Love this series. Annie, works at the Secret Bookcase Book store. She and her partner Fletcher are off to a book fair. Annie is going because she wants to the solve the murder of her friend Scarlett from 10 years ago. Does she do it? You have to read and see. Also, while at the book fair , someone is ???murdered and who was there but Annie as it happened at a panel. Follow Annie as she gets involved in solving 2 murders

This is the final book in The Secret Bookcase Series.

I have been so blessed to get the ARC for each book in the series.

I’m not going to discuss this book except to say it’s AMAZING!!

And, yes, we do find out what happened to Scarlett, and Annie finds peace.

Now, while this is the last book in the series, don’t worry!

Annie and Fletcher are getting a whole new series in 2026, The Novel Detectives, and I can’t wait!

Thank you so much to Ellie and (publisher) for the opportunity I had to read this wonderful series. It was truly an honor to know all the secrets before release date.

Welcome back to The Secret Bookcase owned by Hal Christie with his staff Annie Murray and Fletcher Hughes along with their friends - Carolyn, Priya and Liam in Redwood Cove, Northern California. Annie and Fletcher are going to a booksellers Convention, where they will attend panels. However, it's not the only reason for Annie to go as she is determined to explore why her best friend, Scarlet was killed almost ten years ago. Shortly into the convention, there is a death, where Annie is caught up with a spot of sleuthing into this. It was an enjoyable read, gripping and full of twists and turns to a surprising conclusion.

While this is book 6 and the conclusion to The Secret Bookcase series, it is not the end for this cast of favorite characters.

This book merely provides yet another crime to solve and a conclusion to Annie's friend, Scarlett's murder.

I would definitely advise reading these 6 books in order to truly follow along.

Keep an eye out in 2026 for the first book in a new series called Novel Detectives where you will see your favorite characters beginning a new chapter in their lives by starting a detective agency while continuing to run the bookshop.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander is a fun, bookish cozy mystery that hits all the right notes. Annie is a smart, down-to-earth main character, and it’s such fun following her through the twists and turns of a murder set against the backdrop of a lively book fair. The literary setting adds extra charm, and there’s just the right mix of suspense, quirky characters, and small-town vibes. (I received an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) A great pick for mystery lovers who enjoy a clever plot with a cozy feel!

The concluding book in the Secret Bookcase Series, A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander, is the most exciting one in the entire group. Not taking place at the Secret Bookcase and the town of Redwood Grove made this book seem different. However, that is the only way that Annie would be able to solve what had happened to her friend Scarlet. A murder happens while Fletcher and Annie are at the Santa Clara bookfair, so of course they are on the case. Read to see how it all ties together in this boo, no loose ends.

Fletcher and Annie make a great team. She always has a backup plan but then Fletcher has a backup plan for the backup plan. Great team, right? So Annie and Fletcher will still be around so will the bookstore just in a different series with a different focus. I hope Liam will also still be around; he made an appearance but only in a supporting character way. Looking forward to the spin-off series concerning the Novel Detectives.

I'm sad this series ended, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a nice, long new series with our favorite sleuths from Novel Detectives. So here's to the next installment with Annie and Fletcher.

This is such a nice series, and I'm so happy Scarlett's death finally had a resolution.

This story had a nice plot, and I did not figure out who did it.

First of all - you had me at Book Fair! I just love all the bookish settings for the Secret Bookcase series and this one does not disappoint. I was so invested in the story, these characters, and the overall arc! Ellie Alexander always manages to capture such heartfelt emotions and characters within a cozy mystery plot. I'm always reminded why I love cozies so much after I finish one of her books.

This was a great wrap up to this Bookshop Mysteries series. It was nice to get a resolution for Scarlet and some closure for Annie. I love her business partnership with Fletcher (and romantic partnership with Liam!). It was fun to get out of Redwood Grove for a bit and explore a fun booksellers’ conference. The mystery was interesting and fun to follow. I am looking forward to what’s next!

Thank you NetGalley!

What To Expect:
⭐ Cozy Mystery
⭐ Book Convention Location
⭐ Cozy Mystery Bookstore
⭐ Independent Private Detectives
⭐ Cold Case of a best friend
⭐ Final Book in the series

My Thoughts:
I didn't know getting this as an eARC it was part of a series. The 6th and final book in the series as the author shifts gears to start a new one. It will still feature the same characters, but I am assuming a new story focus. In this one we find out and solve a murder at a book convention. We go on the journey with the two main characters (Annie & her investigative partner Fletcher) as they witness, investigate and then solve the murder that occurred. There is a parallel running story that I think runs the length if the whole series. A cold case on the murder of Annies best friend. Something Annie is personally trying to solve throughout the series.

This very much has cozy Hallmark Mystery Channel vibes. It's cozy, clean not too graphic but gives you all the lovely things we love from the stories. You can definitely read this as a stand alone and not miss a lot of the back story. I personally like having all that depth so I wish I had started this series from the beginning. However it didn't make me fall in love with the characters or root for them any less. The writing pulls you in, you want to quickly find out who was involved. You want to follow along on Annies journey to finding peace with the loss of her friend. More than that you want to continue following her journey as a private investigator!

i have definitely found a new favorite cozy read author! Shout out to Netgalley, my favorite publishing team over at Storm and Ellie for the beautiful story!

Synopsis:
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?

Gosh, how I love an Annie Murray mystery! I've been hooked from the very start, with A Body in The Bookstore. I love seeing Annie's progression and how she tackles every task thrown her way, of course with the help of her beloved Red Grove community!
Every installment in Ellie Alexander's 'A Secret Bookcare Mystery' series has been great but this one has to be my favorite! She took it up a notch! Not only did we finally solve Scarlet's murder and bring forth justice, but Annie is really doing bad ass detective work, and I live for it! Annie is getting her hands real dirty and taking even bigger risks (gasp-worthy risks), and her dear Liam is behind her every step! Liam is actually hands-on, partner-in-crime style in this one, and I loved every bit of it!
This book is a fast read, with the author giving us quick insight and background before the story kicks off, so you won't necessarily need to read the other five installments to understand what's going on. I can say that overall, this series is a cozy mystery series, very fast-paced yet very suspenseful, but this installment turned it up a notch! The only thing I wished was a bit different was the ending. I was rooting and cheering Annie on as she solved this case, and just like the other books, I was expecting a big "wow" moment/ cliffhanger for the next book. Unfortunately, this one was just "I might have a case for you." I mean, it's cool or whatever, but luckily I'm already deeply invested in Annie Murray and her crew so of course I'm already anticipating the next novel, however, it was a little lackluster. But, it doesn't take away from the novel as a whole! Still a 5-star read, still rooting for Annie and crew!
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Ellie Alexander for this ARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ellie Alexander for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Body at the Book Fair coming out June 16, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love cozy mysteries. This was a quick read, but I loved it. This has been a really fun series and I’m excited for more books. The characters are always fun and I love the mystery. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

Cozy mysteries set in a bookstore are perfect. This bookstore is like something from a dream for avid readers everywhere. The cast of this series also make this book and this entire series a pleasure to read. I have been waiting patiently (or impatiently) to see if Annie can finally solve the murder of her best friend, Scarlet.

Annie and company are going to Santa Clara to their favorite book fair. Annie intends on doing more than attending the book fair. She plans to visit Scarlet's former employer. Game on and she is ready to play. She gets a little sidetracked when someone is murdered at the book fair. She is ready, willing and able to use her shiny new PI license to assist the police. The suspect pool is extremely large, but this not deter Annie from putting her nose to the grindstone.

I had my suspicions of who might be responsible for the murder at the book fair, but I was proven wrong several times. This author does a great job of fooling you into thinking you know more than you actually do. I am also excited about the PI business that Annie and Fletcher are starting at the bookstore, Novel Detectives. Will you get answers about Scarlet's death? You will just have to read the book to find out.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of A Body At The Book Fair.

Annie and Fletcher are going to a book convention for their book store. Annie also has another mission of finally getting justice for her best friend Scarlet’s murder. But while they are at the convention another murder takes place and Annie and Fletcher are able to help the police solve the crime. Annie is ready to put herself up as bait to get answers about what happened to Scarlet all those years ago.

This is the final book in this series and I have really enjoyed the whole series. I have really enjoyed the plots and the characters. I am sad to see the series end but I love how it was all wrapped up.

Secret Bookcase Series
Plagued by the death of her best friend the day before graduation- Annie’s life took a different trajectory than she had planned. Winding up in the Secret Bookcase bookstore in Redwood Grove may have saved her as she found a new home and purpose in her small town. But having your best friend’s case unsolved— as a crime and mystery enthusiast— began to eat at her.

Opening Novel Detectives- her new private investigative business is just the beginning. Annie has been trying to piece together Scarlets murder for many years now — and in this final installment of this series — she stumbles on more than she anticipated while at a book convention.

Cozy Mysteries are not my normal genre, but this series called out to me. My inner Nancy Drew mixes with my loud and proud bookie self in the FMC of this series, Annie.

This series gives you the best book vibes and references, some cozy mysteries, a little romance, and a lot of friendship.

An engaging tale of bookshop owners who also run a private detective agency. Annie and Fletcher are Novel Detectives. Whilst attending a book fair they manage to so,ve a murder committed at one of the events at the fair, although they were there to try and resolve a cold case. 10 years previously Annie’s friend Scarlett was killed whilst investigating a large firm.
Set in California this book sets a slow pace which ramps up at the end. An enjoyable read and my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

A Body at the Book Fair, the last in Ellie Alexander's A Secret Bookcase Mystery series, provided closure for Annie and her friends. While I missed being in Redwood Grove for most of the story, we still got to see many of the characters we have come to know and love. Two mysteries are swirling around with a murder at a book fair and the resolution to Annie's friend Scarlett's murder. Ellie does a fabulous job intertwining the two and setting up the group for the spinoff series. Highly recommend for fans of her Bakeshop series and cozy mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy of A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander in exchange for an honest review. It publishes June 16, 2025.
Wow! What a way to finish this 6-book-series! I really appreciated the way things went with this book, and the overall story. I love that we don’t have to say goodbye and can follow the Novel Detectives!
I will say, I found one of the mysteries to be much more riveting than the other, but I think that’s to be expected!
I highly recommend this series if you enjoy a good cozy!

Annie Murray and her offsider, Fletcher, headed for Santa Clara for a book fair, one she was extremely interested in for the Secret Bookcase, Annie's store. She also had an ulterior motive as the fair was near to where her best friend Scarlett had died ten years prior, and her case had never been solved. But when a book industry person died on the first day of the fair, Annie was determined to help the local Detective - and she was happy to have her. Could she solve that murder as well as work her own agenda?

With Fletcher, her boyfriend Liam and Pri having her back, Annie was determined to continue with their plan. But she was scared. She needed to solve the murder for Scarlett's sake, her own sake, and Scarlett's family's sake - but was it possible?

A Body at the Book Fair is the 6th and final episode in A Secret Bookcase Mystery by Ellie Alexander and I was excited to read there'll be a spin-off series - The Novel Detectives - starting with book #1 in 2026. This has been an excellent series - I enjoy the characters, and it was amazing to finally have Scarlett's death solved. Highly recommended (but start at book 1).

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

A body at the Book Fair is the final book in the series. This book wraps up the mystery of Scarlet’s death.

I love all of the characters that have grown throughout the series. Annie and Fletcher are at a book convention (which sounds so delightful) but they are also hoping to solve Scarlet’s murder. There is a lot of action in this book and a nice wrap up to the series.

Fingers crossed the rumor that there is a spin off is real!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy.