I loved the ambiance! The idea and the plot were great! Greta is a good character with interesting ideas. However, I feel like this book missed something. It was good, sure, but just missing that one thing to make it perfect.

This was a very enjoyable read! I love the small town setting and the story was easy to follow. It did get a little slow for me towards the middle but I enjoyed the characters, especially Greta because of how relatable she was, and this book was definitely a satisfying cozy mystery! I did, however, want to learn more about Greta and dive in deeper, especially since there were several brief mentions to her past. I expected the detective to have a larger role/presence but he didn't really show up much. There was also a hint of chemistry between Greta and the detective, but it wasn't really explored. I did want more of this (specifically more interactions, considering he was the main detective working on the case), and more information about the detective, but I'm excited to read future books in this series and I'm hoping we get to learn more about him and his background. Though I did suspect the real culprit, I was pleasantly surprised at the reasoning and I thought the author did a great job with that twist. Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this book and I definitely recommend this if you're looking for a cute and cozy mystery!

This was a cute, charming cozy mystery I gobbled right up. Loved the small town setting and the librarian main character. Will definitely read the next book in this series.

I really, really enjoyed this cozy little mystery story with it's idyllic small town setting (complete with lakeside views and a charming coffee shop), a lovable librarian mc, and the whole crowd of supporting characters! I loved the underlying theme of facing hardship where you are at, with those who love you by your side!

The mystery surrounds a murder and a room full of rare books, and there are fun literary references sprinkled through the book.

This book leaves you ready for more stories, so I will be eagerly watching for the next book in the series!

NetGalley provided the free eARC, but all of these positive, happy opinions are my own!

This was a delightful cozy mystery that kept me engaged. I was convinced I'd "figured it out", and partially did, but was still surprised at the very end. While I enjoyed it overall, there are a couple reasons I just couldn't give it 4 or 5 stars. The characters felt half-baked; I'd be interested in seeing the "townies" and Greta's best friends be fleshed out more in future books. There were also moments and character descriptions that seemed heavy-handed on the author's part. However, it still delivered what I craved from it: quaint, adorable, small-town scandal.

Coincidentally enough, just last week I was thinking that I would like to try a cozy mystery, and then this cute little book popped on my Netgalley feed! I thought the story was absolutely adorable and the atmosphere of Larkspur was PERFECT for a fall read! The atmosphere of the book was exactly what I was expecting/hoping for in a cozy mystery. The loss of stars for me personally comes from the romance part of the book - for some reason when I read the description on Netgalley I was thinking the romance would take up a bigger part of the story; that may have just been my fault but I was disappointed in the dynamic between Greta & the detective. Also I felt that the sister's death was really weirdly approached - it was mentioned so passively and the mom's almost like dismissal of it as a topic when Greta brings it up? IDK it just felt like it was a disconnected detail that didn't really add to the main plot IMO. Overall a really cute cozy mystery which was exactly what I was looking for!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It had an interesting plot. I enjoyed all the characters. 4 stars

Leah Dobrinska describes herself as a small-town romance and cosy mystery author and I’d certainly agree with that statement!

The cover is bright and quirky and definitely contrasts the sinister title. This almost oxymoron is what initially drew me in.

Greta Plank, who is a director at the local library is caught up in a series of unfortunate murder attempts – some successful and some quite not so successful thankfully. At one point in time, she becomes a potential suspect. In order to clear her name but also find justice for her friend who had been killed, she investigates on the side.
This investigation results in her tracking down half-brothers unknowingly, locating a rare book, interviewing estate investors and having a scary brush with death.

The characters all felt multi-dimensional and they all demonstrated different traits that either complimented each other or was the cause for some friction.

The plot kept me hooked and the real culprit came as quite of a surprise to me. There was no reason for me to suspect them until it was literally spelt out for me.
It was quite fun to read because I was suspecting the same people as the narrator and it really felt like we were solving this crime together.

I only spotted a few errors in my reading. The narrative and description never felt forced. It was a very easy read and the dialogue flowed naturally. I was really able to get myself caught up in the mystery and emotions being felt.

Although I really enjoyed the story, I was left slightly disappointed at the end as the teasing of the potential romance of the detective and librarian wasn’t seen confirmed nor denied. Also the reasoning behind the shifting of the detective from Chicago was also kept under wraps. Saying that, I hope that possibly sets up the premises for a sequel of some sorts!

This was a cute and cozy mystery, but not captivating. I got a little lost along the way, but I made my way back because I do enjoy the characters and small town aspect. Enjoyed!

A satisfying cozy mystery that is great for autumn (or fall if you’re not British). I really enjoyed this and it was just what I needed at the time of reading.

Greta Plank is an optimist who’s glass is always half full, no matter what life throws her way. For the first time life has thrown something her way that may just change her glass to half empty, by means of finding a body.

With Greta as the prime suspect, she’s got to challenger herself to find out who the culprit is. It’s not just to save Greta from going to prison for a murder she didn’t commit, but to also restore her glass to half full. Can she do it, or will her glass be emptied for good?

A great start to a new cozy series! The author set up a fabulous setting for this one, filled with everything a great cozy series needs to keep you turning the pages and coming back for more! Looking forward to more in this series.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Level Best Books and #NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A satisfying murder mystery.

A cosy mystery set in a library. What not to like? If you like the premise then this book will not disappoint you. Solid book for a palette cleanser.

A great cozy mystery! I loved the characters and all the plot twists. This is the perfect read for a cool fall night!

Murder in a small town! This was definitely a cozy murder mystery. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and all of the plot twists and turns!

This book is everything a cozy mystery should be!
Fun characters, deceit, mystery, chemistry, antics, romance, charming townsfolk, cozy setting, etc!!
Vivid storytelling is the author’s strongpoint and she delivered it again.
I was so happy to have the opportunity to read this new cozy mystery since I enjoyed the author’s Mapleton series.

"There's no way there could have been a murder in this idyllic little town. Right?"

Wrong.

After a bit of a rocky start, I enjoyed Death Checked Out. It sure hit a lot of the cozy mystery marks -- murder, a small town, a job involving books, and a cat. Oh, a main character who likes to snoop in ways I don't have the courage to emulate.

I have to say the start of the Death Checked out concerned me. The writing seemed stilted, and everything was told and over-explained. I wasn't really enthused, but it felt like the author really got her feet underneath her, and everything flowed better.
I could nitpick word usage now and again. The quote I began with is not something I see anyone saying non--ironically, but it turned out to be a small issue as I got into the story.

Greta was a quite likeable main character, and I found her to be really sympathetic, especially when encountering friends in peril. Being a mystery, this happened a fair amount. I felt sadness about the murder victim, as well as a potential romance that was nipped in the bud as a result.

The small town midwest setting on a lake is pretty spot on. My credentials are I live in a small town where you can't throw a rock without hearing a splash a state over from the setting off this book. Greta explains quite convincingly and accurately how nothing is a secret, although she has a more benevolent outlook on her neighbors, at least for a while, than I do mine. Well, some of them.

Greta does tend to tell everyone everything anyhow. Everyone. Everything.

The detective investigating the case is set up to be a love interest, and I'm sorta here for it. They have nice chemistry, and I'd like to know more of his back story in future books, which I'm planning to read.

I figured out who done it instantly, as well as who else not to trust. I might be a genius. No, seriously, I think I've just read enough books that it popped out for me.

The book definitely ticks off the "sweet" or "clean" box. I don't like those terms, and it's not something I particularly seek out, but if that's what you like, here is a book for you. What I mean is that I think there's 0 swearing, and the potential romance isn't spicy not even in thought, let alone deed.

This is probably a 3.5 read for me that I'm rounding up to 4 because I can't deny I'm looking forward to the next installment. I can't give it higher because of that rocky beginning and a few small issues with the prose. And the title doesn't thrill me. Cover's cute!

If you are looking to spend time with the start of a very nice cozy series with a likeable heroine, a peaceful setting -- when the bodies aren't racking up -- a cat named Biff, and a stoic detective/cutie, I can recommend this.

I really enjoyed this beginning to the Larkspur Library Mystery series, it had what I was hoping for in a mystery series. I enjoyed the plot that was going on and getting to know these characters in this world. It was written really well and I enjoyed the way Leah Dobrinska wrote this. I can't wait to see where this series will go.

"At the sound of the front door creaking open, Greta pinched her mouth shut. She and Josie looked at each other, anxious gazes colliding. Greta’s heart hammered. Would the intruder come around the side of the house to investigate her scream and find them there? They stared at each other until the sound of a car engine split the otherwise quiet morning air."

"Larkspur Lane cut through the center of town like the spine of a storybook."

Let me start off by saying this book is written very well and the story is easy to follow. You get the MC's (Greta) POV throughout the entire book and because she is easy to relate to reading this book was very easy.

The descriptions of the town, the characters, and the surroundings allowed me to easily picture the story as I was reading through it - which I love. The town reminded me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls - a small town where everyone knows everyone.

I loved that Greta wanted to do what she could to help bring justice to her friends - it really speaks about the kind of person she is. The bond between the three female main characters was another aspect that I enjoyed. They had each other's backs and stayed true to each other.

As a homeschool mom I absolutely LOVED that one of the mothers in this story homeschools. It wasn't a large part of the story but I never see that talked about in fiction books. So that was a nice addition.

I thought I had things figured out but then there'd be a twist.. right up to the ending. Speaking of the ending... so heartwarming. I'd love to know more about Greta's life in Larkspur - and about the detective.

Definitely worth the read. Highly recommend.

I wanted to first say, Wisconsin unite! I’ve been living in Wisconsin for many years so when I saw this was placed in Wisconsin I was so excited. When a tragic accident happens Greta and her friends ban together to figure out that this death was no accident. What a great first book for this series. I am so excited to see where this goes!