A Murder at the Mansion

Novel Detectives Mystery #3

by Ellie Alexander

In the charming town of Redwood Grove, even the grandest estates have something to hide…

When reclusive heiress Bernadette Garst vanishes from her sprawling mansion, bookshop owner and investigator Annie Murray is summoned to the scene.

Arriving at the legendary Garst property, Annie and her partner Fletcher discover a household riddled with secrets, bitter family rivalries, and suspicious staff members. When Bernadette’s lawyer also goes missing, it’s clear the case is escalating into something far more dangerous.

With her keen eye for detail and a little help from her friends, Annie must piece together the clues hidden within the opulent estate grounds. Can she solve the puzzle before it’s too late?

This cozy mystery sees the Novel Detectives facing their most high-profile case yet. Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Adult, Crime

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 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

[ava · Rating 2 out of 5]

༄˖°.☕ ┆ 𝐀 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫


» 𝐋𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 - 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐌𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬«
0: 52─〇───── 2:17
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻


༄˖°.☕ ┆𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬

☕ Cozy Mystery

🐈 Amateur Sleuth

🕯️ Historic Mansion

🐈 Murder Investigation


༄˖°.☕ ┆𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

⋆⭒˚.⋆ 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ⋆⭒˚.⋆
┊ not much was described ┊


༄˖°.☕ ┆𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬


જ⁀➴ when i picked this up i hadn’t really read a mystery book in a while and after i got this arc i was so, so excited to read something cozy and light and the cover of this book is absolutely adorable. though when i started reading the writing was just meh, it was too detailed and descriptive for me and it lowkey dragged the story. i really wanted to like it but the writing style is a big factor for me in whether i enjoy the book or not.


༄˖°.☕ ┆𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭


જ⁀➴ the mystery honestly did not make sense to me, i have read mystery before and usually at the end of the book i feel satisfied and everything makes sense, for this book i felt like the mystery wasn’t over and nothing makes sense. the clues weren’t great and honestly i felt like only one clue had real significance. there was just also meaningless subplots to the story that i was just confused about and i skimmed over the last chapter or so.


what i think this book needs is more meaningful clues and a plot twist or something.


༄˖°.☕ ┆𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬


𖦹 𝐅𝐌𝐂


✒︎ i forget her name but it doesn’t even matter in this book, the fmc personality is the plot, without the plot the fmc is absolutely nothing. this is the third book in a series so maybe the character building was done in the first two but still i got nothing from this character whatsoever.


𖦹 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭


✒︎ the family pmo. their personalities don’t make sense and everything just felt fake to me, but maybe that was because of lack of actual character growth or personalkity in any of the people.


༄˖°.☕ ┆𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥


જ⁀➴ i feel so bad rating an arc this low but this book just wasn’t for me.


𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭-𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰


2 stars.


༄˖°.☕.ೃ࿔*:･ ┆ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
idk how i feel

༄˖°.☕.ೃ࿔*:･ ┆ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:
another ARC !!! i am so excited to start this, after the edge of darkness series i lowkey need something light so i dont fall apart. this cover looks so cozy and i haven't read a mystery in like forever, hoping this is what i need !!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a bit higher hopes for this book. I really enjoyed the last one. This one was too wordy and a bit slow. Some things were left hanging at the end. The main two characters, romantic relationship is a bit too saccharin for my taste. I would read another one, but I hope it would be cleaned up a bit. I did figure out about halfway through who the killer was.

[eve b · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book! I desperately needed a cozy mystery to read and I’m glad this got to be the one!

Oh, Grandma is missing? lets hire a detective and then not tell them any of the information we know…WHAT THE HECK?! Don’t you think if someone was missing and detectives got hired to find them, you would tell all the information you know so the case could get solved?? NoPe…not this family. They apparently like keeping secrets😃
As I got further into the book, the more the Garst family got more and more suspicious. Their Grandmother is literally MISSING. and….no one is willing to give the information they know….kinda sketchy if you ask me👀

Also…I love how the family automatically started blaming each other when she disappeared 🥲 it shows how much of a family they actually are 👀

Oh, another thing…Paula is dedicated to their dog. Taking a helicopter once a week to go to a dog spa?? (Why can’t I have that kind of money🥲)
Also, there is a person missing and all someone is worried about is the stupid dog not getting one of her cuffs done?! I’m telling you right now…no one cares.


𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢: He was by no means a main character but I love him so much. First off…let’s start him off with….he loves cats. Automatic green flag for me
Second, the way he supports Annie is so soothing and sweet. He never makes a bold statement throughout the book but by the little mentions of him, you can tell he’s a sturdy part of Annie’s life. A rock in the storm.


Ngl….i had a little bit of difficulty getting through this book. It’s one of those books where you have to just read it until you’re finished because if you set it down, it will be a couple of weeks before you get back to it.

Overall: this book didn’t deliver exactly how I wanted, it was still a good read though! The plot was a little difficult to catch onto at the beginning of the book and I think that’s why I had such a hard time getting invested:/

I do have to say…I didn’t figure out who the murderer was until the end of the book and that’s saying something! The book was written to where it keeps the readers guessing who the bad guy is throughout the whole book.



╰┈➤ 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒
𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺. 𝘈𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘪 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺.


𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞—> no (a hint of romance throughout the book)
𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠—> yes (minimal)



☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ ♡ ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙥𝙮:) 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Fletcher are all ready for a new case! A reclusive heiress Mrs. Garst vanishes and no one knows where she is or what happened to her. Her family doesn't seem to care all that much that she's missing and things really go nuts when Annie finds a body by the lake. Can Annie and Fletcher solve the case and find their missing person before it's too late? You'll have to read it to find out!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome back to Redwood Grove. In A Murder at the Mansion, the third installment in The Novel Detectives series, Annie and Fletcher are asked by the local police to investigate the disappearance of an heiress from her family estate. But what begins as a missing persons case soon turns into a murder investigation when a body is discovered on the mansion’s grounds.

By now, if you’ve read the previous books in the series, you already know what to expect: a cozy, low-stakes mystery with a handful of suspects and a cast of recurring characters that feels like coming home.

The mystery is my favorite in the series so far, and although the overarching storyline surrounding Hal’s origins and his possible connection to Agatha Christie doesn’t progress much, I really like the direction it seems to be heading, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops in the next installment.

A cozy mystery that won’t change your life, but will keep you entertained for a few hours and leave you with a smile on your face.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Fletcher were hired to find a missing 80-year-old wealthy woman who went missing at the same time the family's lawyer (Gabriel) was found dead. They went through all the scenarios of who benefited the most of her death. How did her teacup poodle die 2 months earlier, because the poodle was set to inherit most of her fortune instead of her children and grandchildren. I liked it. It has all the same vibes with a new and interesting mystery.

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Another great cozy mystery by Ellie Alexander following Annie of the novek detectives! I enjoyed this mystery and thought the twist was very good. I also enjoyed the build up of Annie's life & inclusion of some of my favorite side characters.

[Nana Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐
It's always a treat to go to Redgrove, California, to meet the Novel Detectives at work. Here Annie and Fletcher are brought into the case of a missing wealthy woman. Her family is totally suspicious and now her lawyer is missing too. The camaderie among all the friends and bookstore staff make this a cozy friendly place, in spite of figuring out all these deaths. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

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

A woman vanished from a sixty-thousand-square-foot mansion and somehow the most unbelievable part of the story was the dog getting better treatment than most human beings. I need you to understand that this poodle had a personal trainer.

Not a dog walker. Not somebody throwing a tennis ball in the backyard. A trainer. There are discussions involving grooming, pampering, and levels of canine luxury that made me briefly consider reincarnating as a rich person's dog. Meanwhile, actual human beings are disappearing.

The second Annie and Fletcher arrive at the Garst estate, the entire place starts giving off the energy of a family reunion where everyone secretly hopes somebody else gets written out of the will. Bernadette Garst, wealthy heiress and professional collector of complicated relationships, has vanished. Her children are tense. Her staff is suspicious. Her grandson seems to be the only person who isn't constantly setting off my internal lie detector. Then the family lawyer disappears too, and suddenly we're not dealing with one mystery anymore. We're collecting mysteries like Pokémon.

What I continue to love about this series is Annie and Fletcher as a team. Fletcher remains a delightful little Sherlock Holmes enthusiast who somehow balances running a bookstore, taking classes, solving crimes, and apparently existing without sleep. Annie continues to have the exact personality required to solve murders. Somebody mentions a tiny inconsistency and her brain immediately starts building a murder board. Spending time with her feels like following that one friend who notices everything and accidentally uncovers three felonies while trying to buy coffee.

The mansion itself is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, and I mean that as a compliment. Every hallway feels like it's hiding a secret. Every conversation feels like somebody is leaving out the most important part. The whole thing has strong classic mystery energy. Wealthy family. Missing matriarch. Weird staff. Buried grudges. I was basically rubbing my hands together every time a new suspect walked into a room because every single person seemed capable of doing something shady.

The rich people drama was honestly one of my favorite parts. These people are operating at a level of dysfunction that can only be achieved when multiple generations have too much money and not enough communication skills. Every interview Annie conducts feels like somebody trying to explain why the house isn't on fire while actively holding a flamethrower. The deeper the investigation went, the more I started side-eyeing literally everyone.

And yet, underneath all the clues and secrets, this series still does that thing I really enjoy where Redwood Grove feels like a place you'd actually want to live. There's the bookstore. The coffee. The friends who show up when they're needed. Annie's relationship with Liam continues to quietly sneak up on me by being surprisingly sweet. It's never trying to dominate the story, but it gives everything a warm center that keeps the book from becoming just another murder puzzle.

My only real complaint is that there were a few stretches where the investigation slowed down while the book checked in on ongoing series threads. Normally I enjoy that stuff, but this mystery had me locked in. Every time we stepped away from the mansion, my brain was basically standing at the window asking if we could please go back to interrogating suspicious rich people.

The ending absolutely worked for me. The clues came together in a satisfying way, the reveal felt earned, and I had that very specific cozy mystery reaction of "well that explains a lot" immediately followed by "how did I not see that sooner?" That's my favorite place to end up. This was a solid 4 stars. Cozy, clever, full of family secrets, and featuring a dog who honestly had a more impressive social calendar than I do.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Distrust Everyone in a Mansion Including the Dog Trainer, the Pool Guy, and Possibly the Poodle

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. You gave me a missing heiress, a suspicious mansion, enough wealthy family drama to fuel three reality shows, and a poodle named Dorothy Barker. Frankly, that's excellent business.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie and Fletcher tackle what is surely their most high profile case yet. An elderly, reclusive heiress, Bernadette Garst, has gone missing and Detective Caldwell asks for their help. The story jumps right into the mystery, so you're pulled in immediately. Time is, of course, of the essence, although it's the one thing they don't have in abundance. Fletcher is now not only working as a detective while maintaining his bookshop job but is also immersed in college classes. Annie is happy to have hired some solid help but feels bad simply leaving them and, hey, maybe more importantly, her romance with Liam is getting serious and they are having some serious discussions about moving in together. Never mind, though, as everything else is now secondary, well, other than Fletcher's college demands, and they're on the case. I rather wonder when he sleeps.

I won't detail the plot much as encountering the clues as Annie does is part of the fun. I found myself wondering about a few, only to have the author answer that question for me soon thereafter, so you may have the same experience with your questions. Helps us wannabe sleuths sort out the meaningful clues from distractions. One distraction is the family's seeming disconnect and Bernadette's missing lawyer. The only one who seems to be the least bit genuine is teen Preston, who even that super hyped/trained up poodle seems to like. I decided I'd probably be giving it a wide berth, too, though I loved its name, Dorothy Barker. Dog person that I am, I was delighted to see dogs play a role in this go-round. Where is the lawyer? Who would have taken or, gulp, killed the elderly Bernadette? That mystery lingers awhile but, double gulp, the missing lawyer's body is found in a boat shed by the pond. So now Annie has two mysteries to solve. Detective Caldwell, known to Annie still as Dr. Caldwell due to her having been one of Annie's most admired college professors, is good about being on call but Annie does have a knack for stumbling into places she might want to leave for the police to investigate. What secrets are the family members hiding? Why? Could Paula really fly the dog to a doggie spa for grooming and pampering on Bernadette's dime? (Answer, yes. Read the author's notes at the end.)

Bottom line, I fully enjoy this series and fell into this one immediately. The quick start of the action was a real plus. The characters are well fleshed out and their connections shared early on even as Annie begins the investigation. I still have to marvel at how unlikable I found Annie way back when as opposed to how much I've grown to like and admire the character over the course of the books that feature her. The fact the characters are there for each other and have their own lives is a plus, too. It was fun to catch up with Annie's best friend, too, although she played a minor role. Liam is, as usual, a rock for Annie. Finally, the side mystery involving Hal and his belief in his connection to Agatha Christie has been a continuing story, so looking forward to seeing how that plays out. I'm leaving out lots but, well, want you to enjoy the discoveries as they happen and see how life is progressing for all of them. Thanks #StormPublishing for introducing me to Annie originally and providing the early peeks into life in Redwood Grove as the dynamics between the characters play out. Loved the ending and what it meant for Fletcher in particular and all that may happen as a result. Nope, not telling. Read the book. If you enjoy cozies, you'll like this one. Heck, you'll even pick up some sleuthing hints. Grin.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: A Murder at the Manson
Series: Novel Detectives Mystery #3
Author: Ellie Alexander
Publisher: Storm Publishers
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: July 21, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pages 245

I loved ‘The Secret Staircase series as well as the Bookstore Agatha Christie mystery book theme.
I could visualize sitting on sofa in the Miss Marple Sitting room reading or daydreaming in the Hercule Poirot Belgian apartment style room. I was sad when the series ended.
However, I was almost as excited as Annie Murray and partner Fletcher Hughes about the opening of their detective agency above Anne’s bookstore.
Here we are already at Book #3!
In this story Dr. Caldwell, who was the lead detective in Redwood Grove and she was Annie college criminology professor has Invited
the Novel Detectives Annie and Fletcher to help with the disappearance of heiress Bernadette Garst. Who has vanished from her grand sixty thousand square foot mansion in Northern California.
She was last seen at the Sunday family dinner, which was attended by Bernadette’s children Vivienne and Dansby, grandson Preston, Finlay Campbell the live-in caretaker, attorney Gabe Bowers and Paula Townson the dog trainer for the poodle’ Dorothy Barker’.

Dr. Caldwell had already informed our detectives that there is animosity between Bernadette children and Finlay the live-in caretaker. There are fears Bernadette is in danger.
When Bernadette’s lawyer Gabe Bowers also goes missing, it’s clear the case is escalating into something even more dangerous.

Story indeed had me racing for the end! – Do love this series!
Now has me anxious for the next Novel Detective Mysteries –#4 A Murder at Midnight and #5 A Fatal Frost!!!!

I always enjoy reading the “Letter from the Author”.
Ms. Alexander tells us that she is often asked how much of her books are fact and how much fiction. She tells us in the case of the posh Dog Spa that there is a place in California where dog owners helicopter their pets for a day of pampering.
She also tells us that she is obsessed with Agatha Christie and has read every biography and book about her life and writing.
So makes sense to me why the Bookstore has an Agatha Christie theme.

Personal comment ~
A reader described~ Redwood Grove is the ideal place to live, great weather, lovely, caring community, a great bookstore, amazing coffee shop, fabulous restaurants, as well as an up-and-coming
winery. Sounds like heaven to me!

I live in Southern California and although Redwood Grove is fictional, I can assure you there are many similar fabulous places.
Carmel-by the Sea comes to mind- It is a small beach city on California's Monterey Peninsula- known for the museums and library of the historic Carmel Mission, and the fairytale cottages and galleries of its village-like center.
However, Laguna Beach is my very favorite as it is somewhat close!!!
I am from “Almost Heaven” West Virginia”- so yes I know heavenly places!

Want to thank NetGalley and as Ms. Alexander says -the outstanding team at Storm Publishing who are creative as well as collaborative~
I add my appreciation for granting me this widget.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 21, 2026.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ellie Alexander has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, and I was so excited to jump back into Redwood Grove with Annie and Fletcher. After loving *A Death in the Dark*, I couldn't wait to see where this series would go next—and *A Murder at the Mansion* is officially my favorite installment in the series so far. It delivers everything I love about cozy mysteries: an intriguing locked-room-style mystery, unforgettable characters, plenty of twists, and all the cozy, bookish charm that keeps me coming back.

This time Annie and Fletcher find themselves investigating the disappearance of a wealthy, reclusive heiress inside an enormous mansion filled with suspicious family members, secretive staff, and enough hidden agendas to make everyone look guilty. Before long, a missing lawyer turns up dead, the case becomes even more complicated, and every new clue only raises more questions.

One of my favorite things about this series continues to be Annie and Fletcher's partnership. They balance each other so well, and I love watching them piece together clues while bouncing ideas off one another. Fletcher somehow manages to juggle detective work, running his bookstore, and college classes, while Annie's criminology background allows her to notice the little details everyone else overlooks. They're quickly becoming one of my favorite amateur sleuth duos.

The mansion itself almost feels like another character. Between the sprawling estate, family drama, hidden secrets, and endless list of suspects, it gave me classic Agatha Christie vibes. Every conversation felt like someone was hiding something, and I found myself constantly changing my theories about who could be responsible.

One thing Ellie Alexander continues to do so well is balancing the mystery with the warmth of Redwood Grove. I always enjoy catching up with the recurring characters, spending time in the bookstore, and seeing Annie's relationship with Liam continue to grow naturally throughout the series. Those quieter moments give the books so much heart without ever taking away from the mystery.

And yes... Dorothy Barker, the incredibly pampered poodle, nearly stole the show. A dog with a personal trainer and spa appointments? Honestly, I was laughing every time she appeared.

Even when the story took a moment to catch up with the ongoing lives of the characters, I never minded because I've become so invested in Annie, Fletcher, and everyone in Redwood Grove. Those moments only made me feel more connected to the series and made returning to this world even more enjoyable.

The final reveal was satisfying, well-earned, and one of those endings that made me immediately think back to all the clues I had overlooked.

This is easily my favorite book in the series so far. Ellie Alexander perfectly balances an intricate mystery, lovable characters, bookish charm, and heart, leaving me even more excited for Annie and Fletcher's next adventure. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, this series deserves a spot at the top of your TBR.

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars: This Alexander's third entry in the Novel Detectives Mystery series, which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in California. Featuring a trained criminologist, who runs a detective agency above her beloved Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookshop, and her sleuthing partner find themselves traveling to a grand estate to help the police in the search for a missing reclusive elderly heiress. Upon their arrival, the two find a household riddled with secrets, bitter family rivalries, suspicious staff members and the wealthy woman's lawyer missing. While searching the grounds, she discovers the attorney stabbed to death and it becomes clear the case is escalating dangerously. With her keen eye for detail and a little help from her friends, she'll have to work fast to piece together the clues hidden within the opulent estate grounds before it’s too late.

With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Alexander's also included an open-ended secondary mystery: the search for a friend's birth family. Smart, witty and heartfelt, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.

• Features Alexander's classic small-town charm sprinkled with plenty of bookish charm.
• For Animal Lovers: MC has a sweet cat and there are a pair of crows who reside on her bookshop's grounds.

While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, A Very Novel Murder. And just so you know, this series is a spin-off of the Secret Bookcase Mystery series, which starts with The Body in the Bookstore, and features the MC's journey to becoming a private detective. Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Acantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining mystery for the Novel Detectives.

While there is a murder in this, which is front and centre, a lot of this book revolves around a missing person and the search for them, combined with the family of the woman. There is a lot going on here and no promise that the woman will be found in time. A recluse, elderly and obscenely wealthy head of the house, there is plenty of tension and hidden secrets in her dependants, which Annie and Fletcher have to work to uncover.

This is a family that is helped despite themselves, they lie as easily as breathing and its amusing to read how frustrated Annie gets by it, as well as wondering just why they seem so hell bent on obscuring any chance they have to find their mother.

Fletcher felt somewhat in the background in this book. I'm not sure if it was because the focus was so much on searching for the missing woman, or if it was to do with properly developing all the suspects. Well most of them, the son doesn't really get much attention but then he is gone for most of the book. The other characters are wonderfully rounded out and all have compelling and realistic motives.

I always enjoy a book that allows me to feel clever, and catching the hints as to what the author very deliberately *wasn't* writing allowed me to do just that and feel a little ahead of our detectives. The murderer made sense and all the clues are there to be spotted without being too outrageously obvious.

There are a couple of niggles here and there of course - if that had been my dog, I would have drained the pond to recover her body and I'm not at all rich. And then the weird references to how 'similar' this case is to Agatha Christies vanishing act. It's there to further the plot of their friend Hal, but it felt very forced and unnatural. Not to mention aside from them both being women who vanished there is literally nothing similar about the cases. I wouldn't have minded if it had been only mentioned once, but it is repeatedly brought up. At one point they even say how weird and odd for 'old ladies' to vanish, just like our victim here and Agatha. Except Agatha was 36 when she vanished for 11 days, hardly old.

Still, its not enough to take away too much enjoyment from the book and I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Tzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie and Fletcher - The Novel Detectives - are back, and this time they're looking for Bernadette Garst; an elderly, reclusive multi-millionaire who has seemingly vanished from her home. While searching the estate, Annie finds a body and the need to investigate swiftly becomes even more urgent. The family seem to have some complex dynamics and no-one is being completely honest - can Annie and Fletcher figure out what's going on in time?

I really enjoy the fact that every book in this series has its own personality and plotline, and that while reading the entire series from book 1 is helpful it isn't necessary to enjoy each individual story. Book 3 gives us something different with the missing persons investigation and while there is a murder it's actually not that which drives the plot forward. The family relationships give a really interesting layer to the plot - you can't help wondering why they wouldn't just be upfront instead of working against their own interests, while also being aware that his is exactly how people behave in the real world. I enjoyed the fact that there's some actual tension here too - you really don't know if Bernadette is still alive and whether she'll be found in time if she is.

The characters all have enough development to be individuals and for the reader to develop their own picture of who they all are, and I always appreciate it when the clues to who the culprit is are there for the reader to put together - which they very much are here. I appreciate that the motive and the murderer both totally made sense and were very believable, I've definitely read some cozies where it feels like both have been pulled from thin air.

There were a few small gripes. If I were living a 'money no object' lifestyle as these characters do there's no way I wouldn't have moved heaven and earth to find the body of my cherished pet, I don't believe for a second that the collar was found and Bernadette just moved on. Also there are a couple of personality 180s towards the end of the book which is always a little jarring.

None of that takes away from my enjoyment however - I had a lot of fun with this and I will absolutely be back for Book 4.

- Thanks to NetGlley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Novel Detectives, with Annie Murray and her partner Fletcher Hughes, were called to a missing person case by Annie's police contact and mentor, Dr / Detective Caldwell. Leaving Annie's shop, The Secret Bookcase, in the capable hands of her staff, she and Fletcher headed for the Garst estate, where the matriarch, Bernadette, had gone missing from. Within the magnificent home were the Garst family, along with many dark secrets. Siblings, Vivienne & Dansby; grandson Preston; Finlay Campbell, caretaker; Paula Townson, trainer of the poodle, Dorothy Barker; and Gabe, Bernadette's attorney. Immediately Annie and Fletcher could feel things were "off". No one was rushing out to look for Bernadette, it seemed they all expected her to return soon.

With the police scouring the huge property until dark - there were cougars around after dark - Annie went to the old shed beside the pond, which held the fishing equipment. There she unfortunately discovered a body. The case immediately ramped up - now it was a murder investigation. Digging deeply into the family and their backgrounds, Annie slowly began to uncover some truths. But would she find the murderer before it was too late?

A Murder at the Mansion is the 3rd in the Novel Detectives Mystery series by Ellie Alexander and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author writes beautiful, descriptive pieces and I've found each book of hers I've read to be well worth it. I love the characters of Annie and Fletcher, and Annie's wonderful Agatha Christie themed bookshop, also Liam and Hal. There are plenty of likeable characters in Redwood Grove, and I'm looking forward to visiting again. Highly recommended.

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

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I keep believing wealthy families have their lives together. Ellie Alexander’s A Murder at the Mansion reminded me—again—that the biggest houses usually hold the biggest secrets. Thank you to Storm Publishing for the gifted ARC.

I picked this one up after a long day at work thinking I’d read a couple of chapters before bed. That plan lasted about an hour. Every time Annie and Fletcher uncovered another piece of the puzzle, someone else gave me a reason to change my mind. I finally stopped trying to guess because I clearly wasn’t as good a detective as I thought I was.

What keeps me coming back to this series isn’t just the mystery. It’s the feeling of returning to Redwood Grove. Walking into the Secret Bookcase, catching up with familiar faces, and seeing where everyone’s lives have taken them has become part of the fun. The murder may bring me in, but the people are why I stay.

Annie and Fletcher make such a believable team. Nobody has a sudden flash of genius that solves everything. They notice details, ask questions, make mistakes, rethink their theories, and slowly work toward the truth. It felt like I was figuring things out beside them instead of watching from the sidelines.

I also wasn’t expecting Dorothy Barker to become one of my favorite parts of the story, but that pampered little poodle absolutely stole every scene she wandered into.

When I closed the book, I wasn’t thinking about the mansion or even the killer. I was already wondering how long I’d have to wait before I could go back to Redwood Grove. That’s usually how I know a series has earned a permanent spot on my shelves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

4.5 stars

Genre: Cozy Mystery • Amateur Sleuth • Bookish Mystery

Drink Pairing: Blackberry Sage Gin Fizz 🍸 Fresh, bright, and a little unexpected—the kind of cocktail I’d happily sip while trying to solve a mystery from a comfy chair instead of inside a mansion full of suspicious relatives.

Do you enjoy trying to solve the mystery before the detective does, or are you happy to sit back and let the story surprise you?

[TrishAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a cosy mystery and Ellie Alexander has created a wonderful set of characters in this series however, I am glad that I have read the previous books in sequence or I think that I might have been a bit lost in some places.
The village bookshop was the centre of activities in the pretty little town of Redgrove, It was owned by Annie Murray who loved books but had a degree in criminology. Annie, and her Sherlock Holmes devoted assistant, Fletcher, decided to open a private investigation agency, "Novel Detective Agency" to run alongside the bookshop.
The agency was doing well, but when a request came from the family of an eighty year old, ultra wealthy woman, Bernadette Garst, to say that she was missing, and could we help find her, Annie was on the case straight away, a chance to look around the huge old mansion where Bernadette lived, and wander round the enormous estate, was a chance that they couldn't miss.
The family consisted of a son, a daughter, a seventeen year old grandson, a hunky pool boy and a full time dog trainer for the pampered poodle. Bernadette was known to be a strict, no nonsense matriarch who appeared to love her dogs more than her family but where was she ?
Annie knew that this wasn't going to be a straightforward case when she found the family lawyer, dead in the boathouse, she was putting two and two together but not coming up with an answer, had the lawyer been urgently summoned to change the will ? who would stand to benefit most? each one had a reason for seeing her dead.
As the story unfolds, each of their stories are uncovered and I suspected each one of them in turn. it wasn't until the end that the killer was revealed.
I love how Annie and Liam's romance is progressing, I love how he supports her(every girl needs a Liam in her life), I love how Fletcher is flourishing in his new role, I love how the staff at the bookshop all rally round when needed and I love the wonderful people of Redgrove.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have Annie and Fletcher gone to the dogs? No, the subject of their newest investigation has. Bernadette Garst, the very wealthy benefactor of many charities and non-profits in Redwood Grove has gone missing and Dr. Caldwell invites the Novel Detectives to consult then the family hires them to find her. The more Annie and Fletcher hear from Vivienne and Dansby, Bernadette's children and Preston, the grandson, the more they are convinced they are not telling the truth. Meeting Finley the caregiver/pool boy and Paula, the dog trainer for Bernadette's beloved poodle, Dorothy Barkley and all have somewhat conflicting accounts raises suspicions that this is an inside job. When the body of the family attorney is found, concern for Bernadette's safety kicks into high gear. As Annie and Fletcher put the puzzle pieces together a picture begins to emerge until they find a way to solve both the murder and the missing person. No dogs were harmed in the solving of this case!
This is just such a fun series and I enjoy the ongoing secondary case that Annie and Fletcher are investigating without it absorbing a book of it's own. Feels more genuine to real life. How many of us get to focus on only one thing in our daily lives? I did appreciate the fact that this plot did not imperil our main characters for a change. I was ready for a "cozier" mystery and this gave me just that!
One of the other things I love about this series is the setting, the community as well as the bookstore. Redwood Grove is the ideal for a place to live, great weather, lovely, caring community, a great bookstore, amazing coffee shop, fabulous restaurants, a up and coming winery. Sounds like heaven to me!
My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy of this wonderful story.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: A Murder at the Mansion by Ellie Alexander

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently finished A Murder at the Mansion by Ellie Alexander, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read that kept me hooked throughout. Set in the quaint and picturesque town of Redwood Grove, the story kicks off with the mysterious disappearance of Bernadette Garst, a reclusive heiress whose sprawling estate holds more secrets than it seems.

Annie Murray, a sharp and resourceful bookshop owner with a knack for solving mysteries, is called in to investigate. Alongside her partner Fletcher, she dives into the tangled web of family rivalries, suspicious staff, and hidden agendas within the grand Garst mansion. The plot thickens when Bernadette's lawyer also vanishes, raising the stakes and urgency of the case. With her keen observation skills and some help from friends, Annie navigates through the twists and turns to uncover the truth before it's too late.

What really stood out to me was how well-crafted the story was — the pacing felt just right, never dragging but also giving enough time to soak in the charming setting and develop the characters. Speaking of which, I grew quite fond of the cast; they felt real and added depth to the cozy mystery vibe. And I can’t get over how beautiful the book cover is — it perfectly captures that inviting yet intriguing atmosphere.

Overall, this installment is a strong entry in the series and left me eager to dive into the next one. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with a mix of charm, suspense, and well-drawn characters (think fans of Lauren Elliott or M.C. Beaton), this is definitely worth your time. I’m giving it four stars and looking forward to what Ellie Alexander has in store next!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this title as I'd read another series by this author that I'd very much enjoyed & was excited to see a new series I'd somehow missed. I grabbed the first two volumes from my local library figuring I'd have plenty of time to get through both of them before my advance reading copy was approved since they were short & sweet.
Lucky for me both audio-book versions were available & I listened all the way through the first one while trying to tell myself that lots of series start out a bit slow. I wasn't able to finish the second one & I had the same issues with this volume as I had with the first two. I couldn't get past the fact that our two main characters are attempting to run a successful small bookstore AND a detective business simultaneously!
It just doesn't track for me because it's just not possible! Running a successful bookstore (even a small one!) is a full-time job & judging from all the events it sounds like the store is running, unless someone else is actually doing the running of the store I just don't see how any of it is possible--even with the employees they mention. Every time Annie and Fletcher left the store to work on a case it drove me up the wall because who was ordering books or doing payroll or making schedules or any of the other things required to run a business. I couldn't shut off my brain to even get to the mystery part of the story. In other stories the mystery is mixed in between their regular life or job but here they have an entire other business & I don't understand how either of them are afloat.
Maybe it's just me & I need to go with it but I just couldn't. But your mileage may vary as the saying goes.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 248 pages ⏱ Duration: 3 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Storm Publishing
📚 ARC provided by NetGalley
Genre: cozy mystery

The Novel Detectives Mystery series and I hadn't gotten off to a good start. Book one did not hook me, book two only loosened my grip a little, and by the time this one landed in my queue, I was ready to quietly bow out. Only loyalty to Ellie Alexander won, and this time, I am so glad it did.

This installment finally puts the mean on the bones of this cozy mystery series. Nothing here feels forced. The plot, the characters, and the mystery itself lands so well Annie and Fletcher are sent to investigate the disappearance of a recluse heiress from her sprawling family estate, and what unfolds is a genuinely well-built whodunit stacked with family secrets, rival heirs, and a house full of people who all see to be hiding something. The side characters have teeth, the pacing has purpose, and the crime is layered enough to keep you guessing till the end.

What struck me most is that this book finally brought back the charm from The Secret Bookcase Mystery series. By the final chapter, I was already anticipating the next book. There's a small teaser tucked in near the end that has me building theories on the next story possibility, and if I am reading it right, the next chapter for Annie and Fletcher is going to be a good one.

Would I recommend it?
This is the book that turned me from a lukewarm follower of this series into someone actively counting counting down to to the next release. The mystery is sturdy with beautiful atmosphere, and the character work finally clicks in this one. This is the cozy mystery equivalent of a series finding its footing and sprinting.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Murder at the Mansion is another delightful installment in the Novel Detectives series, featuring the ever-resourceful Annie and Fletcher as they tackle their most intriguing case yet. When a wealthy heiress vanishes from her sprawling estate and secrets begin to surface at every turn, the duo find themselves navigating a household filled with family tensions, hidden motives, and plenty of suspects.

One of the things I continue to love about this series is the strong sense of community. Annie and Fletcher may be the investigators, but the supporting cast and the warmth of Redwood Grove play an important role in every story. Their friends provide both practical help and emotional support, making the town feel as much a character as the people themselves.

The mystery is engaging, with enough twists and conflicting stories to keep the reader guessing. The grand mansion setting adds a classic Golden Age mystery feel, while the family drama and long-buried secrets create plenty of tension. I especially enjoyed how Annie and Fletcher's detective skills were given center stage as they pieced together the truth.

The standout star of the book, however, is undoubtedly the wonderfully trained dog who steals every scene they appear in. Their presence adds charm, humor, and a unique touch that makes this mystery even more memorable.

Filled with likable characters, an atmospheric setting, and a satisfying mystery, A Murder at the Mansion is another winner from Ellie Alexander. Fans of cozy mysteries will find plenty to enjoy, and I can't wait to see what Annie and Fletcher investigate next.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cozy mystery winner from Elle Alexander! Book 3 in the Novel Mystery series can be read as a stand alone - but like Alexander’s other mysteries (and I’ve read quite a few), starting with the first gives better appreciation for the characters, the town and the mystery setting. Nonetheless this procedural mystery proves great “on the edge of your seat reading.”

The setting is the Garst Mansion in Redwood Grove. Annie and Fletcher, owners of the Secret Bookcase, a mystery-themed bookshop, have been called in to assist in locating a missing heiress, Bernadette Garst, on the sprawling Garst estate. Bernadette is known for her reclusive eccentricity but also for her philanthropic generosity. She’s been missing twelve hours when Annie and Fletcher arrive. As the rush to pursue finding Bernadette intensifies, Annie and Fletcher uncover buried secrets and a dead body - but not Bernadette.

The book is a longitudinal story - the Novel detectives proceed clue by clue to the finish. They have a fairly good cast of suspects to tackle, starting with the pool boy, Finley, who reported Bernadette missing, to Vivienne, the daughter, Preston, her son, Dorothy Parker, the poodle, Paula, the dog trainer, and Dansby, Paula’s brother. The motive is clever - I’d love to share but you’d be missing the surprise in finding out yourself if I did. The search for Bernadette is well done!

This is a good cozy mystery. It’s got suspense, good twists and two excellent detectives. A perfect read for lovers of cozy mysteries.

My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me access to this ARC.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Details
A Murder at the Mansion by Ellie Alexander is a Novel Detectives story and quite a complicated mystery. The one thing about Annie and Fletcher is they never give up and in this instance it came in really handy as they hiked for hours through a forest filled with underbrush looking for an elderly woman who had gone missing. At this point, she was presumed dead, but that didn’t stop them. It was a complicated story of a complicated old lady who was nearly a billionaire and had only recently discovered that the dysfunction of her children was her fault and was determined not to let it happen to her grandson. Dr Caldwell had called the Novel Detective in because she simply didn’t have the manpower. As usual, she backed them up with police resources.

Alexander has a way of rounding up a cadre of odd characters who contrast to the core cast’s normalcy. Annie and Fletcher work in a bookstore. What could be more normal? This uber-wealthy family was a contrast to everything they were living, and yet they dove right in to solve the mystery. Annie discovered the body of the family lawyer, which did nothing to solve the initial crime. Oh, and let’s not forget the dogs. One poodle had its own full-time caregiver and fiduciary. This woman had a burning need to spoil people and things and it provided powerful motive for abuse. This was an entertaining story with terrifically outrageous characters and an explosive plot. Well done.

I was invited to read A Murder at the Mansion by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPubllishing #EllieAlexander #AMurderAtTheMansion

[Mihaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, author Ellie Alexander and Storm Publishers for the ARC.

My rating: 4.5 ⭐️

From my understanding, this is part of a series, but it did work as a standalone as well. Just the knowledge of some characters might not be as good as if I had read the series from the beginning.

The book starts with a wealthy old woman going missing, and we dwelve into the drama of a rich family as Annie and Fletcher try to find her. Time is ticking, and none of the people interviewed seem to be honest with them. One murder victim later, and suddenly, everyone has a motive for the entire situation, even the dog.

While it might've started off slow, and had a bit too much of repetition in some parts, this cozy mystery mixed with found family themes is a great read. We get to live in a place where community is there for each other, summer isn't hot enough to melt you, and we can see the ties and closeness of the characters appearing around the detectives, Annie and Fletcher.

The rich family has drama, has secrets, has motive. It was fun to take all that apart and make my guess based on who Annie is interviewing at the moment. And I was envious of the treatment of the dog, making me wish I could be reborn as a pet in a rich family. Just the spa trips seem worth it enough to live through the drama!

A great cozy mystery read and I will look for the rest of the series to see how Annie and Fletcher become the Novel Detectives, and how they find and create their found-family lives.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Novel Detectives are called to the Garst estate at the request of Dr. Caldwell, Annie Murray's former criminology professor and now the lead detective on the Redwood Grove police force. Tension mounts as heiress Bernadette Garst, renowned for her philanthropy and rarely seen outside her estate, has been missing for twelve hours. The Garst family's reputation for generational wealth and generosity adds extra urgency to the case.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, which delivers classic locked-room vibes set against the backdrop of a sprawling estate. Picture the investigation unfolding across a sprawling 60,000-square-foot Georgian mansion, numerous outbuildings, and acres of dense forest. The vivid setting adds extra intrigue to the search for clues.

The Secret Bookcase Mystery series first introduced the charming, Agatha Christie-inspired bookstore in Redwood Grove, California, and its memorable cast—Annie, Fletcher, Hal, Priya (Pri), Liam, Dr. Caldwell, and more. In the Novel Detective Mystery series, returning to this small town feels like visiting old friends. The vibrant shops, quirky residents, and lively events create a welcoming backdrop for the evolving characters, whose personal and professional journeys deepen with each book. The detective agency's cases are filled with clever twists, well-placed red herrings, and just the right dose of cozy crime—inviting readers to match wits with Annie and Fletcher at every turn.

Thank you to Ellie Alexander, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Annie Murray is planning the upcoming events at the bookshop while working with Fletcher in their private investigation firm. Now, they have their biggest case yet. Bernadette Garst has disappeared from her mansion. The family doesn't seem to have a great view of the venerable matriarch. When they find Ms. Garst's lawyer dead in the boathouse, their job gets even more desperate. Can they find Ms. Garst? Will she be still alive? And what will happen with Hal's case? Let's find out.

Dislikes: This is a complete slow burn. We seemed to take a long time to find out anything of importance.

Dorothy Barker isn't as well trained as Paula thinks. A well trained dog is polite to their handlers, as well as to the family. If she was a threat to the family, then you look at the training.

Likes: Preston loved his grandmother, and her dogs. He also kept his sense of wonder.

Bernadette did care for her children. I suspect that with all of her wealth, she wasn't sure when they had a genuine idea, good or bad, or was just after some extra spending money.

Hal and Caroline have a great relationship. Though lying can't really be done by omission. A lie is a known falsehood. Not telling people everything isn't necessarily lying.

Liam made time to help Annie, even if it was just to hear her out.

Conclusion: This was a good book. If you like the Novel Detectives, or just enjoy slow burn mysteries, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Auđur · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Murder at the Mansion by Ellie Alexander is another cozy and enjoyable mystery, and the third installment in the Novel Detectives series. It has exactly what I’ve come to expect from these books: an engaging mystery, a charming setting, and likable characters you genuinely enjoy spending time with. 😊

The story brings back Annie and Fletcher, who continue to make a great investigative duo. I still love that their detective agency is located in a bookstore. 📚 It adds so much charm and feels like the perfect setting for a cozy mystery. 😊

This time, Annie and Fletcher are called in when Bernadette Garst, the wealthy matriarch of one of Redwood Grove’s most influential families, suddenly disappears. No one knows if she’s been kidnapped, murdered, or if she’s still alive. As they begin investigating, they’re pulled into a family full of secrets, complicated relationships, hidden motives, and plenty of rich people problems.

Everyone seems to have something to hide, and it was fun trying to piece everything together alongside Annie and Fletcher. 😊

While it may not be groundbreaking, it’s a solid cozy mystery with likable characters you enjoy spending time with. If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, I think you’ll feel right at home with this one, and I’d definitely recommend giving it a try 📚