Hello, and welcome to the Secret Bookcase! I’m Annie Murray, your local mystery maven and event coordinator for the bookshop, and I can’t wait to show you around today. If this is your first time in the store, I should probably give you a little background about the estate. Hal Christie, my boss, renovated the English estate years ago and converted it into the Agatha Christie-inspired bookstore we all know and love.

Every room in the expansive mansion is designed to make you feel like you’re stepping into the pages of one of Christie’s novels. The Conservatory’s floor-to-ceiling windows, parquet floors, and gilded trim make the perfect backdrop for author readings and spooky storytimes. The Sitting Room resembles Miss Marple’s cottage in St. Mary Meade with its period wallpaper, cozy reading chairs, and tea station. It’s my favorite place to curl up with a new read and a cup of something warm. Our noir fans love the Parlor, an ode to Hercule Poirot, with its rich art deco prints and moody atmosphere. There’s a little something for everyone, including the Dig Room for our youngest readers, complete with a sandbox and treasure maps, the Mary Westmacott Nook stocked with romances, and a spacious outdoor Terrace that makes the most of our Northern California summers.

When I graduated with a degree in criminology, I never imagined I would end up working at mystery bookshop in the small village of Redwood Grove, but nearly a decade later I’m so happy I decided to focus on fictional murder instead of the real thing. The bookstore is a dream and over the last few months I’ve been taking on a bigger role, helping to breathe some new life into the shop and bring new blood into town. We recently hosted our first Mystery Festival, which was a smashing success. Readers ventured into the village for author chats, a mysterious pub crawl, and an interactive mystery they had to work together to solve. Everyone agrees it needs to become an annual event.

Maybe that’s why you’re here.

Did you hear about Mystery Fest, or are you just browsing? Either way, make yourself at home. Feel free to come find me with any questions. Our inventory is always changing, and we can place a special order if you’re on the hunt for something specific.

Just one note of caution. There have been some rumors about an actual murder during the festival weekend. I should warn you that, unfortunately, they’re true. We found a body in the bookstore, but not to worry. It’s all taken care of by now. At least, I think it is…

Happy reading, Annie Murray

The Body in the Bookstore, A Secret Bookcase Mystery Book #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: June 2024
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

Behind the shelves of The Secret Bookcase, where the sun slants through the windows onto rows of classic crime novels, a body lies…

Bookseller Annie Murray is thrilled when the mystery-themed book festival she sets up to revive the dwindling fortunes of her workplace and sanctuary seems poised for success. But events take a shocking turn when a body is discovered hidden behind the shelves, and it’s revealed that the victim is Annie’s old college acquaintance.

Determined to ensure the festival’s success and save the small town of Redwood Grove from a killer, Annie begins piecing together clues with the help of her friends. But as the list of suspects grows longer – a local boutique-owner, an envious old classmate, a bitter ex-boyfriend – Annie is drawn deeper into the case.

With the aid of her old criminology professor-turned-detective, can Annie unmask the murderer before they turn her festival into a real-life whodunit?

About the author
Ellie Alexander is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. Ellie believes that stories have the power to transport and transform us. With over thirty-eight novels published and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

Ellie loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers through every phase of the process from brainstorming an initial idea to brand building and helping new writers find their path to publication.