A Very Novel Murder

Novel Detectives Mystery #1

by Ellie Alexander

Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.

June Munrow, an elderly resident of Annie’s home town, Redwood Grove, is convinced that young Kelly Taylor’s recent drowning wasn't the tragic accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.

As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets involving Kelly’s complicated relationships, a peculiar landlord, and her mysterious roommate. Everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.

With her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself?

Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, this charming cozy mystery is brimming with small-town secrets and bookish charm that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Ellie 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...

Reviews

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

January 20th: Happy Publication day!! I am a day late reposting for that🤦🏼‍♀️. Whoops! 🎊🎊🎊 this book it out now!

7/10: 3.5⭐️’s rounded up, I think? So badly wish for half stars…first whine of the new year!! I feel so inaccurate sometimes when I am really set on ‘this is a half star book’, rounding either way doesn’t seem right.
Thoughts to come.
(1/2/26)

This is the first book of a series, but apparently has a continuation of at least the main female character (so I am guessing several secondary characters as well) in a different series. You don’t have to read that series first; but I think it would have been helpful to me for character background and development.

Accident, suicide, or murder (isn’t that the name of some crime tv show?)? That is what Annie and Fletcher, owners of Secret Bookcase and their new detective agency, Novel Detectives, are hired to figure out. Nosy neighbor, June, hires them to find out what happened to Kelly, up and coming surfer, who was found dead in her bathtub.

A lot of things felt familiar from reading/listening to other cozy mysteries with bookstores or libraries as a main hub for the crime solvers. It felt like pieces of other cozies put together. The ending was a bit obvious to me. The main characters were very likeable and I wish I had known about the previous series ahead of time and read/listened to those first. I finished this book a couple of days ago and was leaning towards rounding up, but now, I think I am headed towards rounding down. All of those familiar pieces felt too familiar, I guess, to really stand out for me. 🤷‍♀️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All thoughts are my own. I love the read aloud option.

Rating and thoughts posted: 1/3/26

Publication date: January 20, 2026.

Reposted for publication date (a day late 🤦🏼‍♀️): 1/21/26

[Heather Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Fletcher have their own detective agency in this new series, but if you didn’t meet them in the Secret Bookcase books, you can easily jump in here. This small town cozy mystery satisfies. It has the lengthy environmental descriptions of rooms, food, etc that you’d expect. I wished for a faster setup to start the solving, but maybe that’s because I already knew everyone. I like that Hal’s backstory will be woven through future books because the supporting cast is charming. All set for the next one!

I received an arc from NetGalley

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander is the first book in the Novel Detectives Mystery series. Annie Murray and her partner Fletcher have openned their detective agency above their mystery bookstore, the Secret Bookshelf, and are hired by their elderly neighbour June to investigate the death of young champion surfer Kelly, who drowned in her bathtuib after ingesting sleeping pills, and who June believes was murdered. This is a spin off the Secret Bookcase series, and it is nice to get reacquainted with the characters. They are also looking into an Agatha Christie related mystery for their former boss Hal who believes he may be related to her. Fletcher is a huge Sherlockian scholar and fan and it was interesting in how Sherlock Holmes quotes and methods played into the mystery. An interecting and fun mystery.

[Chelsey x · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive this ARC as I thoroughly enjoyed The Secret Bookcase Mysteries series and was intrigued to see how Annie and Fletcher got on with opening their own detective agency.

I rated this book 4.25 🌟 . I find this authors writing to be so descriptive and it felt like I was in Redwood Grove with them all (and oh my goodness did I really want some of the food they were eating!). I really enjoy the romance between Annie and Liam - it definitely adds to the story in my opinion.

Spoilers:

I am usually pretty good at figuring out the mysteries but I didn't figure this one out until the same time Annie and Fletcher did which I enjoyed (it can be boring always knowing who the killer is fairly early on!). I loved that the author wrote a book with this person as the killer, it is something I have not seen before and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I can't wait for the next in the series and to be trying to figure out whatever mystery they have to solve next alongside them! I enjoyed the backstory with Hal as well and assume that will continue into the next book!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and to Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kassyreadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: A Very Novel Murder

Author: Ellie Alexander

Synopsis: Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.

June Munrow, an elderly resident of Annie’s home town, Redwood Grove, is convinced that young Kelly Taylor’s recent drowning wasn't the tragic accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.

As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets involving Kelly’s complicated relationships, a peculiar landlord, and her mysterious roommate. Everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.

With her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself?

Review: While browsing online I stumbled upon this wonderful book with the coziest cover! I had to pick it up! I’m so glad I read this when I did! Despite the fact that it is a spin off series it didn’t deter me from reading it! I found this incredibly charming and intriguing! I loved the twists and turns that happened! I was very surprised when the killer was revealed! The crime was very well thought and I couldn’t guess who it was! It was so delightful and I’m excited for the next book!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book!

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fun story featuring Annie and Fletcher,
of the Secret Bookcase, now also with their new
Detective Agency. The Novel Detectives. What a
grand opening they will have with their first actual
case! The book took took us through an incredible,
complicated set of circumstances that would lead
them on quite the hunt. It was a well crafted crime,
and one I wish I had uncovered! This series is just
fun! Well written and with twists and turns, and
of course, a lovely,book seller always makes for
good reading. I would suggest reading this now,
because the next installment is due 21 April 26.
My thanks to Storm Publishing for the download
copy,of,this book for review purposes.

[Unfiltered BookTok✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouuu, this was a twisty and cozy little whodunnit it. Definitely enjoyed it. I love how this is so typical for serial killers to infuse themselves into the investigation but because the suspect is an old lady you would never guess that it’s actually her. Plenty of other suspects and motives. Loved this!

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The synopsis sounded like it would be a good read but sadly for me I didn’t find it gripping enough to fully engage with the book and found myself more skim reading it to get to the more interesting/relevant parts.

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a good time with this one! I was easily pulled into this clever, twisty mystery that kept me guessing and fully invested in the story. The writing was warm and inviting, and the pacing struck a perfect balance between intrigue and character interactions. Even though I suspect these characters have appeared in at least one earlier book, I never felt lost. This author gave just enough detail to make me feel at home in their world. I found myself genuinely caring about what happened to them. The romantic relationship added a sweet layer to the story.



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I did feel like there was a flood of characters introduced early on. There were so many names and faces that I occasionally had to pause to figure out who was who. Once I adjusted, though, it added to the richness of the story rather than detracting from it. By the time the plot hit full stride, I was completely absorbed and caught myself laughing at the quirky moments, racing through the twists, and marveling at how cleverly it all came together.






This book made me forget the world outside for a few hours and left me satisfied and smiling when the final page was turned. Overall, this was a charming, smart, and thoroughly enjoyable read.


Single POV
Safe very light on the romance
Triggers touches on the possibility of drug use/sales

[Giada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, this book has one of the coziest covers I've seen in a while, and that was enough to make me want to request an early copy. Also, if you mixed a bookstore, a small town, and a mystery, I'm sold. The premise sounded really promising, and I went into it genuinely excited.

If I had to describe the essence of the book, I’d say it reminded me a lot of Murder, She Wrote mixed with Aurora Teagarden, two shows I absolutely love. The book leans heavily into descriptions, and for the most part, that worked for me. It felt very atmospheric and cozy, especially the bookstore setting, which again I adored. Honestly, working in a place like that feels like a dream.
The small-town setting was also really charming. Annie has a sweet circle of friends and a supportive (and handsome) boyfriend, and everything about her life feels picture-perfect.
The mystery itself was enjoyable to follow. There were a few interesting twists, even if some parts were a bit predictable. I did like the open ending (the murder is solved, don't worry), and it definitely made me curious about what comes next in the series.
The only downside for me was realizing too late that this is a spin-off of another series. I could feel that history while reading, especially when past cases or relationships are mentioned. I kept wishing I had that context, because I would’ve loved to see how certain friendships and dynamics were built from the beginning.
At the end, it’s very much a “curl up with a blanket” kind of mystery book. And, if you’re a reader who enjoys Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes, give it a try.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Some of my favorite quotes:

"There was something innately special about being a tiny part of a reader discovering a new book that would hopefully transport them to a far-off corner of the world or help them uncover an untouched part of themselves in the pages."

"I'd always believed that books have the power to create points of understanding in ways that nothing else could. Opening pages yellowed from the years, and venturing into an author's head was the only time we ever had an opportunity to see things from someone else's viewpoint. If that wasn't magic, I didn't know what was."

"You couldn't judge a book by its cover, or a reader by the book."

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Very Novel Murder is the first entry in a new series by Ellie Alexander, a spin-off of her Secret Bookcase one. I wasn’t aware of this until I was a few chapters in, but I didn’t have any trouble following it. In this new chapter, Annie Murray and her friend Fletcher have achieved their dream and opened a detective agency above their mystery-themed bookshop. When an elderly lady asks them to look into the apparent accident/suicide of a young and promising surfer, they must emulate their favorite fictional detectives and put their little grey cells to work to uncover the truth behind it.

This is a cozy mystery by numbers and has all the elements you’d expect from this kind of book: a likeable main character, a quirky setting, and a bunch of suspects who all could have done the dirty deed, helped along by a couple of red herrings per chapter. It’s a fun, fast-paced mystery, perfect for reading between heavier books or during a cold autumn/winter day, wrapped in your favorite throw and with a cup of your favorite hot drink. But while it was entertaining and kept my attention, it’s best not to think too hard about the plausibility of the crime or the motives behind it, as they’re flimsy at best.

All in all, it’s a decent cozy read that pays homage to some mystery classics by Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie (I can’t wait to see where that plot arc goes) and a perfect introduction to the Secret Bookcase world.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, we are off and running in this new series by Ellie Alexander, the Novel Detectives series, I need to be honest, I have no idea why this is a new series because it takes off where the Secret Bookcase series ended with literally no changes in setting, characters and intention. Yes, Annie and Fletcher are now "officially " open as private investigators, but they still are running the bookstore and investigating as much as they did in the past. Anyway, after a couple of weeks officially open, the duo get two cases to start their business in ernest. This book concentrates on the one where an elderly lady believes the young woman who she has befriended and lives across the street was murdered not dying in an accident and she hires Annie and Fletcher to get her answers. This tale has an interesting twist and definitely had me turning the pages. The second mystery looks like it will continue through a couple of books. I was glad to be able to spend more time with Annie, Fletcher, and the whole gang. Thanks to #Netgally, #StormPublishing, and the author for an opportunity to read! ?#AVeryNovelMurder #NovelMurderMysteries #EllieAlexander #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Joyce De Bruin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book you follow Annie and Fletcher. The newly own the secret bookcase (a bookstore) and started their own agency named the detective agency. They get approached by a sweet old lady named June. June wants to hire them to investigate the murder of June’s neighbour, Kelly. Kelly has been found dead in her bathtub and the police thinks it’s suicide. But June is convinced she was murder and she wants Annie and Fletcher to figure out who the murderer is.


At the first part of the book it’s was a little to slow paste for me. It wasn’t that that made the book bad it just felt like it took me a long time to get to the ‘good’ part. There wasn’t a lot happening but once the paste got picked up I was really enjoying it. I had a gut feeling about the ending but I wasn’t 100% sure and I wasn’t totally right. I do wish we saw more of the other investigations they had, it was put on the background a lot. Other than that it’s a really good book!

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a new series by Ellie Alexander and she is off to a good start. When I heard the Secret Bookshop series was at its end I was disappointed. I was fond of Annie and Fletcher and the assortment of characters in Redwood Grove. It's great to get to meet them again at their new detective agency, Novel Detectives. Spin offs don't always work, I thought I might miss the bookstore but Alexander expertly weaves it into this new chapter of Annie and Fletcher's life.
The mystery revolves around a young professional surfer who drowns in her bathtub. It's deemed an accident or perhaps a suicide. The case is getting cold until an octogenarian neighbor calls Novel Detectives convinced that the surfer, Kelly was murdered. Things get complicated, but the team is successful in solving their first case. I look forward to book two.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Storm publishing for providing an advance reader copy

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

​This novel is truly a hug in a book, set against a glorious backdrop that feels instantly welcoming.
Transitioning seamlessly from the Secret Bookcase series, Annie and Fletcher have officially launched their Novel Detectives agency, and their debut case is a gripping one.
From the moment June, a distraught neighbor shares the tragic loss of a local surfer, the duo dives into a world of meticulous investigation. ​
Rich with themes of loyalty and frienship, the story balances a winding trail of red herrings with a fascinating secondary mystery regarding a friend’s heritage.
The ending is wrapped up as neatly as a classic Sherlock Holmes box set tied with a bow.
For fans of cozy mysteries, this is an absolute must-read!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t a huge fan of the previous series that had these characters as they never felt quite fleshed out in that series and I just never connected. This one, however, finds them coming into their own, and it was much easier to follow and connect to Annie. The mystery was well-paced and had just enough suspects to keep you guessing, though I had my suspicions early on. I enjoyed this first in the series and the one case that will likely stretch over several books. I am looking forward to the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the review copy.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book
Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.

Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, this charming cozy mystery is brimming with small-town secrets and bookish charm that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

[Linda W. Fast · Rating 4 out of 5]

(read via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

This book felt like a warm hug. Cozy mysteries aren’t something I have a lot of experience with, but I can see the appeal after reading A Very Novel Murder. I could picture everything so clearly; the settings, the weather, down to what the characters were eating. I predicted the twist earlier on, but still enjoyed the journey to the reveal. Also, I wish I had The Secret Bookcase near me; it sounds like an absolute dream.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Another excellent cozy mystery by Ellie Alexander! I was so excited to get back into Annie's universe and be solving more mysteries. I was able to listen to this in one shot (the narrator is great in my opinion) and it kept me hooked. Looking forward to book 2 in April!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Novel Detectives series picks up where the Secret Bookcase series leaves off while giving the core characters room to change and grow. These are my favorite series by the prolific Ellie Alexander.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining story. The two main characters are believable and I liked them and their interactions with each other. Hope the series has lots more books. The book was an easy read.

[Jeremy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start

I grabbed this because it's a mystery that involves a bookstore. I love the characters and the beautiful place the story takes place. The mystery was fun to try and solve. Lots of interesting turns and twists. Definitely want to read the next book.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read. The quintessential cozy mystery.

[Ella Goldmacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long awaited first book in about our favorite sleuthing duo, Annie and Fletcher have finally set up their detective agency. Their first client- an old lady whose young neighbor has been found dead in her bathtub. The police has ruled the death as an accident but she has her doubts and has hired Annie and Fletcher to prove that it was murder.
As they start digging into Kelly's life they find a few suspects- her ex boyfriend, her roommate, her coach- but are they really guilty or is the murderer hiding right before their eyes?
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC- I can't wait for the next book!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so glad when the author decided to spin off a new series from the Secret Bookcase which had quickly become a fave series. It unfortunately had to come to an end because the ongoing storyline was solved. I was hoping so hard she’d do another series when it came out in the last books that Annie and Fletcher were interested in running a PI agency.

Flash forward, here they are doing both jobs they love so much along with the characters we came to know and enjoy in the original series. Nothing’s really changed, just the fact that now Fletcher and Annie own the bookshop and added some employees, so their ducking out to talk to suspects was a legit thing and not just chasing down one of Dr. Caldwell’s cases.

The two detectives had one heckuva first case, and Fletcher was cracking me up with all the stuff he brought to a stakeout they did, lol. Annie came close to losing her life in a showdown with the killer, but as always something awesome happened and she lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait to read the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Storm Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: A Very Novel Murder
Series: Novel Detectives Mystery #1
Author: Ellie Alexander
Publisher: Storm Publishers
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: January 20, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars.
Pages 254

I love ‘The Secret Staircase series’ so am almost as excited as Annie Murray and partner Fletcher Hughes are about the opening of their detective agency above Anne’s beloved bookstore.

The Novel Detectives take on their first case – investigating the mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie herself – but soon find themselves on the trail of a potentially perfect murder...

Although this is Book #1 it feature the two main characters from the other series.
In college Annie Murray studied criminology and planned to pursue it as a career however when her best friend Scarlet was murder before graduation she changed plans. Although she ended up at the Secret Bookcase, she continued to search for Scarlet’s murderer and bring justice. Which she did!

Now Annie and Fletcher are thrilled to have their first client for their new private investigation agency. Caroline Miles has some addition perhaps evidence that Hal Christie may truly be Agatha Christie’s grandson, that his mother was her child given up for adoption.
But just as they begin digging through old photos and documents to try and solve this decades-old mystery, they received an urgent request to help with the case of the tragic drowning of a young surfing pro, Kelly Taylor.
So they put the decade old case on the back burner.

As Annie and Fletcher investigate Kelly’s mysterious death, they realize there’s much more to what is really going on.
When they interview June Munrow, Kelly’s elderly neighbor who is convinced that young Kelly Taylor didn’t hit her head and drown in her bath tub’. She is sure her drowning wasn't an accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.

Ms. Munrow seems to be a lonely woman and spends a lot of time checking activities in the neighborhood; she knows some of Kelly’s friends are not really friends. She tells Annie and Fletcher that need to check out well she says they should interrogate ~~
• Kelly’s landlord Harvey Wade,
her ex-boyfriend Jake Harken also
• former coach Brogan Blears as well as
• roommate Allison Irons

As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets and yes Ms. Munrow is correct about some of Kelly’s complicated relationships. In fact, everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.

When they solve the case whodunit is a surprise – not a shock!
Although Hal Christie and the fact he may be Agatha Christie’s grandson
took a backseat but it is touched upon at the end. I am sure we are going to be hearing more!

Also loved “ A Letter From the Author’ As Ms. Alexander tells us she wanted Secret Bookcase to be as real as possible so went to the very very Filili Gardens and indeed was inspired.
Since I loved the Secret Bookcase series I knew I was going to love this story. It was a quick read and I am now looking forward to next in this series A Death in the Dark.


When I read A Body at the Book Fair which was #6 and conclusion to The Secret Bookcase series. I was disappointed but was delighted as in Ms. Alexander’s “A Letter FromThe Author’ that “The Novel Detectives’ series would be launched the end of 2025. SO I was soooo pleased when I got Book #1 in the series. I loved Detectives Annie and Fletcher and was looked forward to their first case –‘Investigating Agatha Christie and the Perfect Murder’.

Want to thank NetGalley and as Ms. Alexander says -the freaking fantastic team at Storm Publishing for granting me this widget.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 20, 2026.

[Leah M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s time for an honest confession. I clearly wasn’t paying attention to the author name, because I was confident it was written by a favorite author. Despite the fact that Ellie Alexander wasn’t the author I thought she was so her writing was new to me, I really enjoyed this book and will have to start working my way through the many books on her backlist.

I’m always sucked in by stories centered around a bookstore, and this one was no different. It’s also partially why I thought this was written by a different author who is familiar to me and sets her cozies in a bookstore. Lucky for me, both authors are really great storytellers!

Many different characters are introduced in the beginning of the book: Annie, the bookstore owner; Fletcher, her best friend and partner in the private investigator business; four or five employees; and Annie’s boyfriend and another couple they hang out with, along with the people Annie and Fletcher investigate. It’s a lot to process so early in the story, and there were multiple mentions of a friend of Annie’s who was murdered. Since Alexander’s writing is new to me, I didn’t realize that this was a spinoff of a previous cozy series featuring some of the same characters. This series is a standalone from the other series and I was able to understand, follow, and enjoy the story, although I think that it would be a good idea to start with the other series first.

Although the characters were brand new to me, it was really easy to like Annie. She has surrounded herself with wonderful and supportive people: Fletcher, her boyfriend Liam, Priya and Penny, and her former boss and current coworker Hal. She is serious about the private investigation aspect, and earned a degree in criminology. However, she’s been running what sounds like the coolest bookstore.

I was quickly engrossed even though I hadn’t known anything about this cozy world, and Annie and Fletcher have that easy, comfortable relationship that comes with a good friendship, and I loved seeing them interact. Watching Annie and Fletcher investigate was thrilling, and this was the first 2026 book I read that kept me glued to the page and finding more excuses to sit and read than do anything else.

The story was a fast read because of a few different factors. Short and snappy chapters always force me to lie to myself and say ‘just one more chapter’ when I have no intention of stopping until I’m forced to, a busy plot with not one but two investigations plus a busy bookshop, wonderfully well-rounded characters, and a bold choice in villain. It took me a while to figure out who it was, but there are quite a few people who were good candidates.

Looking back, the answer is blatantly obvious, with Alexander dropping clues all along the way that I missed. I like to read cozies and have read quite a few by this point, and one of the main aspects found in the genre is that a murder is investigated by people who aren’t part of law enforcement. But in this book, due to Annie’s criminology background and continued relationship with a former professor Annie and Fletcher were quickly roped into joining forces with law enforcement, which felt a bit less realistic than I would have expected.

Overall, this kicks off a new spinoff series with a bang. Rather than feeling like I missed out on a lot of information by not reading any of the A Secret Bookcase Mysteries series, and left with a desire to jump into that series immediately. It will have to wait, but I will absolutely be reading more of Alexander’s backlist titles. Liam, Annie’s boyfriend, is basically the perfect man. If only he wasn’t fictional! But aside from that, I can’t wait to see more of Annie, Fletcher, Hal, Liam, Priya, and Penny, along with the bookshop, which sounds like the coolest shop ever. I also loved the cozy (seriously, no pun intended this time) setting, with a small northern California town that residents can get around completely by foot. This book was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a mistaken identity, and introduced me to a new favorite author.

Bottom line: A wonderful start to a new series, but you might want to start with the Secret Bookcase Mysteries first.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever had the deeply unhinged dream of running a bookstore and a private detective agency at the same time, A Very Novel Murder is basically your Hallmark-core fever dream. There’s coffee, cozy cardigans, and crime. But make it mildly sinister with a side of mid-century wallpaper and trauma.

Annie Murray, our resident bookshop owner turned detective (because sure, what else would you do after your crime degree gathers dust and your best friend’s murder spirals into a lifestyle), has officially opened up the Novel Detectives agency with her crime-nerd partner Fletcher. They're renting the upstairs of the bookstore and waiting for crimes like normal, emotionally stable people. And right on cue, a possibly murdered surfer washes up in their metaphorical inbox.

Enter June Munrow. June is an eighty-something-year-old town busybody with the obsessive energy of someone who definitely has a themed teacup collection and maybe a few unresolved suspicions about her neighbor’s landscaping choices. June insists Kelly Taylor, local surfer girl and walking highlight reel, didn’t drown by accident. The cops say “tragic bathtub mishap.” June says “murder.” Annie says “how much caffeine is too much caffeine,” then proceeds to dive straight into an investigation built on a foundation of red herrings and conveniently shady acquaintances.

Now, is the mystery compelling? Yes. Is it the kind of twisty-turny reveal that makes you scream? Not exactly. More like a “huh, okay...wait, WHAT?” followed by a slow clap. There are a lot of suspects. Like, too many. I had a whole wall going with string and Post-its and somehow still missed the obvious. But the final reveal is surprisingly grim for such a warm-cinnamon-roll of a setting, and it gave the story a darker bite I wasn’t expecting from something this aggressively cozy.

But let's talk vibes, because that’s what cozy mysteries live and die by. Redwood Grove is charming in the way that makes you suspicious of every bake sale. The bookshop, "The Secret Bookcase," is back in action and serving classic whodunit energy. There's a second, lighter side plot about possible Agatha Christie lineage (because apparently genealogy is now part of the murder board), and while it’s fun, it’s clearly being slow-cooked for the long game. It’s giving “tune in next book for more chaos” energy.

If you’re coming in fresh without having read The Secret Bookcase series, you might feel like you missed a prequel. Characters mention past cases and emotional trauma like you should already be emotionally invested, and honestly? You kind of should be. It’s not unreadable without context, but you’ll definitely feel like the last person to show up to Friendsgiving and all the inside jokes are flying over your head.

Also, Fletcher is still giving “gentle Sherlock Holmes cosplayer with a functional love life,” which I find both wholesome and confusing. Annie and Liam are clearly still in their “emotionally repressed slow burn” era, and I support them continuing to not know how to kiss properly for at least three more books.

My biggest critique? The pacing drags in places. Some scenes feel like we’re just padding time until a clue decides to make itself known. Annie’s internal monologues get a little how-do-you-do-fellow-murder-hobbyists at times, and yes, I wanted more murder-board moments and less “I felt a chill in the air and thought about grief.”

But overall? It’s a charming, soft-spoken little murder mystery with just enough bite to keep me interested. Would I start a detective agency after reading it? No. Would I move to Redwood Grove and gossip about Kelly’s shady landlord over pastries? Absolutely. Solid 3.5 stars. Cozy, twisty, slightly uneven but still worth the sleuth.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side-Eye Every Single Person Who’s Ever Talked About Surfing

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing for the ARC and the chance to spiral into small-town chaos where everyone has a secret and apparently nobody just dies of natural causes anymore. Y’all really said “cozy, but make it suspicious.”

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/a...

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

In this new series by Ellie Alexander, The Novel Detectives, we actually see a continuation (from A Secret Bookcase Mystery Series) of the lives of Annie Murray and Fletcher Hughes in Redwood Grove. They are in partnership and starting a detective agency while also running (and owning) the Secret Bookcase bookstore.

It appears that the new detective agency has not one, but two cases to start the business off!

The detective agency’s first case is for Caroline, owner of Artifacts, a small boutique in the village square and girlfriend of Hal Christie – the original owner of the bookstore.

“Hal has long believed that he’s Agatha Christie’s long-lost grandson… He believed the world’s most prolific and popular mystery writer – to this day – had intentionally retreated from the spotlight to give birth. According to his research, the timing lined up with his mother’s adoption.”

What Caroline hires the agency to find out the providence of a brooch. Caroline found it

“in an old box of Hal’s things while we were cleaning his closet to make space for some of my clothes. When I asked him about it, he said it belonged to his mother….A few days later, when I was looking into Hal’s mother’s adoption dates and when Agatha went missing, I found this….”

Caroline positioned her screen to show a picture of Agatha – three days before she disappeared. And lo and behold – it looks like she was wearing the same ring.

So Caroline hopes to find out if the ring that Hal has is indeed the same as the one in the picture of Agatha Christie.

Second – Kelly Monroe is discovered dead in her bathtub by her roommate. While the police have classified this death as an accident or suicide – it is not a death by nefarious means. Kelly Monroe’s neighbour – June Munrow however does not believe it was an accident or suicide and hires Annie and Fletcher to prove her theory that someone murdered Kelly.

Annie’s past criminology professor, Dr. Caldwell, is the current police detective in Redwood Grove and she is onboard with Annie further investigating Kelly’s death and has given Annie and Fletcher all the information that the police department has on Kelly’s death.

I found the path that Annie and Fletcher attacked their cases very methodical and each had their own area of expertise within the process. It was easy to follow what they were doing as they were uncovering many clues. With respect to Kelly’s death – as the case progressed, we were introduced to many potential suspects, if it were indeed a murder and not an accident or suicide. The journey was convoluted and had a number of twists and turns (of which I of course will not spill – so you can read about it yourself). It did indeed take me almost to the end to figure out the particular’s of Kelly’s death – just the way I like my cozy mysteries!

One thing that was a wee bit disappointing was the lack of involvement of Liam (Annie’s boyfriend) and Annie’s BFF Pri. But I suspect as the series continues – we might get more of a glimpse of them…hopefully as they became beloved characters in The Secret Bookcase Mystery series.

The cover art is an eye pleaser and includes a cat on the cover, which is always good (at least in my opinion ☺)

If you have read any previous books by Ellie Alexander and you have previously enjoyed … then you will know that A Very Novel Murder will most likely be an enjoyable read as well (at least I did). Just grab your favourite libation, pull up a chair and get reading! Once I started this book – I could not put it down! I cannot wait for the next book in the series -> A Death in the Dark.

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Fletcher have officially opened Novel Detectives and they already have two clients! The first client is Hal's love interest, Caroline, who brings in a brooch she and Hal found that may lead them to discovering the true identity of Hal's birth mother. The second is a sweet LOL (little old lady) who is devastated by the death of her young neighbor and wants them to prove her death wasn't an accident.

I want to start my review by pointing out that this is a continuation of the Secret Bookcase series, not really a new series. Though you could read this book first, you won't understand any of the backstories like Annie's college roommate Scarlet or Hal's mysterious origin. In order to really get something out of this book, you would have to have read the Secret Bookcase books first.

In cozy mysteries the main characters are generally regular folks who putter around solving mysteries as an unofficial side hustle to something else. This series is a bit of a departure from that (particularly if you consider this the start of a new series) because the main character has a criminal justice background and is now a licensed private investigator who has a private investigation business. It's unique and interesting, but also makes this book read a bit more like a procedural rather than a cozy. While we do still see a bit of the bookstore, it is a rare backdrop in the story that is largely focused elsewhere.

The mystery itself in this book was the almost sole focus and I enjoyed that in some ways, it made the book more fast-paced and all we really saw was the investigation so it didn't drag. There was little or no filler and we didn't see much of any of the side stories. Possibly that was intentional by Alexander because of this being the first book in a "new" series, but honestly I missed the side stories. The old farmhouse and vineyard Pri and Penny live at, Hal's claims of being the lost lovechild of Agatha Christie, the Secret Bookcase, were all things I enjoyed in previous books. Though I like reading about the investigations, there's nothing about the Novel Detective Agency that feels cozy or draws me back. For that reason, I'm not sure I'll continue the series. Not that I don't like it, I just don't see anything here that I want to follow up with, the community or relationships or cozy settings that keep me coming back in other series like the Bakeshop series are completely missing in this new series.

Though I did like this book, I would have to steer cozy mystery fans elsewhere, like Alexander's Bake Shop series, and I'm disinclined to continue the series. Those who are more interested in a cozy that's all investigation and no backstories or little romances may prefer this to other series, but those looking for a more Hallmark vibe might be disappointed.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.