Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

The fourth book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander is a definite hit with me! A Holiday Homicide embraces all that I cherish in a cozy mystery, infused with a holiday seasoned theme – what more could one ask for? Engaging characters, interesting whodunit which captured my interest throughout and wonderful character development.

Redwood Grove is abuzz with the latest event being hosted by the Secret Bookcase – a gingerbread house competition. Talk about getting someone in the holiday mood – the following passage certainly got to me:

“The bookstore was my favorite place on the planet on an average ordinary day, but during the holidays, it was pure magic. Festive jazz music drifted along the corridors of the restored English country estate that now housed the largest mystery bookshop on the West Coast. I made my way to the Foyer, where dazzling golden twinkle lights greeted me, along with two small Christmas trees flanking the front doors.”

Okay – back to the story. The Secret Bookcase is holding a competition, with many Gingerbread House baker’s in attendance. Stiff competition unfortunately yields a tragic event – the death of Lily – a social media influencer and baker! And of course with this happening, Annie is driven to piece together the series of events that have lead to this death. We find out the baking community is certainly not all sweetness, but a ruthless bunch of baker’s! Who would have thought? There are many red herrings to keep readers guessing. And if I am being truthfully honest – that is the way I like my cozy mysteries – guessing until the end.

Annie and her new beau Liam are also progressing nicely in the advancement of their relationship. I am quite enjoying this slow burn; happy they are not rushing their relationship.

I enjoyed the interaction between Pri (Annie’s bestie) and Annie as they are walking to the pub, moving towards Annie’s opportunity of taking a step to bringing Scarlett’s killer to justice – talk about nervous (both Annie and this reader). This also reminded me of discussions re: Santa I had with my parents previously as a child:

“I can’t remember a time I was this nervous, and also strangely excited,” I admitted. “It’s kind of like Christmas Eve. I was also super excited for presents and slightly terrified of actually seeing Santa Claus.”

“Totally normal. It’s a strange dude coming down the chimney. Think about the lyrics to ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town’. ‘He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake.’ Stalker much?” She laughed and squeezed my hand tighter as the pathway spilled out onto the village square.”

Concurrently, she is also moving along her fact finding mission with respect to the events that lead to Scarlet’s death all those years ago. The death which occurred while Annie and Scarlet were investigating a cold case as part of the requirements for a criminology course they were taking.

The continuing steps Annie is taking towards solving the murder of Scarlett throughout this series is a theme which, if you have not read the series from the beginning, warrants the reader to start the series at the beginning as this will add depth to the stories as each are read. The reader will understand Annie’s motivation and get a real sense of her history. Though note that A Holiday Homicide can be read as a stand alone.

I am so thrilled with this series and this latest installment. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, excellent story telling, Christmas themed stories and baked goods (and who doesn’t), then pick up a copy of A Holiday Homicide and get settled for a cozy read 🙂

Christmas is just around the corner, and Annie Murray, a local bookstore worker, is stoked to be hosting a gingerbread baking competition at the Secret Bookcase in Redwood Grove. I mean, who doesn't love gingerbread? Local baker Sugar has managed to score a celebrity influencer to attend, which basically guarantees a sold-out event. But things take a dark turn when a body is discovered in the bookstore, and Annie finds herself trading in her baking skills for sleuthing. On top of that, she's got some major life decisions to make - two job offers, a new romance, and the chance to finally uncover the truth about her best friend's death a decade ago. With danger lurking around every corner, Annie's got her work cut out for her. Luckily, she's got her friends to help her out. Book four in Ellie Alexander's Secret Bookcase Mystery Series is a real game-changer. With a murder investigation, job offers, and a romantic Christmas on the horizon, Annie's got her plate full. But somehow, it all works together seamlessly. I'm loving Annie, Pri, Liam, and the rest of the gang, and the scenes in the bookstore are always a hoot. Book five is just around the corner, and I'm dying to know what's next for these intertwining storylines. This book is a real treat, but fair warning - there are some spoilers, so you might want to read these in order.

When a popular influencer baker comes to town to host a gingerbread bake-off at the Secret Bookcase, local baker Sugar and bookstore manager Annie are thrilled by the opportunity to promote their businesses and the town. But things quickly go awry when the influencer accidentally topples Sugar's gingerbread house, a stalker fan arrives, and the influencer ends up dead. As chaos unfolds, Annie steps up, eager to apply her criminology expertise and team up with the local police to solve the mystery.

I’ve really enjoyed this series! Having read the first five books (and eagerly awaiting the sixth and final one), I can easily say it’s become one of my favorites.

Ellie Alexander's latest installment in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series is just what you would hope to find in a Christmas Cozy mystery. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the storyline. I looked forward to curling up with this book and read it quickly. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

I absolutely love this series, and this was another wonderful installment. Great characters, wonderful pacing, and a fun mystery. I can’t wait for more!!

Another fun entry in the Secret Bookcase mystery series! I loved the gingerbread festival/competition idea and thought it added a lovely touch. As always, Alexander weaves a solid mystery with enough red herrings to keep you guessing. I’m super intrigued to see how the next stage of Annie’s long term investigation goes and I’m looking forward to the evolution of the bookshop!

I am in love with the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. This is the 4th title featuring Annie Murray & friends at the Secret Bookcase bookstore. This time around, the holidays are coming & Annie has arranged for a baking influencer to come to the bookstore for a gingerbread baking competition. The store is getting featured, a local bakery is being featured, and things are going great until someone drops dead at the event. Annie, her boyfriend Liam, her best friend Pri, and coworker/friend, Fletcher are on the case.

Another enjoyable read. The characters & setting are fun. Annie continues to develop across the series. The mystery is engaging. There's a charm to this series & this character that I truly appreciate. I'd recommend this title & the entire series (starting with The Body in the Bookstore). I would love to go to Redwood Grove to visit the Secret Bookcase & all of the other locations mentioned in this book if they existed. It's warm & cozy.



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

In the fourth Secret Bookcase mystery novel, readers join Annie Murray and her friends in Redwood Grove for a new holiday-themed event at the Secret Bookcase that will continue to boost local businesses and bring the community together when their guest celebrity baker drops dead during the gingerbread house competition. As whispers of foul play and of secret rivalries and stolen recipes consume the town and the investigation, Annie once again finds herself at the center of the mystery working to solve it with the support of Liam and her colleagues at the bookstore. Before the murderer strikes again, Annie must learn that the world of baking social media is not what it seemed -- and figure out who is trying to kill her. A fantastic holiday continuation of this already brilliant cozy small-town mystery series, the newest title is a thrilling and high stakes holiday murder mystery that readers of the series and other similar titles will absolutely love. The characters, particularly Annie, continue to draw attention as they grow and develop, while readers will love returning to Redwood Grove for the holiday season and a new murder mystery that will make Annie and her friends work to solve it in time.

When an influencer baker arrives in town to host a gingerbread bake-off at the Secret Bookcase, local baker Sugar and bookstore manager Annie think it will be a great way to help publicize their businesses and the town. But when the influencer knocks over Sugar's gingerbread house, a stalker fan shows up, and the influencer ends up dead, the event goes from bad to worse. Thankfully, Annie is prepared to put her criminology background and skills to use, and teams up with the local police to catch a killer.

I have, really, really been enjoying this series. After now having read the first five books (and not-so-patiently waiting for the sixth and final one), I can say that this is one of my favorites. Of course, a dash of holiday cheer really levels up a cozy mystery, and it didn't hurt that I was reading it in December. But Annie and the gang are a fun cast of characters and each mystery has been cleverly constructed. I can also tell we're getting closer to the final reveal of who murdered Annie's best friend, back in college! Can't wait to see the conclusion...

Thanks to the publisher for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

I've really come to enjoy the Secret Bookcase mystery series by Ellie Alexander. I actually finished this book well before christmas, but I'm a little behind on posting my reviews. I'm really happy that the author has decided to have Annie and Fletcher buy the store from Hal. I'm really looking forward to future books in this series because the author is really good at crafting a murder mystery.

A Holiday Homicide is book 4in a series. I haven't read the previous books, and this works as a standalone. However, I do want to read the rest now, as it would help with the continuing story throughout.

Annie decides to hold a gingerbread baking competition at her bookstore. When an influencer is found dead during the event, Annie knows she has to solve the crime to save the event, and the reputation of her store. Can she figure it out?

I really like the mix of characters, and the bookstore sounds amazing, somewhere I'd like to visit! I like the story of Annie's murdered friend running throughout the series, I will definitely be looking out for the next book to see where that goes. A good cosy mystery.

A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander is the fourth book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. It is the holiday season in Redwood Grove, and Annie Murray has once again agreed to host an event at the Secret Bookcase, This time, she is in charge of a town-wide gingerbread house building contest. To make things even more exciting, Lily Hawthorne, an extremely popular baking social media influencer, has come to town to stream the contest on her platform, and to announce the winners of the contest live. Annie is excited because this will mean more well deserved publicity for the bookstore, and for her friend, Sugar's, bakery. However, it soon becomes apparent to Annie that there is tension within Lily's entourage and that Lily is not as sweet as she appears online. Annie gets pulled into another mystery when she unfortunately finds Lily dead in the bookstore. Were the circumstances surrounding her death due to natural causes, or did someone want Lily dead?

This is my favorite book in the series so far. I love Annie! She is smart, caring, compassionate, and incredibly capable in handling these murder mysteries. I also love her friends, who are always supportive of her and her need to continue to solve these murders. I love her continuing relationship with Liam and how sweet he is to her. He obviously cares about her, and is there to lend a hand if needed. I can't wait to read the next one!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Storm Publishing for the opportunity to this read this book.

So many unexpected things happens and the mystery engulfs Anna in the complex web of secrets, mystery, rivalry and suspense. While celebrity baker is found dead and investigation gets interesting.

Thanks to the Publisher

This is the fourth installment of this cozy mystery series, and this one sees the bookshop hosting a gingerbread baking competition.

When the baking competition goes
horribly wrong, Annie is back on the
case. Annie is always a likable character and a diligent detective. With the whole host of Christmas characters, this story is
perfect for those looking for a cozy
but fun holiday mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A Holiday Homicide is the fourth book in the Secret Bookcase mystery series by Ellie Alexander. This title is set during the holiday season and focuses on a gingerbread house contest. The event is being held at the Secret Bookcase where the main character, Annie Murray, is the special events planner.

The small town of Redwood Grove, California is very excited to have a major social media baking influencer, Lily Hawthorne, streaming live from the event. However, the excitement turns disastrous when Annie discovers yet another dead body at the event!

One of the things that I love best about this series, besides the wonderful cast of characters, is the dual mysteries. Not only do we encounter a new murder victim in each story but we also have the cold case of Annie's college BFF, Scarlet's, murder. In this title, Annie has a meeting that has led to the discovery of major information in her investigation about what happened ten years ago. On a more personal level, we also have progress in the relationship between Annie and the local pub owner, Liam.

I was a little disappointed in the ending of this book because I felt that we did not get the exciting conclusion that one comes to expect with this type of mystery. But all in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed the story and I'm looking forward to my next visit with Annie and friends.

Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and #NetGalley for allowing me to read #AHolidayHomicide and offer my honest opinion.

“A Holiday Homicide” is the nicely done fourth book in Ellie Alexander’s Secret Bookcase cozy mystery series – I have been hooked on this series from the start. I love everything about this series – starting with main character Annie Murray who, while still mourning the death of her best friend Scarlet, has moved on with her life, working at the Secret Bookcase book store, has a new love interest, and is slowly getting back into solving mysteries. I also love her boyfriend Liam, new best friend Pri, coworker Fletcher, and her book Hal – as well as the bookstore setting. The series has two plotlines – the ongoing one of Annie trying to figure out who killed Scarlet as well as the main mystery in the book – in this book Annie comes closer to solving Scarlet’s murder as well as trying to figure out who killed a celebrity baker during a gingerbread-baking competition. Of the two, in this book I liked the storyline of Scarlet’s killer better – it’s nice to see Annie get closer to finding out who the killer is and finally shutting the door on that chapter of her life. The main mystery was okay but I figured out early on who the killer was and the part where all was revealed felt a little flat and anticlimactic. Because of this, and because of another event that happened in the book but was then dropped with no explanation as to who was behind it, while I did enjoy the book I knocked off a star on my rating.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Book Review: A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

So, I just finished reading A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander, and wow, what a fun ride! This was my first time diving into this series, and I have to say, it won’t be my last.

The story follows Annie Murray, who has big plans for a festive season at her charming little bookstore, the Secret Bookcase. Just as she’s gearing up for a gingerbread-baking competition, disaster strikes when a celebrity baker drops dead right in the middle of the action. Talk about a holiday bummer! The whispers of foul play start swirling around Redwood Grove faster than snowflakes in a blizzard. Annie, with her new love interest Liam and her trusty bookstore crew, jumps headfirst into solving the murder. As they dig deeper, Annie uncovers layers of secrets and rivalries that make the baking community far less sweet than it seems. The suspense builds as she races against time to unravel the mystery before the killer can strike again.

First off, can we talk about how gorgeous the cover is? Seriously, I’m a sucker for a good book cover, and this one is just perfect for the holiday vibe. The writing was so engaging that I found myself completely sucked into the story. It’s definitely cozy mystery material and worked perfectly as a standalone—no need to have read previous books in the series to enjoy this one.

The pacing was spot-on; I never felt like it dragged or rushed. The plot was well thought out, keeping me guessing until the very end. Plus, I absolutely loved the characters! Annie is relatable and likable, and it’s easy to root for her throughout the twists and turns of this festive whodunit.

All in all, A Holiday Homicide is a delightful read that truly captures the essence of the season while keeping you on your toes. I can't wait to dive into the next book in this series—if they’re all this entertaining, I'm in for a treat! If you're looking for a cozy mystery to cozy up with this holiday season, grab yourself a cookie (or two) and get ready for some sleuthing fun!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Ellie Alexander gives us a Holiday Homicide with Annie Murray at the Secret Bookcase when a gingerbread structures contest goes wrong and the influencer who has made the main gingerbread structure ends up dead. Was it the fervent fan? Was it the baker in town? Was it the publicist ? Was it promotional company exec? How did she die? At the same time Annie is thinking about her next career steps in the middle of helping policeman Dr. Caldwell with the case. Short but snappy cozy.

I absolutely enjoyed this book so much. It was a perfect holiday book. I was hooked from the first page, and I couldn't stop reading it! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! The twist was epic, and I enjoyed every minute of this book. I can't wait for more from this author. I highly recommend this one for those whodunit kind of readers.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Storm Publishing

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
🎄 Christmas murder
🎄 books about books ❤️❤️❤️
🎄 small town Christmas festival

I loved the scenery and descriptions in here! It definitely felt like a Christmas book ❤️💚 I really enjoyed the descriptions of all the food that was happening in the book! It made me hungry 😈😈 And of course I love a Christmas festival! I love the descriptions of everything so I can envision that I am actually in the book with the characters.
This was definitely a slower cozy mystery, and I feel like it didn’t hold my attention like many other cozy mysteries do 👎🏻
The characters were just meh for me, I did not love or hate them. I feel like the book was so long and drawn out and then the end was just thrown in there.
I read this one without reading any of the other books in the series, but I think that was totally fine I didn’t feel like I missed any big details or anything like that.