Cover Image: Death Checked Out

Death Checked Out

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Member Reviews

I don’t even know where to begin, except to say that I was entertained once again NetGalley! Glad I was honored with this ebook ARC! #forevergrateful

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I absolutely love small town mysteries, especially when they're about libraries! I honestly think this is the first book I've ever read that was set in Wisconsin and I adored the writing style. This was a great start to a cozy mystery and I absolutely look forward to what this series will be like going forward and what other mysteries the town of Larkspur has to offer.

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I think i tried to read this at the wrong time and im glad i waited. I wanted a book to pass time travelling and it was easy and accessible to come in and out of.

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3.5 stars

This book was cute, but it had trouble keeping my attention. I really loved the cover of the book and the concept, but the characters were just so simple. Greta reads like she’s 80 years old instead of in her 30s.
I don’t think I would continue reading this series.

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

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Greta is the library directory in Larskspur and has befriended her older neighbor. When she stops in she finds him dead and she has become the prime suspect. She takes it upon herself to work on the case without the newest detective finding out.

I liked that the main character was a librarian and all the elements that came along with that. Especially the ending, but those are reading goals. The side characters were great and added to the story. I think the new detective is meant to be a love interest, but I didn't get that vibe from the two characters.

I enjoyed the pacing of the story and the build up. I didn't see the ending coming.

This is the first book in a new series by the author and I will be reading the second book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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I never read a mystery set in a small town, but it's such an intriguing concept I need to read more like this! It's such a funny twist to the common mystery trope, since in such a small town, everyone knows and is invested in everyone's business, making a mystery seem all the more "mysterious" lol. The characters were well-rounded and complex, making me interested in their story from the very first page.

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This was a delightful cozy mystery, with all of the pieces I had hope it would have. The small town atmosphere made it even more fun, and the cast of characters was fun.

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I am delighted to have received an ARC copy of Death Checked Out by Leah Dobrinska, courtesy of NetGalley. This cozy mystery is a must-read for anyone who loves snuggling up with a hot drink and a blanket on a rainy autumn day. From start to finish, this book captivated me with its perfect storyline and well-rounded characters, making it the best cozy mystery I've read in a long time. I eagerly await any future releases by this talented author, as she has once again delivered an outstanding read.

Leah Dobrinska has truly outdone herself with Death Checked Out. This cozy mystery takes place in the idyllic north woods, providing a picturesque backdrop for the lovable characters and intriguing mystery. From the first page, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The ongoing investigation kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to uncover the truth alongside the characters. I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of this book - you won't be disappointed. And let's not forget the stunning cover, which is an added bonus. I can't wait to dive into the next installment in this series. Happy reading!

Leah Dobrinska's self-description as a small-town romance and cozy mystery author couldn't be more accurate. She has a knack for creating engaging stories that transport readers to charming locales and keep them enthralled until the very last page.

The cover of Death Checked Out is a delightful mix of brightness and quirkiness, providing a captivating contrast to the ominous title. It immediately caught my attention and drew me into the story.

The protagonist, Greta Plank, is a director at the local library who finds herself entangled in a series of unfortunate murder attempts. Some are successful, while others thankfully fail. As she becomes a potential suspect, Greta sets out to clear her name and seek justice for her deceased friend, leading her on a thrilling investigation. Along the way, she uncovers hidden family connections, searches for a rare book, interviews estate investors, and narrowly escapes danger.

The characters in Death Checked Out are wonderfully multi-dimensional, each bringing their own unique traits to the story. The dynamics between them either complement or clash, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

The plot of this book had me hooked from the beginning, and I was constantly kept guessing. The true culprit took me by surprise, as there were no obvious signs pointing to them until the reveal. Reading this book felt like solving the mystery alongside the narrator, and it was an enjoyable and satisfying experience.

I only noticed a few minor errors throughout my reading, but they did not detract from the overall smoothness of the narrative. The descriptions and dialogue flowed effortlessly, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the mystery and connect with the characters' emotions.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Death Checked Out, I was slightly disappointed by the lack of closure regarding the potential romance between the detective and librarian, as well as the undisclosed reason behind the detective's move from Chicago. However, I suspect these loose ends may serve as a setup for a possible sequel, which I eagerly anticipate.

In summary, Death Checked Out is a five-star read that delivers an engaging storyline, compelling characters, and a satisfying mystery. Leah Dobrinska's writing talent shines through, making this book a must-read for fans of the cozy mystery genre. I highly recommend adding it to your reading list.

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Exactly what I was expecting. An easy read, with a loveable set of characters and a cosy setting. An overall nice book.

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Great new series. I'm a sucker for anything with librarians as the main character. This book had an intriguing storyline. Murder, librarians, and even a "budding" friendship between Greta and McHenry. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

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This book was the perfect cozy mystery. Greta was a great character with depth and amazing character develop. I loved following her solve the mystery of Franklins murder and didn’t see the ending coming. I can’t wait to pick up the second book in the series.

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For some reason this book took me forever to read. Like most first in the series cozy mysteries it followed the typical the main character is accused of the murder format. Which having read a lot of cozy mysteries…I don’t mind that at all. But my goodness this book was hard to get into. With that being said I didn’t completely hate it. I liked that the main character works at a library and books were a park of the story. I like the main character Greta and her co-worker/friends at the library. I even liked the grumpy detective. My main problem was how long it took the story to actually get interesting. It was for me at least very slow and honestly didn’t not pick up until the last 80-100 pages of the book. I didnt fully guess the who done it at the end which was a surprise. But again I think this book would have benefited from being a bit shorter.
So not my favorite book but it also was the worst book. It was just ok.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the digital copy!

*I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

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I kept picking this up and trying to read it but abandoning it for someone else. This is not my typical read and didn’t work for me

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I have never read a book that was a “cozy” mystery. So I guess when I won this, I didn’t make it a priority to read and that’s a shame because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am so excited to have won the second book in this series and get started to see what these women can wrap themselves up into …. Librarians make good detectives.
One of my favorite shows is Murder She wrote, while reading this book and how it unfolds is like reading an episode of Murder She Wrote.

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“Death Checked Out” by Leah Dobrinska (@whatleahwrote)🍁♥️

4 super cozy stars ⭐️

This audiobook was the coziest, cutest little murder mystery! It gave all the small-town-vibes, pumpkin-patch-cute characters, but still a murder mystery, which is one of my favourite genres! 🎃👻

Greta works as a librarian in the tiny town of Larkspur. She’s friends with an older man, Franklin, a bookcollector Greta likes to bring books from the library 📚

As she’s on her way home from the library one day, she stumbles upon a dead body. But then a very (!!) grumpy detective decides to consider her a suspect! 🕵️‍♂️

Greta decides to prove her innocence and starts her own investigation! She must get the full story to figure out who’s behind the murder 🔍

Honestly, the cutest little cozy murder mystery, perfect for autumn and honestly just October in a book. Also, beautifully narrated by @elizanarrates 🫶🏼 And, let’s be honest, there’s nothing better than a book about books 🥹

*Thank you NetGalley (@netgalley) and the publisher (@levelbestbooks) 🤍

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I finally made it around to read Leah Dobrinska's book, Death Checked out. I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this title! I also was excited when I saw the author's next book popup on NetGalley which totally prompted me to read this so I can read that one now!!

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Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books for a copy of Death Checked Out!

“I don't always love the content of the books I read. Or the writer's style. But I can always learn something from them. I maintain there is at least one decent line, one takeaway, if you will, in every book. That's why I like them all. There's something good somewhere in every book.”

Death Checked Out is a cozy mystery set in a small town where people live in lakefront cottages--but for some reason, I still imagined it as Stars Hollow (from Gilmore Girls lol). Our MCs are librarians which TBH great choice for murder mysteries!! My uni librarians helped me find the best research material back in grad school and I honestly believe they can find the information you need lol. This is fast-paced and easy, and it kept me on the hook trying to figure out who was the murderer!

Pick up Death Checked Out if you're looking for:
- cozy mystery
- library setting
- books, books, books
- friends sleuthing around
- a splash of romance (just a splash!)

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Death Checked out is a cozy mystery , which I often enjoy, that lacks the cozy atmosphere. This was not an easy or enjoyable read . The plot was easily figured out early in the book, the characters were not well thought out along with the overuse of library terms. I would suggest this book to those who want a quick read or perhaps to get out of a reading slump , then pick this book up. Thanks to #Netgalley for the advanced e-book copy.

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Everything seems to going okay for Greta Plank, she's just moved to a small town as a librarian, she lives in a nice little house on the river, and she's even made friends with the town's grumpy old man. What could go wrong? oh, she's the prime suspect in a murder investigation.

'Death Checked Out' was such a fun little cozy and very good start to a mystery series. Greta was pretty likable, and I always love a protagonist who knows her books. Of course, I don't advocate for putting yourself in the middle of a murder investigation, but because the detective, Mark McHenry, has pinned Greta as a suspect, she must investigate to clear her name.

Detective McHenry and Greta had some chemistry going on, I honestly thought I wasn't going to like him but I ended up liking him a lot. The only drawback was that I actually guessed the murderer as soon as they were introduced, I don't know if I was just that good or if it was obvious.

Overall, a good start to a cozy series.

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I absolutely adored the cover on this book. And I loved the concept of a small town librarian.

Greta Plank is the library director of a small town in Wisconsin. Her boundless optimism and faith in humanity is tested when her neighbor is killed, and the new police detective in town is looking at her as the main suspect.

I was really charmed by the setting. There was a lot of love for small town America in here, and the side characters were all distinct and intriguing. I really enjoyed Greta's relationship with her two coworkers and friends. Greta really shines in her interactions with her community and what she hopes to do for them. I'm glad the romance wasn't really the forefront, which would really give the relationship time to build for me.

The mystery kept me guessing, which I really appreciated. Although, i do feel that there could have been more clues dropped for teh final reveal. There was a particular reveal that almost felt like it was thought of 3/4 of the way through, and written from there.

I'd love to follow the adventures of Greta and her small town shenanigans in any follow up stories, especially if we get to see more of her relationships around the town.

My thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books for this ARC.

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