Flashback Friday – Review/ #Giveaway – Checked Out by Elaine Viets

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Elaine Viets just continues to top herself.

In the 14th installment of this very popular series, Helen and Phil are working separate cases. Helen is working as a library volunteer while she search for a very high valued piece of artwork that may have been misplaced in a book donated to the library. Phil is trying to find a very expensive necklace and a golf cart that went missing during a party. Both seem like relatively simple jobs but both of filled with plenty of complications, including teenagers who don’t have a clue… a “ghost”….a dead body….and more.

This was a great read and thought provoking. Helen’s work at the library introduced us to some wealthy women who thought of nothing but themselves. We also met some homeless people who use the library as a refuge. Phil was working for more wealthy people but spent most of his time getting to know the hired help who seemed to get blamed for everything.  I truly enjoyed the twists in the story that showed people’s true colors.

All the characters that live at the Coronado Apartments have returned as well with a couple of additions. The Sunset Salute still takes place every evening by the pool so all the friends can catch up with a drink or two.

Now the settings were amazing. The Flora Park Library was a huge estate that was converted into a library. The Friends of the Library are trying to raise money to shore up the walls and floors to handle the weight of all the wonderful books it contains, otherwise a new library will need to be built without all the rich history of the current library. Phil’s job also takes place at a beautiful estate with a pool and anything else a person could want. And since there is snow on the ground in Wisconsin right now, Florida anywhere sounds delightful.

The reason I love this series is because the recurring characters are real and true to life. The new characters in each story all unique, some work their way into our hearts and some we would like to jump into the pages and slap across the face. Of course there are some that fall in between. Viets puts them all in believable situations and wraps them in mysteries where many become suspects. Trying to solve them before Helen and Phil is the fun part. Usually I figure it out the same time they do.

Each story can be read as a stand alone but you really should read the whole series for maximum enjoyment.