Monday, September 9, 2019

Buried in the Stacks - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Buried in the Stacks (Haunted Library Mysteries #3) by Allison Brook

Rating:  Very Good
Source:  NetGalley

Description: In winter, the Haunted Library is a refuge for homeless townspeople. When a group purchases a vacant house to establish a daytime haven for the homeless, Carrie offers the library as a meeting place for the Haven House committee, but quickly learns that it may be used for illegal activities.
As the new Sunshine Delegate, Carrie heads to the hospital to visit her cantankerous colleague, Dorothy, who had fallen outside the local supermarket. She tells Carrie that her husband tried to kill her—and that he murdered her Aunt Evelyn, the library's resident ghost, six years earlier.

And then Dorothy is murdered—run off the road as soon as she returns to work. Evelyn implores Carrie to find her niece's killer, but that's no easy task: Dorothy had made a hobby of blackmailing her neighbors and colleagues. Carrie, Evelyn, and Smoky Joe the cat are on the case, but are the library cards stacked against them?

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  It's a cozy mystery series about a haunted library!  And I've really been enjoying the series in general.

My Impression:  This is the 3rd book in the series that I've read and I think I've liked each one better then the last.  I was really surprised when I read the blurb on this book.   Normally main-ish characters aren't killed off in cozies so I was so curious to see how it was done and I could not be more pleased.  Not only did we learn more about Dorothy's secrets but we got to look into Evelyn's death and get to know her a bit better as well.  I was really engaged with the mystery and enjoyed following along with Carrie's investigation.

As the series has gone on I've liked Carrie more and more.  Her relationship with Dylan and her ability to self-reflect and just think about what was bothering her instead of just reacting was just refreshing.  I think I enjoyed hanging out with Carrie and friends almost as much as the mystery! 

If you enjoy cozies with bookish settings, likable characters, and solid intriguing mysteries then this is a series you shouldn't miss!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This is such a fun series and I'll be looking for the next one.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely!  If you enjoy cozy mystery series this is a great one.  You could start here without any issue but it'd probably be better to start the beginning just so you can get to know the characters.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

7 comments:

  1. Sounds interesting, am I reading it right - Aunt Evelyn is the ghost and she helps with the murder inquiries?! Intriguing. I like it when the characters are so good.

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  2. I have been meaning to read this series. I ought to make a point of starting sooner rather than later since there are only 3 books at this point. Ha!

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  3. I am really looking forward to reading this series!

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  4. I have been eyeing this book. Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  5. I read another story where a ghost guided someone to solve a crime. It seemed very believable!!

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  6. Ooo a haunted library?! Sounds fun. That's awesome they're getting better as they go :)

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  7. Good to hear they are getting better. I liked the first one although it had some medical inaccuracies. Maybe I'll give the series another try.

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