Ellery Adams

Jane Steward is a single mom of twins trying to save her family's literary themed resort, Storyton Hall, from financial disaster. As she learns the ropes of running the fabled resort from her Aunt and Uncle, she's inspired to host a Murder and Mayhem Week for fans of mysteries. Chock full of role-playing and crime solving events, the event is sure to attract mystery lovers from afar. All is fun and games until the lines between fiction and reality become blurred. With a real crime or two to solve in addition to keeping guests happy, Jane quickly realizes there's more to the hospitality business than just booking guest rooms.

The Bottom Line: This is the first book in the Book Retreat Mystery series. It was recommended to me by a fellow mystery buff, and I'm glad she did. With a quick pace, likable characters, and a literary theme, this cozy mystery is an action-packed weekend read with a surprise twist ending that I didn't see coming. Enthusiastically recommended for fans of cozies and literary themed books. I'm looking forward to book #2.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog.… (més)

There were some cute things I really loved about this book.
I loved the idea of the resort. I loved the love for books. I like how all the stores in town had gardens.
Then, about half way through, this mystery of the family was revealed that I'm really not so sure I'm going to love going forward. It's a little too "the librarians" for me.
Will I read another one? Possibly. But, I'm a little afraid to. I don't want that one twist to turn me off from what otherwise was a cute book to read.… (més)