An Autographed Mystery

Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library #5

by DeAnna Julie Dodson

Faith Newberry’s job goes from hard to impossible when a squabbling family’s treasury of rare editions disappears at Castleton Manor during a blizzard.

As a winter storm brews in Lighthouse Bay, Massachusetts, eleven members of the Drelincourt family have booked the Castleton Manor literary retreat. It's librarian Faith Newberry's job to convince the patriarch, Max Drelincourt, and his nieces and nephews to sell their ancestor's complete collection of autographed Agatha Christie first editions, which had been divided up among the family members. Faith thinks the family’s infighting is bad enough, but then the valuable books begin to disappear until there are none. No one can get in or out, so the precious tomes must be somewhere in the manor. The Drelincourts have a nemesis -- but who is it?

Fortunately, Faith has the assistance of all the members of the Candle House Book Club, as well as her cat Watson, whose uncanny abilities may surprise everyone. Together, they'll find out if there's merely mischief on the Drelincourt express, or if something wicked has come to Castleton Manor.

This clever whodunit from Annie’s Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library series is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries, reading, pets, and female friendships.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Books About Books, Cozy, Fiction

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2025

About the author

DeAnna Julie Dodson has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with four spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her first books, In Honor Bound, By Love Redeemed and To Grace Surrendered, are a trilogy of medieval romances and have just been redesigned and freshly edited for Kindle. She is also the author of the contemporary mystery, Letters in the Attic, and has recently signed on to write another Annie's Attic Mystery: The Key in the Attic, due out in 2012. Her newest books, yet to be released, are A Dinner of Herbs, a Civil War drama, and a 1930s English mystery, Rules of Murder. Civil as an Orange, her current work in progress, is the sequel to Rules of Murder. You can find out more about DeAnna and her books, including sample chapters, at her website: http://www.deannajuliedodson.com/

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery, and it is the 5th book in the Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library series. I really loved this book. I found all the characters fun in this series. The mystery in this series was fun and more character developed in this book. I loved all the pets in this series. There is a lot of family drama and secrets in this book. I wish that the librarian, Faith and the Owner of the Manor Library, Wolfe would start to date because I think they would be good together. (*)

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. 😃 I love the tie-in too some of my favorite Agatha Christie books. 🙌🏽

[Diane Yonchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best yet in the wonderful Secrets of Castleton Manor Library series, published by Annie's Attic! The plot is excellent, and moves very quickly. Faith the manor librarian is a wonderful protagonist. I truly love all mysteries, but "cozies" are a real joy for me, no gore, no overt violence, no sex. I'm no prude, but it's nice to just relax and and read a good mystery, and these are GOOD mysteries! Bravo Annie's Attic and to DeAnna Julie Dodson for penning this excellent entry!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the chapters that are from the point of view of the cat.

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet setting, interesting characters, interesting (if a bit rushed) conclusion.

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is my favorite so far in this series. Of course Watson the cat always steals the show. I adore him. In each book, there is always a part or two from his point of view. Those parts are so fun and make me think that is exactly how I'd imagine a cat would respond to things. This is not a murder mystery (hope that's not a spoiler), which I really love because it's hard to find mysteries without dead bodies somewhere. As I get to know the reoccurring characters, they become like comfortable friends. These stories are light and quick reads for me.

[PugMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun mystery!

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again..another fun read! This time we join Faith and Watson during a family reunion of sorts. The Drelincourts each have a set of autographed first editions of Agatha Christie's books that Wolfe (the owner of Castleton Manor) wants to buy. While at the manor they are snowed in and joined by two men who just happen to break down close by. The books are swiped from under the family members' noses...one at a time. So who could be stealing them...strangers or family?? Guess you'll have to read to find out. 🧡🧡🧡🐾🐾🐾

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book. But was sadly disappointed. Found the story boring and had a hard time concentrating on what was happening. The characters fell flat. Won’t be reading anymore in this series.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed through the middle of this book because I got too impatient to know the end.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend (CC) gifted me several of these cozy mysteries. Most can probably be read as stand-alones although I am reading them in series order.

This book is a little different than the preceding 4. In most of the other books, there was an event or theme. This time it is a family reunion of sorts--with an autographed set of Agatha Christie books up for possible sale to Castleton Manor. A winter storm traps a skeleton crew staff, Wolfe Jaxon, the Drelington family, 2 stranded travelers, and Faith's Aunt Eileen at the Manor. The autographed books start disappearing .

Faith is more involved in solving the mystery this time--with a little help from Rob Drelington who is a police officer. It's also cute to see Watson infatuated with the shy Lucy.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about typical of the rest of the series. Elegant surroundings, scrumptious food, light cozy mystery. An enjoyable, light read. The best thing about this book was the pets, but there were so many, they tended to blend together.

I'm doubtful that we had enough clues to figure out whodunit in advance of the main characters. There were also so many suspects that not all of them got adequate characterization and they tended to blend together, too.

The series already had one book on Agatha Christie's mysteries... this was another.

[CatReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent Agatha Christie themed mystery. I couldn't put it down there were so many twists and turns. It was very atmospheric with all of them being stuck in the manor due to a snowstorm. It was also clever writing that got the Candle House Book Club and Watson there to solve the crime. I thought I had it figured out but the reveal was more complicated than I was expecting. The end was great too.

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun installment in the Castleton Manor cozy mystery series. This one didn't involve a murder which was refreshing. I liked the family dynamic and the slight jealousy of the owner Jax to the librarian Faith. These books are written by different authors and yet they have the same feel to them. I would assume that is hard to do. I enjoyed it anyway. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars,

It felt kind of predictable and too feel good at the end when two family members betrayed the rest. However, despite this, I was surprised by who it was that did the actual thefts more than anything. I think being locked in at the manor also limited how much they could do so it helped with the atmosphere.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoy the Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library. This time no murder but the characters were interesting. Entertaining and a quick read. Enjoyed reading about Watson’s adventures, as always.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library series. This has a different take as there is no murder. Lots of fun in trying to figure out who is the one stealing the books. Great read!

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best in the series so far. Plot was a good story line and the ending surprised me. I predicted the outcome but the wrong bad guy. A bit more history and interaction between the primary characters would have mad it a better read.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from the Castleton Manor series, and I found it quite enjoyable. The story involves the disappearance of valuable Agatha Christie books among a large cast of characters. No dead bodies and no explicit language - just a good solid mystery!

[Nate Balcom · Rating 4 out of 5]

With so many references to Agatha Christie's novels, this may be my favorite of the Manor Library series so far!

[Cammie Arneson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery. Watson did it again!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect audio series to accompany my knitting!

I should say that while I find these books entertaining to listen to while I'm knitting, I borrow them from my library, electronically, and would be extremely unlikely to either purchase them or to actually read the ebook.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story overall was good but I have to say it is slightly unrealistic for the family to just forgive the culprit for not only stealing their property but drugging one of their dogs.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read. Not a book I'll read again.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the mystery elements to this installment of the series. Great read!

[Shannon Teper · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea for this book was a good one, but it was poorly executed. Characters rambled around making peculiar choices and having repetitive conversations. Not my favorite in this series.

[Amy Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite from this series, but a fun cozy nonetheless! I love all the Agatha Christie themes throughout this and the intense winter storm.

[Stacey Uffelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one, too. Bummer as it was #5--I prefer to read a series in order (so far have read #1 and #5), but looking forward to finding #2.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and An Autographed Mystery is another excellent addition to the series! In this 5th book of the series, Faith Newberry is the librarian at Castleton Manor, a literary retreat. The library has a chance to buy a series of signed 1st edition Agatha Christie books which are owned by the members of the Drelincourt family. Some members want to sell and some want the books to be kept together. There is a big snowstorm and the staff, the visiting family. and 2 stranded motorists are all snowed in at the manor. Before long, these rare books begin to disappear a few at a time. The suspect list is obvious but I was kept guessing until the end. Surprisingly there was no murder. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book!! The audiobook is well done and very enjoyable.