I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Out of Options
by Dianne Ascroft
Series: Century Cottage Cozy Mysteries #0.5
Series Rating:
on April 26, 2019
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 114
Format: Kindle
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
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 and Lois becomes worried. What has happened to her friend?
Middle-aged widow Lois is settling into life on her own in her neighborhood 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 neighborhood.
A tale for fans of Cindy Bell, Leighann Dobbs, Dianne Harman, and Kathi Daley.
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 a lovely fast read that sets the scene for the Century Cottage Mystery Series.
Giveaway
Prize: (1) Print Copy – Out of Options: A Century Cottage Cozy Mysteries by Dianne Ascroft
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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Out of Options by Dianne Ascroft. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway of this great book.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
About Dianne Ascroft
Dianne Ascroft is a Torontonian who has settled in rural Northern Ireland. She and her husband live on a small farm with an assortment of strong-willed animals.
She is currently writing the Century Cottage Cozy Mysteries series. Out of Options is a prequel to the series.
Her previous fiction works include The Yankee Years series of novels and short reads, set in Northern Ireland during the Second World War; An Unbidden Visitor (a tale inspired by Fermanagh’s famous Coonian ghost); Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves: A Collection of Short Stories (contemporary tales), and an historical novel, Hitler and Mars Bars, which explores Operation Shamrock, a little known Irish Red Cross humanitarian endeavour.
Dianne writes both fiction and non-fiction. Her articles and short stories have been printed in Canadian and Irish magazines and newspapers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys walks in the countryside, evenings in front of her open fireplace and folk and traditional music.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Cloak and Dagger
- 2019 Craving For Cozies Reading Challenge
- 2019 Cruisin' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge
- 2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge
- 2019 New Release Challenge
Thank you for your review on “Out of Options” by Dianne Ascroft and for being part of the book tour.
Cute cover and storyline. I’d love the opportunity to read this one.
Thanks for your review, Karen, and for hosting a stop on my blog tour. I appreciate both. I’m glad you enjoyed the novella and liked Lois.