Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook

Item: Checked Out for Murder
Rating: 5
Author: karenbaron

Posted June 14, 2023 by karenbaron in #SpringReadsWithTheBaroness, Mystery, Paranormal, Review, Series / 0 Comments

Checked Out for Murder

by Allison Brook

Series: Haunted Library Mysteries #4
Series Rating:

Published by Crooked Lane Books on September 8, 2020
Setting: Connecticut
Genres: Cozy Paranormal Mystery
Pages: 325
Format: Audible Audiobook, Audio CD, ebook, Hardcover, Kindle
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Books-A-Million
Also in this series: Buried in the Stacks, Dewey Decimated, Death Overdue, Read and Gone, Death on the Shelf, Overdue or Die

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?

Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook sees Cassie Singleton dealing with her mom, that is in town for a movie being filmed. She may also have a couple of murders to solve.

Is Daphne Marriot’s death connected to a cold case from twenty years ago?

Carrie Singleton

Our sleuth is still happily dating Dylan Avery and is trying her hardest not to break her promise to him and John Mathers. Her commitment makes it hard for her to solve this mystery without getting in the suspect’s way. Carrie loves her job and talking to Evelyn. Not only that, but Carrie loves being in a town where she can see herself settling down.

I can’t wait to see how she and Dylan continue their relationship. Clover Ridge, at first, wasn’t supposed to be where she would put down roots, but it is starting to be that for her as she gets settled into small-town life. I love Carrie and how she tries to make things right with her parents. Another thing that I like about her is that she wants to see justice done for the new victims and the old ones.

The Mystery

After twenty years, Daphne Marriott finally feels like she must come home and possibly solve her father’s murder. She has acquired psychic abilities and thinks the library patrons will benefit from hearing her talk. Carrie and Daphne started to become friends when Daphne was killed, quite possibly by the same person who killed her father. Carrie thinks that is probably the case, but many things make her doubt. Everything about this mystery had me guessing who did it. Yet, I had a theory on who did it, and I was right. However, I wasn’t sure of the motive until it was revealed.

Five Stars

Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook has us on one end dealing with a psychic who wants to solve her father’s murder and help her brother be free of ridicule. Then on the other end, we have Carrie having to deal with the cast of a movie that is being filmed in Clover Ridge and her mother. Ms. Brook kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat after Daphne died to the end.

Haunted Library Mystery Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook.

Until the next time,

Happy Reading!

About Allison Brook

Allison Brook is the pseudonym for Marilyn Levinson, who writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for kids. She lives on Long Island and enjoys traveling, reading, watching foreign films, doing Sudoku and dining out. She especially loves to visit with her grandchildren on FaceTime.

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