The Body in the Bookstore Audiobook By Ellie Alexander cover art

The Body in the Bookstore

A Secret Bookcase Mystery, Book 1

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The Body in the Bookstore

By: Ellie Alexander
Narrated by: Ellen Quay
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Behind the shelves of The Secret Bookcase, where the sun slants through the windows onto rows of classic crime novels, a body lies…

Bookseller Annie Murray is thrilled when the mystery-themed book festival she sets up to revive the dwindling fortunes of her workplace and sanctuary seems poised for success. But events take a shocking turn when a body is discovered hidden behind the shelves, and it’s revealed that the victim is Annie's old college acquaintance.

Determined to ensure the festival’s success and save the small town of Redwood Grove from a killer, Annie begins piecing together clues with the help of her friends. But as the list of suspects grows longer—a local boutique owner, an envious old classmate, a bitter ex-boyfriend—Annie is drawn deeper into the case.

With the aid of her old criminology professor-turned-detective, can Annie unmask the murderer before they turn her festival into a real-life whodunit?

Full of lovable, quirky characters and small-town charm, The Body in the Bookstore serves up an irresistible blend of intrigue for fans of cozy crime including Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton.

©2024 Ellie Alexander (P)2024 Dreamscape Media Amateur Sleuths Cozy Crime Mystery Women Sleuths Feel-Good Murder
Engaging Mystery • Surprising Twists • Excellent Narration • Swift Storyline • Compelling Series
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Writen with characters sense of humor. A few pieces missing along the way. Loved the possible lead to the ongoing mystery.
Sorry, that's all I have.

Writer took a bit too much time illustrating characters attire and areas vs getting to the murder.

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I really enjoyed this first book in a new series by Ellie Alexander. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Great new series…

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enjoyable fun to listen to alot twists and turns. it made my miles just fade as I listened can't wait for the next book.

bookstore and dead body

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I mostly loved this. It’s a nice little cozy mystery that doesn’t feel dreary or heavy. I like most of the characters, though the best friend character has that “voice” that you find in a lot of sitcoms (the type of character that says things like “you know what people say….” Or “and that’s why you love me.”)

My one gripe with the book is that it feels very surface-level. It feels like a first draft that needed a couple more pass-throughs to add depth and layers.
The man that’s set up as the potential love interest barely has any time with the MC. There’s no tension, not gradual buildup to passion.

The story is about mystery books and a short story becomes a focal point. The only problem is, we barely get any text from the short story. We’re told ABOUT the story but don’t get to dive into meat of it so it doesn’t feel very impactful.

I still recommend it, and I’ll check out other books in this series, but I’m hoping future novels have a bit more depth to them.

Cozy and lighthearted but a bit shallow

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Narrator totally made the book! Was such a cost mystery and such great production. I
ordered the next book with a different narrator…… meh

Narrator made the audio book!!

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Starts slow, for some time I was thinking no more than 3 stars (unsolved murder of college roommate seemed overplayed), but it picked up steam as it went along. I wasn’t surprised by the reveal - okay, I guessed it as soon as the character was introduced - but I don’t mind that in a cosy. Character interactions are complex and the setup is reasonably believable.

I have mixed feelings about the narrator. A little too “sweet” for my tastes. (Why can’t cosy narrators sound like adults?) But a good job of distinguishing voices.

WARNING: The scene in which the body is discovered is pretty graphic.

Promising series starter

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An ok start to a new series. The story was an easy read and kept me engaged.

Ok Start

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Great cozy mystery. Both the author and the narrator kept me invested from the first chapter. With a number of twists and turns and a result I didn’t see coming, I was hooked. Cannot wait to read and or listen to more from this author.

Hey I’d cozy mystery

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I enjoyed this book. It’s a good story that kept my attention. I would read the next in the series.

Nice story

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I really liked this cozy mystery. I liked the characters and I love the little town and the bookstore. The storyline held my interest and I was surprised to find out who the murderer was. The only thing that I didn’t like is that you need to buy the next one in the series to perhaps get an answer to something that is a secondary story throughout the entire book.

Cliffhanger

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