Out of Options is a prequel novella to the Century Cottage Cozy Mysteries series, and introduces Lois Stone and her companions, Raggs and Ribbons, a pair of perceptive calico cats. A dry district, a shocking secret, a missing person. When Lois Stone’s friend, Beth Darrow, arranges to meet her to reveal an astonishing discovery, Lois’s curiosity is piqued. Then Beth doesn’t keep their lunch date … lunch date and Lois becomes worried. What has happened to her friend?
Middle-aged widow Lois is settling into life on her own in her neighbourhood and in the library where she works, and she is just about coping with her fear of strangers after her husband was mugged and died in the park at the end of their street. But her quiet existence is rocked when her friend and fellow local historical society researcher, Beth, arranges to meet her to reveal an exciting and shocking discovery she has made about the history of prohibition in West Toronto Junction, the last dry area in Toronto, and then goes missing before she can share her secret with Lois. There isn’t any proof that Beth is missing so the police won’t actively search for her. Only Lois and Beth’s niece Amy are convinced that Beth’s disappearance is very out of character, and they are worried about her. Where has Beth gone? Is she in danger? And, if she is, who might want to harm her and why? Lois knows she must find the answers to these questions fast if she wants to help and protect her friend.
And so begins a weekend of skulking in the park, apple and cinnamon pancakes, familiar faces staring out of old newspapers, calico cats, shadows on the windowpane, and more than one person who might want Beth to disappear from the quiet, leafy streets of the historic and staunchly dry West Toronto Junction neighbourhood.
A tale for fans of Cindy Bell, Leighann Dobbs, Dianne Harman and Kathi Daley.
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Received a free copy from the author for a review. Interesting story and beginning for a new series. I am looking forward to learning more about Lois and her two cats.
Out of Options by Dianne Ascroft is a prequel to A Century Cottage Cozy Mystery series. Lois Stone is a librarian at Annette Library in West Toronto Junction in May of 1983. She has been a widow for three years after her husband had a heart attack following a mugging in a local park. Lois is worried about her friend, Beth Darrow who failed to show up for their lunch date. Beth told Lois that she had made an intriguing discovery in the Payne papers, but she would not reveal it over the phone. Lois stops by Beth’s house later and she is not at home. Lois then visits Beth’s niece, Amy and learns she has not seen or heard from her either. Since it is too soon for the police to become involved, Lois sets out to find her friend. Out of Options sets out to tell why Lois Stone moved to Fenwater and purchased a century cottage near her friend, Marge (A Timeless Celebration). Out of Options moves along at a steady pace with friendly characters and a small town setting. I liked getting to know more about Lois and her friend, Marge. The mystery was uncomplicated but the guilty party’s motivation was interesting. Lois is not a sleuth in this story, but a woman concerned about her friend. There is a bonus story titled City Sunset at the end of Out of Options. It tells what happened to Lois’ beloved husband, James. West Toronto Junction is a unique town being the last dry (no alcohol sold) city in that area and it is an issue that is voted upon by the citizens. I also learned a new word while reading Out of Options which is plebiscite. I thought the author captured the 1980s especially with Lois stamping library cards and her spotting a Cabbage Patch kid. Out of Options is a sweet cozy mystery with a teetotaling Reverend, a misplaced comrade, two cute calico cats, and one concerned librarian.
This was actually two short reads in one. The main book, Out Of Options, is a mystery but it is built upon the shorter story at the end of the book, called “City Sunset.” You can read the two stories in either order.
City Sunset tells you how the main character lost the love of her life and why she doesn’t walk in the park any more. It is an unsolved case.
Out Of Options, this series starter, builds upon that unsolved case which led to Lois’s melancholy life as a librarian and historical society member. This is a bittersweet story of friendship and misplaced enthusiasm. This promises to be a gentler, clean cozy mystery series.
It is not a difficult case to solve, nor is it as light hearted as some cozy series. Still, it is an enjoyable read and a nice introduction to this series.
Where could Beth be?
Out of Options by Dianne Ascroft is a wonderful novella set in 1983. I enjoyed stepping back in time to spring in West Toronto Junction. This the story of why Lois Stone now lives in a Century Cottage.
Lois Stone
Lois is our main character and a librarian at Annette Library. She also volunteers on the historical society and is excellent at researching. Lois’ husband passed away three years earlier, and Lois is still trying to get over the heartache and loneliness.
I like Lois, she is a bit skittish, but she has the backbone to stand up for herself when needed. Lois is someone who isn’t afraid to get the job done. I can imagine that she will become a formidable sleuth.
Mystery
The mystery is that of a missing woman, Beth. She is one of Lois’ friends, and she missed their lunch appointment, which made Lois question where she could be. Lois joins forces with Amy (Beth’s niece) to find Beth. At this point, Lois isn’t truly a sleuth; she is just looking for her friend.
Bonus short story, City Sunset
There is also a bonus short story, City Sunset at the end of Out of Options that tells the story of how Lois lost her husband. It was sweet, touching, and a bit sad. I also enjoyed reading it.
4 Stars for Out of Options by Dianne Ascroft
My rating for Out of Options by Dianne Ascroft is four stars. This novella is lovely fast read that sets the scene for the Century Cottage Mystery Series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Out of Options by Dianne Ascroft.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading
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Mystery in the library
Lois Stone still mourns her husband, James. The violence that led to his death shadows her daily life with fear and her small town no longer holds joy for her. When a good friend goes missing, Lois must overcome her fears to solve her disappearance.
I felt sorry for Lois. Her loneliness and fears made her life a challenge but when she needed courage she found it. The plot was pretty predictable but it was still a fun cozy mystery.
Out of Options is a super quick and easy read. It’s the prequel to the Century Cottage Cozy Mystery Series. If this prequel is a good indication of what we can expect in the series, we are in for some delightful characters.
Beth was to have lunch with Lois, but cancels at the last minute stating she was meeting up with an old friend. But it has now been 2 full days and no one has heard from or seen Beth. The police aren’t ready to jump in and assist with the search just yet, but Lois and her friends know that something isn’t quite right and start searching on their own.
During the search process, we learn more about the characters personalities. Will Lois find her friend before it’s too late, or is she all out of options? You will have to read the book to find out.
This is a simple, fun introduction to the Century Cottage series, which I can’t WAIT to start on! In this one, we meet Lois Stone, a widowed librarian, who sets aside her fear of strangers to search for her missing friend. The police don’t believe that Beth is actually missing, so Lois and Beth’s niece, Amy, set out to find her. Does the news Beth told Lois she wanted to share have anything to do with her disappearance? Will Lois and Amy find her safe? And who might have wanted to make Beth disappear?
I’m looking forward to spending more time with Raggs and Ribbons, Lois’s cats, as well!