Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams is the fourth tale in A Book Retreat Mystery series. Jane Steward is excited that the construction is beginning on the Walt Whitman Spa. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the next evening. After the digging begins, it looks like the festivities will have to be postponed. Bones were uncovered by the excavator along with a padlocked box and a farthing. Inside the box is the remains of a badly deteriorated book. It so happens that the Robert Harley Rare Book Society is attending a conference at the Storyton Hall and they are happy to help discern the books title. Bart Baylor identifies the book and then expires in the Henry James library. Jane, with the aid of her trusted, employees delves into the lives of the members of the Rare Book Society to pinpoint the culprit before the conference ends. How does the skeleton relate to Bart's death? Jane is also worried about Edwin Alcott. There has been limited communication and the recent postcards people have been receiving seem unusually chatty (for Edwin). As the investigation into Bart's murder heats up, her concerns about Edwin will have to take a backseat. Time is of the essence. They need to work quickly or something very precious could be lost.
I love the concept for A Book Retreat Mystery series. As a booklover, I would love to visit (let's face itâlive at) Storyton Hall. If you are new to the series, I suggest starting with Murder in the Mystery Suite. There is more to Storyton Hall than a beautiful book themed inn. Jane is the latest Guardian who safeguards a hidden library filled with priceless (and rare) books and manuscripts. Jane's role and that of her staff (the Fins) is explained in the first book. Murder in the Locked Library is well-written, but it does have a slower pace. I did not mind the pace because the story drew me in from the very beginning. Storyton Hall with its beautiful book themed rooms were brought to life for me courtesy of the author's descriptions. The characters are established and engaging. There is a cast of regular characters that include Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Butterworth, Hem and Fitz (Jane's twin boys), and the Cover Girls (Jane's friends which make up the female book club). I like the boys are portrayed as mischievous and curious. Jane loves them dearly, but she does get frustrated with them at times (which is realistic). I like how the three storylines come together in the end. The mystery was compelling and complex. I do wish, though, that it had been harder to identify the guilty party. Two little pieces of information gave it away to me (this is the only weak part of the book). The why did not become apparent until much later in the book. I am glad that the sheriff works with Jane and her group on the investigation. They have resources that are not available to the local police. At the end of Murder in the Locked Library, we get a glimpse of what will be happening in the next A Book Retreat Mystery (which I am eager to read). My rating for Murder in the Locked Library is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I love the concept for A Book Retreat Mystery series. As a booklover, I would love to visit (let's face itâlive at) Storyton Hall. If you are new to the series, I suggest starting with Murder in the Mystery Suite. There is more to Storyton Hall than a beautiful book themed inn. Jane is the latest Guardian who safeguards a hidden library filled with priceless (and rare) books and manuscripts. Jane's role and that of her staff (the Fins) is explained in the first book. Murder in the Locked Library is well-written, but it does have a slower pace. I did not mind the pace because the story drew me in from the very beginning. Storyton Hall with its beautiful book themed rooms were brought to life for me courtesy of the author's descriptions. The characters are established and engaging. There is a cast of regular characters that include Mr. Sinclair, Mr. Butterworth, Hem and Fitz (Jane's twin boys), and the Cover Girls (Jane's friends which make up the female book club). I like the boys are portrayed as mischievous and curious. Jane loves them dearly, but she does get frustrated with them at times (which is realistic). I like how the three storylines come together in the end. The mystery was compelling and complex. I do wish, though, that it had been harder to identify the guilty party. Two little pieces of information gave it away to me (this is the only weak part of the book). The why did not become apparent until much later in the book. I am glad that the sheriff works with Jane and her group on the investigation. They have resources that are not available to the local police. At the end of Murder in the Locked Library, we get a glimpse of what will be happening in the next A Book Retreat Mystery (which I am eager to read). My rating for Murder in the Locked Library is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Kim (Mistry) -
I am a big fan of this series and have really enjoyed the first three. That being said, the fourth installment was not my favorite. I felt like we were thrown into the 2nd half of a book already being written. There were details that were brought in as past memories of Jane's at strange times, where I'd already gone back into the story to see if I missed something.
I've always liked that while doing her own investigating, Jane hasn't held back information or clues, but this time she did more of her own thing, and I'm not a fan of characters who leave the police out of things.
It was not as well written as the last few and I'm hoping things pick up again in the next book. It fell flat for me, and was just not as good as the first 3 books in the series.
I've always liked that while doing her own investigating, Jane hasn't held back information or clues, but this time she did more of her own thing, and I'm not a fan of characters who leave the police out of things.
It was not as well written as the last few and I'm hoping things pick up again in the next book. It fell flat for me, and was just not as good as the first 3 books in the series.
Carol S. (waucondacarol) reviewed Murder in the Locked Library (Book Retreat, Bk 4) on + 319 more book reviews
I really enjoy this series. A mansion that is a hotel for book lovers with appropriately named rooms after authors. In this book, a hundred year old body is dug up during some construction on the grounds and with it is a nearly destroyed old book. Does the body and the book have ties to the mansion and why was a guest murdered after he tried to identify the title of the buried book. Jane Steward, Storyton Hall's manager, and her staff are on the hunt for the murders of both the old and new victims.
Pamela L. (grandpam) -
Long and arduous. I am a huge, yes huge, fan of Ms. Adams and usually pre-order all the new releases in the series she writes. This one was a disappointment. The plot was slim although the initial premise could have been a great story. I really like these characters but they were rather flat in this book. I hesitate to say skip it, but I wish I would have.
