This is a fabulous third offering in A Bookmobile Mystery series! If I had not already read the first two, the gorgeous cover would have drawn me in before even seeing the description. I love seeing the bus, Rhett Butler, and Mr. Chaucer in full color. Springtime in Georgia sounds beautiful, and what book lover can resist a book fair? The regular characters are very likable, a wonderful age group, and three-dimensional. This complex mystery is excellent with an unexpected whodunit.

Cleo Watkins, at 76, is still head librarian at the Catalpa Springs library. She frequently is found on the bookmobile, a repurposed school bus completely renovated by her grandson for an Eagle Scout project. Her protégé, Leanna, mans the library on any given day. Cleo and best friend Mary-Rose went to the book fair opening to see what bargains they might find among the rare, vintage, and used books.

One of the first things they saw was a very expensive French copy of Gone With the Wind and the booth of Kitty Peavey, outfitted to look and sound like Marilyn Monroe. Before they left her booth, Cleo was stunned to see the cover of a book open in the trash can near Kitty’s stall with the custom-made bookplate that belonged to her cousin Dot. It matches the size of Dot’s prized movie edition of Gone With the Wind, found at an estate sale years ago. In the door of the facility marched Dot, yelling for Hunter Fox, a “book scout” who had taken some of her valuable books on the auspices of selling them on commission. She tried to contact him several times to cancel the deal, but he didn’t return her calls. He denied it, they argued loudly, and she told him he would be sorry. The next day, she has the misfortune for find the man dead in the alley while on her way to work.

Cleo was taking Henry to his shop. Henry is her gentleman friend who owns Gilded Page Antiquarian & Rare Books. They saw Dot run into the street to flag them down, and she showed them her grisly find of only moments earlier. The police chief doesn’t appear to be one of the sharpest – or kindest – tools in the shed. His deputy and Cleo’s favorite neighbor, Gabby, also arrived. People heard Dot’s dispute with Fox the prior day, and she was immediately the prime suspect. When they found the murder weapon, one of his bookbinding tools, Henry became the suspect.

Cleo is on the case. In this small town, she knows most of the residents, many of whom are her bookmobile patrons. It is amazing what her network of friends can find, including that Dot was not the only woman taken in by Mr. Fox. Dot, Henry, and Chloe were befriended by a dealer next to Ms. Peavey’s stall, Buddy Boone. He found one of Dot’s books at another seller’s stall and made sure it was returned to her. I love the humor, the antics of the pets, and Cleo’s unflagging loyalty to Henry and Dot despite the evidence.

This mystery is well-plotted and executed. There are a couple red herrings that I kept veering towards despite a different possible suspect. The real whodunit was a surprise to me, as I had discounted the person more than once! All loose ends are tied up; the end is very satisfactory. I highly recommend this to lovers of well-written cozy mysteries, cats and dogs, libraries and bookstores, and Southern settings.

From a thankful heart: I received an advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

What better topic for an avid book reader than a cozy mystery set around a bookmobile, a book fair and the avid readers and collectors of Catalpa, Georgia. She may be old...76...but she's not going to stand still while her friends are defrauded and her friend accused of murdering the fraudster. This story and it's excellent cast of senior citizens was a refreshing change from the last few books I've read. Nora Page has built a community of book readers that is ready to face any and all challenges. A 5star read, indeed.

3.5 stars

Bookmobile librarian Cleo Watkins and her gentleman friend Henry become embroiled in a murder when Henry hosts the state antiquarian book fair in their Georgia town. The booksellers are an interesting bunch, including a couple of shysters who have apparently been either stealing or sweet-talking valuable books away from their elderly female owners.

This is a gentle and undemanding cozy. Cleo is a widow who is passionate about books, her bookmobile, and the world of sugary desserts her doctor has told her to stay away from.

Henry falls under suspicion for the first murder, and Cleo's cousin Dot's valuable copy of Gone With the Wind gets taken. Then to top it off, a precious first edition is stolen from the bookmobile. How can Cleo not get involved? The local police chief is a buffoon, but one of Cleo's neighbors is a smart cop so Cleo can't help but investigate.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cleo Watkins is one of my favorite mystery characters. At the age of 76 she could settle into retirement from being the town librarian, spending time with her gentleman friend, Henry. She has too much energy to slow down and still takes charge of the local bookmobile, Words on Wheels, the refitted school bus. It's now Spring in the town of Catalpa Springs, Georgia and all book lovers are eager to start their book hunting at the Antiquarian Book Society Fair. Book sellers and scouts are all over town and one or more of them are on the shady side. Cleo's cousin, Dot, crosses paths with one and he offers to sell her first edition of Gone With the Wind for her. When she wants to change her mind, he makes himself scarce - but not for long. She corners him at the event and a loud argument is heard by all. Cleo is pretty sure that there are more than a few book dealers selling books not acquired by legal methods. It's not long after that when the book scout is found dead - police look at Cleo's cousin until they learn that the murder weapon was a book restoring tool owned by Henry. Wrong but the police chief won't be swayed so Cleo, with the help of Dot, Henry, Mary-Rose and her next door neighbor, Gabby, a police deputy with a lot more investigating skills than the Chief of Police will ever have.Along with the humans there are two four legged companions, Cleo's cat, Rhett Butler and Henry's sweet pug, chaucer. The killer will soon be caught.
It's nice to read a mystery with a senior citizen sleuth. There have been many in the annals of crime fiction but not as many as I would like there to be. The puzzle was very satisfying and the red herrings had me guessing wrong. Add humor and a lovely small town setting and this makes for a great reading escape.
My thanks to the publisher, Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Read or Alive by Nora Page is the 3rd book in the Bookmobile Mystery, and another fun book by this author. I really enjoyed this book, and plan on going back and read the 1st book, Better Off Read, which I have not read yet. Cleo Watkins is a head librarian in Catalpa Springs, Georgia, and she is in her 70's. Cleo is excited that the Antiquarian Book Society has brought it's annual fair to town. Unfortunately a charming book scout is conning women out of their prized books. When the scout's body is found, Cleo is determined to find the truth. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed story line and characters. I highly recommend this book, and this series.
I recommend this book to all cozy book lovers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have lots of fond memories of the book mobile that I was lucky enough to use as a child. I love Cleo and her love for books. You have lots of folks in this story that love books, or do they? It’s a great story line. You have a colorful cast of characters that you will have to figure out just exactly how they play into the story. Join Cleo, Henry, Mary Rose, Gabby, Oliver and of course Rhett and Mr. Chaucer as they figure out all the twists and turns. Great story and wonderful characters. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

The Georgia Antiquarian Book Society is holding its annual fair in Catalpa Springs, and Cleo is beyond excited – until the arrival of a book scout with questionable business practices. When a body turns up behind the bookbinding shop, Henry, the shop's owner and Cleo's gentleman friend, is one of the primary suspects Cleo has no choice but to find out who is trying to frame Cleo's friends… and why.

This is the third book in the Bookmobile series, and I enjoyed this story as much as I did the first two in the series. I love the town of Catalpa Springs, and feel like the recurring characters have become friends. I love the addition of Rhett Butler and Mr. Chaucer, Cleo's cat and Henry's old pug, respectively, and they always seem to be involved in everything that goes on. Although I missed having the bookmobile itself play a larger role, I enjoyed experiencing the book fair through the eyes of a fellow booklover, and wish I was able to attend one with pockets full of money at my disposal :) The mystery was a good one, and I didn't guess the identity of the killer before it was revealed in the book. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.</i>

Cleo is looking forward to the antiquarian book fair coming to Catalpa Springs. From the first day things go wrong and Cleo finds herself trying to figure out what happened to some of the locals most valuable books. Her cousin Dot has lost out on a very valuable copy of Gone with the Wind.
Then the dealer that visited the locals and swindled them out of their books is found dead in the alley next to Henry's shop. Suddenly both Cleo's cousin Dot and her man friend Henry are big suspects in the eyes of the sheriff.
The only problem? There is a whole group of book dealers who had motives too. Cleo has her work cut out for her.
The 3 star rating is because everything was going along fine until about 80% and then the book just got ridiculous. The final winding up was good too but there was a section there that had me setting down my e-reader carefully and walking away so I didn't throw it.

Read or Alive by Nora Page is book three in the Bookmobile Mystery series. This is a delightful cozy with a wonderful cast of characters.
Cleo is a bookmobile librarian that doesn't want to retire even though she could. This time the feisty senior is excited to be going to the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society Fair. After all, this is an honor for Catalpa Springs to be hosting. She has her shopping bag ready to be filled. Before she can start shopping, a body is found. Unfortunately, he has been conning the locals out of rare and priceless books including Cleo's cousin, Dot.
There are plenty of suspects from locals to visitors. When the police chef starts looking at her cousin as the main suspect, Cleo knows it's up to her to find out who really is guilty.
This cozy has it all, plenty of plot twists, friendship, family, romance, humor, and a cat named Rhett Butler.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an honest review.

Read or Alive - Nora Page

Bookmobile Mystery #3

A cozy book-centric murder mystery

Read or Alive delivers exactly what it promises - a cozy book based mystery. It’s unique in that the main character Cleo Watkins is in her 70s but with a librarian’s attention to detail and lively curiosity, she makes for a likeable amateur sleuth.

Read or Alive is the 3rd installment in the Bookmobile Mystery series. I had not read any others and that didn’t matter. There was enough context and background info provided to enjoy this book as a standalone.

An antiquarian book comes to Cleo’s town, hosted by her “gentleman friend” Henry Lafayette, however the fair brings trouble with it! Cloe’s cousin Dot is swindled out of a valuable book by one of the Fair’s dealers and it seems she’s not the only local lady to have fallen for the swindler’s charms. However when the dodgy dealer turns up dead, Dot becomes prime suspect! A further discovery then turns suspicion onto Henry and Cleo must find the truth to clear her cousin and her boyfriend.

Being a mobile librarian in the bookmobile gives Cleo the freedom to explore town and make her investigations. The town is populated by an endearing and eccentric cast of characters - the dubious fortune teller, the ratty next door neighbour, the bullish Chief Inspector, Cleo’s forthright best friend and of course her pet cat Rhett Butler!

This book has a likeable cast of characters and is therefore engaging enough to draw you in to caring about what happens and willing Cleo on to find the true murderer. Some of the incidents are not the most subtle, and the prime suspects seem just too obvious, thus making the slight twist at the end not that surprising, but the book is still a fun and entertaining read.

For anyone who wants a cozy book-centric mystery and some light relief, Cleo Watkins and her bookmobile will deliver.

I received an ARC through NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an honest review.

New from Crooked Lane Books comes Nora Page's third book, Read Or Alive in the "A Bookmobile Mystery." An exciting ride with red herrings that will have readers buried within the pages until the very last word.

Cleo Watkins is one of my favorite heroines. An older sleuth, she is as curious as her cat, Rhett, when she sets out to find a killer. Asking questions as politely as her upbringing will allow, which at times can be a hindrance, she slowly makes headway only to realize that not everyone who loves books is good people. The setting of a library and bookmobile instead of a traditional bookshop allows Cleo more freedom to come and go and get into more trouble. There are some terrific twists and turns throughout the story and will keep readers guessing the killer's identity.

Henry, Cleo's companion, and a local bookshop owner as well as an antiquarian book restoration expert is a suspect in the death of an antiquarian book dealer with questionable ethics. So is her cousin, Dot, who is a Gone With the Wind fan just as Cleo is, and owns the Drop By store. Neither Henry or Dot have alibi's, and the local chief of police is positive one of them killed the victim and wants to see someone behind bars as fast as possible. The fact that neither one may be guilty is beside the point as far as he is concerned. Thank goodness that officer Gabby and best friend Mary-Rose, who are there to add logic and understanding to the investigation and to make sure Cleo is never in danger.

The mystery in this book is entertaining; readers will enjoy the companionship of all the characters. The town is attractive and easy to picture. The fact that townsfolk are happy to help out whenever needed makes this series a fan favorite leaving them with a sense of well being and a smile. Henry's bookshop, where most of the action takes place, intrigues even the most hardened cozy reader. When the killer is unveiled, readers will be surprised and delighted. The cookie recipe in the back is mouth-watering! I am happy to recommend Read or Alive to all readers and look forward to the next addition to the series.

ARC provided by Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley

3.5

One would be hard pressed to find something not to like about this book and it's main character Cleo Watkins. Cleo is in her mid 70s and is as busy as ever. She drives the Words on Wheels book mobile, has an active social life and oh - solves murder mysteries on the side. When her boyfriend becomes one of the main suspect in the murder of a visiting book antiquarian, Cleo jumps in to prove his innocence.

I find this series to be a great escape. The stories are always light and funny, yet provide enough of a challenge in trying to figure out the "who done it?" along with Cleo. Cleo is charming and kind hearted. But she is like a dog with a bone when it comes to helping out family and or friends. The other characters in the book are also entertaining, with a few having quirky personalities. Another fine addition for the author to this enchanting series.

ARC from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley.

Cleo and her friends have an antiquarian book fair in their town, that was arranged by Henry (Cleo's boyfriend). Everyone is enjoying themselves until someone is murdered--an unscrupulous book buyer. Two of Cleo's favorite people come under suspicion.

This is a fun cozy. The characters are quirky. There is Cleo, a 70 something librarian who drives a bookmobile and solves mysteries. The murder victim is a suave, slick talking criminal. There is the typical staid and uptight professor, a Marilyn Monroe wanna be, etc. They are fun the the mystery had me going. Jumping from one suspect to the next. I also love the animals, Rhett Butler is Cleo's cat and Mr. Chaucer is Henry's pug. The ending took me a bit by surprise. This was an enjoyable read.

Cleo Watkins is a senior librarian who drives the bookmobile. Her small town is hosting a group of antique book dealers for a fair, but it's marred by the murder of one of the dealers. Her gentleman friend, Henry, is the prime suspect, so Cleo investigates! A fun read, made better with the addition of pets: Cleo's cat Rhett Butler, an orange Persian, and Henry's dog Mr. Chaucer. Was sort of surprised at the identity of the murderer, and it seemed like some bad deeds went unpunished. Otherwise, a good cozy mystery.

This is the third book in the charming "Bookmobile Mystery Series" by cozy author Nora Page. I have read the previous in series and always enjoy returning to this series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity..

In this delightful third in series we return to our favorite septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins. Cleo is participating in a antiquarian book fair with her love interest antiquarian bookseller Henry. When a unknown flirtatious man makes the rounds of the fair and is cheating the women vendors and her friends. Cleo is incensed to find our her dear cousin Dot was one of the ladies cheated out of a valuable copy of Gone With The Wind. When the man turns up dead its Dot and Henry both in harms way as prime suspects. Cleo must step up and investigate to save her cousin, her Henry and find the real suspect.

I love Cleo and her group of friends. Every charcter in this series is a delight. I enjoy Henry's old pug and always laugh at the antics of Cleo's cat Rhett Butler. ( Great name) . Each book is charming and fun to read. I so appreciate that the author has featured a protagonist of a "certain age' that we can relate to who is independent and smart. The sleuth was so well crafted and had such marvelous twist and turns I did not guess the ending. Very well done to the author ! I highly recommend this next in series for your reading enjoyment.

My review is cross posted.

A standard cozy mystery, enjoyable, easy to read, but nothing you'll remember in a year. Cleo, the moon character, is very likable and is what I imagine most bibliophiles will want to be at 60+ but maybe without chasing after killers.

This is the third book in the series and I must say I have fallen in love with the main character septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins. I think the stories and writing just keep getting better as the series continues. The book mobile reminds me of when I was a child and waited for it to come to my neighborhood every Saturday morning.

I finished this bookbinding series debut but it just didn't click for me. On the positive side, I enjoyed the close relationship and banter between main character Quinn and her close cousin, now known as Sister Daria, who is a noviate nun living at the local convent. But it wasn't enough to sustain my interest in the story. The mystery didn't grab me, the police work was shoddy, and I thought there could have been more focus on her craft of bookbinding-just a few snippets. However, I would consider reading the second book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

#3 was a great installment. I enjoyed the mystery and riding along on Cleo’s sleuthing. Catalpa Springs is such a charming town that i love to visit in these books.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Librarian Cleo Watkins loves books, as do her bestie, her cousin and her gentleman friend. She tries to believe all book people are good so she was very unhappy when she finds a man is flirting & lying to some of the older women in her community as a way to steal their valuable books. When the man turns up dead Cleo's cousin and gentleman friend are suspects. Cleo vows to find the real killer.

I like the characters and the setting. There was much talk about valuable, classic books which isn't my interest. Since most of the people in this book are in their 70's I think an older reader would enjoy this story morr than me, but it was a nice read.