Murder in the Paperback Parlor
Author: Ellery Adams
Series: A Book Retreat Mystery 2
Publisher: Berkley, August 4, 2015
Format: Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
List Price: $7.99 (print and eBook)
ISBN: 9780425265604 (print); 9781101612927 (eBook)
Review Copy: Provided by the Publisher
Author: Ellery Adams
Series: A Book Retreat Mystery 2
Publisher: Berkley, August 4, 2015
Format: Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 304 pages
List Price: $7.99 (print and eBook)
ISBN: 9780425265604 (print); 9781101612927 (eBook)
Review Copy: Provided by the Publisher
The New York Times bestselling Book Retreat mysteries feature Storyton Hall, the perfect getaway for literature lovers—except when a guest tries to get away with murder…
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Jane Steward is organizing a week of activities for fans of love stories at her book-themed resort. But her Regency readers barely have time to brush up on their Jane Austen before tragedy strikes Storyton Hall. Rosamund York, one of the most celebrated authors in attendance, is killed.
Rosamund had as many enemies as she did admirers, including envious fellow novelists, a jealous former lover, and dozens of angry fans. It’s up to Jane, with the help of her book club, the Cover Girls, to catalogue the list of suspects and find a heartless killer quickly—before the murderer writes someone else off…
Qwill Thoughts
Murder in the Paperback Parlor is the 2nd novel in Ellery Adams' Book Retreat Mystery series set at Storyton Hall in western Virgina. Storyton Hall is a resort that is renowned for its thousands of books. The resort, headed by Jane Steward, is getting ready for Romancing the Reader week for romance readers featuring a Regency Fashion Show, a Regency Dance, an auction, workshops including how to make your own reticule, truffle making, and much more. Four of the top Regency romance writers will also attend.
As in the first novel the Storyton Hall residents are back - Jane Steward and her twin sons Hem and Fitz, her Aunt Octavia and Uncle Aloysius, and the fabulous staff of Storyton Hall - Mr. Butterworth (the Butler), Mr. Sinclair (the Librarian), Mr. Sterling (Head Chauffeur), and Mr. Lachlan (Head of Recreation) who is a newcomer to Storyton and has a secret. They all work as a terrific team to help keep Storyton Hall running and safe.
In addition Jane's friends and reading group, the Cover Girls, are back - Eloise Alcott, Violet Osborne, Mabel Wimberly, Anna Shaw, Phoebe Doyle, Betty Carmichael, and Eugenia Pratt - and most play a part in the story and act as a sounding board for Jane. We again visit many of the resident shop owners of Storyton Village: Edwin Alcott who has just opened a restaurant next to his sister Olivia's book shop, the Hogg brothers who own the food market, Barnaby Nicholas who owns the toy shop, and Tom Green owner of the flower shop. Storyton Village is a close knit community in which everyone knows everyone, everyone knows what is going on, and news spreads like wildfire.
Several romances develop over the course of the novel and Jane's and Edwin's budding romance seems to be on track for further development but will have some huge bumps in the road. Jane is worried about the effects of her romance on her children and other issues develop as well.
I was surprised that the murder did not take place until after almost a third of the novel. I enjoyed that immensely. Reading about Jane and her family and friends and the beginning of Romancing the Reader week without a murder happening was great fun. However, there were undercurrents of things to come - authorial rivalries, Romancing the Reader attendees with hidden agendas, and more.
Murder in the Paperback Parlor is wonderful! Jane is a terrific mom, has a lovely group of friends, is the true leader of Storyton Hall, and is working hard at her job. She is a caring and very, very relatable character. There is real emotion between Jane and her family and friends. Jane's friends are supportive and quirky and fun with distinct and well developed personalities. The murder mystery fit neatly into a deeply developed world and is exceptionally well done with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Adam's writing is fabulous and getting to know her characters and the world of Storyton Hall and Village is a pure delight.
Murder in the Paperback Parlor is the 2nd novel in Ellery Adams' Book Retreat Mystery series set at Storyton Hall in western Virgina. Storyton Hall is a resort that is renowned for its thousands of books. The resort, headed by Jane Steward, is getting ready for Romancing the Reader week for romance readers featuring a Regency Fashion Show, a Regency Dance, an auction, workshops including how to make your own reticule, truffle making, and much more. Four of the top Regency romance writers will also attend.
As in the first novel the Storyton Hall residents are back - Jane Steward and her twin sons Hem and Fitz, her Aunt Octavia and Uncle Aloysius, and the fabulous staff of Storyton Hall - Mr. Butterworth (the Butler), Mr. Sinclair (the Librarian), Mr. Sterling (Head Chauffeur), and Mr. Lachlan (Head of Recreation) who is a newcomer to Storyton and has a secret. They all work as a terrific team to help keep Storyton Hall running and safe.
In addition Jane's friends and reading group, the Cover Girls, are back - Eloise Alcott, Violet Osborne, Mabel Wimberly, Anna Shaw, Phoebe Doyle, Betty Carmichael, and Eugenia Pratt - and most play a part in the story and act as a sounding board for Jane. We again visit many of the resident shop owners of Storyton Village: Edwin Alcott who has just opened a restaurant next to his sister Olivia's book shop, the Hogg brothers who own the food market, Barnaby Nicholas who owns the toy shop, and Tom Green owner of the flower shop. Storyton Village is a close knit community in which everyone knows everyone, everyone knows what is going on, and news spreads like wildfire.
Several romances develop over the course of the novel and Jane's and Edwin's budding romance seems to be on track for further development but will have some huge bumps in the road. Jane is worried about the effects of her romance on her children and other issues develop as well.
I was surprised that the murder did not take place until after almost a third of the novel. I enjoyed that immensely. Reading about Jane and her family and friends and the beginning of Romancing the Reader week without a murder happening was great fun. However, there were undercurrents of things to come - authorial rivalries, Romancing the Reader attendees with hidden agendas, and more.
Murder in the Paperback Parlor is wonderful! Jane is a terrific mom, has a lovely group of friends, is the true leader of Storyton Hall, and is working hard at her job. She is a caring and very, very relatable character. There is real emotion between Jane and her family and friends. Jane's friends are supportive and quirky and fun with distinct and well developed personalities. The murder mystery fit neatly into a deeply developed world and is exceptionally well done with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Adam's writing is fabulous and getting to know her characters and the world of Storyton Hall and Village is a pure delight.
About Ellery
ELLERY ADAMS is the New York Times bestselling author of the Books by the Bay Mysteries, featuring Writing All Wrongs and Lethal Letters; the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries, featuring Lemon Pies and Little White Lies and Pecan Pies and Homicides; and the Book Retreat Mysteries, featuring Murder in the Mystery Suite and Murder in the Paperback Parlor. She has had a lifelong love affair with both stories and food. She writes and creates culinary delights from her home in central Virginia.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter @ElleryAdams
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| Photo by Julie Renee |
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter @ElleryAdams
The Giveaway
What: One entrant will win a Mass Market Paperback copy of Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams from the publisher. US ONLY
How: Log into and follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59PM US Eastern Time on August 22, 2015. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter
*Giveaway rules and duration are subject to change without any notice.*
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Thank you for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this fascinating and intriguing giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletelooks interesting
ReplyDeleteI like pretty much everything Ellery has written
ReplyDeletea book that's on my Wish List.......
ReplyDeletethank you for the giveaway........
Loved the first one!
ReplyDelete