On this second trip to Redwood Grove Hollywood is here! There is a movie premiere and of course tragedy hits. This book kept me guessing until the last chapter. I love how Liam is getting closer and Pri has hopefully found a partner. Looking forward to book 3!

I loved this one too! The characters are becoming familiar and the longing to visit this bookstore is real! A bit of a different setting in this installment. I did figure out the murderer but it was a good reveal. And I love the blossoming romances between Pri and Penny and of course Liam and Annie.

Quotes:

How do you let go of the past? Is it possible, when trauma haunts you like a ghost lingering in the shadows, it’s sorrowful whispers echoing through every memory?

As my longest and most faithful companion, he was the other half of many of my conversations and my four legged confidant.

Come by tomorrow. Coffee in exchange for the tea.

Candy is the antidote to any good horror film, didn’t you know that?

Why did my heart have to tick like a bomb waiting to explode as he came closer?

Liam Donovan was officially under my skin and not in a bad way. We were entering dangerous territory, dancing on the edge of a love/hate relationship that was shifting further and further away from hate. I didn’t know what it meant yet, but I did know that this experience had tethered us together and I was going to have to confront my growing attraction to him soon.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Ellie Alexander for another amazing cozy!

In this second book of the series, Annie Murray is asked to help film director Heather Hathaway with a premier of her new movie, Midnight Alibi. All is coming together nicely until the opening dinner at Liam Donovan's Stag Head Pub. There, entitled critic Martin Parker picks fights with nearly everyone in attendance, Cora Mitchell, lead actress, Sam Brudges, producer, Rufus Wells, vintage film collector, and especially Heather. Martin invited an unexpected "special guest" Izzy, Heather's rival director. Martin is overheard to tell Heather he will tank her movie with his review. He argues with Rufus about the vintage reels on display. Cora, Sam and Izzy also have issues with him.
At the premier, the film is started, but someone has inserted a strobe effect sequence and a body tumbles off the balcony. Of course, it is the universally hated critic. Again, Dr. Caldwell asks for Annie's help. Annie finds plenty of motives from all the movie people. She gets help from her co-workers, Fletcher and bookstore owner, Hal, her barista friend, Priya, and, surprisingly Liam Donovan.
A very surprise ending with an unlikely villain.
The best part of the book is the development of relationships between the characters and the introduction of the "mystery" person Priya had a crush on in the first book.
I am really enjoying this series an look forward to a LOT more books!

Literary Cozy Mystery following a CA Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookseller and events organizer turns sleuth after a critic dies during the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired film.

5/5 stars: Alexander's a favorite author and doesn't disappoint with this second entry in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series, which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place is California and features a bookseller and event organizer, with a criminology degree, who works at an Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookstore. With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I continue to really enjoy the overarching plot of the cold case murder investigations. Additionally, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Annie's a great character and her grief over her best friend's unsolved murder is still something she deals with. I really like Annie friends and colleagues at the Secret Bookcase, Hal and Fletcher, and the eclectic townsfolk of Redwood Grove. And I very much love the “I hate him but boy is he hot” relationship with Liam, the bar owner. And of course one mustn't forget Annie's adorably named cat, Professor Plum. Alexander touches on some serious subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Body in the Bookstore.

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

Readers, something very wonderful is happening. Ellie Alexander is giving us not one but TWO Secret Bookcase Mysteries next week! I'm here to share my absolute delight in the second book in the series, A Murder at the Movies.

Following the success of the Mystery Fest, our favourite bookseller in Redwood Grove, Annie Murphy, is organizing a movie festival, around the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller indie movie, Midnight Alibi. However, not all goes to plan when a movie critic is killed at the premiere, leaving Annie and her friends to take up the roll of sleuths again and find a killer.

I adored the first book in this series, The Body in the Bookstore. It gives off modern-day Agatha Christie vibes and I just loved it to itty bitty pieces. Naturally with the second book being released with the first, I couldn't resist a double header. Well, let me just say if you liked The Body in the Bookstore you are simply going to love A Murder at the Movies.

With the backdrop of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller, Ellie Alexander delivers a perfect mystery in time for a day of summer reading outside! I've never seen a Hitchcock movie, and maybe I'm not quite ready for that either!, but I was ready to learn about a movie great and try and solve a mystery that left me on the edge of my seat!

With red herrings being thrown at every corner, even the most seasoned mystery reader might have trouble solving this one before Annie. However, with a well-placed clue early on, I was able to pick up the clues, toss the herrings aside, and find the killer, which naturally is always my favourite thing to do!

"Does working out mean reading heavy hardcovers of Sherlock?" I said with one eye narrowed. "That counts. That counts."

Apart from the mystery, the reason I come back to cozies is because of the characters. Ellie Alexander writes characters with layers. No one-dimensional characters here! I love how each book is slowly peeling back some of those layers, especially for Annie and Liam. Meanwhile, all my other favourite characters, Hal, Fletcher and Priya, are here and there is a little bit of adventure in their lives too!

If you are looking for a challenging mystery, with diverse, interesting characters this series is well worth a read! Beware though, Ellie Alexander is going to have you counting down the days until the next one!

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭? 𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬, 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲?

I dove right into this second installment after gasping over the cliffhanger from book one! Annie Murphy is still reveling in the success of Redwood Grove's first annual mystery festival when she receives a call to host a film festival. She never saw herself as an events planner, but she rolls up her sleeves and rallies the neighboring businesses to make it happen.

Among the guests is an infamous film critic who can ruin a producer and a film before the public even sees it. When he plummets to his death from a balcony in the theater during the screening, the list of suspects is plentiful.

Woven into the mystery of course are threads of the subplot, which is Annie coming one step closer to finding out who killed her best friend years before when they were about to graduate with their criminology degree. I am so ready for book three! Look for this title and the first in the series, THE BODY IN THE BOOKSTORE on June 19, 2024. Thank you to Storm Publishing for my early copy.

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander is the second in the series that takes place in a small California art town. The main character, Annie, works at an amazing-sounding bookstore but has a side gig as a sort of intern to a local detective. Annie is asked to organize a premiere weekend for a murder mystery film, and the hijinks ensue.

I’ve enjoyed other books by this author quite a bit, but this one didn’t really engage me the way that I expected it to. I did like Annie, she is smart, and has an interesting background ( I probably should have read the first in the series for more on that). She doesn’t go running into danger without letting others know what she is doing. However, she refuses to be friends with the person that will be the love interest apparently because he doesn’t like her favorite reading genre. Annie’s best friend, Pri, is awesome, and I enjoyed their interactions.

There were a good number of suspects, but the final reveal wasn’t too surprising. While there was a somewhat flimsy motivation for the murder, there really was no explanation of how it happened the way that it did, which left me wanting more explanation. Usually, the police try to keep the civilian from investigating, even if they do finally start sharing information and listening to their ideas. Here, the detective actively seeks out Annie, because she studied criminology of some sort. It is a good way to go over theories of the crime from a writing perspective but just seemed like such a far stretch for the police to bring in a student.

Overall, this hit all the cozy vibes for a picturesque town, good friends, yummy food, and interesting premise, it just misses on some of the details. I will likely give the next one a try to see if this is worth continuing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy of A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander in exchange for an honest review. It publishes June 19, 2024.
A strong second-installment in the Secret Bookcase series from Ellie Alexander, we are back in Redwood Grove, CA for another gathering. This time, a movie premiere! This book is so fun, I loved to learn about movies, directors, and premieres, and getting to imagine being there! I found this to have a strong mystery, and it had me guessing to the very end, but I did get it in the end, however, I doubted myself the whole time! The cliffhanger has me waiting for the third book!

Started June 11, 2024
Finished June 13, 2024
This is book two in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. I finished book one and then immediately read book two. I’m enjoying this series and will definitely continue!

This book centers around a movie premiere. After the success of the Mystery Fest in book one, Hollywood stars come to the small town of Redwood Grove to premier their latest horror movie, Midnight Alib. Actors, producers and an angry film critic descend on the town. During the premiere a person is killed. Is someone sabotaging the movie premiere? Are one of the Hollywood stars to blame for the murder?

If you are looking for a quick cozy mystery this is for you. I liked how our main character is working with the police. The police chief is the former college professor of our main protagonist Annie, so there is some nice history there. Annie helps out the police with the investigation, but not in an overbearing way. I liked how there is possibly a romance brewing between Annie and another character in the book, I’m interested to see how that pans out.

Thank you Storm Publishing and Ellie Alexander for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander the 2nd instalment in the "A Secret Bookcase Mystery" series. I was really happy to dive into book 2 right away and now I’m anxiously awaiting book 3.

Determined to unravel the mystery, Annie must sift through a tangled web of hidden agendas and deception to expose the killer before they strike again. Can she crack the case and save her film festival – or will she find herself in the spotlight?

I was delighted to return to the charming town of Redwood Grove and the Secret Bookcase bookstore. In this latest instalment, Annie is busy planning a movie premiere, and I loved seeing the growth of side characters like Pri and Liam. The reveal of the mysterious Double Americano's identity was a great surprise! I'm now rooting for Annie and Liam to take their friendship to the next level and eager to uncover Liam's hidden past.

Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters next!

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Storm Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Annie and the rest of the staff of the Secret Bookcase are thrilled that the mystery festival was so successful, but they’re all surprised when a Hollywood director wants to hold the premiere of her new movie in Redwood Grove, and wants Annie to organize a Hitchcock-themed film festival featuring her movie. But when a man falls to his death during the premiere, Annie is once again asked by her former criminology professor to assist with the investigation.

This is the second book in a new series by one of my favorite cozy authors, and I really liked the first book, so it wasn’t surprising that this book was just as good. The setting has been established, although readers are getting to know more details about the town of Redwood Grove. The characters who have returned from the first book will likely be the recurring cast of characters throughout the series, which makes me happy. They all work together relatively well, even though there appears to be at least one person who is reluctantly becoming part of the core group. I love Annie’s cat, Professor Plum, who is taking part in the investigation of a previous crime, whether he knows it or not.

The victim in this story was not well-liked, and almost everyone associated with the movie had a secret or two that could be motivation to kill him, so the suspect list was lengthy for most of the book. It wasn’t until shortly before the confrontation scene in the story that I started to put things together, although I didn’t quite work out the motive. The resolution of said confrontation was almost predictable, but it still made me happy.

I will definitely keep an eye out for the third book in the series, which I’m eager to read so I can find out what happens next in several of the story lines that weren’t wrapped up in this book.

Great book overall, I wish i knew it was a book 1 so I could have caught onto certain parts in the story. But I’m smart so I figured it out as I went along.
This was my first mystery book, where we are trying to figure out who the killer is.
I was intrigued by the cover of the book because of my obsession with going to the movies! I just knew this book was for me. And it was. Of course it took some time for the story to build up, remember it is like a puzzle and have to put all the pieces together.
Quick summary of the book is a bookstore employee Annie is given this opportunity to host a huge “Hollywood” movie fulfilled weekend festival in a small town…but in the mist of the movie, someone is MURDERER! Yes murder in the movies ( hint the title).. 🍿🍿🍿 yes get your popcorn because you will be on a ride throughout this book to find out who the killer is.
Is it the director, producer , writer, one of the case members, someone from the bookstore??
WHO IS THE KILLER?

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Hollywood glam at a local film festival turns into a nightmare. Bookstore owner is excited to bring the festivities into action until a murder takes placed. In this hickock-themed cozy read will have you on the edge of your se? Murder imitates art in this delightful read.

This is the second book in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery by Ellie Alexander. And it is again, so beautifully written. I really can’t get enough of this author and I will be hunting down her other books.

Redwood Grove, a small community village which has everything you could expect, including the vintage movie theatre where the Murder Fest Film Premiere of the movie ‘Murder Alibi’ will be screened and this weekend, murder!

Heather, a very stressed out ‘Hollywood’ movie director and producer who represents the author of the book ‘Murder Alibi’ that the film is based on, has asked Annie who works in “The Secret Bookcase” in the village, a job she loves, to assist her with the staging of the events, beginning with a dinner for 30 guests at the local tavern “The Stags Head”. This does not go too well mainly because of the arguments, the side eyes and especially as one of the guests is so sufferable (I would have personally wanted to strangle them right there)!!

The following day is the actual film Premiere and then, during the screening of the movie, the inevitable happens the insufferable so so gets killed. And so begins the task of trying to identify the killer or killers of the victim.

There are a lot of memory flashbacks by Annie pertaining to her friend Scarlet, who was murdered where the killer never found. Annie thinks it might have been because of a cold case Scarlet was working on when they were both at university together. She’s also offered a job with the police department, as a criminologist, by her former Professor Dr Caldwell who she studied criminology at university and earned her degree on the subject with. So there are lots of clues pertaining to a follow-up book.

Anyway, Annie follows all the clues as she’s been taught and deciphers who the killer is, but is attacked by him who is then captured and all is well in Redwood Grove. This book reminded me of “The Maid”. Where a sweet young girl gets caught up in a murder and solves it. It did have me hooked in places and I did read it in two settings (I was reading another book at the same time). It’s also sweet love story in the making. But it is actually worth a read, if you like Cozy Mysteries, I would highly recommend it. Can’t actually wait for book two.

This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I didn’t know that this was actually the second book of the series. I wondered why parts were being mentioned but not elaborated on. I chose to read this book based on the book’s title. I love going to the theatre to see a movie; there’s nothing like getting the whole movie goer experience! Also, with my love for mysteries, this was an easy pick for me.

As far as the book goes, it was a slow build up with finding out who murdered Martin. The authors writing was thought provoking; it really put you in the mindset of a criminology major. It detailed character’s motives and the type of questions needed to be asked during a criminal investigation. The story gave off an immersive feel as well by engaging the reader with clues and evidence within the characters conversations with Annie. Annie majored in criminology but loves working at her local bookstore. With her working alongside her former professor turned detective, it gave her insight to what she would be dealing with if she chose to go into that career which made the plot even better. It’s definitely an interesting cozy mystery that will keep you guessing. So, if you like mysteries as much as I do, this is the book for you!

I read this book in a day!This is the second book in the  A Secret Bookcase Mystery by Ellie Alexander. Just like the first book this book follows our main character Annie that is trying to solve a mystery.I had rated the first book 4.5 stars due to the fact that we didn't get much of the romance and it was a bit slow at the beginning. This book had everything I wanted. We definitely saw a lot of improvement with the romance and I truly feel so in love and connected with all of the characters. I didn't predict the murder though I think someone who reads mystery books often would have. I fell in love with this book and wish to see a lot more of these characters in the upcoming books of this series. It is very fun and fast paced. Just like the first book it feels like we are watching a cozy mystery movie and like we are solving the mystery with the characters. I will recommend this to everyone. It is so light-hearted and very exciting. I will also say that these books don't really have to be read together. They round up in the ending and you don't have to  continue along the series if you don't want to so that is also a big plus. I just believe it's best to read the first book and then the second so you can feel a bit more connected to the main characters.

It is great getting to know Annie and her quaint little town with its quirky people! I like it how active Annie is and engaging herself and her bookstore to everything that happens in town. This also means some very dodgy people will be around and someone is murdered. It just happens to be the person pretty much everyone fears and dislikes. Can Annie solve the murder?

Cozy mysteries are great reads when you want to have a quick read, dive into a story, finish it in one sitting, and just get sucked into the small towns and their people. This one is no exception. I'm growing to like both Annie's best friend and her "nemesis" (maybe not for much longer?), and I hope to get to know them even better. I tend to grow into loving these characters, but as often with cozy mysteries being quite quick reads, it tends to take a few books until I am fully invested and can't get enough! 3,5 stars

Another gentle murder mystery without blood or gore. This series of books is great. Annie comes across kind and I felt empathetic towards her. The murder is always of the person the least liked and the list of potential murderers spelled out clearly and repeatedly with the reasons why making following very simple. The books are easy to read with enough background of potential love interest and the theme of the unsolved murder of Annie’s best friend Scarlet from when they were student. This is a lazy afternoon read and worth investing the time,

I enjoyed the second book of this series as much as the first. The strong character development, engaging mystery, and descriptions of Northern California kept me interested throughout the book.

This time around, mystery bookstore employee, Annie Murray, helps organize a movie premiere in her small town. Many of the Hollywood people are not easy to like, and, one is murdered.min addition to the classic mystery book references that I love, in this go round, there are also references to Hitchcock thrillers. I also enjoy how the townspeople, especially the shop owners get swept up in the excitement. For instance, the cleverly named thriller cocktails and selling themed Psych shower curtains.

The book may be a bit formulaic, but it does not take away from the enjoyment, and is a homage of sorts to Christie, Doyle and Hitchcock.