A Victim at Valentine's is the 5th and second to last book in this wonderful series. The Secret Bookcase Bookshop is hosting a matchmaking event to celebrate Valentine’s Day, at the request of a local pillar of the community, George. Things are going well, but after the first even, Annie finds George dead on a bench. It appears that he has died from a serious allergic reaction. The police are called and they determine that someone might have deliberately introduced an allergin to George. They encourage Annie to continue with the events so they can investigate without anyone leaving town. Annie is working on her PI licence, but she is still invited to help in the investigation. George was a philanthropist, helping others in the community and investing in small businesses, so who would want to harm him?

As Annie questioned people and investigated, she was able to determine a handful of suspects, but who would have known about George's allergy? I found the investigation in this one a bit weak, but I enjoyed all the goings on in the story. The events for the Match Making were fun and I liked that Hall, Annie's future partner might have found someone he is interested in. I love the recurring characters in this series as they are great friends, and a bit quirky. I have to say that Priya was not annoying in this one, like she was in the last book. There is some danger as Annie figures out who is responsible, but she is able to bring the mystery to a satisfying conclusion. The ending of this one has Annie finding out a name in her investigation of the death of her BFF, and it looks like the conclusion of that mystery is forthcoming.

This is book 5 in this series and while I have read a couple I haven’t read them all and still enjoyed this one a lot. Annie is preparing for her private detective license test as well as for a matchmaking event at her bookstore. She is shaken when she finds a local dead and she’s excited when her friend who is investigating for the police asks her to help. I really liked the side characters (especially the crows!). The mystery was well done and I liked the pace of clues and how it all came together. I didn’t get everything right but I did get a lot of it. I really like the setting for this series too, the book store seems really cool and I am definitely going to finish this series. I listened to the audiobook for this one. The narrator was good and definitely helped bring the story to life for me.

I love this new series by Ellie Alexander! I started this new to me series and finished within a day. I had to keep going.

This is the fifth title in the Secret Bookcase Mystery series & doesn't disappoint. The bookstore is the venue for a Valentine's themed matchmaking event. All is going well, love is in the air until Annie discovers the body of one of the sponsors of the the event. She & her loved ones are drawn into investigating with the encouragement of Annie's mentor, Detective Caldwell. This book also progresses the story of Annie's investigation of her friend's murder that occurred before the series began.

I continue to enjoy this series. The mystery was well plotted, though I figured it out before the reveal. I just like these characters, their relationships, and this setting. I so wish this bookstore was real. Definitely read this series.

Thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read & review this title. The opinions given are solely mine and freely given.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day. I would definitely recommend this book.

A Victim at Valentine's was an engaging and delightful cozy mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish! The story, set in the charming town of Redwood Grove, kicks off with the shocking murder of a beloved local figure at Annie Murray’s Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop. As a fan of mysteries and cozy settings, I was immediately drawn to Annie's determination to unravel the truth.

Annie's keen observation skills made her a relatable and likable protagonist. She dives right into the investigation, juggling her own Valentine's Day plans with her commitment to finding the truth. There’s no shortage of suspects, from the quirky psychic to the rival bookseller, and each one seemed to have a plausible motive, which kept me guessing throughout.

What really stood out to me was the emotional depth tied to the mystery. Annie's connection to a tragic event from her past adds layers to her character and makes the stakes feel even higher. The balance of romance with her love interest, Liam, and the murder investigation was well done—neither one overshadowed the other, and I enjoyed the way the plot developed.

The pacing was perfect, and I appreciated the way the author kept me on my toes, twisting the plot just when I thought I had it figured out. By the end, I was both satisfied with the resolution and left wanting more from this cozy series. If you’re a fan of murder mysteries with a touch of romance and a well-crafted setting, A Victim at Valentine's is a must-read!

5 stars

Loved this latest installment of the Secret Bookcase mysteries! Annie Murray and her co-workers are hosting a matchmaking group at their bookstore for Valentine's weekend, with various activities planned throughout town to help amorous new couples find lasting love. Unfortunately, one of the well-known organizers is found dead on the first morning. At first his death seems accidental but it quickly becomes apparent that this was premeditated. There's no shortage of suspects in this one - will Annie and the police figure out what happened before true love withers and dies?

I had a great time with this story; this cozy mystery series is one of my current favourites. The plot clipped along at a good pace, and honestly kept me guessing for most of the story. (I had a few theories but nothing concrete until almost the end.) The familiarity with all the characters makes for nice, easy reading as well, as if you're just sitting and listening to old friends chatting.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Ellie Alexander, and Storm Publishing for giving me free access to a digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75

A Victim for Valentine was a fun, easy listen with just the right amount of holiday charm! While it didn’t blow me away, it was an enjoyable ride, perfect for when you want something light but still engaging. The cute references sprinkled throughout added an extra layer of charm, making it a great seasonal read.


The mystery itself was solid—nothing groundbreaking, but it kept me entertained. The pacing was smooth, and the audiobook made it even easier to sink into the story. If you’re looking for a cozy, Valentine’s-themed whodunit that won’t demand too much from you, this one is a solid choice!

Another great Bookshop Mystery, with a death during their match up activities for Valentines Day. Well described characters and very neat, the way everything came together.

I love that this book is based around a bookstore. It wasn't until I finished the book that I realised there was other books in the series. You don't need to read the other books before as I didn't.

The characters in this book I loved, they was easy to like and down to earth. The whole time it had me guessing who did it.

Great read

BOOK: A VICTIM AT VALENTINE'S
AUTHOR: ELLIE ALEXANDER
PUB DATE: FEBRUARY 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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All I can say is that I'm glad this series is coming to an end, and it was good while it lasted. I liked the series, the storylines, the bookstore, and the amazing characters. But, this book felt repetitive to me. I would have wanted a change in scenery and setting for this semi-final. Maybe I can still have my wish in the final.
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My favorite part of the book is the great headway made in Annie's Scarlet case. I liked that and I can't wait for Annie to solve the case!
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The murder case here was actually okay. I didn't guess who the perp was, and it was a nice discovery although I expected more of the victim's secret past. Annie did a good job in solving the case. And I really wanted more of Annie and Liam.
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It was okay, but I just got kinda bored. I feel guilty about this because I liked the previous books in the series, but I'll still read the next book which is the final one because I'm invested.
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The fifth Secret Bookcase mystery finds Annie and crew investigating when a wealthy benefactor ends up murdered during a Valentine’s Day weekend celebration.

Another great entry in this series! There was a lot of interview/dialogue clues, which was fine with me, but some who like lots of different scene settings might find it a little slow. I like how Alexander is slowly building the Scarlet storyline throughout each mystery. I’m assuming there will be one book dedicated just to that eventually where it comes to a head. I was really intrigued by the character involved in that storyline in this book as it seems like we might get some good clues next mystery from it! Can’t wait for the next one!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

As Annie helps the lead detective crack the case, she uncovers a list of potential suspects—including a quirky psychic, a professional matchmaker, and a rival bookseller—all with convincing motives.
Her sharp instincts lead her to suspect a link to the tragic death of her best friend years ago, a mystery that still lingers in her mind. With Valentine's Day plans with the charming Liam on hold, Annie races to solve the crime—before she finds herself face-to-face with a killer.

Hmm, I’m not sure what it is about this book, but there were moments when I couldn’t wait to get through a chapter, and others where I was surprised by how much I had already read—it just pulled me in.
As far as cozy mysteries go, this book is perfect. It has everything you’d expect, and I truly didn’t see the ending coming—the resolution of the murder took me by surprise. What shocked me even more was that it wasn’t even the end of the book!
What frustrated me the most was realizing this isn’t the first book in the series—and it really shows, especially with the murder case that carries over from book one. It’s brilliantly done because it makes you want to read all the previous books and wait eagerly for the next one.
Annie seems like an interesting character—level-headed, but the book also does a great job of showing how shock can affect people later on. The way the Valentine’s theme is woven into the mystery is adorable, and of course, now I’m curious about what will happen next with the characters.
The book is easy to follow, fast-paced, and filled with fun characters that are easy to relate to. There isn’t a single recurring character I dislike! I definitely recommend reading this—it’s a light and enjoyable read. Even though I read it as a standalone, I’d suggest picking up the whole series because I have no doubt the rest are just as good. Now, time to check when the next book is coming out!

Loved everything about this book- the whole series is a fab recommendation for cozy crime. Best example of why this genre is so loved!

A clever cozy mystery which I enjoyed on all levels. Great characters and very clever clues. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I love visiting the Secret Bookcase world! Annie Murphy and friends are always on a new adventure and somehow dead bodies are like magnets to them. I really like these books and I feel like they are the perfect length and a great balance of mystery, romance, and character development. I also like the sub mystery of Natalie, Annie's best friend who was murdered. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

Another great read! I get more drawn in and involved with each book. Just the setting alone will keep you reading. Ellie Alexander has a wonderful talent when it comes to developing characters, settings, and plots. The covers of books for this series are fantastic as well! Keep them coming.

A Victim at Valentine’s was yet again a fun filled murder mystery adventure in the world of Annie Murray and the Secret Bookcase. Yes, it followed the same kind of structure as the past few books but I didn’t mind that one bit. I find the books so readable and almost comforting (if that’s the right word to use for a murder mystery book?!). I just adore the world of the Secret Bookcase and the surrounding town - so much so I wish it was a real place so that I could visit there on a Californian road trip!

A Victim at Valentine’s, is another perfect cozy mystery book for those who love a good Agatha Christie- type book. This book has love, murder, fanatic psychic, a murder of crows, friendship and mystery. Ill say it again: I would LOVE to live in this town and befriend each person. Ellie Alexander does a beautiful job of bringing Redwood to life and making the reader feel as if they are right there in the story.

We are back in Oceanside with Annie Murray. A local philanthropist has asked Annie to help with a matchmaking event at the bookstore. When a body is found outside the bookstore. Annie investigates.

I really enjoyed following the clues with Annie and learning more about the murder of Scarlett. I love the characters of this series and getting to know them better. I can't wait to read more from this series and I'm excited to see what happens next.