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A review by booglelooreads
A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander
5.0
Literary Cozy Mystery which finds a CA Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookstore's events organizer turning sleuth after a celebrity baker's killed during a gingerbread-baking challenge.
5/5 stars: Alexander's a favorite author and once again doesn't miss with this fourth entry in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series, which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in California and features a bookseller and event organizer for an Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookstore, who also has a criminology degree. When a social media star and celebrity baker's killed during a gingerbread-baking competition, she teams up with her loyal bookstore colleagues and her pub-owner new boyfriend to solve this murder mystery before the killer strikes again and makes this her last Christmas. With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I also enjoy the overarching plot of the cold case murder investigations and seeing Annie moving forward in her career. Heartfelt and humorous, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's so much fun to catch up with Annie, her friends, her found family at the Secret Bookcase bookshop and the eclectic townsfolk of Redwood Grove. Annie's a great character, who's toughness and determination are admirable. And I really like seeing her relationship with the ever so handsome bar owner and chef, Liam, starting to bloom. And of course one mustn't forget Annie's aptly named cat, Professor Plum. Additionally, I adore the small town holiday-filled atmosphere and cheery vibes throughout the book; Alexander always know how to set the scene. Alexander touches on some serious subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, [b:The Body in the Bookstore|213731253|The Body in the Bookstore (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #1)|Ellie Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1716317698l/213731253._SY75_.jpg|219986165].
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
5/5 stars: Alexander's a favorite author and once again doesn't miss with this fourth entry in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series, which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in California and features a bookseller and event organizer for an Agatha Christie-inspired mystery bookstore, who also has a criminology degree. When a social media star and celebrity baker's killed during a gingerbread-baking competition, she teams up with her loyal bookstore colleagues and her pub-owner new boyfriend to solve this murder mystery before the killer strikes again and makes this her last Christmas. With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I also enjoy the overarching plot of the cold case murder investigations and seeing Annie moving forward in her career. Heartfelt and humorous, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's so much fun to catch up with Annie, her friends, her found family at the Secret Bookcase bookshop and the eclectic townsfolk of Redwood Grove. Annie's a great character, who's toughness and determination are admirable. And I really like seeing her relationship with the ever so handsome bar owner and chef, Liam, starting to bloom. And of course one mustn't forget Annie's aptly named cat, Professor Plum. Additionally, I adore the small town holiday-filled atmosphere and cheery vibes throughout the book; Alexander always know how to set the scene. Alexander touches on some serious subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, [b:The Body in the Bookstore|213731253|The Body in the Bookstore (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #1)|Ellie Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1716317698l/213731253._SY75_.jpg|219986165].
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.