Ellie Alexander’s A Murder at the Movies is a delightful addition to her popular, cozy mystery series. Set against the charming backdrop of a vintage cinema, this novel combines a clever plot with engaging characters. The protagonist, whose investigative skills are as sharp as her wit, uncovers secrets hidden beneath the glitz and glamour of the film world. Alexander’s writing is both witty and warm, drawing readers into a world where the stakes are high, but the atmosphere remains irresistibly cozy. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) Fans of the genre will find this book a delightful escape, with its perfect blend of suspense and charm.

I’m quickly falling in love with Ellie Alexander’s latest series. It's smart, easy-to-read, and entertaining.

As always, it’s getting to know the “regular” characters that make a cozy mystery series really fun, and I’m having a blast learning more about Annie and her close circle, which now includes hunky pub-owner Liam. Because of the new characters involved in the film festival, some of the townsfolk that we met in passing in the first book take a backseat in this adventure, but overall, the characters were balanced out very well and it’s never overwhelming.

The victim was fairly obvious from the get-go but there were so many reasons why someone would want him gone that it was quite a job sorting through suspects and motives. Annie is once again looped into the investigation by Prof. Caldwell and Annie’s background in criminology makes it easy to believe that she’s a competent investigator, not just an amateur sleuth.

Annie is also a big part of why I’m enjoying this series so far. She’s smart and logical, but also generous and kind. She’s not perfect though, and feels very real – someone I would definitely want to be friends with in real life.

Since I blew my way through the first two books VERY quickly, I’m overjoyed to learn that Book 3 will be out in just a few months! I can’t wait to see what Annie and her friends do next!

*** Thank you to the publisher, Storm Publishing, for providing me with an e-copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

Book 2 in this new series didn’t disappoint. Many of the same characters are present in this installment, as they work to figure out who killed the disliked but powerful movie critic. With a few different suspects, Annie works to solve the murder alongside detective Caldwell. I did figure out who committed the crime well in advance but it was also because the other suspects were talked about enough that I was able to dismiss them. I did like that Annie and Liam have thawed their relationship and Priya’s crush evolved as well. I’m looking forward to reading book 3.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In Ellie Alexander’s “A Murder at the Movies”, bookseller and events organizer Annie Murray steps into the glitzy world of Hollywood during Redwood Grove’s film festival. But when a film critic meets a Hitchcock-inspired demise, Annie’s instincts tell her it’s no accident. As she unravels dark secrets among the cast and crew, the suspense builds.

Here’s why cozy mystery fans will love this book:

The plot keeps you guessing until the final pages. Hidden agendas and deception abound, making it a delightful puzzle.

Colorful Characters: From scandalous lead actresses to vintage film historians, the cast adds charm and intrigue.

Heart and Humor: Alexander infuses the story with warmth and wit. You’ll root for Annie as she navigates danger.

Readers are raving about this series. It’s fun, fast-paced, and perfect for cozy mystery enthusiasts.

This is the second visit to the small town of Redwood Grove, California and this time Hollywood is in town for a premiere. When an indie director wants to work with Annie and the crew at the Secret Bookcase Annie knows she's in for a chaotic week of dinners, movie premeieres and all kinds of Hollywood politics. But she had no real idea just how much chaos and conflict she was setting herself up for - and when the dead body makes a dramatic entrance things get really busy.

I really enjoyed the mystery and while I had some ideas of how things would turn out I wasn't sure on all the details and there were more than a few surprises. There is a little setup for the next mystery which I'mvery excited about and a bit more information on the mystery that is part of Annie's backstory. There's also a little bit of some romance brewing - maybe!

I really love the setting here and the cast of characters is a lot of fun. And did I mention that the bookshop Annie works at is Agatha Christie themed complete with a secret room?

I loved the context for this book. A clever interesting story with great characters that become very familiar in the series. I struggle with the writing style but read because of the characters and story.

On the heels of her success coordinating a town-wide mystery festival, bookseller Annie Murray gets a call from Hollywood. Word of the festival quickly traveled south to independent film director Heather Hathaway, who is searching for a venue to debut her Alfred Hitchcock-esque movie, Midnight Alibi. Annie eagerly gets to work, once again enlisting the support and involvement of all of the businesses in Redwood Grove. When Heather and the rest of the cast and producers arrive in town, the culture clash is significant. There is an underlying current of hostility that gives Annie a sinking, sickly feeling. Excited ticket holders fill the seats of the town's historic theater to view the film's world premiere. But a body falling from the balcony to the aisle below stops the screening short and sets another murder investigation in motion.

A Murder at the Movies is the second book in veteran cozy mystery writer Ellie Alexander's Secret Bookcase series from Storm Publishing. She expertly immerses readers in the idyllic small town and lures us into a captivating story. Readers also get a few more pieces of the puzzle surrounding the murder of Annie's best friend, a long-game plot point introduced in book one, The Body in the Bookstore. This new series is off to a stellar start, and I have high hopes for Ellie Alexander's storytelling in books to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Great second book! A Murder at the Movies is a fast, entertaining read that keeps you looking forward for the next book! Definitely looking forward to the next one and getting to know all the characters.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. The second in The Secret Bookcase series, It is just as good as the first. Annie is asked to organise a Film Festival weekend for a new movie in Redwood Grove. On the launch night the film critic is murdered.. Annie is soon Involved in trying to find the murderer. As the story develops various secrets are revealed, providing different possibilities. Nothing is fully revealed until the end. Alongside this, Annie and Liam are developing a relationship. I look forward to reading how this works out.
I recommend this book, but suggest the first book is read to understand Annie and the local key characters.

A Murder at the Movies is the second installment of the Secret Bookcase Mystery Series by Ellie Alexander. Annie Murray is overseeing a film festival in the small town of Redwood Grove, California. The movie is a horror movie which isn’t really Annie’s favorite genre but she’s excited to see the premiere. During the first bizarre minutes of the film, there is a loud thud as a body drops from the balcony. At first, the audience thinks it is possible part of the movie but they quickly realize it is a real body. Annie is brought into the investigation by her old college professor (now a local detective) Dr. Caldwell. To add to this, Dr. Caldwell thinks Annie should follow her education into criminology. I enjoyed the book although it did seem slow in parts. I wish they would quit referring to the death of Annie’s friend, Scarlett, in such general terms. What happened and how can Annie solve the mystery after all these years??? The book was a quick read buy not quite to the level of Ellie Alexander’s other series. I’m looking forward to the next installment and hope it answers some of my questions.

This book was fantastic, great mystery that kept me glued to the pages! The characters were fun and well done! I can’t wait to read more in this series! I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

Is this the perfect, cozy mystery?
Yeah, I think it is, actually!
A likeable protagonist, an engaging plot and a charming character gallery. I absolutely adored this story!

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander is a lovely mystery that I couldn't put down. This is a wonderful series.
I can't wait to read the next one to see what happens with Annie and Liam.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Ellie Alexander and her storytelling have done it again. This second book, A Murder at the Movies, in Alexander’s new series – A Secret Bookcase Mystery series – is just as engaging as the first book Body in the Bookstore. Well, maybe even more so since I have already become invested in the main characters and the town of Redwood Grove!

Life has settled down in Redwood Grove after the very successful town-wide mystery weekend. And now Annie is approached by an independent filmmaker, Heather Hathaway, hoping to hold a movie premiere for her new movie “Midnight Alibi”. This sparks a mystery film weekend! I loved how the bookstore had Hitchcock themed displays at the movie theatre. And if we know anything, a simple fun filled weekend is bound to contain at least one tragedy. And indeed it does. When the film critic attending the premiere ends up dead, it has everyone wondering – did he fall from the balcony during the premiere by accident or as a result of nefarious means? And of course – Annie must dust off her sleuthing skills and get to the truth – no matter what it takes.

I enjoyed the way Annie methodically worked through her list of potential suspects, disproving and proving various aspects of the case. Naturally, I can’t give too much (or virtually nothing) away so as to leave the mystery to each individual reader. Let me say though that the winding route Annie takes is an enjoyable journey which kept this reader entertained.

Getting to know the townsfolk of Redwood Grove was a real treat. However, without giving away too much, I am embarrassed by assumptions made from reading the first book in the series. Assumptions were made about Pri’s crush on one particular customer – “Double Americano with cold foam”. I do say though that as a reader, I am very happy to finally have been properly introduced to “Double Americano” and all is good. And Pri is ecstatic to have finally spoken to her crush as well – though with a wee bit of shy stumbling to begin with ☺. Can’t wait to see where this brewing love story may lead.

What an interesting (and fun) way to introduce a new series – by releasing the first two books at the same time. It gave this reader a chance to really get invested in the regular characters. And I must say, there are some pretty terrific recurring characters in this series. I cannot wait to see if Annie decides to pursue a career using her Criminology degree (way to go Dr. Caldwell by keeping Annie in the loop and using her superior deductive reasoning skills), will Annie keep pursuing the truth to find who murdered her best friend Scarlet and finally, will the sparks between Liam and Annie lead to romance or just a solid and deep friendship? Can’t wait to read book three in the series (and I hear a fourth is on the horizon as well!).

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, I would like to suggest picking up A Murder at the Movies, this second book in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series, by Ellie Alexander. Settle down for a read which will keep you guessing as to ‘whodunit’ until the end.

Hollywood is headed to Redwood Grove!After the success of Annie’s Mystery Festival, she gets a call from a Hollywood director looking to for someone to organize a Hitchcock-esque movie premiere. She agrees and the town immediately jumps into help. All is going well until a not so nice Hollywood film critic fall to his death at the premiere…or was he pushed?

I truly love this new series. It was so nice to be able to jump right into the second book. I can’t wait for the third installment! I really really hope to get more of Scarlet’s murder story line. And are we getting a romance between Liam and Annie!?!? Love it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of the story.

As always all opinions are my own!

This is the second installment in the Secret Bookcase mystery series. Annie Murray is enjoying her success from the recent mystery festival and is shocked when Hollywood director Heather reaches out and asks that she assist in having Redwood Grove host the premier of her movie “Midnight Alibi”. Heather has seen social media posts about the festival that Annie and the town recently had and wants to have the premier and have special events at The Secret Bookcase. Although it is only a couple weeks out, Annie is more than happy to try and bring more business to the bookstore and the town. The first nights dinner turns out to be challenging as the movie people all seems to have secrets and there is a lot of tension between Martin the movie critic and Heather, the director, Cora the lead actress and Sam the producer. The next night at the premier Martin is killed and soon Dr. Caldwell the police detective and Annie’s former college professor is asking for her help in solving the case. This was a fast paced mystery that sees Annie enjoying Liam’s company more and struggling with working with Dr. Caldwell full time. Annie once again solves the murder and at the very end there is a teaser regarding Scarlett’s murder. I really enjoyed this story and am really looking forward to the next in the series.

Yet another AMAZING cozy from Ellie Alexander!!

Annie Murray is at it again as she's helping organize an indie movie premiere in her quaint town of Redwood Grove. Annie quickly learns that Hollywood is cut-throat. Mid-premiere a murder occurs and it seems that *everyone* has a motive!

I highly recommend starting with Body In The Bookstore before reading this one. The character building from the first book made this one even more enjoyable!

These Secret Bookcase books are such easy, cozy reads! Written in a way that I feel like I'm solving the mystery alongside Annie. Her character is so likeable! Absolutely love her interactions with her best friend and new possible love interest. I adore the references to Agatha Christie, Hitchcock, and Sherlock Holmes. Such a fun read for fans of classic who-dun-it locked room mystery

My first impression is that I love the cover of this book! This is a great cozy mystery, the town of Redwood grove sounds like a dream. This story was fast paced, and Annie was a very well written main character. I am looking forward to reading more as this series grows!

This second book was even better than the first one. Annie is still looking into her college friend Scarlett's murder but has to put that on hold when she has another murder almost fall completely into her lap.

This time instead of a festival, Annie and the gang are putting on a film fest at the theatre. They were contacted by a Hollywood director who asked to be able to show their movie on screen since their town looks so much like the town in the film. Well, who's going to say no to that?

Expecting a high time at a glamorous horror movie premiere, Annie and all her friends gather to be the first in the world to see this film. Only it doesn't go as well as expected. And Annie has to help investigate once again.

Annie is a lovely character. She's sweet, kind, thinks of everyone but herself and just wants to make her town a tourist destination. She wants everyone to love it the way she does. She's also super intelligent and because of her training in college, is a bit more interesting to see her investigating than a normal amateur sleuth.

I am enjoying all the books in series so far and looking forward to the third book. I highly recommend.

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

This series just keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait for the next book! First of all, I adore the main character, Annie Murray. It’s so fun to solve the clues alongside her.

I was so close to guessing the killer this time; I couldn't figure out the motive, but I did identify the killer.

This book was a feast for Annie and Liam shippers—I loved all their interactions. The chemistry between them adds an extra layer of excitement to the story!!

Thank you, Net Galley and Storm Publishing, for a copy of this ARC.