I'm loving all these cozy mysteries and Ellie writes the best ones! I loved the concept of a dinner party with a side of murder. What no one expected was a real murder to happen and I was all here for it. I loved trying to unravel who did it which of course I didn't. (I could never be a detective 🤣) I loved the back story of underground tunnels that connect different houses and land. I thought that was pretty cool considering we have underground tunnels here as well. I really loved this one and can't wait for the next book which is Christmas themed!! I'm so excited!!!

Death at the Dinner Party is the third book in this fun new series by one of my favorite authors. When a man is murdered during a dinner party, Annie uses her sleuthing skills to help the police find the killer.
She discovers most of the dinner guests had grudges against the victim. But which one did it? This book has wonderful main characters, lots of red herrings, some humor, and a little romance. I can't wait to read book four!

Another fun installment of #asecretbookcasemystery series! This one takes place on a stormy night just one week before Halloween as Annie and her friends are preparing to host a murder mystery night. Unfortunately, a real murder gets in the way before they even get started. I love the characters in this series, and the relationship between Annie and Liam is incredibly sweet ❤️. I just wish this mystery had a little more story to it. I felt like the mystery started and was over before I knew it. Great writing once again, and I can’t wait for the next story in the series! 4⭐️

Death at the Dinner Party is the third book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander.

This installment is a gripping closed-circle mystery, reminiscent of the works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Ellery Queen. The story unfolds at a dinner party in a mysterious farmhouse, set against a dark and stormy night backdrop. The setting creates an element of suspense that makes you turn the pages faster and faster.

Amateur sleuth/bookseller/event planner Annie Murray has planned a charity fundraiser dinner party. To entertain the guests, she writes a dinner mystery for the local players club to perform.

But then, an actual death occurs at the dinner party, and a real mystery is suddenly afoot. After recent events, Annie is more than ready to create a timeline, look for clues, and identify potential suspects.

She uses her instincts and criminal justice training to pursue leads and hunt the killer. As she investigates, she progresses in her relationships with other characters and the series-long cold case involving Scarlet.

Death at the Dinner Party is a delightful nod to Clue and a standout in the series. I am really looking forward to the next installment, A Holiday Homicide, which features a gingerbread festival and a deadly baking competition.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book. I thought I knew who did it - but I was surprised! I loved the setting of a murder mystery dinner and I loved the eeriness of the old historic homes. I also loved the budding romances (although the burn is super slow between Annie and her love interest and at some point, I had to remind myself that I am not reading a love story - someone has died, this is a mystery! LOL).

The story had a nice flow, it moved fast, filled with action and kept my attention. I finished it in a couple days, rushing back to it to see how the story continued to unfold. I am excited about the next holiday-themed book coming out in this series. I am hooked!

Death at the Dinner Party is the third installment in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series set in Redwood Grove, CA and featuring Annie Murphy, bookseller and event planner. When Annie's best friend Priya Kapoor started dating Penny Shurr, Penny decided to move to town and purchase the old abandoned Wentworth Farm. The farm is a local legend with many believing the homestead is haunted and the family fortune of precious gems and gold is hidden somewhere.

Penny confides in Annie that she has run out of money to continue improving the orchard, vineyard and barns, Annie decides to write a short mystery similar to "Clue" and host a fundraising dinner. Members of the local theater group have been hired on as actors, Liam Donovan is handling the cooking and the event is sold out.

Neighboring landowner Curtis Wright has been bullying Penny into selling her land in addition to fighting with other townspeople. When he drops dead at the dinner table, there is a roomful of suspects. Annie finds herself teaming up with her college professor turned detective Dr. Caldwell to flush out a killer.

A fun afternoon read with the returning cast of characters, a cat and mouse romance and a furry feline. I wish there was more progression with the secondary mystery of who killed Annie's best friend Scarlet in college.

I received an advanced copy of Death at the Dinner Party from NetGalley via Storm Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

I’ve loved all of Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop murder series, so I jumped at the chance to read this 3rd in her Secret Bookcase series. The lead character, Annie Murray, works in an amazing bookstore in a small California town, she also holds a degree criminal investigation. While helping to host an interactive murder mystery dinner for which she’s written the plot an actual murder takes place, Annie and her friends need to help track the killer to remove suspicions from a someone close to her, and return calm to their quaint, charming town. I wasn’t completely drawn in to Annie’s character, there was a little too much time “I’m a highly trained, capable detective” attitude when she in fact nearly gets herself and a friend killed…I’m assuming her training consists of nothing more than a 4 year degree and helping the police with 2 previous cases. While I did guess the killers identify, overall I did enjoy the book and will give the first in the series a try. Had I read them in order the backstory may have helped me to warm up to Annie more. Overall, it’s a good, quick cozy read, and I appreciate the chance to be introduced to the series by NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

*3.5 stars

Ellie Alexander is a prolific storyteller and writes several cute cozy-mystery series. I dipped into this one, the third in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series, and had no trouble jumping in as back info was pretty well covered.

The main character, Annie Murray, works at the Secret Bookcase in Redwood Grove, CA--an Agatha Christie-inspired bookstore, but has also earned a degree in criminal investigation. In this episode, she and her friend Pri want to help Penny, Pri's partner, raise money to continue with her restoration of the old Wentworth family farmhouse. They come up with the bright idea to host a murder mystery dinner for 50 people. Unfortunately, during the course of the meal, an actual murder occurs. There's also a massive storm, a leaking basement and a ghost! What else could go wrong?

The story was pretty entertaining with interesting characters and lots of candidates for whodunit. I deducted 1/2 star because I found it easy to guess the killer by what clue was ignored but otherwise enjoyed the quick read.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This hits the beats of a good cozy mystery, but I liked book 2 better. The pacing wasn’t very good here. None of Annie’s investigative techniques seem realistic and it’s full of coincidences and people just telling Annie things… but I was entertained so I don’t care. I do wish we had more progress on Scarlett’s murder, but at least Liam and Annie might move from enemies toward lovers.

I liked this book and the cozy mystery/romance aspect. The characters were vibrant and interesting, although the ending did become predictable. At times, I thought that the pacing should’ve been slower/faster. I think I will continue in this series.

Literary Cozy Mystery that features a CA Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookseller and events organizer who turns sleuth after a bully's poisoned during a murder mystery–themed dinner party.

5/5 stars: Alexander's a favorite author and doesn't disappoint with this third 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 for an Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookstore, who also has a criminology degree. After a renowned bully's poisoned during a friend's murder mystery–themed benefit dinner party at a historic farmhouse, she'll have to use all her skills to unmask the killer. 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. It's great to catch up with Annie, her best friend, Pri, and her found family at the Secret Bookcase bookshop, Hal and Fletcher, and the eclectic townsfolk of Redwood Grove. Annie's a great character, who's toughness and determination are admirable. And I her seeing a softening in her contentious relationship with the ever so handsome bar owner and chef Liam. And of course one mustn't forget Annie's aptly 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.

I have been a fan of these books since I read the first one. The whole some small town vibe, engaging characters, and the breezy suspense kept me hooked.

However I do feel a bit disappointed with this one. This was too fast paced for my taste and not very engaging. I think as a reader I wasn't as invested with the characters to care.

Emma hosts a suspense dinner party to help her friend financially. As the murder mystery dinner starts, one very unpleasant character is murdered. Hence starts Emma's search for the truth. I felt that the author spent more time described Redwood rather than the characters.

I like to believe that a place that is considered safe repeatedly in the books should not see so much murder. Maybe Emma's sleuthing can take her out of Redwood?!

The referral to Scarlet's death always feels like a footnote with it not heading anywhere from the first book.

I give 3 stars for the book because the climax was interesting and risky.


I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily

PS: I will be reading every book of this series.

It was a fun, quick read in the series. Annie and Pri are trying to help Penny raise funds to continue the work being done on the old Wentworth homestead. Penny has been able to redo and fix up the home, but the orchards, vineyards, and remaining property need a lot of work. Annie comes up with the idea of a murder mystery dinner to show off the redone house and raise some additional funds. Everything goes well until Penny's cranky neighbor Curtis is poisoned. Annie, of course, can't let it go as she was there, and Priya is afraid Penny will be the chief suspect. While there is plenty to like here, I do have a couple of peeves. First, we get little time with the bookstore, town, and many of my favorite characters. Worse, however, is the Annie who is supposed to be so smart and has criminal research training, does some really stupid things, and that's a shame. We also get hints of several other storylines but no follow-up. Thanks to #Netgally, #StormPublishing, and the author for an opportunity to read. #Ellie Alexander #DeathattheDinnerParty #ASecretBookcaseMystery #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Book 3 of Secret Bookase mystery series. Fun cozy mystery with colorful secondary characters. Primary characters draw you in. Good writing.

In a picturesque village in northern California, there is a stately old mansion on the edge of town. Surrounded by lush English gardens, the mansion is filled to the brim with books, old hardwood floors creaking under your feet as you wander from one cozy nook to another, exploring the shelves. Pick up a new release or find a rare copy of an old favorite and slip into the secret bookcase with your find so you don't have to wait until you get home to start reading. This is Annie Murray's life! OK, so she doesn't get to just wander around the bookstore all day, she actually works there. But she gets to watch other people enjoy themselves, which is almost as good.

In the third Secret Bookcase Mystery, Annie's is helping her friend Pri and Pri's girlfriend Penny host a murder mystery dinner to raise money to complete the renovations on the old Wentworth farm. Unfortunately there are several people who want to purchase the farm from Penny and are trying to make sure the dinner is not a success. When one of those people falls face-first into his soup, there's no telling who might have killed the man who had far more enemies than friends. Can Annie and Pri nail the killer before he strikes again?

Death at the Dinner Party is my favorite of the series so far! I love murder mystery dinners, I love closed-room mysteries, I love old gothic mansions with secret passages and ghostly visitors. This is a perfect fall cozy, complete with dark and stormy nights, hints of Halloween, and lots of pumpkin spice! I can almost smell the woodsmoke and falling leaves.

If you enjoy bookstore mysteries, this is a fun series. If you are looking for mysteries that take place in the fall, look no further! For cozy fans, this is a great series to add to your TBR.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Annie seems to know how to bring in the cash. This time she’s figured out how to help Penny drum up some much needed funds for her farmhouse restoration.

Things are going well until an attendee drops dead…and Penny had a beef with the man. With other suspects also 8n attendance, Annie knows she s got to solve this problem as well. before a killer puts the restoration, and Annie, on the back burner once and for all.

I adore Ellie Alexander’s work and this is her latest cozy series. It’s got a great setting, a strong female protagonist you’re going to love, and Alexander is the queen of the cozy mystery plot. She keeps you guessing until the end when she finally makes the big reveal. Always a good read!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I am enjoying this series of books about Annie Murray and the Secret Bookshop. This murder mystery was an easy read. I don't feel that it was as good as the previous two books. The killer was more easily identified. No spoilers, so I don't want to say anymore about the clues.
Anyone picking up this book as their first look at the series needn't worry about not starting with the first. All is explained about the background to the characters and location as necessary.

This is the third book in A Secret Bookcase Mystery by Ellie Alexander. Annie helps Penny and Priya plan a fund raiser for the farmhouse. Unfortunately, it means there will be one or more unpleasant people attending the dinner party. A storm causes a power outage at the venue closely after the death of a guest.

This was an interesting mystery with plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings. I enjoyed each turn during my read.
Annie has a degree in criminology and this helps her preserve evidence and respect procedures while waiting for the police to show up.

I was given an Advanced readers Copy and these are my opinions.

I'm a fan of most of Ellie Alexander's cozies, and this one's no exception. I like Annie and her friends, and I love the locked-room-house-party feel of the book, with its fundraising gala as the scene of the murder. I do feel like the "should I be a detective or a bookstore worker?" thing is getting old kind of quickly. And that Annie and Pri have some serious TSTL moments in the climax of the book. For those reasons, this one's a 3-1/2 stars out of 5 for me. Still an enjoyable escape read, though!

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

Ellie Alexander’s new Secret Bookcase series is almost as much fun as her Bakeshop mystery books. Her characters are as developed and personable.. In book 3, Annie Murray is enjoying her job at the bookstore but her decision to help her friend Pri’s girlfriend Penny organize a Murder Mystery dinner ends in a real death. Penny looks guilty so Annie, her almost boyfriend Liam and Pri have to figure out the real murderer. As is her habit, Annie puts herself in danger. How she manages to save herself and solve the mystery is quite the ride for the reader. NetGalley was kind enough to send me an electronic advanced copy but the opinion is my own.