Murder in the Paperback Parlor

Book Retreat Mystery, Book 2

By: Ellery Adams

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, Jane Steward is organizing a week of activities for fans of love stories at her book-themed resort. But her Regency readers barely have time to brush up on their Jane Austen before tragedy strikes Storyton Hall. Rosamund York, one of the most celebrated authors in attendance, is killed.

Rosamund had as many enemies as she did admirers, including envious fellow novelists, a jealous former lover, and dozens of angry fans. It's up to Jane, with the help of her book club, the Cover Girls, to catalogue the list of suspects and find a heartless killer quickly - before the murderer writes someone else off.

©2015 Ellery Adams (P)2015 Tantor

Narrator talks way too fast

Love the series and the story line, but the narrator reads like she is in a race to see who can finish first. She reads so fast that half the time I can't understand her, unless I'm doing nothing but concentrating on the book. I slow her down when listening with my phone to .75 but that's really too slow. Can't slow her down on Alexa, so phone is the only way I can listen. We need a speed option somewhere between .75 and .90 for narrators like her. This is the only narrator I've ever had this trouble with.

Continued entertainment

This next book in the series continues where the first left off. Fun information amid the murder and mayhem.

Definitely a cozy mystery

While this is a cozy mystery, there are some intellectual challenges. I hope to see more character development in future instalments but the setting for this series is unique and makes it worth the read!

I Enjoyed it

I enjoyed this book. It is refreshing to be able to listen to a mystery while on long drives.

Books, Dreams, Writers and Killers

Loved this tale about Storyton Hall and a bunch of women romance writers gathered together before Valentine's Day . . . nothing like the green eyed monsters (envy and jealousy) to get a woman's blood boiling . . . I can almost smell the old books . . . history and mystery, partners . . . hand in hand, going forward to find a killer amongst the writers gathered for the conference at Storyton Hall. Jane Steward, the keeper of Storyton Hall, with her two twin little boys, Fitz and Hem, is strong, yet has a heart of gold, after losing her husband some three years earlier . . . Muffet Cat and Jane's aunt and uncle are as charming as Jane and her sons, and together they team up to be the caretaker's of Storyton Hall and its hidden treasures . . . and to search for a killer . . . and although romance is in the air, the story stays quite clean . . . to my delight . . . there are heroes and villains, as the knights and princesses of old in this charming tale . . . I am definitely going on to the next in the series!

Always enjoyable storylines

This sequence of books is a pleasure to listen to or read. Twists and turns of plot keeps them entertaining. Characters are also well defined and intriguing. The setting of a book themed inn is puts the reader inside a cosy, elaborate retreat setting.

A Great Series

This is a great series & Johanna Parker makes it such a pleasure to listen to. Multiple plots & twists & great detail in your surroundings...Hem & Fitz keep you laughing & Jane is so in control...it's loads of fun & I look forward to the rest of the series!

A VERY COZY MYSTERY.

THE STORY LINE MOVED FAST AND THE INTERESTING STORY LINE KEEP ME LISTENING TILL THE END. I THINK YOU WILL FIND IT A CREDIT WILL WORTH SPENDING.

Unique and lovely

I have really enjoyed all of Ellery Adam's series but this has been my favorite! There is excitement, mystery and sweet romance. So worth the listening!!

Do they really have retreats like this?

Would you listen to Murder in the Paperback Parlor again? Why?

Yes. I feel like I didn't get every detail the first time, too many interruptions. It is just a good story, with a little bit of everything, but I would not mind if one of my daughters decided to listen to it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the new guy, Lochland. He is mysterious, something about him is broken and you don't know if he can be trusted, but you want him to be one of the good guys because of his military past. I think his character will be a favorite of mine if this series continues.

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

Her differing tones and inflections (hope using correct terminology) for the different characters, and the differing emotions brought life to the characters.