Jane Steward and her fiancé Edwin are traveling to Oyster Bay, NC to visit their friend Olivia Limoges. The activities are not picture perfect (Edwin ends up in the hospital) while Jane and Olivia work on solving the mystery of a body on the beach with a key to Storyton Hall nearby.

Unfortunately I believe this is the last visit with these characters from Storyton Hall. I was glad to see closure for many of them as well as their ability to solve the mystery. They will be missed. ( )

I enjoy Ellery Adams and have read three of her cozy mystery series. Murder in the Book Lover's Loft is part of the Book Retreat series, set at Storyton Hall, a reading-themed resort in western Virginia. Jane Steward and her fiancé Edwin are planning to head out of town for a visit to Oyster Bay, North Carolina. The town was the setting for another of Adams' series, and she has integrated Olivia Limoges and her dog Captain Havilland, the main characters is that series into this one. They have appeared in two of the books.

I had a sense that this was the last book in the Book Retreat series and Adams has confirmed that she isn't planning to write any more. There was a sub story about a secret library that moved through all the books and that thread essentially came to an end. Adams also ended the Books By The Bay series with just five books. I am sorry to see them end but in both cases, it made sense as the story tying them together came to an end. ( )

3.5 stars (rating shown may differ depending on site).

I suspect this might be the final book from this series.

Jane and Edwin go on vacation and visit Olivia (a Storyton guest from an earlier book in the series).

Butterworth appears to find love.

Jane makes good on her decision to clear out the secret library (though not without some push back from Uncle Aloysius). Jane and Edwin get engaged and married.

So will this be the end? Or will other secreted treasures still tempt criminals to come to Storyton Hall? ( )

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams is a delight to read. We journey back to Storyton Hall in Virginia where Jane Steward is getting ready to go on a vacation with her betrothed, Edwin. I would love to visit Storyton Hall. It is a resort for bibliophiles and writers (for anyone who loves and appreciates books). I thought Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft was well-written with a great cast of characters. I have enjoyed getting to know Jane, Edwin, the twins, Aunt Octavia, Uncle Aloysius, the staff at Storyton Hall, and the Cover Girls. I like that the author tied this story in with her A Books by the Bay Mysteries which features Olivia Limoges and her canine companion, Captain Haviland (a black standard poodle). Jane and Edwin travel to Oyster Bay, North Carolina for a vacation and end up embroiled in a mystery. It is a well-plotted mystery. There are several suspects because the victim who is author Justin St. James was not a nice man. I had a good time following Jane as she questioned people and searched for clues. The costumed All Hallows’ Ball was a great place to catch a killer. The Fins and the Cover Girls as well Sheriff Evans (loved his costume) and his deputies were there to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. I loved the ball with everyone in costume. It made for an entertaining and lively reveal. I like how all the various elements tied together. The last chapter will delight fans of the series. I finished Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft with a smile on my face. I was sad that Jane felt the need to dispose of the treasures in the secret room (she has been doing this in the last couple of books). I can understand being afraid of people breaking in to get their hands on the special items hidden at Storyton Hall, but I do not if I could have let go of such unique items. I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout the story. I like that the author included Olivia Limoges and gave us a conclusion to her story. The woman certainly deserves to have a happy ending. Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is the ninth A Book Retreat Mystery. It can be read as a standalone. However, I have enjoyed following Jane Steward on her journey since the beginning. It has allowed me to get to know her as well as the other characters and the secret of Storyton Hall. Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft has friendships, family, books, murder, furbabies, food, romance, and fun. I sincerely hope that this is not the last book in A Book Retreat Mysteries because I will miss my yearly visits to Storyton Hall. Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft is an entertaining tale with an odd death, a beach retreat, murdered author, playful puppies, fishy suspects, bookish costumes, and a startling reveal. ( )

Murder In The Booklover’s Loft is the ninth book in the Book Retreat Mysteries series by Ellery Adams.

The story begins with a body being found on Storyton Hall's property. The dead man is not a guest of Storyton Hall, so she will let the local sheriff and her staff handle the investigation as to who the man is. Jane and Edwin are ready to leave Oyster Bay, North Carolina, on vacation. They will stay with their friend Olivia and her standard Poodle, Captain Haviland, at Olivia’s beachfront home.

On the first day of vacation, they all head to the beach. What would be a beautiful first day of Jane and Edwin’s vacation will turn to horror. As Jane finds Justin St. James near a dune, a room key from Storyton Hall is near his body. She soon hears Edwin yelling for help. Edwin has stepped on a stingray and has several barbs on the bottom of his foot. After removing the barbs, he soon has an allergic reaction and must be hospitalized for a few days.

St. James, an author, is in Oyster Bay to join two other authors appearing at Olivia’s bookstore to discuss their books and book signing. St. James was not well-liked. For one thing, he believed that only men could write good books, and secondly, he would take true tragic stories and change just enough facts and names to keep from being sued. Olivia is one of those that St. James wrote about, and she let it be known that she most definitely didn’t like him and she will become a prime suspect. One of the panel members also had her life story written about by St. James. Even though the case hasn’t been solved, Jane and Edwin can return to Storyton Hall. Once back home, they fear the killer has followed them to Storyton Hall. Jane and the Fins hope to catch the murderer at the Halloween ball before any more lives are lost.

I enjoy Ms. Adams's writing, and this book combined characters from my favorite series, the Book Retreat and Books By The Bay. Ms. Adams is a skilled storyteller; her writing is so descriptive. This story is well-written, plotted, and exciting. The characters are all excellent and fascinating. I would love to call them my friends.

I hope there will be more books in this wonderful series. ( )