Better Off Read

Bookmobile Mystery #1

by Nora Page

When her best hope of saving her storm-damaged library is found murdered, senior librarian Cleo Watkins hits the road in her bookmobile in search of justice.

Septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins won’t be shushed when an upstart young mayor threatens to permanently shelve her tiny town’s storm-damaged library. She takes to her bookmobile, Words on Wheels, to collect allies and rally library support throughout Catalpa Springs, Georgia.

However, Cleo soon rolls into trouble. A major benefactor known for his eccentric DIY projects requests all available books on getting away with murder. He’s no Georgia peach, and Cleo wonders if she should worry about his plans. She knows she should when she discovers him bludgeoned and evidence points to her best friend, Mary-Rose Garland.

Sure of Mary-Rose’s innocence, Cleo applies her librarian’s sleuthing skills to the case, assisted by friends, family, and the dapper antiquarian bookseller everyone keeps calling her boyfriend. Evidence stacks up, but a killer is overdue to strike again. With lives and her library on the line, Cleo must shift into high gear to close the book on murder in Better Off Read, the charming Bookmobile series debut by Nora Page.

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

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better Off Read by Nora Page is the first book in the new cozy Bookmobile Mystery series. The story centers around Cleo Watkins who is a seventy five year old librarian who is willing to do anything to save her library when the mayor threatens closure.

After a storm damaged the main library Cleo took to the streets in her bookmobile, Words on Wheels, to continue her lending habits and find support for her cause. But when a supporter of the library winds up dead Cleo puts her years of mystery reading skills to use to help solve the crime.

Better Off Read is one of those books that on the surface seemed to check all those fun cozy mystery boxes that I love. However, there just seemed to be a bit of something lacking in the story that kept me from becoming totally invested in this one.

Cleo is a fun character that gives a whole new meaning to the spunky elderly with her constant on the go, was that realistic, not necessarily but this is fiction so I did enjoy it. The rest of the characters however weren’t really standing out much to me and the story didn’t really have that wow factor when it came to the conclusion. I think the series has potential to be really fun but this first book was just an alright read for me.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Susan Furlong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Off Read had everything I like in a cozy mystery: a charming setting, a smart amateur sleuth, well-developed characters and a furry sidekick. The mystery was well plotted with enough twists and red herrings to keep the story interesting. I especially enjoyed the protagonist, Cleo Hawkins, a spunky 70 + year old librarian who was the epitome of southern charm ... and a bit bad ass, too. All in all, this was a delightful mystery.

I received an early copy of this book for review.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleo is a seventy-five year old librarian in a small Southern town. After the library suffers storm damage, the mayor threatens to keep it closed. Cleo brings out the bookmobile, and looks for support to keep the library open. Plus, a local is found murdered, and Cleo's best friend is the prime suspect. Cleo stays busy with her librarian duties, and playing amateur sleuth to prove her best friend's innocence.

The 1st book in the Bookmobile mystery series. A charming town with eccentric characters. I especially enjoyed the spry older protagonist. The story was a little awkward at first, but with the characters and setting in place, this could be a fun cozy mystery series.

I received a digital copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sherwood Smith]

This cozy mystery is set in the tiny town of Catalpa Springs, Georgia and featuring seventy five year old librarian Cleo Watkins, often accompanied by her Persian cat, Rhett Butler. Cleo is working hard to save the local library, recently damaged, and driving a ricketty school bus bookmobile "Words on Wheels," .

Sleazy Mayor Jebson Day doesn't want to see the town spend the money to fix the library, instead he has plans to knock down the building and develop a huge fishing pier. The Mayor has the backing of local bank president Vernon Givens, though Bitsy Givens, the bank president’s wife, is trying to get support for Chloe from her Ladies’ League.

Chloe goes to visit the local rich eccentric in hopes of a donation. Buford Krandall is rude and mean, though he loves books. He’s too busy waging war on his neighbor, Chloe’s bestie, who runs a pancake house.

The book started off rocky, with far too much data and names thrown at the reader, in a tone that tried to hard to be whimsical and funny. For example, the narrative tone gives Chloe’s reckless speeding in her old bus a wink and a nod, though I don’t know how many people find reckless speeding at all funny.

But once Krandall is found dead, the book seems to find its rhythm. The author balances plot with the introduction of new wacky characters, and keeps the reader guessing as to the murderer, while building suspense. There are some rookie errors, like lack of clarity with the local police and investigative forces (my understanding is that even tiny towns are clear about boundaries in such cases) but overall it was a fun read once it got going. The female characters were the most fun, all vivid.

Copy provided by NetGalley

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me and the start of a new series with an unusual plot with creative parts. I have trouble at the beginning of the sentence had many adjectives slowing down the reading flow but at the time I was turning The pages very fast.The main characters were developed but others needed fleshing out. I did admire the tale and will read the next book. Recipe for hummingbird cake is included. I recommend this book.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Crooked Lane First for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hand me a book with a lovely Georgia setting, a few corrupt citizens aligned against some honest folks, and combine it all with an enticing mystery, and I’m happy! The protagonist is a young 75 year old librarian—Cleo—who is strong, capable, and fun! When the town’s new mayor gets it in his craw that they need a fishing pier and casino and he’ll just cut out the funds for Cleo’s precious library and Words on Wheels bookmobile to pay for them, she’s determined to show him how misguided his plans are.

Then her best friend, Mary-Rose and her eccentric neighbor, Buford, get into a dispute over the fresh spring water that runs between their properties and one of them suddenly croaks! Cleo puts her knack for sleuthing to test with the help of Henry—a nice bookstore owner—who’s enamoured of Cleo, and Gabby, a female police officer who’s also Cleo’s neighbor and friend. Rhett Butler, Cleo’s library cat, and Mr. Chaucer, Henry’s old pug, are usually along for all the excitement!

Author, Nora Page introduces readers to an outstanding cast of characters and a lively plot. I so enjoyed Cleo’s spirit and passion for books and her loyalty to her patrons. The story moves along swiftly—I didn’t want to put it down! I didn’t guess the killer’s identity or motive, so this is a great whoddunit that snared my attention. The Hummingbird Cake recipe included is similar to one my mother used to make.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleo’s library is damaged by a storm and her bookmobile bus is at the end of it’s life. The Mayor wants to close the library and the bookmobile. A man who is a major benefactor asks for all the books on getting away with murder and later he is fund dead. Cleo’s friend is blamed and Cleo sets out to prove her friend didn’t do it. Lots of adventures with the bookmobile and decades old secrets.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

In Better Off Read we meet Cleo Watkins. She is a Septuagenarian librarian trying to save her library after recent storm damage. While waiting on repairs she and her Persian cat Rhett Butler have pressed the library’s old bookmobile, Words on Wheels, into greater service to reach all her patrons. While delivering some questionable books to one of the library’s major benefactors, Buford Krandall, she finds him dead on the floor surrounded by books Cleo had delivered to him recently. She was really hoping he would help her convince the town’s mayor, Jebson Day, that the library was an important piece of the community. He has plans to shudder the library and invest the money to build an enormous fishing pier to draw professional fishermen to the area and she just can’t fathom her town without a library.

Cleo sees all the evidence and knows her grandson Ollie, and best friend, Mary-Rose Garland could be in trouble. She enlists the help of antiquarian bookseller Henry Lafayette and his pug, Mr. Chaucer to help her check out other suspects and find the real killer and get them booked and behind bars. And oh, she is also going to do everything she can to save her library too.

____

I was a fan of Cleo Watkins before I had read the first quarter of the book. She is a smart spunky senior citizen with plenty of energy to do whatever she sets her mind to whether it be delivering books in the bookmobile, finding support to help her save her library, or tracking down a killer. Even when it looks like the murderer has set their sights on taking her down she doesn’t give up. It pushes her even more. She is driven to clear her grandson and her BFF. We meet several residents of Catalpa Springs as she travels around trying to hone in on who could have killed Buford. I enjoyed meeting her “gentleman friend” Henry. He is very supportive of her endeavors and a great help to her. His pug and Cleo’s cat also stole my heart quickly. All the characters were interesting but I think we just scratched the surface on their stories.

Ms. Page really twists things up in the plot of this mystery. My personal list of suspects was way off the mark. Following Cleo and her friends as they snoop out clues was fun and entertaining. At times it was laugh out loud funny. In the end, I was surprised by the conclusion of the story and that was absolutely great. The author had me fall for every little misdirection she had plotted.

Cleo Watkins is a treasure. Her passion for books just shines within these pages. She made this book a pure delight to read. Better Off Read is an excellent start for this series. I will be reading book two in this series, Read On Arrival soon.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I loved this book! I haven't read such an enjoyable senior sleuth since Jessica Fletcher. Cleo is just awesome and this was an amazing first book for what I hope is a long series--so much fun!

Cleo Watkins drove the bookmobile bus in Catalpa Springs, GA a lot more now that a storm caused major damage to her beloved library. A local curmudgeon who wasn't well liked but was a library supporter had basically assured her he had a plan. But someone else had a plan for him, murder. Cleo and her gentleman friend Henry, who owned an antiquarian bookstore, set out to investigate along with the help of her college-age assistant Leanna. There were plenty of suspects and when another body turned up, Cleo realized she had to prove her own grandson's innocence along with finding the first killer. She was convinced the killer of both was one and the same.

The mystery did get wrapped up very satisfactorily. I like how all the little odds and ends were addressed at the end. The take down was pretty epic...let's just say Rhett Butler, Cleo's cat and the skunks living in the library were heroes!

I really enjoyed reading about Cleo and all her friends, especially sweet Henry who was ever the gentleman. All the characters that were good were so interesting--Adelaide was hilarious (a neighbor at Happy Trails retirement village). I didn't guess the killer at all, was completely fooled but that's okay, that's the name of the mystery game. I'm so anxious for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book courtesy of NetGalley and Crooked Lane, thanks going out to them.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

A library with a 75-year-old librarian who still drives a bookmobile (and speeds while doing so)? The set-up for Nora Page's new series features that implausible scenario. The mayor of Catulpa Springs, Georgia,somewhere just north of the Florida state line, wants to do away with its tree-damaged library, its bookmobile, and its librarian. An antiquarian book collector and library friend's death turns suspicion to the man's neighbor. Cleo doesn't believe it and sets out to investigate. Not even Rhett Butler the cat could redeem this book. Far too many characters appear too quickly without sufficient development to sort in the reader's mind. A low-level officer related to one of the characters seems to be the main police officer investigating rather than police detectives or the man referred to throughout the book as "Chief." The conversation-intensive narrative likely appeals to a younger audience while the septuagenarian librarian tries to draw older readers. Unfortunately as someone who recently dealt with aging parents, I question how a town could afford insurance to allow an elderly woman known to speed to drive a bookmobile. While the story does improve as the book goes on, it fails to redeem itself and leaves the reader dissatisfied. I received an advance review copy from the publisher through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better Off Read is the first book in the Bookmobile Mystery series. The main character, Cleo Watkins is a librarian who also runs a bookmobile, words on wheels, in the city of Catalpa Springs, Georgia. Cleo is desperately trying to fix the damaged library and prevent the young mayor, Jeb Day, from closing it down. Cleo soon comes across the body of an old patron, Buford Krandall, and evidence seems to point to her friend Mary-Rose, so Cleo decides to solve the murder on her own and clear the name of her best friend.

Ok, so this book was the classic example of judging a book by its cover. I mean, isn't this cover super cute? I loved everything about it--a cute cat, a cute dog, a bookmobile, all the elements for a great cozy mystery. Unfortunately, this book was quite disappointing to me. The premise is great, a librarian fighting to keep the city's public library alive, a murder needing to be solved, a small town setting, Southern cooking, you name it. The problem with the story is that although the premise was great, the characters were very unrealistic and poorly developed. Cleo, the main character, is supposed to be this seventy-year-old lady who really seemed more like someone in their forties or fifties. It is not to say that a person in their seventies can't be as active and energetic as Cleo, but it just didn't feel that way when you were reading the book.

The story as a whole did not hold my interest and I found myself putting this book down way too many times. I really wanted to love this book, but it just didn't do it for me. Since this is book one in the series, I believe there is still hope for the other books to come.

I would like to thank Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m yet to be completely sold on cosy mysteries but this was a moderately enjoyable read.

When the library is damaged, 75 year old librarian Cleo makes her rounds in her ‘bookmobile’ (a RV with books basically). At one of her stops, she finds the local bully dead. Cleo then turns sleuth when her friend and grandson are both pinged as suspects in his murder.

Better Off Read includes many of the must-haves of the cosy mystery. There’s the southern US small town setting, the plethora of colourful townsfolk who serve as likely suspects, and the endless description of food. I thought Page did a pretty good job with all of these.

I picked the book mostly because I love books about books and assumed a librarian main character would make this a sure thing. However, I thought there could have been a lot more.

The murder/mystery plot itself was unfortunately kind of boring. There were red herrings but I still somehow realised the murderer quite early. When we got to the reveal, however, I was surprised when Page turned them into a sociopath. Less of a surprise, and less than believable, was the way the fallout of the murderer’s identity was tied up so neatly.

I do love older characters but, at times, I found it difficult to believe Cleo could be quite so sprightly at 75. The romance she has with fellow booklover Henry is also a little underwhelming. I adore older people romance and this should have been right up my alley but their chemistry was just non-existent, I thought. (Although I did find the running joke of him not being her boyfriend amusing.)

I did wonder if Page has the idea to write a prequel for this book, as it’s implied quite heavily that Cleo has solved crimes in the past. It would also give her a chance to include Cleo and Henry’s ‘meet cute’.

Another must have for a cosy is a cat or dog. In this case, Page ticked the box with one of each. I was relieved that neither animal was annoying, so the book earned an extra half a star just from this small point! (The animals in some of the other cosies I’ve read have driven me insane.)

Overall, I would recommend this when you are searching for a light mystery.

3 out of 5

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun first installment of the new Bookmobile Mystery Series. I enjoyed Cleo, her mobile library and her funny cat Rhett Butler. I felt bad for her as she went up against the young mayor of the town who wants to re-route her much needed library funds to repair storm damage to the town’s library. When one of the few library benefactors in town winds up dead things do get a little crazy. There was a lot going on in this story and maybe a tad too many characters to keep straight but all in all it was a good little cozy.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Arrgghh! I hate when I am disappointed by a book I so wanted to like! The whole premise of this book was likeable but missed the mark.

First, it was the main character, Cleo. She is an aging librarian, like 75! Not only is she working in the library, but she is driving the bookmobile!! Really?! My neighbors are in their 70s and very active, but they aren't nearly as Cleo is described.

Second, there was such an info dump that it overwhelmed and disconnected me from the story.

I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better Off Dead is the first book in A Bookmobile Mystery series.

From reading the synopsis of this book I was looking forward to reading about 75-year-old Cleo Watkins, her bookmobile, and her attempt to save the Catalpa Springs library that was damaged in a storm.

But I found that I was repeatedly putting the book down. Although the characters were interesting, I just couldn’t get into the story.

I might try the next book in the series.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better Off Read by Nora Page was a delightful cozy mystery set in Catalpa Springs, GA. Cleo Watkins is the town librarian; and though she may be 70+ she is smart, independent and determined to save her library. The plot moved swiftly with plenty of suspects, twists to keep me guessing, and a small town setting that charmed me from the beginning.

[Cassandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn’t care for the book. The animals were cute. I really thought the scene putting the harness on was funny. But like I just didn’t care, I wanted to like the older MFC but she just wasn’t fun. There were so many people in the book I just couldn’t keep track and it seemed like people were truly just not nice! Why set these stories in small towns if there are just people who are cruel to those with physical disabilities?

I kept zoning out and got excited when I thought the end was happening and then sad when there was still 20% left in the book.

[Jessica Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice fun cozy mystery starring a quirky old lady librarian who can't seem to keep out of trouble and is determined to protect those she cares most about. It has everything you can want in a cozy. It has small town rivalries, drama, secrets, a cast of characters you can love, and others you can love to hate. I also love that some of the animals play such important roles, just as important as some of the people.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be added in May in respect to the Publisher's wishes.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the progressive new mayor of Caltalpa Springs, Georgia, refuses to supply the funds to replace the roof on the historic public library, seventy-five-year-old librarian Cleo Watkins hops into her bookmobile to rally community support for the library. Her first stop is with Burford Krandall who is a local eccentric more known for making enemies than friends but a big supporter of the library.

Buford has a long-running feud with his next door neighbor and Cleo's best friend Mary Rose who runs a pancakes and pie shop. Buford has come up with an invention that he says is for bottling pure water but which has the effect of muddying the waters in Mary Rose's spring. When Buford is found bludgeoned to death and his machine sabotaged, Mary Rose is the prime suspect. But Cleo's grandson Ollie and his new girlfriend Whitney could also be involved since they have been hanging around the spring and acting suspiciously too.

Cleo is determined to clear her friend and her grandson's names and find the real murderer. Buford had been reading all sorts of books about how to commit murder and unsolved murders in the Southeast written by eccentric local author Priscilla Pawpaw who disappears shortly after Buford's murder making her a person of interest for Cleo too.

Between rallying support for her damaged library, investigating Buford's death, and building a new relationship with antiquarian bookseller Henry Lafayette, Cleo is busy and the murderer would like her out of his way.

This was a fun cozy mystery filled with eccentric characters from the mayor who wants to make the town the bass fishing capitol of the universe to the beauty queen new deputy to the bank president's second wife and battleax mother to the murder victim's soon to be ex wife and many more. Even the pets are engaging. Rhett Butler is Cleo's Persian cat who has recently had an encounter with burdocks which has resulted in him being partially shaved and left rather mangy looking. Mr. Chaucer is Henry's elderly pug and Kat Krandall-Stykes mastiff the size of a pony named Beast are also frequently mentioned characters.

I recommend this one for fans of cozy mysteries.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pleasant read that has a vast cast of characters. However, the reader, is left with sorting the chaff in order to find the wheat. I am not ashamed to admit that I did not find the wheat until it was revealed to me. Although I do believe that some smoke and mirrors were used to find the mastermind behind the dastardly scheme. A satisfactory tale, which you will enjoy, if you prefer your murder mystery with little emphasis on the more lurid aspects of the murder or victim.


I have rated this book 4 stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased opinion.

[Dawn Michelle]

5.4.2019
DNF
Read 100 pages and have decided that this just not for me. So disappointing since so many seem to really enjoy this book. :-(

[Anna Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Off Read is the first book in the Bookmobile Mysteries by Nora Page, and for me, it was love at first page!! I was instantly captivated by this unique mystery that sees Septuagenarian librarian, Cleo Watkins, throw herself into solving a murder mystery in her sweet town of Catalpa Springs.

A lot of cozy mystery novels I read feature middle-aged amateur sleuths trying to solve murder mysteries. While I love the middle age sleuths (I'm now almost at that middle age, but I'm not sure I could solve a real life murder), it was great to see an older sleuth and one that isn't retired. No, the retired life isn't for Cleo - instead she's still a librarian - albeit one that is trying to save her library, after it was hit with water damage, and solve a mystery too!!

Cleo has help in the form of a couple of four-legged friends, as well as her grandson, Ollie, and her best friend, Mary-Rose Garland. Together they go on a wild ride together, trying to solve the mystery!

I loved all the interesting people that make up Catalpa Springs, and oh gosh are there some real "characters"! I really liked how close Cleo is with her family, and "just like family" friends. Her grandson, Ollie, lives in the little cottage in her backyard, and they have a very close relationship. I'm really looking forward to reading future novels, to see how these characters develop further.

The mystery itself was interesting and kept me glued right to the end. Add in delightful characters, including Rhett Butler, her gorgeous Persian, and beau Henry's cute pug, Mr Chaucer, and you have a first class mystery that you won't be able to put down.

If you love book-themed cozy mysteries you don't want to miss this series.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so wanted to like this book. This is the first book in the bookmobile series. That fact alone made me want to read it. Cleo Watkins is a seventy five year old librarian. The library was damaged in a recent storm, so she only has the bookmobile for library patrons . The mayor doesn't want to spend the money to fix the library and instead proposes closing it completely and using the building for another cause. So Cleo tries to get people on her side to go up against the mayor. But when one of her supporters ends up dead and Cleo's grandson in the middle of the investigation as one of the main suspects, Cleo decides to look into the death.


I liked the idea of the book. I felt there was so much information at the beginning of the book that I couldn't keep track of all of the side characters. I had a hard time staying interested in the plot of the book. I also would have liked to see more of Cleo fighting for the library or her interacting with patrons in the bookmobile. This was really disappointing because I was really hoping to like the book. I probably wouldn't read the next book.

[Sharla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mysteries fall into three categories for me. The bad and boring I don’t bother to mention here or finish. The middle of the road ones will manage to hold my interest but are too formulaic or predictable to make me want to read more by that author. The ones I love have a few things in common. I enjoy quirky characters and atmospheric settings. I like a puzzle of a plot but they don’t have to be particularly clever. I don’t demand believability either. I want to be entertained.

This book has everything I love and a recipe for hummingbird cake thrown into the bargain. Septuagenarian sleuths, Cleo and Henry, are great fun as they solve mysteries aboard Words on Wheels, a flame-painted bookmobile in Catalpa Springs, Georgia. This first book in a series features lots of southern style and atmosphere. The ending was certainly a surprise to me but ties up the loose ends satisfactorily. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new series is something to always cheer for. I was eager to read this book and wasn’t disappointed. Cleo is my new friend. She is a delightful older gal who certainly doesn’t act her age. I had visions of Sophia from Golden Girls a couple of times when I was envisioning Cleo. Think Miss Marple meets Sophia and I would say that is Cleo. I was bummed by the victim but sometimes we like the victims. The mystery was easy to like, but not the easiest to solve. I love a mystery and setting that centers around book lovers. This was a great start to a new series in my eyes, and I want more antics from Cleo!

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a promising start to a cozy series. Cute, not cutesy. Likeable characters, including the 75 year old librarian, her young protege, and police officer neighbor.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to view that there is a new mystery series that would involve a bookmobile. I love "A Bookmobile Cat Mystery Series" by Laurie Cass and I'm so delighted to confirm there's a new treat to enjoy as created by Nora Page. I have many fond memories of climbing aboard the local bookmobile that visited my neighborhood when I was a child. As we were a one-car family at the time it was especially magical to have one of the bookmobile stops be only a few steps from home.

Catalpa Springs is located in South Georgia and septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins is a hoot! Cleo is a ball of energy and there's always a whirlwind of activity around her regardless of her location. Cleo is delightfully accompanied by her cat Rhett Butler who has quite a personality too. Rhett's favorite lounging locations are either draped over Cleo's shoulders, nuzzling her ear and purring to express his feelings or lounging on the hood of the bookmobile at each scheduled stop or while Cleo is doing a special delivery.

I also love two of the characters joining Cleo as the new trio sleuthing team when there's a murder to solve in their small town. Leanna is one of the young library workers that is saving up money from part-time jobs to pursue her dream of becoming a librarian too. There's also Henry Lafayette, owner of The Gilded Page Antiquarian and Rare Bookshop. I have to say I absolutely adore his posted store hours as follows:

"Monday through Friday—when open. Weekends and holidays, nights, special occasions, and inclement weather—at whim."

It's almost as though Henry had been preparing for the needed flexibility of being Cleo's sidekick for investigations all along. As I was reading I thought to myself, "Henry, dear man, you've got style!"

I don't recall another series about libraries where there is a young person highlighted with a dream of becoming a librarian. The usual characters whether primary or secondary to the storyline are established librarians. The friendship between Cleo, Henry, and Leanna not only offers a multi-generational interest to the series but highlights the mentoring of an established librarian passing on the love of her profession.

I can only hope that I've in some small way helped to encourage new readers to enjoy this series! Book One is the opening treasure of the series and I'm so happy to be along for the ride!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better off Read is the debut of the A Bookmobile Mystery series set in the small town of Catalpa Springs, Georgia and featuring seventy five year old librarian Cleo Watkins and her Persian cat Rhett Butler. A recent storm has severely damaged the local library and Cleo is working hard to get the monies for its repair, and her ancient school bus bookmobile "Words on Wheels" is sounding like it's about ready for a new engine.

Mayor Jebson Day doesn't want to see the town spend the money to fix the library, instead he has plans to knock down the building and develop a huge fishing pier that will attract professional fisherman from all over the world. The Mayor has the backing of local bank president Vernon Givens and between the two Cleo has a feeling the library is going to be doomed.

Desperate to save the library and bookmobile Cleo sets out to ask the eccentric library board member Buford Krandall for help. When she and her library assistant Leanna arrive at the Krandall estate they find the man dead in his library surrounded by library books. Krandall had been drilling in the local springs looking to bottle the waters and make a fortune, much to the dismay of his neighbor Mary-Rose Garland who relies on the natural springs for the pancakes and sweets she serves up at the Pancake Mill.

Mary-Rose is Cleo's best friend and when she tops the suspect list along with Cleo's grandson Ollie who had gotten involved with an environmental activist group determined to stop Krandall, Cleo sets out with the help of her "gentleman friend" Henry Lafayette and his pug, Mr. Chaucer to find the real killer.

A fun, fast paced read with plenty of suspects. A delightful group of characters and a cozy small town setting, cute animals including a family of skunks make for a great new series.

I received an advanced copy of Better Off Read from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better Off Read by Nora Page is the first tale in A Bookmobile Mystery series. Cleo Watkins is the head librarian of the Catalpa Springs Public Library in Catalpa Springs, Georgia. Unfortunately, a storm recently downed a beautiful old tree right onto the library. Mayor Jeb Day does not wish to use city funds to revive the library (they have insurance). Instead, he wishes to make Catalpa Springs a fishing destination with a world class fishing pier and have a floating casino on Tallgrass River. Cleo still wants to get books out to public and starts taking out Words on Wheels, the bookmobile, out every day. Cleo has to stop by Krandall House with books ordered by the eccentric Buford Krandall who is in a feud with neighbor, Mary-Rose Garland. Cleo discovers the front door open, the library in a disarray and Buford dead. The evidence quickly mounts against Mary-Rose. Cleo knows her friend did not harm Buford and sets out to prove it with the help of her friends.

Better Off Read is a humorous cozy with a fast pace. Cleo Watkins is seventy-five and determined to save her library. The mayor is determined Cleo will retire and repurpose the library. Cleo is a smart, spunky strong-minded woman who leads a busy life and has a lead foot when driving (I am amazed she has not had her license revoked). I appreciate her passion for books and helping others find the right books for them to read. There is a cast of quirky characters to accompany Cleo in Better Off Read. There is Ollie, her grandson who does not know what he wants to do with his life. Leanna who works part-time at the library (before the storm) and is going to college to get her degree in library science. Henry Lafayette who is smitten with Cleo and has a pub named Mr. Chaucer. Bitsy Givens is president of the Ladies League, married to the local bank president and puts up with her demanding mother-in-law. Let us not forget Rhett Butler, the library cat who accompanies Cleo on her rounds in Words on Wheels. While there are some interesting characters, I felt the author introduced too many of them. They just kept coming and it is difficult to keep them all straight. I wish the author had limited the number and focused on developing them (they seemed superficial). Catalpa Springs is a small Southern town in Georgia near the Florida border. There is Southern hospitality, plenty of food and gossip flows freely and quickly. There seemed to be one zany antic after another throughout Better Off Read (I just wanted them to stop). There is an amazing amount of dialogue in the story. The mystery had some good components, but it gets lost. I believe when the solution to the murder is revealed, some readers will be scratching their heads. The book has a satisfying ending that wraps up all the storylines. I felt that there was too much going on (I could not begin to describe it all). Better Off Read had a great premise, but the final product was dissatisfying. My rating for Better Off Read is 3 out of 5 stars.