Body Behind the Library: A Marnie Devlin Cozy Mystery

by Sloane Foster, Barbara Boguski (Editor), Mariia Uvarova (Illustrator)

Some books are overdue for justice—and in Willow Springs, late fees can be murder.

Marnie Devlin thought opening a vintage boutique in sleepy Willow Springs would be the perfect fresh start after her husband's financial scandal and death. But when she joins the local book club, her quiet new life explodes into chaos. The tyrannical library director Delia Crawford—who's been blackmailing half the town—is found murdered behind her own library.

With her fierce employee Ruby Gomez and Taco, her Chihuahua with uncanny detective instincts, Marnie finds herself investigating alongside the overwhelmed local detective, Kate Lin. Construction company owner Marcus Chen had everything to lose when Delia threatened to expose his safety violations. Bank manager Patricia Wells was desperate to hide her gambling debts and embezzlement scheme. Both had motive, means, and opportunity.

But when Marnie becomes the prime suspect, the investigation turns deadly personal. Someone is planting evidence, coaching false confessions, and manipulating the entire community. As the real killer eliminates loose ends, Marnie realizes the murderer has been hiding in plain sight—and she may be next.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2025

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a cozy mystery book and part of the series A Marnie Devlin Cozy Mystery. The main character is Marnie. Marnie has been living in Willow Springs for awhile now to get a fresh start from her past. Someone exposes her past in front of a lot of people and they argue. Later that person is found dead and Marnie is the main suspect. Everyone thinks she is guilty except a few people like Will and Ruby. Will likes Marnie as more than a friend. Ruby and Marnie are great friends. When the evidence keeps stacking up against Marnie can they prove she is innocent? Can Marnie, Will, and Ruby find the real killer before it’s too late? I was drawn into this book from the beginning. I was shocked when I found out who the killer was and the killers past. I love that there is a relationship growing between Marnie and Will. I want to say so much more but I don’t want to spoil anybody. This author did an amazing job on this book. Overall, I loved it and can’t wait to read the next book.

[Terry Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story, one that I read from start to finish in just a couple of days.
A body is found behind the library in a small town where everyone knows everyone else (and their secrets), where news travels faster than the speed of light.
The main suspect is the newest member of the community, of course, but it quickly becomes apparent that she is not the only one who would benefit from the victim’s demise. Whatever happened to ‘innocent until proven guilty’? Our newcomer is ‘guilty until proven innocent’ and it is up to her friends and her dog to chase the clues to prove her innocence.
Fast paced and with more twists than a spiral spring it is most enjoyable.
Descriptions of the scenery and characters was well done.
DISCLAIMER: I received this book at no cost in return for an honest and unbiased review, and what I have written above is wholly my own opinion and recommendation.

[Lilly Hi Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delightful Cozy Mystery

This is a cozy mystery in the mode of the famous writers that started the trend of amateurs investigating murders in small towns with the aid of friends and associates. The small town in this case is Willow Springs and Marnie Devlin relocated there after retiring as a school teacher and acquiring Taco, a small dog that's smart and very protective of his owner Marnie. Soon after setting up a business selling vintage clothing, Marnie becomes a suspect in a murder investigation. To protect herself she begins an investigate the murder and possible suspects with the help of friends and Taco. The book is lighthearted and leaves one with the feeling that Willow Springs is a great place to live with many nice kind hearted neighbors. In short it's been fun to read and left me wanting to read Moe books by this author.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not business as usual in Willow Springs….its nasty business! Greed and blackmail has some in the town very nervous. Then a body is found. Who is the killer and why are those that were being blackmailed still worried?
Author, Sloane Foster, has written her first full length book and it is an engaging, delightful read. Follow Marnie Delvin and her tiny, but loveable dog, Taco as they do some investigating on their own to find the killer of the unlikable librarian.
Thank you to the author for this charming book with interesting characters and many suspects.This review is my opinion without remuneration for the gifted arc.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Body Behind the Library is a great story about about Marnie Devlin a Retired English Teacher and now Owner of Clothes Shop and her handsome, clever dog Taco. Marnie  and Taco went to Book Club with Dr. Will Harper. But while there someone someone argued with her bringing up her traumatic past. That person was then murdered. So Marnie decided to investigate with her friends Ruby and Dr. Will Harper.
There are many clues that appear to be linked to Marnie which are false. But can they solve the puzzle and find the truth?
Excellent story and series that I enjoyed reading. I highly recommend that you read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author for me and I enjoyed this book quite a lot.
It was hard to put down once I started it. Marnie is suspected
of killing the town librarian but with the help of her friends,
Ruby and Will, she works hard to clear her name and find the
real killer before someone else ends up dead.

The characters are great and well likeable but it is her dog,
Taco, that steals the show. Naturally the dog seems smarter
than most of the people.

This is a feel good cozy mystery and I hope there are many
more to come in this series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful cozy mystery. I really enjoyed the main character and her canine sidekick as she is figuring out what happened. Small town characters with just the right mix of nosiness and opinions. A storyline that keeps surprising you. Wonderful to read!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn Brudzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

This book was so enjoyable. The characters draw you in and you can't put the book down because you wonder what they are doing. I hope more will follow. Perfect way to spend a snowy day

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. I will be anxiously awaiting her next book. The characters were interesting and better developed than in most cozy mysteries and I’m looking forward to their next adventure.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the characters. The story drew me in right away and kept my interest until the last page. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I couldn't quit reading. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane Denham · Rating 5 out of 5]

even better!

Even better than the last book! Good characters and descriptions of the town. Looking forward to the next book! Yeah Taco!