#BookReview ~ A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #2) by Ellie Alexander #CozyMystery #EllieAlexander

 

A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #2) by Ellie Alexander

ASIN: ‎ B0D5VBWNH6
Publisher: ‎ Storm Publishing (June 19, 2024)
Publication Date: ‎ June 19, 2024
Print length: ‎ 262 pages

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About the Book:

When bookseller and events organizer Annie Murray invites the glamorous world of Hollywood along to her small-town film festival, she finds herself entangled in a sinister plot as twisted as any big-screen thriller…

After the success of her first event, which revived the fortunes of the bookstore she loves so dearly, Annie is excited to launch Redwood Grove’s first film festival. But when an infamous film critic plunges to his death during the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller, Annie’s instincts tell her that this was no accident. She soon discovers that many of the cast, crew and guests are harboring dark secrets; from the lead actress with a scandalous past, to a film historian obsessed with protecting his vintage reel collection.

Determined to unravel the mystery, Annie must sift through a tangled web of hidden agendas and deception to expose the killer before they strike again. Can she crack the case and save her film festival – or will she find herself in the spotlight?

My Review:

A Murder at the Movies is the second book in the new series, The Secret Bookcase Mysteries, by Ellie Alexander. After getting through the Mystery Fest, Annie sets up their next event - a film festival. The first ever in the history of Redwood Grove. With the film festival, though, comes a very harsh movie critic. Before the premier movie even really gets going, the film critic falls from the balcony. There is what seems to be a never ending suspect list just based on the interactions between the critic and everyone he was around. Annie finds herself wading through everyone's backstory and history with the critic in an effort to unmask the killer so she can say that's a wrap before anyone else gets hurt.

I really enjoyed the second book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery. There are several threads woven into this story. It's not just a current murder mystery. Annie lost a friend years ago to murder and she's still trying to figure that one out. The chemistry between Annie and Liam sparks a little brighter in A Murder at the Movies but doesn't overshadow the mystery. I love my cozies with a bit of romance but not a love story that undermines the story. 

The characters are interesting, likeable, and 3-dimensional. The author wrote them realistically with personality (or lack thereof, as it were for some of them), dimension, and emotion. I enjoyed the small town feel created and developed, and I felt like I was there assisting Annie figure out who had the means, motive, and opportunity. The story and mystery really pulled me in and kept me engaged. The death/murder mystery kept me guessing. I found the entire book to be well thought out with wonderful pacing.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Thick As Thieves (Kenni Lowry Mystery Book 11) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappesBooks

 

Sheriff Kenni Lowry should be blissfully planning her wedding, but Cottonwood, Kentucky has other plans. When Judge Horace Blackwell is found murdered in his chambers, Kenni is thrown into a case packed with family feuds, a mysterious inheritance, and secrets buried—literally—beneath the town.

With her ghostly Poppa offering his usual (and sometimes unwelcome) advice, her trusty hound Duke, and her fiancé Finn by her side, Kenni is racing to solve the case before the killer strikes again. As the trail winds through high-stakes poker games, long-forgotten tunnels, and scandalous secrets, Kenni realizes the culprit may be closer to home than she ever imagined.

Can Kenni crack the case and keep her wedding plans on track, or will the murderer make sure she never makes it to “I do”?

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ASIN: ‎ B0D5BYV893
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ February 23, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 217 pages

My Review:

Thick as Thieves is book 11 in the Kenni Lowry series. A murdered judge disrupts wedding planning for Kenni, the local Sheriff in Cottonwood, KY. The death was horrific enough, but the sheer amount of evil that oozes out of the walls in this small town is enough to choke a person. Filled with feuds, finances, and secrets, Kenni finds herself flitting all over Cottonwood trying to pin down a suspect.

I enjoyed Thick as Thieves. I’m a fan of books with supernatural elements and having Poppa’s ghost help Kenni is a fun aspect. Having her grandfather back in her life must have been exciting and wonderful but not being able to hug him must have been torture. Poppa proves to be quite the asset to Kenni as she investigates and attempts to analyze the clues and piece everything together.

World-building and character development continues in Thick as Thieves. I enjoyed the characters and their involvement in this book. Enjoyable and interesting, this cozy mystery pulled me in and kept me engaged. The mystery was intricate and wonderfully woven through the pages.

And that ending!!

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ The Body in the Bookstore (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #1) by Ellie Alexander #CozyMystery

 

The Body in the Bookstore (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #1) by Ellie Alexander 

ASIN:‎ B0D4RV4P8V

Publisher: ‎Storm Publishing
Publication date: ‎June 19, 2024

Print length: ‎274 pages

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About the Book:

An addictively cozy and gripping murder mystery introducing a brand-new amateur sleuth and lovable heroine to the crime scene…

Welcome to The Secret Bookcase, a quirky bookstore in a grand, converted manor house, where the selection of crime fiction is dangerously good. The store has been bookseller and events manager Annie Murray’s sanctuary ever since her dreams of starting a detective agency with her best friend died, literally, when Scarlet was murdered.

Annie has never stopped trying to solve the mystery of her friend’s death, but her quiet life in leafy Redwood Grove, with its warm community of likeminded local business-owners and book-lovers, has provided the solace she needed. Until now.

When a body is discovered in the bookstore during the town’s inaugural Mystery Fest, Anne finds herself catapulted to the centre of a real-life whodunit. Dusting off her criminology degree, Annie is determined to put her sleuthing skills to good use and catch the killer – before it’s too late.

My Review:

The Body in the Bookstore is the first book in the brand new series, The Secret Bookcase Mysteries, by Ellie Alexander. Annie Murray has set up what she hopes is the perfect event to bring life back to The Secret Bookcase and to the town on Redwood Grove. People are coming from far and wide to the very first Mystery Fest. The mood shifts, however, when a dead body is discovered during the festivities. Annie is thrust into the middle of real-life murder case, using her degree in criminology and unofficially partnering with someone from her past.

I really enjoyed this first book in the brand new Secret Bookcase Mystery. There are several threads woven into this story. It's not just a current murder mystery. Annie lost a friend years ago to murder and she's still trying to figure that one out. Now there's a body in one of the clue locations created for the festival. When a bunch of old college friends/acquaintances come to town, their reasons, actions, and revealed secrets add them Annie's list of suspects.

The characters are interesting, likeable, and 3-dimensional. The author wrote them realistically with personality (or lack thereof, as it were for some of them), dimension, and emotion. I enjoyed the small town feel created and developed, and I felt like I was there assisting Annie figure out who had the means, motive, and opportunity. The story and mystery really pulled me in and kept me engaged. The death/murder mystery kept me guessing. I found the entire book to be well thought out with wonderful pacing.

I was provided a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ Steamed Secrets (Killer Coffee Cozy Mystery, Book 16) by Tonya Kappes #NewRelease #TonyaKappesBooks #CozyMystery

 

Steamed Secrets (Killer Coffee Cozy Mystery, Book 16) by Tonya Kappes

ASIN: ‎ B0D5BHQP3Y
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ January 26, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 209 pages

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Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

About the Book:

Welcome to Honey Springs, where the gossip flows as smoothly as the coffee—and murder is the latest buzz.

When Roxy Bloom traded in her high-powered lawyer heels for cozy barista sneakers and a fresh start in her charming hometown, she never expected murder to darken her doorstep. But when Vanessa Hartman—a model with secrets to spare—turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, the Bean Hive Coffee Shop becomes the center of small-town whispers, and Roxy can’t resist stirring the pot.

With her trusty rescue pup Pepper at her side, Roxy dives headfirst into a swirling mystery of tangled relationships, jealous rivals, and one too many secrets steeping in the background. And just when the case gets hot enough to scald, Patrick Cane, the swoon-worthy man who stole her heart, is there with kisses and steadfast support to keep her grounded—if only Roxy could keep herself out of trouble.

As the Honey Springs Spring Festival lights up the town with laughter and charm, Roxy faces a parade of quirky suspects, a squawking parrot who just might hold the key, and a killer determined to keep their secrets buried. Can Roxy solve the mystery before the culprit skips town, or will her snooping put her back in a life she swore she left behind?

Perfect for fans of small-town cozies, sweet romance, and a dash of southern sass, Steamed Secrets will keep you turning pages faster than Roxy can serve up her famous lattes

My Review:

Steamed Secrets is the 16th book in the Killer Coffee Mystery Series. The book takes place during the Honey Springs Spring Festival. The Bean Hive and the rest of town are gearing up for the festivities when a blast from Roxie's past blows into town. Vanessa Hartman, Roxie's former college roommate turned model, suggested Honey Springs for a perfume campaign photoshoot, and here she is...Surprise!

When a murder taints the reunion and the festival, Roxie dons her lawyer's hat, her sleuthing cap, and her superhero cape. Her tasks are daunting but if anyone can unravel secrets, jealousy among suspects, and dissect a messy relationship or two, it's Roxie. I found this book to be exceptionally emotional as I followed Roxie on her latest investigation.

Steamed Secrets pulls you in and keeps you engaged. The mystery was well-written and kept me on my toes. I found myself continually guessing who the murderer could be throughout the story. Every time I thought I knew who the suspect was, something would happen or new evidence would appear, and I’d have to try and figure it out again. I love that in a mystery - fill the book full of twists and turns, red herrings, and deliberate misdirects so I have a tough time figuring everything out.

I enjoyed all the characters. The world building had me feeling like I was right in the middle of Honey Springs. I was able to visualize the town, the activities, and the people.

I was provided a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating: