Showing posts with label Allison Brook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allison Brook. Show all posts

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Booked on Murder by Allison Brook

 

Booked on Murder

 

About Booked on Murder

 

Booked on Murder (A Haunted Library Mystery)

Cozy Mystery 

8th in Series 

Setting - Connecticut 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (August 6, 2024) 

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages 

Librarian Carrie Singleton must catch a killer before she can say “I do” in the 8th delightful installment in Agatha Award-nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mystery series.

Carrie Singleton is ready to kiss the single life goodbye. Her wedding to Dylan Avery is just a few weeks away, and a happy ending is about to be hers. But when a body is found on the lawn of their wedding venue, happily-ever-after is looking deadlier than ever.

The victim turns out to be Billy Carpenter, a young man recently released from prison after serving time for a bank robbery. The stolen money he’d buried is gone and Carrie and the police suspect Billy’s two alleged co-conspirators, his friends Luke Rizzo and Tino Valdez. But then Luke is murdered and Tino is nowhere to be found.

With no leads and only a week to go before her big day, Carrie is on the hunt for clues. She hopes to wrap up this investigation with a neat bow before she and Dylan tie the knot. Carrie has something old, something new, and something borrowed ready for her walk down the aisle. Now she needs to find the killer without becoming the ‘something blue.’

Cake Testing (Yum!)

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 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, the Twin Lakes series, and Giving Up the Ghost. Her romantic suspense, Come Home to Death, was released on April 30, 2024, and her romantic suspense, Dangerous Relations, will be republished in 2025.

Marilyn's juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children's Book Council Children's Choice and recently appeared in a new edition. And Don't Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards. Her YA horror, The Devil's Pawn, came out in a new edition in January 2024.

Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids, and playing with her kittens, Romeo and Juliet.

Author Links








My Thoughts

Booked on Murder by Allison Brook is the eighth and final A Haunted Library Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone (the author provides the necessary details for new readers), but I recommend reading the series from the beginning (it will allow you to get to know the characters and their storylines).  Carrie and Dylan are two weeks away from their wedding.  The spend time discussing their plans and taking care of items on their to do list.  Dylan and Carrie are house hunting.  Evidently, the cottage where they currently reside will be too small after the wedding.  I thought they would move into Dylan’s manor house instead of purchasing a new (to them) home. 

There are two mysteries in Booked on Murder.  One revolves around a historical diary written by Verity Babcock who was hung as a witch.  The second deals with a man who was recently paroled after serving a prison sentence for bank robbery.  The authorities never recovered the stolen money.  The victim is found dead by Carrie and Dylan on the lawn of their wedding venue near an empty hole.  Carrie asks questions and searches for clues in between working at the library, wedding planning, and house hunting.  Evelyn, the fashionable library ghost, provides some helpful tidbits.  I thought Carrie and Dylan’s wedding day suited them perfectly.  I was left with a couple unanswered questions at the end.  Since Booked on Murder is the final book, I wish there had been an epilogue. Fans of the series will enjoy the nuptials and be sorry to see the series come to an end.  Booked on Murder is A Haunted Library Mysteries swan song with nuptial preparations, a slain parole, missing money, house hunting, a purloined diary, and a contented couple.

Booked on Murder is available from Amazon, Penguin Random House, B&N, BAM,  Bookshop.org, Hudson Booksellers, Powell's, Target, and Walmart.  Marilyn Levinson, aka Allison Brook, has A Murderer Among Us coming out April 29, 2025.  It is the first book in the Twin Lake Mysteries.  Are you ready for the giveaway?  You can win one of two copies of Booked on Murder (ebook or hardcover).  Click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Leave a comment for an extra entry in the contest.  Good Luck!  Thank you for stopping by today.  On Tuesday, August 13, I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for Peach Tea Smash by Laura Childs. It is the 28th A Tea Shop Mystery. The waters have receded outside my home (courtesy of Hurricane Debby) and I was able to check out my garden.  It fared pretty well (it should not need to be watered for quite a while).  The winds did uproot a couple of plants, but most of the garden is unscathed. My new flagpole (for our Ohio State flag) will need to be replaced.  I am very thankful that our home is safe and so are we.  I will be glad when hurricane season is over. I hope that you have a blissful day.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Tour Participants


August 6 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 6 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

August 6 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 7 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 7 – Angel's Book Nook – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 7 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

August 8 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

August 8 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 8 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 9 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
August 9 – ebook Addicts – REVIEW

August 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 10 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

August 10 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

August 10 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 11 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

August 11 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 12 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 12 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
August 12 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 13 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 13 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Overdue or Die by Allison Brook

 Overdue or Die

Overdue or Die (A Haunted Library Mystery) by Allison Brook

About Overdue or Die

Overdue or Die (A Haunted Library Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 

7th in Series 

Setting - Connecticut 

 

Carrie Singleton has a wedding to plan, a killer to catch, and a conspiracy to uncover in this charming seventh novel of Agatha Award-nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mysteries.

Carrie Singleton has more than her fair share on her plate: her job at the Clover Ridge Library, preparing for her wedding to Dylan Avery, and hoping that the local art gallery doesn’t steal away one of her part-time employees. Her fiancĂ© Dylan accompanies her to the beautiful home of Victor Zalinka—art collector and successful businessman—to select paintings for an art show at the library. While Carrie muses that Victor's home would be the perfect wedding venue, Dylan spots a forgery among the paintings in Victor's collection. Then Martha Mallory is found murdered in her art gallery. With the assistance of Evelyn, the library ghost; the resident cat, Smoky Joe; and the office manager of Dylan’s private investigation company, Carrie comes up with a suspect list long enough to rival the size of an encyclopedia. During her investigation, Carrie stumbles across a terrible truth: Martha’s murder was part of something far bigger and more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. And it all leads back to the art gallery. How far will Carrie go to find the killer and uncover the truth? If the killer finds her first—will Carrie finally be taken out of circulation?

About Allison Brook

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries 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 has recently come out in a new edition. 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 and Sign Up for My Newsletter: http://www.marilynlevinson.com 



My Amazon Page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O 





My Thoughts

Overdue or Die by Allison Brook has readers journeying to Clover Ridge, Connecticut where Carrie Singleton is busy scheduling events for the library and making decisions about her wedding.  Carrie is particularly excited about the opening of the new addition at the Clover Ridge Library.  In Overdue or Die we get to follow Carrie as she goes about her day-to-day activities.  Carrie gets her nose out of joint when she learns that her boss and the children’s librarian have planned for an animal circus to be hosted in the new event space (can you imagine the mess).  Carrie is protective of the new event space.    The murder of the local gallery owner has Carrie perplexed.  When a local art collector, Victor becomes the prime suspect, he asks Carrie for her assistance.  There are several suspects along with a red herring or two.  There is an incident or three to keep things interesting.  The case is neatly wrapped up at the end.  Evelyn makes a couple of appearances, but I did not feel she was part of the investigation.   Overdue or Die is the seventh A Haunted Library Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  The ending will leave readers smiling.  Overdue or Die is an eventful tale with a celebration crasher, a bludgeoned gallery owner, designer duds, interesting artwork, house hunting, Mick the mobster, and engagement party planning.


Overdue or Die is available from Amazon, B&N, Bookshop.org, Kobo, and Penguin Random House (has links to many sellers).  You can find the other A Haunted Library Mysteries here.  As part of the tour, the author is hosting a giveaway.  Four lucky people will win a paperback or ebook copy of Overdue or Die (US Only).  To enter, click here or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Leave a comment for an extra entry.  Good Luck!  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Tuesday, October 17 with my thoughts on The Amish Matchmakers by Beth Wiseman.  This is a story that will make you laugh and smile often.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Do not forget to enter the giveaway!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Tour Participants


October 10 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW 

October 10 – Kenyan Poet – SPOTLIGHT

October 10 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 11 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

October 11 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT
October 12 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

October 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 13 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

October 13 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 13 – Lady Hawkeye – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 14 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

October 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

October 15 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 16 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

October 16 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

October 17 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

October 17 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW
October 18 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

Monday, November 8, 2021

Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook

Death on the Shelf
Book Summary

Librarian Carrie Singleton sleuths a murder at her best friend's wedding in Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook's fifth Haunted Library mystery.

Clover Ridge librarian Carrie Singleton is thrilled to attend her best friend Angela's wedding, but Angela's family can be a bit...much. Angela’s wealthy cousin Donna hosts an extravagant bridal shower at her resplendent home, but the celebrations turn to gossip as the guests notice Donna's surgeon husband, Aiden, spending a bit too much time with Donna’s cousin Roxy. At the wedding reception, the sweet occasion turns darkly bitter when Aiden topples into the chocolate fountain--dead.
 
The suspect list is as long as the guest list, and as difficult to sort out as the seating chart. A few of the top contenders on Carrie’s suspect list are the flirtatious Roxy, emotionally unstable since her recent divorce; Angela's grouchy brother, who feels Aiden betrayed him; and Roxy's scorned ex-husband. Even Donna may have had reason to want her husband dead. And Aiden's gossipy office manager has plenty to say about them all.
 
Then another member of Angela's family is murdered, making Carrie more determined than ever to find the killer. Can library ghost Evelyn and library cat Smoky Joe help Carrie solve the murders before she becomes the next of Angela’s wedding guests to head to the grave?

My Thoughts

Carrie Singleton is busy preparing for Angela’s wedding where she is one of the bridesmaids.  Angela is getting nervous as the big day approaches.  Angela’s brother, Tommy is arriving, and they have a contentious relationship plus little problems regarding the wedding keep cropping up.  On a lovely June day, Angela is married, and everyone heads off to party at the reception.  In the dessert line ahead of Carrie, a doctor cousin-in-law of the brides falls face first into the chocolate fountain.  Dylan checks for a pulse and finds none.   Angela’s mother asks Carrie to do a little sleuthing because the death has thrown Angela for a loop.  Carrie soon finds herself with a lengthy suspect list and soon another related death.  Can Carrie with help from Evelyn, the library’s resident ghost, solve the case before the killer strikes again?

Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook is the 5th A Haunted Library Mystery.  Death on the Shelf can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  I thought Death on the Shelf was well-written with engaging, developed characters.  The story moved along at a good pace and the storyline will have you quickly turning the pages.  Carrie’s life is in order with a job she loves, good friends, family, and a sweet boyfriend.  I love Evelyn, the ghost that inhabits the library.  She is a sweetie and helps Carrie with her sleuthing.  This time, though, Evelyn needs some assistance in locating a relative.  Evelyn’s niece, Michelle needs help and Evelyn believes the girl’s father is the answer.  Carrie has her hands full with two murders, locating a missing person, and her job at the library.  The mystery had several good suspects along with red herrings.  If you pay close attention, you will find the clues needed to solve the crime.  There was a twist or two along the way that keep things lively.  I love that Dylan, Carrie’s boyfriend, supports her sleuthing as well at Lt. Mathers.   The ending was delightful, and it has me looking forward to the next A Haunted Library Mystery.   Death on the Shelf is a wild ride with wedding woes, a spirited request, a bothersome brother, curious cousins, a chocolate fountain catastrophe, and an inquisitorial librarian.  

Death on the Shelf is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other four novels in A Haunted Library Mystery series here.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will return tomorrow with An Amish Mother's Secret Past by Jo Ann Brown.  It is the 3rd Green Mountain Blessings Novel.  I was unable to feature this Amish novel when it was released.  I hope that you have sweet day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook: Review & Giveaway!

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?
size: 24x18in Premium Photographic Print: Maria Montez Being Filmed for a New Movie Being Produced by Walter Sanders : Artists

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









Crime scene tape in front room door with flare. And vintage tone , #Affiliate, #tape, #front, #Crime, #scene, #room #ad

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-fiancĂ©e 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.
Many libraries have resident cats that become quite the local characters.  9 Delightful Library Cats | Mental Floss
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.
Library ghost - Ghostbusters Wiki - Wikia
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 – The Avid Reader - REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

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
The Library Ghost (aka The Grey Lady, Gray Lady, Librarian Ghost) was the ghost of librarian Eleanor Twitty...
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
cult ghost
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
Brenna Mazzoni в Instagram: «Shhhhhh 🤫 Ghost for day 26 of my 31 days of Halloween. When brainstorming, I was inspired by the library ghost from ghostbusters. So…»
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
Ghost stories
*This post contains affiliate links.