Such an amazing cosy Christmas mystery!
First off, so much Christmas atmosphere – a gingerbread house competition, Christmas decorations, wintery foods and drinks. Everything I want in a Christmas mystery. Plus, it all takes place in an old mansion that has been converted into a bookstore where each room has an Agatha Christie theme! Seriously, a mystery lover’s dream setting. There’s even a hidden room behind a bookshelf!
As always, Alexander’s plot is tight and the pacing is perfect. I haven’t read the others in the series yet, but this stands alone perfectly if you are looking for a perfect Christmas cosy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the complementary eARC.

BOOK: A HOLIDAY HOMICIDE
AUTHOR: ELLIE ALEXANDER
PUB DATE: NOVEMBER 2024
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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The best thing about reading a series is seeing the character development and the changes in their lives. I got this from this new release. It was really nice to read about the upgrade in Annie and Liam's relationship, I was 'shipping' them. I also liked the new venture Annie might be into. I can't wait to see if she'll actually do it!
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As usual, the murder started with another book festival, this time a themed gingerbread houses. I loved reading about this, and I feel like the festivals are creative. This was slightly different. Before the victim died, I already suspected who the culprit was, but I liked that they were three other main suspects who kept me guessing.
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Another thing is that the murder was not the main 'suspense'. Annie really focused on her best friend's, Scarlett's murder which has been a main theme from the beginning of the series. New evidence has been discovered, and I'm really curious as to what happened with her.
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I read this book in a day and it was really nice to experience Annie, her bookshop, friends and small town again. I would definitely continue this series, and you should, too. If you haven't started, you can start from the beginning.
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Ellie Alexander has a knack for creating sleuths you want to be root for with, townsfolk you want to know, and friends you want to hang out with. Event planner Annie Murray has been going from success to success, from planning book launches to dinner parties, from film festivals to book festivals, she has been creating memorable events for the Secret Bookcase store.

In her latest event brainstorm, the bookstore hosts a huge gingerbread competition, just in time for the holidays! But things go awry (as they do) and Annie is quickly drawn back into being an amateur sleuth, something she’s more than qualified for with her criminology degree.

This book zips along at a perfect pace, always keeping my attention and moving everything along. There’s two plots going on – the main murder mystery, and the series-long arc of Annie’s best friend, Scarlet’s, murder when she was in college.

The death of the baking influencer was a good look at influencers, online perceptions, and how fandom can sometimes go a little too far. It’s really relevant in today’s society and reminds readers that what you see online isn’t always what’s going on in reality.

One of the things I love about this series is the supporting characters and how they’ve developed as the series continues. I love the support that Annie’s co-workers give her, and how Annie is able to balance two different career options – working at the bookstore and assisting the police in their investigations.

I also love the developing relationship between Annie and Liam. It’s sweet and the fact that she has him watching Midsomer Murders and Death in Paradise (two of my favourites!) makes me love them as a couple even more. I think there’s still lots to come for these two but I do like the fact that Liam supports Annie’s investigations, and trusts her to be able to handle herself.

While the main murder is solved before the end of the book, Scarlet’s cold case murder is still unsolved, but major developments happen in A Holiday Homicide and I’m hoping we get even more answers in the next book!

* Thank you to the publisher, Storm Publishing, for providing me with an e-copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

This is the 4th release this year in the new cozy series "Secret Bookcase Mystery". Cozy author Ellie Alexander has gone above and beyond for her readers this year and we appreciate all her hard work in releasing this wonderful series. Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher for the opportunity for review. My review opinion is my own.

In this holiday theme release our savvy protagnist Annie is participating in a fun gingerbread contest when a murder occurs. Annie is determined to solve another murder with her instincts for finding clues among the suspects. Liam and Annie are now a couple and Liam joins her in investigating. The red herrings abound and soon Annie is on the path of a killer once again.

The Christmas theme is written with all the holiday magic by the author. I love the small .town holiday celebrations and descriptions of holiday treats. This is a wonderful charming addition to this new series .

This book offers up another slice of the sweet and heartwarming chapter in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries. If you liked the previous books in the series about small town America, filled with community spirit, then this might be for you. I was pleased to see all the characters were back and Annie had made progress in her career and her love life.
The bookstore in the book is unique and I liked the way the story paid homage to the great writers, such as Agatha Christie and others. I was unsure about the introduction of a gingerbread competition as I was expecting a theme to be introduced that was more connected to books at Christmas. However, when the main plot got going and the murder suspects started lining up, the storyline became intriguing. It was quite easy to guess the killer in the novel, however there were some red herrings which tried to lead the reader in different directions and added to the richness of the story.

A Holiday Homicide is the fourth book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery by Ellie Alexander. As the reader has gotten to know Annie Murray, Liam and friends it is evident that trouble seems to find those in Redwood Grove. For a small town it has more than it shares of murder victims, this time at a gingerbread contest. Who would have thought it?

Annie and crew are on the hunt for the killer before another fall victim. A who-dun-it that was interesting had me following the clues with Annie and invested in the changes that could happen in her personal life. Read okay on its own but I am glad I have been following Annie from the beginning. An intriguing cozy Christmas mystery.

This book has a lovely festive vibe, and the descriptions of decorations in the bookshop bring it to life. A festive gingerbread competition is the focus, and the bookshop's profile is raised with the attendance of a social media influencer. Things start well, and it's easy to visualise the gingerbread creations. Unfortunately, things are not as sweet as they appear when unexpected visitors and incidents threaten the event. When Annie discovers a dead body amongst the bookshelves, she is drawn into the investigation, which highlights the darker side of social media and celebrity. The mystery uncovers betrayal, deceit and secrets. I like the story's characters, setting and immersive mystery.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of A Holiday Homicide.

Annie works at The Secret Bookcase and they are hosting a holiday gingerbread contest with a famous influencer named Lily. Everything is going well until Annie finds Lily unconscious on the floor of the bookstore. Annie uses her criminology background to help solve what happened but in doing so is she putting her own life at risk?

This is the fourth book in this series and all of the books are so good! I would definitely recommend reading the other books first before reading this one as it will give you great background on the town and the characters. I absolutely love the characters in this series-they are so easy to connect with. I really enjoy the author’s writing style. It is so easy to get engrossed in these books and trying to solve who did it! I cannot wait to continue on with this series because these books are a must read!

Festive Cosy..
The fourth entry in the Secret Bookcase series of mysteries finds Annie in a dilemma as her planned festivities at the bookstore are derailed by an unexpected fatality. As murmurs of foul play abound, Annie soon finds herself knee deep in mystery and mayhem. A satisfyingly festive cosy mystery with a cast of eclectic and well drawn characters, a well imagined backdrop and a solid mystery at its heart. A worthy addition to the series.

I love all things Ellie Alexander writes, she is one of the best cozy authors. I have no clue how she’s so prolific but I’m very glad she is. She has created one of the most charming bookstores, you will wish that it’s real. If you’re a fan of Murder, She Wrote, then this is ideal, I find it’s one of the series that reminds me of the show the most. The mix of cozy with actual crime solving is perfectly balanced.

This time around we get Christmas & a murder at a gingerbread making contest. I loved that Christmas wasn’t just a background event, it’s very integral to the whole story. The suspects are a mixture of locals & out-of-towners, which plays really well. There’s also a major change/decision Annie makes about her future that I feel will propel the series into really interesting directions. Her having a criminology background is unique & adds a lot to the books.

You truly can’t go wrong with any of Ellie Alexander’s series! She is one of the best & I look forward to the future.

A Holiday Homicide has a great blend of holiday story appeal and mystery.

Annie and the Secret Bookcase are hosting a gingerbread competition with a baking influencer, Lily.
Unfortunately, death happens and Annie once again assists Dr. Caldwell with her investigation.
There are some interesting suspects. There is also movement regarding Scarlet’s death from 10 years prior.
I enjoyed reading this 4th book in the Secret Bookcase mystery series. I recommend starting at the beginning so you can fall in love with these characters too.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the fourth book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. Annie works at a bookshop called The Secret Bookcase in the small town of Redwood Grove.

A Holiday Homicide is set at Christmas time and the holiday atmosphere of gingerbread, cinnamon and hot chocolate is almost overwhelming. Unfortunately someone drops dead at the baking contest, and it appears to be murder. Annie and her boyfriend Liam set out to discover the guilty party.

This was a very entertaining read full of good things like the Christmas spirit in a small town, and not so good things like modern day oversharing on the internet. There is a lot to look forward to in future books with the plans Annie and Fletcher are making for the bookshop and the developing romance between Annie and Liam. Roll on the next book.

I've been all about the Christmas cozies and this was a fab addition to my pile! An enjoyable festive read to enjoy if you've read others in the series or not

I'd like to thank netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read and review this book

At this point if Ellie Alexander writes it, I’ll read it. A Holiday Homicide is the perfect Peppermint Latte type book to kick of your Christmas reads. Grab some cozy pjs, a cup of holiday coffee and get ready for a wonderful read!

A Holiday Homicide is the 4th book in A Secret Bookcase Mystery series. When our beloved Annie once again discovers a body, this time at the gingerbread competition at the Secret Bookcase, she is once again thrust into yet another mystery of who and why. This time a popular baking influencer, Lilly Hawthorne, who is leading the charge of the competition has died mysteriously. Looks like natural causes but is that what really happened? Several people involved might have wanted her dead and out of the way for a laundry list of reasons. Not only will this mysterious death have you questioning several people you’ll also be wondering if any of it is connected to Annies’s past. As Annie and her friends dig deeper into Scarlets, Annies collage roommate, murder; more secrets begin to reveal themselves. The end of this book will have you begging for book 5! I know I need to know more about what happened to Scarlet and if Annie will ever have closure.

I love how well Ellie Alexander blends together, so eloquently, the mystery, friendships and romance throughout each book in this series. I love how she puts you right inside Annies’s mind. You feel as if you are in her head thinking alongside her as she processes the current murder as well as what has happened in her past. I am also loving the mystery that is Liam Donovan! I can already tell something big is coming when it comes to him!

Next up is; Book 5: A Victim at Valentine’s, releasing just in time for Valentine’s Day might I add! What is next for Annie on her journey to solve her best friend’s murder? Will we ever know what secrets Liam is hiding? And how will Fletcher and Annie handle their new business adventures?! I have so many questions. I don’t know how many books there will be but here is to hoping there are many many more. I need to accompany, Hal, Annie and Fletcher overseas to finally know if Hal is really related to Agatha Christie so we defiantly need an 6th book. At that point make it an even 10. Then again why stop there!?

A Secret Bookcase Mystery series will captivate you from the start! Come for the cozy mysteries and stay for the drama, murders and love.

Favorite Quotes:

 “‘Liam freaking Donovan is dropping puns?’ Price gasped and fanned her face, looking at Dr. Caldwell and me in disbelief. ‘What is happening?’”

“ ‘Funny, because I took you  for the bookish type.’”

Thank you to Netgally, Ellie Alexander and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Ellie Alexander ( @ellie_alexander ), Storm Publishing ( @stormbooks_co ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read A Holiday Homicide early (publishes November 20, 2024).

Ellie Alexander’s latest installment of the Secret Bookcase Mysteries is a holiday delight. The death of a social media influencer puts a damper on the holiday spirits during The Secret Bookshelf’s inaugural gingerbread house baking competition. It’s up to Annie to put the pieces together and figure out who did it!

Ellie Alexander has done it again. This new series of hers (how are we so lucky to have gotten four books in one year) may be my most favorite. And that’s saying something because I’m an Ellie Alexander stan!

This sweet cozy is perfect to read by the tree with a cup of coffee and some cookies, and a bit of gingerbread cake.

#AHolidayHomicide #NetGalley #EllieAlexander #StormPublishing

Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to the Secret Bookcase in Redwood Grove! This time Annie is approached to help host a gingerbread house competition at the bookstore, thanks to the interest of a baking influencer in a local bakery’s designs. When someone turns up dead, Annie is eager to help find out who did it and stretch her detective chops.

In addition to the new murder, Annie’s still got her cold case on the back burner and is following a new lead that she found. I enjoy how Ellie Alexander incorporates a continuing mystery that is more personal to the main character throughout her cozies to give it an ongoing thread to follow - and it’s starting to get dangerous!

I enjoyed the holiday vibes of this one, it’s definitely more holiday than Christmas with the the contest and decor descriptions. I also found it fun getting a fictional peek behind the scenes the culinary influencer world, and watching Annie continue to grow and thrive in her new career path.

If you’re a fan of the series, don’t miss this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for sending this DRC for review consideration.

This series just keeps getting better. Annie Murray and company have set up a gingerbread competition. The whole town is involved and excited for all of the visitors that have arrived in their town.

Everything is festively decorated with the aroma of gingerbread permeating the air, but alas everything is about to be thrown into chaos when a celebrity baker/influencer drops dead in the Secret Bookcase. It appears that the death may not be natural.

There are suspects galore as you soon learn that this baker left a cloud of distaste everywhere she went with her arrogant attitude. As the investigation deepens and more information comes to light, the mystery gets a little more complicated and interesting. Cozy mystery lovers will eat this one up.

I love this series as I could easily lose myself in a place like the Secret Bookcase. It sounds so intriguing and inviting to a lover of books. I also enjoy all of the characters in this series as we watch Annie and Liam's relationship deepen with each installment. We get another look inside the mystery of Annie's college friend's murder that is still unsolved. It seems Annie is getting one step closer, but you are left with a shocking cliffhanger.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Holiday Homicide is book four in the series A Secret Bookcase Mystery by author Ellie Alexander. I have not read any other books by this author.
I enjoyed this book. It was very easy to read as a stand-alone book. The mystery was easy to figure out quickly in the book. I like a cozy mystery to keep me guessing more as I am reading.
The author is one I will look for more books to read.
Thank you NetGalley, Ellie Alexander and Storm Publishing for the copy of the book A Holiday Homicide. This is my personal review.

A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander is a Christmas cozy murder mystery, if that is not too unlikely. Annie Murray is an employee of a bookstore called the Secret Bookcase and she works there with her friend, Fletcher, and the owner, Hal. They are sponsoring a gingerbread house contest which will be featured on Lily Hawthorne’s social media. Lily is a popular influencer. Also involved is Sugar Lester who had opened a bakery aptly called the Sweet Room in a large Victorian house outside of town. Everyone was excited and each of the three bookstore employees have created a house and, of course, Sugar and Lily both have. The three from the bookstore were decent but the two created by the professionals were beyond amazing, until Lily tripped and knocked Sugar’s off the table and into a million pieces. That starts off a day of abject misery, followed by a week of it as Annie discovers Lily’s body in a nook in the bookstore. Her ersatz boyfriend, Liam Donovan, local chef and Pri, the best barista in town are on hand.

Annie is torn between the bookstore and a career in law enforcement. Her former criminology professor is the head of the local police force and wants Annie to to in her there. Annie wants to but she wants her career in the bookstore as well. She is also investigating a cold case, her college roommate, Scarlett, who was murdered, in her spare time. She has plenty of energy and is focused on things that are important. She is the ideal lead for this relatively new series. One thing she has in common with other amateur sleuths is that she often finds herself in danger. This time is no different. This is a fun series, but I am prone to liking any story featuring a bookstore. The characters are fresh and fun; the setting is perfect, and the mystery is perplexing. It shines a light on the world of influencers, not always a good thing.

I was invited to read A Holiday Homicide by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander #AHolidayHomicide

Annie is in the middle of it again! It's time for a gingerbread baking competition with Annie, Sugar (local bakery owner) and Lily (celebrity baker). Can she solve the murder before someone else is hurt? I won't tell!

I love that Annie and Liam are getting closer, maybe wedding bells will be in the future. Annie and Fletcher are going to do something different soon, I don't want to give away any spoilers! I really wish we could get to the bottom of Scarlett's death. Getting small doses in each book makes it very hard to keep track of where we are, I'd love to have 1 book that solves that case instead of a murder in Redwood Grove. Still a great story!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.