DEWEY DECIMATED by Allison Brook
The Sixth Haunted Library Mystery

Librarian Carrie Singleton knew things wouldn't be quiet around Clover Ridge, not with her new position on the town council and construction on the building the library just bought. Contentious plans for the towns nature preserve is one thing, but finding a body in the library's new building is something else. Especially when the ghost of the dead man decides to remain at the library. Now Carrie will have to find her footing as the newest council member, appease a new ghost, and help find his killer all before a hot shot journalist gets her killed!

DEWEY DECIMATED focuses on themes of trust and family. The fun uncle who later let you down too many times, the domineering brother, father and son dynamics, happily married couples, and Carrie, who doesn't want to set her own wedding date...yet, all of these relationships play out and shape the murder mystery.

I enjoyed the way several storylines overlapped as they twisted and turned. An old homicide, a new one, and a debate over town property all mingle creating motives and suspects and find Carrie finding her way as a responsible citizen. I appreciated the way Alec adapted to his ghostly form as well as the way Carrie worked to help solve the murder and dealt with the future of the nature preserve. I also liked the way she put that intrepid reporter in her place...although I don't think we've seen the last of her.

One thing really bothered me, however, though it had nothing to do with the writing or plotting of the mystery. I got really annoyed at Angela who was determined to get a designer dog, but pleased with Carrie for recommending adopting a dog from a shelter. However, at the end of the book Carrie talks with Dylan about getting two dogs, the first from a breeder, the second from a shelter, as they ooh and ahh over Angela's new puppy-a "Maltipoo". With so many wonderful dogs, including purebreds, being euthanized in shelters daily, the very idea of promoting breeders is irresponsible, especially backyard breeders "creating" new "breeds" that are actually just mixed breeds, AKA mutts. There is nothing wrong with mixed breeds, I've had several in my life, what's wrong is breeding them to try and make a profit. Unless you're wanting a rare purebred for a specific reason, adopt, don't shop! While it didn't stop me from enjoying the puzzle that was the mystery, I lost a lot of respect for the characters.

DEWEY DECIMATED combines greed and family dynamics in a captivating ghostly mystery.