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 … 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?
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Best book of the series, yet! I so hope there are more because I thoroughly enjoyed the whole series. There are a few things going on like an on-going romance and difficulties of family matter. However, the author flows through all this and story is still focused on the plot! I highly recommend the series!
“Checked Out for Murder” the 4th instalment in the A Haunted Library Mystery series by Allison Brook. I still have not read the first two books in the series but I did not have any trouble following along as the author did a wonderful job of retelling things without overloading you with the past books.
The protagonist Carrie is one of the librarians and Evelyn (ghost) was also before her untimely death.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I also loved the inclusion of the library cat, Smokey Joe into the story.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A psychic, a ghost and a movie cast walk into a library……. Well not really walk into a library but all three are the makings of a good mystery
Carrie is the programs and events director for the Clover Ridge library. Her little town has a lot going on and is filled with excitement and anticipation for the movie about to be filmed. Along with the excitement of the movie, Carrie is approached by a patron who is wanting to give a program on psychic abilities and her mother is in town as her husband is an actor in the movie. If things were already all over the place add in not one but two murders to place the icing on the cake. So to speak. Carrie can’t help but want to help find out who’s wreaking havoc in their small cozy town.
Checked Out for Murder is an engaging and fast paced read with a lot of fun characters. Carrie is a fun lead. She goes out of her way to those she cares for and admits her faults. With a little bit of luck and some ghostly help, Carrie seems to get to the bottom of what is going on. I loved Smokey Joe the cat and Evelyn the Ghost. Both played an important role to Carrie and they just add that extra to the story. The story is well written and entertaining. The plot had layers that unfolded complexities well weaves within the story. I also love that there was a romance within the story.
All in all I enjoy Checked Out for Murder. The Haunted Library Mysteries series is one I can see myself going back and reading previous titles.
This was a really good story. I like the characters a lot. I don’t usually read paranormal books but I do like Evelyn. Looking forward to the next one.
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.
Checked Out For Murder, by Allison Brook, is available at booksellers on 9-8-2020. Unfortunately this is book 4 of 4 in Ms. Brooks A Haunted Library Mystery. I so enjoyed the plot and characters that I’m wishing for more. It’s time to start at the beginning with book 1. Checked Out For Murder is intended as a stand alone story in a series but I think coming in at the end left questions. I can’t believe I’m saying this but a little more background would have helped. Library or bookstore murder mysteries are my favorite, I’m a former librarian. Our heroine works in a library to die for, it’s big and has all kinds of programs. A book lovers dream. Her boyfriend is perfect, if only he was real. The whole small town is written as friendly and everyone knows everyone. Kind of like Mayberry and a place I’d like to live. This was an enjoyable weekend read.
#AllisonBrook #CheckedOutForMurder #AHauntedLibraryMystery #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks
this is another good story in the series, her mother is in town with her step father who is in a movie being filmed in town. then one of the stares is killed but who and why, she promises to stay out of the case and leave it to the police, but does she, if you like who don its and suspense and romance you will enjoy reading the story i read it in a day
Checked Out For Murder is the first book I’ve read in the Haunted Library Mystery series, and I must say, I really enjoyed it. It was very easy for me to feel like I knew the characters though I will go back to read the prior three books so I can get a better grasp on the backstory of the library’s ghost, Evelyn.
I really enjoy cozy mystery books that involve libraries because, obviously, I love books! Thankfully, the library where Carrie works is a busy place unlike many libraries now. I think Carrie’s job, setting up and coordinating events that are held at the library, sounds like it would be fun and challenging. It’s definitely challenging when people want to set things up at the last minute! I also love that Carrie’s cat goes to work with her. Maybe 2 of my 4 cats would be open for that, but my Smoky isn’t one of them!
I enjoyed getting to know the main characters, regular (I assume) side characters, and special guests! Many of the special guests in Checked Out For Murder are either starring or have some sort of background role in filming a movie in town. Carrie’s “step-father” Tom is one of the stars which means Carrie’s mom is in town too. I loved Charlie, the movie’s leading actor, since he’s described as sort of Tom Selleck and sort of James Garner….as well as a (mostly) nice guy.
Solving the murders was not easy as there were many suspects, and I ended up being very surprised by the ending. With it’s fun plot, well-developed characters, and multiple murders, Checked Out For Murder makes for a great cozy read.
This is another installment in the Haunted Library series. I requested this novel to review from netgallery. It has so many elements i love in a story. Its’s a cozy mystery that takes place in a library, the librarian is a crime solving women, she sees ghosts, the library has a resident ghost that helps solve the mysteries, (i enjoy paranormal stories), references to other novels( i get ideas for new reads) and a library cat. Smokey Joe. What a great name for a cat.
In this installment Carrie meets a psychic when she comes into the library to offer to present a talk on being psychic as well as offer short readings if time permits. When Daphne’s ex husband shows up at the presentation and becomes abusive Carrie gets the local police chief to intervene. Evelyn the resident ghost informs Carrie that Daphne had once lived in Clover Ridge with an abusive Father. When her Father is murdered Daphne gives testimony against her brother Billy. Who it turns out and is innocent and released from prison.
When Daphne turns up murdered the police have not only her ex husband as a suspect but her brother. Carrie is drawn to investigate because she has a relationship with not only the victim but her brother. Evelyn the resident ghost also pushes her to investigate.
A side story is the trouble in her Mothers second marriage to an actor who is filming a movie in town. His co star is his former fiancé who puts the moves on him when ever she is around his wife.
This is a fun filled cozy mystery. It is a stand alone story.
This book combines several of my favorite things: libraries, cats, and a behind-the-scenes look at the entertainment industry, mixing it with some sinister intrigue. While I enjoyed this book, I noticed that I experienced some of the same things that I didn’t have as much fun with in the previous books. I found the book to be paced kind of slowly with lots of details about Carrie’s daily routine. Though it is a noticeable improvement over the last book. I also wonder why this series needs to be set in a library. There doesn’t seem to be very many library-like activities that take place in the building. This was another mystery where the villain wasn’t a surprise to me. I didn’t have a clue as to the hows or the whys, but there was something that just set this character apart. It might have had something to do with the fact that this was the one character with the least amount of page time out of the whole quirky cast. I found that oversight to be highly suspicious to my deeply untrusting mind. But, as I said, I didn’t know the hows or the whys behind the villain’s dastardly deeds, so it was interesting to watch Carrie and Dylan untangle the few clues they had. I really liked seeing that Carrie is growing into a strong independent young woman and that she’s now taking more precautions with her personal safety. Even though there were some things that weren’t quite right for me, I look forward to reading more about Carrie, her friends, family, and co-workers. And Smokey Joe.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook is the fourth in the A Haunted Library Mystery series. This a a easy to read cozy and it can be read as a stand alone. I have read all in the series and enjoyed all of them.
A new resident has approached Carrie wanting to do a presentation on psychics, since Daphne claims to be one. Carrie schedules the presentation, which is a hit. Carrie feels she and Daphne will become fast friends even though Evelyn, the library ghost has warned her Daphne has a history.
The town is also excited since a movie is being filmed in town with some big names in it. Carrie’s mother’s younger husband is also in it so her mother is in town. After a meet and greet with the stars, Daphne is found dead. Carrie starts looking into Daphne’s sad past. Then when one of the female stars is found murdered, Carrie’s mother is a suspect. Now Carrie is investigating two murders and hopes she isn’t next.
There are plenty of plot twists that have you wondering until the end. There are also likeable characters and a great setting. There is romance and a touch of humor. Of course, as with most Cozies, there is a loveable cat.
I was given an ARC by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an honest review.
This is the 4th book in this series and I’m loving it. Carrie works in a library and has a friend Evelyn, who just happens to be a ghost who lives in said library. Seriously, how cool is that? I love these folks who live in Clover Ridge. There were some new/returning residents who appeared in this book. I hope some will be sticking around. The story line is good and I enjoyed going through the various activities with the cast of characters. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Checked Out For Murder is the fourth book in the A Haunted Library Mystery series by Allison Brook.
Carrie Singleton is a librarian and in charge of special events at the Clover Ridge Library. One day Daphane Marriott asks if the library would be interested in offering physic readings for their patrons. She claims that following an accident, she has become physic. Carrie has an opening an agrees to have Daphane display her abilities. Shortly after Daphane leaves, Evelyn, the library’s ghost, materializes. Evelyn informs Carrie that Daphane used to live in Clover Ridge and left town soon after her father died, and her brother was convicted of his father’s murder. During Daphane’s presentation, it is interrupted by her ex-husband. Then the next day, Daphne is found dead.
To add to this, Carrie’s estranged mother has arrived in town with her much younger husband, Tom. Tom is the lead in a movie that is being filmed in Clover Ridge. Carrie soon perceives tension between her mother and Tom. Her mother informs Carrie that the female playing the lead opposite of him is his ex-fiance, Ilana, and she seems to be putting the moves on Tom, and he doesn’t seem to be saying no to her advances.
When Ilana’s body is discovered, severely beaten to death, Carrie’s mother and Tom become the main suspects. Even though Carrie has promised police chief and her boyfriend, Dylan, not to get involved in any more investigations, she can’t help but clear her mother’s name. When another member of the filming crew is murdered, and Carrie learns that another member of the team is originally from Clover Ridge, she starts thinking that the three murders might in some are related.
I enjoy this series, as I find the stories to be well-written and plotted with the character being well-developed and very interesting. There were enough red herrings that kept me guessing until the end.
I will be watching for the next book in the series.
This is one of those cozy series that gives me the perfect escape from real life stress. Carrie and her ghostly librarian are fun to spend rime with and this, the fourth book in the series, is one of the best. Poor Carrie has way too much to juggle these days. Besides her job at the library as the events coordinator, she meets a psychic who is later murdered and her mother and her much younger second husband arrive in town as part of a film crew. If that’s not complicated enough, her father shows up and the younger second husband has his ex-fiance to deal with – she wants him back and Carrie’s mother is less than calm about it. One thing leads to another and Carrie finds three murders to unravel. With all that is going on time spent with her boyfriend is rare. Carrie will sort it all out, the murderer is unmasked and now I’m eagerly waiting for the fifth book.
I prefer to read series in order but this can be read as a stand alone. The puzzle is well crafted with several red herrings to lead me to the wrong person and has a satisfying conclusion. The characters are well developed and the ghostly librarian is just the right touch.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
CHECKED OUT FOR MURDER by Allison Brook is a cozy mystery with a bit of paranormal. It is the fourth book in The Haunted Library Mystery series but my first book by this author. It can be read as a standalone, but I believe it would provide even more background and character growth if the series were read in order.
Carrie Singleton is the programs and events coordinator at the Clover Ridge, Connecticut library. She also has a reputation for sleuthing. When Daphne Marriott comes in to ask if she can do a program on physics, they agree on the program parameters and set a date for it. At the same time, Carrie’s mother and her young husband are coming to town. Tom is in a movie that is being shot in town.
Meanwhile, Evelyn, the library ghost, gives Carrie advice throughout the book.
Carrie is a likeable protagonist with clear goals and a distinct voice. The secondary characters nicely rounded out the cast. The book had a story line that kept me engaged and a multitude of potential culprits that had to be narrowed down one by one. The scenes progressed in a realistic manner and flowed with effective transitions. The world-building was good and gave me a clear sense of place.
Overall, this was an entertaining mystery novel that was a little over the top in areas, but nonetheless, enjoyable. Themes included murder, family relationships, lies, secrets, friendship and much more. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Allison Brook for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
What a fun cozy. Carrie has to deal with her Mom coming for a visit as well as some murder! Carrie’s Mom, Brianna, is in town while her husband Tom films a movie. If that isn’t enough drama, Carrie’s new acquaintance is killed. Does Daphne’s murder have anything to do with Daphne’s fathers murder many years before. Before Carrie can figure this out, one of Tom’s co-actors is killed and Brianna becomes suspect number one!
The characters are fun and so many possible suspects and twists. This is a great escape. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest opinion.
Movie Stars and Murder Come To Town
This is a very good cozy mystery that takes place in a small, Connecticut town across from Long Island. Our heroine is the activities director at the library. She is in both audio and visual contact with a ghost who resides in the library. This ghost feeds important knowledge to our heroine that is huge in solving this and previous cases. Our librarian also is allowed to let her friendly cat run free in the library. The author gives us more information than necessary on the clothing the women wear and the foods that the characters eat. All of that silliness does not get in the way of a good mystery, decent plot, and interesting characters. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
This is an enjoyable cozy mystery. It appears to be the 4th in the “Haunted Library Mystery” series featuring Carrie Singleton, a library special events coordinator and Evelyn, the library ghost. I have not read the earlier books and while it wasn’t a deal breaker, I think it would have been helpful to have more of a backstory on Carrie, her family history and why she is the only person who appears to see/hear Evelyn.
The mystery is a good one. Carrie meets Daphne Marriott when Daphne comes into the library offering to do a talk on psychics and do some readings. Daphne had recently developed psychic abilities due to an injury. When Daphne senses Evelyn, Carrie knows she’s for real.
Evelyn recognizes Daphne as a former resident of Clover Ridge. Daphne’s father was murdered and Daphne implicated her brother Billy in the murder. Years later, the murder weapon was found and Billy was freed from prison. Daphne is trying to start over after her divorce from an abusive husband who has followed her and shows up at the library event. Daphne is found strangled and there appear to be a few suspects. Could it be Billy or the ex-husband or related to the murder of Daphne’s father years ago.
At the same time, Carrie’s mother is in town with her husband Tom who will be acting in a new movie shot in Clover Ridge. One of the stars of the movie is also found murdered (bludgeoned, not strangled).
Are the two murders related? What were possible motives for the second murder? I enjoyed following along and discovering the answers.
I plan on reading the first three books as I believe this is a very good cozy series and the backstories will enable me to enjoy even more.
I received an ARC from Crooked Lane Books via Net Galley. However, that did not influence my review and my opinion is an honest one.
This is a fun cozy mystery. There is no shortage of suspects and several twists and turns to keep the reader entertained. The characters are well-developed and likable. One of my favorite characters is Evelyn (the library ghost). She has a strong personality even in her afterlife. I look forward to the next book in the series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
Checked out for Murder touched my heart as it captured my avid interest. I loved it just as I have every Haunted Library Mystery. Every book seems to get better and I was sold from the first one.
Allison Brooks always offers characters that I really want to get to know but this time, as Carrie and I were becoming acquainted with Daphne, the fabulous Ms. Brooks stole her from us. Although her ex was in town before she was killed, Carrie can’t help feeling that Daphne’s death is connected to her father’s murder years earlier. With very little to go on, Carrie inches her way through a maze of distractions and limited clues.
A second death puts the spotlight on Carrie’s mother, so she announces that she and her much younger actor husband will move into the librarian’s home for greater privacy. Those familiar with the series know how much that decision thrills Carrie, so she has more reason than ever to uncover the murderer. The twists and turns and red-herrings kept me guessing and reading. I did not want to put that book down.
Our favorite library cat is around to delight us and our favorite library ghost is around to make us think. She knew the victim’s family when they lived there years ago, so she has some good insight to help guide our amateur detective. I am happy to see that while Dylan still has to travel, he is around more. He is a great partner for Carrie.
I received an ARC from NetGalley much to my excitement and I am looking forward to sharing this special book with my friends.
#NetGalley #CheckedOutforMurder
I am not much on paranormal books but I love being able to read this series for my cozy mystery book bingo. I find the paranormal aspect is done in great taste. Evelyn, the ghost, does not scare people unnecessarily which I appreciate very much.
I am so impressed with Carrie’s character development. She is learning how to deal with her parents and their questionable pasts and not be angry. She has let someone special into her life and takes it one day at a time. I am most impressed with her growth in her job at the library. Yes, I realize it is a fictional world but I like seeing characters grow positively. It gives me hope that someone who will read this book and is struggling will get courage from the character.
I would think you could read this book as a standalone and be ok but as with any series, reading in order is probably the best. There are no sex scenes, no excessive foul language if any at all and no gory murder scenes.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.