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Between the Lines
A country house murder in a quirky Suffolk village throws Julia, the long-standing library manager, into a hunt for the truth. Using her keen observational powers, combined with her unflinching knowledge of her fellow villagers’ weird and wonderful reading habits, Julia sets out on a mission to flush out the guilty. Everyone in the village has secrets, even Julia.
- GenresDetectiveCozy Mystery
222 pages, ebook
Published November 30, 2023
9 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Day
11 books15 followersHi all
In short, I love stories.
I write thrillers, murder mysteries & domestic noir. Two of my thrillers are coming out this year through Bloodhound Books.
I'm also proud to have been selected for this year's prestigious Escalator Award, for a cosy crime thriller I'm writing.
In the darkest corners of the darkest moments of my darkest stories, there’s always a dry sense of humour. In my spare time, I dabble in quirky tales for the YA/MG market
I'm lucky enough to teach screenwriting and theatre at two universities in London and work for The Literary Consultancy as a script consultant.
I've written literary short stories for Radio4, been shortlisted for Granta, and had work in anthologies, winning awards for my theatre & screenplays.
The Insect House is my first novel.
In short, I love stories.
I write thrillers, murder mysteries & domestic noir. Two of my thrillers are coming out this year through Bloodhound Books.
I'm also proud to have been selected for this year's prestigious Escalator Award, for a cosy crime thriller I'm writing.
In the darkest corners of the darkest moments of my darkest stories, there’s always a dry sense of humour. In my spare time, I dabble in quirky tales for the YA/MG market
I'm lucky enough to teach screenwriting and theatre at two universities in London and work for The Literary Consultancy as a script consultant.
I've written literary short stories for Radio4, been shortlisted for Granta, and had work in anthologies, winning awards for my theatre & screenplays.
The Insect House is my first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 17, 2023
I like a "cosy" murder mystery so I thought Between the Lines fitted the bill. Plus, the main protagonist was Julia, the library manager of a village library - much like my mum was. Julia knows everyone and is adept at recommending books. However, as many libraries these days, hers is under fire but she has been promised a quarter of the books from nearby Hortishall Hall on the death of Lord Hortishall. However the lady of the Manor is not playing ball so Julia goes on the offensive.
Unfortunately the story itself needs a jolly good edit. It meanders all over the place adding superfluous details at every opportunity. The characters are a mish mash of caricatures, none of whom ring true. The actual murder is so far on in the book I was beginning to wonder if I'd read the synopsis correctly. The actual plot itself is so convoluted I confess to skimming towards the end.
Simply not my thing.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unfortunately the story itself needs a jolly good edit. It meanders all over the place adding superfluous details at every opportunity. The characters are a mish mash of caricatures, none of whom ring true. The actual murder is so far on in the book I was beginning to wonder if I'd read the synopsis correctly. The actual plot itself is so convoluted I confess to skimming towards the end.
Simply not my thing.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2023
Quirky small town cozy mystery about a librarian solving murder mysteries... Ok, book for a nice weekend reading by the fire.
December 12, 2023
Shirley Day - Between the Lines: Solving crimes one book at a time
This my first book by this author. When I saw Murder Mystery and Cozy Crime I was interested.
It was a cozy read indeed. Too bad it took a long time to get to the murder mystery. The beginning of the story was mostly introduction.
I was hoping for a nice FMC like Miss Marple. But she was no Marple. I am not sure what to think of her.
But it was a nice read. With a lot of potential. I am curious and really do wanna read more by her.
3.5 stars
inge1970reads
This my first book by this author. When I saw Murder Mystery and Cozy Crime I was interested.
It was a cozy read indeed. Too bad it took a long time to get to the murder mystery. The beginning of the story was mostly introduction.
I was hoping for a nice FMC like Miss Marple. But she was no Marple. I am not sure what to think of her.
But it was a nice read. With a lot of potential. I am curious and really do wanna read more by her.
3.5 stars
inge1970reads
November 30, 2023
There's a lot of potential in this story but I think that some edit would help as the story is a bit confusing at times.
The atmosphere is nice and I think the FMC is quite well done.
Editing could turn this story is a very solid and entertaining cozy mystery
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The atmosphere is nice and I think the FMC is quite well done.
Editing could turn this story is a very solid and entertaining cozy mystery
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 12, 2023
Shirley Day - Between the Lines: Solving crimes one book at a time
This my first book by this author. When I saw Murder Mystery and Cozy Crime I was interested.
It was a cozy read indeed. Too bad it took a long time to get to the murder mystery. The beginning of the story was mostly introduction.
I was hoping for a nice FMC like Miss Marple. But she was no Marple. I am not sure what to think of her.
But it was a nice read. With a lot of potential. I am curious and really do wanna read more by her.
3.5 stars
inge1970reads
This my first book by this author. When I saw Murder Mystery and Cozy Crime I was interested.
It was a cozy read indeed. Too bad it took a long time to get to the murder mystery. The beginning of the story was mostly introduction.
I was hoping for a nice FMC like Miss Marple. But she was no Marple. I am not sure what to think of her.
But it was a nice read. With a lot of potential. I am curious and really do wanna read more by her.
3.5 stars
inge1970reads
March 18, 2024
ITA
Ci troviamo in Gran Bretagna, in un paesino con tutto quello che potrebbe avere un paesino britannico e perché non anche una famiglia nobile, gli Hortishall, e una biblioteca?
Julia, la direttrice della biblioteca, alla morte di sua signoria, il signore, si reca dal suo avvocato ad accertarsi che nel testamento sua signoria abbia lasciato alla biblioteca una parte di libri della sua fornitissima, pregiatissima e nobile libreria. L’avvocato conferma e sua signoria, la moglie, provvederà a far arrivare alla biblioteca i volumi, come stabilito nel testamento.
Ed è proprio attorno a questi volumi che si svolge la storia di “Between the lines”.
Di Shirley Day avevo già letto “Game” ed ero rimasta turbata dal racconto, sembrava di stare in una specie di “sortilegio”, molto grottesco e personaggi molto cinici. Quando ho visto che, tra gli ARC proposti da Booksirens, c’era anche questo libro, ci ho provato.
Le descrizioni sono diverse e la storia è interessante. Molto meno grottesca e con personaggi decisamente meno cinini. Il personaggio di Julia come anche con tutte le persone che la circondano, ognuno a modo suo, mi sono piaciuti. Ho un po’ faticato a volte perché c’erano parecchie digressioni che mi hanno dato l’idea di capitoli molto lunghi dove spesso perdevo il segno. Però devo dire che mi è piaciuto molto di più rispetto a “Game”, sono contenta di aver dato a questa scrittrice una seconda possibilità.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
We find ourselves in Great Britain, in a small town with everything a small British town could have, and why not also a noble family, the Hortishalls, and a library?
Julia, the director of the library, on the death of his lordship, goes to his lawyer to ascertain that, in his will, his lordship has left the library a portion of books from his well-stocked, highly prized, and noble library. The lawyer confirms, and her lordship will see to it that the volumes get to the library, as stipulated in the will.
And it is precisely around these volumes that the story of "Between the Lines" unfolds.
By Shirley Day I had already read "Game" and was disturbed by the tale; it seemed to be in a kind of "spell," very grotesque, with characters with quite a lot of wry comedy. When I saw that, among the ARCs suggested by Booksirens, there was also this book, I gave it a try.
The descriptions are different, and the story, in my opinion, is also interesting. Much less grotesque and with decidedly fewer cynical characters. I liked the character of Julia as well as all the people around her, each in their own way. I struggled a bit because there were quite a few digressions, which gave me the idea of very long chapters, where I sometimes lost track. I have to say, though, that I enjoyed it much more than "Game," so I'm glad I gave this writer a second chance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ci troviamo in Gran Bretagna, in un paesino con tutto quello che potrebbe avere un paesino britannico e perché non anche una famiglia nobile, gli Hortishall, e una biblioteca?
Julia, la direttrice della biblioteca, alla morte di sua signoria, il signore, si reca dal suo avvocato ad accertarsi che nel testamento sua signoria abbia lasciato alla biblioteca una parte di libri della sua fornitissima, pregiatissima e nobile libreria. L’avvocato conferma e sua signoria, la moglie, provvederà a far arrivare alla biblioteca i volumi, come stabilito nel testamento.
Ed è proprio attorno a questi volumi che si svolge la storia di “Between the lines”.
Di Shirley Day avevo già letto “Game” ed ero rimasta turbata dal racconto, sembrava di stare in una specie di “sortilegio”, molto grottesco e personaggi molto cinici. Quando ho visto che, tra gli ARC proposti da Booksirens, c’era anche questo libro, ci ho provato.
Le descrizioni sono diverse e la storia è interessante. Molto meno grottesca e con personaggi decisamente meno cinini. Il personaggio di Julia come anche con tutte le persone che la circondano, ognuno a modo suo, mi sono piaciuti. Ho un po’ faticato a volte perché c’erano parecchie digressioni che mi hanno dato l’idea di capitoli molto lunghi dove spesso perdevo il segno. Però devo dire che mi è piaciuto molto di più rispetto a “Game”, sono contenta di aver dato a questa scrittrice una seconda possibilità.
Ho ricevuto una copia gratuita. Questa recensione contiene la mia opinione ed è pubblicata liberamente.
ENG
We find ourselves in Great Britain, in a small town with everything a small British town could have, and why not also a noble family, the Hortishalls, and a library?
Julia, the director of the library, on the death of his lordship, goes to his lawyer to ascertain that, in his will, his lordship has left the library a portion of books from his well-stocked, highly prized, and noble library. The lawyer confirms, and her lordship will see to it that the volumes get to the library, as stipulated in the will.
And it is precisely around these volumes that the story of "Between the Lines" unfolds.
By Shirley Day I had already read "Game" and was disturbed by the tale; it seemed to be in a kind of "spell," very grotesque, with characters with quite a lot of wry comedy. When I saw that, among the ARCs suggested by Booksirens, there was also this book, I gave it a try.
The descriptions are different, and the story, in my opinion, is also interesting. Much less grotesque and with decidedly fewer cynical characters. I liked the character of Julia as well as all the people around her, each in their own way. I struggled a bit because there were quite a few digressions, which gave me the idea of very long chapters, where I sometimes lost track. I have to say, though, that I enjoyed it much more than "Game," so I'm glad I gave this writer a second chance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 21, 2023
Actually, I would give this book 3.75 stars if possible. I've been thinking how my review should be written. What to include, what to point out, etc. It is a bit difficult - there is so much I like, so much I look for in a book yet, some facets of the main character did not exactly endear herself to me and some key information that factored into the solution were only mentioned in the denouement. In fact it reminded me of what Lionel Twain (justified) complaint in Murder by Death!
The thing that prevented me from really connecting with the main character, and I suppose, the story was her insistence that the books were hers (the libraries). In all other aspects of life, she seemed a person who respected rules, both written and unwritten - this insistence, based on mis-gotten information, felt untrue to how I understood her to be. The fault may be solely mine; people in real life are complicated and contradictory - upon further reflection, she is human. My dislike of that aspect of her personality just shows that she is a fully rounded out and realistic person.
The facts given at the denouement should have been at least hinted at in the course of the story.
While I may sound quite negative regarding this book; I would read another by this author. I think there is a good backbone to this series. There are fleshed out characters, it is an interesting village with some great possibilities for mystery and intrigue. Our main character appears to have experienced a change in her outlook - that can be an interesting thing to explore with her.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The thing that prevented me from really connecting with the main character, and I suppose, the story was her insistence that the books were hers (the libraries). In all other aspects of life, she seemed a person who respected rules, both written and unwritten - this insistence, based on mis-gotten information, felt untrue to how I understood her to be. The fault may be solely mine; people in real life are complicated and contradictory - upon further reflection, she is human. My dislike of that aspect of her personality just shows that she is a fully rounded out and realistic person.
The facts given at the denouement should have been at least hinted at in the course of the story.
While I may sound quite negative regarding this book; I would read another by this author. I think there is a good backbone to this series. There are fleshed out characters, it is an interesting village with some great possibilities for mystery and intrigue. Our main character appears to have experienced a change in her outlook - that can be an interesting thing to explore with her.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 3, 2024
📚📘NOVEL THOUGHTS📗📚
Julia, the managing librarian of the village of Suffolk library has a mystery on her hands and will do anything to find the answer to it. What it comes down to is what happened to the valuable books promised in the will of the Lordship after his demise? She is incensed that she must remind the Lordship's estate solicitor time and time again for them and writes letters to his grieving widow to make good on her late husband's bequest to the library. But to further matters, a murder takes place at the Hall for which Julia is considered a suspect because of all her insistent letters. But they have the wrong person and Julia sets out to find the real suspect.
There are quirky and fun characters in this story. The author builds the atmosphere of this charming little English village with vignettes of each characters lives as she leaves little crumbs for the reader to use as reasons for possible motive for murder. It is quite subtle and takes a long time to build that up. So when the ending comes, it is at Julia's retirement party which she quite succinctly puts the whole crime together at warp speed I might add. I kind of expected more because what she shares as her evidence, was never fully fleshed out during the read nor does the reader know how she comes to these conclusions.
I loved the kooky names the author gives the characters and there is some very clever dialog which had me LOL often. One of the reasons I was drawn to this book was the cover. I was so drawn to it, I had to request it.
I received this book by the kindness of the author and Book Sirens for an honest review.
Julia, the managing librarian of the village of Suffolk library has a mystery on her hands and will do anything to find the answer to it. What it comes down to is what happened to the valuable books promised in the will of the Lordship after his demise? She is incensed that she must remind the Lordship's estate solicitor time and time again for them and writes letters to his grieving widow to make good on her late husband's bequest to the library. But to further matters, a murder takes place at the Hall for which Julia is considered a suspect because of all her insistent letters. But they have the wrong person and Julia sets out to find the real suspect.
There are quirky and fun characters in this story. The author builds the atmosphere of this charming little English village with vignettes of each characters lives as she leaves little crumbs for the reader to use as reasons for possible motive for murder. It is quite subtle and takes a long time to build that up. So when the ending comes, it is at Julia's retirement party which she quite succinctly puts the whole crime together at warp speed I might add. I kind of expected more because what she shares as her evidence, was never fully fleshed out during the read nor does the reader know how she comes to these conclusions.
I loved the kooky names the author gives the characters and there is some very clever dialog which had me LOL often. One of the reasons I was drawn to this book was the cover. I was so drawn to it, I had to request it.
I received this book by the kindness of the author and Book Sirens for an honest review.
December 2, 2023
I must admit to being a bit disappointed in Between the Lines. It starts with a prologue set in the present day and then reverts 18 months in the past and begins to move the story forward from that point. There were times when I wondered if I would ever get to the point of the story since it categorized itself as a murder mystery; not that it was boring or dragging, just not what I was expecting. Maybe I should have gone into it with more of an Agatha Christi mindset, but I'm not sure that would have done the trick. I know the ending reminded me a great deal of one of Hercule Periot's gatherings of all the suspects to determine who the culprit was. And that's another thing, the reader is not aware that a "murder" has been committed. Only that someone has died and the death has proved to be a benefit to the village. I think readers who are looking for a Ms. Marple-type story set in a quiet, quaint English village will enjoy this story and I will admit to being open to trying the next book in the series.
I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens and this is my honest opinion.
December 29, 2023
3.75 Stars. I loved the librarian's POV. There is an element of "woke culture" in a rare comment but it would reflect today's thinking. The plot is good and overall has good flow in development. At times the dialogue is very modern as found in a young to mid-adult today but I found not consistent and a bit jarring coming from a retiring librarian with a well developed vocabulary. Also, like a previous review, the author Day feels as if the reader needs an Hercules Poirot reveal where everyone is "accused" and dismissed - with clues pulled from nowhere else to be hinted at in the book - before the real culprit is exposed! Good mystery writers try to give the reader a fair if even a discreet chance. This is an entertaining read for teens and adults ( no sex &swears) and I hope Day keeps writing more.
November 27, 2023
Between the Lines
Solving crime one book at a time
by Shirley Day
Pub Date 30 Nov 2023
ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Humor & Satire| Mystery & Thrillers| Women's Fiction
As part of the Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, I am reviewing Between the Lines:
There is a murder in a quirky Suffolk village that throws Julia, the long time Library Manager, into a hunt for the truth in Between the Lines.
Using her keen observational skills and her unflinching knowledge of her fellow villagers' reading habits, Julia sets out on a mission to find the culprits. Julia, however, has a secret of her own.
I give Between the Lines five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Solving crime one book at a time
by Shirley Day
Pub Date 30 Nov 2023
ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
Humor & Satire| Mystery & Thrillers| Women's Fiction
As part of the Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, I am reviewing Between the Lines:
There is a murder in a quirky Suffolk village that throws Julia, the long time Library Manager, into a hunt for the truth in Between the Lines.
Using her keen observational skills and her unflinching knowledge of her fellow villagers' reading habits, Julia sets out on a mission to find the culprits. Julia, however, has a secret of her own.
I give Between the Lines five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
January 5, 2024
What a delightful read!
This is one of the few books that I really wanted to jump ahead to see how it ended! The suspense is palatable! You best prepare dinner ahead or order takeout as you'll not want to put the book down! Julia is an incredible and formidable force! Together with her ever hopeful but slightly scatterbrained assistant Carris they are quite the duo! There's humour along with a mystery that's compelling right to any one of the ends! Yes! ~~That's what makes this mystery so interesting ~there's more than one mystery (including a sudden demise of a significant character) weaved throughout! I'm excited to read the next in the series ~ A Sale of Promises!
This is one of the few books that I really wanted to jump ahead to see how it ended! The suspense is palatable! You best prepare dinner ahead or order takeout as you'll not want to put the book down! Julia is an incredible and formidable force! Together with her ever hopeful but slightly scatterbrained assistant Carris they are quite the duo! There's humour along with a mystery that's compelling right to any one of the ends! Yes! ~~That's what makes this mystery so interesting ~there's more than one mystery (including a sudden demise of a significant character) weaved throughout! I'm excited to read the next in the series ~ A Sale of Promises!
February 13, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Julia is the local librarian and knows what books each member likes or would like to read. She also is keen on following everyone else’s business and organising much more. The local manor house is her target but what will it take for that to happen.
Advertised as a cosy murder mystery this is the most drawn out thing I have read. Way too much other pathways before the murder or any bit happens. This was not cosy at all. It was dull and needs a severe makeover to maybe bring the murder forward and take some side roads to find the end
Julia is the local librarian and knows what books each member likes or would like to read. She also is keen on following everyone else’s business and organising much more. The local manor house is her target but what will it take for that to happen.
Advertised as a cosy murder mystery this is the most drawn out thing I have read. Way too much other pathways before the murder or any bit happens. This was not cosy at all. It was dull and needs a severe makeover to maybe bring the murder forward and take some side roads to find the end
November 29, 2023
Quirky and full of small town intrigue, Between the Lines offers a change of pace to the more frenetic murder mysteries. I’m sure it would be a great TV series.
The book is well written and the build up of local characters is well done. In the end, I struggled to like our leading lady. This tended to interfere with my enjoyment, and although the turbulent life of the village was fascinating, the whole thing left me a little underwhelmed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is well written and the build up of local characters is well done. In the end, I struggled to like our leading lady. This tended to interfere with my enjoyment, and although the turbulent life of the village was fascinating, the whole thing left me a little underwhelmed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 15, 2024
Between the Lines is set in a English village where the head librarian, Julia, gets embroiled in a mystery happening at the "Great house" on the hill, owned by the Hortishalls.
Although I found the writing difficult to follow, with a lot of unneeded description, I do think that lovers of Miss Marple will enjoy the mystery and the quirky cast of characters. It had a cozy mystery feel to it.
I did receive an advance copy of this book for free from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the publisher, author and BookSirens for the opportunity.
Although I found the writing difficult to follow, with a lot of unneeded description, I do think that lovers of Miss Marple will enjoy the mystery and the quirky cast of characters. It had a cozy mystery feel to it.
I did receive an advance copy of this book for free from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the publisher, author and BookSirens for the opportunity.
November 30, 2023
I have read another book by this author and so readily jumped at reading this one. It was good but I couldn't connect really with the main character. One minute I quite liked her but other times I didn't.
It felt like there was something lacking also in the story and the reveal at the end took me by surprise. Usually there is some hint that I may have missed and then I think ah, of course, the clues were there but it didn't seem like there was this time, although that could have been me missing it also. That being said, I did enjoy the story overall and it hasn't turned me off reading more by this author. The ending seems to hint at something in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It felt like there was something lacking also in the story and the reveal at the end took me by surprise. Usually there is some hint that I may have missed and then I think ah, of course, the clues were there but it didn't seem like there was this time, although that could have been me missing it also. That being said, I did enjoy the story overall and it hasn't turned me off reading more by this author. The ending seems to hint at something in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 12, 2023
The story takes time to establish the setting and dive into the characters featured in the story long before a crime is committed. Julia knows the village well and takes it upon herself to investigate the murder. There are different perspectives, so Julia's narrative is on and off and the investigation occurs in the background. This is a character-driven story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 15, 2023
I was on the struggle bus with this one. It was long and dry, and I fought to connect with the character without success. I felt adrift with the flight of ideas going in many directions . I wanted to scream with Julia's
book obsession by the end of this, but to her credit her tedious actions helped her solve the case in the end , so kudos Julia. I voluntarily read a free copy of this provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
book obsession by the end of this, but to her credit her tedious actions helped her solve the case in the end , so kudos Julia. I voluntarily read a free copy of this provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
February 4, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Nice reading. Not much thrilling for what I expected. Maybe a bit subtle concerning humor (no heartfelt laughters).
The author is surely well read and full of culture (and couldn’t be another way since books have a great importance in this book)
Might have been a little bit better for humor, but even worse.
In all, I liked the story and I give it full four stars
Nice reading. Not much thrilling for what I expected. Maybe a bit subtle concerning humor (no heartfelt laughters).
The author is surely well read and full of culture (and couldn’t be another way since books have a great importance in this book)
Might have been a little bit better for humor, but even worse.
In all, I liked the story and I give it full four stars
January 1, 2024
Missing library books and a death at the Manor. Julia, the head librarian in the sleepy English village sets out to get to the bottom of the mystery.
I love murder mysteries, particularly those set in small villages in the English countryside but this was a real disappointment.
The story meanders through unnecessary detail on villagers and the library and the main plot(s) take, very much, a back seat.
None of the characters are particularly memorable and the ending left too many unanswered questions.
I love murder mysteries, particularly those set in small villages in the English countryside but this was a real disappointment.
The story meanders through unnecessary detail on villagers and the library and the main plot(s) take, very much, a back seat.
None of the characters are particularly memorable and the ending left too many unanswered questions.
January 3, 2024
I received a free ARC of this book and I am leaving an honest and voluntary review. Julia is the stoic librarian in a small rural villiage thrown into a murder mystery. This is a well written book, I did feel like I was seeing the story from Julia's perspective. However, for me there was too much build up and the conclusion around the murder felt a little rushed. A good cozy mystery
March 2, 2024
Enjoyable to a degree, but I am not sure that I will read another story in this series. While the mystery is good, I found it a bit long winded and laborious and it felt like I had to wade through an awful lot before we got to the nitty gritty. The characters were interesting though and the ending was clever. I would award 3 and a half stars
April 20, 2024
I received a copy from Book Sirens.
Here is my honest review.
This book, set in a library, is a cozy mystery...is basically about a librarian who is trying to get books promised to the library by a wealthy patron, but is having a difficult time doing so. The mystery is pretty good, although the ending was a little confusing. I recommend it.
Here is my honest review.
This book, set in a library, is a cozy mystery...is basically about a librarian who is trying to get books promised to the library by a wealthy patron, but is having a difficult time doing so. The mystery is pretty good, although the ending was a little confusing. I recommend it.
February 21, 2025
Enjoyable read of a small community through the eyes and unique understanding of the veteran librarian. Quite a change from a normal murder mystery type of read and well worth my time. Most enjoyable for those who have a love for books, libraries. and librarians who get to know their clientele. Quite a knowledge of human thought and deductive reasoning found in this read.
November 9, 2023
This timeless, literary masterpiece is the epitome of top shelf, classy humour.
In this cozy mystery, the librarian knows all and hears all, yet is bound by an NDA, will the village murderer dare to escape notice?
In this cozy mystery, the librarian knows all and hears all, yet is bound by an NDA, will the village murderer dare to escape notice?
December 7, 2023
A very British mystery. A combination of Agatha Christi, Hercule Periot and Miss Marple type of book. It was very dry and slow moving. I, personally found it difficult to follow. Perhaps a little more organization in the story line? I, for a reason am not a writer, just an avid reader.
December 13, 2023
Loved it! The cover made me curious, so I looked inside, and by the time I read the beginning quote by Julia, the Library Manager, a smile had grown on my face. The smile turned into lots of laughter as I continued through the pages. This is a delightful story. The author does a brilliant job of winding into the situation. I’m glad to see it’s available in paperback. Can’t wait to re-read and enjoy the exceptional quality of writing.
This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dry humor, eccentric characters, amusing names, and an engaging mystery. Buried between the lines a delightful, subtle sarcasm that, if you’re not paying attention, could go right by unnoticed. I found this very entertaining!
This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dry humor, eccentric characters, amusing names, and an engaging mystery. Buried between the lines a delightful, subtle sarcasm that, if you’re not paying attention, could go right by unnoticed. I found this very entertaining!
November 19, 2024
A village of delightful characters all woven together via their everyday lives to make a charming mystery. If ever made into a film/TV show I'd love to play the forthright librarian, who's only desire is to get the books she has been promised for her library. Enjoy.
February 16, 2025
too quirky for me....
November 30, 2023
I love cozy mysteries, so I thought I'd give this a try. Sadly, it was not my cup of tea. I felt like the storyline was all over the place, and I could not connect with any characters.
*I was given a copy in exchange for my honest review*
*I was given a copy in exchange for my honest review*
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