A Killer Hold

Larkspur Library Mysteries #3

by Leah Dobrinska

A librarian’s rule for Better to be bookish than brash!

Spring has sprung, and with it, a full line-up of programming at Larkspur Community Library. Director Greta Plank is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference—and dreading the arrival of her ex-boyfriend—while also helping a local treasure-hunting club coordinate a showcase highlighting Northern Wisconsin’s gangster trail and the nearby hideouts of the notorious criminals of the early twentieth century.

When Greta overhears the library board president and a larger-than-life member of the treasure-hunting club arguing about a secret discovery, her curiosity is piqued—even more so when one of the women leaves a book with a sequence of strange markings on its pages in the library book return bin. Before Greta can ask about the marginalia, the book’s outspoken owner turns up dead.

At the request of the police—though against the better judgment of her new beau, Detective Mark McHenry—Greta sets to work trying to decipher the peculiar notations, and she quickly hypothesizes that there’s more to the story. Was something sketchy going on at the deceased’s jewelry shop? Did her death have anything to do with the gangster trail event she was helping to plan and the personal research she was bragging about? Greta must work against the clock to decode the dead woman’s book code. What she finds is someone willing to go to great lengths to keep a secret buried in the stacks—and the past—even if it means killing again.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2024

About the author

Leah Dobrinska is the author of the Songwriter Sleuth Mysteries, the Larkspur Library Mysteries, the Fall In Love romcom series, and the Mapleton novels. She earned her degree in English Literature from UW-Madison where she was awarded the Dean’s Prize and served as a Writing Fellow. She has since worked as a freelance writer, editor, and content marketer. As a kid, she hoped to grow up to be either Nancy Drew or Elizabeth Bennet. Now, she fulfills that dream by writing mysteries and love stories.

A sucker for a good sentence, a happy ending, and the smell of books—both old and new—Leah lives out her very own happily ever after in a small Wisconsin town with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she's not writing, handing out snacks, visiting the local library, or doing projects around the house, Leah enjoys reading and running. Find out more about Leah, join her newsletter community, and connect with her through her website, leahdobrinska.com.

Reviews

[bookworm ꣑ৎ‎ ˚. (more active) · Rating 3 out of 5]

₊‧ ୨୧ 3 stars rounded up ◞♡ 
⤿ tysm to netgalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

this was my first ever arc omg!! tho, it DID somewhat disappoint 🤧🫂… in reality it’s probably a 2.5 star, but i feel like it deserves a higher rating bc of it being my first arc XD

the writing was quite easy to read and super fast-paced, while the characters were all enjoyable to read abt — but sometimes i felt like there was a bit TOO many names to remember tho…

overall, the CRUMBS of romance were super wholesome and cute and i defs recommend this book if u want a quick and easy read with some pretty twisty plot twists!! 💌

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, A Killer Hold, by Leah Dobrinska, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book three in Larkspur Library Mysteries. Greta Plank is a Director at a library, she loves her job, she hosting a conference for the librarians of Wisconsin. When someone is murdered, Great has to solve a murder. This was a nice mystery, an entertaining read.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greta is back and this time Greta and her friends are hosting the Wisconsin Library Organization's annual conference. Greta has been working non-stop to make sure this conference goes off without a hitch while avoiding her ex-boyfriend who she hasn't seen since leaving Green Bay. Everything is going well, until a woman is found murdered next to Bobber's Bar. Blythe was part of the local treasure hunting club and is believed to have a secret discovery that she planned to announce at the showcase this weekend. Was her murder related to an infamous gangster from the past?

I love this cozy mystery series. I devoured the first two books in a week and was excited to dive right into A Killer Hold. The historical significance that was imbedded into the murder mystery was intriguing and I was excited to see that it was based off of true events that was stated in the author's notes. My only disappointment with this book was the relationship with the Detective and Greta. Although we get to learn more about the Detective's past, I wish there was a little more romance between the two in this story. I am hoping that their relationship continues to grow in the next book of this series.

A Killer Hold is out December 3rd.

Thank you to NetGalley and Level Best Books for the opportunity to review A Killer Hold. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars ✨

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
A well written, funny and entertaining book filled with mystery and murder solving that will keep you in your seat trying to find out more!

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Level Best Books for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

Although I didn't realize this is the third book in the series when I began reading, I still enjoyed it. It was fun to read about Greta's budding romance with the police detective and the librarians at the Larkspur library. Even though I wasn't as into the history of gangsters in the town, I still found it interesting. Having Greta's librarian ex, Nathan, as a character made the story suspenceful to me.

[kate monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC Review

Thank you to NetGalley for my free e-ARC! A Killer Hold will be published on December 3, 2024. 🤍

I didn’t realize A Killer Hold was the third book in the Larkspur Library Mystery series, so I felt confused at the beginning. There wasn’t much explanation for new readers, and it was hard to understand the characters and their relationships.

The plot seemed interesting at first, but there were too many unnecessary parts that made it drag. A lot of scenes felt like filler and made the book less interesting. The mystery was okay, but the slow pacing took away from the excitement. I did enjoy the cozy, small town vibe of Larkspur and the quirky side characters added a nice touch of the story.

If you’ve read the first two books, you might enjoy this one, but for new readers, I’d suggest starting with the earlier books in the series.

Read if you like:
Nancy Drew
Small Town
Cozy Mystery
Slow Burn Romance

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw there was a new release in Leah Dobrinska’s Larkspur Library series, I knew I had to get my hands on A Killer Hold. I absolutely love this series.

This series follows Greta, a librarian in a small Wisconsin town. Her two best friends are her sidekicks, and she’s in a relationship with one of the town’s cops. Honestly, this series feels like a love letter to Nancy Drew, and I’ve even read somewhere that Nancy is a big inspiration for the series. And I’m here for it.

In A Killer Hold, Greta’s library is co-hosting the state’s annual library conference alongside the neighboring town’s library. During the first day of the conference, a local is killed outside a bar where the librarians are gathering. And while Greta initially tries to stay out of it, she ends up juggling investigating and attending the conference.

I’ll be the first to admit that this book has a lot going on. There is a lot of history about gangsters in Wisconsin and a mystery around a possible treasure left behind. Then there is all the conference stuff, and Greta has to deal with her ex, a fellow librarian in attendance. Add in the murder and a host of suspects. But in the end, Ms. Dobrinska was able to tie it all together, and, for me, it was a satisfying mystery and conclusion.

While the mystery was quite good, the main characters are the best part of this book (and the series). I find Greta very likable. I enjoy her relationship with McHenry and her friendship with Josie and Iris. Greta’s interactions with these three, while sleuthing or not, round out the book and keep me coming back.

I’m enjoying the development of the characters, their relationships, and their growth as sleuths. I found this mystery complex yet well-rounded, and I figured out the solution right before the reveal, which is always nice.

A Killer Hold is my favorite book of this series to this point. I recommend this series to fans of Nancy Drew or anyone who loves a good, cozy mystery.

My review can also been found at https://novelsalive.com/2025/02/04/4-...

[C. D'Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great addition to the Larkspur series. My favorite aspect were the parts based on true events on the past, which the author tells the reader in the notes at the start. The historical accuracy added such a rich layer to the already perfectly layered story that kept my attention from start to finish.

[Miriam Dobrinska]

My favorite of the series!

[Brookelynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This spring Greta Plank, Director of the Larkspur Community Library is getting ready for a slew of librarians to arrive for the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference. Speakers, accommodations, and meals have all been planned to make the event a rousing success, but Greta is nervous about her ex-boyfriend/ex-boss taking part in the event.

While Greta is busy with the conference, library board president Cindi Fields is working on an event with her treasure-hunting club focused on Northern Wisconsin’s gangster trail. One of the members, Blythe Prescott says she has made a secret discovery and can’t wait to share all the details at their event the following weekend.

After Blythe leaves the library Greta realizes one of the books she returned didn’t belong to the library. It was filled with odd markings – letters circled and notes in the margins. Greta wants to return the book to its owner but before she can the woman is killed. When Greta brings the book to the attention of Police Chief Sorenson thinking it may help find the killer she is surprised that he asks her to work as a consultant and try to figure out what the notations mean. This doesn’t make Detective Mark McHenry. her new significant other happy but it may keep her busy while the police try to solve the case. Wrong . . . when she starts to uncover clues to the killer she realizes she could be the killer’s next victim.

The librarians in Larkspur are a tight-knit bunch. Greta, Iris, and Josie are friends as well as co-workers and Iris and Josie are there to support Greta and try to help her avoid spending time with her ex Nathan. He really was a creepy dude trying to press himself into conversations and trying to get her alone. He also wants to insert himself into the new murder case. I was very happy that Detective McHenry was by her side and made their relationship quite clear the first time they all came face to face. All the characters Ms. Dobrinska has created for this story/series feel very true to life. Some we can love and others easy to dislike. There were a couple that pushed my buttons but you have those in every small town. The relationship between McHenry and Greta needs more depth but it is moving in the right direction.

What intrigued me was the way the author explored Northern Wisconsin’s gangster trail as part of the story. Living in Wisconsin I have heard the stories many times but the way she used the history of the Little Bohemia Lodge as a “jumping off point” for her fictional story gave it solid roots that I really enjoyed. Larkspur became the middle of a hotbed of quite a mystery.

The mystery wrapped around the history was filled with twists and well-plotted but it did bog down in a few places. I found myself having a hard time getting a bead on who could be the killer which always makes things fun. Greta took risks and her findings added more layers to the mystery. They also put her in grave danger but she had a plan. The identity of the killer surprised me. I liked the way everyone worked together to bring them down.

A Killer Hold was an enjoyable escape full of history and mystery with likable characters in an interesting Wisconsin Northwoods town. I am ready to see what the next chapter brings for Greta and the people of Larkspur. Until December . . .

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Level Best Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Killer Hold

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ Spring has sprung, and with it, a full line-up of programming at Larkspur Community Library. Director Greta Plank is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference—and dreading the arrival of her ex-boyfriend—while also helping a local treasure-hunting club coordinate a showcase highlighting Northern Wisconsin’s gangster trail and the nearby hideouts of the notorious criminals of the early twentieth century.”

Wow this addition to the series did not disappoint! The mystery in this book was wonderful. I loved every minute of reading it and sad when it was over. I am loving the character development in the bigger picture plot. These books make me want to live in Larkspur. Highly recommend this book and the whole series.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was bittersweet to read this book since I knew it was the last in this series. I LOVED the Larkspur gang and have felt like we’ve been friends since the beginning. Leah crafted such a fun and engaging story as she wove all the past characters into this third story. The arch for multiple people was so satisfying and enjoyable. If there is ever another Larkspur mystery I will be first in line to grab my copy!

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literary Cozy Mystery featuring a Wisconsin library director who turns sleuth after a treasure-hunting club member turns up dead leaving behind a book marked with peculiar notations.

5/5 stars: This is the third entry in Dobrinska's Larkspur Library Mysteries series which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Wisconsin and features a library director who investigates the death of a library board president and treasure-hunting club member. In addition, she agrees to decipher peculiar notations found in a book owned by the deceased. Juggling hosting duties for the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference, she also looks into shady doings at the deceased’s jewelry shop, a visiting author acting suspiciously and a discovery the victim made that's linked to a notorious gangster. After decoding the book markings, she discovers someone ready to kill again to keep the past and it's secrets buried. With plenty of twists and turns, Dobrinska has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Dobrinska's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. I particularly love Greta's library colleagues and her friend (and sleuthing) group. It's also great to check in with all the fine folks of Larkspur and I really like seeing Greta and McHenry, her detective beau, continue with their relationship. And of course, there's Greta's adorable Siberian cat, Biff. I also very much appreciated learning about the history of gangsters and their activities in Northern Wisconsin. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick out book one, Death Checked Out.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Greta Plank discovers a personal copy of Pride and Prejudice in the Larkspur Library's return bin, she's confused by the mysterious markings inside but is intent to return the book to its owner. However, before she's able to return the book, the presumed owner is found murdered outside the local Bobber's Bar. Now the book is a clue and she is intent on helping the local police department to understand the book's markings. Where will the mysterious markings lead Greta and her fellow librarians, and what will her boyfriend Detective McHenry say now that she's once again involved in exploring a Larkspur murder?

This is the third book in a series, but my first time visiting the Larkspur Librarians. The beginning of the book appears to catch up on a lot of characters from the other books, so it felt a bit rushed on name introductions, but after a while I settled into the story of this cozy town, their history, and their mystery. I was drawn in by the local restaurants and I could picture Greta walking around town throughout her day to the various lunch and drink locations. The backdrop of the Wisconsin Library Organization Conference keeps them moving between locations frequently which lends the book a steady pace.

I wasn't a fan of Nathan, Greta's ex, who is another librarian in town for the conference. He’s still set on interacting with Greta despite her constant dismissals. I'm not sure if their relationship history came up already in previous books, but I wished there was a way to give Greta a parallel nosy investigator without it being someone that Greta has already moved on from. I would rather see more development in her relationship with Detective McHenry instead of giving page space for the narcissistic ex.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and was swept into the mystery along with the characters. I am always pleasantly surprised when a twist outpaces my own theories on the mystery, and this book did not disappoint.

Thank you to the publisher, Level Best Books, for providing a copy of this book with NetGalley for my review.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: A Killer Hold by Leah Dobrinska

Rating: 4 Stars

As a lover of cozy mysteries, I was thrilled to dive into A Killer Hold by Leah Dobrinska. The story follows Greta Plank, the director of the Larkspur Community Library, who finds herself juggling not only the upcoming Wisconsin Library Organization's annual conference but also the unexpected drama of her ex-boyfriend's arrival. To add to the chaos, she’s helping a local treasure-hunting club with an event that showcases the notorious gangster history of Northern Wisconsin. As spring blooms, so does a tangled web of secrets that Greta must unravel.

Things take a dark turn when a heated argument between the library board president and a charismatic member of the treasure-hunting club catches Greta's attention. When one of them mysteriously ends up dead shortly after leaving behind a book filled with peculiar markings, Greta can't resist the pull to investigate despite her new boyfriend, Detective Mark McHenry, urging her otherwise. The stakes rise as she deciphers clues that suggest there’s more than meets the eye regarding the deceased’s life and her connection to the gangster trail event. The plot thickens as Greta races against time to uncover the truth, leading to a thrilling conclusion that kept me on the edge of my seat.

First off, I have to mention what a delightful cover this book has! The writing is sharp, witty, and entertaining, making it easy to get lost in the story. Dobrinska has crafted a well-plotted mystery filled with likable characters who feel real and relatable. I particularly enjoyed the historical tie-ins that added depth and richness to the storyline.

Overall, A Killer Hold is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys a good whodunit with a mix of humor and heart. I give it four out of five stars for its engaging narrative and captivating characters—it’s a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Marian. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro fue todo lo que no pensé que necesitaba, el misterio que rodea la muerte de una persona desencadena que nuestra protagonista investigue cosas del pasado y se resuelva no sólo la muerte de esta persona sino también un misterio de años de antigüedad.

Nuestra protagonista ayuda a la policía a descifrar algunos papeles, que la lleva a escenarios peligrosos pero con astucia sale de ellos, decir que me gusto es poco porque me sentí una detective completamente, cada que pensaba “si, ya se quien es”, todas mis teorías se esfumaron y ¿ese final? no lo vi venir y me tomó gratamente por sorpresa pero lo sentí muy bueno para esta historia.

Se que este es el tercero de la serie y ya mismo pongo los otros dos en mi lista por leer porque sin duda esta Directora de Biblioteca tiene una cosa con meterse en problemas y me gustaría seguir leyendo mucho más de ella.

---

This book was everything I didn't think I needed, the mystery surrounding the death of a person triggers our protagonist to investigate things from the past and solve not only the death of this person but also a years old mystery.

Our protagonist helps the police decipher some paperwork, which leads her into dangerous scenarios but she cleverly gets out of them, to say I liked it is an understatement because I felt like a detective completely, every time I thought “yeah, I know who it is”, all my theories went up in smoke and that ending? I didn't see it coming and it took me pleasantly by surprise but I felt it was very good for this story.

I know this is the third in the series and I'm already putting the other two on my to-read list because this Library Director certainly has a thing for getting into trouble and I'd like to keep reading a lot more of her.

📌I received an e-arc through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[Vaishnavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to @Leah Dobrinska & @netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC. 💛🥰

In addition to managing a local treasure hunting club that is investigating a mobster trail in the the town, this cozy mystery follows Greta, the library director, as she gets ready to host the annual conference of the Wisconsin Library Organization. A corpse is discovered outside the neighborhood bar and Greta helps solve this murder. Who was responsible? Could it be the gangsters ?

Despite being a part of a series, this novel is excellent on its own. I jumped straight into this book without any problems, even though I hadn't read the others. I found the murder mystery's historical relevance to be fascinating, and I was thrilled to learn that the author's comments showed that the murder mystery was based on actual occurrences.

Not to mention that the charming Mark McHenry is returning, I loved Greta and all the oddball folks she must deal with. My only criticism is that, while I'm happy with Greta and Mark's present circumstances, I would have preferred a bit more of them in this one.

The feeling of coziness was evident and librarians being a core part of the story made me so happy. All of the characters were well established without taking away from the overall story, and the community was charming. I’d like to move to Larkspur after reading these books hahaha. Overall, I had a great experience and will probably return to read the previous two installments very sooon.

I genuinely can't wait to see whether Ms. Dobrinska plans to continue this series with another cozy mystery and I fully recommend it.

[Rosy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Killer Hold is a delightful cozy murder mystery set in a small town, complete with a sprinkle of romance. The story follows Greta, a librarian, and her close-knit community as they navigate the twists and turns of a captivating mystery.

Though this book is part of a series, it works perfectly as a standalone. I hadn’t read the previous books, and I had no trouble diving right into this one.

I really enjoyed this book—murder mysteries sometimes feel stressful, but this one struck the perfect balance. The plot was engaging without the tension you might expect, making it a cozy read that kept me relaxed. The romance isn’t the main focus, but the sweet interactions between Greta and her boyfriend added just enough charm to keep me invested.

The cozy vibes really shone through. The town was adorable, and all the characters were well-developed without overshadowing the storyline. Even though it’s set in spring, it had such a warm feel that it made for a perfect fall read.

I also appreciated the historical aspect at the heart of the story. I’m a fan of historical fiction, and the author’s note at the beginning about the Little Bohemia Lodge Raid was fascinating. I had never heard of it before, but the way it was presented made it really engaging.

Overall, this book is beautifully written, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a low-stakes, stress-free cozy murder mystery.

Thank you Level Best Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer Whalen]

Oh my gosh, this book so fun! A top tier mystery for sure!

I've been following this series since the first book came out and I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on the third installment - A Killer Hold, and I was not disappointed.

Dobrinska weaves the kind of mystery that makes you feel like you're reading a grown up Nancy Drew, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you intrigued and gasping out loud with each reveal. I particularly enjoyed the buried treasure aspect of the mystery, it added some whimsy to the story that was fresh and unique. The fact that the buried treasure aspect of the story was based on real events made it even more engaging and exciting.

A Killer Hold had the biggest romantic subplot yet in this series and I was absolutely here for it. Every scene with Greta & McHenry had me squealing and kicking my feet! He’s a fantastic counterpart to her, supportive & protective without being stifling or controlling. I can’t wait to see where their story goes.

This was a five star read for me and blew my expectations completely out of the water! If you love cozies rooted in real life events and a little bit of romance, this is the story for you!

❤️ Librarian Sleuth
❤️ Detective love interest
❤️ mystery rooted in real history
❤️ search for buried treasure
❤️ Nancy Drew vibes
❤️ strong female friendships
❤️ solving a murder
❤️ stand alone mystery
❤️ clean (no foul language & no spice)
❤️ cozy small town setting

A Killer Hold is a must read this year!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

✒️📖ARC REVIEW📖🖋️

A lot was packed into these ~200 pages! The story mainly follows Greta, a librarian in a small town, during an annual library conference her branch was chosen to host that year. The conference is the backdrop that draws several other victims and suspects into the quant town of Larkspur.

Greta has a short history as an amateur sleuth in the town, and gets drawn in to the case of a local murdered outside of a local restaurant. The clues come out little by little over the course of the conference week. In true thriller fashion, everyone seems to have a motive and the case gets more and more twisted as clues are found.

There is a bit of romance in the book. The love interest is a detective of the police station…who of course doesn’t like Greta poking around cases -for her own safety. There is also gangster history tied into the mystery behind the murder.

All in all a quick, enjoyable read.

The text messages could have been laid out a bit better. There were plenty of characters to keep track of, but they were mentioned enough times with their importance connected that it wasn’t too big of an issue. This being the 3rd book in the series was not too much of a continuity issue. Some references to previous cases were made, but nothing that would make the reader confused or enjoy the book any less.

I was provided a free advanced reader copy courtesy of Level Best Books and Leah Dobrinska via NetGalley. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

#arc #advancedreadercopy #NetGalley #akillerhold #LeahDobrinska #LevelBestBooks

[Minti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"A Killer Hold" is apparently the third book in a Series of Library Mysteries - I had no idea when I started it. However, it did not hinder me in getting to know the setting and our characters.
A Killer Hold is a quick and easy read, the prose is quick to the point and a seasoned reader can manage in a day (as did I).

The story progresses easily, with a few detours left and right with some of the supporting cast. I had a bit of trouble connection with the many many side characters, and i think that is because I have not yet read book 1 and 2 of the series.

My main complaint is that some parts felt more like filler, and did not much contribute to the plot, or were connected to the main plot by the flimsiest thread. The romance part was in my opinion barely there, and the book would have been perfectly fine without a (cop) romance subplot altogether.

My favorite part with the cover was that the depicted kitty cat was not only actually included in the plot, but also played (a very minor) role, and was continouosly mentioned. (Love you, Biff!). There have been way too many books with cats on the covers, only to have not even a single mention of one!

"A Killer Hold" is perfect for everyone who craves the feeling of a warm and cozy afternoon in, ideally with a cat curled up, purring on your lap, and a warm steaming mug in your hand.
3/5 Stars.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third Larkspur Library Mystery novel, readers return to the Larkspur community library where director Greta Plank is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organization annual conference, which signifies the impending arrival of her ex-boyfriend, while also helping the local treasure hunters prepare their gangster trail exhibit. When the library board president and treasure-hunting club member are overheard arguing, no one thinks anything of it -- or a marked-up book in the return bin -- until someone winds up dead. Against her new boyfriend Detective Mark McHenry’s wishes, Greta winds up on the case, and there’s always something more to the story. With a ticking clock and a library conference going on, Greta has her hands full in this new and exciting mystery novel with a historical twist. A great continuation of the series, the progression of the characters’ development and the growth of the Larkspur Library community is absolutely fascinating, especially as these developments play roles in the new mystery. Greta continues to be an enjoyable, interesting, and unique protagonist with a circle of funny, relatable, and complementary characters in the mix that add a lot to this funny, cozy, and charming new mystery novel and the world Dobrinska has created in this great cozy mystery series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Level Best Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and Members' Titles for the advance copy.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

*received arc copy from netgalley*

Let me start off by saying I had no idea that this was a third book in a series until I looked it up on Goodreads. Netgalley did not say it was a third book, and it made it seems as if it were a standalone and that's how I read it. (My own error is not included in the rating). I will say, I think that is a good thing for a book where someone can pick it up on accident and still follow along without being confused.

I have been trying to branch into the contemporary sphere and a book about librarians, murder, and mystery are some of my favorite things. And that is what this book gave me! It was a fun read, quick, read and it is what I consider a good segway for me to continue reading more contemporary stories. There were issues with prose and dialogue that i definitely think could be resolved. For instance the prose itself felt very stiff and a bit of a drag to read. It also did more showing rather than telling, which i think is good in books but sparingly. The dialogue itself was very... much? I love a good yapping character, but there wasn't much action between the dialogue, and if there was it was very brief.

Overall, this book was good! A nice palette cleanser after reading fantasy for so long. in the future I may read the first two books to get the entire picture of the world and the characters.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cosy mystery follows library director Greta whilst she is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organisation’s annual conference whilst also overseeing a local treasure hunting club researching a gangster trail in the village. Life is busy, but manageable until a body is found outside the local pub and Greta assists in the case to uncover the murderer. Who did it? Is it related to the gangsters? Things aren’t as obvious as it first seems.

This is the third installment in the Larkspur Library Mystery series, however it can be read as a standalone mystery. Dobrinska writes with an easy to understand style that engages you from the first page and I loved the narrator’s voice throughout being conveyed through Dobrinska’s writing. Throughout the book, we are introduced to quite a few characters that did leave me a little confused at who was who and how everyone was related, however this could be because I haven’t read the first two books. That being said, I flew through this book because of the easy to follow plot and I was thrilled that I did not guess the plot twist towards the end.

If you are a fan of “The Thursday Murder Club” series and “The Marlowe Murder Club”, then you will definitely enjoy this one. This book is due to be released 3rd December 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Leah Dobrinska for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Killer Hold coming out December 3, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Spring has sprung, and with it, a full line-up of programming at Larkspur Community Library. Director Greta Plank is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference—and dreading the arrival of her ex-boyfriend—while also helping a local treasure-hunting club coordinate a showcase highlighting Northern Wisconsin’s gangster trail and the nearby hideouts of the notorious criminals of the early twentieth century.

When Greta overhears the library board president and a larger-than-life member of the treasure-hunting club arguing about a secret discovery, her curiosity is piqued—even more so when one of the women leaves a book with a sequence of strange markings on its pages in the library book return bin. Before Greta can ask about the marginalia, the book’s outspoken owner turns up dead.

At the request of the police—though against the better judgment of her new beau, Detective Mark McHenry—Greta sets to work trying to decipher the peculiar notations, and she quickly hypothesizes that there’s more to the story. Was something sketchy going on at the deceased’s jewelry shop? Did her death have anything to do with the gangster trail event she was helping to plan and the personal research she was bragging about? Greta must work against the clock to decode the dead woman’s book code. What she finds is someone willing to go to great lengths to keep a secret buried in the stacks—and the past—even if it means killing again.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love cozy mysteries, especially if they’re bookish. I need to read the other books in the series. I thought it was a really interesting plot. I enjoy secrets solved through mysteries. I enjoyed the characters. Greta was a strong character. I would’ve liked a little more romance, but sounds like there will be more books in the series. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy bookish mysteries!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun and cozy mystery! I have enjoyed the entire Larkspur Library series, but I think this one takes the cake. I loved the historical twist, it made it feel more like a true story. I always have a love-hate relationship with mysteries because I either can figure them out too easily or they're impossible to figure out, but this one really was a happy medium. It had both ample clues and misdirects that made it super fun to try to figure it out before Greta did.

I also enjoyed getting to see the characters from past books grow. Greta is such a good protagonist through the whole series. I feel like she and I could be friends if she were a real person. I've loved McHenry since I first read (well, listened to) Death Checked Out. He's all broody and grumpy, and who doesn't love a broody, grumpy love interest? And I've always been a fan of enemies to lovers, so the way his relationship with Greta started as him suspecting her of murder was just so fun. While the romance was definitely not the main focus of this book (it's a mystery through and through), as an avid romcom reader, I really appreciated the increase of romance because I will never think adding a falling-in-love storyline is a bad thing.

Thank you so much, Leah and Netgalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was such a fun read! All opinions are my own.

[Kourtney Aller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was the third book in a series, but I could still read and understand it as a standalone book. I was excited to read a book about libraries, librarians, and a mystery, but this book didn’t keep my attention. Greta, the main character, is a librarian and is hosting a library conference in her small town. When a murder happens at the start of the conference week and a mystery about gangsters dating back to the 1930s unfolds, Greta finds herself caught up in the mystery and trying to solve the crime.
I felt like I didn’t really know or relate to the characters, but maybe that would have been different if I had read the other 2 books first. There also seemed to be a lot of characters, so I was trying to keep them all straight. It was hard without much character development. The mystery had some twists and turns and the romance was clean and wholesome but not totally necessary. I felt like there were a lot of unnecessary details and a lot of filler information that didn’t add to the story. The lead-up to the climax felt a bit rushed, and I was left wanting some more closure at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A KILLER HOLD is the third book in the Larkspur Library Mysteries by Leah Dobrinska. With a setting in the Wisconsin Northwoods in the charming town of Larkspur, the theme of early twentieth century gangsters and their crimes and hideouts is woven throughout the story. Protagonist Greta Plank is spearheading the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference and one of the participants is a treasure-hunting club, with the members hoping to find the cache of one of the notorious criminals who hid out a century ago. I love how old legends and history entwines with current day events and murder. The author does a fantastic job weaving the two together with page-turning action and well-plotted clues to keep the reader engaged and guessing. She has also created some memorable characters—people you’d enjoy spending time with—and I especially enjoy how Greta and her two library employees are best friends. They make a worthy amateur sleuth team, while providing some entertaining banter to lighten the dark subject of murder. If you enjoy well-developed characters, a fast-paced plot, a library setting, and endearing characters, then you’ll love this newest release!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.