A Page Marked for Murder

Lauren Elliott

Oct 2020 · A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Book 5 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

A murder and a missing book have Addie Greyborne running around her Massachusetts town trying to read the clues . . .
 
January isn’t the season for the seaside, but the big Fire and Ice festival is keeping bookstore owner Addie busy. Amid the plans for a fireworks display and an ice-carving competition, she’s also dog sitting for a friend in the hospital. When Addie goes to her friend’s house to gather supplies, she notices an interesting item on the nightstand which belongs to her shop assistant, Paige: a very valuable copy of the beloved children’s book The Secret Garden.
 
But Addie’s blood runs cold when she finds something else: a dead body behind the bakery next door to her shop. Martha, the bakery owner, has no alibi—and has been seen in a heated argument with the victim. And the next thing Addie knows, that first edition has gone missing. Is there a connection between the body and the treasured tome? If there is, it’s up to Addie to find a killer with a motive as hidden as Frances Hodgson Burnett’s famous garden . . .
 
“Seaside charm only gets better in winter! A Page Marked for Murder has all the things I love in a book.”
—Vicki Delany
 

Ratings and reviews

A Page Marked for Murder by Lauren Elliott is the 5th A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery. This cozy mystery can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or if you have missed a book or two. Addie Greystone owns Beyond the Page, a bookstore and curio shop in Greystone Harbor. She is fortunate to have Paige Stringer as her shop assistant (she is also referenced as store manager). Without Paige, Addie would not be able to run around town solving crimes (I am curious as to how she can afford two employees). I had mixed feelings about A Page Marked for Murder. There are some parts that I liked and other parts that I could have done without. I love the descriptions of the bookstore, the book references, Gloria’s adorable dog, and Addie’s Victorian home. The death of Brett Palmer has misdirection and a handful of suspects. I liked that the murder weapon was a curiosity. I wish it had been as challenging to identify the guilty party. I could have done with less speculation and time spent rehashing the case details. The story could have used action to liven things up (would have helped the with the pacing as well). I appreciated that the whodunit was wrapped up without leaving any lingering questions. I do think it is time for Marc Chandler, the chief of police, to get past his issues with Addie. Addie takes care of Gloria McBride’s Yorkipoo, Pippi who sounds adorable. I am beginning to think, however, that I am the only person to leave my dogs at home (or without a babysitter) when I go out to run errands. I thought it was sweet that Pippi needed her teddy bear, Baxter to sleep peacefully. Dr. Simon Emerson and Addie’s relationship is developing and going in a positive direction. Kalea Hudson, Addie’s cousin, is still living with Addie and sort of working at the bookstore. Kalea is up to something and neglecting her duties. Addie needs bite the bullet and to talk to Kalea. I am hoping that we will see less of Kalea in the next book. I do not like Kalea or her attitude. I keep hoping Kalea will learn a lesson, but I do not see that happening. While A Page Marked for Murder was not a home run for me, I am looking forward to reading Under the Cover of Murder when it comes out in the spring. A Page Marked for Murder is a curious cozy mystery with a bear named Baxter, a cutie of a canine, a mystifying murder weapon, a valuable volume, a prisoned parent, and one stumped sleuth.

family-dynamics, friendship, cozy-mystery, theft, murder-investigation, relationships, small-town, small-business, amateur-sleuth***** Addie the rare book appraiser and bookshop owner has been on the wrong side of the suspect list before but this time it is dear friends who remain under interrogation. One friend tumbles from a ladder and is severely injured. While in hospital her house keys have gone missing and a family heirloom book has been stolen. Then the body of a man known and disliked by another family of friends is found in the alley behind their shops. The police are not happy and disagree with Addie's conclusions about her friends. Well done with red herrings and plot twists as well as truly believable characters. ! very good read! I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

Lauren Elliott is the USA Today bestselling author of the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery series and the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery Series. She grew up devouring Nancy Drew, graduated to Agatha Christie, and then began writing herself as well as bringing her passion for storytelling to careers in professional theater and journalism. She can be found online at LaurenElliottAuthor.com.