Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook

 Dewey Decimated (The Haunted Library Mysteries #6) by Allison Brook - 336 pages, Audiobook - 9 hours

⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Carrie Singleton is just off a hot string of murder cases centered around the spooky local library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She could really use a break—but no such luck.

First, a dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons. Carrie and Evelyn, the library ghost, work hard to keep Alec out of sight, but what was he doing in Clover Ridge to begin with? And why was he killed?

Meanwhile, the town council, of which Carrie is now a member, is embroiled in a hot debate over the fate of the Seabrook Preserve, a lovely and valuable piece of property that runs along Long Island Sound. Turn it into an upscale park? Sell it to a condo developer? Or keep it as protected land?

As the dispute rages, there’s another murder, this time involving a council member. Could the two murders be connected? And could Carrie be next on the hit list?

This is a fun series. I like the addition of another ghost in the form of Dylan's Uncle Alec, and Dylan's greater involvement in solving the murders.

Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

 Past Due for Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #3) by Victoria Gilbert - 301 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spring has sprung in quaint Taylorsford, Virginia, and the mayor has revived the town’s long-defunct May Day celebration to boost tourism. As part of the festivities, library director Amy Webber is helping to organize a research project and presentation by a local folklore expert. All seems well at first―until a university student inexplicably can't be found during a bonfire.

The local police cast a wide net to find the missing woman, but in a shocking turn of events, Amy’s swoon-worthy neighbor Richard Muir becomes a person of interest in the case. Not only is Richard the woman’s dance instructor, he was the last person to see her on campus, and he also doesn’t have an alibi for the night the student vanished―or at least not one he’ll divulge, even to Amy.

When the missing student is finally discovered lost in the mountains, with no memory of recent events―and a dead body lying nearby―an already disturbing mystery takes on a sinister new hue. 

I'm still just as hooked on this series as I was after reading the 1st book. One thing I really like about this book (and others in the series) is that she weaves past events into the story. It adds a little more depth.

Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert

 Shelved Under Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #2) by Victoria Gilbert - 330 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

October in Taylorsford, Virginia means it’s leaf peeping season, with a fresh crew of tourists attending the annual Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and arts and crafts. Library director Amy Webber, though, is slightly dreading having to spend two days running a yard sale fundraiser for her library. But during these preparations, when she and her assistant Sunny stumble across a dead body, Amy finds a real reason to be worried.

The body belonged to a renowned artist who was murdered with her own pallet knife. A search of the artist’s studio uncovers a cache of forged paintings, and when the sheriff’s chief deputy Brad Tucker realizes Amy is skilled in art history research, she’s recruited to aid the investigation. It doesn’t seem to be an easy task, but when the state’s art expert uncovers a possible connection between Amy’s deceased uncle and the murder case, Amy must champion her Aunt Lydia to clear her late husband’s name.

That’s when another killing shakes the quiet town. Now, with her swoon-inducing neighbor Richard Muir, Amy must scour their resources to once again close the books on murder.

I really love this series! The mysteries are intriguing and full of different twists I didn't see coming.

Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook

 Death on the Shelf (The Haunted Library Mysteries #5) by Allison Brook - 313 pages, Audiobook - 8 hours 46 minutes

⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Clover Ridge librarian Carrie Singleton is thrilled to attend her best friend Angela’s wedding, but Angela’s family can be a bit…much. Angela’s wealthy cousin Donna hosts an extravagant bridal shower at her resplendent home, but the celebrations turn to gossip as the guests notice Donna’s surgeon husband, Aiden, spending a bit too much time with Donna’s cousin Roxy. At the wedding reception, the sweet occasion turns darkly bitter when Aiden topples into the chocolate fountain–dead.

The suspect list is as long as the guest list, and as difficult to sort out as the seating chart. Then another member of Angela’s family is murdered, making Carrie more determined than ever to find the killer. 

I've been enjoying this lighter cozy mystery series in which the library ghost, Evelyn, helps Carrie investigate murders.

THE LIBRARY OF THE DEAD by T L HUCHU

 THE LIBRARY OF THE DEAD by T L HUCHU (Pgs 330)

WHEN GHOSTS TALK

SHE WILL LISTEN

Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker – and they sure do love to talk. Now she speaks to Edinburgh’s dead, carrying messages to those they left behind. A girl’s gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead whisper that someone’s bewitching children – leaving them husks, empty of joy and strength. It’s on Ropa’s patch, so she feels honor-bound to investigate. But what she learns will rock her world.

Ropa will dice with death as she calls on Zimbabwean magic and Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. And although underground Edinburgh hides a wealth of dark secrets, she also discovers an occult library, a magical mentor and some unexpected allies.

Yet as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?

A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert

 A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #1) by Victoria Gilbert - 336 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble.

Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families... including her own.

When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest.

A few pages into this book, I was completely hooked (and finished it in only four days). I love the characters, and the mysteries keep you engaged until the end.