Storyton Hall, Virginia, is a top travel destination for book lovers and the perfect spot for literary events. But as a children’s book publisher hosts a gathering there, some folks aren’t going to live—happier ever after or otherwise . . . Jane Steward’s resort is hopping—not only is Peppermint Press’s conference in full swing, there are also lots of families staying on the premises, bringing … their kids to events like a scavenger hunt through the Fairy Tale Forest. Then a woman dressed like Little Red Riding Hood is found dead from a plot device straight out of a fairy tale—with a rare and valuable copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales in her basket. Not long after, a second victim is killed, with yet another treasure—a volume by Hans Christian Andersen worth thousands of dollars—nearby. It looks like a big bad wolf may be lurking among the guests, and Jane can’t just wait for a handsome prince to come to the rescue . . . “Readers will find themselves wanting to live in Storyton, no matter how many people end up dead there.” —Suspense Magazine on Murder in the Locked Library Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
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Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams has Jane Steward busy preparing for the upcoming Peppermint Press Conference for children’s authors and illustrators at Storyton Hall. She also has the first Golden Ticket winners arriving the next day and Jane wants to make sure that the Gilbert family have a magical vacation. Jane has a special surprise for the Cover Girls (her book club). They take a sleigh ride to the new Storybook Village which will open to children of all ages on Friday. The ladies are delighted with the fairy tale houses and the activities available in each one until they stumble upon a woman in a red cloak with a basket nearby laying on the floor of Belle’s house. There is a valuable copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales in the basket. Jane is shocked when a couple of a days later another woman turns up dead in the woods wearing a blue parka with white fur trim with a copy of Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen left in her room. Jane and her loyal Fins needs to catch the Fairy Tale Killer before he strikes again. Murder in the Storybook Cottage is the delightful 6th installment in A Book Retreat Mystery series. It can be read on its own for those new to this book themed series. It is a joy to visit Storyton Hall in Storyton, Virginia with all the fabulous books, special events and scrumptious food. I love the books, authors and literary characters mentioned throughout the story. My favorite was Raggedy Ann and the Lucky Pennies (I collect Raggedy Ann items). Storyton Village is a magical addition to the resort with the adorable fairy tale themed little cottages. There is the gingerbread house, Rapunzel’s tower, Belle’s house, and Rumpelstiltskin’s workshop (just to name a few). There are enchanting events for the guests to attend at Storyton Hall including the colorful Rainbow Tea and the Family Valentine’s Celebration. I thought Murder in the Storybook Cottage was well-written with developed characters and special setting. It is rich in detail that allows the reader to visualize the captivating setting. I always enjoy reading each A Book Retreat Mystery to catch up with the characters who inhabit this world. Jane’s twin boys are up to their usual mischief, Eugenia Pratt’s beau is coming to town and he has big news to share with her, Lachlan has something special planned for Valentine’s Day for his girlfriend and Jane’s bestie, Eloise Alcott. The mystery was intriguing with its fairy tale theme. There are a variety of suspects including a very dislikeable couple who write children’s books. I enjoyed the misdirection as well as following the clues to find out why someone killed the two women. My favorite quote from Murder in the Storybook Cottage is when Jane was saying the ladies did not read the books for happy endings. “It was the journey they were interested in–the voyage from the first page to the last.” There is a hint at what will occur in the next A Book Retreat Mystery at the end. Murder in the Storybook Cottage is a diverting cozy mystery with fairy tale fun, wonderful Wonka Bars, a terrible twosome, a clever killer, fun family festivities, and bibliophile bliss.
I was scheduled to read and review this book on the release date of April 28, 2020, but unfortunately, my mama passed away three days prior and I was unable to do so. When I was able to read again Ellery Adams was able to bring a sense of comfort and love when needed. Her characters feel like friends every time you open up a book.
Even though a murder or two occurs in the book love shines through in many forms. We have the love of lovers during Valentine’s Day, the love of our fellow man no matter the age, race or gender, and the love of books. I was reminded so much of my mama. She introduced to me at a very young age the love of books and reading. She continued to nurture that love up until her passing. Valentine’s Day was a time for her to shower those she loved with cute cards and treats. Most importantly she taught me to love others by seeing what was inside and not on the outside.
The ending left me happy and eagerly anticipating the next book. I am not going to say anything more as I want you to be as surprised as I.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
“Murder in the Storybook Cottage” by Ellery Adams the 6th instalment in the “Book Retreat Mystery” series. I really enjoy this series and have been slowly buying the whole series.
I found myself enjoying the story, I love the premise of a town and hotel devoted to reading. The way it’s described I feel like I’m there with them. One of the things I love about this series is the characters you have Fins, Templar, but the whole town is like one big family. I want to be a Cover Girl and be part of their book club.
The mystery was interesting and well plotted, the idea of a fairy tale murder was good and I did not suspect the killer till Jane did.
My favorite quote from Murder in the Storybook Cottage was in the epilogue when Eloise answers Jane by opening her copy of “The Great Alone“ to a page marked by a sticky note and read, “‘Some people have family photos or home movies to record their past. I’ve got books. Characters. For as long as I can remember, books have been my safe place.’”
I liked the hint at the end of the book that two characters from one of Ms. Adams’ other series are going to make an appearance at Storyton Hall maybe in the next book. I look forward to seeing how Olivia and Jane get along.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
Great Googly Moogly.
This, in my opinion, was not a cozy. I have found this to be true with other series’ by this author [who I really like, for the record]. This was too dark and deeply disturbing and sad to be classified a cozy.
So. Much. Sadness. With touches of racism, theft, grief left unattended and the lust for power and control, this book runs the gamut of feelings and emotions. And even though the “bad guys” get caught in the end, there is little peace for the reader as they try and absorb all they just read. And the end is supposed to be beautiful and lovely, and I really struggled to find the happiness as I was still reeling from all that had just happened and what had been revealed.
This IS an excellent book – it is well-written and if you are not feeling all that you are supposed to be feeling in this book, you need to check both your pulse and your empathy meter. You are absolutely supposed to feel all the things I felt. It was just shocking and jarring to have this in something classified as a cozy mystery [and before the naysayers jump in here – I read ALL kinds of mysteries, not just cozies so I am not “sensitive” because I only read one genre] when the past books were much more suited to the genre. Again, that does not mean this wasn’t an excellent book – it absolutely it. It was almost a 5 star read for me. And I will absolutely keep reading this series, as I love it [and the extra tidbit at the end makes me very, very, excited]. It was just very, very unexpected and it took me a night of restless sleep and a day of reflection to even be able to write this much of a review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Book Retreat Mystery Series is magical and each book seems to get better as the series progresses. I love reading about Jane as a protagonist. She has so many qualities we all have. She is strong on the outside and keeps a successful business running while taking care of two young boys. But on the inside, she questions whether she is doing the right thing. She struggles with self-doubt. Jane has an amazing support system of people around her and they all make wonderful secondary characters.
https://cozyexperience.com/murder-in-the-storybook-cottage-book-review/
Wonderful series – loved it.
Storyton Hall is hosting an event for children’s books authors and publishers and Jane Steward couldn’t be more excited. But when a the body of a woman dressed as Little Red Riding Hood is found, Jane is determined to protect her guests, especially the families also in attendance, from the Big Bad Wolf. She and the Fins work alongside the sheriff to catch a killer.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. In fact, it’s one of the best in the series. The book’s well-written with wonderful characters and it drew me into the story from the beginning. The relationships are well-done while the mystery will keep you guessing and on your toes. I’m very eager to read the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order for the most enjoyment and benefit.
What a wonderful story, Ellery Adams never fails with her mysteries. You are grabbed from the first page to the last.
Let your imagination soak up the creativity of a children’s book weekend at Storyton Hall. I’d sign up to attend this delightful weekend. When a murder drops in Jane, her staff, and her friends do everything to protect their guests. I loved it.
It was stupid and I didn’t finish it, something I seldom do.
Nothing to get me to read the other books……not memorable
I was really looking forward to listening to this audio book. I am sorry I did not choose to read the paper copy. It is now spoiled in my mind by a singsong, monotone reader. So Sorry to the author.
I love the characters and the setting. I sure wish I could visit there.
Fun and interesting cozy mystery. Well-written with interesting charters. I liked the fairytale theme to the murders. It’s the first book I’ve read in this series, but I enjoyed it without feeling lost.
Thanks to the publisher, Kensington, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
“…For as long as I can remember, books have been my safe place.”
I love Storyton Hall and the many bookish worlds it contains! I would love to be here for a week, or even better, a year or two. It is a slice of heaven in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a refuge for bibliophiles. This week they welcome a children’s book conference sponsored by Peppermint Press, a unique children’s publishing house. Authors, illustrators, publishers, and aspiring authors will be present for five days of networking and learning. Joining the group over the weekend will be many families who will celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend together in this children’s winter wonderland, including a family who won a very special prize of several days at the Hall.
It is only Monday, and conference attendees have begun to trickle in a day early. Jane, the manager and Steward of Storyton Hall, takes the Cover Girls – the ladies in their regular book club – to see the newest attraction at Storyton Hall. Storybook Village is opening on time for the children to delight in. It is a village of cottages based on fairy tales that will each have its unique set of activities.
In one of the cottages is a grisly find, something totally horrifying amidst the children’s haven. A woman dressed like Little Red Riding Hood is dead in Belle’s cottage. The cause of death not evident until the coroner arrives. The woman had a basket that, instead of holding the traditional wine and cake for Grandmother, had only a collectible copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The woman was murdered, and her identity unknown to anyone at the Hall.
Only a couple days later, another woman is murdered. The woman is dressed as another fairy tale character and laid out in the woods before the big snowfall. The cause of death is different, and horrible; she was well-known known and respected in the children’s publishing world. Families with children will be arriving soon, and the sheriff, Jane, and the Fins, the protectors of Jane, her family, and Storyton Hall’s secret library are anxiously working to find out whodunit.
The characters are defined with excellence through their conversations, actions, and descriptions; I almost felt as I were leaving old friends when the novel ended. This slice of heaven sounds fabulous and described so well it was like being in another delightful world. The author has brought to life the ultimate bibliophile fantasy through the various features throughout. This is a place where I could easily live, except for the murders, of course.
I learned interesting facts about the original versions of fairy tales and am not sure if I would want to read them! I couldn’t solve the murders; I had a good idea who was behind them but didn’t learn why until almost the end. There were surprises throughout as motives were revealed and the full scope of whodunit exposed. The only thing I saw as TMI was who was in Jane’s bed, as I less blunt words of inclusion if necessary to the cozy – just my opinion. Overall, I highly recommend this to those who love well-written cozy mysteries, bibliophile delights, wonderful characters, and a setting that would be exciting to visit.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Love these books.
Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams is the sixth book in her Book Retreat mystery series and captured my attention from the first page. I have loved this series from the first book; and I have been impatiently waiting for this one. I don’t believe that this one could be read as a “stand alone” because of the strong relationships between the characters that have been developed over the previous books.
I really would love to move into Storyton Hall, become friends with Jane, the Fins and the Cover Girls. Being an introverted bookaholic what better place to spend my time than a place devoted to literature.
Jane’s plans for a life with less turmoil are foiled when another murder occurs on the Storyton Hall grounds. Ms. Adams smartly paced plot with detailed descriptions of the events put on at Storyton Hall, the characters and the food made this book a true delight from beginning to end.
I won a copy of this book from Kensington Publishing through a Goodreads contest.
Storyton Hall’s renown for its libraries and its beautiful surroundings makes it an ideal location for book-themed gatherings. During a conference on children’s books, Jane Steward, the owner/manager of Storyton Hall plans on unveiling her Storybook Village, full of quaint cottages with activities designed to entertain and educate children of all ages. Her plans change with the discovery of the body of a woman dressed like Little Red Riding Hood in one of the cottages. A second death sets everyone’s nerves on end and involves Jane’s friends in helping her find the murder.
The sixth book in the A Book Retreat Mystery series, Murder in the Storybook Village can be read as a standalone. I hadn’t read any of the previous books but, other than a few references to earlier events, I didn’t feel I that I missed anything major. While it was not unusual for the meeting rooms to have literary names, I could see the author had fun naming the characters for their roles.
The solution to the mysterious deaths is complex and unexpected and the road to the resolution somewhat convoluted, but I enjoyed the discovery. I have added the other books in the series to my TBR.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read and enjoy this book. My opinion is my own.
This is the sixth book in the Book Retreat mystery series and are best read in order to get the most out of them. While the previous books in the series were closer to the true definition of a cozy, this one has a darker side but it’s still a cozy. The setting alone is cozy. After five mysteries, this has a killer not connected to Jane’s family. However all of her family and friends gather together to track down the killer – I love spending time with all of them. Each mystery is complex and full of so many twists and turns that I was staying up way past my bed time, saying just one more page over and over again.
As well as the excellent mystery, the wonderful characters and the lovely setting fans of the series will have even more reason to be eager for the next book. Some favorite characters from another series might be showing up for a visit to Storyton Hall and I, for one, can’t wait to see them.
Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams is an edifying cozy mystery that is so churning with personality I hardly know where to start. Jane, the heroine and amateur sleuth (although less amateur than many) operates a small resort, which is entirely book-themed. She loves on the grounds with her twin sons and lovingly brings the love of books to many. At the first mention of Guardians/Templars I was hooked, although the connection was not the brunt of the story. See and her friends have a book club, the Cover Girls, that comes together for far more than discussing books. They are the backbone of Jane’s life, always available to assist, to support, and to babysit. Storyton is a wonderful little town that Adams has constructed as the setting for this wonderful series. Very much book-themed as well, which is why Storyton Hall has thrived.
Shortly the main business of the guardians will come to an end when the ancient volumes they hold in trust will be disbursed, but this is a secondary plot. The main plot, of course, is a murder, a planned murder, and a clever one at that. But where had this victim even come from? She was not a registered guest. Jane handled it all with aplomb and grace and not a sole knew what was happening until she saw fit to tell them. And the local police welcomed, no, sought, her assistance in solving the case. A refreshing change. I love this book. It was challenging and different. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of Murder at the Storybook Cottage from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #murderinthestorybookcottage