Murder in the Paperback Parlor (The Book Retreat Mysteries 2)

This book in my opinion, was outstanding. Why? Because how it's written. It's easy to fallow. And the characters are well written and often funny. The storyline is great too. I loved the premise of it. I won't give any spoilers.. Don't worry. I loved Jane in this. She determined to solve this case no matter what happens. I highly recommend. Enjoy.

I like fantasy, sci fi, magical realism so why do the fantastical elements here feel a little off? It’s a wonderful premise- who wouldn’t want to spend a week in Storyton Hall and village with all of the charm and quiet elegance of the past and none of the bad, librarians who match you to your perfect book, unique shops with quirky names and a mansion with endless secrets and delights. The writing is above average, liberally uses apt and often moving literary quotes and the characters act intelligently and with heart.The fact that the home is also part of a secret society and resort staff are actually an elite security team - ok, sure. It could work but it’s where the tones begin to feel jarringly off. The series is set in Virginia but aside from occasional references to blue mountains, the setting could be Los Angeles, Hanoi, Mars or Narnia. There’s absolutely no sense of place in the description, the setting, the language or the culture. If anything, people talk and act as if they’re in a hybrid Austen and Bronte novel. Edwin is hardly a person - he’s an amalgamation of every Regency romance ‘hero’ - moody, tempestuous, handsome. He’ll grab you swiftly around the waist for a dance then stride away yet writes literary quotes on flower petals for the one who finally captured his heart. Set in modern times (I think - people have cell phones and the Hall’s security team has an at home forensics lab) this kind of character is more like a fevered dream than a person. It’s a world that smooshes together cozy mystery, spy tactics, period drama, a dollop of fantasy and a hearty helping of paperback romance. It’s like going to an amazing buffet and eating a little of everything - it all tastes good individually but maybe you shouldn’t have put it all on one plate.In the end though, I like the kind and capable characters and a little snowglobe of a village that loves books and mysteries is hard to resist.

I think because I read a similar book. I had to give this a 41/2 star. It is nice to enjoy so many books. Thank you Kindle Fire. I have had it for 2 years and just. Started using it. This got me through”my vacation”. Maybe I will start to use my laptop next. There is hope for this old girl after all☺️

I find Ellery Adams Book Retreat Mysteries pleasure able, intriguing, and stimulating. The ensemble cast of characters continue to delight me.

I literally finished Murder in the Paperback Parlor at 7 AM! I quite simply couldn't stop reading. This book worked on so many levels for me. First it was a corking good mystery, Second I love the Storyton Manor and it's many secrets and last a bit of romance that works in well.Others have detailed the plot I would like to mention the well drawn heroine Jane Steward and her enjoyable and realistic twin boys. So often children in books are either precocious and annoying or just little angels but these kids were lots of fun and what a wondrous place Storyton Manor is with all of its secret spaces and grounds. The villagers are also very real and I loved Tobias Hogg's romance with a romance author. I also love. Lachlan and the complex Edwin.Last but certainly not least was the Romance Writers Guild event where authors and readers could interact. I have been to RWA as a reader and also two Romantic Times conventions and had a great time interacting with other readers, authors and yes (even though I am older then dirt) with the cover models. It was all lots of fun and it was such fun to talk with people whose eyes didn't glaze over when I mentioned my beloved books. I thought Adams captured the feel and fun of these conventions without making the participants look dumb. Believe me with or without cover models readers getting to visit with authors and other readers is lots of fun and I thought Adams captured this beautifully. I just wish one the ones I went to had the food from the Storyton. I was salivating while I read their tea menu.Great book and the only bad part is we have to wait a year for the next one.

Characters were very 2d, plot unbelievable, didn't enjoy

First book I've read by this author thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Great book

Enjoyed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this storey even though I hadn't read the first book in the series. Well plotted with clues placed at just the right intervals