A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander Series: Novel Detectives Mystery #1
Published by Storm Publishing on January 20, 2026
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 254
Format: eARC
Add on Goodreads
Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.
June Munrow, an elderly resident of Annie’s home town, Redwood Grove, is convinced that young Kelly Taylor’s recent drowning wasn't the tragic accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.
As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets involving Kelly’s complicated relationships, a peculiar landlord, and her mysterious roommate. Everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.
With her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself?
Annie and Fletcher, from the Secret Bookcase Mysteries, have opened up their detective agency and have their first case. Kelly Taylor, a talented surfer and activist, recently drowned in her bathtub, but her elderly neighbor is convinced the young woman was murdered.
I like Annie and Fletcher and their friends. They’re smart and dedicated. They also have a good relationship with the police and have no problem keeping them updated or calling them in when necessary. Annie’s boyfriend is handsome and caring and supportive and her best friend is adorable and a whiz with coffee. Annie’s life is pretty good, aside from almost getting killed. There are no conflicts with her friends or employees. The town she lives in is appropriately cozy and walkable. Even the crows like her. Yes, we’re told parts of her background have been tough, but it’s really no surprise that with her first case, she solves a murder, uncovers a drug dealing operation, and gets evidence on a shady landlord. Things just go her way.
The plot moves along at a good pace, and we have several potential suspects. There’s also an overarching case that starts here, brought to Annie and Fletcher by a friend.
I do think this works best if you’ve read the Secret Bookcase Mysteries. As the start of a new series, I’m just not sure we get enough background for it to make sense that these two to own both a bookstore and a detective agency.
About Ellie Alexander
Cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander, is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing a multitude of pastry and other recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, or hard at work on the next book in one of her cozy mystery series, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I think the premise is definitely interesting.
It fits the cozy mystery genre well.