Murder in the Storybook Cottage - (Book Retreat Mystery) by Ellery Adams (Paperback)

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 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.

Ellery Adams is the Cozy Mystery Queen! Her novels are so easy to fall in love with! Easy to read thought provoking mysteries, intertwined with her terrific imagination, and absolute vast bookish knowledge! Each reference is like a little treasure to collect! Murder In The Storybook Cottage is a wonderful addition to the Book Retreat Mystery Series! The little village of Storyton and the lovely women that live there make it the perfect escape!