There are no renewals when you’re permanently checked out. When librarian Ann Beckett finally reluctantly agrees to being set-up on a blind date by one of her over-eager patrons, she figures that the worst that could happen would be that the two of them wouldn’t hit it off.Little did she know that she’d be stood up…because her date was murdered.With the help from her patrons, Ann tries to find … murdered.
With the help from her patrons, Ann tries to find out who might be responsible in the small town of Whitby before more residents are permanently checked out.
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Ann is a reference librarian at the public library and a long time resident of Whitby, NC. She is very friendly and good at her job helping patrons with a variety of tasks including rescuing cats from a storm drain in the first pages of this book. I immediately liked her and was hooked into the story when she discovers a dead body on a blind date. She didn’t really know the person, but feels a need for answers because she discovered the body and then finds out that a close friend is a suspect. Ann is a smart character who uses all of her skills to help the new police chief gather information. I liked the supporting characters, especially Luna and Fitz. This is a fast read and a great way to pass a cold rainy day.
Another winner by Elizabeth Spann Craig!
This is the beginning to another series and it’s going to be great. I loved the introduction to the town and the cast of characters. At the heart of the story is Ann – a librarian who is smart and caring. She’s learned to be tough as well – due to a lot of loss in her life.
The mystery in the story is a complex one with all sorts of clues and red herrings to figure out along the way! A fun story with a cast I know I’m going to enjoy getting to know better in future books!
Awesome. While the cats are the stars of the show, Elizabeth Spann Craig brings us a small world of wonderful characters with Checked Out, the first book in her new The Village Library Mysteries. She brings years of experience to creating a complex mystery that is as enticing as those irresistible librarians and patrons. Young librarian Ann Beckett is the center of Checked Out but everyone adds bit to the clues for us to follow. As a retired school librarian, I appreciate that Ms. Craig creates active, involved, and up-to-date staff without old stereotypes that still plague some books.
From the moment Ann discovers her blind date skewered in his back yard to the night she faces the unexpected murderer, the books moves forward at a perfect pace balancing library life with intense investigation. This cozy series deserves to take strong recognition and is sure to win the loyalty of fans of cozy and other lighter mysteries.
This is a very detailed book that deals with multiple wrongdoings/murders that need to be solved.
The main character, Ann, is an inquisitive librarian, to say the least. She seems friendly and caring, but sometimes she comes off a little obtrusive. She has had a life filled with loss, which makes her guarded, but that also makes her a little harder to connect with. I would have liked to see more sincerity/genuineness in her words and actions. There’s a slight disconnect between what she wants to accomplish and how it actually comes off to the reader. The dialogue wanders into preachy or pushy territory a few times. There are many good qualities and characters that I would’ve like to explore in more depth, which might have helped with the reader’s connection to them.
The storyline had a lot going on. There are several subplots and side stories which cause some lulls in the central mystery. The main plot has the potential to be engaging, but can get lost with all the other things going on.
Overall, this mystery is a pleasant read with no gratuitous violence/bad language. If you’re looking for something with plenty of backstory and a few side plots mixed with various mysteries to solve, then Checked Out is the book for you.
I loved it! Awesome characters! This is a must read series!
This book was a good solid read. I’d totally try another future book by this author!
You can check out my booktube video review at https://youtu.be/Wc3MoEEBo2I
or read my review on my blog at https://lisasiefert.com/cozy-escape-book-club-chat-checked-out-by-elizabeth-spann-craig-the-village-library-mysteries-book-1/