Murder in the Storybook Cottage

Murder in the Storybook Cottage by Ellery Adams has Jane Steward busy preparing for the upcoming Peppermint Press Conference for children’s authors and illustrators at Storyton Hall. She also has the first Golden Ticket winners arriving the next day and Jane wants to make sure that the Gilbert family have a magical vacation. Jane has a special surprise for the Cover Girls (her book club). They take a sleigh ride to the new Storybook Village which will open to children of all ages on Friday. The ladies are delighted with the fairy tale houses and the activities available in each one until they stumble upon a woman in a red cloak with a basket nearby laying on the floor of Belle’s house. There is a valuable copy of Grimm’s Fairy show more Tales in the basket. Jane is shocked when a couple of a days later another woman turns up dead in the woods wearing a blue parka with white fur trim with a copy of Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen left in her room. Jane and her loyal Fins needs to catch the Fairy Tale Killer before he strikes again. Murder in the Storybook Cottage is the delightful 6th installment in A Book Retreat Mystery series. It can be read on its own for those new to this book themed series. It is a joy to visit Storyton Hall in Storyton, Virginia with all the fabulous books, special events and scrumptious food. I love the books, authors and literary characters mentioned throughout the story. My favorite was Raggedy Ann and the Lucky Pennies (I collect Raggedy Ann items). Storyton Village is a magical addition to the resort with the adorable fairy tale themed little cottages. There is the gingerbread house, Rapunzel’s tower, Belle’s house, and Rumpelstiltskin’s workshop (just to name a few). There are enchanting events for the guests to attend at Storyton Hall including the colorful Rainbow Tea and the Family Valentine’s Celebration. I thought Murder in the Storybook Cottage was well-written with developed characters and special setting. It is rich in detail that allows the reader to visualize the captivating setting. I always enjoy reading each A Book Retreat Mystery to catch up with the characters who inhabit this world. Jane’s twin boys are up to their usual mischief, Eugenia Pratt’s beau is coming to town and he has big news to share with her, Lachlan has something special planned for Valentine’s Day for his girlfriend and Jane’s bestie, Eloise Alcott. The mystery was intriguing with its fairy tale theme. There are a variety of suspects including a very dislikeable couple who write children’s books. I enjoyed the misdirection as well as following the clues to find out why someone killed the two women. My favorite quote from Murder in the Storybook Cottage is when Jane was saying the ladies did not read the books for happy endings. “It was the journey they were interested in--the voyage from the first page to the last.” There is a hint at what will occur in the next A Book Retreat Mystery at the end. Murder in the Storybook Cottage is a diverting cozy mystery with fairy tale fun, wonderful Wonka Bars, a terrible twosome, a clever killer, fun family festivities, and bibliophile bliss. show less

Now that she is selling her rare and valuable book collection, Jane Steward hopes things will finally be safe at Storyton Hall for her, her sons, and those are like family to her. Her hopes are quickly dashed when a body is found, and the murder victim is dressed like Little Red Riding Hood. When a second body - again dressed like a fairy tale character - is found, Jane is determined to help find the killer in order to protect those she loves. It will not be easy though - Storyton Hall is full of guests and any of them could be a killer.

“Murder in the Storybook Cottage” is the nicely done sixth book in Ellery Adams’ Book Retreat cozy mystery series. I love everything about the series - from the characters to the author’s clear show more love of books to the setting - I especially love the setting. I love Storyton Hall which is devoted to everything books and wish it existed in real life! The children's book conference was inspired - I loved reading about the various events that happened during it. As for the mystery, I found the fairy tale aspects to be very nicely done. As to who the killer was, I did kind of figure it out but it was more like “I wonder if so and so did it” rather than being completely convinced. Even so, I only figured out half the mystery and the reason for the murders was sad. And the ending! Fans of one of Adams’ other series (I won't spoil it by saying which one) will be delighted by the ending and I look forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series.

“Murder in the Storybook Cottage” is a nicely done cozy mystery. show less

Storyton Hall is hosting a Children's Book Retreat and preparations include a fairy tale village with Mother Goose's shoe house, the three pigs houses, and more. Sounds like so much fun, right? That is until a young woman dressed like Red Riding Hood is found dead in one of the cottages. Jane Steward, the proprietor, has many secrets of her own but she is determined to discovered who the secret murderer is with the help of her staff of Fins - one of her secrets.

The story was so entertaining and engrossing I was up until 3am because I couldn't put it down. This is one of my favorite series and I look forward to many more with these engaging characters and mysterious hidden secrets!

Adams' depiction of Storyton Hall, the beautiful book-themed resort where the series is set, is where this book shines. Adams describes Storyton with loving detail. She does a great job of drawing the reader into the story through the setting. I'd love to visit a place like Storyton in real life - minus the crime, of course!

Some of the elements surrounding Storyton are a bit ridiculous, such as the secret library of books that Jane is in charge of guarding, but it does add a fun fantastical element to the series.

My biggest gripe with this book was with its characters, particularly some of the supporting cast. Many of the characters were a bit one-note to me, as if they were caricatures of people rather than realistic, well-rounded show more characters. I think this problem could have been remedied by cutting down the cast list or the number of subplots the book featured, as this would have left Adams more room for character development.

Though there were brief discussions of darker themes like grief and racism, I felt that these discussions were not particularly deep. The book's discussions about race, in particular, did not seem to be treated with as much care and attention as I would have liked. In general, I'd describe the book as having a saccharine sweet tone, which is something that I personally did not enjoy.

People who don't mind mysteries that are not too realistic, who enjoy mysteries with beautifully painted settings, may enjoy this book. However, I'd recommend that people more drawn to character-driven stories give this book a pass.

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cozy-mystery, romantic, library, small-town, small-business, bed-and-breakfast, fanciful, murder*****

This story really gives the imagination a workout! Set in a family and book oriented Bed and Breakfast during a Children's Book retreat, there is lots of sleuthing as well as interesting book related things going on. The imagery is to die for (sorry), the dialog witty, the characters certainly are, and the plot is undeniably original. There are lots of things I think I missed because I hadn't read any others in the series, but I still loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Bibliophile is such a polite word, but I still prefer book addict.

Murder In The Storybook Cottage is the sixth book in the A Book Retreat Mystery series.

I have been reading Ms. Adams' books from the beginning of writing career and consider her the best author in the cozy mystery genre. She skillfully writes a wonderful story focusing on human interest and writes about murders with the greatest finesse.

Jane Steward has had enough threats on her life and her family because of the family’s secret library has been selling off some of the items. Jane is putting the final touches on this weekend's Family Valentine’s Celebration, it is being held in conjunction with the appearance of Peppermint Press, publisher of children’s books, and the opening of Storyton Halls Fairy Tales Forest. She has also show more selected one family as the Golden Bookmark winners. This family has experienced difficult times and would not be able to afford to stay at the Storyton, otherwise.

Jane is hosting her book club, the Cover Girls, and has planned a special surprise for them, a sleigh ride visit to the, yet unopened, Fairy Tale Forest. As they are touring the Fairy Forest they come across the body of a young female dressed in a Little Red Riding Hood costume, with a very valuable book of fairy tales in her hands. The body has no identification and no one knows who she is. Jane gathers her Fins, employees of Storyton Hall and guardians of the family, and set off to identify who she is and why she was at Storyton. Before they can learn who the young lady was, a guest, Gloria Ramirez, has gone missing. Ms. Ramirez who currently works for Baxter Books, but had previously worked for Peppermint Press, has not been seen since her arrival. Soon, Mr. Lachlan, Head of Recreation, finds Ramirez in a field on Hall’s property. She is also found lying on her back and clutching a very valuable book of fairy tales. Jane hopes that she and the Fins will be able to find the killer before any more lives are lost.

Another well-written and plotted story from Ms. Adams. The book has a well-developed and believable cast of characters who I would love to call my friends. There were enough red-herrings in the book to keep me guessing until the end.

I am anxiously awaiting the next book. I’m looking forward to seeing what my favorite character from another series is doing with herself. show less

This is the second book in Ellery Adams' Book Retreat Mystery Series that I've read, and even though I read #6 after #2, it was easy to follow so I don't think you have to read them in order but I'm sure #1 sets the scene best. This is a well-written cozy murder mystery with many references to books and authors, both classic and contemporary. Taking place in the fictional Storyton Hall, Virginia, resort owner Jane Steward manages this literary-themed retreat center where guests are pampered with delicious food, entertained with clever activities, and there is always an unexpected murder or two to be solved behind the scenes while keeping the guests safe. This novel features a Valentine's Day themed weekend at Storyton Hall for families show more and writers of children's books. Costumes, fairy tales, romance and revenge combine with murder to provide a page-turning mystery. show less