The New York Times–bestselling cozy mystery series continues at a Virginia book-themed getaway where there are multiple murders to solve. With her twins, Fitzgerald and Hemingway, back in school, Jane Steward can finally focus on her work again—managing Storyton Hall, and breaking ground on the resort’s latest attraction: a luxurious, relaxing spa named in honor of Walt Whitman. But when the … Whitman. But when the earth is dug up to start laying the spa’s foundation, something else comes to the surface—a collection of unusual bones and the ragged remnants of a very old book. The attendees of the Rare Book Conference are eager to assist Jane with this unexpected historical mystery—until a visitor meets an untimely end in the Henry James Library. As the questions—and suspects—start stacking up, Jane will have to uncover a killer before more unhappy endings ensue . . .
“This group of intriguing characters and suspects will keep readers riveted until the last page. Ellery Adams has proven, yet again, that this series will go on for a long time to come.”—Suspense Magazine
“This enchanting blend of mystery and fantasy succeeds in feeling timely and grounded…Book and mystery lovers alike will rejoice in this extraordinarily unique, exuberantly fun series.”—Kings River Life
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Excited to begin the excavation for the new luxury spa at Storyton Hall, Jane and the twins are shocked when the bulldozer unearths an unidentified skeleton and tattered remains of a book, wrapped in cloth and stored in a padlocked box. But as experts attempt to identify the human remains, Jane seeks advice from rare book experts, currently at Storyton Hall for a convention. And when murder hits too close to home, Jane realizes she needs to get to the bottom of this mystery before danger appears at her own doorstep. This was a really enjoyable read, from the various clues, suspects and motives, to the interesting details provided during the convention. I loved the Word Search game, as well as the typesetting class, detailed in the story. As Jane gets more comfortable in her role as Guardian, her relationship is solidifying with the Fins, as well as with the Cover Girls. I also like that she still has time (as do the other staff at Storyton Hall) to spend with her twin boys, both for recreational as well as educational purposes. I look forward to the next book in this series…especially with the teaser at the end of this book. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book received through Net Galley.
Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams is the fourth tale in A Book Retreat Mystery series. Jane Steward is excited that the construction is beginning on the Walt Whitman Spa. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the next evening. After the digging begins, it looks like the festivities will have to be postponed. Bones were uncovered by the excavator along with a padlocked box and a farthing. Inside the box is the remains of a badly deteriorated book. It so happens that the Robert Harley Rare Book Society is attending a conference at the Storyton Hall and they are happy to help discern the books title. Bart Baylor identifies the book and then expires in the Henry James library. Jane, with the aid of her trusted, employees delves into the lives of the members of the Rare Book Society to pinpoint the culprit before the conference ends. How does the skeleton relate to Bart’s death? Jane is also worried about Edwin Alcott. There has been limited communication and the recent postcards people have been receiving seem unusually chatty (for Edwin). As the investigation into Bart’s murder heats up, her concerns about Edwin will have to take a backseat. Time is of the essence. They need to work quickly or something very precious could be lost.
I love the concept for A Book Retreat Mystery series. As a booklover, I would love to visit (let’s face it—live at) Storyton Hall. If you are new to the series, I suggest starting with Murder in the Mystery Suite. There is more to Storyton Hall than a beautiful book themed inn. Jane is the latest Guardian who safeguards a hidden library filled with priceless (and rare) books and manuscripts. Jane’s role and that of her staff (the Fins) is explained in the first book. Murder in the Locked Library is well-written, but it does have a slower pace. I did not mind the pace because the story drew me in from the very beginning. Storyton Hall with its beautiful book themed rooms were brought to life for me courtesy of the author’s descriptions. The characters are established and engaging. There is a cast of regular characters that include Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Butterworth, Hem and Fitz (Jane’s twin boys), and the Cover Girls (Jane’s friends which make up the female book club). I like the boys are portrayed as mischievous and curious. Jane loves them dearly, but she does get frustrated with them at times (which is realistic). I like how the three storylines come together in the end. The mystery was compelling and complex. I do wish, though, that it had been harder to identify the guilty party. Two little pieces of information gave it away to me (this is the only weak part of the book). The why did not become apparent until much later in the book. I am glad that the sheriff works with Jane and her group on the investigation. They have resources that are not available to the local police. At the end of Murder in the Locked Library, we get a glimpse of what will be happening in the next A Book Retreat Mystery (which I am eager to read). My rating for Murder in the Locked Library is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams is the fourth in the Book Retreat series and was probably my favorite of them all.
Storyton, Virginia is a place I would love to spend some time with Jane and the Fins. It’s such a charming little town with enjoyable characters to pass the time with.
Murder in the Locked Library starts with an intriguing cold case when skeletal bones turn up buried on the Storyton Hall property with a rare book. While hosting a Rare Book Conference, Jane and the Fins seek help in researching the unusual book, but one of the conference attendees dies before he can share everything he knows about it.
The fast-paced plot kept me turning the pages late into the night. With so many plot twists, two murders, a kidnapping and a missing Templar, there was no shortage of action (or suspects). This book kept me hanging on to every word until the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington. All of the above opinions are my own.
Murder In The Locked Library is the fourth book in the A Book Retreat Mystery series.
I love this series and have been a fan of Ellery Adams writing for a number of years. I am very happy that this series has found a new publisher and hope that there will be many more to come. I would say that this is best one in this series so far. Truly, a series for book lovers, what with all the different libraries at Storyton Hall and the very knowledgeable staff who are eager to serve their guests.
The one the thing that Jane Stewart has felt that Storyton Hall has needed is about to come to fruition, that being a spa, which will be named the Walt Whitman Spa. Heavy equipment is in place and excavation is about to begin and Jane’s twin sons, Hem and Fitz couldn’t be happier. They have front row seats to watch the earth mover jockey into position, lower its claw begin the excavation work. After just a few buckets or dirt are removed, Fitz and Hem get the equipment operators attention to stop digging as they have spotted a skull and some bones fall from the last load. Sheriff Evans shuts down the site and is able to get an anthropologist, Dr. Celia Wallace, to come and collect the remains of the unknown victim. Also found with the bones was a box containing a mysterious book that appeared to be a cookbook. From the book and a couple coins that were also found, Wallace feels that the body had been buried since the 1800’s.
The Robert Harley Rare Book Society is having their annual meeting at Storyton Hall, as the bones are being discovered. Jane enlists the help of Bart Baylor, leader of the society, to find more of the history of the book and hoping that it might provide information about the person whose bones had been found. When Baylor returns his finding, he is able to relay that it is indeed a cookbook whose recipes had tainted foods used that caused many deaths. He also reports that there had been a fire at the publisher and all the books had burned, but the author had received 5 copies. Baylor proceeds to put on a pair of latex gloves to tell more of the history of the book, he experiences severe breathing difficulties. Thinking that he was having a reaction to the gloves they administer an epi-pen, but to no avail.
Jane and her staff, Sinclair, Sterling, and Lachman must sort through what information they have learned who was buried at Storyton Hall and who wanted Baylor dead. When there is another death they are sure that these recent deaths are indeed related to the bones that had been dug up.
Ellery Adams is a wonderful storyteller and this is a well-plotted story with a believable cast of well-developed characters. I would love to live in the village of Storyton and be able to visit with the residents all the time.
I can’t wait for the next book in this exciting series.
This is the fourth book in the Book Retreat serve. I have fallen in love with Storyton Hall, how can you not? It is a wonderful Retreat Hall that is all about books. A place I would so love to go spend time at. Jane and her twin sons live there, she is the resort manager and guardian of a super secret book library.
An old book, old secrets come alive, wonderfully charming characters and excitement that will keep you turning those pages and on the edge of your seat until the very end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams is the fourth book in the Book Retreat series and was worth waiting for (even if it did seem like forever).
I would love to spend a few days at Storyton Hall, Virginia with Jane, her family and the Fins. I could probably spend a month there and never get bored. Jane is one strong and dedicated woman who doesn’t hesitate to act when her loved ones are in peril. The recent murder has Jane and the Fins looking at many of the attendees of the Rare Book Conference; but there is also an additional cold case that also must be resolved. The swiftly paced plot kept me turning the pages with so many twists and turns, two murders, a kidnapping and a missing Templar. All of these events led me along on one of the best adventures that I have had this year. Oh, and the ending, has me hanging by a thread for the next book. All of the characters have now been established; but there always seems to be more to learn about each one. I enjoy seeing the layers being peeled back as these new insights are revealed.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.