I got to read this book as an arc from Net Galley. The past few months I read a few cozy mysteries that revolved around a bookstore. So when I saw this cover and title I was very intrigued . The summary of the book completely caught my attention and so I decided to give it a chance.
This book was very thrilling and mysterious. I didn't know who the killer was till the very end when everything was revealed . For me this book is 4.5 stars only because at the beginning it was very slow and it took a bit for the plot to progress but after the first 100 pages ,everything picked up.  For me it felt like I was watching a movie because we were watching everything from the eyes of the main character, Annie, and it really felt like we were solving the mystery with her. I connected with the character quite a lot by the end of the book and I will for sure pick up the next book when it comes out.  
For those who might wonder. There was also a romance sub plot but we didn't see much of it till the end of the book so I hope that we will see a lot more of it in the next book. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cozy but thrilling mystery.

I was quite excited to start this new series by Ms. Alexander, as I enjoy her other series quite a lot. I was not disappointed. I do find this new series to be a little darker than the others, but I was immediately caught up with Annie, our main character and the bookstore she is desperately trying to save. The Secret Bookcase, a boutique Agatha Christie type bookstore, in off the beaten track, Redwood Grove, California, is a beautiful store in an English type Manor House, in a lovely small town. The job here helped Annie keep moving and find something to be passionate about after the lost of her best friend Scarlet just as they were graduating from college. With her career in criminology blowned up in her face, her love of reading was the thing. With the store struggling, Annie, with the help of her colleague Fletcher, set about getting the whole town involved in the idea of a Mystery Festival. With months of work behind them, the town and book store are ready for the three day event, with author panels and signings, pub crawls, store promotions, and mysteries with clues all over town and prizes Unfortunately what shows up with all the tourists is three of Annie's former classmates, who she hasn't seen since college, and when of them is murdered, it would appear that somehow Annie's past has followed her. Come along for the ride as we see if Annie can help figure out what is happening as her worlds collide. Thanks to #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for the opportunity to read!#TheBodyintheBookstore, #EllieAlexander, #bookreview, #bookideas #retiredreader

"The Body in the Bookstore" was a fabulous read; I enjoyed every page. It's refreshing to start a new series, especially one written by Ellie Alexander. What captivated me immediately were the rich details and vivid descriptions that pulled me right into the lives of each character. Annie Murray became my new best friend, and together, we were set on solving a mystery.

This book evoked a sense of nostalgia with its immersive Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes-inspired bookstore. The characters and festival transported me back to my first love of reading Christie’s novels. I wished I were part of this fictional world—it was that captivating. Can you imagine a Secret Bookcase?

Just when I thought I had figured out the murderer, I found myself right by Annie's side, using my amateur sleuthing skills to piece together the motives and uncover the culprit. I loved how this fictional world intertwined with my love for books. It was a great read, perfectly paced to enjoy each page as though you were part of the storyline.

I really enjoyed the small town setting, the awesome bookstore, and the super cool mystery fest that I would to visit someday (I heard it based on a real event) There were some parts of this that I had a bit of trouble with, one is that the love interest Liam comes off as a huge jerk and I have a hard time seeing how Annie is going to get past his previous treatment of her and the things she loves.
I thought the mystery was good, but it didn't seem like Annie did much investigating. either she would ask questions and the suspects would immediately give answers or they would just come up to her on their own and confess whatever was troubling them and ask her to talk to the cops. Oh, and one of the detectives on the case is her old professor in college and it seems like she is all in on asking Annie to help her with the case. This seems a bit odd considering Annie never did any police work after college.
Those few issues aside I did like Annie a great deal, along with her bestie Priya, the guy she works with, and her boss Hal. The setting was beautiful, and I did enjoy the mystery. I think while this first book wasn't a new favorite it definitely has potential and I will be continuing the series.

A new series for this author draws you immediately into the story. Annie Murray has a criminology degree, but works in a mystery bookstore. The town needs a boost so Annie and her bookstore co-workers decide to host a mystery festival which will involve all the businesses in town who wish to participate. When the festival begins some of Annie's college friends are part of the gathering and when one of them is murdered in the secret bookcase at the bookstore, Annie is the one to discover the body. Annie is enlisted by her former instructor to help find the murderer. An interesting twist in how characters get involved in crime solving. This book grabs your attention and keeps you reading. Well written, nicely paced and strong characters. Looking forward to the next installment of this series!

A new series from Ellie Alexander and what a great start. A cosy small town, a mystery festival and a bookstore…I needed to read it. I just devoured this book. The scene setting in Redwood Grove was charming and like always Ellie has the talent to draw you into this wonderful cosy world. I enjoyed the character development and could especially relate to the FMC. The side characters were great as well. What I also enjoyed was the darker tone of this book with the cosy mystery vibe intact. There were clues, twists and turns, red herrings and enough to let me turn those pages like a mad woman. The only downside of the book is that you have to wait for the next book. I highly recommend this book if you love books, mystery, and small towns.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

Well I do share something in common with Ellie Alexander, we both discovered Agatha Christie books in our teenage years. A great idea for a thriller with a bookstore being the focal point of the book and I had not guessed the killer. I am sure the internet has been the ruin of many bookshops in recent years so it was good to see the bookshop featured in this book thrive after some innovative ideas. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ellie Alexander for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Body in the Bookstore coming out June 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’m obsessed with cozy mysteries, especially when they’re set around books and bookstores! I loved the beginning started off pretty dark with a tragic backstory for the main character. Annie is a strong heroine. I loved that there was a mystery themed festival in the small town. Everything felt very quaint and spooky. I love the whodunnit format of the book. I loved the writing. There’s a slew of interesting characters. I definitely think this will be a favorite series of mine. I already have the second book in the series, so I’m excited to read it!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys bookish cozy mysteries!

This was my first book by Ellie Alexander. She's been on my to be read list for a very long time. And you know what? I wasn't disappointed. I love the twist on Annie being a student in criminology and that in turn being what has her helping in the investigation. Very clever. That way she's not just 'accidentally' falling into being an amateur sleuth. Nothing wrong with that, it's just what a lot of cozies have happen.

I also loved how Annie's friend's murder is something that will be the catalyst for the next book. That is such a great idea. I'm excited to read the next book in the series. I love Annie's friends. They're an eclectic group of people who I would love to hang out with. They all have such big personalities; you can see why they love Annie as well. Especially Hal.

Books have helped me out with difficult things in the past and I am happy that they are the things that have led Annie into being able to start a new chapter in her life and be able to move on from Scarlett's death. I do believe that she will be able to find out what happened in the next book and be able to heal the scar on her heart.

The killer was a genius idea too. I would have never guessed that someone would be so ballsy but dang, I did not see that ending coming. Once it started, I couldn't put the book down, I enjoyed it so much!

I had so much fun reading this book and I will most definitely be reading more from this author. I recommend!

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Ellie Alexander for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are honest and are completely my own.

This is a fun start to a new cozy series. I love when there are likable characters to cheer for. This book has all of the best of the cozy mystery genre. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Ellie Alexander [author of one of my favourite book series, the Sloan Krause Mysteries] has a new series and it has all the hallmarks of being one of my new absolute favourite series!

Meet Annie Murray. She works at the best bookstore in Redwood Grove, The Secret Bookcase, and she has a fabulous idea to drum up more business for the too quiet bookstore... a mystery fest weekend involving the whole town. Or it as a good idea, until a body is discovered behind a secret bookshelf in the bookstore. Suddenly Annie is thrown back into solving a crime, one that is feeling eerily similar to the death of her college best friend all those years ago.

The Body in the Bookstore is a wonderful introduction to a new series, and after just this first book I am forever hooked. Like I want to run away to Redwood Grove, work at The Secret Bookcase, with Annie, Fletcher [a self-declared Sherlockian scholar] and Hal [who is convinced he is THE Agatha Christie's grandson]. Together the trio create a charming atmosphere in this beautiful bookstore, even more mysterious because it is the place a murder happens!

Ellie Alexander hooks the reader in from the start. Annie has a tragic back story involving the unsolved murder of her best friend in college, and she is starting over in Redwood Grove. Naturally she is the perfect person to help solve the murder, as she has a degree in criminology and works in a mystery bookshop! It was a delight to take the adventure alongside her, as she picked up clues with her friend, Priya, and they try to solve the crime.

I simply loved everything about The Body in the Bookstore. With enough mystery references to make my mystery-loving heart soar, the story runs at a fast pace and leaves readers absolutely enthralled.

If you're like me and you need to pick up the next book right away you're in luck! The second book in the series, A Murder at the Movies, at the same time, so readers will be able to binge this wonderful series.

Ellie Alexander does it again! She's managed to create a strong main character in Annie that you want to root for to find her way. The fictional town of Redwood Grove was close knit, endearing, and full of a full cast of characters that I look forward to learning more about in future installments. Hal, Pri, Fletcher, and Caroline all added to the ambiance of the town, and I can tell that they will add to the quirkiness of future story lines. I am also intrigued to learn more about Scarlet's murder in book 2.

This is a promising start to a new series - the setting is interesting and the characters are interesting. There is a lot going on here though because the main character has a complicated backstory, and so I think that means the actual mystery that this book is centred on is less complex that you’re expecting. I would read more though - there’s enough hanging threads to make me come back.

A nice start to a new series. A bookish/author centered cozy mystery. Several interesting characters. A bit of a back story mystery that will continue. Great location for a body. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary. I look forward to reading the next one in this delightful series.

I really enjoyed this book, it is a real, old fashioned, cosy mystery.
Annie Murray studied criminology at uni but after the murder of her best friend a disillusioned Annie left law enforcement behind and found that she loved working in a small bookshop in the quaint small town of Redwood Grove.
The Secret Bookshop was owned by Hal Christie and run by Annie and her co worker Fletcher. Hal was worried, the bookshop wasn't doing well, it will probably have to close but Annie and Fletcher weren't going down without a fight, they would mobilise the whole town in a mystery weekend. The events would be based at the bookstore but the hunt for clues would include all the shops, pubs, eateries etc in the town, everyone was on board, well almost everyone, this would inject some money into the town.
Annie was astounded when three of her ex collage classmates turned up out of the blue, was it a coincidence ? what did they want ?
Everything was going well, the tills were ringing with money, everyone was happy......that was until the body of one of Annie's college friends turned up in the small room behind the moving bookcase at The Secret Bookcase.
This story is fast paced, it has wonderful characters, there are so many suspects and I must admit that I had them all convicted at some point in the story. It is a convoluted tale, the murder is being investigated by Annie's ex college tutor who enrols Annie's help, there are plenty of red herrings, there is suspense, it will make you laugh, it will have you guessing and it even hints at romance in following books.
Thank you Net Gallery and Storm Publishing for my ARC, my review is voluntary.

Annie Murray is a bookseller and event coordinator at the Secret Bookcase and shares her cottage with feline Professor Plum in Redwood Grove, California. Annie loves working for the owner Hal and with colleague Fletcher in the mystery bookstore inspired by Agatha Christie, complete with a secret room in the reconverted old manor house. Sales have been dwindling over the years and a revival is needed as Annie wants to avoid Hal initiating a conversation of closure. An interactive mystery-themed book festival for booklovers involving the whole town might be an uplift in the revenue stream for the bookstore and all the businesses in town. Who knew the influx of visitors would include classmates Annie has not seen since college and even her favorite professor?

Cozy mysteries about bookstores immediately entice my attention, having moonlighted in a bookstore while working full-time as a librarian and attending grad school. This magical read, with its engaging plot, has quickly become my top favorite in the genre. The author's descriptive writing style immediately drew me in, painting picturesque scenes from the first chapter. My first 2 favorites are…
"…blooming dogwoods, sherbet-colored roses, and the promise of everything to come."
"… hours evaporated like raindrops on a hot July afternoon."

The business and restaurant names add to the atmosphere of the setting. Imagine the food and drink offerings at Salsa Street Grill (food truck), Stag Head (pub), Cryptic Coffee, State of Mind Public House (pub), and Grand Hotel. There's also shopping at Artifacts (vintage boutique) and nature delights in Oceanside Park. But beyond the names, let your imagination run wild with the architectural descriptions of the exterior and interior of the buildings. Don't imagine dry academic descriptions but colorful and charming visions of a small town you want to visit in person, except it's a fictional offering that offers the most pleasurable #armchairtravel.

*Did you catch the asterisk * after the release date in the heading of my review? I saw the author's post, "Do you want to know a secret?" on Instagram, saying that "A Murder at the Movies" (Book 2 in the series) will be released on the same day! Exceptional News: 2 books will be Released in the Same Series on the Same Day!

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

This charming mystery novel introduces Annie and the delightful staff of The Secret Bookcase, a unique bookstore in Redwood Grove, California. When a body is discovered during a town-wide mystery festival, Annie's background in criminal justice becomes crucial as she works alongside the local detective to uncover the truth. The engaging plot, well-developed characters, and cozy small-town atmosphere make this a compelling start to a promising new series. A must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and book-themed adventures.

A new series with Annie and the staff of The Secret Bookcase.
The bookshop is hosting a Mystery themed weekend that takes place in the shops of the town.
A body is found in a secret room of bookshop .There seems to be more than one suspects.
Really good second characters, lots of drama,with twists.
A good mystery.
Voluntarily reviewed.

This book was AMAZING! A great start to a new series, I loved the characters and the mystery was well done. I can’t wait to read more in this series! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

This author's Bakeshop series is one of my top 3 favorites, and I was glad to see write a book-themed series.
Annie works at a bookstore in a small Northern California town, even though her college degree is in Criminal Justice. She has planned a town-wide Mystery Festival and is surprised to see three former classmates attending the festival. One of the classmates is found dead in the bookstore's secret bookcase where clues for a scavenger hunt are hidden. Annie is glad to find that her favorite CJ college professor is now the town's detective, and they work together to find the killer. There is also a backstory involving her college BFF, who was killed, but very few details are given.