Addie Greyborne is preparing for the holidays at her bookstore in seaside New England—but a winter storm is coming, in more ways than one . . . Addie’s getting into the spirit for the upcoming Charity Auction—especially since she’s got an 1843 copy of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol to donate. Her former colleagues at the Boston Public Library have confirmed that its worth runs toward the … that its worth runs toward the high five figures, which should help with the new pediatric wing. Her mood darkens, though, when a visitor from the past appears—Jonathan Hemingway, the father of her late fiancé. His presence stirs up sad memories for Addie, but also has her fuming when Jonathan, true to his womanizing ways, runs off for a lunchtime liaison with Teresa Lang, who’s in charge of the auction.
Soon after, Addie heads to Teresa’s office at the hospital—and finds the poor woman’s dead body. What she doesn’t find is her valuable first edition. What sort of Scrooge would steal from sick children and commit murder in the process? As a Nor’easter bears down and a mystery emerges about Jonathan’s past, Addie must find out if she can appraise people’s motives and characters as well as she can appraise rare books . . .
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Addie Greyborne is donating an 1843
copy of Charles Dickens’s Christmas Carol. When she goes to drop off the paperwork for the book, she finds it missing and the woman in charge of the event murder. She is convinced that both incidents are connected and, with the help of her best friend, Serena, and two love interest, Simon and Marc, she decides to uncover the truth. This book is well written and the plot was interesting and complex. The picturesque New England winter setting makes this a perfect Christmas read. However, I didn’t care too much for the main character, Addie. She came across as a bit arrogant and seemed to enjoy playing with the emotions of her two love interests. The premise of the fourth book sounds really good so I will be giving Addie and the series another try. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is book 3 in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. I read book 2 & really liked it. Book 3 is even better! Addie seems to be loosening up & relaxing a little bit.
I’ve got to say I loved the progress she & Martha (Paige’s mom) made in their relationship. The way it came about was very clever & quite amusing! Kudos Ms. Elliott!
I was also happy that Serena was a true BFF & finally called Addie on the carpet for stringing 2 good men along.
Again, the mystery was complicated & well plotted. There’s really nothing not to like in this series. It’s the kind of book that when you have to put it down you try to figure out how to hurry up & get back to it.
I believe any cozy fan would enjoy this book & series. Even people who aren’t cozy lovers, but like a strong mystery will enjoy this book.
I want to thank the author for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
First off can I just say wow! The third installment in the series is even better than the last, now the long wait till book four…
Addie Greyborne is preparing for the holidays at her bookstore in seaside New England—but a winter storm is coming, in more ways than one . . .
Addie’s getting into the spirit for the upcoming Charity Auction—especially since she’s got an 1843 copy of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol to donate. Her mood darkens, though, when a visitor from the past appears—Jonathan Hemingway, the father of her late fiancé. His presence stirs up sad memories for Addie, but also has her fuming when Jonathan, true to his womanizing ways, runs off for a lunchtime liaison with Teresa Lang, who’s in charge of the auction.
Soon after, Addie heads to Teresa’s office at the hospital—and finds the poor woman’s dead body. What she doesn’t find is her valuable first edition. What sort of Scrooge would steal from sick children and commit murder in the process? As a Nor’easter bears down and a mystery emerges about Jonathan’s past, Addie must find out if she can appraise people’s motives and characters as well as she can appraise rare books . . .
I love the main set of characters, Addie, Selena, Paige and not to mention Marc and Simon (the men vying for Addie’s affections). We had some new characters in this installment but they helped round out Addie’s support system/family and make everything feel so real. Did I mention I’m team Marc…
As for the mystery it was full of twists, turns and plenty of red herrings which made this a story I did not want to put down nor end … it was like when you finish watching a movie and want to know what happens next to the heroine or people in the story however mundane that might be. Ms Elliott has made me invested in the lives of these characters and Greyborne Harbor.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Cozy mysteries.
I would like to thank the author and Kensington Books for the Advance Readers Copy I requested and received. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott may be the third A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, but it can be read on its own. Addie Greyborne donates an 1843 first edition of A Christmas by Charles Dickens to the Christmas Charity Auction put on by the local hospital foundation. She takes the appraisal to her meeting with coordinator, Teresa Lang. Teresa is not in her office and neither is the rare book in its locked case. Addie finds Teresa dead at the bottom of the steps with alcohol on her breath. Addie believes it is murder since the book disappeared at the same time, but Police Chief Marc Chandler must deal with facts. Addie, of course, quickly begins investigating despite being warned off by Marc. I like the town of Greyborne Harbor and the descriptions of the shops including Addie’s Beyond the Page. It sounds like a cozy small town where gossip spreads rapidly. The Christmas decorations along with the snow enhanced the Christmas feeling. The one problem I have with this story is Addie Greyborne. I do not care for her the way she treated the two love interests. Both Simon and Marc are interested in Addie. She seems to be toying with them. I just do not like the way the two love interests are being handled. I also did not appreciate how she treated Jonathan Hemingway (her almost father-in-law). She should get all the facts before making assumptions. I know part of it is her grief over the lost fiancé, but Addie would not want to be on the receiving end of that type of treatment. I do like Serena, who owns the tea shop, and Addie’s assistant, Paige Stringer. The mystery was complex, and I liked how the deed was done. There are red herrings to distract the reader. It will depend on your sleuthing level on whether you solve this one completely before the reveal. Personally, I would have liked a surprising twist. I could have done without Addie being constantly told to stay out of the investigation (it gets tiresome after the third time). I like the book references and the wonderful descriptions of the rare books. I enjoyed the happy ending and I hope to see a different Addie in the next A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery. Murder in the First Edition is an enticing cozy mystery with a treasured tome, an inconvenient in-law, a bothersome blizzard, a vexed friend, and Christmas chaos.
Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott is book three in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. I have read book two and was looking forward to book three. What I hadn’t planned was reading the entire book in one night. I could not put it down!
It’s Christmas in Grey Harbor and the hospital is having a fund raiser and Addie is donating a first edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens guaranteed to bring in a high six figure donation. But when Addie goes to the organizer, Teresa, to leave the paperwork to verify it’s authenticity, she finds the book missing and Teresa dead. Since she had her fingerprints all over Teresa’s office, she sets out to clear her name and find the scrooge that would murder and steal.
Elliott has many suspects and twists and turns that have you guessing up to the end. The main characters and setting are great and you will be wanting to visit Grey Harbor. There is even a hint of a possible love triangle.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.
This is the third book in the series I have and I am enjoying it. This one takes place during Christmas. The hospital is having a fund raiser and Addie has donated a First edition of The Christmas Carol. When the fundraiser’s director is found dead and the book is stolen she sets out to solve the crime. I really enjoy the small town setting and the bookstore background. This one has a nice cozy snowy Holiday background as well. The mystery was good although I was able to solve it. I would also like to see the romantic triangle wrapped up. Even her best friend Serena is telling her to make a choice. Enjoy this Christmas Cozy
It’s the Christmas season in Greyborne Harbor. Addie is busy decorating and getting ready for an upcoming charity auction to benefit the local hospital. She’s donated a first edition copy of A Christmas Carol for it. Addie finds the body of the head of the auction and that her valuable book is missing. She goes to work to find the clues to catch a killer and find the book.
This is the third book in this series. Lauren has created a quirky town in Greyborne Harbor with wonderful, fun characters. It’s small with an interesting history. I enjoy visiting and feel like I’m there as I read the pages of Lauren’s book. She transports me into this world she has created. The characters are strong and relatable. They look out for one another which adds to the books charm. I can see myself enjoying coffee with any one of them.
I was captured and drawn into the mystery from the beginning. There is a mystery with the mystery. I really like that aspect of the book. The clues took me on a twisting, turning ride that I didn’t want to end. It hooked me in and kept me reading until the end. I couldn’t wait to see how Lauren weaved all the pieces together into its surprise ending. Its a true who dun it that kept me guessing to the last page.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a story with quirky, relatable characters, a small town feel and a mystery that will keep you turning the pages until the end.
I received this ARC copy of the book from the author for review. This is my honest review.
The Christmas Holidays are coming up, as well as The Charity Auction for the pediatric wing of the hospital. Addie’s donation is an 1843 first edition of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” When the actual cost of the book is revealed, Addie makes her way to Teresa’s office within the hospital, to give her the news. When she arrives, not only does Addie find Teresa at the bottom of the stairs but the book stolen as well.
This charming cozy is filled with endearing characters as well as a number of suspects to keep you guessing. The plot was carefully crafted as the author created suspense throughout the book. I found myself getting caught up in the lives of the characters. The humorous moments and the emotional ones had me laughing and crying. The end was a nail-biter! I appreciated how Ms. Elliott draws us in with her artistic ability to create an environment you want go back to often. Thank you to the author and Kensington Publishing for providing this Advance Reader’s Copy.
I just finished the ARC for this new installment in this series by Lauren Elliott. I read the first two books in this series (Murder By The Book and Prologue to Murder) before this one. This book is just as wonderful as those two were. She gives you many suspects to think about while you are trying to figure out just who the murderer is, but the answer comes as a surprise. I could actually close my eyes and picture the town, the bookstore and its layout and the characters in the story. That is because she is so descriptive in her writing of the story. If you love cozy mysteries that have interesting plots and also if you love the history of old books, this is the series for you. I absolutely loved this third book in the series. I look forward to many more by this author!
LOVED it!!! I am soo happy with this series and where it is going. I think Addie is finally letting some of her grief go and is now facing the challenge of which man to choose. I would think I had it figured out and then that would all change! The story kept you guessing about whodunnit and how they did it. I was definitely surprised with the murder weapon and the killers. Well done Ms. Elliott! Can’t wait for the next one!!!
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced readers copy from the author for an honest review. Thank you!
Another great Beyond the Page Bookstore cozy from Lauren Elliott. This book finds Addie in Greybourne Harbor preparing for the Christmas season and the upcoming charity gala and auction at the local hospital. She generously donates a first edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens which is certain to bring a pretty penny for the hospital. She receives the certified appraisal for the book and decides to personally take it to the person at the hospital who is coordinating the event. As seems to be the case far too often for Addie, she ends up finding the hospital staff member, not in her unlocked office … but rather at the bottom of a stairwell on the cold concrete. Was she frightened by the ghost of Jacob Marley or did something terrible happen to cause her fall? Try as she might, and she doesn’t try very hard, Addie finds herself searching for clues to find out what happened. She’s visited by a ghost from her past in the father of her late fiance and she’s left wondering if he’s up to no good trying to charm her friend, Catherine, or if he is somehow involved in what happened to the charity gala organizer. She’s afraid the answer is yes to both possibilities and she’s angry at him for being in Greybourne Harbor and in her life again. Addie, Serena, Marc, and Simon all help to unravel this mystery and there are a lot of feelings tangled up and trampled on in the process. Will Addie be able to solve the crime by Christmas?
Okay, maybe I’m getting tired of a love triangle.
Addie has donated a rare book for a local charity auction. When she finds the person in charge of the auction dead and the book missing, can Addie help find out what happened before anything else happens?
I do enjoy this series. I enjoy Addie as a character and I like the other characters in the story. I like the town and I like the atmosphere. I enjoyed the mystery and all of the twists and turns. I am getting really frustrated with the fact that she can’t seem to choose a guy. I will be so much happier when she chooses a guy (hopefully the one I want her to). I’m excited to see what happens next in this series!
The third book in the series A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery. I can honestly say I am never disappointed with this series. I am absolutely captivated with each page I read.
Addie’s dead fiancé father made a visit but she was not happy seeing him. Everything that was happening, she wanted to point the finger at him. What she thought he was in the beginning was shattered when she found out who he really was.
Addie has to choose between Marc and Simon but she is so confused. After being kissed by both, she is non the wiser on who she wants to be with.
As always, I try and figure out who the killer is. Not this time. I got it wrong!
Loving this series!!
A well written cozy mystery book! Check out the series!
I liked it enough to read the next book in the series.
likable characters
If you are looking for a fun and easy read this is an excellent choice. Start with the first in the series so you see how the characters develop.
Good mysteries with a missing book, a dead lady, and quite a few mysterious people involved. Is the missing book related to the dead lady or is it just a coincidence. And was the lady murdered or did she die from an accident. Add in Addie’s late finance’s birth father and there are so many twists and red herrings to keep you hooked until it’s all resolved. Addie has some loyal friends and new “family” so she’s never alone. Nice touches with her late great Aunt’s items that she keeps finding.
Very enjoyable! Addie’s deceased fiance’s father comes to town just as the hospital is preparing to have an auction. When Addie and Serena drop off Serena’s item for the auction, Addie finds the coordinator, Teresa, dead, and the rare book she donated missing. Addie is certain Jonathan, her dead fiance’s father, is behind everything. Lots of suspects and intrigue as Addie investigates. I really enjoy the characters in this series and look forward to the next book. I hope to see Addie make a choice soon between Marc and Simon. Definitely Team Marc!! Anxious to see what’s next for Serena and Zach as well.
This is part of a great series.