If you love small town crime books with an hint of Hollywood glam then this book is for you.

This was the perfect palette cleanser. I’ve been in a bit of a rut not enjoying a lot of the books I’ve been reading recently, but this book put me on the right track and it’s just what I needed.

I was sent this book as an eARC, I went into this without reading the first book. While this didn’t affect my experience of the story it was telling. There were elements in the book that I feel I would’ve understood better if I had read the first book first.

Thank you for sending me this book I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to continuing on Annie’s adventure with the third book.

A lovely return to Redwood Grove, with many characters from the first book being further built on and rounded out. The murder is of a universally disliked person which leaves the armchair sleuths amongst readers with a bunch of suspects and red herrings to deal with before the truth will out!
The only downside for me was the somewhat childish relationship between Annie and Liam- the whole "pretend I hate him but really quite fancy him" has worn a bit thin and I would have expected a resolution of the relationship in the early chapters of the book one way or another!
Annie's interactions with the investigators however is very well written and plays on her background in criminology, left behind but perhaps to resurface in book 3?

This time, book seller Annie is helping to organise a big Hollywood movie event in her little cute town. One of the Hollywooders is murdered but there are only 5 or 6 suspects. Not a hard effort to determine the wrong'un. However, neatly written, the twee-ness of the first volume has, thankfully, been toned down, nice characters, enough red herrings as no-one liked the dead person. Annie remains helping the detective and that's a nice relationship - she doesn't interfere as much as in many cosy murders thanks to the detective being her old teacher at 'detective school'. Promise for further stories. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Fans of Ellie Alexander’s Secret Bookcase Mysteries will welcome A Murder at the Movies, where Annie Murray, the protagonist, is excited to plan the premier showing of a Hitchcock inspired movie by producer, Heather Hathaway. Annie loves her job at the bookstore, and she has been successful at planning events in their small town of Redwood Grove that have made the bookstore very successful. After Heather’s arrival, Annie realizes that one of her guests is the infamous film critic, Martin Parker, who is murdered. Annie, along with her boss and co-worker, Fletcher work to find the murderer.

Alexander is a veteran cozy writer and is an excellent storyteller, adding twists and turns and believable scenarios to her novels. She is very skilled at developing her characters, making them seem real. She has even added the obligatory LBGTQ character to follow modern trends (with only 8% of the people being LBGTQ, this is really ridiculous and unnecessary, since most of us want to relate to the characters). Nevertheless, most of the characters are relatable and likeable.

As the story unfolds, several suspects come out, and readers won’t have a clue as to who actually did it. The dénouement has surprises, and readers will want to read quickly to find out just who is guilty. The novel is a quick read and follows all the rules of cozies, so this novel is suitable for all ages. It is fun to read, and readers will want to pick up the other books in the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I love Ellie Alexander book’s. That said, this isn’t among the best. I thought the middle is a bit weak. I’m not sure why. I’m disappointed that it didn’t investigate Scarlets murder & the cold case she was investigating. It gets right to the end then pops in a tremendous teaser about it, Ugg. I did have a feeling about who the killer is in the murder the book was investigating, based on that very clue. #AMurderattheMovies #NetGalley

I read Books 1 & 2 back to back, so this review is for both. There's lots to like in this new series, including a bookstore setting, likeable main and secondary characters, and good, methodical plotting so that there aren't any loose ends. The premise of having town festivals to keep the bookstore and the town in business isn't a new one--but it's done well here. And having various festivals allows for a new set of criminals, red herrings, and victims with each book. Yay!

I will say that the whole trope of the annoying-but-handsome-guy-whom-I-can't-stand-but-secretly-really-like feels very overdone. It makes Annie seem kind of immature...adolescent. I like Annie's background of having a degree in criminology, and the aftermath of the death of her best friend back in college feels meaningful in both books.

While I'd like less tugging on pigtails (metaphorically speaking), I did enjoy both these books, and I'll keep an eye out for Book 3.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another cozy mystery from Ellie Alexander! A Murder at the Movies was the sequel to The Body in the Bookstore and it did not disappoint! This book takes place once again in Redwood Grove, California with our favorite bookseller Annie Murray. This time Annie bring Redwood their first ever Hitchcock style film festival. When a famous and disliked film critic mysteriously dies at the premier Annie is once again called upon by former professor, Dr. Caldwell to help find the killer. Once again there are several people who have ample motive to end the critics life but who did it in the end? I am happy to say I did not know who the killer was until close to the end of the book. This is another cozy mystery for all you murder mystery fans. I adore Annie and her coworker, Fletcher, and boss, Hal. They make such a dynamic team and have such fun-loving relationships. I love that each book adds a bit more information into the death of Annie’s best friend, Scarlet as well as the ever-growing tension between Annie and bar owner ,Liam. Ellie Alexander has created every mystery book lovers dream town and amazing fun loving characters we all wish were real. I cannot wait to read the next in the series, Death at the Dinner Party.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me an advanced copy of this upcoming new release!

✨A Murder at the Movies✨

I had no clue this was the second book in a series but I'm now away to read the first one.

It has:

☠️Murder Mystery
🌇Small Town Setting
🔬Multiple suspects
📚Set in a Bookstore
💖 Likable FMC
🏡Cozy Vibes

This is a cute, cozy, mystery set in a small town🌇I really enjoyed Ellie's writing style and the way she describes characters and I felt I was able to understand this book without having read the first one in the series🌟✨

The plot:

Annie works in a bookshop she adores and when she receives a call to host a premier in her small town, she takes the opportunity with both hands. When the big weekend arrives, Annie realises she has to deal with the big celebrities and their even bigger 'egos'. A famous movie critic is invited along (to which almost all of the guests invited dislike him) and during the weekend, he is found dead☠️

Annie works together with the community, her old colleagues and local police to find the killer and given there are so many suspects, this proves to be challenging but Annie wants to solve the mystery.
__________

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. It's not my normal genre but it was very refreshing to read something new and exciting and I'm now away to find more books that are similar to this one💖

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Murder at the movies is fantastic! After I read the first book in this series I was so glad the second book was already available.

Annie Murray works in a bookstore along with Fletcher and Hal. She has kind of taken on the role of town event planner. A movie director has contacted her and wants her to help be the point of contact for an indie movie premier.

As the movie cast and associates come to town they bring along a lot of drama. A nasty movie reviewer is murder the night of the movie premier. Annie helps solve the murder.

Annie best friend was murder when they were in college. Book 1 begins to tell the story and more of the story is reveal in this book. A definite cliffhanger is revealed on the last page! I can’t wait for the next book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, opinions express in this review are completely my own.

A Murder at the Movies is book 2 in this new series by Ellie Alexander. I have been a big fan of this author and continue to enjoy her writing and her stories. What draws me to cozy mysteries is that they are very character driven. Ms. Alexander has introduced an wonderful new set of characters that resonate with me as a reader from the beginning. In addition to the cast of characters, Ms. Alexander sets this in her traditional small town setting which she does so well. The characters combined with the setting allow her to craft a series and plot that keep the reader engaged and turning pages to find out the identity of the murderer. I also like that in the background there is the mystery about the murder of the protagonists best friend. It is something that simmers in the background but just enough that you want Annie to uncover a clue or make some progress.

This is an enjoyable series so far and fans of this author will certainly be delighted with these books.

Ellie Alexander, the queen of cozy mysteries, does it again with A Murder at the Movies, delivering another captivating and delightful read. This time, our beloved protagonist Annie is thrilled to be organizing Redwood Grove's first film festival. However, the excitement quickly turns to shock when an infamous film critic falls to his death during the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller. Annie’s sharp instincts tell her that this was no mere accident.

As she delves into the mystery, Annie discovers that many members of the cast, crew, and festival guests have their own dark secrets. From a lead actress with a scandalous past to a film historian fiercely protective of his vintage reel collection, everyone seems to be hiding something.

As a fan of Ellie Alexander, I anticipated a highly readable and entertaining cozy mystery, and A Murder at the Movies certainly delivered. The plot is engaging and filled with twists, keeping me on my toes. The mystery is well-crafted, and I must admit, I didn’t figure out the culprit ahead of time, which only added to the fun.

Annie continues to be a delightful protagonist, and it’s refreshing to see her collaborating with the detective, which isn’t common in many other cozy mysteries. This dynamic adds a new layer to the investigation and makes the story even more enjoyable.

One thing to note is that the overarching mystery surrounding Annie’s best friend's murder, introduced in the first book, doesn't play a significant role in this installment. However, this leaves me eagerly anticipating future books in the series to see how that storyline unfolds.

A Murder at the Movies is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery with a compelling plot, engaging characters, and plenty of surprises. Ellie Alexander’s ability to blend charm, suspense, and a touch of humor makes this book a must-read for fans of the genre. If you're looking for a fun and exciting read, look no further than A Murder at the Movies.

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

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6562455425
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Loved!
I have loved this book so far, it’s just such an amazing carry on to the first book, it has a lovely easy flow which is nice to read, you don’t get bored because you literally have no clue at all who the killer is and a little romance also!

I found my self feeling like I was one of the friends just enjoy the tea when it gets to gossiping bits!

Cannot wait for the new books!

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

As with most cosy crime you do need to suspend belief in reality and wallow in the joy of the small town of Redwood Grove. I read this is one sitting and it’s a nice easy holiday read, would I read more. Actually yes, I’ve become quite invested in who killed Scarlett and what the latest clue is and what will happen with Annie’s fledgling relationship with Liam. So really quite an addictive series

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander is the second book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series.

After the smashing success of the Mystery Fest a few months ago, Annie Murray's place of business, the Secret Bookcase, is in the black. Not only that, but the store has also gotten some good publicity. Annie gets a call from a director in Hollywood who wants to have her movie premiere in Redwood Grove. She asks Annie to help coordinate with the local movie theater to show the movie there. She also wants Annie to set up a small dinner at the local bar, the Stag Head, which is owned by Liam Donovan, Annie's arch enemy, the night before the showing. Annie agrees to help the director.

However, once the cast and crew arrive at the Stag Head, Annie realizes that Hollywood is not as glittery as it seems. The director, Heather Hathaway, is a nervous wreck. If she doesn't get a glowing review from the most difficult movie critic in Hollywood, Martin Parker, her career is over. The dinner turns disastrous when an unexpected guest arrives. Things only get worse the night of the premiere when Martin Parker is killed during the movie. Annie is horrified that this could happen in her serene little town of Redwood Grove, and is determined to figure out who killed the egotistical critic before someone else gets hurt.

I loved this book! Annie is such a great character.. Everyone seems to gravitate towards her. I especially liked her burgeoning relationship with Liam. We also got introduced to a couple new characters. I love how the story feels so genuine. It is not just about the mystery, but about the people in the town. I can't wait to read the next one!

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read the eARC of #AMurderattheMovies.

A great second entry in a fun new series! Alexander continues to write charming, lovable characters in a cozy town with enough intrigue to keep me guessing. The premise of a movie premiere captured me less than the mystery festival of book 1, but it did pay off. I guessed the key detail early on, but I wasn’t set on my belief in the who the killer was, so it still had the element of surprise in the end. The long-term mystery of Scarlet’s death (and the growing tension with Liam) makes me anxiously await book 3.

A Murder at the Movies is the second book in Ellie Alexander's Secret Bookcase Mystery series. And after the huge success of her weekend mystery themed festival in the first title of the series, Annie has now been contacted by an Indie film director to assist in bringing a film festival and the premiere of a new thriller movie to town!

The opening night was an interesting start to this film festival. The Hollywood crew: director, producer, star of the movie, a film critic, plus a local man who has a classic collection of Hitchcock film reels, all join Annie and her friends at a big Italian dinner hosted by the owner of the restaurant, Liam. The evening starts off with a bang as an unexpected guest arrives, and then the film critic shows his true colors.

The following day is the movie premiere, and that's where our mystery really begins. During the movie, a flickering sequence starts, and something large is heard falling from above! We soon learn that someone has been thrown over the theater balcony, and Annie is right there to administer CPR, but it's too late for our victim to be saved. Annie is upset by the outcome of the town's first film festival and is now determined to help the police in figuring out exactly what happened to the victim.

In addition to the movie premiere, Annie also finds herself needing to make some difficult decisions when her old college professor, Dr. Caldwell, now the local detective, asks her to think about coming back to criminology. This leaves us wondering if Annie will quit her retail job at the Secret Bookcase to pursue the career that she dreamed of before her best friend, Scarlet, was murdered ten years ago.

I have thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series, and I'm really looking forward to reading more about the relationship that has been building between Annie and Liam throughout the stories. I absolutely love all of the characters as well as the setting of Redwood Grove, California. The mysteries are well plotted and keep the reader guessing right up until the end. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series to find out what will happen next!

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for the opportunity to read the eARC of #AMurderattheMovies.

I’m already a fan of this new cozy mystery series and it’s only two books in! This second book is at least as good as the first one, The Body In The Bookstore. What a great idea to release the first two books simultaneously. It gives the reader a chance to really get invested in the regular characters. And this series has some terrific recurring characters.

The setting is a small town in northern California called Redwood Grove. And we have book lovers and a mystery-centric bookstore. Annie Murray has worked at the Secret Bookcase for over 8 years and after holding a wildly successful town-wide mystery weekend, she is approached by an indie filmmaker to organize a movie premiere of her noir-style movie. Annie organizes a town-wide event for the premiere, with Hitchcock-themed displays and events around town.

When an influential film critic dies during the premiere, Annie gets to use her criminology background once more.

There’s an overarching mystery that will continue into future books, the mystery of who killed Annie’s best friend and classmate, Scarlet, right before their graduation. There’s also a developing relationship with a restaurant owner, Liam, which may end up as a love interest or may instead mature into a deep friendship. It also looks like Pri, Annie’s best friend and coffee shop owner, may also have a budding romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A Murder at the movies is a good who done it mystery book. This was a fast and easy read. I did enjoy this book. This is book 2 in the series I would recommend reading book 1 first although I don't feel like it seemed like I missed anything major. This is a good mystery series that I would recommend if you are looking for a good mystery that isn't full of gore.

A Murder at The Movies is a fun sequel in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. I really enjoy the characters and I liked that we learn a little more about support characters as well as Annie’s past in this book. There are lots of red herrings and twists throughout. I did not figure out who the killer was until a few pages before it was revealed. I can’t wait for book 3 so I can return to Redwood Grove!

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