A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander is the fourth installment in A Secret Bookcase Mystery.

I love the bookstore. Not just for the secret room but the books, but also for the activities and atmosphere. It would be my dream job.
I have read all previous books but each can be read as a standalone.
This one is set around Christmas and there is an unfortunate murder in the bookstore.
Our MC is immediately on the case as well as her sidekics. I also tremendously enjoy the whole group of characters. They are so lovely and their dynamic is fenomenal. They all constantly grow and change.
The mystery itself is well thought out and presented concisely. The clues are clearly set out for readers to follow.
I especially like that there is another mystery which is weaved through all these books. I am hoping to have that puzzle solved as well by the end of this series.

The fourth book in the series just gets better and better. I enjoyed this book. Ellie Alexander is a great writer. She keeps you interested so that you don't want to put the book down till the end. It's not the end, there's more to come. Annie Murray and her friends are a great team that helps each other when they need help. She is still waiting for answers on her friend who was killed. Hopefully, we will find out the truth about what happened in the next book. Getting close to the answers to what happened. Amazing, looking forward to the next book. Keep them coming.

I love the characters. I love the setting. The mystery is interesting. I'm dedicated to the series. But....I skimmed most of the story. And I didn't miss anything. I just reached a point after the gingerbread house was destroyed that led me to start skimming sections and still able to get the story line of the budding romance, the cold case story that's continuing through the series and the current murder. I feel bad but it is an honest review. And I am still reading the series. So I will recommend the book and the series. Especially if you like romance mixed in with your mystery. And I think it's safe to say it's an easy read. And, I do think it can be read as a standalone.

This is another great series by a great author! I loved the setting in this series, a great mystery with a well done storyline! The mystery kept me entertained and the characters were fun! I highly recommend this book to everyone!

This was a great cozy mystery to read. I enjoyed the Christmas setting and loved how everything was woven together.

Was a cute and cozy murder mystery. I love the small town feel and how close all the characters are. Can't wait to read more from this series.

I’m convinced Ellie Alexander will never write something that I don’t enjoy. I’m really enjoying this series. Ellie has a way with cozy mysteries that never get boring. I absolutely love this bookstore setting and the characters. Keep them coming!

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖?

Being an influencer is not an easy job. In addition to being 'on' all the time, interacting with fans, and keeping healthy boundaries, you also feel like a consumable commodity as everyone wants a piece of you. That's reality for celebrity influencer Lily Hawthorne, a baker with over a million followers on social media. When local baker Sugar communicated with her via DM over socials, they dreamed up a holiday extravaganza to be held at The Secret Bookcase. The pitch? Gingerbread houses. While the connection to books was initially tenuous, Sugar explained that Lily would build a replica of the bookstore and livestream the event, bringing more attention to the quaint bookstore that's a little off the beaten path. Sounds perfect. Nothing can go wrong, right?

It's a disaster from the beginning. Lily's assistant is rigid and barks out orders, an overzealous fan puts a damper on the celebration, and professional jealousy rears its ugly head. Before the day is over, Lily lies dead in the bookstore, and Annie has another case to solve.

While the mystery was fun and entertaining, I really enjoyed the development of threads that have been there since book one--the murder of Annie's best friend, her romantic relationship, and her career path. I'm behind in this series, but I'm about to read the last two books because I can't wait to see the direction that Annie's story takes. Thank you to Storm Books for this copy which is available now.

A Holiday Homicide is the fourth installment in Ellie Alexander’s A Secret Bookcase Mystery Series. The Christmas season kicks off in Redwood Grove with a gingerbread house competition sponsored by a local baker and a visiting influencer at the Secret Bookcase bookstore. But when the influencer turns up dead in the bookstore during the competition, the season takes a dark turn.

I’ll admit I figured out the murderer before the crime was committed, but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment of following Annie’s investigation. The mystery was still engaging.

We also continue to learn more about the events leading to the murder of Annie’s friend, Scarlet. While I like Annie and Liam on their own, I’m still undecided about their chemistry as a couple. Their shift from animosity to romance feels a bit rushed.

Overall, this is a quick and entertaining read, especially for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a bookstore setting and a touch of holiday cheer.

This is a commen review for Death at the Dinner Party, A Holiday Homicide, A Victim at Valentine's
I'm loving this series and hope there will be more instalments as it's well written, the characters are likeable, the solid mysteries keep me guessing.
Well done, very entertaining
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A cozy Christmas mystery with all the small-town charm and just enough murder to spice things up. Fun, festive, and perfect for curling up with on a snowy night. Quick, light, and satisfying!

While the atmosphere of this cozy screamed holiday and festivity, I found myself having a hard time getting into this mystery. I felt pulled back and forth between the mystery of this story and the continuing subplot regarding Annie's friend Scarlet and who murdered her. I also felt like the mystery of this book was too easily--I guessed almost immediately who the killer was and how it happened.

A Holiday Homicide is a really good holiday cozy mystery. . This book is a great read for teen and up. I think the author did a great job with the storyline, and holding my attention. The characters kept me guessing and thinking I knew what was going on and who was guilty. I don't wanna give too much away but if you enjoy a good murder mystery that isn't detailed this is a great read!

In A Holiday Homicide, Ellie Alexander delivers a delightful, festive mystery that will charm fans of cozy crime fiction. Set against the backdrop of the holiday season in the quaint town of Redwood Grove, the story follows Annie Murray, who finds herself swept into a web of secrets and suspicion after a celebrity baker dies during a gingerbread-baking competition.

The plot is full of twists, with the holiday cheer quickly giving way to sinister intrigue. As rumors of foul play swirl, Annie, alongside her new love interest, Liam, and her loyal bookstore colleagues, embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery. What she discovers is a small town rife with rivalries and long-buried secrets, and the baking community—once thought to be all sugar and spice—isn't quite as sweet as it seems.

What makes this book so enjoyable is how expertly Alexander blends the cozy holiday atmosphere with suspense, all while keeping readers guessing about who the killer might be. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story takes another turn. The killer’s identity was a complete surprise for me—definitely not who I expected, which is always a hallmark of a great mystery.

Fans of the genre, especially those who enjoy authors like Joanne Fluke, Tonya Kappes, and Ellery Adams, will find this book a perfect holiday read. The twists and turns are both satisfying and unexpected, and the setting—along with Annie’s endearing character—will keep you hooked from start to finish.

This is the fourth book in the series, and it continues the tradition of excellent storytelling. I absolutely loved it and can't wait for the next installment. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a dash of holiday spirit, you won’t want to miss this one!

A good series
Annie is hosting a gingerbread baking competion when one of the bakers is murdered.
Great drama ,mystery, twists and romance.
Voluntarily reviewed.

Holiday Homicide is the 4th book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. It's nearing Christmas and Annie gets a request from her friend Sugar at the local bakery. An influencer that has made baking fashionable, wants to hold an event in Redwood Grove, specifically at the Secret Bookcase Bookshop. She wants to host a Gingerbread House contest. Annie immediately agrees and they will also participate. The idea is to put Redwood Grove and Sugar's Baker on the map. Lily is not a very nice person, she is self-centered and not happy with anyone who might take the attention away from her. When she "accidentally" destroys Sugar's gingerbread town, it seems to be because it is better than what she created. When she ends up dead, Sugar is one of the main suspects, but so is her superfan/stalker. Lily's assistant, Becca wants the show to go one and puts together a speech that she wants Annie to give about how wonderful Lily was. Who killed Lily and why?

I am not a fan of influencers and this story shares a big reason why. They seem to be narcissistic and not very nice, at least that is my impression and definitely how Lily is portrayed in this story. I enjoyed this mystery, although I figured out who the murderer was quite early. The investigation was okay, with Liam helping out when needed. There were only a few viable suspects, which is why I figured this one out. I still enjoyed the story and once again, enjoyed seeing Liam's and Annie's relationship growing. The ending shared information about Annie's friend Scarlet who was killed ten years ago. With only two more books before this series ends, I sure hope we get an answer soon. The characters in this series are like a family. They are well drawn, support one another, are great friends and all play a role in the mystery. Although I enjoyed this one, it was a bit too easy to solve.

The link blelow is my spoiler free review of A Holiday Homicide. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.

https://youtu.be/fAauBBzVlQE

I believe by far this is my favorite book of this series. From the cover art; the colors are captivating along with the design of the town.

Although I love Annie and The Secret Bookcase environ, there was a bit more darkness in 'A Holiday Homicide' than I normally like. I appreciate the progression of the relationship with Liam, yet still with secrets to be shared. Ellie Alexander is a master at creating opportunities for future reveals that don't qualify as annoying cliff hangers. I for one am looking forward to those reveals and look forward to more in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

*A Holiday Homicide* is a cozy mystery that brings holiday cheer with a dash of suspense. Annie Murray’s quiet plans at the Secret Bookcase are quickly derailed when a celebrity baker is found dead during a gingerbread-baking competition, and what was supposed to be a festive event becomes the scene of a sinister crime.

The small-town setting of Redwood Grove is a charming backdrop for this mystery, and Annie is an engaging protagonist who, with the help of her colleagues and new love interest, Liam, sets out to uncover the truth. The dynamics of the baking community add an interesting layer to the plot, showing that the world of sugar and spice might not be as sweet as it appears. The pacing is steady, and the mystery unfolds with enough twists and turns to keep you intrigued.

The interactions between Annie and her colleagues, particularly her blossoming romance with Liam, provide warmth and light-hearted moments amid the darker mystery. However, there are moments where the story feels a little predictable, and some of the small-town rivalries could have been explored in more depth.

That said, *A Holiday Homicide* does a solid job of blending holiday cheer with the thrills of a cozy mystery. The ending provides a satisfying resolution, making it a fun, quick read for fans of the genre. While not a standout, it’s an enjoyable addition to the seasonal mystery lineup.