A Victim At Valentine’s is a fun and mysterious read. I have loved this whole series and I am sad to see that there’s only one more book! This is a fast paced read and so much fun with the holiday theme.

I love seeing the progression of Annie and Liam’s relationship. I love the setting - bookshop, coffee shop, small town. I really enjoyed the mystery of this book and I was honestly surprised by the ending. I can’t wait to see what the conclusion to the mystery of Annie’s best friend’s death will be.

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I just finished reading A Victim at Valentine's. As in the previous Annie Murray books, people who love books participate in an event organized by Annie, Fletcher, Hal and the people who gravitate around the Secret Bookstore. Annie helps Dr. Caldwell solve a murder that took place during the couple's matching, organized by Aaliyah. It is interesting that during the investigations, Annie also gets important information on Scarlet's murder.

A Victim at Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander takes us back to the Secret Bookcase, which Annie and Fletcher are in the process of buying from their boss and the owner, Hal. His good friend, George, had put them in touch with a match maker, Aaliyah, in whose business he had invested some money and they were putting together a Valentine’s weekend event. She had an excellent track record, with almost 100% success and she felt sure she would meet that goal for this event. It was going to be fun: bookish scavenger hunt, a hike, meals together. Even their customer, Gertrude, who had never married as she lost fiance quite young, had signed up to attend. The event did seem to be a roaring success and people began pairing up almost immediately.

Things fell apart when Annie arrived early the next morning and found George sitting on a bench in the garden, dead. This is a fun series: Annie is a well-written character who grows with each book. She is haunted by an investigation for a college class that had gone wrong and resulted in the death of her best friend, Scarlett. She was still investigating as was Dr Caldwell, her mentor and the local chief of police. Elspeth, a very odd woman who claimed to be a medium had predicted there would be a death, oddly correct. As one can tell, the characters are varied and interesting. Fortunately Annie could keep more than one ball in the air at at time. The mystery was good, although despite the fact I figured it out, I had the motive quite wrong. Good book.

I was invited to read A Victim at Valentine’s by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander #AVictimAtValentines

This is book 5 in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries series. Annie has finally decided to run the store and open a detective agency within the store, thereby having the best of both worlds. She can also continue to consult with the local police, if needed. A weekend event over Valentine's Day combines romance and books and ends in murder. Of course, Annie is involved in the investigation. She is also getting closer to her fella and local pub owner. I continue to enjoy this group of friends and hope the series continues for a long time. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an ARC.

This is the fifth book in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries series. I haven't read any of the previous books, but didn't feel like I was missing any major information as the relevant information is provided within this book, so it could be read as a standalone if you wanted. However, if you want a full understanding of how the characters have reached the point they are at the series should be read in order.

This book was good. It was cosy and easy to read. The characters were fairly likeable. However, it was quite predictable. I think I was hoping for more mystery and suspense.

This is the first book I have read in the series, though I own all of them, and I really enjoyed it. Annie is a great character and I love the bookstore setting. Now I need to go back and read the rest of the series!

Didn’t realise it was book 5 in a series.

It’s set in a small village around Valentine’s Day.. The main character discovers a body on the grounds of the bookstore. She dives into solving the mystery with the help of some friends. Even though I hadn’t read the first 4, I liked the main characters.

I enjoyed reading it, but didn’t understand a few things as obviously, the characters build up and speak about the past, through the series. Will definitely be reading the first 4 books in this cozy mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for the arc.

I just love this series (like all of EA’s series’!)! This book was no exception. The plot was fun, as always. It had a great cozy mystery, fantastic characters, and just enough romance to add to the story, but not take it over. The pacing was wonderful and the storyline was engaging. Anxiously awaiting the next!

bookscoffeebrews Book Review: A Victim at Valentine‘s
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Ellie Alexander @ellie_alexander
Publisher: Storm Publishing @stormbooks_co
Thank you @netgalley for my ARC

Love is in the air, and so is a hint of crazy, because
what's a good love story without a few looney tunes?
Renowned matchmaker Aaliyah Kingston brings her
extraordinary gift for connection to Redwood Grove,
inspiring hope and romance in all who participate.
However, tragedy unexpectedly crashes the party,
because what's a good love story without a little
drama? Aaliyah collaborates with local philanthropist
George Richards and Annie, Fletcher, and Hal to create
an unforgettable weekend, sponsoring a spectacular
event designed to help her clients discover love,
hosted at Redwood Grove’s beloved bookstore,
because books and love go hand in hand, duh. The
weekend-long celebration features a thrilling
scavenger hunt, an exquisite dinner, an exhilarating
hike, and numerous other activities carefully crafted for
potential couples to forge meaningful connections, or
at the very least, have a few good laughs. However,
the weekend takes a devastating turn when a lifeless
body is discovered in the garden, prompting Annie to
utilize her exceptional detective skills to unravel the
mystery. The vivid descriptions of the setting are
nothing short of enchanting, and by enchanting.
Regardless of the gloomy weather outside, this
enthralling tale will whisk you away to a charming
world, where love and mystery await. The characters
are relatable, endearing, and genuine, making it an
absolute delight to witness their growth, evolution, and
blossoming relationships. As the attendees of the
matchmaking event indulge in romance, the ongoing
Scarlet death subplot masterfully weaves in subtle
hints, piquing curiosity and leaving readers eagerly
anticipating the next installment, because cliffhangers
are the worst, don't even get me started. This is a
perfect, uplifting Valentine’s Day read for those who
adore mysteries, and by perfect, I mean it's a great
excuse to eat an entire box of chocolates by yourself,
no judgments. The Queen of the cozy mystery has
done it again!

#valentinesday #cozymystery #books #bookstagram

This is book five in the secret bookcase series. I would suggest reading them in order as it does follow an ongoing side investigation of the death of one of Annie's college friends. I have enjoyed all the previous books, and this has quickly become a new favorite series for me. Each book revolves around a fun themed event that the bookstore hosts, and this one is a Valentine matchmaking event. It's a weekend full of events like a meet & mingle, blind date with a book, hiking and a sweet treat happy hour. Everything seems perfectly romantic until someone is discovered dead on a bench in front of the bookstore. It happens to be a friend of the previous bookstore owner, Hal. Annie and Fletcher, who bought the bookstore from Hal, are shocked and can't imagine anyone wanting to kill his friend. They all work together to investigate everyone who is in attendance at the weekend event. Secrets are revealed and Annie is getting closer to uncovering connections to her friends murder many years ago. This book is a perfect combination of cozy, suspense and romance. I can't wait for more to come out in the series.

A Valentiney addition to what is quickly becoming a new favorite series from one of my fav cozy authors. Love is in the air, but so is an allergic reaction and the team at the Secret Bookcase has to figure out whodunit before a matchmaking weekend comes to an end.

I wouldn't recommend reading this book without reading the first 4, I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and Storm Publishing, and I went in blind hoping I would be okay reading it out of order. While it was a great story, I was definitely missing some character development and overall story arc. I love a good cozy mystery, and this book does not disappoint with that! I will absolutely be going back and reading the first books in this series and rereading this book in preparation for the next one.

This series if highly recommended for cozy mystery fans. It is a series that you do need to read in order. Victim at Valentine’s is book 5 in the 6 book series. The series concludes with book 6. The plot is complex and fast paced. It kept me guessing until the end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for review.

This book is #5 in the “A Secret Bookcase Mystery” series from this author. Each book is a cozy little mystery. This book was exactly that! As I counted the days down to Valentine’s Day I enjoyed curling up with this mystery. The aesthetic and the events that are put on at the bookstore will get you in the Vday mood and with a little murder as a twist! You will fall in love with this one as did I!

This was a fun time. I didn't realize it wasn't the first in a series, and I don't think it should be read alone as there is a continuous plot underneath the current murder mystery. There were points where the dialogue felt off and how it didn't feel like a genuine or realistic reaction to what was happening. I think I would care more for the characters if i read the rest, and I most likely will start the series soon! Overall it was fun and mysterious and super cozy. I loved the references to clue and mysteries throughout (the cat is professor plum! That's so fun) But definitely start from the beginning if you're going to give it a read as I think it'll make the experience even better.

This is the fifth book in the secret bookcase series. Annie is presented with the opportunity to host a matchmaking event at the bookstore. The event starts off great but soon takes a turn when George, a prominent member of the community, is found dead. Annie starts to help the police investigate.

I really like the valentine's theme of this book. There was not much of Annie and Liam in this book, which I was disappointed in. However, the mystery was well done and I love these characters. I am eager to read the last book to see how the Scarlet mystery wraps up. I recieved an ARC copy from NetGalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

This is #5 in the A Secret Bookcase Mystery series. Annie and Fletcher run a bookshop in a wonderful old English style home. This was my first read in this series and I was easily able to pick up the tale. Seemingly there is just one more in the series when a long running investigation by Annie will be brought to an end.

This is a little different to many cozy mysteries in that Annie has studied criminology and is soon to take her detective exams. Then she and Fletcher are going to start up the Novel Detectives, I guess along with the bookshop.

Annie has a lovely bunch of friends and a really lovely boyfriend Liam. When a murder happens at a Valentines matchmaking weekend, that the bookshop is helping to host, Annie sets out to solve it. As well there is the ongoing mystery of who killed Annie’s friend Scarlett some years ago. There is a lot for Annie and her friends to deal with. I really liked Annie’s criminology professor who is also the local lead detective. She is open to Annie and her ideas as well as tolerant of Annie and her friends nosiness.

The book moves along at a good pace and I wasn’t sure who was the murderer. I know there was one character I strongly disliked but I still wasn’t sure who did the murdering.

I am disappointed I came to this series so late, but I will be looking forward to reading how the next mystery plays out.

In what has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery series, this fifth book, a Valentine's themed mystery, does not disappoint. In fact, it's my favorite book so far. I could not put it down.

Here, Annie Murray and her bookstore friends hold a matchmaking weekend event at the bookstore but also end up having to figure out whodunnit.

I absolutely love the characters in the book and the small town California setting. The plots are creative and I'm not usually right about whodunnit, though I was this time.

Very highly recommended to cozy mystery fans.

There is nothing I haven’t read by this author that I have not loved. She brings the characters to life, creates and weaves a solid misery filled with red herrings that keeps you guessing until the end and most of all develops her character show that you feel that you’re visiting with old friends in each and every entry. I will never miss an

5/5 stars

I am in love with this series! This is the fifth book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery and I can't get enough of this charming small town of Redwood Grove, Annie Murray (our FMC) and her friends solving cases and running a mystery bookstore.

I especially felt like this mystery/who-done-it was easy to follow and I had a hunch of who was the killer but overall, I was so invested that I was happy with the ending! Alexanders writing is so good and her setting is my so immersive that I want to live in this city and work with Annie, Fletcher and Hal.

If you're looking for a cozy mystery that is easy to get into, look no further than this amazing series by Ellie Alexander.

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this arc in exchange for my review!