On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.Dewey Decimated (A Haunted Library Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Connecticut
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books (September 6, 2022)
Hardcover : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639100903
ISBN-13 : 978-1639100903
Kindle ASIN : B09N6M1SNP
Audiobook ASIN B0B61YD9M2
Audio CD ISBN-13 : 979-8212988452
Carrie Singleton is just off a hot string of murder cases centered around the spooky local library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She could really use a break—but no such luck, as she; Smoky Joe, the resident cat; and Evelyn, the library’s ghost, are drawn into another tantalizing whodunit.
First, a dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons. Carrie and Evelyn work hard to keep Alec out of sight, but what was he doing in Clover Ridge to begin with? And why was he killed?
Meanwhile, the town council, of which Carrie is also a member, is embroiled in a hot-headed debate over the fate of the Seabrook Preserve, a lovely and valuable piece of property that runs along Long Island Sound. Turn it into an upscale park? Sell it to a condo developer? Or keep it as protected land?
As the dispute rages, there’s another murder, this time involving a council member. Could the two murders be connected? And could Carrie be next on the hit list?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The expansion of the library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut was underway until a dead body was found in the basement. At first, no one knows who the man is but it is soon learned he was Alec Dunsmore, Dylan’s uncle whom he hadn’t seen in years. But Alec hasn’t left this realm, his ghost has taken up residence in the library and he isn’t a quiet ghost like Evelyn. His energy when he is upset causes disturbances that are distressing to the patrons of the library. They don’t understand why papers are flying or things are falling so Carrie enlists Evelyn’s help to keep Alec away from the main areas of the library while she tries to find out why the man was in Clover Ridge and why he had been killed.
Carrie has also filled an opening on the town council and they need to decide if the Seabrook Preserve that runs along the Long Island Sound will remain a protected nature area or if it is time to sell the land to a condo developer or turn it into upscale park. It is a real hot-button issue with the council and the community. Soon after the decision is made one of the council members is killed. Are the murders connected? Is the library expansion or the preserve designation catalysts to the deaths? Is Carrie in danger?
In this installment of the Haunted Library Mysteries, we have two ghosts instead of one. It was fun to see Evelyn have her hands full. Instead of just popping in to see Carrie and issuing orders or talking about murders, she had to help ghost Alec through a scary time. At first, he didn’t know who he was, he had no memory of anything that happened, and later he was frustrated being stuck in the library. He was a handful for good reason. We learned more about Dylan’s family and their issues with the ghost’s appearance.
Carrie is juggling a lot in Dewey Decimated. She is the point person on the library expansion and in addition to a dead body, other issues arise that must be addressed. Being new to the town council she has a lot of reading to do so she is informed about the topics under consideration. Then there are the murders to investigate and a ghost loose in the library. Oh, I can’t forget, she has a wedding date to set and a wedding to plan. Ms. Brook’s characters are always entertaining but there were even more so in this story.
The mystery put forth by the author was complicated. The body had been in the basement for several years, making it a cold case, but some suspects emerged with the deceased memories slowly coming back. Carrie is uncomfortable with some assistance that is thrust upon her. Assistance that put her in a dangerous situation when the killer was revealed. I had the person on my radar but I was stunned by the way the showdown occurred.
Dewey Decimated is an exceptional addition to this series. With a spirited plot and dynamic characters, including a wonderful library cat, this story kept me completely captivated. Ms. Brook never disappoints. She has written another Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook, she writes the Haunted Library series. DEATH OVERDUE, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series.
Her juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice. And Don’t Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards.
Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids.
Author Links
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