Death of a Librarian

by Samuel DenHartog

In the sunlit seaside town of Cozy Cove, librarian Margot Bellamy has always believed that even the darkest stories can be set right with patience, reason, and a careful eye. But when Miss Thelma Quinn, the sharp-tongued former head librarian and one of Margot’s dearest friends, is found dead in her home under circumstances the police are quick to accept, Margot cannot quiet the feeling that something about the scene is deeply wrong. The note left behind may be in Thelma’s hand, yet the woman Margot knew would never have chosen such a final page.

As grief settles over the library and the town begins to move on, a burglary reported only days later gives Margot a troubling new theory. With her steady friend Eli Carpenter beside her, and with quiet help from Alicia Tran, her clever nephew Noah, and Deputy Heather Lin, Margot starts pulling at threads that lead through empty vacation homes, whispered town history, and the uneasy spaces between what seems obvious and what is true. The more she looks, the more she begins to fear that Thelma was never meant to die at all.

Set among old graves, sea-bright streets, and the warm, familiar rhythms of library life, this Cozy Cove mystery weaves sorrow, suspense, and small-town secrets into a deeply personal case for Margot Bellamy. As the nights grow longer and the truth hides behind one careful lie after another, Margot must uncover what really happened before the truth finds a way to vanish for good.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2026

About the author

Samuel DenHartog is a versatile and imaginative author whose works span a wide array of genres, including mythology, fables, fairy tales, fantasy, romance, mystery, science fiction, and children's books. His stories captivate readers of all ages, blending wonder with rich, timeless narratives.

What sets Samuel apart is his ability to breathe new life into ancient tales while preserving their core essence. Whether it's mythology, folklore, or fairy tales from various cultures, by carefully balancing tradition with modern touches, he creates stories that resonate with contemporary audiences, making historical and mythical narratives feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.

Off the page, Samuel is a lifelong learner, constantly expanding his creative horizons and engaging with innovative ideas. His journey is a continual pursuit of knowledge and creativity, bridging the worlds of tradition and imagination.

Reviews

[Sk_la]

Made with AI. One of hundreds of books Denhartog has pushed into Amazon over the last few years.

[LeeAnn]

Cozy mystery

I liked that the story was set in a region I am familiar with. The story was not dumbed down. Some of the conversational language seemed like it was stilted from use of language not found in normal conversation. It was entertaining for the most part but drug out in some. Overall it was ok.

[Michaela]

I did not enjoy this book at all. The story was very slow.

[Jennifer B.]

I normally love a cozy mystery book but I couldn’t get into this story.