Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery

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 4th book in The Haunted Library Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to this series. I thought Checked Out for Murder contained good writing and developed characters. My favorite character is Evelyn Havers, the ghost who lives at the library. She is delightful. I liked that we saw more of Evelyn in this book. Two murders take place in this story. We all know Carrie will investigate despite being told repeatedly by boyfriend, Dylan Avery and Lt. John Mathers to stay out of the case. There are multiple suspects and a variety of clues to aid in readers in solving the crimes. Evelyn provides good insight and intel that helped Carrie’s investigation (and John’s). Carrie certainly has her hands full in Checked Out for Murder with her work, Smoky Joe feeling spring fever, her mother, Dylan traveling, two murders, and her father’s surprise visit. Carrie will need a long weekend away after her mother leaves town. Mother and daughter have different personalities which can lead to clashes. They get a chance to do some bonding in this tale and maybe Brianna will change her ways (or not). I do want to let you know that the story does contain some mild foul language. I hope Dylan will be more open to Carrie’s investigating in the future. He needs to realize that a leopard does not change its spots. Checked Out for Murder is an entertaining whodunit with a temptress thespian, a manipulating mother, a fugitive feline, a perished psychic, a troubled beau, and a curious Carrie.

Checked Out for Murder is the fourth in the series, but I had not read the others. The author, however, did such a fantastic job of describing the characters that I was able to fully enjoy this edition despite not having read the others. The main character is a librarian who has the help of a ghost that lives in the library she works at. I am a big fan of cozy mysteries that have ghosts in them, and though this ghost was not a major factor in the story, the mystery was done well enough that the small amount of paranormal contact was not discouraging. I would have liked to have had more of the ghost, but the other characters in the story made up for it in leaps and bounds. I especially loved the best friend, and coworkers. The love interest was well done, but I think I may have to read the previous ones to be more attached to their relationship, as by this book, it is well established. Not a bad thing, just if one is looking for a little love interest, this book does not have much romantic tension between the two. I was very happy, however, with the plot and the who-done it aspect. The mystery lead me in many directions, and though I normally have cases solved before half the book is done, this book took me on a few red herrings that made me not realize who did it until close to the end. In the meantime, I enjoyed the ride as the main character, Carrie Singleton, tried to find out who killed two people, while possibly linking those deaths to a death years ago. It all takes place as her mother, and her mother’s husband are in town to film a movie; and two people are murdered back to back. Her mother is suspected at one point, which leads Carrie to ignore her first instinct to stay out of the murder. As others pull her into the investigation, she finds that the clues are falling one by one in her lap for her to find the killer. I will have to say that I am very much wanting to go back and read the others in the series, not only to see the beginnings of her love interest, but also because the author’s writing was so well done, and I enjoyed this story so much.I feel I need to relive the fun in another book. Highly recommend this book for those who like this author, and for others looking for a new cozy mystery. This one is a winner!