Review: Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery by Allison Brook (Blog Tour/Tour-Wide Giveaway)

Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery
by Allison Brook

About Checked Out for Murder

Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery
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?

My Review

Librarian Carrie Singleton is very interested when a psychic, Daphne Marriott, approaches her to do a presentation for the library. Carrie is intrigued by the topic and starts to build a friendship with the psychic. Resident library ghost, Evelyn, lets Carrie know about Daphne’s past. Her brother had been found guilty of killing their father when they were teenagers.

Meanwhile, Carrie’s mother and her husband arrive in town. Tom is part of a movie that is being filmed in Clover Ridge. Carrie never had a good relationship with her mother and it hasn’t gotten any better over the years.  Another reason for Carrie to befriend Daphne.  It takes her mind off her mother and her troubles.

When Daphne is found dead, Carrie and Evelyn try to figure out who could have done the crime. Daphne was such a sweet, young woman Carrie couldn’t figure out why someone would kill her.  She quickly learns her new friend had quite a few enemies.

This is the fourth book in the Haunted Library mystery series and I think it’s the best one yet. It’s a fast-paced mystery with several twists and turns along the way. I thought I had it all solved halfway through the book, but I was totally on the wrong track. I love when a book tricks me. So much fun.

The mystery is contained in this book so if you haven’t read the first three yet, I don’t think it will matter as the author gives plenty of background information throughout the story. However, it’s best to read from the beginning to see how Carrie’s relationship with Dylan grows. It, also, gives you a better feel for all the recurring characters. They are like visiting old friends.

My one complaint is that I want to see more of the library’s resident ghost, Evelyn, and of course the library cat, Smokey Joe. I can’t get enough of them.

This is definitely one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I look forward to the next adventure in Carrie’s life.

For reading challenges:
The Purrfect Reading Challenge 2020
What An Animal Reading Challenge 2020

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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.

Author Links

Website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com

Amazon: http://bit.ly/Amazon_MarilynLevinson

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MarilynLevinson_Facebook

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Goodreads_MarilynLevinson

Twitter: @MarilynLevinson; @AllisonBrookML 

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marilev/

BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/allison-brook

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marilyn-levinson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilev4/

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - IndieBound

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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

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