Checked Out for Murder

June 29, 2020
In Brook’s overly intricate fourth mystery featuring Carrie Singleton, the head of programs and events at the Clover Ridge, Conn., library (after 2019’s Buried in the Stacks), Carrie must contend with her distant mother and movie actor stepfather, who are visiting, as well as self-proclaimed psychic Daphne Marriott, who befriends Carrie and has a troubled past. That past apparently catches up with Daphne when someone strangles her. Meanwhile, quite a few people have changed their names for one reason or another, which gets confusing, and some of them are connected to the local Harper family. Years earlier, the abusive Chet Harper was murdered by his son, Billy Harper, and Carrie learns that she knows Billy under another name and that Daphne was his sister. After a second present-day murder occurs, Carrie; her PI boyfriend, Dylan Avery; and the Clover Ridge police chief, John Mathers, set out to find the killer. Evelyn Havers, the library’s resident ghost and Carrie’s sleuthing confidante, has little to do. This cozy is strictly for existing fans. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary.

July 1, 2020
A librarian's latest murder investigation involves her own family. Although Carrie Singleton's put in her time as an amateur sleuth, her life seems peaceful until her mother comes to town. Their relationship had been difficult even before the marriage of self-centered Linda Singleton, aka Brianna Farrell, to Tom, a movie actor 12 years her junior, left her with still less time and attention for her daughter. Meantime, Carrie is approached by psychic Daphne Marriott, who wants to display her talents at a library program. Daphne hopes to solve the cold-case murder of her abusive father; Daphne's brother, Billy, wants to find his mother, who skipped town, leaving the siblings bereft. The two women are well on their way to becoming friends when Daphne is strangled, possibly by her abusive ex-husband. The only reason Carrie knows Daphne's real last name is Harper is because the psychic was recognized by Evelyn, the library ghost, who often gives Carrie sleuthing tips. Linda is frantic when Tom seems to be falling for Ilana Reingold, his former fiancee, who's starring as his love interest in the film they're shooting nearby. When Ilana becomes the second murder victim, Linda is a prime suspect. Wondering if the two murders could possibly be connected, Carrie revisits the past in an attempt to find justice. It's lucky for her that even though her boyfriend, private eye Dylan Avery, may not approve of her detective work, he always has her back. Plenty of red herrings and amusing characters make for a nice beach read.

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