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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
I've always thought that you can't go wrong with a book set in or centred around a library, so when I saw #DeweyDecimated by Allison Brook available on #NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Even though the book is the sixth in a series that I am unfamiliar with, the pun of the title and book description drew me in.
Brook did not disappoint. The book's characters, including the library's resident and visiting ghosts, are complex, with strengths and flaws that are relatable to the reader. The cold case mystery of the identity of the body found in the old building being renovated and how he got there merges with the issues of land use development being faced by the town council at the same time, making the entire story intriguing and fascinating to read.
As well, more serious issues such as family estrangements and the importance of friends who can become family, are gently addressed within the pages.
Brook is a proficient writer who clearly researches her material to present a page-turner of a mystery.
Brook did not disappoint. The book's characters, including the library's resident and visiting ghosts, are complex, with strengths and flaws that are relatable to the reader. The cold case mystery of the identity of the body found in the old building being renovated and how he got there merges with the issues of land use development being faced by the town council at the same time, making the entire story intriguing and fascinating to read.
As well, more serious issues such as family estrangements and the importance of friends who can become family, are gently addressed within the pages.
Brook is a proficient writer who clearly researches her material to present a page-turner of a mystery.
Librarian Carrie Singleton is excited about the library’s expansion into the neighboring building. But then a body is found in the building and after the workers accidentally put a hole in the connecting wall a ghost, with amnesia, comes crashing through the hole and into the library. Carrie and Evelyn, the library’s resident ghost, promise to help the ghost find out who he is and who killed him but things start to get complicated when it turns out the dead man is Carrie’s fiancee’s uncle and that he seems to have been the victim of a scam involving several important and prominent local citizens. Add in an over zealous TV reporter, a second murder, constructions delays and a contentious issue facing the city council, of which Carrie is the newest member, and Carrie has her hands full with time running out.
This is a typical “cozy mystery” with no gore, really likeable characters and a pleasant small town setting. Carrie is engaged but a bit hesitant to actually plan the wedding due to her parents dysfunctional marriage. She puts clues together to get to the truth but there are no particularly unrealistic actions on her part while getting to the solution. The characters actual show believable growth from book to book. This is a thoroughly delightful series and I can’t wait for the next one. Recommended
This is a typical “cozy mystery” with no gore, really likeable characters and a pleasant small town setting. Carrie is engaged but a bit hesitant to actually plan the wedding due to her parents dysfunctional marriage. She puts clues together to get to the truth but there are no particularly unrealistic actions on her part while getting to the solution. The characters actual show believable growth from book to book. This is a thoroughly delightful series and I can’t wait for the next one. Recommended
Thanks very much #NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy an ARC of the latest book in Allison Brook's Haunted Library Mystery Series-- Dewey Decimated. This book is the sixth installment of this very enjoyable cozy series featuring a library and a ghost and Smokey Joe the library kitty. This book will be out on September 6th, so if you have not read the series you can start ready it and be ready for this when it is released!
I am finding lately that many of the cozies I am reading feature a cold case, I don't mind this at all as it is nice to see our sleuths find answers and it reduces the rapid-fire murders happening in their towns.
As usual, I enjoyed spending time with Carrie and the crew in Clover Ridge. I could have used more time with Carrie and her best friend Angela hanging out. We have in this book a new character who annoys Carrie--and the reader--the investigative reporter that won't quit. Then we also have a new ghost AND a major construction project at the library, so Carrie is really pulling her hair out. In the area of overarching mysteries, we learn a little more about Evelyn's situation and Dylan is more forthcoming with Carrie about how he grew up.
I found the town council aspects of the story to ring true to how politics works in a small town. The mystery and the who and the why of the killer worked for me. I am looking forward to the next book and have my fingers crossed maybe we will get to see Dylan and Carrie get married!
I am finding lately that many of the cozies I am reading feature a cold case, I don't mind this at all as it is nice to see our sleuths find answers and it reduces the rapid-fire murders happening in their towns.
As usual, I enjoyed spending time with Carrie and the crew in Clover Ridge. I could have used more time with Carrie and her best friend Angela hanging out. We have in this book a new character who annoys Carrie--and the reader--the investigative reporter that won't quit. Then we also have a new ghost AND a major construction project at the library, so Carrie is really pulling her hair out. In the area of overarching mysteries, we learn a little more about Evelyn's situation and Dylan is more forthcoming with Carrie about how he grew up.
I found the town council aspects of the story to ring true to how politics works in a small town. The mystery and the who and the why of the killer worked for me. I am looking forward to the next book and have my fingers crossed maybe we will get to see Dylan and Carrie get married!
This is the best book out of the series so far. It was surprising at the end, without being far-fetched, and we had at least gotten to know the culprit a bit in this one. In the last few books I thought she just picked a random person that was the murderer in the end, and we knew nothing about them. Can't wait for the next one!
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was incredibly frustrating that there were three murders, but at some point halfway through it seems like they just completely forgot about Emily's murder . Was that poor editing? Was it added later? It was just so uneven and odd.
lighthearted
mysterious
This is such a fun series. The library is getting an expansion and they find a body! And we get an extra ghost!
Lost of ins and outs and history of the town and families there. Entertaining!
Lost of ins and outs and history of the town and families there. Entertaining!
lighthearted
mysterious
Dollycas's Thoughts
The expansion of the library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut was underway until a dead body was found in the basement. At first, no one knows who the man is but it is soon learned he was Alec Dunsmore, Dylan's uncle whom he hadn't seen in years. But Alec hasn't left this realm, his ghost has taken up residence in the library and he isn't a quiet ghost like Evelyn. His energy when he is upset causes disturbances that are distressing to the patrons of the library. They don't understand why papers are flying or things are falling so Carrie enlists Evelyn's help to keep Alec away from the main areas of the library while she tries to find out why the man was in Clover Ridge and why he had been killed.
Carrie has also filled an opening on the town council and they need to decide if the Seabrook Preserve that runs along the Long Island Sound will remain a protected nature area or if it is time to sell the land to a condo developer or turn it into upscale park. It is a real hot-button issue with the council and the community. Soon after the decision is made one of the council members is killed. Are the murders connected? Is the library expansion or the preserve designation catalysts to the deaths? Is Carrie in danger?
____
In this installment of the Haunted Library Mysteries, we have two ghosts instead of one. It was fun to see Evelyn have her hands full. Instead of just popping in to see Carrie and issuing orders or talking about murders, she had to help ghost Alec through a scary time. At first, he didn't know who he was, he had no memory of anything that happened, and later he was frustrated being stuck in the library. He was a handful for good reason. We learned more about Dylan's family and their issues with the ghost's appearance.
Carrie is juggling a lot in Dewey Decimated. She is the point person on the library expansion and in addition to a dead body, other issues arise that must be addressed. Being new to the town council she has a lot of reading to do so she is informed about the topics under consideration. Then there are the murders to investigate and a ghost loose in the library. Oh, I can't forget, she has a wedding date to set and a wedding to plan. Ms. Brook's characters are always entertaining but there were even more so in this story.
The mystery put forth by the author was complicated. The body had been in the basement for several years, making it a cold case, but some suspects emerged with the deceased memories slowly coming back. Carrie is uncomfortable with some assistance that is thrust upon her. Assistance that put her in a dangerous situation when the killer was revealed. I had the person on my radar but I was stunned by the way the showdown occurred.
Dewey Decimated is an exceptional addition to this series. With a spirited plot and dynamic characters, including a wonderful library cat, this story kept me completely captivated. Ms. Brook never disappoints. She has written another Perfect Escape!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.