Book Review: Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams

With her twins, Fitzgerald and Hemingway, back in school, Jane Steward can finally focus on her work again—managing Storyton Hall, and breaking ground on the resort’s latest attraction: a luxurious, relaxing spa named in honor of Walt Whitman. But when the earth is dug up to start laying the spa’s foundation, something else comes to the surface—a collection of unusual bones and the ragged remnants of a very old book. The attendees of the Rare Book Conference are eager to assist Jane with this unexpected historical mystery—until a visitor meets an untimely end in the Henry James Library. As the questions—and suspects—start stacking up, Jane will have to uncover a killer before more unhappy endings ensue . . .

“Combines clever clues, a smart and courageous heroine and an interesting setting in a whodunit that will inspire readers to make further visits to Storyton Hall.”[summary via Goodreads]

In the fourth book in the Book Retreat Mysteries, Jane Steward is hosting a group of rare book collectors for the Rare Book Conference. A week of fun events and study of rare books is planned. However, the plans change when a dead body is unearthed on the property and one member of the Robert Harley Rare Book Society turns up dead. Jane and her "Fins" must put their heads together to solve two murders and restore order to Storyton Hall.

I absolutely love the Book Retreat Mysteries. They're a mystery and an education on books all rolled into one. If you love books, as much as I do, you're guaranteed to love this series!

Hot off reading the third book, The Murder in the Secret Garden, I picked up the fourth book in the series. I was swept away to Storyton Hall, and a mystery surrounding a century old pile of human bones and a very, very old (but dangerous) book.  I found the mystery surrounding this old book really fascinating. Why would a book (in a locked case no less) be buried with a body, and not discovered for over a century later? 

As the mystery unravelled we learn a lot about this book, and why it should've remained hidden. We also learn about the history of Storyton Hall, and this was deeply fascinating too.

When I turned the last page of The Murder in the Locked Library, I couldn't wait for the next book. It definitely left me hanging and wanting more adventure. Luckily for me, the next book is released in just a few days time, so I will be heading back to Storyton Hall very soon!