A Page Marked for Murder
Book Summary
A Page Marked for Murder by Lauren Elliott has Addie Greystone working on the Beyond the Page window
displays for Greystone Harbor’s Fire and Ice Festival. She hears a scream coming from the park and
rushes over to find Gloria on the ground with her leg at an unnatural
angle. Gloria finds herself admitted to
the hospital and Addie becomes responsible for Gloria’s spoiled Yorkipoo, Pippi. Addie and Martha Stringer head to Gloria’s house
to pick up some personal items for Gloria’s hospital stay and get Pippi’s
necessities. Addie notices a valuable
copy of A Secret Garden on Gloria’s night table. It turns out that Addie’s shop assistant,
Paige Stringer loaned the book which her father left behind when he took off
when she was a child. The day after the
Christmas tree bonfire that ends the Fire and Ice Festival, Addie finds man
dead behind Martha’s Bakery. It turns
out to be Paige’s ex-beau and her daughter’s father, Brett Palmer who was in
town stirring up trouble. Martha is
arrested for the crime after the evidence mounts up against her. Then Paige’s copy of The Secret Garden
disappears. Addie wonders if there is a
connection between the dead man and the missing book. Addie starts a murder board and begins questioning
suspects so she can prove Martha’s innocence.
Can Addie get Martha off the hook
before she becomes the star baker at the local prison?
My Thoughts
A Page Marked for Murder by Lauren Elliott is the 5th A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery. This cozy mystery can be read as a standalone
if you are new to the series or if you have missed a book or two. Addie Greystone owns Beyond the Page, a
bookstore and curio shop in Greystone Harbor.
She is fortunate to have Paige Stringer as her shop assistant (she is
also referenced as store manager). Without
Paige, Addie would not be able to run around town solving crimes (I am curious as
to how she can afford two employees). I
had mixed feelings about A Page Marked for Murder. There are some parts that I liked and other
parts that I could have done without. I love
the descriptions of the bookstore, the book references, Gloria’s adorable dog, and
Addie’s Victorian home. The death of
Brett Palmer has misdirection and a handful of suspects. I liked that the murder weapon was a
curiosity. I wish it had been as challenging to identify
the guilty party. I could have done with
less speculation and time spent rehashing the case details. The story could have used action to liven
things up (would have helped the with the pacing as well). I appreciated that the whodunit was wrapped
up without leaving any lingering questions.
I do think it is time for Marc Chandler, the chief of police, to get
past his issues with Addie. Addie takes
care of Gloria McBride’s Yorkipoo, Pippi who sounds adorable. I am beginning to think, however, that I am
the only person to leave my dogs at home (or without a babysitter) when I go
out to run errands. I thought it was
sweet that Pippi needed her teddy bear, Baxter to sleep peacefully. Dr. Simon Emerson and Addie’s relationship is
developing and going in a positive direction.
Kalea Hudson, Addie’s cousin, is still living with Addie and sort of
working at the bookstore. Kalea is up to
something and neglecting her duties.
Addie needs bite the bullet and to talk to Kalea. I am hoping that we will see less of Kalea in
the next book. I do not like Kalea or
her attitude. I keep hoping Kalea will
learn a lesson, but I do not see that happening. While A Page Marked for Murder was not a home
run for me, I am looking forward to reading Under the Cover of Murder when it
comes out in the spring. A Page Marked for Murder is a curious cozy mystery with a bear named Baxter, a cutie of a
canine, a mystifying murder weapon, a valuable volume, a prisoned parent, and
one stumped sleuth.
A Page Marked for Murder can be obtained from Amazon* along the with the other novels in A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series. Prologue to Murder, Murder in the First Edition, and Proof of Murder (the 4th book on Kindle Unlimited) are currently $.99 on Amazon (ebook--they were on sale when I wrote this post. The prices can change without notice). The next A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery is Under the Cover of Murder which releases on March 30, 2021. Thank you for visiting today. Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on An Amish Husband for Tillie by Amy Lillard. It is the 4th book in Amish of Pontotoc series. I hope you have an inspiring day. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
*As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from
qualifying purchases. *
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