The Body in the Bookstore

A Secret Bookcase Mystery, Book 1

By: Ellie Alexander

Narrated by: Ellen Quay

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

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

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.

Kept me guessing

Cozy mystery set in a small town bookstore. Many characters, all connected. Can listen anywhere with or without headphones.

Just OK

There was buld up and questions that weren't answered in this book. Some editing that was overlooked. The story was fine but there were little things that were unnecessary and some that just didn't fit.

Lots of action and great characters

The characters were engaging, infuriating, and likeable, by degrees. The story moved swiftly and kept me listening a full day to the end.

Great new series…

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

bookstore and dead body

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.

Cozy and lighthearted but a bit shallow

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.

Narrator made the audio book!!

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

Promising series starter

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.

Ok Start

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