Review
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.
********************************************************************
Dewey Decimated (A Haunted Library Mystery) by Allison Brook
About Dewey Decimated
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?
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
Thank you for your review of DEWEY DECIMATED.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn/Allison
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Delete