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A Secret Bookcase Mystery book cover 1
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A Secret Bookcase Mystery
Series · 6 books · 2024-2025

Books in series

The Body in the Bookstore book cover
#1

The Body in the Bookstore

2024

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.
A Murder at the Movies book cover
#2

A Murder at the Movies

2024

When bookseller and events organizer Annie Murray invites the glamorous world of Hollywood along to her small-town film festival, she finds herself entangled in a sinister plot as twisted as any big-screen thriller… After the success of her first event, which revived the fortunes of the bookstore she loves so dearly, Annie is excited to launch Redwood Grove’s first film festival. But when an infamous film critic plunges to his death during the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller, Annie’s instincts tell her that this was no accident. She soon discovers that many of the cast, crew and guests are harboring dark secrets; from the lead actress with a scandalous past, to a film historian obsessed with protecting his vintage reel collection. Determined to unravel the mystery, Annie must sift through a tangled web of hidden agendas and deception to expose the killer before they strike again. Can she crack the case and save her film festival – or will she find herself in the spotlight? Packed full of plot twists and a colorful cast of characters, Murder at the Movies sparkles with charm, heart and humor, and will keep cozy mystery fans guessing until the final pages. Perfect fans for Lauren Elliott, Tonya Kappes and Janet Evanovitch.
Death at the Dinner Party book cover
#3

Death at the Dinner Party

2024

Annie Murray is excited to host a murder mysterythemed dinner party, but soon the evening takes a deadly turn… When her friend Penny confesses she’s struggling to finance the restoration of the historic Wentworth farmhouse, Annie is instantly inspired. The beautiful property has stood empty since the 1970s, but rumors still swirl about the eccentric Wentworth family and their hidden fortune. It’s the perfect setting for a spooky, immersive dinner party, and the evening is a roaring success – until neighboring landowner Curtis Wright drops dead at the dining table… Annie knows she didn’t add arsenic to the entrée, so who messed with her catering, and why? Everyone in the party had some reason to hate renowned bully Curtis – not least Penny, who was under pressure to sell land to him. Annie realizes she’ll need to clear her friend’s name fast. Soon, she’s in deep, uncovering long-buried family secrets, shady business deals and pitch-black hidden passageways. But as Annie closes in on the truth, the killer is determined to stop her at all costs. Will justice be served in time, or will Annie get a helping of death with dessert…? Packed with twists, turns and charming small-town intrigue, Death at the Dinner Party is a deliciously page-turning, cozy mystery that will keep you guessing. Fans of Lauren Elliott, Tonya Kappes and Janet Evanovich will love the latest tasty treat from The Secret Bookcase series.
A Holiday Homicide book cover
#4

A Holiday Homicide

2024

Annie Murray's festive plans at the Secret Bookcase are thrown into disarray when a celebrity baker drops dead during a gingerbread-baking competition... As whispers of foul play swirl like snowflakes, Annie soon finds herself tangled in a web of secrets, small-town rivalry, and long-buried mysteries. With pub-owner and new love Liam by her side and the help of her loyal bookstore colleagues, Annie sets out to solve Redwood Grove’s latest murder mystery. And the closer she gets to the truth, the more she discovers that the baking community isn’t as sweet as it seems… Can Annie unwrap the truth before the killer strikes again? Or will this be one Christmas she won't live to remember? Grab yourself a Christmas cookie and lose yourself in this delightfully twisty murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. A perfectly festive read fans of Joanna Fluke, Tonya Kappes and Ellery Adams will adore.
A Victim at Valentine's book cover
#5

A Victim at Valentine's

2025

In the cozy town of Redwood Grove, Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop. As Annie assists the lead detective in unraveling the mystery, she quickly identifies a host of likely suspects – from an oddball psychic, to a professional matchmaker, to a rival bookseller – each with a worryingly plausible motive. With her keen eye for detail, soon Annie suspects there may be connections to the decade-old tragedy of her best friend’s death, which still haunts her. Putting her own Valentine’s Day plans with the irresistible Liam on hold, Annie must solve the crime – before she ends up on a hot date with a killer. This charming and utterly addictive cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of Tonya Kappes, Lauren Elliott and Ellery Adams will love this murder mystery with a dash of romance.
A Body at the Book Fair book cover
#6

A Body at the Book Fair

2025

In the gripping conclusion to The Secret Bookcase series, Annie Murray races to untangle the ultimate plot twist… Life is good for she’s found healing at the Secret Bookcase, her beloved Agatha Christie-themed mystery bookstore in the cozy town of Redwood Grove, and is on the brink of launching her very own detective agency. But she's still haunted by one unsolved the murder of her best friend Scarlet ten years ago. When Annie heads to Santa Clara for their annual book fair, she’s looking forward to meeting fellow booklovers. And she’s also got a secret she’ll be close to Silicon Summit Partners, the powerful investment firm she just knows had a hand in Scarlet’s death. But when an industry colleague is murdered at the book fair, Annie is first on the scene to investigate. The suspect list reads like a book lover’s who’s a celebrity author with a suspicious agenda, a rival with a grudge, and even a kindly grandmother pursuing her lifelong dream of owning a bookstore. With her fellow bookseller and crime-fighting partner Fletcher playing Watson to her Holmes, can Annie catch the killer before they strike again? And will it distract her from her mission to finally bring her best friend Scarlet’s murderer to justice? This fun-filled and clean cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, and book lovers everywhere. Readers love The Secret Bookcase “Absolutely loved this!!! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and had no idea whodunit until it was revealed… I love a good twist!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Knocked me out of my seat!!! Loved this... eagerly waiting the next… Five stars hands down.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Kept me glued to the page as I raced to find out whodunit. A winner!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This book was AMAZING! I can’t wait to read more!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Unputdownable cozy mystery!! This was such a fun read, I could not get enough. It felt like a classic Hercule Poirot or Benoit Blanc mystery. Perfection!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Ellie Alexander has done it AGAIN!! As cozy mysteries go this is one of the coziest… So good I devoured it in one sitting.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “What a magnificent read! A perfect cozy mystery.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “ELLIE ALEXANDER HAS A NEW SERIES!!!!! I immediately wanted to hop on a flight to Redwood Grove to take part in the festival and meet Annie, her friends, co-workers, and townspeople. The characters and the setting seemed so real.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A page-turner. Ellie Alexander has once again proven herself as the queen of cozy mysteries.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I have loved every series Ellie has written so far and this one did not disappoint! I truly was hooked and I stayed up way too late because I just needed to finish the book.

Author

Ellie Alexander
Ellie Alexander
Author · 45 books

Ellie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over thirty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding. She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them. Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie\_alexa... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande... YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande... Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ellielovesbooks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand... Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...

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