Book Review: Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mysteries, #1) by Ellery Adams

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Cozy Mystery Book Review of Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mysteries, #1) by Ellery Adams
Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mysteries, #1) by Ellery Adams is the first book in the Book Retreat Mysteries series and is set in western Virginia at a charming resort called Storyton Hall. This unique resort is designed specifically for book lovers who want to escape, unwind, and immerse themselves in their favorite stories. The resort’s manager, Jane Steward, decides to host a themed “Murder and Mayhem Week” inviting mystery enthusiasts to gather, role-play, and solve fictional crimes. However, the event takes a dark turn when one of the guests is found dead in his suite and a valuable prize goes missing. Jane must uncover which guest is responsible for the murder before the retreat is ruined.

Before picking up this novel, I had only read one other book in the series. I decided to start from the beginning as part of my New Year’s resolution to finally read books I purchased years ago. I’m so glad I did. Starting with the first installment allowed me to fully appreciate the origin of Storyton Hall and uncover some fascinating secret identities. The resort itself feels like a character, and the main cast is exceptionally well developed. As expected, there are characters you’ll immediately love and others you’ll strongly dislike.

The mystery is filled with red herrings that kept me guessing throughout the story. I found myself constantly changing my mind about who the murderer might be. Interestingly, the actual culprit briefly crossed my mind early on, but I quickly dismissed the possibility. I won’t give away any spoilers, so you’ll have to read the book yourself to see if you can solve the mystery.

I also appreciated that the story included elements beyond the mystery, such as a subtle touch of romance. It’s not overly prominent, so even readers who don’t enjoy romantic subplots shouldn’t be put off. Instead, it adds depth to the story and characters. While there were a few moments that felt slightly cheesy, they didn’t detract significantly from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams was a fun and easy read, perfect as a cozy mystery or beach read. I had a hard time putting it down and am looking forward to continuing the series. I rated this book four out of five stars.

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