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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun book about a librarian turned detective when she finds one of her colleagues dead in the library. I enjoyed the literary references! 3 stars only because some parts kind of dragged along. The end set up for a book 2 in the series, which I will read when it comes out.
This was a fun book about a librarian turned detective when she finds one of her colleagues dead in the library. I enjoyed the literary references! 3 stars only because some parts kind of dragged along. The end set up for a book 2 in the series, which I will read when it comes out.
Working in a library really helped to immerse myself in this one. More than just a cozy mystery, I was on the edge of my seat, and didn’t want to put this down. I’m amazed to say I didn’t guess the ending almost until the reveal, which is a very rare treat for me. I will absolutely read the next one in the series when it’s published soon. Fantastic story, the main character feels so similar to myself, that I’m completely invested in helping her solve the next case!
3.5 stars - I have not read it watched enough classic mystery to appreciate this novel as much as it deserves. Also, I found the main character's actions totally crazy. I could not identify with her at all. But it did get very exciting towards the end!
Very much enjoyed this traditional mystery written by a librarian who has clearly read a lot of mysteries.
An enjoyable cast of characters shape this story that begins with the investigation of a murder that occurred in a small-town library, and is somehow connected with a murder from decades ago. The narrative is provided by a career changing new librarian (like the author) who is quite clever at seeking out clues.
One slight error in judgment in the writing is the inclusion of quite a lot of author names or main characters from other series. It struck me that only readers of a certain age (60+?) might know who these are and other readers might be going "huh?" Example: Nora Roberts is still familiar to most avid readers, but Trixie Belden is a 1940s childrens's series, and Kinsey Milhone is the lead in the Sue Grafton "A Is for Alibi" series. I quizzed a couple of frequent readers, and they were lost. I am now reading a Trixie Belden story just because I never have done so, so perhaps name dropping has some advantages.
This has a pleasing pace and clever sleuthing. It's a straight-forward whodunnit with a clear segue to another book to follow. Nicely done.
An enjoyable cast of characters shape this story that begins with the investigation of a murder that occurred in a small-town library, and is somehow connected with a murder from decades ago. The narrative is provided by a career changing new librarian (like the author) who is quite clever at seeking out clues.
One slight error in judgment in the writing is the inclusion of quite a lot of author names or main characters from other series. It struck me that only readers of a certain age (60+?) might know who these are and other readers might be going "huh?" Example: Nora Roberts is still familiar to most avid readers, but Trixie Belden is a 1940s childrens's series, and Kinsey Milhone is the lead in the Sue Grafton "A Is for Alibi" series. I quizzed a couple of frequent readers, and they were lost. I am now reading a Trixie Belden story just because I never have done so, so perhaps name dropping has some advantages.
This has a pleasing pace and clever sleuthing. It's a straight-forward whodunnit with a clear segue to another book to follow. Nicely done.
Just look at that cover! If our library looked...and felt...like that I'd live in it. Clever title, too. This is the first in the Greer Hogan Mystery series. It was a charming and atmospheric read on a snowy November day, though the book doesn't take place in winter. It just...fit.
Greer, the librarian at her village library housed in a manor, has moved from New York only a handful of years ago to start anew. As such, she has developed superficial friendships, none very deep. Greer finds her closest friend (though not very close) in a heap at the bottom of the attic stairs at the manor. This leads to other discoveries including mysteries from the past as Greer investigates along with a female police officer.
References to authors such as Sayers, Wentworth and Christie are fun. Greer is in her 30s and thankfully has had some life experience. And skeletons in her closet. She is enterprising and quick which I like. She needs to be to figure out who killed her friend and why. Not only that but the attic houses mysteries (hopefully more in subsequent books!). The sometimes predictable, it is.not necessarily of the murders (yes, plural) but in general. But overall an enjoyable light book which is what I needed after reading some heavier material.
If you enjoy creaky floorboards, dark dusty attics, shadowy figures, wonky windows and old musty books in your cozy mysteries, this is your cup of tea.
My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
Greer, the librarian at her village library housed in a manor, has moved from New York only a handful of years ago to start anew. As such, she has developed superficial friendships, none very deep. Greer finds her closest friend (though not very close) in a heap at the bottom of the attic stairs at the manor. This leads to other discoveries including mysteries from the past as Greer investigates along with a female police officer.
References to authors such as Sayers, Wentworth and Christie are fun. Greer is in her 30s and thankfully has had some life experience. And skeletons in her closet. She is enterprising and quick which I like. She needs to be to figure out who killed her friend and why. Not only that but the attic houses mysteries (hopefully more in subsequent books!). The sometimes predictable, it is.not necessarily of the murders (yes, plural) but in general. But overall an enjoyable light book which is what I needed after reading some heavier material.
If you enjoy creaky floorboards, dark dusty attics, shadowy figures, wonky windows and old musty books in your cozy mysteries, this is your cup of tea.
My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.
3.5 stars.
No stranger to discovering a dead body, Greer Hogan, reference librarian, finds the body of a friend, Joanna, upstairs at the library one day.
(Greer relates that she had found her husband, Danny, murdered, in their former NYC home. Though a murderer was found, the man insisted he had not killed Danny. Greer feels guilt about Danny's death because she had not joined her husband for a business meeting he was supposed to be at.)
Greer's present day body-finding moment kicks off her finding out much more about the many secrets in the small town she lives in now, and of a murder many years ago that has a bearing on her friend's death.
Greer is a fan of "girl detectives" having read Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden (her fave), then graduated to Dame Agatha Christie's and Lord Peter Wimsey's works, and no doubt many other amateur detective stories. She consequently enjoys ferreting out information about the various suspects of Joanna's murder. She dives into her sleuthing, since she knows that as the person who discovered the body, the police will look first at her. So, she investigates her co-workers and the library's board members, in the hope of finding some damning bit of information that will take her off the police's list. One member of the investigation, Jennie Webber, a former soldier, has a particularly keen eye on Greer. Poking her nose into the Board's plans, and her coworkers' lives brings Greer to the notice of the actual murderer, and things get much more dangerous...
It took me a little while to warm up to Greer because of her desire to quickly send the police after someone other than her, making me wonder what she was hiding. Turns out it wasn't so bad, but it does lead into questions about her husband's murder, which don't get answered here, but I hope eventually do. Which means, I'm reading more of Greer's adventures.
No stranger to discovering a dead body, Greer Hogan, reference librarian, finds the body of a friend, Joanna, upstairs at the library one day.
(Greer relates that she had found her husband, Danny, murdered, in their former NYC home. Though a murderer was found, the man insisted he had not killed Danny. Greer feels guilt about Danny's death because she had not joined her husband for a business meeting he was supposed to be at.)
Greer's present day body-finding moment kicks off her finding out much more about the many secrets in the small town she lives in now, and of a murder many years ago that has a bearing on her friend's death.
Greer is a fan of "girl detectives" having read Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden (her fave), then graduated to Dame Agatha Christie's and Lord Peter Wimsey's works, and no doubt many other amateur detective stories. She consequently enjoys ferreting out information about the various suspects of Joanna's murder. She dives into her sleuthing, since she knows that as the person who discovered the body, the police will look first at her. So, she investigates her co-workers and the library's board members, in the hope of finding some damning bit of information that will take her off the police's list. One member of the investigation, Jennie Webber, a former soldier, has a particularly keen eye on Greer. Poking her nose into the Board's plans, and her coworkers' lives brings Greer to the notice of the actual murderer, and things get much more dangerous...
It took me a little while to warm up to Greer because of her desire to quickly send the police after someone other than her, making me wonder what she was hiding. Turns out it wasn't so bad, but it does lead into questions about her husband's murder, which don't get answered here, but I hope eventually do. Which means, I'm reading more of Greer's adventures.
adventurous
The Unkindness of Ravens by M.E. Hilliard is a cozy mystery that takes place mostly in a library. Greer Hogan is a fairly new resident in the village of Raven Hill and she is the librarian. The library is located in an old mansion donated to Raven Hill by a wealthy family. The building is somewhat creepy and Greer discovers that in a huge way. While going upstairs for lunch, she comes upon the body of a dear friend. Was this an accident or murder? The police are called but Greer is determined to secretly solve this mystery on her own. This was an enjoyable read. The village characters are diverse and interesting. The storyline, while not necessarily always plausible, is suspenseful and relatable. There are plenty of clues but you will be kept waiting till the last pages for the details to become clear. If, like me, you love reading anything that has to do with books, libraries and librarians, The Unkindness of Ravens ticks all the boxes. Highly recommended. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Guessed the murderer early on; audiobook narrator slightly monotone
I was hooked, but I didn't really enjoy it. Maybe I just don't like mysteries?
Also, in WHAT WORLD does a librarian butt their way into a police investigation? Is this a mystery novel thing? Normal people putting their nose in places they don't belong?
Also, in WHAT WORLD does a librarian butt their way into a police investigation? Is this a mystery novel thing? Normal people putting their nose in places they don't belong?