Better Off Read by Nora Page
Book #1: Bookmobile Mystery Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 3/5 stars

**MINI-REVIEW**

The Bottom Line: In truth, I switched this review from full-blown to mini when I realized, not much of this book stayed with me. I still have an overall positive feeling about the book, but I didn’t retain a great deal of details, and that’s not ever a good sign. I liked Cleo well enough, but I liked her cat better; if the cat were the focus of the book, that would be awesome, and the star rating would be higher. I liked the plot, but it didn’t bowl me over. I liked the secondary characters, but no one really stood out. You see where I’m going with this? I generally liked everything about this book, but not enough to get super-excited and shout it out to the world. If I happen across the next book in the series, I’ll add it to the old TBR list, but I’m not going to go looking for the second book, and if I find it, it won’t be going to the top of the TBR list.

Cleo Watkins is seventy-five and a librarian. Or, rather, she used to be until a storm damaged the old Victorian mansion that served as the library for quaint Catalpa Springs, Georgia. And with the town's new boy-wonder mayor deciding to invest in a fishing pier instead of repairs, it's doubtful whether Cleo will be a librarian again, not that she's ready to retire. Now she serves her loyal book loving patrons with a her bookmobile, with ginger furred Persian cat, Rhett Butler, as her copilot. She has a plan to save the library, but it relies on the most eccentric, and hated, resident of Catalpa Springs.

But things go awry when she finds her benefactor murdered, right after he'd ordered a pile of strange crime books. It doesn't look good that nearly everyone in town seems happy that he's dead. Before long, Cleo's best friend, Mary-Rose, and her grandson, Ollie, are arrested. With the help of her gentleman friend-- not boyfriend!-- and his geriatric pug, Cleo decides to do what every mystery novel would warn her against; she sets out to discover the truth.

I thought this book was a lot of fun and it struck the right balance. Cute town, zany characters, nothing too sweet or cheesy. I liked that Cleo wasn't a traditional cozy mystery sleuth, although, of course, she does have the standard "love interest." The ending was a bit convoluted. It's suggested that the murderer has a history of sociopathic behavior, but that's never expanded on, and the killer's motives are pretty weak. The author can clearly put together an entertaining book, but I hope she works on her mystery chops for the next installment. I'll be reading.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Cleo Watkins, head librarian in Catalpa Springs, GA is doing her best to get the library repaired after a storm did some heavy damage. Until they, she’s left with only the “Words on Wheels” mobile library to cater to the reading needs of her neighbors and townsfolk. The new mayor darkens the outlook when he begins hinting that the library is in jeopardy. But Cleo calls in the big guns by going to the library’s largest supporter, who promises to keep the library open. But when her ace in the hole is murdered, things really begin to look like there may be no happily ever after.

Will Cleo and her friends be able to solve the murder before her grandson is arrested and charged with murder or before she herself is killed?

Whoever said small towns are sleepy never spent time in Catalpa Springs! The locals are interesting, the suspect list is long and you’ll be guessing at who the murdered is close to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new series and look forward to spending more time with Cleo and her friends in the next book.

Cleo Watkins, senior librarian in Catalpa Springs, Georgia, is very upset after a storm has damaged the library as the local mayor is refusing to repair it. He would rather spend the town funds on a fishing pier and a floating casino. He then spreads the rumor that Cleo is thinking of retiring which is a lie. In the meantime, Cleo is operating the book mobile and bringing books to the public. Everyone loves it until a major supporter of the library, Buford Krandell, is found murdered. The mayor immediately tries to pin his death on Cleo’s best friend, Mary-Rose, who was seen feuding with Buford. Cleo is determined to find the real killer to save her friend and get support for the library. Fast moving story with a very lovable main character. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an advanced reader’s copy.

When the progressive new mayor of Caltalpa Springs, Georgia, refuses to supply the funds to replace the roof on the historic public library, seventy-five-year-old librarian Cleo Watkins hops into her bookmobile to rally community support for the library. Her first stop is with Burford Krandall who is a local eccentric more known for making enemies than friends but a big supporter of the library.

Buford has a long-running feud with his next door neighbor and Cleo's best friend Mary Rose who runs a pancakes and pie shop. Buford has come up with an invention that he says is for bottling pure water but which has the effect of muddying the waters in Mary Rose's spring. When Buford is found bludgeoned to death and his machine sabotaged, Mary Rose is the prime suspect. But Cleo's grandson Ollie and his new girlfriend Whitney could also be involved since they have been hanging around the spring and acting suspiciously too.

Cleo is determined to clear her friend and her grandson's names and find the real murderer. Buford had been reading all sorts of books about how to commit murder and unsolved murders in the Southeast written by eccentric local author Priscilla Pawpaw who disappears shortly after Buford's murder making her a person of interest for Cleo too.

Between rallying support for her damaged library, investigating Buford's death, and building a new relationship with antiquarian bookseller Henry Lafayette, Cleo is busy and the murderer would like her out of his way.

This was a fun cozy mystery filled with eccentric characters from the mayor who wants to make the town the bass fishing capitol of the universe to the beauty queen new deputy to the bank president's second wife and battleax mother to the murder victim's soon to be ex wife and many more. Even the pets are engaging. Rhett Butler is Cleo's Persian cat who has recently had an encounter with burdocks which has resulted in him being partially shaved and left rather mangy looking. Mr. Chaucer is Henry's elderly pug and Kat Krandall-Stykes mastiff the size of a pony named Beast are also frequently mentioned characters.

I recommend this one for fans of cozy mysteries.

This cozy mystery is a good read. The characters are interesting.

The Bookmobile Mystery series gets off to a rousing start with Cleo, a 75-year-old librarian, determined to see her beloved Catalpa Springs library building repaired after a tree, felled during a storm, did major damage. Unfortunately, the Mayor is diverting the library’s budget to projects he favors, telling Cleo there is no money. In the meantime, Cleo is driving the Bookmobile, accompanied by the library cat, Rhett Butler. Then, one of the town’s most influential citizens, and a cantankerous individual at that, is murdered after promising Cleo her library would be restored.

Evidence points to Cleo’s best friend, Mary-Rose, and Cleo’s grandson Ollie as the primary suspects. Naturally Cleo becomes involved in tracking down the real killer. Cleo and Rhett are joined by Henry, owner of the Gilded Page, and his dog, Mr. Chaucer, as they follow clues to find the culprit. This is a good beginning for an engaging cozy series. Looking forward to the next Bookmobile Mystery.

Cleo Watkins, the librarian who thinks "retire" is a four-letter word, is trying to get her town to approve the funds necessary to repair her storm-damaged library. The town's young mayor, though, thinks the money could be better used elsewhere, so it appears that it will be up to Cleo and the other library supporters to earn the necessary money. When one of the town's long-time residents turns up dead, and Cleo's best friend is the primary suspect, Cleo takes it upon herself to figure out whodunit, while trying to save her library and her family at the same time.

This is the first book in a new series by a new-to-me author, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect. I love libraries and bookmobiles, so I loved the underlying theme of books and booklovers, and I ended up liking the book more than most first-in-a-series books. While the good ol' boy network was beyond annoying, and the bluster of The Chief really raised my hackles, I liked most of the rest of the characters and hope they'll be back as the series progresses. While there were suspects a-plenty, the real culprit wasn't on my list at all. Did I miss the clues, or were the clues just not there? Either way, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series – and to The Chief's comeuppance, if there's any justice in the world :)

Hand me a book with a lovely Georgia setting, a few corrupt citizens aligned against some honest folks, and combine it all with an enticing mystery, and I’m happy! The protagonist is a young 75 year old librarian—Cleo—who is strong, capable, and fun! When the town’s new mayor gets it in his craw that they need a fishing pier and casino and he’ll just cut out the funds for Cleo’s precious library and Words on Wheels bookmobile to pay for them, she’s determined to show him how misguided his plans are.

Then her best friend, Mary-Rose and her eccentric neighbor, Buford, get into a dispute over the fresh spring water that runs between their properties and one of them suddenly croaks! Cleo puts her knack for sleuthing to test with the help of Henry—a nice bookstore owner—who’s enamoured of Cleo, and Gabby, a female police officer who’s also Cleo’s neighbor and friend. Rhett Butler, Cleo’s library cat, and Mr. Chaucer, Henry’s old pug, are usually along for all the excitement!

Author, Nora Page introduces readers to an outstanding cast of characters and a lively plot. I so enjoyed Cleo’s spirit and passion for books and her loyalty to her patrons. The story moves along swiftly—I didn’t want to put it down! I didn’t guess the killer’s identity or motive, so this is a great whoddunit that snared my attention. The Hummingbird Cake recipe included is similar to one my mother used to make.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.

What a fun cozy! Some authors just 'get' what a good cozy needs, and then they take that and run with it. Nora Page gets it. I was drawn in from the beginning and the story simply didn't let go. The whole time I was wondering who the murderer was and what their motives were, and this aspect didn't disappoint either.

If you're looking a fresh, fun cozy mystery and a love of books, libraries, cats and food, this is the one for you. Five stars.

This is a promising start to a cozy series. Cute, not cutesy. Likeable characters, including the 75 year old librarian, her young protege, and police officer neighbor.

A library with a 75-year-old librarian who still drives a bookmobile (and speeds while doing so)? The set-up for Nora Page's new series features that implausible scenario. The mayor of Catulpa Springs, Georgia,somewhere just north of the Florida state line, wants to do away with its tree-damaged library, its bookmobile, and its librarian. An antiquarian book collector and library friend's death turns suspicion to the man's neighbor. Cleo doesn't believe it and sets out to investigate. Not even Rhett Butler the cat could redeem this book. Far too many characters appear too quickly without sufficient development to sort in the reader's mind. A low-level officer related to one of the characters seems to be the main police officer investigating rather than police detectives or the man referred to throughout the book as "Chief." The conversation-intensive narrative likely appeals to a younger audience while the septuagenarian librarian tries to draw older readers. Unfortunately as someone who recently dealt with aging parents, I question how a town could afford insurance to allow an elderly woman known to speed to drive a bookmobile. While the story does improve as the book goes on, it fails to redeem itself and leaves the reader dissatisfied. I received an advance review copy from the publisher through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

You never know where books will take you.
Librarian Cleo Watkins, 75, is determined to keep Catalpa Springs library alive by driving Words on Wheels around to bookmobile stops every day while waiting on town officials to repair the storm damaged library building.
Library supporter Buford Krandall is not well liked so when he ends up dead the celebration is one of 'thank goodness he's gone'.
Cleo and her PT assistant, Leanna, find themselves facing a gun-toting town businessman and rescued by a cat and baby skunks.
The cast of characters is extensive and memorable in their vastly different personalities.
I look forward to more adventures with Cleo Watkins and the town of Catalpa Springs.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars

This was a promising start for a new series. I enjoyed librarian Cleo and her circle of friends and family. She's smart, determined, and doesn't do ridiculously stupid things. The south Georgia setting feels convincing, and this mystery is neatly plotted, with a few clues, but not an obvious solution. I'll be looking forward to book #2!

What is it about?

Cleo is a 75-year-old librarian with a knack for solving mysteries. Her library was destroyed by a storm prior to the beginning of the book, and she has made temporary accommodations in a renovated school bus. When one of the library's supporters ends up dead, she can't help but follow her curiosity and try to figure out what really happened.

Was it good? 

This book is described as a "cozy mystery" by the publisher. As such, there is nothing too violent or gross that happens in this book. There is also a lot of baking and pancakes. There are companion animals and best friends.

Unfortunately, I could not really connect with any of the characters. None of them felt really real to me, and I found myself annoyed at the cat. Cleo's cat goes with her every where. She sometimes uses a harness, but he doesn't like it. Wherever she parks the bus she lets him out to roam around and then he comes back when she's ready to go. He never makes noises or uses a litter box and I've just never ever met a cat like him. I think the reason it bothered me is because the cat is treated as the most or second most important character so there is a lot of time spent reading about him. 

Also the mystery itself felt slow to develop and the ending was completely unexpected. There's always the chance that I missed them, but I don't think there were any real clues pointing to the bad person.

I like mysteries with cats, libraries and senior sleuth so this one was hypothetically a match made in heaven. I really enjoyed it: it was fun to read, with a really interesting plot.
I liked the humour, the funny cast of characters and the plot contains no hole and it kept me guessing till the end.
A very good start for a new series, I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley

Library on wheels and a murder? Sign me up!

While Cleo's fighting against the idiot of a mayor to get the town's beloved library repaired, one of the library's supporters is found murdered. Granted, he didn't make many friends but who did it and why?

Enough quirky characters and a fabulous pet sidekick named Rhett Butler, keep the story moving and has me ready for more! This was a fun and lovely cozy mystery! Loved Team Cleo!

I received a galley from NetGalley! Thanks!

I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and have read a lot from a huge variety of authors. When I read the description of this one (bookmobile mystery!), right away I had my fingers crossed that I would be able to review Better Off Read. Nora Page won me over with her concept and kept me interested because I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. I recommend this book highly and am very glad I volunteered to review it!

Librarian Cleo needs to save her damaged library. The mayor wants to use the money to make the town a fisherman's hot spot. As Cleo takes her bookmobile on its rounds, she discovers the body of her main supporter. As Cleo's friend is the main suspect Cleo needs to find out who of the many other suspects did the deed.
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley an honest review.

Better off Read is a cute mystery with a well crafted plot and quirky characters. I recommend to fans of mysteries.