Once Upon a Murder by Samantha Larsen second in the Lady Librarian series. I wanted to love this story. I loved the first one in the series and could not read to return to these characters. I just did not connect with them in this book. Tiffany seemed more unsure of herself and naiver than what she presented in the first book. Samir had a lot going for him until some choices were made that just did not sit well with me. The unnecessary focus on the workings of a woman’s body seemed out of context for this story and took away more than they added. It felt more like a young adult book based on the cadence and descriptions of conversations, scenes, and emotions. Overall, the story itself was promising, but the delivery fell short of what I was hoping for. Maybe the next one will be better. I am willing to give it a try since I have previously enjoyed this author.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Fairly predictable mystery, but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. I only thought it was predictable because I solved the mystery before the characters did. And I enjoyed this one more than I did the first book in the series.

Reasons to read:
- Murder Mystery
- Romance between older characters (FMC is 40/ MC is 35)
- Fun, twisty plot
- Diverse cast of characters

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 :
Romance: Closed-Door
Trigger warning: light violence, murder, past r*pe of a secondary character, graphic childbirth, racism, abuse

𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Once Upon A Murder feels like a new-age, satirical murder mystery film, with a feminist nod. A Whodunit, with a strong cast of characters, with even stronger motives to kill.

Let me begin by saying I loved so many parts of this book! After the previous installment, Tiffany’s life seemed to be coming together, with her ownership of a cottage, new position as a librarian, and budding romance with the town law enforcer/bookseller, Samir. Her life is suddenly thrown for a loop with the murder of a person with many enemies, including herself.

The strength of this book is the characters. It’s so unique, with its diverse cast! I love Tiffany and her intelligent, but innocent nature. This combination made for many funny situations. Her determination to find answers and forge ahead, was to be admired, especially when it came to solving a complex murder and clearing others of suspension. The returning cast added to the plot and development of the case; it was an added plus to see them again.

This story discussed many difficult topics such as racism, abuse, violence, and assault in a respectful way. It added a certain realism to the story that many historical romances do not explore. I enjoyed the historical notes and the flow of the story.

I will say, that I am uncertain how I felt about the author's decision to describe things that happen to the female body in a slightly graphic way. I applaud her for adding in those parts (especially since they also added a level of comedy and helped show/develop Tiffany’s character), but also am not used to reading about them in novels. So if you are squeamish, you may want to skip ahead.

All in all, I would love to read another installment in the Lady Librarian series!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Such an emotional Lady Librarian Mystery. And filled with so much love, be it romantic, familial, friendship, or found family. Tiffany literally has a body dropped on her doorstep, which causes a ripple effect of unimaginable proportions. I also found the mystery to be sharp and smart, and it kept me guessing.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Tiffany made some enemies in the previous installment, and that does not help her when she has to find the culprit who left a dead body near her home. In the previous book, she developed an affection for the person locally in charge of Law and Order. He encouraged the relationship as well, which is why it felt a little jarring to find out about his marital status. This particular part was explained well by the author and was interesting in its own right. The writing was better in this one than in the previous story, and the reveal was extremely unexpected.
As readers, I do not think the author means for us to guess anything about what might have happened with the murder since the information is provided in bits and pieces, and the ending reveal did feel a little out of the blue. I do not know if there is another book in the series, but it is not one I would be pursuing.
It is set in a different tone and pacing than other books set in the same time frame, and I would recommend it to readers who like that combination.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

The Lady Librarian Mysteries are truly fun to read. I really enjoyed the book very much. Tiffany and Samir are just wonderful together but other than the returning characters, the new characters too did not disappoint. Although this time I found the plot to be a little disappointing. There was too much drama happening around for us to keep our focus on the murder. Other than that, I really would have loved to see more of Tiffany and Samir.

This just wasn't the book for me. The first few pages turned me off and I couldn't get into a headspace to enjoy the remainder of the book. I'm sure this a great read for others, but it's a DNF for me unfortunately.

I had a lot of fun reading this historical cozy mystery! It is the second book in the A Lady Librarian series. Although I haven't read the first one, I was still able to understand and enjoy the story, however, it does frequently reference events and characters from the first installment. I would recommend reading it first but I don't think it's necessary. I really connected to the heroine, Tiffany, who is a incredibly strong, creative, and determined woman who takes matters into her own hands and marches to the beat of her own drum. The romance was really sweet as well and had a heart warming ending. I would recommend to anyone looking for an easy, cozy read with mystery and romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read the ARC!

I very much enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was looking forward to the second book. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book and did not finish it. The characters felt very different from the first book and it took away many of the things that made the first book so enjoyable. The inconsistency between the two books felt very jarring. I will not be posting a public review of this book as I chose not to finish it. Thank you for the opportunity to read this title.

1784 England. Officially hired as the librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort, Miss Tiffany Woodall is through with masquerades and murders for good. That is, until she stumbles upon the frozen dead body of former footman Mr. Bernard Coram. The speed with which her peaceful new life is upended is one for the record books: the justice of the peace immediately declares her the primary suspect in the murder. This is a murder mystery. With several suspects and murders it's hard to follow. I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

Let me preface this review by saying I did not read the first book. Maybe I would have felt differently if I had.

Historical romances are my comfort books. They are what got me back into reading as an adult and led to me finding my favorite genre, historical murder mysteries. I should have loved this book! Unfortunately, the plot and writing left a lot to be desired. I couldn’t wait to turn the page, not because it was good, but because I wanted it to be over.

None of the characters were likable except for Captain Beau, but even he couldn’t rescue the plot.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to read the ARC.

In 1784 England, Tiffany Woodall, now the Duchess of Beaufort's librarian, has her peaceful life disrupted when she discovers the body of former footman Bernard Coram. To keep herself free of suspicion, Tiffany sets out to Unravel the mystery herself. She uncovers Bernard's involvement in a pub fight and blackmail, leading to the arrest of the constable Samir Lathrop. The race is on to save him before he is unjustly condemned for a crime he didn’t commit.

Since I enjoyed the first book of this series so much, I was eager to see what new adventure Tiffany would become involved in. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one as much. Tiffany, who had been a mature character before, now came across as completely different. I thought I would enjoy seeing her and Samir interacting together, but I was not expecting the interactions they would have in this book.

There were parts that felt rushed in the narrative. Problems that felt like they should have had a serious, long term impact on all the characters, were overcome in ways that felt too easy. It felt as though the mystery was overshadowed by the drama happening, so the solution to the mystery felt as though it came out of nowhere.

I was disappointed but other readers may not be. I would recommend this to readers who don’t mind a bit of drama in their mysteries.

I’m not entirely familiar with what entails a cozy mystery, but if I had to guess, it would be a read like this as that is exactly what it felt like. A historical cozy mystery. Set in the late 1700s, our main FMC Tiffany finds a body outside of her cottage. Someone has been murdered. Thus ensues a lot of finger pointing among the town, resulting in her lover being taken in as the culprit simply because he is of color and foreigner, therefore he must be the murderer right? So Tiffany tries her best to find the real murderer, which in the process uncovers a lot of secrets, and tries to get Samir released from the jail for a crime he very much did not commit. I did appreciate that— especially given the time period— she was like shame on you for being racist to the people who were like yeah Samir should hang for this, even if they knew he wasn’t the one who did it.
From this you’re probably like, what cozy about this? Well it was a nice read to just sit back and relax to and read as Tiffany brambles about town uncovering secrets and figuring out what happened to the dead man. Plus there is a baby, and a happily ever after for our dear spinster.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the early copy!

I loved that there is interesting historical information mixed in this book. The mystery is well done and it was fun trying to solve the mystery. There were several plot twists. I liked the book.

"Once Upon a Murder" by Samantha Larsen In the enthralling second installment of the Lady Librarian mystery series, author Samantha Larsen takes readers on a captivating journey through 1784 England in "Once Upon a Murder." With echoes of Deanna Raybourn's atmospheric storytelling and a touch of the beloved Bridgerton series, this book promises a thrilling blend of mystery, romance, and historical intrigue. The story revolves around the intelligent and determined Miss Tiffany Woodall, who finds herself entangled in yet another murder investigation. Having left behind a past filled with masquerades and deadly secrets, Tiffany's peaceful life as the librarian for the Duchess of Beaufort is abruptly shattered when she comes across the lifeless body of Mr. Bernard Coram, a former footman. To make matters worse, the justice of the peace hastily accuses Tiffany of being the prime suspect in this chilling crime. Refusing to accept her wrongful implication, Tiffany embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the murder, aiming to clear her own name and save her beloved Samir from the clutches of injustice. As she delves deeper into the case, Tiffany unravels a web of secrets, discovering that Bernard's demise may be connected to a fateful encounter he had at a local pub—where he was involved in a violent altercation over a woman. Furthermore, rumors circulate that Bernard was blackmailing Samir, complicating matters and intensifying Tiffany's determination to solve the mystery. Larsen skillfully weaves together a tale brimming with suspense, romance, and unexpected plot twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The author's impeccable attention to historical detail immerses readers in the vibrant backdrop of 18th-century England, painting a vivid picture of societal norms, class struggles, and the intricacies of the time. What truly sets "Once Upon a Murder" apart is Larsen's ability to craft complex and relatable characters. Tiffany's resilience and intelligence shine throughout the narrative, making her a captivating and admirable protagonist. As she fights to clear her name and save Samir, readers will find themselves emotionally invested in her journey. The supporting cast, from the justice of the peace to the enigmatic Samir, adds depth and intrigue, keeping readers guessing about their true intentions until the very end. Samantha Larsen's "Once Upon a Murder" is a gripping historical mystery that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages. With its perfect blend of romance, suspense, and historical charm, this novel is a must-read for fans of the Lady Librarian series and anyone seeking an engrossing tale of love, betrayal, and the quest for justice. Prepare to be transported to a bygone era, where secrets lurk behind every corner and the lines between tragedy and passion blur.

I'm loving these Lady Librarian Mysteries! This is book two and I would really suggest reading the first book, A Novel Disguise, before diving into this one.

Tiffany Woodall was such a fun character in the first book. I loved her tenacity and doing what she needed to do to survive. She has a sharp mind and is a person that most everyone around her is able to befriend and relate to.

She's back with a new mystery to solve. Another dead body, this time found outside her small cottage. But when her name and other's names are in the running for the prime murder suspect, she's going to need all of her wits and then some to clear everyone's names.

I loved the twists and turns and the piecing together of all the clues. I love a well written murder mystery, especially if I can't quite figure out it too quickly and this one kept me guessing and guessing again pretty close to the end.

There's a sweet underlying theme of family which really made me smile and melted my heart in some scenes!

Now I'm ready for more, but I'll just have to be patient as this second book doesn't release until February 2024. But you better believe I'll be jumping on the chance to read more of Miss Tiffany Woodall, Lady Librarian, amateur sleuth!

Content: There is a murder and a couple attacks but everything was written in a non graphic way. There is a character who has had a baby with someone other than her spouse (does not go into detail, written in a sensitive manner). There is a love story with nothing more than a couple kisses. I consider this one to be a clean read.

I received a copy from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Enjoyable historical mystery with a spritely and likable heroine. Good mystery and reasonably true to its late 18th century setting. Manages to be modern in its diversity without too many anachronisms. I have enjoyed the series and hope to see more books about Tiffany and Samir.

1785. The body of disliked ex-footman Bernard Coram is discovered by Tiffany Woodall outside her cottage. Eventually the man she loves is arrested for the murder. Can she find the real murderer.
A cozy historical romance and mystery but I did not find the two main characters particularly interesting. Maybe it would have been better to have read the first book in the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange of an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.


Back at it again with the Lady Librarian! I reviewed the first book on audiobook and I thankfully had the chance to review the sequel. Let's see how good the series is without the Disguise trope.


Warning: the murder victim is a repeat sexual predator. It's all off-page and I won't name names to avoid spoilers. That said, it does play a part in both the clues and thus gets discussed numerous times in the book. Just warning anyone who might be affected by that. Now on to the review proper


I have mixed feelings about this book. When I enjoyed it, I had great but the book can be repetitive and frankly a bit rushed. I wasn't a fan of the insta-love between Tiffany and Samir in the first book but rolled with it because of the banter. In this book, they don't talk as much so the grand overtures of love and their future feel so over-dramatic to me. There was a point where I was having fun only to be hit directly by a paragraph that icked me out. (It was the christening scene for those who are curious. But I feel conflicted because the book had a very dramatic conversation in the rain and I will fight you if you say it was "a bit much".


I do love how it builds directly on the foundation of "A Novel Disguise". It really tempted me to reread the first book for any subtext I missed the first time around as well as makes me curious about what the next book has in store. That said, I highly recommend reading the first book before this. There are some cozies that you can jump in at any point without missing anything. This isn't it thus far. (Yes, I know it's only book 2 but you know what I mean.)


The mystery itself was really good. The blend of red herrings, important clues and personal drama was on point as well. Rarely did I feel like one storyline overstayed its welcome. Only a few things seemed to be just turned in for plot twists and extra drama. The character of Evie is a big emample of that and one I'm surprised I enjoyed? I was fully expecting to hate her but if the next book is her, Tiffany and the Duchess solving crime, I won't be mad at it!


Still, I can't help but kind of wish Larsen had stretched these two books out into three. It would have deepened some of the development of the characters and given us fewer left-field moments.


Overall, I give this book 3.5 stars. The rushed story and character arcs didn't land well for me and I'm reluctant to personally continue the series.


TW: Discussions of off-page sexual assault, racism and xenophobia, imprisonment, classism, wife auctions, victim blaming, brief discussion of past stillborn, domestic abuse, violence, on-page labor and birth, child abandonment, handling of dead body.

Well, this second book in the Lady Librarian Mystery was quite eccentric. Very out of the box for the genre (how many times do you hear about a woman’s menses in a mystery or any other book?). Unlike other cosy mysteries, I felt like you kind of need to have read the first installment for this series, because I didn’t and I went into it feeling I was late to the party. So it threw me off a little bit. The cover is awesome and the overall vibes very original. It does stand out in the genre crowd, even though I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about it.