Murder in the Storybook Cottage

Storyton Hall is the location for Peppermint Press Children’s Book Publishers Conference. Jane Stewart believes this is the perfect time to open the resorts Fairy Tale Forest for the children of the guest. She takes her best friends on a pre-view tour of the forest only to find the body of a real-life Red Riding Hood. As in the children’s fairytale “Red” met with an unsavory character in the forest. This mysterious young lady is not a guest of the resort and Jane can not figure out why she is in one of the cabins. Jane and the Fins need to discover why this lady was found at the resort and why someone would want to kill her. I love this series and this book is my new favorite. Every time I read one of these books, I want to visit Storyton despite the murders. Author Ellery Adams is wonderful at describing the setting. You feel as if you are transported to the resort. When I went to college, I studied elementary education. My favorite class was Children’s Literature. This conference would be one I would love to attend (second only to a mystery conference). Jane, her friends, and the Fins are wonderful characters. I love how they help one another and support each other through good and bad times. I feel as if I am reading about a group of my beloved friends. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.

I have to admit to absolutely loving this series. The setting, a resort for bibliophiles, is a dream location for me. And, to have mystery, and intrigue mixed in makes for an enjoyable read. This new edition to the series is a home run right from the start. As the title implies, a murder takes place in a cottage that is to be a new children’s section of the resort. The owner of the resort, along with the help of the local police, her friends, and her staff, try to help find solve the murder; all the while trying to navigate a book publishing conference, and a family story themed event. The thing I love most about this series is the characters, and how well they are written. Even the minor characters, and the one that are brief for the story, are very well rounded, and full of life. I feel as if I am having a reunion of good friends every time I delve into the author’s works. If you have not read the others in this series, I would highly recommend that you do. Although you could read it as a stand alone, there are many nuances to the characters and their previous background that really needs to be read before you tackle this one. If you love this author’s other series, I highly suggest you give this one a try, as you will be delighted by this cozy. And, if you have read the others inThe Book Retreat series, run, do not walk to your nearest bookstore, or library and grab a copy. You will not be disappointed.