Murder in the Mystery Suite

Book Retreat Mystery, Book 1

By: Ellery Adams

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Tucked away in the rolling hills of rural western Virginia lies the storybook resort of Storyton Hall, catering to book lovers who want to get away from it all. To increase her number of bookings, resort manager Jane Steward has decided to host a Murder and Mayhem week so that fans of the mystery genre can gather together for some role-playing and fantasy crime solving. But when the winner of the scavenger hunt, Felix Hampden, is found dead in the Mystery Suite, and the valuable book that he won is missing, Jane realizes that one of her guests is an actual murderer.

Amid a resort full of fake detectives, Jane is bound and determined to find a real-life killer. There's no room for error as Jane tries to unlock this mystery before another vacancy opens up...

©2014 Ellery Adams (P)2014 Tantor

Far fetched mystery

What did you love best about Murder in the Mystery Suite?

Good story reminiscent of "Murder She Wrote"

Would you be willing to try another book from Ellery Adams? Why or why not?

Would try another book by Ellery Adams as this was intriguing and entertaining without being gruesome or filthy.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lizzie and the professor are meeting at the gazebo and Aunt Octavia throws a book at her to knock her down, The whole scene is riveting, semi-funny, and tense.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Explore the hidden secrets of Storyton Hall and the secret lives of its staff

Any additional comments?

good clean entertainment and mystery

Jane’s Gotta Poison Dart

Mildly entertaining story.Narrator has a good narrative voice but,can only seem to do normal or haughty.Good thing the characters are named before narrated or you wouldn’t be sure who was talking.

Comfortable, mystery

It is a light easy mystery with good character development. It allows the reader to be interested in seeing where these characters go.

Very, pleasantly, surprised!

Where does Murder in the Mystery Suite rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think this will be one of my favorite series.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she sat down and talked with her mom's best friend.

Any additional comments?

I love books that are more than covers, bindings, and paper. I love the stories that you loose yourself in, that makes you apart of their world, that you never want to end. I love this first book because it made me happy when I listened to it.

Very enjoyable.

Being a book addict, I like the storyline a lot. The narrator is very pleasant to listen to and her ability to change characters is very good. It's fun to be reminded of characters from other books. I'm also happy to see the story continues.

A well-written & enjoyable mystery

Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mysteries, #1), my first read from author Ellery Adams, and it will not be my last. A well-written story from a very good author. I bought this book back in April of 2016 and am just now getting around to reading & reviewing it. Johanna Parker's excellent narration adds to the book's enjoyment. Oh, and then there's the sub-plot. No spoilers from me. You need to buy and read the book then leave a review. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

Couldn’t get through it

I’m a long time reader/listener of cozy crime. It doesn’t have to be high literature for me to enjoy it, actually probably better if it’s not, but I could not get through this one. I gave it 5 hours before I finally gave up. The narrator is just awful. I don’t know if the author intended everyone to sound snobby but they all just sound like people I’d never talk to. Also everyone sounds the same. She pronounces words in a weird way like she’s trying to do something but I don’t think what she’s trying to do. I honestly don’t even know how I might feel about the story because I’m so distracted by the narrator.
Overall, everything feels a little forced and mediocre. I think it’s a good idea poorly executed in both writing and narration. I couldn’t get into it.

Enjoyable First in a New Series!

Readers get ready to be transported to a magical estate where readers will get to immerse themselves in their love of books. This is exactly what readers have in store for them when they visit Storyton Hall. In her newest series Ellery Adams is transporting readers to a holiday estate, where visitors get to spend their days reading books in various themed rooms, or walking on the beautiful grounds. When resort manager, Jane Stewart, hosts a themed week "Murder and Mayhem Week" she doesn't realize Storyton Hall will be the scene for an actual murder, as someone is intent on recovering a book at all costs!

Amongst all the genres I love mysteries the most. There is such a great variety for readers, from the classics of Agatha Christie to the modern cozy mystery. Murder in the Mystery Suite is a celebration of the mystery genre. From the reading rooms named after authors, to the murder, which centers around a lost manuscript from a great mystery author. Every page delighted in me, as I felt fully immersed in the mystery, and enjoyed the delightful name dropping of all the authors mentioned.

I loved all the characters at Storyton Hall, and those in the town as well. There is more than meets the eye to Jane Stewart, and her delightful twins, as well as her Aunt and Uncle. They kept me on my toes and I wasn't able to guess who the murderer was, or other surprises along the way.

Alike to her other mysteries, Ellery Adams has subtly weaved magic within the pages, and left readers absolutely mesmerized with this new series. While not of the paranormal kind, it is the kind of magic that leaves readers absolutely hooked on each series, and this is one that I won't be forgetting in a hurry. I absolutely can't wait to see what Ellery Adams has in store for Jane Stewart in the next story.

Book Lovers' Delight

This series is perhaps my favorite of Ellery Adams'. I can see from the reviews that I may be in the minority here, but I stick by my opinion. The Book Retreat Mysteries deliver on several levels . . . of course, they deliver on the murder mysteries, but much more than that, I find that there's much chivalry, imagination, and there's the long lost art of teaching children creativity, which has peaked my interest in these tales . . . I love the little town of Storyton in Virginia, with Geppeto's toy shop, its eateries and such. and the fact that Storyton Hall exists to preserve the love of reading and adventure . . . the hidden treasure guarded by the Fins . . . the training of the new Guardian of Storyton Hall, Jane and her six year old twin sons, Hem and Fitz, as they learned the art of archery, was so much fun . . . If you are an adult who still has the ability to stretch your imagination and can enjoy a well-told fairy tale, these books are for you . . . they aren't child's play, but they DO awaken the childlike wonder in all of us . . .

Loved this story!

I loved the story. The narrator has an annoying reading style of constantly dropping an octave at the end of a sentence. It made me more aware of how the story was read than the story itself. Very off-putting. I wish there was another narrator for these books.