Checked Out for Murder
A Haunted Library Mystery
by Allison Brook
About Checked Out for Murder
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (September 8, 2020)
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 164385447X
ISBN-13: 978-1643854472
Digital ASIN: B082738ZNV
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.
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?
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 A Haunted Library Mystery 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 A Twin Lakes Mystery series.
Author Links
Website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com
Facebook: http://bit.ly/MarilynLevinson_Facebook
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Goodreads_MarilynLevinson
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marilev/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilev4/
My Thoughts
Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook has Carrie Singleton dreading the arrival of her mother, Brianna and her
actor husband, Tom Farrell. Tom has a
role in I love You, I Do which is being filmed in Clover Ridge,
Connecticut. Carrie welcomes the
distraction of Daphne Marriott who asks to give a lecture at the library. After a recent brush with death, Daphne
acquired some psychic abilities. Evelyn
Havers, the libraries resident ghost, tells Carrie that Daphne grew up in Clover
Ridge and there is a skeleton or two her closet. Brianna and Tom arrive a week early. It is obvious to Carrie that there is tension
in their marriage. She soon discovers
that Tom’s co-star is his ex-fiancée is in the film and the temptress is having
fun causing friction between the married couple. The day after Daphne’s talk at the library,
she is found strangled in her apartment.
Carrie wonders if Daphne’s death relates to her past. Carrie along with Evelyn sets out to get
answers. The town is shocked when
another woman turns up dead. Are the two
cases related? That is something Carrie
intends to find out.
Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook is the 4th book in The Haunted Library Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone if you are new
to this series. I thought Checked Out
for Murder contained good writing and developed characters. My favorite
character is Evelyn Havers, the ghost who lives at the library. She is delightful. I liked that we saw more of Evelyn in this
book. Two murders take place in this story.
We all know Carrie will investigate despite being told repeatedly by
boyfriend, Dylan Avery and Lt. John Mathers to stay out of the case. There are multiple suspects and a variety of
clues to aid in readers in solving the crimes. Evelyn
provides good insight and intel that helped Carrie’s investigation (and John’s). Carrie certainly has her hands full in Checked
Out for Murder with her work, Smoky Joe feeling spring fever, her mother, Dylan
traveling, two murders, and her father’s surprise visit. Carrie will need a long weekend away after
her mother leaves town. Mother and
daughter have different personalities which can lead to clashes. They get a chance to do some bonding in this
tale and maybe Brianna will change her ways (or not). I do want to let you know that the story does
contain some mild foul language. I hope
Dylan will be more open to Carrie’s investigating in the future. He needs to realize that a leopard does not
change its spots. Checked Out for Murder is an entertaining whodunit with a
temptress thespian, a manipulating mother, a fugitive feline, a perished
psychic, a troubled beau, and a curious Carrie.
Checked Out for Murder is available from Amazon*, B&N, Kobo, and IndieBound. You can find the other novels in A Haunted Library Mystery series here. Death Overdue (first book in series) is currently $1.99 (digital only) on Amazon (price subject to change without notice). Now for the giveaway! There are two giveaway! I am giving away one print copy of Checked Out for Murder (Sorry, but US only). To enter to win, please leave a comment with your email address (so I can contact you if you win). As part of the tour, the author is giving away a copy of Checked Out for Murder. Winner can pick between print copy (U.S. Only) or digital copy. You can enter via the Rafflecopter form below or click here. Good Luck! Thank you for joining me today. I will return tomorrow with The Stone Wall by Beverly Lewis. I hope that you have a fulfilling day. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
Tour Participants
September 8 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 8 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – SPOTLIGHT
September 9 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE
September 9 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW
September 9 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
September 10 – That's What She's Reading - GUEST POST
September 10 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
September 10 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
September 11 – My Journey Back - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 11 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
September 12 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW
September 12 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT
September 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 13 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW
September 13 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 14 – Angel's Guilty Pleasures - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 14 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
September 14 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 15 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
September 15 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 15 – Ebook addicts – REVIEW
September 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW
September 16 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY
September 17 – Ruff Drafts – REVIEW
September 17 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
September 17 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
September 18 – Ascroft, eh? - AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 18 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
September 18 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW
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Sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait to read this cozy. I’d love to win a print copy! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMeljprincess AT aol DOT com
I love cozies set around libraries. This one sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Sounds liken a terrific MUST read! I'd like a print copy.
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a great read and I love books set around libraries
ReplyDelete