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Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #5
A Page Marked for Murder
In Lauren Elliott's fifth Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, a murder and a missing first edition of The Secret Garden have rare bookstore owner Addie Greyborne running around her Massachusetts town trying to read the clues...
January isn't the season for the seaside, but the big Fire and Ice festival is keeping bookstore owner Addie busy. Amid the plans for a fireworks display and an ice-carving competition, she's also dog sitting for a friend in the hospital. When Addie goes to her friend's house to gather supplies, she notices an interesting item on the nightstand which belongs to her shop assistant, Paige: a very valuable copy of the beloved children's book The Secret Garden.
But Addie's blood runs cold when she finds something else: a dead body behind the bakery next door to her shop. Martha, the bakery owner, has no alibi--and has been seen in a heated argument with the victim. And the next thing Addie knows, that first edition has gone missing. Is there a connection between the body and the treasured tome? If there is, it's up to Addie to find a killer with a motive as hidden as Frances Hodgson Burnett's famous garden...
January isn't the season for the seaside, but the big Fire and Ice festival is keeping bookstore owner Addie busy. Amid the plans for a fireworks display and an ice-carving competition, she's also dog sitting for a friend in the hospital. When Addie goes to her friend's house to gather supplies, she notices an interesting item on the nightstand which belongs to her shop assistant, Paige: a very valuable copy of the beloved children's book The Secret Garden.
But Addie's blood runs cold when she finds something else: a dead body behind the bakery next door to her shop. Martha, the bakery owner, has no alibi--and has been seen in a heated argument with the victim. And the next thing Addie knows, that first edition has gone missing. Is there a connection between the body and the treasured tome? If there is, it's up to Addie to find a killer with a motive as hidden as Frances Hodgson Burnett's famous garden...
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
845 people are currently reading
2614 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Elliott
14 books1,650 followersLauren grew up devouring the entire Nancy Drew series and then graduated to Victoria Holt, Agatha Christie, Barbara Erskine, Lynn Kurland, and Michael Crichton to name a few of her favorite authors. When it came time for post-secondary education, journalism seemed like the logical choice as she had written for as long as she could remember. Soon after graduation, while working for a small publication, she discovered that reporting wasn’t what fueled her writing passions. As someone with an additionally strong background in professional theater who had the love of storytelling and captivating and holding an audience, her fiction-writing career began to take center stage.
Lauren Elliott’s new Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series promises to keep readers guessing right up until the last chapter. Plot twists and an array of colorful characters make for page turning, whodunit adventures filled with suspense, mystery, murder and just a touch of romance.
Lauren Elliott’s new Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series promises to keep readers guessing right up until the last chapter. Plot twists and an array of colorful characters make for page turning, whodunit adventures filled with suspense, mystery, murder and just a touch of romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 355 reviews
October 28, 2020
4.5 stars
In this fifth installment in Lauren Elliott's Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, bookstore owner Addie Greyborne becomes embroiled in two mysteries during the winter season. The first mystery occurs when someone close to her employee Paige is found dead behind Martha's Bakery. The owner, Martha, who also happens to be Paige's mom, and was seen arguing with the victim, immediately becomes the main suspect. Addie is determined to clear her name and find the real culprit. The second mystery occurs when a valuable book belonging to Paige is stolen from the home of the woman she had lent it to. Is there a connection between the murder and the stolen book? Addie is determined to find out.
Another enjoyable visit to Greyborne Harbor. I loved the descriptions of the cold weather, the bookstore, the town, and its colorful residents. The addition of Pippi was a lot of fun and I found myself wishing he was Addie's dog. It was also nice learning more about Paige and Martha. Addie has really grown on me these past two books and I look forward to visiting her again in the future. As for the mystery, I thought it was well-done. There were plenty of red herrings provided in an attempt to misdirect the reader, and in my case, it completely worked because the killer wasn't even on my radar.
All in all, this is a great series, and I definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this fifth installment in Lauren Elliott's Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, bookstore owner Addie Greyborne becomes embroiled in two mysteries during the winter season. The first mystery occurs when someone close to her employee Paige is found dead behind Martha's Bakery. The owner, Martha, who also happens to be Paige's mom, and was seen arguing with the victim, immediately becomes the main suspect. Addie is determined to clear her name and find the real culprit. The second mystery occurs when a valuable book belonging to Paige is stolen from the home of the woman she had lent it to. Is there a connection between the murder and the stolen book? Addie is determined to find out.
Another enjoyable visit to Greyborne Harbor. I loved the descriptions of the cold weather, the bookstore, the town, and its colorful residents. The addition of Pippi was a lot of fun and I found myself wishing he was Addie's dog. It was also nice learning more about Paige and Martha. Addie has really grown on me these past two books and I look forward to visiting her again in the future. As for the mystery, I thought it was well-done. There were plenty of red herrings provided in an attempt to misdirect the reader, and in my case, it completely worked because the killer wasn't even on my radar.
All in all, this is a great series, and I definitely recommend it.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2021
A Page Marked for Murder by Lauren Elliott is the fifth book of the cozy Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. Each book of this series contains it’s own mystery to solve so they could be read as a standalone or in any order. However, one would get to know the characters better reading the series in order with some character development carrying over book to book.
In the first book of this series, Murder by the Book, readers were introduced to Addison Greyborne who had returned to her hometown, a small New England town that had been named for her ancestors back in Colonial times, Greyborne Harbor. Addie had been still recovering from the murder of her fiance, her father dying in a tragic accident and then had found out a long lost aunt had also died but left her whole estate to Addie.
Addie’s inheritance had given her the opportunity to start over and continue to work with books after leaving her job at the Boston Public Library. With her aunt having so many rare books in her collection and the funds to open a shop Addie decided to open Beyond the Page bookstore. Now as Addie finds she is fitting into the town better each day she finds herself dogsitting when a friend is injured. However, as usual for Addie she ends up finding another dead body, this time behind the shops and when her friend is arrested Addie is determined to find another killer.
I have been following the Beyond the Page Bookstore series from the beginning and it isn’t quite as quirky and humorous as I normally prefer but I have still enjoyed reading. The books started off feeling like it had a touch of romantic suspense to it as Addie got close to the police chief and worked together instead of completely on her own in most cozies but she’s more independent now as the series has gone on and the books have fallen more and more into the humorous cozy vibe. With each book that I read I become more attached to Addie and her small town mysteries.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the first book of this series, Murder by the Book, readers were introduced to Addison Greyborne who had returned to her hometown, a small New England town that had been named for her ancestors back in Colonial times, Greyborne Harbor. Addie had been still recovering from the murder of her fiance, her father dying in a tragic accident and then had found out a long lost aunt had also died but left her whole estate to Addie.
Addie’s inheritance had given her the opportunity to start over and continue to work with books after leaving her job at the Boston Public Library. With her aunt having so many rare books in her collection and the funds to open a shop Addie decided to open Beyond the Page bookstore. Now as Addie finds she is fitting into the town better each day she finds herself dogsitting when a friend is injured. However, as usual for Addie she ends up finding another dead body, this time behind the shops and when her friend is arrested Addie is determined to find another killer.
I have been following the Beyond the Page Bookstore series from the beginning and it isn’t quite as quirky and humorous as I normally prefer but I have still enjoyed reading. The books started off feeling like it had a touch of romantic suspense to it as Addie got close to the police chief and worked together instead of completely on her own in most cozies but she’s more independent now as the series has gone on and the books have fallen more and more into the humorous cozy vibe. With each book that I read I become more attached to Addie and her small town mysteries.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
October 29, 2020
The fifth book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series by Lauren Elliott. Addie is back with another murder mystery in the quaint town of Greyborne Harbor. In addition to a murder to solve, Addie also looks for a stolen book.
I've enjoyed each book in this series, and was happy to see Addie was back for another mystery. The small town setting is great, and I especially enjoy Addie's bookstore. The characters are wonderful and a joy to read about. A series worth checking out for fans of cozies.
An entertaining cozy mystery. Well paced, delightful, and fun.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've enjoyed each book in this series, and was happy to see Addie was back for another mystery. The small town setting is great, and I especially enjoy Addie's bookstore. The characters are wonderful and a joy to read about. A series worth checking out for fans of cozies.
An entertaining cozy mystery. Well paced, delightful, and fun.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2020
I was given a copy of this book for an honest feedback from NetGalley, thank you. I have read this series from the start, but somehow have skipped #4 in the series, this is #5. I would recommend that you read this series in order, as it progresses and I had some questions as to some changes that had taken place. I didn't use to like Addie as a main character, but as the series grows, her personality has changed somewhat and she seems like a friendlier person. The plot was a twisted one, but well thought out. I think it repeated itself too many times with Addie telling everyone who her suspects were, over and over again. Also, and it is a complaint of mine not just with this series...does any of the store owners ever work in their stores? It seems like they are always leaving to run "errands" and the assistant is stuck at the store. I did think that the story ended abruptly, one minute all the characters were crying about someone going to jail, and the next page they were celebrating. I had to go back and see if I had skipped a few pages, but no.
September 21, 2020
I have been a fan of this series from the first book and I think this might be my favorite one in the series to date. Addie Grayson is a terrific protagonist. Yes, like most cozy mystery sleuths she tends to become a bit too involved in police/murder investigations. That said, she is a mature sleuth with some really good insight and deductive reasoning which allows her to see things that others might have missed. She is really settling into her new life, with a few bumps along the way. This time around, the suspect in the murder investigation is the mother of Addie's employee Paige, so she feels compelled to help clear her name. Addie and Martha have not always gotten along, but they have made peace with each other, so Addie sets out to clear her name. The mystery is well done and there is a minor mystery involving a stolen book. There are plenty of suspects to choose from, but when they all seem to have solid alibi's Addie has to work overtime with her deductive skills to uncover the true identity of the killer. I was totally engaged in this book from the start and was surprised at the identity of the killer. However, the person and the motive make complete sense, and when brought to light lead to a satisfying ending. I can't wait for more books in this series and will happily return as long as Ms. Elliott continues to write them.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 26, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up
It's January in Greyborne Harbor and Addie is looking forward to the now bigger and better Fire & Ice Festival. With Paige's help she comes up with a charming window display to attract customers for after Christmas sales. When Addie's friend Gloria falls off a ladder decorating the town common and needs surgery, Addie takes on the role of foster parent to Gloria's little Yorkiepoo Pippi. When Addie discovers Gloria was reading a rare first edition of The Secret Garden which actually belongs to Paige, Addie informs Martha it's worth around $2500! When Addie returns to the house to find Pippi's toys, she's upset to discover the book missing. Gloria doesn't have it, Martha doesn't have it and Addie is certain someone stole it. After seeing Martha arguing with her ex-husband and Paige's ex in public, Addie wonders whether one of the men stole the book. Then Paige's ex turns up dead behind Martha's bakery and the police zero in on Martha as the murderer. Addie knows in her heart Martha may be cranky but she's never commit murder. While Marc focuses his investigation on Martha, Addie tries to solve the mystery on her own. With Simon working long hours and Serena lost in wedding planning land, she's on her own with only Pippi to cheer her and comfort her. Her cousin Kalea has flaked out again and is off with yet another wealthy boyfriend. Addie wonders if Kalea's boyfriend is connected to the theft and/or murder. Addie isn't having much luck tracking down the book she hopes will lead her to the murderer. A homeless man named Old Bill seems to know the identity of the murderer but he's gone missing and Addie feels if she can track him down, she'll crack the case. Can she solve this one before Martha is tried for a crime she didn't commit?
I enjoyed the plot of the novel as a mystery. I couldn't put it down. I stayed up really late to see whodunit. I wasn't surprised. I figured it out by then. Addie was pretty stupid. It took me about an hour of reading before she figured out something I realized right away. I did not appreciate the identity of the murderer and the treatment of that person. I'm sorry but no, murder is murder no matter the justification. Go to the police if you know something bad is about to happen. As with the previous book, the rare book plot is illogical. The author seems to have Googled or seen an ad about what the book COULD be worth. Yes, a first edition in pristine condition is currently being sold for $3000, HOWEVER, condition is everything. Even a first edition could be worthless if read and reread over and over by children. At most that book is worth $350 but probably not even that much since Paige read it a lot as a girl and she's currently reading it with Emma, who at 4 is too little to understand it. Why not buy a reading copy? I collect antique children's books of that era- used and worn because that's all I can afford - I keep them on a high shelf where small hands can't touch them and have reading copies available for anyone who wants to read the book. The rare book thing also seems shoehorned into the story just because. I hope the author does a little more research next time.
The romance subplot is working out nicely. Addie is softer now and less annoying now she knows her own heart. Her relationship with Simon is progressing nicely. He's a devoted, caring man who supports her and that makes Addie more likable because she's not doubting herself or worrying about betraying David. She is still butting heads with Marc when he's in Robo Cop mode. I don't like that part of the story and Ryley is making it worse.
Ryley is a nasty you know what. She's even rude to Serena. I'm not a huge fan of Serena in this book. She has her head in the clouds most of the time but she ends up helping with the investigation later on. Paige is still sweet and cheerful. She's a little less reserved now and opening up a lot. Now she's repaired her relationship with her mother, she's less depressed. Paige is creative and comes up with some great ideas for window displays. Addie is lucky to have Paige. Paige is also a devoted mother and we finally meet Emma. Emma is a little precocious and tries to be a scene stealer but thankfully she's only in two scenes. Simon works a lot even for a trauma surgeon. Most doctors don't work 24/7 and have someone cover for them except when they're on call. I know he's the coroner and death happens a lot in this town but still. When he's around, he's oddly compassionate and sympathetic. I don't know any doctors like that but I don't know any trauma surgeons.
Addie's cousin Kalea is a first class B***h! She's a horrible, selfish person who hasn't yet learned how to function as an adult. She's really awful in this book and if I were Addie I would have lost patience with her long ago. In this book Addie's aunt's friend Gloria plays a large supporting role. Gloria is probably around my mom's age or even younger- late 60s or 70s. Her hips shouldn't be that fragile and these days hip replacement surgery isn't a huge deal. My 96 year old grandmother had both hips replaced in the last 11 months and both times recovered quickly after a short hospital stay and a week or two of physical therapy. A 70-year-old woman should be able to recover much faster, especially if she's healthy. I liked Gloria a lot until she pouted because her lifelong friend didn't come to visit her. She spoils Pippi too much but she loves that little dog and since she lives alone, Pippi probably is the child she never had. Pippi is my most favorite character in this novel. She's soooo adorable! I love her early morning stare and nose nudge. I've been the recipient of that stare and nose nudge for supper. I don't know why Addie didn't go back to bed after letting Pippi out and in and feeding her. That's what I do when I dogsit! I could almost feel Pippi's warm little body snuggling against me as I read this. I miss having a furry companion!
Jerry, a police officer friend of Addie's is a charming man. He's friendly and willing to talk to Addie - up to a certain point. He isn't willing to risk his job for her though. Carolyn, Simon's sister, is 9 months pregnant in a random subplot that doesn't have ANYTHING to do with ANYTHING. She's amused by Addie and doesn't mind helping Addie out with some legal sleuthing. I think she's hoping Addie will marry Simon and have babies of her own - SOON! We get to know Martha's family better in this novel. Martha is still prickly but she loves her family and will do anything to help them. I don't think that extends to murder but it doesn't look good for her. Her ex, Ken, abandoned her years ago to raise her 5 girls alone. I can see why that has made her bitter, angry and suspicious of Ken's motives. Why is he back in town after all these years? I think he's a ne'er do well and opportunist. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the murderer. Paige's brother-in-law Keith is a major character as well. He's a devoted father-figure to Emma and tries to be a good husband to Mellissa and father to his own girls. He made a mistake and Martha can't forgive that. I don't blame her and would have given Mellissa the same advice. Keith is a pillar of the community, being fire chief but gossip travels fast and I think he's ruined his reputation. Time will tell if he can be forgiven.
The dead guy, Brett, was a terrible person. He took advantage of Paige when she was young and naïve. First Paige says he didn't want anything to do with Emma since she was a baby, so at that point he should have terminated parental rights. Then later Martha says Paige lived with Brett for a little while after Emma was born. That doesn't sound like what Paige told Addie. If he didn't terminate parental rights then he can go to court if he wants to see Emma. Let the courts decide. That's how normal people in real life settle custody arrangements. Brett may be in town looking for the rare book. He's just sleazy enough to steal it and sell it. His girlfriend, Amber, probably knows all about his sleaziness yet she stays with him. They seem to argue a lot and she puts on a good show of crying over her lost love but how upset is she really? Could she have double crossed him and killed him? Those are the three main suspects. Kalea's mysterious boyfriend was seen arguing with Brett. Like Addie, I think he belongs on the suspect list. He sounds a bit shady to me. An outside chance places homeless man Old Bill on the list as well. He was in the right place at the right time and would do anything for Martha. He's a Vietnam vet and not right in the head, hence his homeless state. I find him a kind and sympathetic character like Addie but I don't know what he would do if he thought Martha or Paige was being threatened in some way. I really hope he didn't do it! I don't think he did because he wouldn't then frame Martha. I wonder if someone was trying to frame Bill and not Martha?
I am happy to have visited Greyborne Harbor twice this year and hope to visit again even though I have a lot of issues with the rare book plots!
It's January in Greyborne Harbor and Addie is looking forward to the now bigger and better Fire & Ice Festival. With Paige's help she comes up with a charming window display to attract customers for after Christmas sales. When Addie's friend Gloria falls off a ladder decorating the town common and needs surgery, Addie takes on the role of foster parent to Gloria's little Yorkiepoo Pippi. When Addie discovers Gloria was reading a rare first edition of The Secret Garden which actually belongs to Paige, Addie informs Martha it's worth around $2500! When Addie returns to the house to find Pippi's toys, she's upset to discover the book missing. Gloria doesn't have it, Martha doesn't have it and Addie is certain someone stole it. After seeing Martha arguing with her ex-husband and Paige's ex in public, Addie wonders whether one of the men stole the book. Then Paige's ex turns up dead behind Martha's bakery and the police zero in on Martha as the murderer. Addie knows in her heart Martha may be cranky but she's never commit murder. While Marc focuses his investigation on Martha, Addie tries to solve the mystery on her own. With Simon working long hours and Serena lost in wedding planning land, she's on her own with only Pippi to cheer her and comfort her. Her cousin Kalea has flaked out again and is off with yet another wealthy boyfriend. Addie wonders if Kalea's boyfriend is connected to the theft and/or murder. Addie isn't having much luck tracking down the book she hopes will lead her to the murderer. A homeless man named Old Bill seems to know the identity of the murderer but he's gone missing and Addie feels if she can track him down, she'll crack the case. Can she solve this one before Martha is tried for a crime she didn't commit?
I enjoyed the plot of the novel as a mystery. I couldn't put it down. I stayed up really late to see whodunit. I wasn't surprised. I figured it out by then. Addie was pretty stupid. It took me about an hour of reading before she figured out something I realized right away. I did not appreciate the identity of the murderer and the treatment of that person. I'm sorry but no, murder is murder no matter the justification. Go to the police if you know something bad is about to happen. As with the previous book, the rare book plot is illogical. The author seems to have Googled or seen an ad about what the book COULD be worth. Yes, a first edition in pristine condition is currently being sold for $3000, HOWEVER, condition is everything. Even a first edition could be worthless if read and reread over and over by children. At most that book is worth $350 but probably not even that much since Paige read it a lot as a girl and she's currently reading it with Emma, who at 4 is too little to understand it. Why not buy a reading copy? I collect antique children's books of that era- used and worn because that's all I can afford - I keep them on a high shelf where small hands can't touch them and have reading copies available for anyone who wants to read the book. The rare book thing also seems shoehorned into the story just because. I hope the author does a little more research next time.
The romance subplot is working out nicely. Addie is softer now and less annoying now she knows her own heart. Her relationship with Simon is progressing nicely. He's a devoted, caring man who supports her and that makes Addie more likable because she's not doubting herself or worrying about betraying David. She is still butting heads with Marc when he's in Robo Cop mode. I don't like that part of the story and Ryley is making it worse.
Ryley is a nasty you know what. She's even rude to Serena. I'm not a huge fan of Serena in this book. She has her head in the clouds most of the time but she ends up helping with the investigation later on. Paige is still sweet and cheerful. She's a little less reserved now and opening up a lot. Now she's repaired her relationship with her mother, she's less depressed. Paige is creative and comes up with some great ideas for window displays. Addie is lucky to have Paige. Paige is also a devoted mother and we finally meet Emma. Emma is a little precocious and tries to be a scene stealer but thankfully she's only in two scenes. Simon works a lot even for a trauma surgeon. Most doctors don't work 24/7 and have someone cover for them except when they're on call. I know he's the coroner and death happens a lot in this town but still. When he's around, he's oddly compassionate and sympathetic. I don't know any doctors like that but I don't know any trauma surgeons.
Addie's cousin Kalea is a first class B***h! She's a horrible, selfish person who hasn't yet learned how to function as an adult. She's really awful in this book and if I were Addie I would have lost patience with her long ago. In this book Addie's aunt's friend Gloria plays a large supporting role. Gloria is probably around my mom's age or even younger- late 60s or 70s. Her hips shouldn't be that fragile and these days hip replacement surgery isn't a huge deal. My 96 year old grandmother had both hips replaced in the last 11 months and both times recovered quickly after a short hospital stay and a week or two of physical therapy. A 70-year-old woman should be able to recover much faster, especially if she's healthy. I liked Gloria a lot until she pouted because her lifelong friend didn't come to visit her. She spoils Pippi too much but she loves that little dog and since she lives alone, Pippi probably is the child she never had. Pippi is my most favorite character in this novel. She's soooo adorable! I love her early morning stare and nose nudge. I've been the recipient of that stare and nose nudge for supper. I don't know why Addie didn't go back to bed after letting Pippi out and in and feeding her. That's what I do when I dogsit! I could almost feel Pippi's warm little body snuggling against me as I read this. I miss having a furry companion!
Jerry, a police officer friend of Addie's is a charming man. He's friendly and willing to talk to Addie - up to a certain point. He isn't willing to risk his job for her though. Carolyn, Simon's sister, is 9 months pregnant in a random subplot that doesn't have ANYTHING to do with ANYTHING. She's amused by Addie and doesn't mind helping Addie out with some legal sleuthing. I think she's hoping Addie will marry Simon and have babies of her own - SOON! We get to know Martha's family better in this novel. Martha is still prickly but she loves her family and will do anything to help them. I don't think that extends to murder but it doesn't look good for her. Her ex, Ken, abandoned her years ago to raise her 5 girls alone. I can see why that has made her bitter, angry and suspicious of Ken's motives. Why is he back in town after all these years? I think he's a ne'er do well and opportunist. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the murderer. Paige's brother-in-law Keith is a major character as well. He's a devoted father-figure to Emma and tries to be a good husband to Mellissa and father to his own girls. He made a mistake and Martha can't forgive that. I don't blame her and would have given Mellissa the same advice. Keith is a pillar of the community, being fire chief but gossip travels fast and I think he's ruined his reputation. Time will tell if he can be forgiven.
The dead guy, Brett, was a terrible person. He took advantage of Paige when she was young and naïve. First Paige says he didn't want anything to do with Emma since she was a baby, so at that point he should have terminated parental rights. Then later Martha says Paige lived with Brett for a little while after Emma was born. That doesn't sound like what Paige told Addie. If he didn't terminate parental rights then he can go to court if he wants to see Emma. Let the courts decide. That's how normal people in real life settle custody arrangements. Brett may be in town looking for the rare book. He's just sleazy enough to steal it and sell it. His girlfriend, Amber, probably knows all about his sleaziness yet she stays with him. They seem to argue a lot and she puts on a good show of crying over her lost love but how upset is she really? Could she have double crossed him and killed him? Those are the three main suspects. Kalea's mysterious boyfriend was seen arguing with Brett. Like Addie, I think he belongs on the suspect list. He sounds a bit shady to me. An outside chance places homeless man Old Bill on the list as well. He was in the right place at the right time and would do anything for Martha. He's a Vietnam vet and not right in the head, hence his homeless state. I find him a kind and sympathetic character like Addie but I don't know what he would do if he thought Martha or Paige was being threatened in some way. I really hope he didn't do it! I don't think he did because he wouldn't then frame Martha. I wonder if someone was trying to frame Bill and not Martha?
I am happy to have visited Greyborne Harbor twice this year and hope to visit again even though I have a lot of issues with the rare book plots!
August 6, 2020
Addie is back in action to try and solve a couple of different mysteries that both surround her faithful assistant, Paige! Addie needs to solve both mysteries quickly or Paige's life may be irreparably be changed and not for the better! I love that the rare book featured in this story is my childhood favorite, The Secret Garden! The town, the bookstore, the characters are all wonderfully crafted to be so realistic that I want to move there and become friends with them! The storyline is well crafted to keep you guessing at who the villain or villains may be. Once again everyone tries to tell Addie to stay out of the investigation, but how can she when someone she cares about is in danger of having heart broken by the events unfolding!?! Then again, if she gets to close to the killer they may just shut her investigation down permanently by adding her to the list of the dead! If you haven't started this series yet, you are seriously missing out! This author knows how to weave a great story and create endearing characters that you just can't let go!
June 18, 2022
I am just loving the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series! The character development keeps getting better. In both this book and the previous book, there are a couple of new characters who really add a lot of attitudes and situations to the mix. They cause so much trouble, but in a fun way! I am very much looking forward to continuing reading the rest of this mystery series and hope that the author writes many more!
December 1, 2020
For shop owner and amateur sleuth Addie, it's, find a body, solve a crime. Isn't that the way all bookstore keepers react? A Page Marked For Murder is a compelling story filled with beguiling characters, eloquent descriptions, and evidence that will add up, eventually, as well as a mystery for the ages. Is there anything more poignant than a suspect who doesn't have an alibi but has every reason to commit a crime? This isn't Addie's first murder. She was hoping that she would never again experience the fear, pain, and curiosity that an investigation into the untimely death of a human can bring. But here she is, back on the trail of a killer.
The main suspects are all viable; each has a legitimate motive. Even though it seems that all of the suspects have alibi's, except one, is this really the case? As an amateur sleuth, Addie faces issues; namely, she can't ask the questions a detective can or force people to give her answers. With a bookstore to run, friends being accused of murder, and a slew of interruptions and distractions, it isn't easy to get to the bottom of the case. But as she has in the past, Addie finds a way to get the information she needs to catch the killer and prove her friend innocent.
A Page Marked For Murder is a calm, easy to read book that will hold the reader's attention. The plot moves swiftly, conversations are tantalizing and, in many cases, heartwarming. There is enough backstory to keep readers informed and eager to learn more without the need to go back and read the other books in the series. Addie is a caring person who is willing to use her amateur sleuthing to work if it means helping a friend. This makes her a warm, generous, and appealing heroine that readers will love. The bookstore is described so that you can visualize it while reading and desire to spend a few hours pursuing the shelves.
The main suspects are all viable; each has a legitimate motive. Even though it seems that all of the suspects have alibi's, except one, is this really the case? As an amateur sleuth, Addie faces issues; namely, she can't ask the questions a detective can or force people to give her answers. With a bookstore to run, friends being accused of murder, and a slew of interruptions and distractions, it isn't easy to get to the bottom of the case. But as she has in the past, Addie finds a way to get the information she needs to catch the killer and prove her friend innocent.
A Page Marked For Murder is a calm, easy to read book that will hold the reader's attention. The plot moves swiftly, conversations are tantalizing and, in many cases, heartwarming. There is enough backstory to keep readers informed and eager to learn more without the need to go back and read the other books in the series. Addie is a caring person who is willing to use her amateur sleuthing to work if it means helping a friend. This makes her a warm, generous, and appealing heroine that readers will love. The bookstore is described so that you can visualize it while reading and desire to spend a few hours pursuing the shelves.
April 2, 2023
I had a lot of fun reading this book. No worries about it being the fifth in the series. You can easily read it when you've read none of the other books.
There's multiple mysteries going on at the same time, which makes the book an engaging read. I was never bored or felt like the plot got stretched out too much. There was pace and plenty of clues kept the reader on their toes.
Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
There's multiple mysteries going on at the same time, which makes the book an engaging read. I was never bored or felt like the plot got stretched out too much. There was pace and plenty of clues kept the reader on their toes.
Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2023
Getting better
This series is gradually improving, now that some of the townspeople's relationships have shifted. It's at least a little more believable than the first book 8n the series.
However, the ending to this one fell flat for me with too many strings left dangling.
This series is gradually improving, now that some of the townspeople's relationships have shifted. It's at least a little more believable than the first book 8n the series.
However, the ending to this one fell flat for me with too many strings left dangling.
August 13, 2020
Not much to it. Moves along in a linear manner but nothing happens. It bored me
Thank you netgalley & the publisher for giving me this arc
Thank you netgalley & the publisher for giving me this arc
September 30, 2020
I love when I let go of a big sigh at the end of a book. It tells me not only did I enjoy the book but that the ending left me satisfied. I let out two with this book. That could be fitting as there are two mysteries to be solved.
In this book, the fifth in the series, someone close to Paige is found dead and Martha is a suspect. But was their death murder or an accident? Whatever the cause of death was may be the clue that determines which. With Martha looking like the best suspect, Addie needs to find out. The second mystery is a missing book. With a suspected value into the thousands, is the missing book connected to the death?
I really enjoyed this book. I love the characters. It was wonderful to see Addie become so close to Pippi. I was hoping to see her find her own fur baby by the end of the book. This story had plenty of suspects for the death as well as the book and there was the question of cause of death to keep you guessing. I’m not going to say how that all came out. You can find out when you read the book.
This is a wonderful book set in winter just after Christmas. I took two days to read it but I believe it could easily be read in one day. I would recommend some cocoa and warm scones to pair it with. A roaring fire, comfy clothes, blanket and reading buddy would complete the delight of an afternoon of reading. Enjoy!
*I was provided with an electronic copy of this book, for review consideration, by Kensington through NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My opinions are based on my enjoyment during the reading of the book.*
In this book, the fifth in the series, someone close to Paige is found dead and Martha is a suspect. But was their death murder or an accident? Whatever the cause of death was may be the clue that determines which. With Martha looking like the best suspect, Addie needs to find out. The second mystery is a missing book. With a suspected value into the thousands, is the missing book connected to the death?
I really enjoyed this book. I love the characters. It was wonderful to see Addie become so close to Pippi. I was hoping to see her find her own fur baby by the end of the book. This story had plenty of suspects for the death as well as the book and there was the question of cause of death to keep you guessing. I’m not going to say how that all came out. You can find out when you read the book.
This is a wonderful book set in winter just after Christmas. I took two days to read it but I believe it could easily be read in one day. I would recommend some cocoa and warm scones to pair it with. A roaring fire, comfy clothes, blanket and reading buddy would complete the delight of an afternoon of reading. Enjoy!
*I was provided with an electronic copy of this book, for review consideration, by Kensington through NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My opinions are based on my enjoyment during the reading of the book.*
October 1, 2020
"A Page Marked for Murder" the 5th instalment in the "Beyond the Page Bookstore" Mystery series by Lauren Elliott. This is one of my favorite Bookshop cozy series.
I really enjoyed this latest instalment in the series! I liked that we had two mysteries to solve and I loved the inclusion of Pippi to Addies inner circle. I’m hoping the little fur ball will pop up again in another story.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.
I kept second-guessing myself on whodunnit almost to the very end but I did suspect correctly just before it was revealed. I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I can’t wait to read "Under the Cover of Murder" book 6 in March 2021!
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this latest instalment in the series! I liked that we had two mysteries to solve and I loved the inclusion of Pippi to Addies inner circle. I’m hoping the little fur ball will pop up again in another story.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.
I kept second-guessing myself on whodunnit almost to the very end but I did suspect correctly just before it was revealed. I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I can’t wait to read "Under the Cover of Murder" book 6 in March 2021!
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 27, 2020
A Page Marked for Murder by Lauren Elliott is the 5th book in Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series, and another great addition. Addie Greyborne was a librarian at the Boston Public Library, working with rare books. After her fiance was murdered, and her father was killed in a car accident Addie moved to a small town in New England where she inherited a mansion, Greyborne Manor, from her great aunt. With all the books left in her aunt's home she was able to open her own bookstore. When a rare first addition book goes missing, Addie is determined to find out what happened to it. I enjoyed this book, with all the twists and turns, and I can not wait for the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this book/series. I recommend you read the book in order if you can, the characters have changed and grown so much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 2, 2020
This is the 5th installment in the Beyond The Page Bookstore Mystery series. Addie Greybourne and her assistant Paige are getting the store ready for the upcoming town Fire and Ice Festival. As they are working on the window display Addie notices a crowd and learns Gloria, the volunteer event coordinator has fallen and that explains why her dog Pippi is at her store doorstep. Addie gets tapped for watching Pippi until Gloria is out of the hospital. Addie goes to Gloria’s house with Martha (Gloria’s best friend, Paige’s Mother and bakery owner next door) to get items to allow her to watch Pippi. While there, Addie sees a rare first edition of The Secret Garden on her nightstand. She learns it is Paige’s who loaned it to Gloria for their bookclub and Addie lets Martha know that it is rare and worth about twenty five thousand dollars. As Addie volunteers at some of the festival events she notices Martha arguing with some men and learns that Paige’s ex and her Father are in town. She notices Paige is upset but she is urged by Simon her boyfriend and friend Serena to just let the family work thru their issues. Addie later discovers a body in the alley behind Martha’s bakery and learns that it is the body of Paige’s ex boyfriend and the father of her daughter Emma. Martha becomes the top suspect as she had several disagreements with the victim. Addie of course does not believe that Martha is capable of murder, although she can be testy and nasty at times. Addie also discovers the rare book at Gloria’s is now missing. Can the two crimes be related.? Addie begins sleuthing as she cannot standby and let Martha be framed for murder. Simon balances Addie very well and I like their relationship. I understand the police not wanting a civilian be involved but the relationship with Marc and his new detective girlfriend is really not necessary. She is downright petty and immature. Addie’s cousin Kalea and her new relationship was an interesting side story and soon she will be a new shop owner that should prove to be interesting down the road. I enjoy this series and look forward to the next installment.
October 27, 2020
A Page Marked For Murder is the fifth book in the A Beyond The Page Mystery series by Lauren Elliott.
Addie arrives at work one morning to find her assistant, Paige, very upset. Paige will tell her that her ex-husband, Brett Palmer, is in town and demanding he see his daughter, and he is going to seek joint-custody of her. He has never been in his daughter’s life or has helped with support. Paige’s mother, Martha, who owns the bakery next door, is as upset with the ex’s demands as Paige is. A day or two later, when Addie arrives for work, she sees a man huddled up next to a heating vent at the rear of Martha’s bakery. Addie thinks it might be “Old Bill,” a homeless man, seeking a little warmth from the cold weather. But as she gets closer, she finds it to be Brett Palmer, a victim of murder. When the police learn of Martha and Brett’s heated altercation, Martha is arrested and taken into custody. Addie and Martha have never been friends, barely tolerating each other. Addie doesn’t think Martha is capable of murder will set off to clear her name.
Addie has another mystery she is trying to solve. Her friend Gloria is doing some final work on Greyborne Harbor’s Fire and Ice Festival decorations when she falls from the ladder. When Addie visits her at the hospital the next day, Gloria asks her to get the book from her nightstand at home. When Addie looks for the book, it’s not there. Addie will find that the book is a first edition of The Secret Garden and could be worth $25,000. Addie soon learns that the book is one that Paige had loaned to Gloria. Addie begins to wonder if someone from Paige’s family has learned of its value and has stolen it.
Addie and Simon, her doctor/coroner boyfriend, will put their heads together, trying to learn who the killer is.
The story well-plotted and written and very interesting. I enjoy visiting the town of Greyborne Harbor and it’s residents. The characters are all developed and interesting.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Under The Cover Of Murder, due out, March 30, 2021.
Addie arrives at work one morning to find her assistant, Paige, very upset. Paige will tell her that her ex-husband, Brett Palmer, is in town and demanding he see his daughter, and he is going to seek joint-custody of her. He has never been in his daughter’s life or has helped with support. Paige’s mother, Martha, who owns the bakery next door, is as upset with the ex’s demands as Paige is. A day or two later, when Addie arrives for work, she sees a man huddled up next to a heating vent at the rear of Martha’s bakery. Addie thinks it might be “Old Bill,” a homeless man, seeking a little warmth from the cold weather. But as she gets closer, she finds it to be Brett Palmer, a victim of murder. When the police learn of Martha and Brett’s heated altercation, Martha is arrested and taken into custody. Addie and Martha have never been friends, barely tolerating each other. Addie doesn’t think Martha is capable of murder will set off to clear her name.
Addie has another mystery she is trying to solve. Her friend Gloria is doing some final work on Greyborne Harbor’s Fire and Ice Festival decorations when she falls from the ladder. When Addie visits her at the hospital the next day, Gloria asks her to get the book from her nightstand at home. When Addie looks for the book, it’s not there. Addie will find that the book is a first edition of The Secret Garden and could be worth $25,000. Addie soon learns that the book is one that Paige had loaned to Gloria. Addie begins to wonder if someone from Paige’s family has learned of its value and has stolen it.
Addie and Simon, her doctor/coroner boyfriend, will put their heads together, trying to learn who the killer is.
The story well-plotted and written and very interesting. I enjoy visiting the town of Greyborne Harbor and it’s residents. The characters are all developed and interesting.
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Under The Cover Of Murder, due out, March 30, 2021.
October 24, 2020
This is the fifth book in the 'Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery' series.
The author, Lauren Elliott has created some extremely likeable characters in this cozy mystery. I have already met Addie, the protagonist, in book 2 who I found to be very smart and independent if a little bit stubborn.
The plot was well thought out and there was a good number of suspects in the frame. The author laid out clues in a way that made each of them a viable prospect as the perpetrator though they all had apparently sound alibis. I was somewhat surprised at the killer's identity as I fell for some of the red herrings so cleverly set by` the author.
The pacing in this novel was good and there was always something happening, so I was certainly never bored! With a very fulfilling ending, A Page Marked for Murder was a fantastic cozy mystery that I highly recommend. I am already looking forward to returning to Addie's bookshop, 'Beyond the Page' in Massachusetts in book six, entitled Under the Cover of Murder as well as catching up on the instalments I've missed. Rating: 5 Stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The author, Lauren Elliott has created some extremely likeable characters in this cozy mystery. I have already met Addie, the protagonist, in book 2 who I found to be very smart and independent if a little bit stubborn.
The plot was well thought out and there was a good number of suspects in the frame. The author laid out clues in a way that made each of them a viable prospect as the perpetrator though they all had apparently sound alibis. I was somewhat surprised at the killer's identity as I fell for some of the red herrings so cleverly set by` the author.
The pacing in this novel was good and there was always something happening, so I was certainly never bored! With a very fulfilling ending, A Page Marked for Murder was a fantastic cozy mystery that I highly recommend. I am already looking forward to returning to Addie's bookshop, 'Beyond the Page' in Massachusetts in book six, entitled Under the Cover of Murder as well as catching up on the instalments I've missed. Rating: 5 Stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 29, 2020
2.5 stars. I was looking forward to reading a winter themed cozy mystery but this fell flat. A large chunk in the beginning had barely any dialogue and just a lot of descriptions and inner monologues which didn’t make for an exciting opening. Eventually the mysteries started and there was dialogue, but it was stiff and felt very fake. This is a part of a series so when people were introduced or past storylines brought up there was an explanation to inform the reader, but these explanations dragged on and were much longer than needed. I could never read this whole series if every single book had that much backstory. But even with all the backstory there were so many characters that I was lost much of the time. The story itself was good, I guess. It kind of felt like a made for TV movie, like a Hallmark mystery. So it was entertaining but it wasn’t great. It kept my attention enough to finish it, but I was relieved when I finally did finish it. My mother is also reading it, and she’s not even halfway through it and feels the same way and can’t wait to be done with it.
December 6, 2020
I enjoyed the book, as I have the others in this series, but to be honest I'm getting a bit tired of the nasty people--including the police chief/Addie's ex and his current police officer girlfriend and Addie's cousin. I know, I know, nasty people abound in real life--but when I find a character's behavior so annoying that it's actually a bit stressful, then it's time for me to consider quitting the series. (Another annoying thing is that the author made this huge deal about how Addie hasn't told her boyfriend yet that she loves him...but I'm about 98% sure that at the end of the last book she told him he was the man she loved, so the constant focus on something that was (again, pretty sure, I've have to check the book out of the library again to check) resolved already had me rolling my eyes at the repetition by the end.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2020
I love Lauren Elliott's book covers, and they draw me into the story. Another great addition to the series. A Page Marked for Murder is book 5 in the series, and it doesn't disappoint. This book can be read as a standalone, but you might want to start from the beginning so you won't miss getting to know these wonderful characters.
There are lots of secrets and good storytelling to keep you turning the pages well into the night. The characters are realistic, have great personalities, and are relatable. The scenery transports me right into the thick of the story and keeps me wanting more.
I look forward to the next book.
#APageMarkedforMurder #NetGalley
There are lots of secrets and good storytelling to keep you turning the pages well into the night. The characters are realistic, have great personalities, and are relatable. The scenery transports me right into the thick of the story and keeps me wanting more.
I look forward to the next book.
#APageMarkedforMurder #NetGalley
August 7, 2020
A Page Marked for Murder by Lauren Elliot is BOok 5 in the fantastic Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Series.
I absolutely love this series.
Addie is back in the story and there are multiple mysteries to be solved both focusing on her assistant Paige.
I enjoyed that a rare book was included in this story. I loved the setting.
The story was perfectly paced with well written characters.
I highly recommend this book and all books in this series.
I absolutely love this series.
Addie is back in the story and there are multiple mysteries to be solved both focusing on her assistant Paige.
I enjoyed that a rare book was included in this story. I loved the setting.
The story was perfectly paced with well written characters.
I highly recommend this book and all books in this series.
February 1, 2024
I am really enjoying this series about Addie Greyborne who owns a bookstore and thanks to all those mystery books she loves to read, she has discovered a knack for solving mysteries in her New England hometown. This is a fun series with a lot of great characters. This particular mystery had me stumped and I look forward to reading more books by this author. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 24, 2020
Long wait for a *ehh* 😴 book.... Disappointing.
December 24, 2020
It is just past the Most Wonderful Time of Year in Greyborne Harbor, and Addie, one of my favorite bookstore owners, is as busy as always. She loves living in this quaint New England town and being part of the community. She has plans to volunteer to help prepare for the upcoming Fire and Ice event that takes place after Christmas every year. The biggest attraction to the weekend is the ice sculpture contest that takes place from Friday night to late Sunday. When the judging is completed, there is a bonfire on the beach in which the drying Christmas trees are burned. This festival is enjoyed by both local folks and tourists.
It wasn’t long ago that Addie and her cousin Kalea, having not seen each other since college, restored their relationship. Kalea was staying in the elegant Victorian manor Addie inherited, and she is helping out at the bookstore. Addie’s assistant manager, Paige, has almost had enough of Kalea disappearing for hours at a time, or even the entire day. Kalea has met a new guy and her priority is to spend time with him. Addie drew the line, however, at Kalea telling her new guy that she owned the house and she was letting her troubled cousin Addie live there!
Addie has a bad habit of finding crimes, and first she finds that one of Paige’s books, loaned to a friend in the book club, is a valuable first edition. The friend is injured and in the hospital; Addie goes back to get the book for her to finish reading and discovers it has disappeared – and nobody else is supposed to have a key to the home.
Next, she finds the dead body – murdered – of the father of Paige’s little girl, in the alley behind the bakery owned by Paige’s mother Martha. When Paige’s mother and father are being held on suspicion of murder, it is time for Addie to get involved one more time. Addie doesn’t know Paige’s dad, but she does know that Martha wouldn’t kill anyone, despite her sometimes obnoxious ‘tudes.
This mystery is finely plotted and executed, and my pet suspect certainly seemed to be the whodunit, until I figured out the real who and possible motive. I truly enjoyed this mystery, as I have the rest of the novels in this series! The ending was satisfactory, with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy well written cozy mysteries about bookstores, rare books, and New England winters.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
It wasn’t long ago that Addie and her cousin Kalea, having not seen each other since college, restored their relationship. Kalea was staying in the elegant Victorian manor Addie inherited, and she is helping out at the bookstore. Addie’s assistant manager, Paige, has almost had enough of Kalea disappearing for hours at a time, or even the entire day. Kalea has met a new guy and her priority is to spend time with him. Addie drew the line, however, at Kalea telling her new guy that she owned the house and she was letting her troubled cousin Addie live there!
Addie has a bad habit of finding crimes, and first she finds that one of Paige’s books, loaned to a friend in the book club, is a valuable first edition. The friend is injured and in the hospital; Addie goes back to get the book for her to finish reading and discovers it has disappeared – and nobody else is supposed to have a key to the home.
Next, she finds the dead body – murdered – of the father of Paige’s little girl, in the alley behind the bakery owned by Paige’s mother Martha. When Paige’s mother and father are being held on suspicion of murder, it is time for Addie to get involved one more time. Addie doesn’t know Paige’s dad, but she does know that Martha wouldn’t kill anyone, despite her sometimes obnoxious ‘tudes.
This mystery is finely plotted and executed, and my pet suspect certainly seemed to be the whodunit, until I figured out the real who and possible motive. I truly enjoyed this mystery, as I have the rest of the novels in this series! The ending was satisfactory, with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy well written cozy mysteries about bookstores, rare books, and New England winters.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
October 20, 2020
A Page Marked for Murder by Lauren Elliot is another great story in the Addie Greybourne series. Addie sees some men arguing outside Martha's bakery and then she sees Martha who is less than happy. Looking down she sees Gloria's little dog, shivering at her feet. Now, that is odd, so she picks the pup up and wanders over to the park where she knows Gloria is setting up for the Ice Festival. There she is disconcerted to see Gloria sprawled on the ground: she has fallen off a ladder and she is lying at a very odd angle. An ambulance is called and Gloria is off to the hospital with her best friend, Martha, at her side and Addie following with the pup. Addie and the pup can't go in but Martha kindly arranges that Addie puppy sit, so off they go to Gloria's house to pick up the necessary items. While they are there Addie spies a copy of The Secret Garden, which she immediately assesses as extremely valuable. It turns out it belongs to Paige, Martha's daughter and Addie's assistant. Of course, within a couple of days there's a murder...one of the men who Addie had seen arguing, now several times, who turns out to be Paige's ex and little Emma's father. At his body is found at the back door of Martha's bakery. Things are not looking good.
Elliot writes an excellent multi-layer novel. There is so much going on here with so many characters. It is all inter-related as is life but that makes it fun to read. There is Kalea, Addie's cousin, who is a deadbeat and living off Addie. She can't even bother to show up to work at Addie's bookstore on a regular basis. Plus, she eats and drinks all of Addie's food without blinking an eye. Addie hits the roof when Kalea tells her latest boyfriend that Addie's house is hers, and Addie is the houseguest. Funny scenes. So many broken relationships contribute to this story. It makes one wonder if there is something in the water. This book has it all: infidelity, deception, murder, young love, artful detective work, near death, and more. It is a delightful read with good characters and a compelling plot. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of A Page Marked for Murder by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #apagemarkedformurder
Elliot writes an excellent multi-layer novel. There is so much going on here with so many characters. It is all inter-related as is life but that makes it fun to read. There is Kalea, Addie's cousin, who is a deadbeat and living off Addie. She can't even bother to show up to work at Addie's bookstore on a regular basis. Plus, she eats and drinks all of Addie's food without blinking an eye. Addie hits the roof when Kalea tells her latest boyfriend that Addie's house is hers, and Addie is the houseguest. Funny scenes. So many broken relationships contribute to this story. It makes one wonder if there is something in the water. This book has it all: infidelity, deception, murder, young love, artful detective work, near death, and more. It is a delightful read with good characters and a compelling plot. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of A Page Marked for Murder by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #apagemarkedformurder
October 26, 2020
The Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series by Lauren Elliott has become one of my favorite cozy series, and A PAGE MARKED FOR MURDER is the best book to date. With its relatable characters, cozy small town setting, and two mysteries to be solved, it is a delightful read, perfect for the chilly winter months.
In this fifth book in the series, protagonist and bookstore owner Addie finds herself in the middle of yet another murder mystery. When someone close to Addie’s assistant Paige is found murdered behind her shop’s neighboring bakery, Addie cannot help but get involved. Bakery owner Martha, who also happens to be Paige’s mother, quickly becomes the prime suspect. In addition to the murder, a prominent member of the community is injured leading Addie to dog sit, Addie’s cousin is trying her last nerve, and a valuable copy of THE SECRET GARDEN that belongs to Paige goes missing. Addie definitely has her sleuthing work cut out for her.
I really like Addie. She is mature and makes a quite capable amateur sleuth. She is smart. Methodical, and does not jump to conclusions. Even though her relationship with the police is not as close as it once was, she is still respectful of them. All of the characters are well developed and entertaining, but the new characters essential to this book are not all likable. I enjoy Pippi the dog and hope Addie gets one of her own. I did not care much for Addie’s cousin Kalea in the previous book, and I hope we have seen the last of her within these pages. The mystery is well plotted and paced just right. Convoluted enough to keep readers guessing through most of the book, there are plenty of suspects and motives to consider.
A PAGE MARKED FOR MURDER is excellent! I look forward to many more adventures featuring Addie and friends. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Publishers and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
In this fifth book in the series, protagonist and bookstore owner Addie finds herself in the middle of yet another murder mystery. When someone close to Addie’s assistant Paige is found murdered behind her shop’s neighboring bakery, Addie cannot help but get involved. Bakery owner Martha, who also happens to be Paige’s mother, quickly becomes the prime suspect. In addition to the murder, a prominent member of the community is injured leading Addie to dog sit, Addie’s cousin is trying her last nerve, and a valuable copy of THE SECRET GARDEN that belongs to Paige goes missing. Addie definitely has her sleuthing work cut out for her.
I really like Addie. She is mature and makes a quite capable amateur sleuth. She is smart. Methodical, and does not jump to conclusions. Even though her relationship with the police is not as close as it once was, she is still respectful of them. All of the characters are well developed and entertaining, but the new characters essential to this book are not all likable. I enjoy Pippi the dog and hope Addie gets one of her own. I did not care much for Addie’s cousin Kalea in the previous book, and I hope we have seen the last of her within these pages. The mystery is well plotted and paced just right. Convoluted enough to keep readers guessing through most of the book, there are plenty of suspects and motives to consider.
A PAGE MARKED FOR MURDER is excellent! I look forward to many more adventures featuring Addie and friends. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Publishers and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
December 31, 2020
I enjoy reading about bookstores and libraries, and I love cozy mysteries, so this is a series that I very much enjoy and look forward to visiting with Addie Greyborne. It is winter in Greyborne Harbor, but they are all busy with the Fire and Ice festival on. Addie has her hands full in this story with not only a murder, but a missing first edition copy of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. When Addie's friends are threatened (suspects in a murder) she jumps into action. As usual, she ruffles some feathers and puts herself in some danger as she hunts down the missing book and tries to figure out who the murderer is. There was no shortage of suspects in this one. Paige, Addie's friend and co-worker and her mother are right in the middle of this one. The murder victim is someone from Paige's past and the book belonged to her (although she did not know what it was worth). I enjoy the setting of small town Greyborne Harbor. Lauren Elliott writes descriptively, so I could feel the cold weather, and see the bookstore, the town, and its quirky residents. This book gives us a look into Paige and Martha, two characters that play a large part in Addie's life. The mystery was well-plotted and developed. There were enough red herrings to keep this reader guessing and when the final reveal came, I was surprised, yet it fit. I enjoyed this one and look forward to the next Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery. Karen White narrated this audiobook and she always delivers a well performed audiobook. I enjoy her delivery and have become accustomed to her voice and expression as she has narrated many other books I have listened to. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
October 15, 2020
4.5 stars
This is the fifth book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore mystery series by Lauren Elliott.
This is definitely becoming one of my favorite series.
Addie is a great protagonist. She doesn’t push her investigations into the local cop’s faces, but she doesn’t stop sleuthing just because they tell her to. There is a lot going on in this story besides the murder outside her friend’s bakery. We also have a missing valuable book and then Addie’s cousin trying to win the affections of a man and pretending to be Addie, not in name. But she makes the man believe the house and businesses are hers and not Addie’s, which drives Addie bananas. And rightly so. I think the deception by her cousin is probably the best part of this since it is what kept me reading just to find out when her cousin’s deceptions would be uncovered.
The mystery aspect of this is very involved and it is able to bring together all the different storylines in this book in a very new bow at the end. That wasn’t an easy task since the whole thing is so convoluted and there are so many people involved in different aspects of this story. I felt a sense of relief and satisfaction at the end when all was said and done.
Overall, it is a great read. You should dive into this cozy series for sure!
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the fifth book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore mystery series by Lauren Elliott.
This is definitely becoming one of my favorite series.
Addie is a great protagonist. She doesn’t push her investigations into the local cop’s faces, but she doesn’t stop sleuthing just because they tell her to. There is a lot going on in this story besides the murder outside her friend’s bakery. We also have a missing valuable book and then Addie’s cousin trying to win the affections of a man and pretending to be Addie, not in name. But she makes the man believe the house and businesses are hers and not Addie’s, which drives Addie bananas. And rightly so. I think the deception by her cousin is probably the best part of this since it is what kept me reading just to find out when her cousin’s deceptions would be uncovered.
The mystery aspect of this is very involved and it is able to bring together all the different storylines in this book in a very new bow at the end. That wasn’t an easy task since the whole thing is so convoluted and there are so many people involved in different aspects of this story. I felt a sense of relief and satisfaction at the end when all was said and done.
Overall, it is a great read. You should dive into this cozy series for sure!
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
February 3, 2023
This is the fifth book of the beyond the page cozy mystery series. Addie lives in a seaside town that her ancestors were founders of. She owns and works at a book store with her friend Paige.
Addie is known for her love and knowledge of books but of also amateur sleuthing.
Its January in the harbour and the town is holding their Fire and Ice festival. Addie is dog sitting for a friend, Gloria, who ends up in the hospital after an accident setting up for the festival. While collecting things for her furry companion at Gloria’s house, she notices a very valuable copy of The Secret Garden on the nightstand. She learns the book belongs to her friend Paige who lent it to Gloria for the bookclub.
Addies week is off to a busy start with the festival, sales, and entertaining her furry friend. She is heading to her shop when she comes across a dead body behind the bakery next door. Martha, the bakery owner and Paige’s mom, has no alibi and has been seen in a heated argument with the victim the day before. The victim being identified as the absent father of Emma, his and Paige’s young daughter.
Addie is gathering clues to help clear Martha’s name when she discovers the valuable book is also missing.
Addie, her friends, and boyfriend Simon all put their heads together to find the real killer. With many possible theories, they work hard to find evidence that points to the real killer.
Im loving this cozy series. Its well written with wit and banter that makes it all the better.
Addie is known for her love and knowledge of books but of also amateur sleuthing.
Its January in the harbour and the town is holding their Fire and Ice festival. Addie is dog sitting for a friend, Gloria, who ends up in the hospital after an accident setting up for the festival. While collecting things for her furry companion at Gloria’s house, she notices a very valuable copy of The Secret Garden on the nightstand. She learns the book belongs to her friend Paige who lent it to Gloria for the bookclub.
Addies week is off to a busy start with the festival, sales, and entertaining her furry friend. She is heading to her shop when she comes across a dead body behind the bakery next door. Martha, the bakery owner and Paige’s mom, has no alibi and has been seen in a heated argument with the victim the day before. The victim being identified as the absent father of Emma, his and Paige’s young daughter.
Addie is gathering clues to help clear Martha’s name when she discovers the valuable book is also missing.
Addie, her friends, and boyfriend Simon all put their heads together to find the real killer. With many possible theories, they work hard to find evidence that points to the real killer.
Im loving this cozy series. Its well written with wit and banter that makes it all the better.
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