of danger in this one. As the MC gets closer to the truth, the threats seem to be increasing. Makes sense, right?
I have to mention the crows here, especially Jekyll and Hyde. Flecther’s idea certainly has merit (even if it is not entirely legal, lol). In fact, a Telugu comedy movie has a similar scene.
To summarize, A Victim at Valentine's is a quick and light read with a murder in a romantic bookish setting. The next book will be the last in the series, so I’m curious to know how the main case (the overarching mystery) will be solved.
Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #AVictimAtValentines
March 7, 2025
This is book 5 in this series and while I have read a couple I haven’t read them all and still enjoyed this one a lot. Annie is preparing for her private detective license test as well as for a matchmaking event at her bookstore. She is shaken when she finds a local dead and she’s excited when her friend who is investigating for the police asks her to help. I really liked the side characters (especially the crows!). The mystery was well done and I liked the pace of clues and how it all came together. I didn’t get everything right but I did get a lot of it. I really like the setting for this series too, the book store seems really cool and I am definitely going to finish this series. The narrator was good and definitely helped bring the story to life for me.
February 12, 2025
I liked this! I semi guessed the killer? But not fully. I definitely wouldn’t recommend reading if you haven’t read the series because it felt like I was dropped in the middle of several storylines. The writing was okay, but did a looot of telling rather than showing. I do think I’ll go back to the beginning of the series, but it probably won’t be a priority. Is it bad I wanted her boyfriend to be a victim or a bad guy lmfao?
Now I’ll preface this by saying what do I know??—but the narrator did NOT seem to have a grasp on the Jamaican accent. Otherwise, I liked her narration.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
I received an ALC from the publishers. All opinions are honest and my own.
Now I’ll preface this by saying what do I know??—but the narrator did NOT seem to have a grasp on the Jamaican accent. Otherwise, I liked her narration.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
I received an ALC from the publishers. All opinions are honest and my own.
February 3, 2025
(3.75 stars)
If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, you definitely should take a look at the Secret Bookcase series by Ellie Alexander. It is filled with interesting recurring characters, from the main female character, Annie Murray, who is the special events coordinator of this mystery-centric bookstore, to her boyfriend/pub owner, Liam, to her bookstore-colleague/detective-partner, Fletcher, to her good friend, coffee shop owner Pri. Each book takes place in a small town in northern California, Redwood Grove. The bookstore itself is almost a character! As always, Ellie Alexander knows how to write a strong mystery story.
This time, the Secret Bookcase bookstore is hosting a Valentine’s-themed event: a matchmaking weekend revolving around books! This makes it perfect for readers who love a seasonal story.
A local philanthropist is found dead and an investigation ensues. (I had trouble guessing the perpetrator!) In addition, there’s progress in a case that has been an overarching theme in each of the previous four books, the murder of Annie’s friend Scarlet, a number of years ago; it looks like we are getting close to the solution at last!
I zoomed through this one, mainly via the audiobook version, which was well narrated by Ellen Quay.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Dreamscape Media to the opportunity to listen to a review copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, you definitely should take a look at the Secret Bookcase series by Ellie Alexander. It is filled with interesting recurring characters, from the main female character, Annie Murray, who is the special events coordinator of this mystery-centric bookstore, to her boyfriend/pub owner, Liam, to her bookstore-colleague/detective-partner, Fletcher, to her good friend, coffee shop owner Pri. Each book takes place in a small town in northern California, Redwood Grove. The bookstore itself is almost a character! As always, Ellie Alexander knows how to write a strong mystery story.
This time, the Secret Bookcase bookstore is hosting a Valentine’s-themed event: a matchmaking weekend revolving around books! This makes it perfect for readers who love a seasonal story.
A local philanthropist is found dead and an investigation ensues. (I had trouble guessing the perpetrator!) In addition, there’s progress in a case that has been an overarching theme in each of the previous four books, the murder of Annie’s friend Scarlet, a number of years ago; it looks like we are getting close to the solution at last!
I zoomed through this one, mainly via the audiobook version, which was well narrated by Ellen Quay.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book and to Dreamscape Media to the opportunity to listen to a review copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
February 8, 2025
This is the fifth book in A Secret Bookcase Mystery series. I've been following this series and enjoy these cozy mysteries set in the sweet town of Redwood Grove in The Secret Bookcase bookshop.
Description:
In the cozy town of Redwood Grove, Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.
As Annie assists the lead detective in unraveling the mystery, she quickly identifies a host of likely suspects – from an oddball psychic, to a professional matchmaker, to a rival bookseller – each with a worryingly plausible motive.
With her keen eye for detail, soon Annie suspects there may be connections to the decade-old tragedy of her best friend’s death, which still haunts her. Putting her own Valentine’s Day plans with the irresistible Liam on hold, Annie must solve the crime – before she ends up on a hot date with a killer.
My Thoughts:
In this book there's a murder that occurs during the span of a match-making event held at the bookshop. There were some clues and several suspects. Annie Murray and her friends Fletcher and Hal try to find the answer to who the murderer could be. Some information also turns up about Annie's friend Scarlet, who had disappeared some time ago. The mystery of what happened to Scarlet has been a common thread throughout the series. This was a fun and satisfying cozy mystery and I enjoyed my time spent reading the book. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. Ellie Alexander is a talented author and writes absorbing stories that are easy to read and enjoyable.
Thanks to Storm Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
In the cozy town of Redwood Grove, Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.
As Annie assists the lead detective in unraveling the mystery, she quickly identifies a host of likely suspects – from an oddball psychic, to a professional matchmaker, to a rival bookseller – each with a worryingly plausible motive.
With her keen eye for detail, soon Annie suspects there may be connections to the decade-old tragedy of her best friend’s death, which still haunts her. Putting her own Valentine’s Day plans with the irresistible Liam on hold, Annie must solve the crime – before she ends up on a hot date with a killer.
My Thoughts:
In this book there's a murder that occurs during the span of a match-making event held at the bookshop. There were some clues and several suspects. Annie Murray and her friends Fletcher and Hal try to find the answer to who the murderer could be. Some information also turns up about Annie's friend Scarlet, who had disappeared some time ago. The mystery of what happened to Scarlet has been a common thread throughout the series. This was a fun and satisfying cozy mystery and I enjoyed my time spent reading the book. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. Ellie Alexander is a talented author and writes absorbing stories that are easy to read and enjoyable.
Thanks to Storm Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
February 8, 2025
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 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.
February 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ -NetGalley Audiobook 🎧
Description:
Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.
Review:
I didn’t realize this was book #5 of the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series when I requested it. The plot was easy to follow and interesting, but the series has a continuing storyline that, although explained during this story, is better read from the beginning. My favorite character, unfortunately, was not a continuing character. It was good, but not a series I’ll start from the beginning at this time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 02/10/25
Description:
Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.
Review:
I didn’t realize this was book #5 of the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series when I requested it. The plot was easy to follow and interesting, but the series has a continuing storyline that, although explained during this story, is better read from the beginning. My favorite character, unfortunately, was not a continuing character. It was good, but not a series I’ll start from the beginning at this time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: 02/10/25
February 25, 2025
I've been getting into these cozy mysteries that revolve around books stores lately. I find them to be fun and entertaining. This one was no different. You got your typical nosy bookshop owner who wants to investigate a murder that happened behind her bookshop. It's almost like playing the game clue to figure out who did it. The only downfall was it kept referencing a previous murder and since I have not listened to the previous books, I was a bit lost there. Overall a fun listen though. I liked the narrator and felt she did a good job.
January 29, 2025
This is such a fun series! Each book has a self-contained mystery, but there is also an overarching mystery that continues through each book. For that reason, they can be enjoyed individually but are even better if they're read in order. In this book, Annie Murray is helping organize a weekend-long matchmaking event at the Secret Bookcase, an Agatha Christie inspired bookshop. The romance included in this cozy mystery is perfect for a book coming out right before Valentine's Day.
George Richards, an investor in the matchmaking business, doesn't survive the first night of the event, and Annie helps investigate his very suspicious death. There are plenty of suspects to keep Annie busy and the reader guessing. Progress is also made on the ongoing case of the death of Annie's high school best friend, Scarlet. The solution to George's death and the reveal regarding Scarlet's death make this a book that fans of the series will enjoy.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Storm Publishing for review consideration, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
George Richards, an investor in the matchmaking business, doesn't survive the first night of the event, and Annie helps investigate his very suspicious death. There are plenty of suspects to keep Annie busy and the reader guessing. Progress is also made on the ongoing case of the death of Annie's high school best friend, Scarlet. The solution to George's death and the reveal regarding Scarlet's death make this a book that fans of the series will enjoy.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Storm Publishing for review consideration, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
February 12, 2025
3.5* ... I don't think I've ever started a series at book 5, but to be honest I wasn't looking to start a new series. I saw the cute cover with Valentine's vibes so I thought I'd give it a go. Actually, this held up fine as a standalone. I was not confused, nor did I feel I needed more background to enjoy the story. It was well written, and the mystery was well plotted. Mostly I just liked the cozy setting and Valentine's Day theme. Perfect for a rainy, February read. I may even want to go back and read the first 4 now :-)
February 14, 2025
This is the first book I have read in the series, though I own all of them, and I really enjoyed it. Annie is a great character and I love the bookstore setting. Now I need to go back and read the rest of the series!
December 29, 2024
If I could slip inside one book this year and just make it my own little world, I think this might be it.
This perfect cozy mystery centers around a murder that occurs inside of an Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.
Annie Murray, our FMC, current manager of the Secret Bookcase Shop, and reluctant assistant to local detectives, is one of my favorite literary characters. I want to hang with her and bestie Fletcher as they uncover mysteries that involve psychics, matchmakers and competitive bookstore owners.
I give this a 5 star rating because it moved so fluidly that I just couldn't put in down. No "one more chapter" was available- I just needed to keep reading!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read and review this Valentines themed cozy mystery prior to it's release on Feb 10th 2025.
This perfect cozy mystery centers around a murder that occurs inside of an Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.
Annie Murray, our FMC, current manager of the Secret Bookcase Shop, and reluctant assistant to local detectives, is one of my favorite literary characters. I want to hang with her and bestie Fletcher as they uncover mysteries that involve psychics, matchmakers and competitive bookstore owners.
I give this a 5 star rating because it moved so fluidly that I just couldn't put in down. No "one more chapter" was available- I just needed to keep reading!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read and review this Valentines themed cozy mystery prior to it's release on Feb 10th 2025.
January 17, 2025
Delightful! This series is in close competition for my other favorite cozy series, The Bakeshop Mysteries, also written by Ellie Alexander.
The characters are well developed and likeable. The setting of Redwood grove comes alive and the food descriptions are wonderful. I was immediately engaged with the plot. Leading up to Valentine's day the secret bookshop hosts a matchmaking weekend during which a community member meets their death. The longer arc of the main character's best friend's mysterious death is woven seamlessly through the story.
The writing is good, the book remains upbeat. For cozy mystery lovers, highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance copy.
The characters are well developed and likeable. The setting of Redwood grove comes alive and the food descriptions are wonderful. I was immediately engaged with the plot. Leading up to Valentine's day the secret bookshop hosts a matchmaking weekend during which a community member meets their death. The longer arc of the main character's best friend's mysterious death is woven seamlessly through the story.
The writing is good, the book remains upbeat. For cozy mystery lovers, highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance copy.
February 10, 2025
"A Victim At Valentine's (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #5)" by Ellie Alexander is set around Valentine's Day and the Secret Bookcase bookshop is partnering with a professional matchmaker to provide a romance themed weekend. A friend of Annie's helped to set it all up since he's helping finance the matchmaker's business. Things get off to a little rocky of a start when Annie's friend has a few odd encounters on the first night. He's then found dead on the back patio the next morning.
Annie, of course, finds him despite the crows, Jekyll and Hyde, trying to warn her off. Yes, we get the start of the Secret Bookcase Shop murder of crows. I do wish the crows got to do a bit more in the book. Maybe get credited with tracking down the culprit once it was known it was them or more directly helping Annie when she is in danger.
As far as figuring out the culprit of the book specific mystery, I was waffling between who it turned out to be and some unknown person. However, what did throw me was the motive. I was totally all for the same motive Annie was thinking before the culprit told her their true motive. Shows I read too many cozy mysteries that I went there rather than a more likely reason.
With the carry over mystery for the series, I am glad it seems to be pretty much solved. Now it's just getting the proof while not getting hurt in the process for Annie. I am betting there will still be some plot twists with this part of the series though.
Annie, of course, finds him despite the crows, Jekyll and Hyde, trying to warn her off. Yes, we get the start of the Secret Bookcase Shop murder of crows. I do wish the crows got to do a bit more in the book. Maybe get credited with tracking down the culprit once it was known it was them or more directly helping Annie when she is in danger.
As far as figuring out the culprit of the book specific mystery, I was waffling between who it turned out to be and some unknown person. However, what did throw me was the motive. I was totally all for the same motive Annie was thinking before the culprit told her their true motive. Shows I read too many cozy mysteries that I went there rather than a more likely reason.
With the carry over mystery for the series, I am glad it seems to be pretty much solved. Now it's just getting the proof while not getting hurt in the process for Annie. I am betting there will still be some plot twists with this part of the series though.
March 1, 2025
I have been enjoying this series from Ellie Alexander. Annie runs an Agatha Christie themed Mystery bookshop and they are hosting a Valentine's Mingle for customers looking for love. Everything is going to plan when a pilar of the community is found dead the morning of the event. Annie has a list of potential suspects and determines the killer just in time for Valentine’s day.
I enjoy our main protagonist Annie and her coworkers Fletcher and Hal, they make a great team. The cozy atmosphere of this book is great and I highly recommend it if you are a cozy mystery reader. There is a plot point that started in book one so I suggest reading in order, you won’t be disappointed!
This book comes out on February 10th, grab yourself a copy!
Thank you Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy our main protagonist Annie and her coworkers Fletcher and Hal, they make a great team. The cozy atmosphere of this book is great and I highly recommend it if you are a cozy mystery reader. There is a plot point that started in book one so I suggest reading in order, you won’t be disappointed!
This book comes out on February 10th, grab yourself a copy!
Thank you Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2025
Cozy, funny, and suspenseful all packaged with a bow! The 5th book of the Secret Bookcase mysteries. In my opinion the books should be read in order as there is a background story that unfolds throughout the entire series. Each book also has a standalone main plot but to enjoy the characters and coziness of the town of Redwood Grove, it is necessary to read every book from the series in order.
The main character, Annie Murray, is intelligent, brave, and relatable. Her coworkers and friends in Redwood Grove create such a cozy feel with their relationships and interactions. In addition to the cozy feel goods this book brings, it is not short on mystery and suspense! A murder at the Secret Bookcase book store!! In the style of Agatha Christie, everyone has the means and the motive! Annie brainstorms her way through each suspect racing to find the murderer. Working alongside the local detective and her personal friend, Dr. Caldwell, they must work quickly to solve the case.
Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Ellie Alexander for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!
The main character, Annie Murray, is intelligent, brave, and relatable. Her coworkers and friends in Redwood Grove create such a cozy feel with their relationships and interactions. In addition to the cozy feel goods this book brings, it is not short on mystery and suspense! A murder at the Secret Bookcase book store!! In the style of Agatha Christie, everyone has the means and the motive! Annie brainstorms her way through each suspect racing to find the murderer. Working alongside the local detective and her personal friend, Dr. Caldwell, they must work quickly to solve the case.
Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Ellie Alexander for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!
February 8, 2025
Another fun mystery in this series. We're back once more to an event at the bookstore, which gives us plenty of time with Hal and Fletcher. A new event, a new mystery. Not to mention some further exciting developments with the cold case mystery. This book packs a lot it and is a compelling read.
There's a dark feel to this mystery as Annie untangles a web of clues and suspects. You'd think a book based around Valentines wouldn't be so dark, but it made it all the more engaging. And the two crows - Jekyll and Hyde! Amazing inclusion in this book. I wish they had of been there for the entire series. I wanted to see more of them. It added something unique on the cosy side.
While each book in this series is a self-contained main mystery, it's best to begin this series from book one, so you see the characters grow and you learn about the cold case. It's well worth it, I promise. I've enjoyed every book in this series so far.
My only concern is that it appears the next book is the final book in the series. I really hope it's not true. It would be a shame, especially with Annie and Fletcher looking to open their own Detective Agency. Maybe we'll have a spin off series based on the new agency?? I can only hope so.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There's a dark feel to this mystery as Annie untangles a web of clues and suspects. You'd think a book based around Valentines wouldn't be so dark, but it made it all the more engaging. And the two crows - Jekyll and Hyde! Amazing inclusion in this book. I wish they had of been there for the entire series. I wanted to see more of them. It added something unique on the cosy side.
While each book in this series is a self-contained main mystery, it's best to begin this series from book one, so you see the characters grow and you learn about the cold case. It's well worth it, I promise. I've enjoyed every book in this series so far.
My only concern is that it appears the next book is the final book in the series. I really hope it's not true. It would be a shame, especially with Annie and Fletcher looking to open their own Detective Agency. Maybe we'll have a spin off series based on the new agency?? I can only hope so.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2025
✨️ ALC REVIEW ✨️
Victim At Valentine's by Ellie Alexander
Publication date: 10th February 2025
Plot follows Anne who is almost a co-owner of The Secret Bookcase Bookshop, with Valentine's Day being just around the corner; George, a sponsor / philanthropist asks Anne to host a matchmaking event. The day arrives and it not only brings crowds but a death package... Anne now has to solve the murder instead of going on her dinner date...
This is the 5th book in the series, I personally read it as a standalone and it was easy to follow in terms of the mystery it's centered around but character development and plot wise you may want to start with the first one ( I'm planning to)
This was an enjoyable read, fast paced and short, however one thing that felt out of place was the mention of Indian arranged marriages (?) In 2025(?) I sure do hope not lol
The you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC
Victim At Valentine's by Ellie Alexander
Publication date: 10th February 2025
Plot follows Anne who is almost a co-owner of The Secret Bookcase Bookshop, with Valentine's Day being just around the corner; George, a sponsor / philanthropist asks Anne to host a matchmaking event. The day arrives and it not only brings crowds but a death package... Anne now has to solve the murder instead of going on her dinner date...
This is the 5th book in the series, I personally read it as a standalone and it was easy to follow in terms of the mystery it's centered around but character development and plot wise you may want to start with the first one ( I'm planning to)
This was an enjoyable read, fast paced and short, however one thing that felt out of place was the mention of Indian arranged marriages (?) In 2025(?) I sure do hope not lol
The you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC
Read
September 5, 2025Fun!!!!
February 7, 2025
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.
February 8, 2025
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.
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.
February 1, 2025
The writing was light and engaging. There were a couple of storylines running through, one which was from the previous books and one was the main one that this book was primarily focusing on. Both storylines worked well together and held my interest from the beginning right through to the end.
The description was rich and added something extra to the story. It slowed the story down and made you take a moment to appreciate the surroundings that the story was taking place in.
The chapters were fairly long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. The chapters flowed well together and even though there was a lot of information, the way that it was written made sure that you didn't get lost. There was a good pace to the book, created with the perfect balance of description of the surroundings and the characters actions.
The characters were great. I enjoyed following the main character and seeing her work through the different options as to who the murderer was.
The characters close to the main character gave the story a cosy feeling. They were supportive of the main character and their individual relationships were nice to read about. In addition to the main group of characters, there were a number of suspects that I enjoyed watching the main character investigate.
Lastly the settings. I loved the bookshop and the surrounding grounds. They were beautifully described and enhanced the cosy part of the mystery.
Overall a wonderfully described murder mystery. I look forward to reading more books in the series. This was book 5 in the series so I have a few to get through!
The description was rich and added something extra to the story. It slowed the story down and made you take a moment to appreciate the surroundings that the story was taking place in.
The chapters were fairly long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. The chapters flowed well together and even though there was a lot of information, the way that it was written made sure that you didn't get lost. There was a good pace to the book, created with the perfect balance of description of the surroundings and the characters actions.
The characters were great. I enjoyed following the main character and seeing her work through the different options as to who the murderer was.
The characters close to the main character gave the story a cosy feeling. They were supportive of the main character and their individual relationships were nice to read about. In addition to the main group of characters, there were a number of suspects that I enjoyed watching the main character investigate.
Lastly the settings. I loved the bookshop and the surrounding grounds. They were beautifully described and enhanced the cosy part of the mystery.
Overall a wonderfully described murder mystery. I look forward to reading more books in the series. This was book 5 in the series so I have a few to get through!
March 17, 2025
4.5 stars
A Victim at Valentines is yet another terrific addition to the Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. A holiday theme in stories always adds to the enjoyment of the story and the Valentine’s decorations, treats and thematic events made this addition extra atmospheric and fun.
The Secret Bookcase has agreed to host a matchmaking, weekend event filled with all kinds of activities to help people find love. However, a few interesting people show up who raise some concerns, particularly a woman who claims to see a dark aura around one of the gentlemen at the event and portends an ominous fate. When Annie finds a community member dead on the bookstore property, she is drawn into the investigation. Several people have motives and suspicious stories. When new information regarding Annie’s friend Scarlett’s murder comes to light, Annie faces more than one mystery to solve and multiple facts to keep straight.
In this story we get a gripping mystery, a continuing romance, new friendships, likable characters, and close community dynamics. A Victim at Valentines is a fast-reading, highly entertaining story and the series as a whole is engaging and one you will eagerly want to continue on with.
A Victim at Valentines is yet another terrific addition to the Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. A holiday theme in stories always adds to the enjoyment of the story and the Valentine’s decorations, treats and thematic events made this addition extra atmospheric and fun.
The Secret Bookcase has agreed to host a matchmaking, weekend event filled with all kinds of activities to help people find love. However, a few interesting people show up who raise some concerns, particularly a woman who claims to see a dark aura around one of the gentlemen at the event and portends an ominous fate. When Annie finds a community member dead on the bookstore property, she is drawn into the investigation. Several people have motives and suspicious stories. When new information regarding Annie’s friend Scarlett’s murder comes to light, Annie faces more than one mystery to solve and multiple facts to keep straight.
In this story we get a gripping mystery, a continuing romance, new friendships, likable characters, and close community dynamics. A Victim at Valentines is a fast-reading, highly entertaining story and the series as a whole is engaging and one you will eagerly want to continue on with.
January 3, 2025
A Victim at Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander is a delightful addition to the Secret Bookcase Mystery series, blending romance, intrigue, and small-town charm. This fifth installment brings readers back to Redwood Grove, where Annie Murray, co-owner of the Secret Bookcase bookstore, finds herself hosting a Valentine’s matchmaking event that takes a deadly turn.
The story opens with a buzz of excitement as the matchmaking event, inspired by the theme of love and mystery, is set to begin. But when George Richards, a beloved local philanthropist, is found dead the morning after the event’s opening night, Annie’s sleuthing skills are put to the test once more. As she delves into the lives of event participants and townsfolk, Annie uncovers secrets, rivalries, and motives, all while juggling her responsibilities as a new business owner and amateur detective.
Alexander excels at creating a cozy atmosphere, painting a vivid picture of the charming Redwood Grove and the bustling Secret Bookcase. The Valentine’s Day theme adds a festive touch, and the descriptions of the bookstore’s events, food, and decor bring the setting to life. The addition of a quirky psychic and a pair of mischievous crows adds humor and intrigue to the mix.
The mystery itself is engaging, with a well-paced plot and an array of suspects. While some seasoned mystery readers might piece together the clues before the final reveal, the journey is still enjoyable, thanks to Annie’s relatable character and her endearing relationships with friends like Fletcher and Liam. The ongoing subplot about the unsolved murder of Annie’s best friend, Scarlet, continues to provide depth and a compelling thread that ties the series together.
This book works well as a standalone, but fans of the series will appreciate how it builds on established character dynamics and the overarching storyline. The balance between the murder investigation and the lighter moments of romance and community makes this an entertaining read.
A Victim at Valentine’s is a cozy mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-inspired tales, charming bookshop settings, and strong, determined heroines. It’s a warm, engaging read that will leave you eager for the series’ next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this Valentine-themed mystery.
The story opens with a buzz of excitement as the matchmaking event, inspired by the theme of love and mystery, is set to begin. But when George Richards, a beloved local philanthropist, is found dead the morning after the event’s opening night, Annie’s sleuthing skills are put to the test once more. As she delves into the lives of event participants and townsfolk, Annie uncovers secrets, rivalries, and motives, all while juggling her responsibilities as a new business owner and amateur detective.
Alexander excels at creating a cozy atmosphere, painting a vivid picture of the charming Redwood Grove and the bustling Secret Bookcase. The Valentine’s Day theme adds a festive touch, and the descriptions of the bookstore’s events, food, and decor bring the setting to life. The addition of a quirky psychic and a pair of mischievous crows adds humor and intrigue to the mix.
The mystery itself is engaging, with a well-paced plot and an array of suspects. While some seasoned mystery readers might piece together the clues before the final reveal, the journey is still enjoyable, thanks to Annie’s relatable character and her endearing relationships with friends like Fletcher and Liam. The ongoing subplot about the unsolved murder of Annie’s best friend, Scarlet, continues to provide depth and a compelling thread that ties the series together.
This book works well as a standalone, but fans of the series will appreciate how it builds on established character dynamics and the overarching storyline. The balance between the murder investigation and the lighter moments of romance and community makes this an entertaining read.
A Victim at Valentine’s is a cozy mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-inspired tales, charming bookshop settings, and strong, determined heroines. It’s a warm, engaging read that will leave you eager for the series’ next installment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this Valentine-themed mystery.
January 31, 2025
3.75⭐️ This was a typical fluffy cozy mystery by Ellie Alexander. I found it entertaining but I find the plot thin on spots which is why I rated it the way I did how we it’s enjoyable enough to round up to 4⭐️.
It’s the type of formulaic mystery that is low stakes to read as you don’t have to think too hard and can just go along for the ride.
I listener to the audiobook and the narrator Ellen Quay does a good job with the material. Although I did need to speed things up to make it easier to listen to. It’s only 6 hours and 16 minutes long so with speeding up the playback it can easily be consumed in a few hours.
I am thankful to have gotten the ALC for free from Dreamscape media through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
It’s the type of formulaic mystery that is low stakes to read as you don’t have to think too hard and can just go along for the ride.
I listener to the audiobook and the narrator Ellen Quay does a good job with the material. Although I did need to speed things up to make it easier to listen to. It’s only 6 hours and 16 minutes long so with speeding up the playback it can easily be consumed in a few hours.
I am thankful to have gotten the ALC for free from Dreamscape media through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
February 15, 2025
A Victim at Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander takes us back to the Secret Bookcase, which Annie and Fletcher are in the process of buying from their boss and the owner, Hal. His good friend, George, had put them in touch with a match maker, Aaliyah, in whose business he had invested some money and they were putting together a Valentine’s weekend event. She had an excellent track record, with almost 100% success and she felt sure she would meet that goal for this event. It was going to be fun: bookish scavenger hunt, a hike, meals together. Even their customer, Gertrude, who had never married as she lost fiance quite young, had signed up to attend. The event did seem to be a roaring success and people began pairing up almost immediately.
Things fell apart when Annie arrived early the next morning and found George sitting on a bench in the garden, dead. This is a fun series: Annie is a well-written character who grows with each book. She is haunted by an investigation for a college class that had gone wrong and resulted in the death of her best friend, Scarlett. She was still investigating as was Dr Caldwell, her mentor and the local chief of police. Elspeth, a very odd woman who claimed to be a medium had predicted there would be a death, oddly correct. As one can tell, the characters are varied and interesting. Fortunately Annie could keep more than one ball in the air at at time. The mystery was good, although despite the fact I figured it out, I had the motive quite wrong. Good book.
I was invited to read A Victim at Valentine’s by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander #AVictimAtValentines
Things fell apart when Annie arrived early the next morning and found George sitting on a bench in the garden, dead. This is a fun series: Annie is a well-written character who grows with each book. She is haunted by an investigation for a college class that had gone wrong and resulted in the death of her best friend, Scarlett. She was still investigating as was Dr Caldwell, her mentor and the local chief of police. Elspeth, a very odd woman who claimed to be a medium had predicted there would be a death, oddly correct. As one can tell, the characters are varied and interesting. Fortunately Annie could keep more than one ball in the air at at time. The mystery was good, although despite the fact I figured it out, I had the motive quite wrong. Good book.
I was invited to read A Victim at Valentine’s by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander #AVictimAtValentines
February 15, 2025
4.5 stars ⭐️ A Victim at Valentine’s is the 5th book in A Secret Bookcase Mystery series. At the Secret Bookcase Bookshop, Annie Murray, Fletcher, and the other business owners have a weekend of matchmaking events. On the second day, Annie found a well-loved community member dead outside the bookshop. Annie and Dr. Caldwell searched for the killer. However, more information and a new twist happened in her best friend’s (Scarlett) unsolved murder case. We also got to see Liam and Annie grow together as a couple. The whole book, the victim and the killer, with the overarching plot worked well. Annie, Fletcher, and Liam did grow within this installment and I cannot wait to see how Scarlett’s murder is solved in the last book to come!
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