Carrie Singleton is just about done with Clover Ridge, Connecticut until she’s offered a job as the head of programs and events at the spooky local library, complete with its own librarian ghost. Her first major event is a program presented by a retired homicide detective, Al Buckley, who claims he knows who murdered Laura Foster, a much-loved part-time library aide who was bludgeoned to death fifteen years earlier. As he invites members of the audience to share stories about Laura, he suddenly keels over and dies.
The medical examiner reveals that poison is what did him in and Carrie feels responsible for having surged forward with the program despite pushback from her director. Driven by guilt, Carrie’s determined to discover who murdered the detective, convinced it’s the same man who killed Laura all those years ago. Luckily for Carrie, she has a friendly, knowledgeable ghost by her side. But as she questions the shadows surrounding Laura’s case, disturbing secrets come to light and with each step Carrie takes, she gets closer to ending up like Al.
Now it’s due or die for Carrie in Death Overdue the delightful first in a new cozy series by Allison Brook.
SERIES: A Haunted Library Mystery #1
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
PUBLISHER: Crooked Lane Books
RELEASE DATE: October 10, 2017
PAGES: 336
What could be better than a library-related cozy mystery? One with a ghost in it… specifically the ghost of a former librarian. What could be better than that? A dash or two of romance, some warm familial affection, a bit of humor, and books galore. Oh – and TWO cases to solve. And a main character who shares my name. Sign me up please!
Carrie is a bit of a mystery all on her own. Dresses goth one day and then -after getting the library job she wanted – we see her more professional side. She’s interested in two different guys, and I was definitely pulling for one over the other. I loved her relationship with her aunt and uncle, but I wasn’t a fan of her approach in other relationships. Overall, though, she’s a great protagonist who sets a fabulous foundation for more in this series.
Bottom Line: Death Overdue by Allison Brook is well-plotted, engaging, and leaves us with hints about the direction the rest of the series might take. (For instance, was the old librarian/current ghost’s death really an accident… and why are Carrie & her young cousin the only ones who can see her? I’m so curious to see how these threads play out.) Great characters, intriguing subplots & back stories, and just enough romance & humor to satisfy every type of reader.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4 stars / Fun book!
Allison Brook is the pseudonym for Marilyn Levinson, who writes mysteries, romantic suspense and novels for kids. She lives on Long Island and enjoys traveling, reading, watching foreign films, doing Sudoku and dining out. She especially loves to visit with her grandchildren on FaceTime.
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Sounds like an interesting mystery with a bit of satire thrown in with a ghost who gives clues.
yes!
oh a mystery in a library. how cool is that? Poor girl, I hope she can solve this and get rid of the guilt
🙂
Thank you for the review.
I can’t wait to read Death Overdue. 🙂
yay!
Library and mystery! They sure go together! Thanks for the review.
they certainly do!
Great read just in time for Halloween.
Marilyn
definitely!
This sounds like a good book that would also be fun to read.