This book is part of a cozy mystery series. I enjoy the series and this book kept my interest from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A library in an old cabin on a lake. What could be better? Oh, I know, a book club. This book club has some interesting members. I love the relationship between Rain, Julie and Marge. What a great job to have, running the library. All the characters in this story are great. This was an entertaining story line, all going back to a book. I really would like a piece of Marge’s Salted Caramel Apple Pie. You’ll find the recipe at the back of the book. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

After reading the third book in this series I have come to the conclusion that this series is not for me. While I enjoy the mysteries in each book. I can't get over my dislike of the heroine. And in cozy mysteries you have to at least understand where the heroine is coming from.

Rain decided that summer was the perfect time to return her mother’s book club to the library. The first book was Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie. After things got a little heated with a new member, Lily, during the meeting. Concerned, Rain and her best friend track Julia to her house and find Lily dead. With few leads, Rain and Julia start their investigation. Everything points back to who was at the book club that night. Who killed Lily? And what was the motive?

I decided to read more cozy mysteries a few months back. I love reading mysteries but tend to read psychological mysteries (usually paired with psychological thrillers) or police procedurals. So I downloaded a few from a publisher I occasionally review for. Read to Death at the Lakeside Library is the first book out of the five that I downloaded.

Read to Death at the Lakeside Library is the third book in the Lakeside Library Mysteries. When I started reading this book, I was expecting this book to confuse me. Beginning a series on book three isn’t ideal for me. Why? The storylines are usually harder to follow, and the characters from previous books appear. I am happy to say that it wasn’t true in this case. The author briefly references the previous two books but focuses on this book’s storyline. Readers can read this book as a standalone, but I recommend reading the earlier books for more of Rain’s back story.

I liked Rain. She had a rough couple of years, from what was revealed. I also liked that she was a good friend. My only quibble with her is that when she found clues (like the book or the notes), she didn’t go to the police immediately (and I will go further into that). I also loved that she owned a library and put her heart and soul into it!!

I found Julia annoying throughout the book. She wasn’t afraid to lean on her brother, a detective on the local police force, for information. She also didn’t hesitate to hide or tell Rain to hide evidence. It drove me nuts. But I did think she was a good friend. Rain was Julia’s best friend, and she wouldn’t let her investigate Lily’s death alone.

The main storyline is Rain investigating Julia’s death. I loved that the author modeled her death after Agatha Christie’s book and a recent real-life murder involving eyedrops. But I was slightly irritated by how Rain and Julia conducted their investigation (and the second investigation into Patrick’s death). They broke into houses (Lily’s), they stole evidence (the manuscript and the cassette tape), Julia leaned on Jace (her brother) for information about the case, and they withheld evidence from the police. I kept thinking that the evidence they collected would never be allowed in court because of that. I was surprised at who the killer was, though. It was not even remotely who I thought it was.

There was a secondary storyline that Rain and Julia were investigating. It involved a woman from their book club, the death of her classmate decades earlier, and the murder victim. How they were tied together made for a neat twist.

There was a romance angle to Read to Death at the Lakeside Library. I gathered that this romance started in book one, but they didn’t get together until this book. Rain was too busy investigating Lily’s murder and getting into shenanigans with Julia for it to go beyond that. This is a clean romance with a few kissing scenes.

The end of Read to Death at the Lakeside Library was action-packed. I was not expecting who the killer was. And I wasn’t expecting this person’s motives (yes, there are two). As much as Rain and Julia annoyed me, I look forward to reading book 3.

I recommend Read to Death at the Lakeside Library to anyone over 16. There is mild language and mild sexual scenes. There is also violence.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and Holly Danvers for allowing me to read and review Read to Death at the Lakeside Library. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

I fell right into this new cozy by Holly Danvers; it has such an energetic pace I couldn't help to keep reading. Rain is definitely a character you can't help but root for. Despite a tough past, she has such an infectious energy and is extremely kind to her friends and neighbors in Lofty Pines. So it's no surprise that when of her new book club members if found murdered, she starts investigating with her best friend Julia. The book club contains a wide cast of characters (and suspects!) but as each woman was investigated by the duo we got to know them better.

This cozy has some of the best aspects of other cozies: idyllic setting, spunky heroine, slightly disgruntled law enforcement contact, BFF and partner in crime, fluffy pups, and a friendly local library. Still, as I was reading this book felt surprisingly refreshing. Rain is definitely a part of that because her character is so awesome, but she and Julie egg each other on and push themselves further than other cozy heroines. Rain and Julie have a precious friendship, which really shone through at the ending of the book.

This is the third book in the series but I had no problem jumping right in. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book, which comes out in August so mark your calendars! As always, opinions are my own.

After learning this was the third one in the Lakeside Library series, I quickly grabbed the first two from the library. However, not reading the books in order didn't seem to detract too much from the book, and it can be read enjoyably as a standalone.

Rain has decided to start a book club for the library patrons, and they have a successful, if a little rocky first meeting. One memory in particular, Lily, seems a little at odds and combative in her opinions, though Rain tries to end the discussion on a high note. She and her best friend, Julie, decide to go see Lily the next day, hoping to convince her to keep coming to future meetings. The last thing they expect is to find her dead. There's nothing that can stop them from doing their best to find her killer though.

Rain and Julie's friendship is a huge highlight in these books. They're funny, and clearly have a good, close relationship that comes to life on the page. Also, this book is exactly what I look for in a cozy mystery - the girls can't help themselves from investigating, even when police (mostly Jace, Julie's brother and Rain's crush) repeatedly ask them to stop, or warn them away for their safety. They do share their findings, for the most part that is, but leave back just enough to make you want to scream at them. This can lead them to danger at times, but it all comes from a good place in their hearts.

The community is supportive, if a little nosy. That comes from being a small town, and often is an aid to them.

While this may not have been a stand out of the genre, it was exactly what I was hoping to find: a highly enjoyable, satisfying cozy mystery! I can't wait to go back and read the first ones, as well as look forward to more books in the future.

Rain is ready for a new book club to begin. When one of the members is murdered later that night, Julia and Rain begin sleuthing. A good story and an interesting plot. I love that all the lake images are spot on and the interconnectedness of small towns shine through in this series. The resolution from the end of the last book was great and the hope for what is to come is high. Overall, a great read!

I did really enjoy this, but I think the ending just came so fast. Also, Rain's reactions in the final scenes are kinda cringey, but otherwise I loved the vibes. I love the library and their little expiditions to solve the mystery.

Been sick, so this book and others kept me entertained during recovery. Love the lakeside setting for this library, well written, fun characters and am enjoyaable read.

Rain Wilmer is home at Pine Lake in Lofty Pines, Wisconsin. She runs the Lakeside Library at her family’s log cabin where she resurrects a summer book club. The book club assembles to discuss Agatha Christie’s murder mystery, SPARKLING CYANIDE, and the meeting breaks up after a heated discussion. Rain and her friend, Julia, are concerned about Lily, one of the book club attendees, and go to visit Lily at her home. Rain and Julia discover Lily’s dead body. Did Lily’s death have anything to do with SPARKLING CYANIDE?

READ TO DEATH AT THE LAKESIDE LIBRARY is a good read, and I plan to read other books in this series. The lake setting is lovely, and the characters are believable. There are times when the story explores the protagonist’s love life, but I would still characterize the book as a cozy mystery rather than a romance. The plot is interesting and progresses to a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review the e-arc of READ TO DEATH AT THE LAKESIDE LIBRARY.

When Rain Wilmot tries to get the summer book club rebooted at the Lakeside Library, she doesn't think that after their first meeting a participant will wind up dead - or that the crime will be committed by someone else who was at the meeting. The story ties a death on the lake years ago with the current death and has a range of characters who possibly been involved. Rain and her best friend are determined to find out what happened and head out on the lake to figure it all out.

I enjoyed this read by Holly Danvers, particularly the unique setting. I enjoyed the idea of the lakeside library and the characters in the story were fun. I did enjoy the mystery itself as well and thought there was some good twists and turns that left me wanting to keep reading. That being said, it wasn't my absolute favorite. I can't quite put my finger on a particular reason why though.

Overall, a fun read and I'd definitely read more by Holly Danvers.

What a unique setting for a mystery…a lakeside library! This is the third book in the Lakeside Library series, and they just keep getting better. Rain and her friends once again find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. This murder seems to be a copy cat of the book club book that they have just finished reviewing. Twists and turns continue to abound as they work to find out who killed their fried. Also, Jace and Rain continue to circle closer and closer to a relationship. Romance, intrigue, murder and a library…oh and the addition of a dog. What more could you ask for?! Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Summer is in full swing as tourists flock back to the Northwoods and travel to Lofty Pines, Wisconsin. For Rain Wilmot, owner of the Lakeside Library, this is the perfect opportunity to bring back her mother’s summer book club. But then one of the club’s members, Lily Redlin, is found dead in her own home not long after the first meeting. Alongside her neighbor Julia Reynolds and the policeman and Julia's brother Jace Lowe, Rain discovers that the murder is seemingly inspired by the book the club recently discussed Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel, Sparkling Cyanide. But who would kill Lily? The deeper Rain investigates, the more confusing and complicated the plot becomes. Was Lily murdered to cover up a tragic accident that occurred years ago involving an old classmate? Or were the rumors true—did Lily really possess a priceless original Laura Ingles Wilder manuscript and someone killed her for it? And what about the mysterious letter Lily received just before her death from a supposed long lost relative?

This is an interesting series about a library connected to a cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This is the third installment and continues to get better with each new installment. The scenery is described beautifully, and the author continues to develop the main characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read the newest in this series.

This book made me long for summer, Lofty Pines a summer lakeside tourist attraction sounds delightful, and had me missing living near a lake.

The owner of the Lakeside Library, Rain starts off her summer reading club with a classic Agatha Christie novel, and life then imitates art! With Julia by her side can Rain find out who wanted Lily dead before it’s too late?

It was an enjoyable quick read, and I look forward to more from this series.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. This is the third in the “A Lakeside Library Mystery”. I enjoyed this cozy mystery and could relate to the characters especially Rain and Julia. A quick and fun read with plenty of adventure, some romance, a zany book club with a dash of suspense. Rain Wilmont is the new owner of the Lakeside Library and she decides to bring back her mother’s book club for the summer. But after their first meeting one of the participants, Lily Redlin has been found murder in her house. She was poison with eye drop fluid which was one of the topics that the book club discussed at their meeting. Rain and Julia decided to investigate who killed Lily before someone that is innocent is accused. There are two motives for Lily’s death, so Rain and Julia decides to investigate both and that is when their troubles begin. Rain and Julia decide to host a reenactment of the club’s first meeting to get clues. Read and find out if they do come across with some precious evidence to clear the book club of this murder or is it actually one of them that murdered Lily.

This is book #3 in the Lakeside Library cozy mystery series and the first book I’ve read by this author. It follows Rain, who runs the lakeside library with her friends Julia and Marge. After their first library book club meeting, one of the members ends up dead. It’s a great who dun it with multiple layers of twists and turns with some romance as well. A delight to read. I have the first two books of this series on my tbr. A fun read!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Read to Death at the Lakeside Library
by Holly Danvers
Pub Date: August 8, 2023
Lane Books
Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Ellery Adams, Rain Wilmot must find a novel solution in order to catch another killer—before her book club members are picked off one by one.
Lakeside Library Mystery #3 '
This was my first book by this author so I have missed the first two in the series.
I love this idea of a unique library and the settings and characters make it an enjoyable book. I am definitely going back to read them in order. This is my idea of what a good cozy mystery is.
Rain oversees the little library with the help of her friends. Intriguing murder mystery.
5 stars

Rain, a young widow who owns the Lakeside Library in Lofty Pines, Wisconsin, puts on her amateur sleuth hat and grabs her best friend, Julia, to investigate how and why a member of their reading group has died. The women break a lot of rules and interfere with the police investigation, but in the end survive their own mishaps. Author Holly Danvers provides a lot of fun wrapped in a good cozy mystery with a budding romance between Rain and Jace, a local police officer. Book three in the Lakeside Library series can be read as a standalone, but newcomers will want to mix their own authentic Wisconsin brandy old fashioned and catch up with the previous two novels.

Rain Wilmot of the Lakeside Library is having the first meeting of the summer reading book club. The book up for discussion is Agatha Christie's Sparkling Cyanide. When a book club member is killed, the cause of death is something that was discussed at the meeting. What is the reason for the murder? Do the connections between some of the members factor in? Who is leaving clues for Rain to follow?
Third in the series - quick read - enjoy catching up with Rain and friends.
#ReadtoDeathattheLakesideLibrary #NetGalley

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for giving me access to this book early in return for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Lakeside Library Mystery Series, and the first that I have read. It’s always hard jumping into the series midstream. The author does a really great job at giving enough information about all the characters as they’re introduced that the reader can get a really good feel for who they are regardless of whether they have read the preceding two books or not. I do wish that a bit more about Max, Rain’s deceased husband, was explained. It was the only shortfall of all the character descriptions and does make me want to go back and read the series from the beginning.

This book follows Rain and her best friend Julia as they try to solve the murder of one of their book club members, Lily. There are some delicious twists and turns in this delightful cozy mystery that will keep you guessing with enough crumbs to solve it on your own. There is also an abundance of adorable dogs, a welcome addition to any cozy mystery.

This book was paced really nicely and had a really vidid setting. I love books set in alternative library spaces, like Eva Gates’ Lighthouse Library series. This one is a small converted cottage on a lake which was absolutely charming. I wish we spend a little more time in the library and with its patrons as they are all well fleshed out characters that add a lot to the story.

Overall a very enjoyable read. I’m definitely going to go back to the beginning on this series to read some more.