In The Library Murders, author Merryn Allingham once again brings readers a charming 1950s cosy (though there is some blood involved), with a mystery that keeps one guessing, a bookish backdrop and a chance to meet or catch up with the residents of Abbeymead, old and new!

In their eighth adventure, bookshop-owner Flora Steele and her partner in crime solving and now life, mystery writer Jack Carrington are back in their Sussex village of Abbeymead (after their trip to France in their last outing). Here Jack has been roped into helping organise a mystery writers’ conference by Basil Webb, who runs the Dirk and Dagger society. Many eminent crime writers are on the list of speakers and Flora has been invited to set up a stall selling their bestsellers and new releases while the mobile library in the charge of Maud Frobisher, an old friend of Flora’s aunt Violet, will also be present at the venue for those who can’t afford to buy. But the conference has not even opened when Flora makes a chilling discovery, Maud Frobisher killed in cold blood in her van and a man standing beside her with the murder weapon (a very heavy and very bloody Tolkein trilogy, of all things). She is shocked to see that this is Lowell Gracey, an old friend she knew back in college and who was also a friend of Richard, her former boyfriend. Lowell, a chemist, turns out surprisingly to have been working for Maud. And she had with her a first edition Dickens saved up for auction—a book that’s now gone missing.

There is much that is suspicious around Lowell and Inspector Alan Ridley is quick to take him into custody but Flora is not convinced Lowell could be a killer whatever the circumstances may be. Jack on the other hand, perhaps a tad jealous on account of the old friendship isn’t initially keen to help, but soon enough both begin to look into the matter. Lowell was in need of money and had argued with Maud on the day of the murder but it emerges that there are others at or connected with the conference who may have had motive as well—Rose Lawson, a divorcee who has just moved into the village and is in dire straits, Basil Webb the conference organiser himself, and crime writer Felix Wingrave known to go to any lengths to get his hands on a first edition, being among them. But who actually did it?

Alongside, we follow the developments in the village with Flora and Jack’s wedding upcoming (postponed for the conference in fact), a stranger visiting Flora as also the minor tensions that arise between Flora and Jack when they are not quite communicative with each other. Flora’s friends Alice and Kate are excited about the wedding and trying to make preparations while Charlie Teague, Jack’s errand boy is growing up and turning to new ventures.

The Library Murders turned out as delightful a read as I’d expected and I had fun with it all through. While the Flora Steele books generally have plenty to do with books (with Flora’s shop and often a reference or two to the new releases of the time, plus Jack as a writer), this one did even more so with a book as the murder weapon, a stolen first edition, crime writers (published and aspiring) and agents all over the village and even connections with book collectors and speciality book stores. This was something I particularly loved.

As always, I was also pleased to follow along the developments in the village and Flora and Jack’s relationship; the former seeing some changes, for instance in the life of her friend Sally who runs the Priory hotel and young Charlie who’s exhibiting some surprising talents besides of course the excitement around Flora and Jack’s wedding. There are also developments in both Flora and Jack’s lives with unexpected offers coming to each and while a slight disconnect does arise between them, things are mended soon as well. Each time I read one of these books, especially the ones set in Abbeymead, it feels like I’m catching up with news about old friends and acquaintances—and some of the gossip too (incidentally, village gossip or at least that of Flora’s little group of friends provides our sleuths some useful information as well).

The mystery in this instalment was nicely done with developments and a solution I did not see coming. There are plenty of people on whom suspicion falls at one point or other (each of whom has things to hide and possible motive) giving us many possibles to ponder over. This time around, that second body (of course there is one) took me completely by surprise as I neither expected it to turn up when it did, nor did I guess at who it could have possibly been right till the reveal. While by the time of the denouement, one does manage to work out the solution to an extent, there is still a little surprise waiting for us.

I can’t wait to see what mystery faces our sleuths next; their wedding is something to look forward to as well, but I do hope the body doesn’t turn up amidst it!

I liked the concept of having a murder take place during a crime book conference.

I did not like Jack as a person or as Flora's significant other. I felt that he was condescending towards her and wasn't always thinking about their relationship. But also, Flora also wasn't the best with keeping things hidden. I wish that they weren't love interests but instead were just partners in crime, I think I would've liked that dynamic better.

The time period was a great choice for this book. I felt that it added to some of the mystery since there is no social media and no cell phones to make communication easier. It is also just a fun time period to read about, and it definitely added some layers and helped the reader understand why some of the characters are thinking the way that they are.

I feel that some of the investigation fell flat for me. I liked most of the main suspects that there were, but I felt that the investigation into Basil fell short for me.

I hated Ridley as a character, but he did further the plot with letting Flora and Jack investigate by themselves and he did bring in some fun to some of the scenes. Lastly, I felt that the money that Flora gets didn't need to be in the book. It felt like a forgotten plot line in some places, especially since it didn't actually make anyone question Flora at all and what she was doing. I think this could have really added a bunch into the plot if people started to second guess Flora.

In the little town of Abbeymead, far from the beaten track, Jack (crime writer) has been roped into helping organize a crime writers conference for the “Dirk and Dagger Society”. As always Flora (local bookshop owner) is by his side, and has a book stall at the venue. They postponed their wedding to make this event happen.
All seems to be going well, and even the Mobile Library is on site. It’s run by Maud, a close friend of Flora’s aunt. This is one of Maud’s last days as she is looking forward to retiring. On the 2nd morning Flora stops by the van to drop off a gift and finds Maud on the floor, and a someone holding a bloodied book in their hands.
Flora needs to figure out who killed her aunt’s friend, and Jack is at her side.
Lovely, easy read cozy.

Abbeymead is once again awash with crime as it hosts it very own crime writing festival to rival Bloody Scotland!

As a bookshop owner, Flora Steele has been asked to host a stall at the event which is sure to garner much publicity and loads of sales for the All's Well. And as a crime writer in situ, Jack Carrington is well placed to help Basil Webb, founder of the Dirk and Dagger society, host the event and introduce its variety of crime writers.

What no one expects is to find elderly librarian Maud Frobisher dead in her mobile library van on the morning the conference is due to start! And found by none other than amateur sleuth Flora! But then this is Abbeymead...

Inspector Ridley is called in from Brighton and it appears to be an open and shut case in his opinion but Flora is not so sure. Yes, she knows the person who she found standing over the body with a bloodstained copy of "Lord of the Rings" but she finds it difficult to believe that he is the killer. And so with Jack's help, she endeavours to dig deeper to find the real culprit.

It isn't long before another body turns up, this time in the Cross Keys pub, wrapped up tight like a mummy. Significant? Maybe. But what is even more surprising is the identity of the anonymous guest, now body in situ.

Flora and Jack must work doubly hard to prove the police's current suspect's innocence by digging deeper to uncover the real motive and real killer. But can they do so before it's too late? And with their own wedding to plan in their midst?

Another entertaining addition to this delightful cosy series in which Flora and Jack, and even Charlie Teague, endear the reader to become firm favourites that warm the heart. Another wonderful read that was quick to devour and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.

Can't wait for book 9 and the prospect of Flora and Jack's upcoming nuptials. A murder at the wedding I see coming...

I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheLibraryMurders in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

The novels in this seres are one better than the previous as there a sense of passing of time in the evolution of the characters and the historical facts.
Flora and Jack grew on me boook by book and I loved how they investigated in this solid mystery
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I absolutely love this series, its one of my favourites. The storylines are so well written and I love the era.
I can often find Flora slightly annoying but Jack is a wonderful character.
I highly recommend this series, yes you can read as a stand alone but its much better to read in order.

Name of Book: The Library Murders
Series: The Flora Steel Mysteries #8
Author: Merryn Allingham
Genre: Cozy Mystery/
Publisher: Bookouture
Pub Date: February 20, 2024
My Rating: :3.6 rounded up
Pages: 288

It is the summer of 1958 and bookshop owner Flora Steele owner of “All’s Well’ and her crime novelist fiancé, Jack Carrington are attending a Crime Writers Conference in an old schoolhouse in the quaint village of Abbeymead.
Flora brought books to sell and Jack is helping the organizer, Basil Webb who is the President of the Dirk and Dagger Society.

Maud Frobisher who is friends with Flora’s Aunt Violet Steele – has the mobile library to the school playground. She has two reasons for doing this
1. Books are expensive and some may wish to check out a library book. The other reason
2. She has received a donation of an illustrated first edition of “A Christmas Carol” published in 1843- which is accompanied with a letter from Dickens.

Maud plans to auction the book so that the funds may be used help fund the mobile service.

The next morning a few minutes before the conference was starting Flora stops by the Mobile Library as she has a birthday gift for Maud; however, when she arrives she is surprised that the door is still closed. She knocks but when it isn’t answered she trying the door handle and sure enough it opens. She sees Maud on the floor and a man with a bloody heavy book standing over her. The man is Lowell Gracey a friend!

Jack and Flora amateur sleuths immediately start investigating and discover that the first edition book that Maud is so proud of is missing!

I always enjoy reading the Author’s Note in this case Ms. Allingham ‘A Letter from Merry’ she tells us that she finds the 1950s a fascinating period. Seeming conforming but under the surface there is a rebellion brewing.

I believe we are going to hear about the 1950’s in her next story.
I found this story entertaining; even though I hadn’t read the earlier books in the series, I wasn’t lost.
Now I am curious what adventure Merryn Allingham has in store for Flora and Jack.

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 20. 2024.

I thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader copy of “The Library Murders.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are well up in their “amateur detective” game again in “The Library Murders,” eighth in the series by Merryn Allingham. This time they’re caught up in putting the pieces together for who killed the retiring librarian in her mobile library, building a case for the local constabulary. And that’s just the start.

For all that Flora and Jack work to discover, and it’s a lot (“The Library Murders” will keep you busy from page to page), age-old reasons for murder are never out of style. An engaging book filled with a thought-provoking plot and, for fans of the series, more updates in the lives of our series characters, with some interesting changes that bode well for the future.

Abbeymead is hosting a Crime Writers’ conference at the local school, Jack is an organiser & Flora has a bookstall. Flora goes to the local travelling library van, which is parked in the school playground, planning to deliver a retirement gift to librarian Maud Frobisher. But Flora is shocked when she finds Maud slumped in the corner, and even more startled when she recognises the man holding the murder weapon – an enormous hardback book.Flora’s known Lowell Gracey since her college days, he’s now working for Maud and the main suspect in her murder. Suspicion mounts when Flora and Jack discover that Lowell is heavily in debt, and that a priceless rare Charles Dickens first edition has gone missing, but Lowell is adamant that he’s innocent, and Flora believes him. Of course the couple are once more drawn into an investigation, then the village is rocked by the discovery of a second body.
The eighth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own the relationships between the inhabitants of Abbeymead have grown & changed. There are quite a number of suspects as well as twists & turns plus red herrings. Flora & Jack are at odds at times, maybe prewedding nerves? But eventually they put their differences to one side & work together to find the villain. I love this gentle cosy mystery series the characters have depth & with each new book it’s like catching up with old friends. A very well written engrossing murder mystery, which I thoroughly enjoyed
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I like the characters and the English small town setting. This is another good read in the series. Things are progressing in the character's lives. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bookstore owner Flora Steele already has a full schedule with an upcoming event. It is a Crime Writers' Conference and Flora hopes to sell books during the event. However, she takes time away as she plans on delivering a gift to retiring librarian Maud Frobisher. As Flora approaches the library where Maud works, things do not look right. In fact, it does not take Flora long to realize what happened. Jack, Flora's fiancé Jack, a crime writer, will also be at the conference.

Not only does Flora see a man standing rather close to Maud's body, she sees that he is holding something that clearly has blood on it. Putting two and two together, Flora is certain that she has run into the murderer.

Flora and Jack live in the small village of Abbeymead and they are no strangers to nefarious activities. It is always fun to see Flora diving in headfirst while Jack tries to show more restraint, even when danger plays a huge role.

It is hard to believe that The Library Murders is the eighth book in the delightful Flora Steele cozy mystery series. Having read and enjoyed all of the previous books in the series, I am glad to say that the stories are fresh, the characters are well-written and there is always a fair amount of intrigue. Meanwhile, Flora and Jack's wedding is coming up, albeit delayed by the conference. Many fans like me are eager for book nine so that we can see if the wedding will soon take place.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.

With a crime festival running over a few days, a few authors giving talks and Flora with a stand of books from All's Well, Jack - as one of the organisers - and Flora were looking forward to the event. When she went to the library bus before the festival opened, to give her Aunt Violet's good friend, Maud Frobisher, a gift for her retirement, Flora was shocked and horrified to find Maud lying in a heap, her safe door wide open. Maud was dead and a man Flora hadn't seen in many years was standing over her with a blood stained book in his hands.

Alan Ridley, local area policeman, was soon on the scene and was immediately sure he had an open and shut case. But Flora wasn't so sure, and it wasn't long before Jack came to her way of thinking. Jack and Flora had postponed their wedding because of the crime festival, now to take place in October. So between the two of the amateur sleuths, they were determined to find Maud's killer. When another body was discovered, they knew there was much more to find...

The Library Murders is the 8th in the Flora Steele Mystery series by Merryn Allingham and it was entertaining. Flora and Jack always manage to get themselves elbow deep in trouble and this one was a beauty! With a storyline of books and libraries, what more could a reader want! Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

cozy-mystery, bookmobile, bookseller, England, village, first-edition, theft, murder, investigation, amateur-sleuth, fiance, local-law-enforcement, 1950s, twisty, friendship, rural, famous-author, local-gossip, relationships, threats, suspense, suspicion, writers, wry-humor*****

Flora and Jack involve themselves into the murder of their beloved librarian and theft of a valuable first edition during a crime author seminar. Old friends and new contribute to the red herrings and twists. Several people turned out to be in serious need of money and there was that near miss that injured Jack. Very well done!
I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Pub Date 20 Feb 2024

I couldn´t really get warm with this book, obviously the eighth in the series. Explanation of the events having happened in the other books are explained person-wise, but at first it was irritating. Flora and Jack are the couple that investigate on their own. On the one hand they don´t seem like they are in love or would want to marry, on the other hand it´s a black-and-white description of the police who only keep to one suspect and the couple plus friend who are more intelligent than them. The setting is good but not very well written, I couldn´t get into the feeling.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Another solid entry into the Flora Steele series. With number eight we continue to see Flora and Jack's relationship blossom as they solve even more murders! Lovely series!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

This is the eighth book in the Flora Steele Mystery series.

A Crime Writers Conference is taking place in the village of Abbeymead and Jack and Flora are both involved, Jack as an organiser and Flora selling books. Not one but two murders set the scene for our pair of sleuths to begin investigating.

It is a good story with plenty of suspects and a nice, calm, 195o's feel to it. No mobile phones or computers always tend to make crime investigations more relaxed. I am hoping the author soon runs out of ways to keep our two main characters unmarried though. They seemed to work very independently in this book, and I wanted to see them communicating more.

Maybe a wedding in the next book???

This book is a delightful tale, with a rural background and period (1950s) setting. I have read previous books in this series and it is satisfying to see the development of Jack and Flora’s relationship, as well as lesser characters such as young Charlie. However, it would work equally well as a stand alone novel. I always find it enjoyable to read a book where books themselves are so important! I highly recommend this book, and the whole series. I hope there are many more to come.

The Library Murders is the newest book of Flora Steele Mysteries Serie and it’s a page turner book full of realistic characters, secrets, and intrigue. This book takes place in the summer of 1958 and follows Flora – the bookshop owner - and Jack – crime writer - in the midst of a murder investigation.

The setting was quite nice, English countryside in the 1950’s and the twists and turns was quite entertaining. I felt like this book is a cozy mystery one, that made me feel relaxed while unraveling a murder investigation.

This was the first book I read in this series but I’ll be reading the rest of them because it was such a wonderful cozy mystery story, with a great pace and well written in such a cozy little setting.

Thank you, Bookouture & NetGalley, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.

Another great addition to this series. Love the characters, the setting and the plot was, as always, captivating. Flora and Jack find themselves once again in the midst of a murder investigation, this time of her dear aunt's friend. Determined to find justice for her, Flora and Jack start digging. What they uncover is a lot of motives, and many suspects. Narrowing down will be difficult, especially when their top suspect also turns up murdered. This is a wonderful cozy mystery series, highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Library Murders
Flora finds the body of an old friend of her late Aunt’s in the mobile library van. And a rare book was stolen. The police think it is an open and shut case but Flora doesn’t agree. Even though it is a small village, there are several suspects with a motive.
I like the writing style. It is a traditional cozy mystery set in a classic English village.