Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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Mad Mabel  by Sally Hepworth  is a domestic thriller about the youngest person convicted of murder in Australia, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. Now 81 years old, Elsie is living on Kenny Lane and has been for the past sixty years. When a mother named Roxanne moves into Mabel's neighborhood with her seven year old daughter, an unlikely friendship forms between Elsie and the seven year old child named Persephone. As Elsie's secrets come to light, her world comes crashing down.  Having read quite a few novels by Sally Hepworth, I requested an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mad Mabel  without reading the synopsis of the story. I was thrilled when NetGalley and St. Martin's Press approved my request. The expected publication date of the book is April 21, 2026. Not knowing anything about the storyline before I started reading Mad Mabel  made the story much more interesting to me as I had no preconceived ideas. The tale was told from Mabel's perspective in alternating timeli...
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Book Review: Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams

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book review murder in the book lovers loft book retreat mystery 9 ellery adams

Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams opens with resort manager Jane Steward and her fiance Edwin planning a getaway from Storyton Hall in Virginia to the coast of North Carolina.  Things almost immediately go awry when Edwin is stung by stingrays and Jane finds a dead body.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams.  The cover of this cozy mystery was super cute and the synopsis intriguing.  When I got the notification that I was approved to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review, I was excited.

This book was an easy read as well as super cute and fun.  It reminded me a bit of a Nancy Drew book.  Although Murder In The Book Lover's Loft was a bit predictable at times, it was thoroughly enjoyable.  I really enjoyed the characters of Jane, Edwin, and Olivia.  I even liked Mr. Butterworth . . . he reminded me of the butler in the 1998 version of The Parent Trap.  There were plenty of suspects throughout the story and plenty of clues pointing to the murderer.  However, I couldn't quite figure out who it was because so many of the people had such good motives.

I look forward to reading all the preceding books in the Book Retreat Mystery series and all that come after this installment.  Five out of five stars is what I gave Murder In The Book Lover's Loft (Book Retreat Mysteries, #9) by Ellery Adams.

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