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A touring speakeasy brings Edgar Allan Poe's macabre tales to the Secret Bookcase—but before the final act, one of the actors is dead, a knife in his chest.
At first, Annie Murray can't believe her luck. A wildly popular travelling speakeasy wants to stage its sold-out storytelling night at the Secret Bookcase—four of Edgar Allan Poe's most spine-tingling tales, each paired with a suitably macabre cocktail. For a mystery bookshop, it's the perfect match.
The team transforms the ballroom into Poe's own study: flickering candles, a quill and writing desk, and stuffed ravens that look unsettlingly like the real crows haunting the gardens outside. Tickets sell out in minutes, and the organizers are desperate to add a second night.
Then the curtain rises on a scene no one rehearsed: a lead actor slumped in his chair, a knife buried in his chest. Annie quickly realizes this was no accident. It's as if Poe's very words have come to life. Can she decode them before another tale ends in murder?
Perfect for readers who love:
- A cozy bookshop mystery with a theatrical twist
- A gothic, candlelit atmosphere
- Amateur sleuths on the case
- Small-town charm and a warm local community
- A locked-room-style puzzle
A gripping cozy crime novel for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, the latest Novel Detectives mystery is a twisty 'just one more chapter' read that will keep you guessing until the final page.
"Ellie Alexander never disappoints! This is a spin off we have all needed but didn't know! I was biting my nails as a turned each page! Five stars as usual!" Books a Million, 5 stars
"I love Ellie Alexander. I love every book I've read from her and this is no exception! I adored this book, I enjoyed coming back to this world, and I enjoyed the twist! Incredible start to a new series!" Barnes & Noble bookseller, 5 stars
"I love this new series… meticulous plotting, the story is engaging, the mystery intriguing, and the characters memorable… This is a series that I'll look forward to reading with each new release! " NetGalley review, 5 stars
"Ellie Alexander does it again. This first book in the Novel Detective series is such a page-turner. I could not stop reading it… Can't wait for the next one." NetGalley review, 5 stars
"A clever, twisty mystery that kept me guessing and fully invested in the story… made me forget the world outside for a few hours and left me satisfied and smiling when the final page was turned… a charming, smart, and thoroughly enjoyable read." NetGalley review, 5 stars
"I loved this… Annie and Fletcher make a great detective team, and the bookstore and town of Redwood Grove are as charming as ever." NetGalley review, 5 stars
"Pulled me in from the very first chapter and never let go. It reminded me why I fell in love with mysteries as a child—the kind that make you suspect everyone and race toward the reveal." NetGalley review, 5 stars
"A delight… full of humor, suspense, and the charming world of Redwood Grove. This cozy mystery will keep you on your toes. Highly recommend!" NetGalley review, 5 stars
"A charming cozy mystery filled with likable characters and enough mystery to make you feel like a professional couch detective. There's twists and turns and a killer that you'll never expect." NetGalley review, 5 stars
"If Ellie Alexander writes it, I'll read it. The mystery had me audibly gasping." NetGalley review, 5 stars
"Entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn't completely guess whodunnit until Annie did… I'm thoroughly invested… I'm excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters next! I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends!" NetGalley review, 5 stars
"I loved this!! Can't wait for the next one!" NetGalley review, 5 stars