Read to Death at the Lakeside Library (A Lakeside Library Mystery) by Holly Danvers #Review / #Giveaway @AuthorHollyDanvers @crookedlanebks

Read to Death at the Lakeside Library (A Lakeside Library Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Crooked Lane Books (August 8, 2023)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639103317
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639103317
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BLTSWQT1

Rain Wilmot must find a novel solution in order to catch another killer—before her book club members are picked off one by one.

Summer is in full swing as tourists flock back to the Northwoods and travel to Lofty Pines, Wisconsin. For Rain Wilmot, owner of the Lakeside Library, this is the perfect opportunity to bring back her mother’s summer book club. But the summer sun starts to really heat up when one of the club’s members, Lily Redlin, is found dead in her own home not long after the first meeting.

Alongside her sidekick and neighbor Julia Reynolds and the charming Jace Lowe, Rain discovers that the murder is seemingly inspired by the book the club recently discussed Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel Sparkling Cyanide. But who would kill Lily, and more importantly, why?

The deeper Rain dives into the story, the more confusing and complicated the plot becomes. Was Lily murdered to cover up a tragic accident that occurred years ago involving an old classmate? Or were the rumors true—did Lily really possess a priceless original Laura Ingles Wilder manuscript and someone killed her for it? And what about the mysterious letter Lily received just before her death from a supposed long-lost relative? Was it a hoax?

With a long list of suspects and motives, Rain realizes that all leads come back to people involved in the book club. Rain and her friends take a page from Agatha Christie’s book by hosting a reenactment of the club’s first meeting to flush out the killer. Will Rain’s plan succeed—or will this librarian’s book be checked out for good?

Dollycas’s Thoughts

What happens when the book your book club just read and discussed looks to have been the inspiration for the murder of one of the club’s members? Well, the members of the Lakeside Library Book Club are about to find out.

Rain’s mother hosted a summer book club for years and Rain thought it was time to bring that back. Their first read was Sparkling Cyanide by Agathe Christie. A lively discussion was had but Rain never imagined one of the members would be found dead in their new lakeside cabin the next day.

Rain and her BFF Julia, try to do some investigating on their own, much to the despair of their significant others. Was the woman killed for something that happened in her past? Or did she really have a priceless manuscript someone was willing to kill her for? Or was it an unknown relative mentioned in a letter she had just received the thing that led to her death?

In their quest to find the truth Rain and Julia realize it all comes back to the book club. Well since Agatha Christie’s book set up the means for the killing they decide to use Dame Agatha’s way to expose the killer. Will it work? Or will the tables be turned on Rain and Julia and conclude with their and the book club’s demise?

With every book in this series, the core characters become nearer and dearer. Rain and Julia truly are best friends who have each other’s backs come hell or high water and water was definitely an issue in this story. They are also there for their friend Marge who is starting to have some age-related issues. Julia’s husband Nick is a great handyman to have around and her brother, police officer, Jace Lowe is on the case while he and Rain start to talk about their feelings for each other. I am loving the way these characters continue to evolve in realistic ways and at a comfortable pace. All the dialogues ring true to this Wisconsinite too.

Speaking of Wisconsin, Ms. Danvers’s descriptions of Lofty Pines in the Northwoods, really take her readers to the lake, on the lake, and the whole surrounding area so well. The sights, sounds, and even smells help bring this story to life. Books like this one help everyone see why vacationing in the area is so appealing, sans the murder, of course.

The murder mystery was very complicated due to the unclear motives. The victim’s history was very interesting as is her other house. She was a real bookworm who was very serious about her books. All these “clues” send Rain and Julia in many directions and even Marge helps out. I really enjoy following along with all the clues. The real guilty party was on my suspect list along with a couple of others. The author placed some nice twists that really keep me guessing the whole way. I did like the way the reveal played out as well as the links to the book club book in the mystery. You can’t go wrong with Agatha Christie.

Read to Death at the Lakeside Library was a Perfect Escape to the Wisconsin Northwoods with fun and engaging characters and a very well-plotted mystery.  The Lakeside Library has become one of my favorite literary libraries especially now with its new four-legged resident. I can’t wait to visit again soon.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About Holly Danvers 

Holly Danvers grew up devouring every mystery novel on the shelf of her local library. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and 3 chickens, where she’s already plotting her next novel.

Author Links
Website –   GoodReads –  Facebook 

Written as Holly Quinn

 Thanks to the publisher I have 1 HARDCOVER copy of
Read to Death at the Lakeside Library to give away!

The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.

Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.

You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.

Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.

Follow Crooked Lane Books on Facebook for 3 Bonus Entries

Follow Crooked Lane Books on Instagram for 3 Bonus Entries

If you share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

The  Contest Will End on August 22, 2023, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
The Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.

Click Here For Entry Form

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”