It's one of these books you want to give points for at least trying. So many good ideas, such a nice setup, and lots of great characters. But it's so crowded... There's too much going on right from the start in too many directions. Too many characters to keep track of. And Annie is a detective who doesn't really investigate... She finds the decisive clue by accident, and even with it, she gets it wrong... And the culprit falls in her lap, basically. Also, the romance side is way too cliché for me, sorry. I feel bad for not liking that one because clearly, there was potential, and the author has tried hard. But the plot is way too thin, even for a cozy.

A Victim at Valentine's is the 5th book in Ellie Alexander's A Secret Bookcase Mystery series and they continue to be riveting! Annie Murray is a part owner in the Secret Bookcase Bookstore along with Fletcher and their boss Hal. Annie and Fletcher are going to open a Private Investigation company as soon as Annie passes the PI test. It is almost Valentine's Day and the bookstore is hosting a Matchmaking event. It is a fun idea until a popular local ends up dead. There are only a few suspects and I guessed some of it, however I wasn't sure. Fletcher meets a lady and they hit it off but Annie doesn't like her. Annie's friend Scarlet's murder is a continuing storyline and progress is made. Annie's boyfriend Liam is a really nice character and we learn a little more about him. There is a lot going on and the book is hard to put down! I can't wait until the next book! #AVictimAtValentines #ASecretBookcaseMystery #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander

This book is the fifth in the series - I have read one of the previous books, and find they do work as standalone stories.

Annie finds herself hosting a Valentines love match event at the bookstore. When an important local is found dead, can Annie help police solve the crime and keep the event on track?

I liked the return of the running story of the death of Annie's friend Scarlet - this book gets Annie a lot closer to solving that mystery. The next book is the last in the series, so I am hopeful it will all be resolved then.

I also hope to see more of Fletcher and Victoria's relationship that blossomed so beautifully in this story, after a rocky start. I also liked seeing Annie and Liam's relationship get more of a solid foothold in this book.

A fun cosy mystery, a very quick read.

I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of A Victim at Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander, the fifth book in a six-part series. While I haven’t read the earlier books, the author provided enough background and details to ensure I never felt lost. The story was engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, so much so that I now plan to read the entire series! My only critique was that the reveal of the murderer felt a bit anticlimactic, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Ellie Alexander’s writing has definitely gained a new fan!

Another win for Ellie Alexander! Following the exploits of Annie and her friends in Redwood Grove is a pleasure. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, step into the Secret Bookcase and help Annie solve the mystery!

I am afraid that I didn't realize I was reading A Victim at Valentine's for NetGalley. I thoiught it was a book on my reader so I can't give a report on it. I do know that it is the 5th book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series. I have read this series from the beginning and have liked it very much. It is a good story and worth reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

I starting reading it not knowing it was a part of a series but it was still an enjoyable read. Small town, cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres and now that I know it's a part of a series, I have more books to read to learn more about Annie's backstory.

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Short and saccharine sweet. Cute and cozy and also cheesy. I picked up this book because I love seasonal reading. I did not realize this was number 5 in a series so that could be part of why I couldn’t connect to this book but overall it’s not for me. Especially the claim revenge is never the answer. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Annie Murray is gearing up for a Valentines event at the Secret Bookcase, but the plans are nearly derailed when a local philanthropist is found dead in the shops rear garden. Already studying for her PIs licence, she knows that she’s going to have to see what she can found out about what happened and why.

I’m really enjoying this series, the main characters are realistic and likeable, there’s a bit of a romance brewing for several of the characters and there’s the ongoing mystery that Annie is trying to figure out, about the murder of her best friend some years ago. Easy to read, enough twists to be interesting and an unexpected ending, what’s not to like. While it can be read as a standalone book, I think it’s better to have read the previous books.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander is set in the small town of Redwood Grove and centers around the Secret Bookcase, an Agatha Christie-inspired bookstore. Annie Murray is organizing a matchmaking weekend at the bookstore for Valentine's Day. After Annie finds a body at the bookstore, she works with the police to find the killer. Annie is still working to figure out who killed her best friend Scarlet before their college graduation. Is her investigation into Scarlet's death putting her in danger?

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to readers who love cozy mysteries or Ellie Alexander. I recommend that you read this series in order as the Scarlet mystery unfolds across the series.

Thank you Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: February 10, 2025

This is one of the better books in the series even though the mystery around Scarlet's death is still my least favourite thing about these books (I just think it's so gloomy and not cosy at all to have such a dark cloud hanging over the main character like that) but clearly it's wrapping up which is good news!

It's Valentine Day and the bookshop is partnering with a matchmaking service to have people talk about books and find their soulmates in various locations when a philanthropist is found dead. The writing is so good in this, Ellie Alexander gives so many details for each scene she describes - the landscape, the atmosphere, any hobby or interest that's mentioned gets its own little description that keeps you interested. The big mystery of Scarlet's death aside, this is a lovely, lovely series. I love Annie, her relationship with Liam develops nicely in this book and I'm growing really attached to the side characters.

My endless thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

This is the 5th installment in the Secret Bookcase mystery series. Annie, Fletcher and Hal are hosting a matchmaking event at the request of Hal’s friend George who has invested in a matchmaking company. This is a weekend long event for Annie and the bookshop but as the event starts a package is dropped off mysteriously for Annie with information regarding Scarlett’s death. Annie is spooked by this as she feels she is being watched and then amiable George is having a tough day with getting into a disagreement with his business partner, Pri’s new barista and a psychic. Hal is worried about his friend and when Annie arrives early to the bookshop the next day it is to discover George dead on the terrace. Annie’s also shocked to see she is not alone and Fletcher’s new love interest Victoria is also on the scene. Annie’s working the case, but what could be the motive, everyone loved George. Well it turns out George had secrets and Annie still can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching her and wondering if somehow Scarlett’s death is involved. Annie once again puts her life in danger before all is sorted out. This is a fast paced and engaging mystery which I could not put down and read in a day. Really enjoying this series and can’t wait to read the next installment. Highly recommend this series.

A Victim at Valentine's is the is book 5 in the Secret Bookcase mystery series. I started this series with book 4, and so I have some catching up to do. I like Ellie Alexander's books and have read her other series. Alexander's books are great cozy mysteries, with nice twists and turns of the plot and characters who have some depth. A Victim at Valentine's can stand alone, since the author provides some much needed history. These cozy mysteries raise good questions about karma and whether punishment for past actions is in some way justifiable and a necessary. Is there an obligation to pay for the past? The past haunts this series in several ways, which means, readers will probably want to read the entire series. I do recommend A Victim at Valentine's. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. This series will hold the reader's attention.

Annie and the crew are back to solve a murder of a local philantropist. Lots of plot twists and a group of very believable suspects. I didn't expect the ending and it was a total surprise. And Annie is a step closer to discovering who is behind Scarlett's murder. Can't wait for the next and final book in the series, although i'll be sad to say goodbye to this likeable group of sleuths.

When a well liked local philanthropist is murdered in front of the bookstore, Annie assists the police in sussing out the suspects. And there are plenty of them! Once I started this book, I could not put it down until the very last page! I can't wait to read the next book. Hopefully it will finally wrap up the side story of Scarlet's murder.

This mystery had me guessing until the last moment, and the reveal was fulfilling! There were several plausible suspects and the twists felt believable. Scarlet's mystery is also heating up, and I can't wait to learn how that side mystery will unfold in the next installment! I was sad to see An Unconventional Murder is planned to be the last installment of this series, but I'm looking forward to seeing how everything concludes and I'm eager to know what Ellie Alexander writes next. Whatever it is, I know I will read it and love it!

Annie and her friends are back. There’s been another murder. There are a lot of suspects. Annie meticulously follows the clues. It’s a fun book. I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out who was responsible. There was a little suspense involved. I love how eclectic the chats of characters are. The writing is terrific. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this book. This is another good edition to a real good series. Annie once again helps to solve a murder mystery.

4.5 stars

I do really need to stop reading books out of order. Jumping in to the middle of a series is not very helpful, but I was still able to figure out who was who and how they were connected fairly quickly.

Ms Alexander writes a twisty tale, incorporating some of the best elements of the genre: foreshadowing, red herrings, location, hidden backstories, etc. My attention was held from the very first chapter, all the way to the end. Using a digital copy, I didn't realize that there was still a bit of solving to go until it caught me by surprise. I'm glad it did.

I certainly recommend this book and would like to start the series from the beginning.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

It's Valentine's Day at the Secret Staircase bookstore. It's suppose to be about love not murder. Except wealthy George Richards didn't seem to get that message and ended up as the victim. Who wanted him out of the picture? Was it the young Linx who was last seen fighting with him. How about Aaliyah whom he had a working relationship with. And what about the fire warning from the so called physic? So many clues and suspects but not enough actual answers. Will Annie be able to figure things out before she becomes the next victim herself. This book keeps you guessing from the very beginning. Great one