Checked Out For Murder Book Review - Christy's Cozy Corners

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Welcome to the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery by Allison Brook. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!

Carrie Singleton and Evelyn the ghost sleuth the slayings of a starlet and a star-crossed psychic in Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook’s fourth Haunted Library mystery.

Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery

by Allison Brook

I received this book free to review; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no cost to you.

Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (September 8, 2020)
Hardcover: 320 pages

Daphne Marriott strolls into Clover Ridge and informs librarian Carrie Singleton that she’s a psychic. But had she foreseen what fate awaited her, Daphne would have steered clear of the quaint Connecticut town. Evelyn, the library ghost, tells Carrie that there’s more to Daphne than she lets on.

The mysterious woman grew up in Clover Ridge with her no-good dad, who apparently met his end at the hands of Daphne’s brother, Billy. Still, Daphne proves a welcome distraction when Carrie’s overbearing mother hits town. Mom’s much younger husband, Tom, is in a movie that’s lensing locally, and she’s there to keep an eye on him: Tom’s costar, sultry Ilana Reingold, is also his ex-fiancée, and there’s no denying the chemistry is still there. Soon after mingling with the moviemakers at a meet-and-greet, Daphne is found dead.

Carrie and Evelyn investigate, assisted by bushy-tailed library cat Smoky Joe. But the suspect list could overflow the library shelves. Has Billy killed another relative? Is their long-missing mother involved? Or Daphne’s mean ex-husband? Carrie’s sure she knows who committed the crime, but can she bind together the clues before the culprit Dewey-decimates the town?

My review of Checked Out For Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery

Checked Out For Murder is the first book I’ve read in the Haunted Library Mystery series, and I must say, I really enjoyed it. It was very easy for me to feel like I knew the characters though I will go back to read the prior three books so I can get a better grasp on the backstory of the library’s ghost, Evelyn.

I really enjoy cozy mystery books that involve libraries because, obviously, I love books! Thankfully, the library where Carrie works is a busy place unlike many libraries now. I think Carrie’s job, setting up and coordinating events that are held at the library, sounds like it would be fun and challenging. It’s definitely challenging when people want to set things up at the last minute! I also love that Carrie’s cat goes to work with her. Maybe 2 of my 4 cats would be open for that, but my Smoky isn’t one of them!

I enjoyed getting to know the main characters, regular (I assume) side characters, and special guests! Many of the special guests in Checked Out For Murder are either starring or have some sort of background role in filming a movie in town. Carrie’s “step-father” Tom is one of the stars which means Carrie’s mom is in town too. I loved Charlie, the movie’s leading actor, since he’s described as sort of Tom Selleck and sort of James Garner….as well as a (mostly) nice guy.

Solving the murders was not easy as there were many suspects, and I ended up being very surprised by the ending. With it’s fun plot, well-developed characters, and multiple murders, Checked Out For Murder makes for a great cozy read.

About Allison Brook

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.

Author Links

Website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com

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Twitter: @MarilynLevinson; @AllisonBrookML

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