In this 7th book in the series, Carrie and Dylan are planning their wedding while Carrie excitedly opens the library's new space with artwork. When one of the art people she is working with turns up dead, Carrie springs into investigative action. Library ghost Evelyn does not provide much help in this volume, and library cat Smoky Joe continues to be a pain in the neck. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC.

Carrie Singleton is busy with her job at the Clover Ridge Library, preparing for her wedding to Dylan Avery, and hoping that the local art gallery doesn’t steal away one of her part-time employees. Her fiancé Dylan accompanies her to the beautiful home of Victor Zalinka—art collector and successful businessman—to select paintings for an art show at the library. While Carrie muses that Victor's home would be the perfect wedding venue, Dylan spots a forgery among the paintings in Victor's collection. Then Martha Mallory is found murdered in her art gallery. With the assistance of Evelyn, the library ghost; the resident cat, Smoky Joe; and the office manager of Dylan’s private investigation company, Carrie comes up with a long suspect list. During her investigation, Carrie stumbles across a terrible truth: 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.

I never pass up a book in this series and have read most of them, so I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the newest one. This one focuses in or art forgery and is written well. The characters continue to grow and the descriptions of the area are so well done that I can picture it in my mind. I am going to go back and read the ones I missed as I anticipate the next one!

I found Overdue or Die by Allison Brook extremely difficult to get into. Although it is proficiently written, the first few chapters are so dry and lacking in anything interesting happening, I decided that the book was not for me. Rather than spend any more time reading a book I wasn't enjoying, I decided to put it into the DNF file.
It does have a lovely cover, though.
However, I do appreciate receiving the ARC of #OverdueorDie from #NetGalley .

Overdue to Die is the 7th book in the Haunted Ly series. It takes place in the town of Clover Ridge, CT. The main character is Carrie Singleton who works at the Clover Ridge Library as head of Programs and Events. There are the characters that have represented the town as well as the other ones that add to the story. Dylan Avery is her fiancé who owns a private investigation company with his partner, Randall MacDonald known as Mac. Al Tripp, Carrie's father works for them. She lives in a cottage on his family's property.

Other members of the library are Sally Prescott, director, Angela Prisco, Trish Templeton and Susan Roberts all work at the library and good friends of Carrie's. Marion Marshall is the children's librarian. Evelyn Havers is the ghost that lives at the library which only Carrie can see.

The story opens with Carrie and her great-aunt, Harriet at the hospital as her great-uncle, Bosco has had a heart attack. He is to remain in the hospital. Carrie's aunt and uncle live in town in a large Victorian house on the village green. While at the hospital Carrie and her aunt Harriet are in the hospital cafe and run into Babette an art teacher. She is sitting with Victor Zelinka, owns an import and export business and Leroy Gumm a painter.

The library has added a new addition and is going to have a grand opening. It was an old abandon house next to the library that was sold to the library by Albert and Marcella Whitehead. Marcella's family had bought the house years ago. At the reception it was interrupted by an older woman Emily Pierce Fielding who claimed that the house that was made into the addition still belonged in her family and she came to claim it. It was later proven that the property was indeed sold and that Emily was suffering from Dementia. She and her niece,
Taylor Reston, who is taking care of her were staying in town at the Inn on the Green.

Dylan had inherited a Terrance Haggerty painting which was valuable from his uncle Alex and left for a few days to close his uncles home and to collect the painting. He was meeting a Jack Winslow who was keeping the painting for his uncle. Carrie did not hear from him but later got a call that he was in the hospital. He was found unconscious and the painting was missing. Because of the painting was stolen they found out that there was a group who were stealing valuable paintings and copying them and sold them as originals.

The story picks up with the death of Emily who died falling down stairs, Martha who ran an art galley with her husband, Ron and Denny Sullivan whose father Mick is a mafia boss. A lot starts to happen which is too much to put on paper. I will let the reader enjoy the twists and turns of this story to the exciting ending.

I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next adventure of Carrie and Dylan with their upcoming wedding.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.

Setting the Scene: There is a lot going on in Carrie Singleton's life. Her beloved Great-Uncle Bosco is hospitalized for a heart attack. Carrie and her fiance, Dylan Avery, are planning their wedding, and the new library building is busy with new programs, including an art gallery. When local art gallery owner, Martha Mallory, is murdered at her own gallery, the suspect list is long, and more than one asks for Carrie's and Dylan's help to prove their innocence. In their search for the truth, Carrie and Dylan uncover a much larger plot than anyone suspected.

What I Thought: Carrie and Dylan are one of my favorite couples, and they do not disappoint in this outing. Carrie is intelligent and while she does take a few risks, she is not given to TSTL moments. Dylan may be one of my favorites, in part, because he gets Carrie. While he is concerned for her safety, he accepts her need to follow clues and provides whatever support he can. The mystery is well plotted, and the characters likeable, both the regulars and the new ones. Evelyn, the resident Library ghost, seems to have less and less to do with the events in the books. In this one, she was rather annoying with her demands but lack of helpfulness.. Unless she takes a more proactive role in future books, it would not bother me to see her written out. That said, it did not detract rom my enjoyment, and I cannot wait for the next book.

Carrie should be planning her wedding to Dylan while in the midst of putting the finishing touches on the new library addition as well as planning events for the new space. However, on top of this is appears that she may have to worry about her assistant Susan leaving the library to work t an art gallery. It’s a good thing that Carrie is good at juggling things because on top of everything else, there is now a murder to solve.
Allison Brook does not disappoint in this seventh book in the series. The characters are delightful and the story flows well. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! This is a very well-written cozy mystery. I like that it kept me guessing until the end. This is a complex case with lots of twists and turns. Fun! I really like the characters and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Carrie has her hands full in this one, the haunted library, a wedding to plan, keeping a part-time employee, choosing artwork and solving a mystery, whew! A great addition to the series.

As always Allison Brook has written a book that sucks you in and keeps you going. This cozy mystery read is the 7th book in the Haunted Library Mystery. This is probably my favorite book in this series so far. She creates characters that you love to love and love to hate.

This is the seventh book in the Haunted Library series. I really enjoyed this book. In this story, librarian Carrie Singleton and her fiancée Dylan are starting to plan their wedding but are having difficulty finding a unique and elegant place to have it. Carrie and Dylan want to get married in the next six months or so, and everything locally has been booked for months.

Carrie and her fiancée are invited to art collector Victor Zalinka's home to choose some art for the library's art show in the new wing. Dylan spots a forgery in Victor's collection and is distracted; however, Carrie imagines what a lovely location for a wedding Victor's home would be.

When local art gallery owner Martha Mallory is found murdered in her shop, Carrie becomes involved in the investigation at Victor's request, to clear his name. I enjoyed this book very much, and I'm looking forward to the book when Dylan and Carrie get married.

One of my favorite parts of this series is the library ghost Evelyn, however she was not as prominent in this book and seems a little disconnected to Carrie in this latest installment. Evelyn was friends with Martha when she was alive and wants Carrie to find the killer but seems irritated when Carrie's life prevents her from fully investigating. to Evelyn's satisfaction.

I do eagerly look forward to the next book in the series and enjoyed this book! My thanks to the publishers and #NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have loved this entire A Haunted Library Mystery series from Allison Brook! The character development and growth of Carrie have been so fun to follow along with. Allison Brook does an amazing job of weaving numerous mysteries within one story...and still leaving us wanting more! Evelyn, particularly, is a consistent mystery. Whenever one mystery about her receives an answer, it feels like 40 new questions and mysteries arise!

"Overdue or Die" follows Carrie through the treacherous world of black market art forgeries, murder, and mobs. After the death of local art gallery owner, Martha, a secret is revealed that shocks the town. Their beloved Martha was in the world of art forgeries! Was she the mastermind behind the whole forgery ring? When another death occurs, it leaves everyone wondering if it's coincidence or connected to Martha's murder. The death of a mob boss's son adds to the already complicated drama. As Carrie and Dylan work to untangle the mysteries, keep more murders from happening, and plan their wedding, one is left wondering if this time will prove to be too much!

The seventh book, Overdue or Die, is another great book in the series. The leading character, Carrie, feels very real and relatable. She's smart and rational - it's enjoyable following her thoughts and feelings. She didn’t have an ideal childhood and struggles some with relationships but she has grown a lot through the series. The author spends the right amount of time on her friendships and romantic relationship, as well as the mystery. I like that the stories (in the series) are written pretty close to each other, regarding the time they take place (I don't mean regarding how often the author gets one published - I appreciate the time given to write/edit so there aren't mistakes). Since the writing and character development is so great, the reader really gets to know the characters and one begins to feel a part of the group.

The murder mystery is interesting, it revolves around an art gallery as well as forged paintings. The library where Carrie works is expanding (in size and programs), which is fun to read about as well. The ghost aspect is just one tiny piece of the story. It’s really just one ghost who occasionally visits Carrie at the library. She just seems like another character/friend who happens to be a ghost. I can't wait for the next book. This is such a great series, I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this wonderful ARC. I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I will post this review to my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, & Amazon accounts on the publication date, 10/3/23.

Overdue or Die is a wonderful addition to this addictive cozy mystery series. There is lots if suspense, plenty of red herrings. and likeable well developed characters. This is a good whodunit that kept me guessing until the end. My thanks to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to Read and review this ARC. I highly recommend this book and cant wait to read the next installment in this delightful series.

I have enjoyed reading this series form the beginning. There has been a growth of the characters and the storyline since then that continues to make the books better. In this book, there is a lot going on with many small mysteries. The death of the gallery owner is probably the main plot line but the others seem to become entwined with it. Overall it is a satisfying read.

"Allison Brook's "Overdue or Die" is a captivating cozy mystery that combines the love of books with a thrilling whodunit. With its charming small-town setting, engaging characters, and a cleverly crafted plot, this book is a delightful addition to the genre, sure to keep readers guessing until the very end.

The story revolves around Carrie Singleton, the head librarian at Clover Ridge Library, a cozy haven for bookworms and mystery enthusiasts. When a local businessman is found dead inside the library, Carrie becomes entangled in a web of secrets and suspects. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers that the victim had a hidden past, and the library holds clues that could unveil the truth behind his demise.

Allison Brook excels at creating a vibrant and relatable cast of characters. Carrie Singleton is a smart and resourceful protagonist, passionate about her job and determined to uncover the truth. Her interactions with the quirky residents of Clover Ridge bring the small-town setting to life, with each character adding their own unique charm and quirks to the story.

The mystery itself is intricately plotted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. Brook's storytelling skill shines as she carefully reveals clues and red herrings, keeping the suspense taut throughout. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of intrigue, humor, and character development to blend seamlessly.

"Overdue or Die" is an engaging and entertaining cozy mystery that will delight fans of the genre. Allison Brook's skillful storytelling, engaging characters, and love for books make for an enjoyable reading experience. This book is a perfect choice for cozy mystery lovers, combining a puzzling mystery with a charming small-town atmosphere. Readers will eagerly await the next installment in Carrie Singleton's adventures at Clover Ridge Library.

Carrie Singleton is very busy. She's planning a wedding, putting the finishing touches on the new library addition, and planning all the events that are being held in the newly expanded space. When her assistant, Susan, starts working for a local art gallery, Carrie fears she's about to lose a valuable employee, but that becomes an afterthought as the gallery is suddenly plagued with issues- including murder.

This series has improved tremendously! In the beginning I liked the stories but found Carrie's fake-goth persona and attention seeking behavior trying. She's grown so much, become more serious about her career, gotten involved with a good guy, and formed a healthy relationship with her formerly neglectful (at best) parents that has obviously healed some old wounds. I really enjoyed this book, the art forgery angle being an unusual and interesting topic. I did miss her aunt and uncle, who played a much smaller role than in previous books.

One thing did kind of bother me. Carrie is a full-fledged adult who's had her own household for several years. Dylan is a full-fledged adult who's had his own household for years and who inherited a large property with two houses and boatloads of money and also owns his own successful company. When they get married they'll be the richest couple in town and they'll have two of everything they need to run a household... but they're setting up two gift registries? For their engagement party? So their friends and family who are less well-off than they are can buy them a 3rd of a bunch of things they already have? I'm sorry, but that's just tacky.

Overall this is a series that is reliably good and getting better, I do plan to continue it.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

library-cat, library, librarian, family, friendship, friends, relatives, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, ghosts, suspense, art-theft, detective, swindles, angst, art-forgery, series, private-investigators****

Carrie is a librarian who is engaged to Dylan (who is a Private Investigator specializing in art thefts) and in the midst of planning their wedding. Then her beloved uncle has a heart attack, Dylan gets beaten and left in a parking lot in Chicago while a valuable painting is stolen from him, the library has an Open House for their new building but it goes awry, and local art gallery manager Martha gets murdered. Let the sleuthing begin! Lots of suspects, plot twists, and red herrings along with some sly humor. Loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from Crooked Lane Books. Thank you!

this is another wonderful suspense story . carrie and dylan are planning the wedding but one of the owners of the art gallery is found dead. and carry is asked to help find out what happened. it turns out there are a lot of people who did not like her . this is a well written story that you will keep reading to the end i was given a copy of the book by netgalley but this is an houest review

Warning, as I've thought about this review in my head, it sounded very complainy considering I'm giving the book 4 stars. It's just a bunch of small nitpicks, I truly do enjoy this series. I picked up this series because I wanted a little light paranormal twist to a book, and this has one, but Evelyn is much more of a deceased character than any player in story....bums me out, but the rest of the cast of characters are endearing enough to keep me coming back. There's so much murder in this small town that it's not entireley plausible considering Carrie isn't in a large bustling city - I'd love to see her go out of town with Dylan for HIS work and then stumble on a death.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5557150779

The new library extension is set to open. While Carrie’s uncle is in the hospital with a heart attack her aunt and other donors will be in attendance at the dedication ceremony. The ceremony is disrupted by a former resident, Emily Fielding, claiming she owns the building. While that claim is settled there is still the issue of a house she says she still owns in town. The town is distracted from that controversy when art gallery owner Martha Mallory is murdered. There is suspicion that the gallery may be involved in selling art forgeries. Carrie’s fiancé Dylan found a forgery, purchased from Martha, in the collection of Victor Zalinka while he and Carries chose paintings for a display in the new library. Soon there is another murder and Carrie finds herself involved in the hunt for the killer.
These are quick, pleasant reads, almost more just a story of Carrie’s life with a tiny bit of a mystery thrown in. The regular characters are nice people, Carrie’s involvement in the mysteries does not strain credulity though the cat and the ghost seem almost irrelevant to the mysteries and the story itself.