Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Dewey Decimated (A Haunted Library Mystery) by Allison Brook. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Dewey Decimated (A Haunted Library Mystery)
by Allison Brook
Dewey Decimated (A Haunted Library Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Connecticut
Crooked Lane Books (September 6, 2022)
Hardcover : 336 pages
Librarian Carrie Singleton is back on the case, alongside library ghost Evelyn, in the sixth installment of Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mysteries.
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?
My review of Dewey Decimated
Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook is the 6th book in the Haunted Library Mystery series; but, honestly, it can be completely enjoyed as a stand alone book. I can’t say that about all cozy mystery series because I just get lost if I haven’t read them all! I did read the fourth book in this series too, and you can read my review of Checked Out For Murder here.
By this sixth book, we know that Carrie and Dylan are engaged. I really don’t think that’s a spoiler for the prior books since we cozy mystery lovers are always “shipping” characters. (That means put them into relationships. Shipping. Relationships. Get it?) Like most couples, they adore each other, but they’ve still got some things to resolve before marriage. One of those things is Dylan’s childhood and growing up with his parents. When Carrie wants to know about his parents and childhood, Dylan brushes her questions off and finds a way to avoid talking about it. He tells her that her family is his family, and that’s enough. In Dewey Decimated, Dylan finally opens up to Carrie; and, strangely enough, his Uncle Alec’s body is found in the building next to the library where Carrie works.
From the synopsis, we find that the library has a ghost named Evelyn; only Carrie and her five year old niece can see Evelyn. Evelyn comes in handy when mysteries and murder find their way into Carrie’s life. The mystery Evelyn has to help Carrie with this time is Uncle Alec. Well, his ghost that is. He can’t remember a thing about his death, and Carrie gets swept up in another mystery. I really loved the mystery in Dewey Decimated! It was very well-plotted and kept me turning the pages. There is a whole lot going on in this book which made it all the more interesting and exciting. Though the “stuff” may seem random, it’s not. All of these things are tied together in some way which helps Carrie (and us!) figure out whodunit.
Dewey Decimated has wonderfully written, realistic characters. That doesn’t only apply to the “regular” main characters. Characters that make an appearance for just this mystery are not flat. They’ve got personalities that make them stand out. So, while you’re solving the mystery with Carrie, you’ll know who is who even if you’ve never read another book in the series. I really appreciate authors who can do this because I hate being confused about who is who!
Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy Dewey Decimated for its realistic characters and well-plotted mystery. They’ll appreciate the little details that make this delightful cozy mystery book come to life. I highly recommend it!
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.
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
Website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10?ref=ts&fref=ts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/161602.Marilyn_Levinson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marilyn-levinson
Purchase links:
Amazon Penguin Random House B&N Kobo Google Play
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Dewey Decimated TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 6 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
September 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
September 6 – The Book Diva’s Reads – SPOTLIGHT
September 7 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
September 7 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 7 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
September 8 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 8 – Angel’s Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT
September 8 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT
September 9 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
September 9 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 9 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
September 10 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW
September 10 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
September 10 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW
September 12 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
September 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 13 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT
September 13 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 14 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
September 14 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
September 15 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
September 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 15 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
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[…] Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy Dewey Decimated for its realistic characters and well-plotted mystery. They’ll appreciate the little details that make this delightful cozy mystery book come to life. I highly recommend it!~Christy’s Cozy Corners […]