Life isn’t boring for Carrie Singleton these days. Between planning her wedding, working, and worrying that a local art gallery will steal her assistant, Carrie has a lot on her plate. And when a local art gallery owner, Martha Mallory, is found murdered, Carrie can’t help but get involved. With the help of a ghost, Carrie discovers that Martha’s murder is just the tip of the iceberg. What was Martha involved in? What got her killed? And can Carrie live long enough to find out who the killer is?

Overdue or Die is the 7th book in The Haunted Library series. While this can be read as a standalone book, I recommend reading books 1-6 first. That way, you can understand what is going on in the book. This is something that I wish I had done.

I needed help getting comfortable reading Overdue or Die. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. The mystery was written well, but I felt it was drawn out in places. I feel the same way about the secondary storylines as well.

The main storyline in Overdue or Die centers around Carrie and her investigation into Martha’s murder. While I liked the storyline and felt it was interesting, I couldn’t get into it. Much was happening besides Martha’s murder, and I thought it took away from the main storyline.

The mystery angle in Overdue or Die was interesting. But, again, it was overshadowed by everything else that was going on in the book. I was taken by surprise at who Martha’s killer ended up being and what the motive was. But, the reveal was at the end of a meandering plotline that did go off course several times during the book. There are a couple of twists that did take me by surprise.

The end of Overdue or Die was run of the mill. The reveal of the killer and Carrie’s involvement in it was interesting. I am not sure if I want to read book eight or not.

I would recommend Overdue or Die to anyone over 16. There is language, violence, and fade to black sexual situations.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and Allison Brook for allowing me to read and review Overdue or Die. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

Carrie Singleton, librarian in the quant old town of Clover Ridge, has enough on her plate between work and planning her wedding, when she’s pulled into solving the mystery of a murdered gallery owner. This bookish cosy mystery series takes a side-step into the art world, as the new library building is due to host a big exhibition – and the patron loaning them the paintings might just be tangled up in more than he seems. Drawing on her fiancé’s role as an art investigator, Carrie is once more snooping around to uncover the truth.

I do quite like arty things, otherwise I’m not sure this book wouldn’t have disappointed me in straying away from the library and dealing with books – cosy mystery not necessarily the genre for ‘mixing things up’. But it worked okay for me, as another topic of interest. Even then, I did find some of the coincidentally criss-crossing narrative a little too conveniently tying itself up, but… cosy, yes, remember the cosy.

On that front, I mostly like the balance in this series. Yes, there’s a lot of wedding planning chat, but it’s handled in an un-saccharine way. Dylan and Carrie make a nice couple. As with any cosy, there are a lot of irrelevant, ‘scenes of life’ stuff that doesn’t add much for me, like the opening in the hospital and then frequent mentions of how the ‘new diet’ has to be sugar-free, etc. It’s fluff, honestly. Other recurring elements, like Smokey the cat, Evelyn the library ghost that gives the series its name – are over and under used, respectively. The latter in particular has never felt like a strong enough hook for the series.

The mystery takes a few turns I didn’t see coming, which isn’t always the case. This perhaps relies a little too much on introducing quite a few side-plots: art theft and forgery, the mafia, crooked lawyers and more.

And yet, it’s all still an enjoyable enough read. Not my favourite bookish cosy mystery series, and not my favourite instalment of this series, but if you’ve been following along it adds to the ongoing tale, and even if you haven’t there’s plenty to enjoy.

Things are getting exciting for Carrie Singleton as the library gets ready for the opening of their new extension just before Thanksgiving and a wedding in her future. On other fronts things aren't quite as rosy as she has to come to terms with family illness and the possibility of losing one of her work colleagues.

Of course Carrie still has her ghostly literary friend, Evelyn, visiting daily who sets about persuading her to investigate when one of the small town’s commercial stalwarts and a previous close friend is killed. With her new case centered in fiancé Dylan's field of expertise the two find themselves working together but the killer hasn't finished with Clover Ridge yet and as the weather gets colder more bodies are discovered and the stakes rise ever higher.

Book seven in this satisfying cosy crime series is another life affirming trip through Carrie Singleton's small town library and surrounding area. The main protagonists are all present but with an extra vulnerability which adds another layer to this well written and fun installment. The epilogue hints at things to come which will hopefully provide another mystery before too long.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun holiday read which is part of a lovely cosy crime series.

I had very much enjoyed the previous book in the series, but sadly this new installment fell flat for me and I couldn't get into it.

Intriguing read. But maybe not for me. I felt it was slow and didn’t engage me to want to come back and read. A lot of descriptions of day to day events which need not be included so frequently.
Loved the characters and felt like I knew them, but the plot seemed a little muddled at times and ‘lost’ me, some repetitive storylines which could have been omitted.
A warm story to read in the winter.

Bad first- this wedding planning is going on forever and is quite boring, I really hope they get it over with in the next book.
Good- the murder and plot behind it had a really intricate and interesting idea behind it. I can see how people get themselves caught up in dangerous situations without realizing the consequences from small mistakes that lead to big ones.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley, and Allison Brook for the delightful cozy Overdue or Die. This was a fun read in the Haunted Library series and I loved catching up with all the characters in the town of Clover Ridge. If you love a great mystery series centered around a library, a small town, and loveable characters then this is the perfect series for you.

After a slow build, we find ourselves in the midst of not just pressing wedding planning but murder, organized crime, and art forgery. While art issues seem more husband-to-be Dylan's forte, Carrie finds herself right in the middle of not just one but, whoa, three murder investigations. And, oh, poor Dylan is whacked over the head and an inherited painting stolen, too, not to mention they're dealing with Uncle Otto's hospitalization for a heart attack. No wonder Carrie's finding it difficult to focus of wedding plans.

The blurb does an excellent job sharing the plot, so won't get into that here. I'll note, however, that I missed library ghost Evelyn, who doesn't seem to have any real part to play in this story other than encouraging Carrie to investigate the death of her old friend Martha, who was killed in her family's art gallery. The art talk was interesting, but it's the characters that always draw me back, so missed Evelyn. Actually, maybe it was the stress, but Carrie didn't appear her usual rather focused self. She seemed almost happy to shove aside wedding plans to look into the murder, jumps to several conclusions, then insists she isn't investigating when pressed by several others.

One of her worries is art based, however, as she fears her extraordinary library staff member, Susan, may be being lured away by the art world. Friends and family are important. Carrie's dad, a retired, uh, criminal, or should I say reformed criminal now working for the right side of the law, gets involved in the main investigation, well, sorta, but is a help to Dylan as they try to sort through the art forgery ring. In other words, there are a great deal things going on, some seemingly related, some seemingly not. There are several suspects and, oh, yeah, many, many red herrings.

Bottom line, although I wasn't quite as tuned into this one as usual, I did enjoy the read and recommend it to others. While it works as a standalone, if you've read other books in the series it'll help you sort out the relationships and connections more quickly, I think. Dementia is involved in one situation, btw, so be aware. Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me to the opening of the library extension. It's been a long time coming! Now, let's get those wedding plans solidified, Carrie, now that you've found a perfect setting.

Interesting characters and several twists along the way. A very good read

Thank you to Allison Brook, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this book

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the arc! Another great cozy mystery novel. Enjoyed all of the characters! The author did a great job pulling this reader into the story. Will recommend!

This is exceptional cozy series with all the perfect elements for a suspenful fun cozy mystery. This is the 7th in series and one of my favorites of the series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.
My review opinons are my own.

In this fun next in series our protagnist Carrie the librarian , her savvy library ghost and her smart cat are out to solve a murder that occured at a art galley. She is also preparing for her wedding to Dylan a private investigator. When they attend a meeting at a wealthy residents home to review paintings for a showing at the library her savvy fiance sees that one is a forgery. When a murder then occurs at a local art galley of the galley owner Carrie investigates with Dylan's help and soon the red herrings and clues are adding up to suspicion that may be related to the galley and the forgery.

I enjoy the charcters, the well crafted sleuth and the fast pace of this next in series. This is the perfect cozy read that I highly recommmend.

This series is a bit of hit-or-miss and this one was a hit as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was glad to catch up with the characters, enjoyed the story and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Release Date: October 3, 2023

📖📖📖📖📖

Carrie Singleton has more than her fair share on her plate: her job at the Clover Ridge Library, preparing for her wedding to Dylan Avery, and hoping that the local art gallery, run by Martha and Ron Mallory, doesn’t steal away one of her part-time employees. When Martha Mallory is found murdered in her art gallery. After a little digging Carrie finds that Martha’s murder was part of something far bigger and more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. And it all leads back to the art gallery.

This is the seventh book in the #hauntedlibrary mystery series. Ive read every single book in this series so far and absolutely love them! This book was a bit slower than the previous. It felt more anxiety ridden as Carrie deals with her issues regarding her upcoming wedding. I also would have like to seen more Evelyn in this book. This book is not the best in the series but it feels like it was being used to drive the series forward to the next book which I am eagerly anticipating. I highly recommend this series!!

#overdueordie #hauntedlibrarymysteries #hauntedlibrary #allisonbrook
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When I signed up for this ARC, it was because I fell in love with the title and the blurb- the cover is cute as well!
So I was very happy when I got the chance to read this ARC for a review. Especially since I love me some good cosy-mystery!

But I found it very hard to get through the book, I found the pacing too slow and could not get into the story. Somehow this book was not it for me, so I had to dnf the book.
I do appreciate and thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC.

Story has charming cozy town setting and a unique heroine. The detailed information makes the reader not want to put it down. There is also lots details on where things take place and info on the characters.

Although the seventh book in the Haunted Library Mysteries series, Ms. Brook has presented a fresh new mystery for Carrie Singleton to solve.

The plot moved smoothly with just enough twists, turns and red herrings to keep me busily turning the pages to find out what clues Carrie or Dylan would find next. The secondary characters always play a big part in each of these books as they often provide clues to Carrie as she investigates. The suspect pool was very limited in this story, and I can honestly say that I was totally surprised by the reveal of the killer. A enjoyable addition to this cozy series.

A story with many twists and turns, but you know what? I loved it. The pieces of clues in this puzzle were complex and mysterious. They held my attention to the very end. Although Carrie’s character was annoying at times, with her nosiness, it was enjoyable and captivating nonetheless. This book entertained and engaged with intrigue and excitement on every page.

I thank NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and the author for this ARC.
All views expressed in this review are my own and based on my reading of this book. Some of the comments were made as I progressed in this book and I have not tried editing them as it expresses my contiguous thoughts as I proceeded with the story.

This is a book in a long running series, the seventh in fact. It reads fine as a standalone although seems advisable to read earlier books to get series nuances.
For me this is the first book from this author.
The premise seems simple or is it?
The blurb acts as a nice teaser and puts the story in perspective. The book more so.
The story builds up cooking slowly. Carrie our protagonist is in the process of planning her wedding with her fiancée Dylan and as a program director plans the opening of a new part of the library. The reception is rudely interrupted by a lady who says they are trespassing and claims that this is her property. The lady Emily then turns up at other places claiming she owns them and we find out that the poor dear is suffering from dementia and is being looked after by her niece.
Carrie's husband runs a private eye organization and she herself brings her amateur sleuthing abilities to everything. He recently came into an inheritance of a valuable painting which is stolen as he is attacked a short time after possession. The person who handed him the painting seems to have fled. Dylan and Carrie find out that there is a group of art thieves operating who steal originals and create forgeries which they then proceed to sell to unsuspecting buyers.
When one of the art gallery folks, (a husband wife combo with a mafia relative partner), the wife Martha Mallory gets killed raising questions of her or her husband Ron's involvement in the forgeries. The death of Emily which seems like an accident also adds to the suspicions list.
Carrie springs into action with her team of ghost, cat, etc. and comes up with a list of prospective suspects and the investigative duo with Dylan start uncovering deeper stories.

The book has some annoying side shows like the ghost and cat which does not add to the story and in many ways slows it down. I can understand that they have played significant roles in previous books and this is where not having read any of the other books made me a little hamstrung. Not having significant roles here they could have been maybe just heard and not seen and read which would have improved the readability of this book for a new reader.
For series fans this may not be the case.
But bottom-line I can't say I didn't enjoy this one although not the sweet spot for me.
I will recommend the book.

In this mystery there are hints of trouble coming until the big bad finally does. There’s a build up to the mystery. The writing reminds me of Debbie Macomber if she did cozy mysteries. Carrie is an amateur sleuth that uses her ease of talking to people and being kinda nosy. You really have to use the subtle clues all throughout to piece things together. Her seeing ghosts is a fun bonus though not really used much in this book.

This is the 7th book in this series. I have read all the ones that come before it. It could probably be read as a standalone but I would highly suggest reading from the first. I will continue on this journey with Carrie.


Will post on Instagram closer to publication date however my review is on goodreads.

Carrie Singleton, program director, is getting ready for the opening of the new library addition. The reception is interrupted by an older woman, Emily Fielding, who claims she still owns the building. However, the building was sold and Emily is suffering from dementia. Emily also claims she owns other properties in Clover Ridge. Was her death accidental?
Dylan Avery, Carrie's fiancé, runs a private investigation firm and has recently inherited a valuable painting. When Dylan is attacked and the painting stolen, it is revealed that there is a group stealing valuable paintings, having forgeries painted and sold to unsuspecting buyers.
The Clover Ridge art gallery is owned and run by Martha and Ron Mallory. When Martha is murdered, the question arises as to whether she and/or her husband are involved in the forgeries. As Carrie looks into the backgrounds of people involved with the gallery, interesting information is uncovered. Will Carrie unmask
the killer before someone else dies?
#OverdueorDie #NetGalley