The book started great and immediately drew me in, the plot was good and I liked the characters, especially the FMC. Giving her a degree in criminology was a great touch and I liked that for all the confidence she exuded, she was still nervous inside.

But the book just turned another leaf as soon as it hit the 50% mark, and became slow and started focusing on a lot of things not relevant to the story as such.

It actually felt like it was written by two different people, where the first half was so awesome, but the second half really let me down.

Despite this, I would still like to give the next book in the series a chance.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Death at the dinner party is the third book in Ellie Alexander’s Secret bookcase mystery series. The storyline is full of mystery and is an enjoyable read. Just as in the previous books our main character Annie uses her amateur detective skills to solve the latest mystery in her small town, this time a death at a murder mystery dinner party. Plot elements from the previous two novels carry forward into this book, Annie is still working to solve the mystery of her best friend’s murder and a growing connection with bartender Liam.

I absolutely loved this book! I’m still waiting to find out what happened with her friends death, it would be nice to be given some answers in the next book. Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.

In Death at the Dinner Party, Ellie Alexander delivers another tantalizing installment in *The Secret Bookcase Mystery* series, weaving together a blend of culinary charm, small-town intrigue, and a gripping murder mystery. As the third book in the series, this story finds bookstore owner Annie Murray once again at the heart of a murder investigation—this time during a murder mystery–themed dinner party that takes a chillingly real turn when a guest unexpectedly dies.

What sets Death at the Dinner Party apart is Alexander’s skill in building suspense against the backdrop of a cozy setting. Fans of the series will appreciate how the picturesque yet secret-laden town of Redwood Grove continues to serve as a character in itself, with its historic locations, quirky townspeople, and long-buried secrets. The Wentworth farmhouse, a dilapidated mansion with a shadowy past, adds an eerie, atmospheric layer to the story that will delight fans of gothic-inspired mysteries.

Annie’s development as a character takes center stage, especially in this installment. Her growing confidence in sleuthing is complemented by her loyalty to her friends, particularly Penny, whose financial troubles set the mystery in motion. Annie’s determination to clear her friend’s name adds emotional weight to the plot, creating a deeper connection with readers who have followed her journey from previous books. The relationships between the recurring characters are further developed here, adding richness and depth to the narrative.

Plot-wise, Death at the Dinner Party strikes a perfect balance between cozy charm and dark intrigue. The slow unraveling of Curtis Wright’s unsavory history and the secrets surrounding the Wentworth family keeps readers turning the pages. The story’s pacing, filled with twists and red herrings, ensures that readers will stay engaged until the very end. Alexander’s use of hidden passageways and secret business dealings gives the plot a thrilling, classic mystery vibe that will appeal to fans of both cozy mysteries and traditional whodunits.

Ultimately, Death at the Dinner Party satisfies both as a stand-alone and a continuation of Annie’s crime-solving adventures. With well-drawn characters, an immersive setting, and a plot full of surprises, this novel will captivate mystery lovers who enjoy a blend of culinary flair, historical intrigue, and good old-fashioned detective work.

Annie helps her best friend, Pri and Pri's girlfriend Penny plan a fund raising dinner to raise the money Penny needs to finish renovating Wentworth Farm which Penny recently purchased and is trying to restore the property to its former glory. The trio have planned a dinner and an improv murder mystery for the paying guests to the dinner. When a real murder occurs everyone is shocked and upset that due to a storm having moved in none of them can leave the property until the first responders and the police arrive. It takes a few days but the actual killer is a surprise to all.

This has been my favorite book of the series. I think the cast of major characters really gelled in this book in very natural way. The cast has always complimented each other well but it just felt like it really all came together in this story. The beginning of the book was superb from the description of the mouth watering food to the atmospheric setup to the planned fake murder. I've been to a few murder mystery dinners and could easily picture myself in this story as the author did a nice job of bringing it to life with her words. The victim of the real murder was pretty easy to guess allowing the author to throw out an obvious suspect and multiple red herrings. I will admit to suspecting a member of the team but no spoilers so I won't tell you who. The book was also very easy to read. You felt yourself turning the pages but were lost in those pages. I was at 40% of the story before I realized it because the book just flowed so smoothly.
Of course, there is a lot more going on then just the murder at the dinner party. It did take center stage, deservedly so but Annie has much more going on. She has changed since book 1 and now has three paths before her for her future so we get a bit of soul searching (or spreadsheets) in this book. Again, confession time for me, I would have approached the soul searching exactly as Annie was with a spreadsheet. Her analytical mind and her need to solve the puzzles put before her made her very relatable. One more note about Annie's personality. She displayed a lot of tact when she handled the impossibly arrogant real estate developer with class and poise.
Annie also made progress on the Natalie & Scarlett case. I feel like that case if being built for a major milestone book coming soon, I hope. Speaking of milestones we had some relationship shakeup in this book. Annie and Pri have always been close. Her relationship with Fletcher and her pseudo grandfather Hal have always been part of the story. However, in this book, one relationship blooms in a way we would not have expected in book 1. Annie's relationship with Liam is a sweet slow burn story. It was super cute that he read a book he knew was in her genre secretly but also for her. It was even cuter, how she fantasized about him in the perfect domestic kitchen scene. They make a fabulous couple both when solving crime and when not.
I would recommend this book. It has romance, mystery, friends and a touch of good humor. It was especially funny when the one character thought she was in mortal danger because she had been locked in the bathroom alone (or had she.) Again, this book is well worth reading and with more book going, I know I will continue this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ellie Alexander for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death at the Dinner Party coming out September 30, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this series! It’s so cozy and fun! I loved the old house setting and the spooky interactive dinner idea. Each book offers a new fun setting in the town. Annie is a really awesome character! There was definitely a lot of plot going on in this one. I don’t want to give anything away, but the stakes were high! I already have the next book, so I’m definitely excited to keep reading this series!

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

We’re back in Redwood Grove where Annie is helping to host a murder mystery dinner to help fund the restoration of an old estate…except an actual murder takes place before the dinner is finished. With the help of her friend Pri and her enemy turned friend Liam, they work to solve the case given several people at the dinner had motive. This book felt a little different given Caldwell, Hal, and Fletcher had a reduced presence. There was also probably the most significant development in the subplot related to Scarlet’s death. I look forward to reading how this develops in the next book and what Annie decides about her career. Ellie Alexander has made Redwood Grove a place I want to visit often and a place I would love to live in….as long as the murders stop beforehand.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the arc.

This is the book 3 in the Secret Bookcase series with the main character, Annie Murray. Her friend, Priya (Pri) asks Annie to help organise a fund raising event for Pri's girlfriend, Penny. Annie gets Liam Donovan, the local bar owner to do the cooking for the event, which Annie has called a Murder Mystery Night. Annie calls on a local am-dram group to play the parts from her play. However, the evening does not go smoothly when Curtis Wright becomes the victim. Annie and her friends start to investigate and this leads them on a wild goose chase involving long lost treasure, secret passageways....to find out more, you will need to read this book.

This is the third in the series featuring Annie Murray and her will they won't they relationship with Liam in the town of Redwood Grove. When friend Priya's girlfriend, Penny purchases Wentworth Manor, Annie has the bright idea of staging a murder mystery to raise much needed funds. But, surprise surprise, it all goes wrong when someone actually dies and Annie gets caught up investigating. I found the murder's identity to be very obvious early on but still enjoyed reading the book to its conclusion. A pleasant example of cosy fiction which is certainly worth a read.

Are you ready for a new mystery with Annie Murphy and her friends in Redwood Grove? I know I am. I absolutely devoured the first two books in this series [The Body in the Bookstore and A Murder at the Movies] and I was so excited for a new book in what is fast becoming my favourite series!

Annie and her friend Priya are helping Priya's girlfriend, Penny, hold a fundraising night to help renovate Wentworth Manor. It's supposed to be a fun night with a murder mystery theme, but what starts out as a fictional murder ends up as a real one, when one of the guests turns up dead. Suddenly Annie and all the guests are stuck inside the manor, during a storm, with a killer amongst them and it's up to Annie to find out who did the crime.

This series has everything I love - a cozy town, a bookstore setting and a tantalizing whodunnit. This one was perfect Agatha Christie style... a locked room mystery, a storm brewing outside a manor house. Of course I was ready to "read" it up! I loved the mystery. It is an absolute thrill a minute as Annie tries to solve the mystery while she has everyone under one roof. Despite a few red herrings thrown the reader's way, I was able to solve the mystery just before Annie!

I love the characters in this series, especially Annie and Priya. They make quite the crime fighting duo in this story with the bookstore "The Secret Bookcase" still remaining headquarters for all their crime fighting planning! I mean a bookstore that literally has a secret bookcase. When can I move to Redgrove Woods?

If you like cozy mysteries with a bookish setting, or you are a big fan of golden age mysteries you need to read this series. It's a modern spin on Agatha Christie mysteries and I can't get enough of them!

Ellie could never disappoint!

First of all, I know this isn't a romance book, but still, the progress of Annie and Liam's relationship was just so adorable. I wasn't ready for it, to be honest!

Now the mystery part was a little predictable but good nonetheless because, just like I said, Ellie. Could. Never. Disappoint.

4.5 stars

Death at the Dinner Party by Ellie Alexander the 3rd instalment in the "A Secret Bookcase Mystery" series. I loved returning to the charming town of Redwood Grove and the Secret Bookcase bookstore. In this instalment Annie is hosting a a spooky, immersive dinner party at the old Wentworth farmhouse, and the evening is a roaring success – until neighboring landowner Curtis Wright drops dead at the dining table…

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Annie did..
Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters next!

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 4 to come out!

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Annie did..
Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters next!

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 4 to come out!

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

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours! It was the perfect fall read: Halloween, ghosts, murder mystery dinners, hidden passageways, oh my! I love the addition of Penny to the crew and the slow burn build up between Annie and Liam. I have a feeling Annie, Pri, Liam, and Penny will get up to all kinds of shenanigans in future installments!

I was a little sad that this book had so little Hal and Fletcher. While the change of scenery was nice, I was missing the Secret Bookcase crew and setting in this installment. Nonetheless, I can’t wait to see Redwood Grove decked out for Christmas in A Holiday Homicide!

I really enjoyed this next book in the series. I liked that this was essentially a locked door type mystery. I enjoyed guessing throughout the book who the murderer was. I felt like Annie and Liam’s development was good and look forward to their story continuing to evolve. I’m also really enjoying the characters in this series and watching them evolve. I would love to be in this town in real life. As with all of Ellie’s books, I am always hooked from the first chapter.

Good mystery, a death occurs at a dinner event and there are lots of suspects. The characters were engaging and the resolution was a surprise

Ellie Alexander is an amazing author who brings her characters to life…every character felt as if I knew them personally! The mystery along with the friendships in this book are so good!

4.5⭐ A delightful series by a master storyteller, Ellie Alexander. We've been blessed with 3 books in less than a year and they all are mysterious and fun. And the main characters have become familiar to us, and now are friends for whom we care. Using a mystery dinner party for the setting of the murder was inspired and the descriptions of the house, decorations and murder itself are vivid and a touch campy. But the unraveling of mystery is solid logical deductions.

Annie is helping her friend Pri and her partner host a murder themed dinner party to raise funds to finish the Wentworth property. Things don't go to plan and Annie helps the police to try to solve things. At the same time she is thinking about what her own future looks like.
Another easy to read, easy to follow book.

This book was AMAZING! I loved the mystery and the characters are so much fun!! I can’t wait to read more in this series!! I highly recommend this book to everyone!