We are back at Storyton Hall and it was another excellent addition, #9, to "A Book Retreat Mystery" series!
Jane and Edwin are going on a much needed vacation, just the two of them. Storyton Hall has been so busy and Edwin's restaurant has been just as busy so they need to have a relaxing getaway. But there is nothing relaxing about their trip to the ocean town in North Carolina. Excellent story and it kept me reading.
I have read this series since the first book and I love how Ellery Adams can pull you into a story that you don't want to put down. Life got in the way of me reading this in one sitting but I did finish in 48 hours. It's sad to see such a good book end but I have to remember there will be another one and I look forward to it.
The characters are wonderful and well thought out. Jane owns Storyton Hall and it is a readers paradise. Full of books and quiet places to read them. It's hard to ask for more when you have that.
Love this series and anxiously awaiting the next book.
Highly recommend!!
candragonsread's profile picture

candragonsread's review

3.0

A nice, solid mystery that was well thought out with interesting clues. The atmosphere was quaint and cozy and I enjoyed my time reading this. I adore Ellery Adams writing. That being said, there are other cozies by her that I prefer.

A book lover’s intriguing mystery with interesting twists and turns, delightful characters in a most creative setting made for a great introduction to the Book Retreat Mystery series.

I love Ellery Adams Book Retreat Mysteries. This one was a little different in that it was not completely set in Storyton, but in a resort where Jane and Edwin went for a vacation. But as one would expect, trouble was there as well, so not much of a vacation. As it turned out it involved Storyton as well, so the problems followed them back. Good story and engaging read. Loved the ending.
Now to wait for the next one.

kimnopp's review

5.0

I don't remember how I discovered this series, but I"m glad I did! Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is number 9 in Ellery Adams' Book Retreat Mysteries Series.
Jane and Edwin are off on a well deserved vacation, but in true spirit, they come upon a murder quickly into their vacation. And there are more murders as their brief trip continues. This latest story takes place mostly away from the lovely Storyton Hall Resort, which is quite the change for this series. I liked the change, seeing Jane and Edwin on their own, away from friends and family. The murders take place in a Virginia beach resort town, Oyster Bay. Authors, bookstores, family secrets and love round out this latest in the series. I thought the book was over when Uncle Aloysius revealed a hidden secret, but I was wrong! Another chapter had the most perfect ending! I hope this series continues for a long time!

It was so wonderful to get back to Oyster Bay, NC, and Olivia [b:A Killer Plot|7689099|A Killer Plot (A Books by the Bay Mystery, #1)|Ellery Adams|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442944603l/7689099._SY75_.jpg|10352040] (one of my favorite series ever - this one does have spoilers to that just FYI). More romance and more murder follow Edwin and Jane on their much needed vacation. The unsolved murders follow them back to Storyton Hall. Olivia is headed back to Storyton as well, for another chance at romance for her!
This seems like the last of the series, everything is nicely tied up with the hidden library, the Hall, and the romance. "Your story is our story, here's to the next chapter" indeed.
funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Maybe because this is later in the series and I haven't read the previous books, I didn't really like this one. I found the characters very unlikable and this book didn't do anything to try to persuade me otherwise.
adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes