Omg who doesn’t t love a new Ellie Alexander Cozy Mystery! She is on of my favorites. Love this. Will give a better review at a later date but definitely 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s.. thank you NetGalley for this opportunity. And Ellie Alexander for writing a fabulous book.

I am familiar with Ellie Alexander through her excellent Bakeshop Mystery series, Death at the Dinner Party didn't work quite as well for me. A fund raising dinner party is the setting. A murder mystery theater production turns into a real murder. There is a strong nod to Clue, although as the investigation expands the characters leave the room. I am not sure cozy mysteries are as much about the mystery as they are about the characters, the setting, the location and the community. I started with book three so I might not be the best judge of the series, I found the characters to be thin, the dialog a bit silly and the action scenes a little heavy handed. I never was completely engaged. One of the pluses is the author is brilliant when writing about food. I wish I had gotten a better picture of Redwood Grove.

It was a dark and stormy night when friends and community members gathered at the Wentworth Estate for a murder mystery dinner fundraiser. Unfortunately, the body guests encountered was not one of an actor playing a role. With a storm raging and some roads impassable--even for police and first responders--bookshop staffer and criminology graduate Annie Murray is on her own at the crime scene. She has the support of her best friend, Pri, Pri's girlfriend and estate owner, Penny, and the caterer-slash-probable-future-boyfriend Liam, but the other guests are on edge, eager to leave, and hesitant to follow Annie's lead.

I felt disappointed when the plot took the narrative off the Wentworth Estate to carry on over subsequent days. I had hoped the entire book would be set and solved in one evening. The pace and atmosphere had been wonderful up until that point. Then, readers were pulled back into poetic and somewhat long-winded descriptions of the scenery in and around the fictional Redwood Grove. As much as I wanted to unmask the murderer and solve the mystery, my once-rapt attention wandered, and I skimmed rather than read the remaining chapters.

I noticed a couple of minor continuity issues in the text, though perhaps they were later fixed after the ARC was released to readers. Overall, I always enjoy Ellie Alexander's small-town cozy mysteries, and I'll be awaiting the next Secret Bookcase story.

Death at the Dinner Party is the third book in the a secret bookcase mystery and it’s a fantastic book.

Annie Murray works in a bookstore along with Fletcher and Hal. She has kind of taken on the role of town event planner. Her friend Penny’s girlfriend recently bought an old farmhouse and the renovation costs are very high. To offset the costs, they are hosting a murder mystery dinner.

Well there is a real murder during the dinner party but a huge storm causes the power to go out and the police are unable to get to the house for a while. It is up to Annie to start the investigation with the help of her love interest, Liam.

I enjoy all of the characters in this series and how we are getting to know them. We are also getting a little bit more of Scarlet’s murder figured out in each book.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Storm Publishing, NetGalley, and author Ellie Alexander for another amazing book in the fantastic Secret Bookcase series. This one follows our intrepid sleuth Annie and her lovely friends right into one of my favorite types of mystery! Her friend Penny is struggling with money issues trying to renovate her new home—an old property that has had rumored treasures hidden on it from the original owners.
Annie decides the best solution is to hold a mystery dinner where guests will have to pay for the chance to win great prizes. However, when a greedy neighbor falls over dead at dinner (not the actor who was supposed to be the victim) things begin to take a dark turn. Even worse, a terrible storm moves in cutting off the power, and no one is allowed to leave until the police can reach them. So just which person at the dinner hated this neighbor so much they wanted to kill them in front of everyone?
This is only the beginning of the problems facing Annie and I admire her moxie at keeping a cool head. She really is the one you want looking out for you when you’re in trouble. If you love Agatha Christie or Janet Evanovich, this book is for you. Five stars all the way.

This is the 3rd in the Secret Bookcase Series. Annie Murray is helping her friend Pri and her friend Penny with a murder mystery at her new home the historic Wentworth property. Since Penny has purchased the property several months ago she has been doing her best to renovate and restore the home to its former glory. The Wentworth property is famous and shrouded in mystery as the family disappeared and there are rumors of hidden passages and treasure on the estate. Penny is trying to finish what she has started but it has been more costly than she anticipated and to generate some money to continue the restoration, Annie and Pri put together a plan for a murder mystery evening. Unfortunately two of the guests who are in attendance are Patrick, a property developer who is trying to purchase the property from Penny dirt cheap and her neighbor Curtis who is also wanting Penny to abandon her plans for the home. Curtis and Patrick are at odds as he wants his property as well so they devise a plan to keep them apart during the evening. So of course, it would not be one of Annie’s events if there wasn’t a real murder as opposed to a staged one. Curtis is the victim and it appears to be a fast acting poison and with the bad weather, emergency services and the police cannot get there immediately. Annie takes charge but not all the guests are willing to cooperate. Liam, Pri and Penny are all willing to help Annie in her investigation but when the power goes out and Patrick leaves Annie is hoping Dr. Caldwell and the police arrive soon. Once the police arrive, Annie gladly turns the investigation over to her mentor Dr. Caldwell but she of course wants Annie’s help with the investigation. Annie has a way of getting information from one of the actors that evening and Pri and Annie head out to Curtis’s house and Penny’s to investigate. Of course they solve the crime but not without getting almost killed. I really enjoy this series. The mystery moves quickly and Annie is so likeable as are all her friends. Her relationship with Liam is moving in the right direction. So excited for the next installment.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

As cozy mysteries go this one is all right. I read the first two in the series before reading this so I would be more familiar with the setting and characters which I like. However, I feel like something is lacking and I can’t put my finger on it. I much prefer her Sloan Krause series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity. Review will be posted on Litsy.

I still really like the concept and varied locations for this series. However, I am not really warming to the characters as much as I would like. I'm sure it is because the Bakeshop and Sloan Krause series have me completely spoiled. Both are awesome and continue to keep me coming back for more. Sadly, I don't think this series will bring the same eager anticipation for each new book but I will continue to read them.

The perfect blend of Agatha Christie and the cult-classic 'Clue' movie.

An atmospheric delight that brings us back into the fold of Annie Murray and crew, this time as her friends Pri and Penny host a murder-mystery dinner at a rambling old farmhouse.

As always, Ellie Alexander hits it out of the park with her newest addition to the Secret Bookcase mystery series. As is a hallmark of her books, the food descriptions are mouth-watering and the mystery won't let you go until the last page (especially with the overarching one of the series).

It must be noted that the development of Pri and Penny's relationship is so natural and organic that you will be wishing that all authors could write such well-rounded LGBTQ+ characters who aren't relegated to background decoration.

Although I absolutely adore The Secret Bookcase Store, the first half of the book away from it allowed for Annie to have time to truly reflect on how she wants to move forward in her own life.

This reader for one can't wait until the fourth book in the series is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Annie again gets to use her considerable and various talents, this time making up a story for a murder mystery dinner to help fundraise.
Great descriptions of a creepy house amid a raging storm lend to the atmosphere of the staged murder turning real. A harrowing climax kept me on the edge of my seat.
I have some questions regarding certain characters that intensify with each book, so I'm curious to see how the author addresses those particular plot points in the future books.
Just a random side note- I want the apple bread recipe!

Thank you to Ellie Alexander and NetGalley for the ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Death at the Dinner Party is a cozy mystery very reminiscent of the game Clue. I enjoyed trying to play detective along with Annie. This story makes you channel your best Sherlock Holmes. If you enjoy mysteries I recommend you give this one a try.

30 Sep 2024

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of DEATH AT THE DINNER PARTY (Book 3 of the Secret Bookcase Mysteries series) by Ellie Alexander in exchange for an honest review. Pri and Penny approach Annie with a problem. Their funds for renovating/restoring Wentworth Manor and Farm have run dry. Two men have made low-ball offers to buy the farm acreage, and they are pressuring Penny to sell. Penny doesn’t want to sell the farm; she wants to revive and run the vineyard. Annie’s solution is to host a costumed murder mystery dinner the weekend before Halloween and to hire the Redwood Curtain Players to perform a loose script written by Annie. However, the event goes amiss when the wrong person drops dead during dinner. Instead of an actor feigning dead, Curtis Wright (retired, mid-seventies, Penny’s neighbor, one of the men attempting to buy Wentworth Farm, and generally unpleasant person) really dies from poisoning. Now, Penny’s a person of interest. In order to save the fundraiser and her friend Penny, Annie must deviate from her script and identify a real killer.

I liked this book and am a fan of Ellie Alexander’s other series. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring fundraisers, murder mystery theater, small town intrigue, and Clue-type set-ups.

#DeathattheDinnerParty #NetGalley

Imagine helping to host a fund raisier murder mystery dinner party for 50 guests for the unthinkable to happen…a real murder!
Not only is there the dead body of crotchety old man Curtis that most of the town folk disliked, Annie, Pri and Penny had 50 suspects!
A good setting, great characters and a mysterious fortune make this charming crafted story entertaining and fun. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy. This review is my personal opinion.

Another really enjoyable read in Ellie Alexander's Secret Bookcase Mystery series set in Redwood Grove, California! This third instalment centers around a murder mystery themed dinner where one of the guests is unalived by poisoning during the entrée!

I really enjoyed the twists and turns, the cozy small town and getting to know it's lovable characters more. I'm excited to see where this series goes next!

Another really enjoyable book from Ellie Alexander! I love the main character Annie, all of her friends, and the setting on Redwood Grove, Ca.

The action in the third book in the series occurs at a murder mystery dinner which occurs during a "dark and stormy night". Annie has scripted and organized the dinner as fund-raiser for Pri's new friend Penny at an old farmhouse which has a possible dark history and rumor of hidden treasure. However, it is a guest, not an actor who is really murdered. Penny works with her mentor at the police to help find the culprit.

There are enough scenes back at the bookstore with her boss Hal and her friend Fletcher to keep with the title of the series. And a bit more hint of
romance for Annie and Liam (who caters the dinner party). Some allusions to Nancy Drew with hidden passages, inheritance, and personal danger.

Each book in "Secret Bookcase Mystery" series also advances Annie's thoughts about the past and plans for the future, as well as her cold-case
investigation into the murder of her bet friend Scarlet.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of this ebook for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Secret Bookcase series has quickly become my favorite cozy mystery series. I've read all 3, and cannot wait for the fourth.

Annie, Pri, Liam and Penny make for such inviting characters, I want to move to Redwood Grove.

Annie once again steps in to help solve the case. Her friends are there to help just in the nick of time.

This book is more like a cosy mystery than the thrillers I usually read, but was ideal to read in the car while my grandson was at a party. A light read for me with just a touch of romance. I did wonder how the murder was committed in a room full of people but method, motive etc was covered throughout the plot. Secret tunnels, hidden treasure, lucky escapes..... it was a fun read.

This was a great installment in this cozy mystery series! I would definitely recommend reading in order because there is a cold case introduced in book one that continues through the books. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

Annie Murray, has organised two highly successful recent events in the small town of Redwood Grove, but this time her skills are being used for a much more intimate event. Her best friend, Pri's girlfriend, Penny, is renovating the Wentworth farmhouse, empty since the 1970s, which is forever linked to a mysterious fire and subsequent disappearance of the Wentworth family and their fabled fortune. Penny's money is running out however, and so, as Halloween draws ever closer, Annie is holding a murder mystery dinner party to raise much needed funds.

Everything is going fine until a massive storm hits, all the power drops out, and a guest dies at the table! Trapped by the storm and fallen trees the guests are none too pleased to find their evening out turning into a murder investigation. Annie and Pri look for clues but with more than a few guests having reason to hate the victim and a vital piece of evidence disappearing they realise no one is safe from their audacious and devious killer, especially them!

Book three in this ever improving series focuses mainly on Annie's life outside the Secret Bookcase Bookstore with her latest venture completely separate from her working life. The whole book was a fun ride with red herrings and actual clues vying for positions of importance. Changes in Annie's personal life were mention but not focused on although that will change in book four, I think. The main protagonists are all nicely fleshed out now and the friendships and burgeoning romances are a pleasant distraction from clue hunting.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. I am enjoying this series very much and happily recommend it.