Dewey Decimated
A Haunted Library Mystery, Book #6
Allison Brook
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Librarian Carrie Singleton is back on the case, alongside library ghost Evelyn, in the sixth installment of Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mysteries.

Carrie Singleton is just off a hot string of murder cases centered around the spooky local library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She could really use a break—but no such luck, as she; Smoky Joe, the resident cat; and Evelyn, the library’s ghost, are drawn into another tantalizing whodunit.

First, a dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons. Carrie and Evelyn work hard to keep Alec out of sight, but what was he doing in Clover Ridge to begin with? And why was he killed?

Meanwhile, the town council, of which Carrie is also a member, is embroiled in a hot-headed debate over the fate of the Seabrook Preserve, a lovely and valuable piece of property that runs along Long Island Sound. Turn it into an upscale park? Sell it to a condo developer? Or keep it as protected land?

As the dispute rages, there’s another murder, this time involving a council member. Could the two murders be connected? And could Carrie be next on the hit list?

Review:

The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. Carrie has her hands full doing all of her librarian duties.and they are demolishing a building for the library expansion. When they find a body in the old building there is another murder to solve. And when it turns out that the body is her fiance’s uncle, it becomes even more important. And not only does she have Evelyn to help her, she also has the ghost of uncle Alex creating chaos. What could possibly go wrong?

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and throughout the book I felt like I was right there watching all the action taking place. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and you need to put on your thinking caps to try to solve it.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I really enjoyed this book, as well as the others in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

This is the sixth book in the Haunted Library series. Featuring librarian Carrie Singleton, the only one who can see and speak with library ghost Evelyn (other than Carrie's niece), and a lovely complement of friends, family, co-workers and her finance Dylan, and of course the library cat Smokey Joe.

Determined to avoid any more murder and mystery, Carrie has her plate full with library work, wedding planning and her new seat on the community council. But the best laid plans are waylaid when the construction to expand the library into the building next door reveals a body in the basement and a new ghost.

This was an entertaining cozy mystery, with a cute cast of characters and a fun plot.


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

The sixth in the series, but I didn't read the first five, so unfortunately I'm only looking at it as a standalone. I'm excited to read the other books!
This cute cozy mystery is great for when you're in the mood to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate, talk to the ghosts in the library and solve a whodunit in a small town. Definitely worth the read!

Carrie Singleton is one of my favorite armature sleuth's and cozy mystery main character. Allison Brook has done an excellent job building Clover Ridge along with a phenomenal amount of character development.

We follow Carrie on another "behind the scenes' investigation as she tries to uncover the murder of Dylan's uncle, Alec. Have I mentioned the deceased comes back as a ghost, with zero memory of the night he was murdered?

Along with solving this cold case, Carrie finds herself in a town council battle, fight for the perfect library expansion, and unwavering news reporter who won't stop begging Carrie for help solving the case.

I am already looking forward to the next installment of A Haunted Library Mystery series. PLEASE TAKE US BACK TO CLOVER RIDGE!

2.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Allison Brook.

I have enjoyed each of the books in this series. It's a good cozy mystery series. The characters are all loveable and fun to get to know. You don't have to read the series in order, but it does help to get to know all the characters and their backgrounds.

This book isn't one of my favorites in this series, but it is still good and well written. My only issue with it really is a person issue that may not bother most other people. But as a Christian I was not the biggest fan of one of the ghosts talking to the "higher ups" and deciding if and when the other ghost in the story would get to move on in the afterlife. None of the other books in the series have any other talk or mentions of things like this.

I still plan on continuing reading this series as more books come out, because I do still like the characters and storylines. I would definitely recommend this book/series to anyone looking for some good cozy mysteries involving a library cat, libraries, family, and a loving community.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Carrie Singleton works at the town library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. Her cat Smokey Joe joins her at work daily, as does Evelyn, the library’s ghost. The library is beginning a renovation when a body is found tucked away in the basement. An investigation ensues to determine the victim’s identity. Dylan, Carrie’s fiance, receives the news that the man is his Uncle Alec who hasn’t been seen in many years.
After his body is found, Alec’s ghost begins to roam the library and Evelyn must help him acclimate to his out of body form. Slowly he remembers clues that help Carrie discover the killer’s identity.
This is the sixth book in the Haunted Library mystery series. It is the first I have read and I found it to stand on its own. The characters, both living and dead, are well written. The setting is a small town and easy to envision. I recommend this book.

Dewey Decimated" is the 6th instalment in the A Haunted Library Mystery series by Allison Brook.

A dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons.

The protagonist Carrie is one of the librarians and Evelyn (ghost) was also before her untimely death. This time Evelyn wants Carrie to find out who murdered the man in the basement next door as his ghost is now flying around the library. Plus things are about to get real for Carrie as she thinks about telling Angela about him. I also loved the inclusion of the library cat, Smokey Joe into the story.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Librarian Carrie Singleton is back on the case, alongside library ghost Evelyn, in the sixth installment of Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mysteries.

I thought this one sounded cute and I love a good haunted library. I realize this is the sixth in a series and they do bring up other events that happened and mysteries solved but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of this book and I didn't get confused in any way.

Just loved the everyday running of the library, the politics of trying to construct an add-on building while finding a dead body (oh no), then uncovering a whole scam plot with so many included. Love Evelyn her helpful spirit and they even have the ghost of the dead man to talk with though he isn't much help at first.

Just reminds me how frustrating getting funding and trying to make decision on a council can be. So many differing viewpoints which could be a beautiful thing if they weren't guided by self interests.

I will have to check out the other cozy mysteries with Librarian/Amateur Sleuth Carrie Singleton.

Thank you crookedlane and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good murder mystery novel. Highly recommend

The Haunted Library series is always entertaining and this book doesn't disappoint. With the addition of another ghost, things get even crazier. This is a fun, enjoyable read!

Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook takes us back to Clover Ridge, Connecticut. Carrie Singleton is happily engaged to Dylan, but she wants to know more about his family. Dylan circumvents the subject when Carrie brings it up. Renovations are beginning on the library expansion. Work comes to a halt when a skeleton is found hidden in a dark corner of the basement. The ghost of the deceased ends up in the library. He is confused and his memory is fuzzy. Carrie wanted to stay out of the investigation, but the ghost cannot move on until his killer is caught. Dewey Decimated is the sixth A Haunted Library Mystery. It can easily be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or if you have missed a book or two along the way. I found Dewey Decimated easy to read. The pacing, though, was on the slow side. It picks up in the latter half of the book. We follow Carrie as she goes about her day-to-day routine (big yawn). She goes to work with Smokey Joe, does her work, goes to lunch at the diner with best friend, dinner with her aunt and uncle, etc. It does get monotonous. Evelyn is back and she has a friend who needs help. I just love Evelyn. I am glad that we got to see more of her in this book. Her spirited friend causes some upheaval in the library as well as in the life of someone close to Carrie. The mystery involves a skeleton found wrapped in a blanket in the new library expansion as well as a current murder. The mysteries were straightforward. There are a couple of suspects in both cases along with some misdirection. I wish the solutions to both crimes had not been so obvious. Case details are repeated frequently throughout the story (I got it the first time; I do not need it repeated twelve times). Carrie does not begin investigating right away. She eventually begins sleuthing (what happened to the Carrie we met back in Death Overdue). A pushy reporter keeps nagging Carrie to team up with her to solve the case. I did not like how the reporter (Julie Theron) put down Lt. John Mathers. Both cases have a good wrap up at the end. Carrie is on the town council, and they are debating what to do with Seabrook Preserve. The preserve loses its sanctuary status in three months. There are three different proposals for the property. The debating is hot and heavy plus there is behind the scenes wheeling and dealing. The situation is discussed quite a bit throughout the story (which means a lot of repetition). The ending is sweet and hopeful. Dewey Decimated is a nice story (humdrum), but I felt it lacked some pizzazz. There needed to be more action and less about Carrie’s daily activities. Dewey Decimated is a chilly tale with a fall festival, a discovered skeleton, a cuddly cat, a spirit surprise, a preserve dispute, a shocking murder, and a nervy reporter.

I really enjoyed this book, the storyline was interesting and the characters were entertaining! A well done cozy mystery, I will definitely be reading more in this series!!

I found this to be quite an easy read, getting to know the characters fairly quickly despite not reading the others in the series. I do feel as though the interactions between characters weren’t genuine and this jarred me from enjoying the story as much as I could have.

If you are after a cosy mystery, it’s a decent read.

This is book six in The Haunted Library Mysteries series and it was my favorite so far. I liked that library was more haunted this time around and that we finally learned more about Evelyn's purpose at the library. The mystery was complex enough to keep me guessing and definitely cozy. The only complaint I have is that Carrie still comes across as a bit annoying and little whiney. Overall it was a quick and easy read and an enjoyable way to spend a lazy fall day.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Library employee and new town council member is trying to avoid getting involved in any more investigations, but then a body is found in the basement of the building the library is renovating. And the victim turns out to be the uncle of her fiance, Dylan. Who has a connection to the controversial project the town council is considering.

Libraries, cozy mysteries, small towns--this mystery has a lot of good elements. Extraneous details bog it down a little bit (I don't need to know what everyone eats, for example), but it still does the job. Cozy mysteries are meant to be cozy. #DeweyDecimated #NetGalley

Princess Fuzzypants here: The basic premise of this series is fun. Librarian Carrie sees ghosts. Former librarian, and now ghost, Evelyn works with Carrie to solve murders with the aid of Library Cat, Smokey Joe. The only other live creature who knows Carrie’s secret is her fiance, investigator Dylan. But Dylan cannot see Evelyn. He can, however, see the newly arrived ghost who cannot recall who he is or how he died and was hidden in the basement of a derelict building. His body is found and it is a shock to all when his identity is discovered. He is Dylan’s long estranged uncle, Alec.

Evelyn informs Alec that he cannot move on until he finds out who killed him and who killed the builder who might have been involved in his demise. As bits and pieces fall into place, Carrie runs the risk of alienating her friend John, who is investigating both cases. A pushy reporter might drive a wedge between them. Carrie would ignore the reporter but she is good at digging up information.

Eventually the entire sordid story is revealed and the murders solved. Alec is able to make a reconnection with Dylan before he moves on. Peace is restored but you know with Evelyn orchestrating Carrie’s ghostly encounters, it won’t stay that way. It is an enjoyable series with just the right touch of whimsy and paranormal and a solid mysteries. Five purrs and two paws up.

Carrie manages the special programs at the public library. In addition, only she and her young niece can see Evelyn, the resident ghost, a former librarian. She’s been caught up in a few murder investigations, but she’s done with that and focusing on newer, better programs for library patrons and her recent engagement to Dylan.

The library bought the building next door. It’d been empty for many years as three adult children owned it. Just when Carrie was finally getting used to all the construction noise, work shutdown. A body wrapped in a blanket was discovered in the basement. There’s no identification to be found, but authorities think the man died over five years ago.

The workmen broke a hole through the common wall between the abandoned building and the library, causing quite a mess. They didn’t know just how much of a mess because none of them could see the dead man’s ghost wander into the library. Unable to remember his name, why he was in town or in that building, or recognize anyone, he’s no help in finding out what happened. It turns out the dead man was Dylan’s uncle.
The body is not Carrie’s only concern. She was recently appointed to the city council. At her first meeting, she finds she could be the tie breaker vote about the future of the nature preserve.

A second murder victim is someone Carrie knows and she begins to think the death is tied to the body in the basement. Can she help find out what happened then and now before another life is lost, and would it be hers?

This is book six in the series. Carrie and Dylan have a good relationship. Her aunt and uncle are her support when needed, plus she has her cat, Smokey Joe, to keep her company at work and at home. Evelyn the ghost makes the perfect sounding board when Carrie wants to discuss a case, find out library history, or try to pry afterlife secrets from Evelyn. Allison Brook is the pen name of Marilyn Levinson, a prolific writer. Be sure to look for all their books—you won’t be disappointed!

Another fun installment in the Haunted Library series. This was an interesting case for Carrie as it has several surprises along the way. A new ghost brings a different element to the story and the fact that Alec is related to Carrie's fiancé also made for an added layer to the mystery. This case definitely has several fun elements. I enjoyed this story and look forward to more of the series. A quick and easy read/listen.

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

Welcome back to Clover Ridge with Carrie and het ghostly friend Evelyn. The library is gearing up to add the house next door ad an addition to the library. This will give them the room they need while abiding to historical standards. What no one expected was the body they found in the basement of the long empty property. It also comes with a ghost who is determined to bother the library patrons. Learning it was Dylan's long lost family just makes things more urgent creating an enjoyable read as Carrie looks into things. Makes for a fabulously fun read that is sure to delight cozy fans. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.