Ink or Swim

Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library #14

by Catherine Dilts

The manor is hosting the New England Whaling in History and Literature Conference. The place is transformed into a scene from a rugged high sea adventure. Before the conference begins one of the guests makes waves. Raymond refuses to show his valuable scrimshaw. Raymond then is found murdered. His widow then claims the scrimshaw is missing.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

205 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Catherine Dilts is the author of the Rose Creek and the Rock Shop mystery series, and several installments in various Annie’s Fiction series, for a total of twelve traditionally published novels. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the Pikes Peak Writers anthology. After a career in environmental compliance for a global corporation, Catherine now gets to write fiction full time. Most of her published works have a cozy mystery flavor. She is stepping into Indy publishing this year with her co-author daughter Merida Bass and the YA science fiction Tapestry Tales series.
https://www.catherinedilts.com/

Reviews

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

The New England Whaling in History and Literature Conference has come to Lighthouse Bay. Castletona Manor has been thrust back into 1800s and Faith couldn't be more delighted.

Raymond Prather is rumored to have a rare piece of scrimshaw from the Essex (a legendary whaling ship). He is unwilling to show it to anyone and becomes rude and mildly hostile towards anyone who asks to see it.

When Raymond is found dead it's up to Watson, Faith and the Candle House Book Club gang to get involved and sniff out the murderer.

I really enjoyed this one and loved how Watson went above and beyond in finding clues to solve this crime. He even went so far as to bring in an accomplice...Captain Boomer, a Dachshund. This series is such fun to read.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and Ink or Swim is a good addition. Faith is the Castleton Manor Librarian and Archivist. Her bosses are Charlotte and son Wolfe Jaxon who own and live in Castleton Manor and have literary events there. This book has an event on the Whaling era, Moby Dick and Scrimshaw. It was interesting and just the right amount of information. Faith’s Aunt Eileen and her friends Brooke and Midge are wonderful characters as well. Faith and Wolfe are becoming better friends but still just friends. Faith has a tuxedo cat named Watson who is very mischievous. There are paragraphs from his point of view. There is more of Watson in this book than in most of the others but it is a bit over done and don’t get me started on the goldfish! Overall I really like the characters, the cozy mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed the book.

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series mainly because the main character, Faith is a librarian at a manor that holds regular literary retreats and includes her cat Watson. Each book revolves around a different genre or theme of books. This one was about whaling. While this story was not my favorite and didn't hold my attention as well as previous ones, I did like that Watson gained a 'partner in crime' with one of the guest pets.

[Tambra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these books. Another great book in the series. Cant wait to read them all. Good story.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need a hobby where I can travel to a conference, dress in a vintage costume, and relish in the experience when murder and mystery appear (as long as I am not the one being murdered). Castleton Manor would be the absolute best place to have it all happen. This book is another quick little read in the series and it was enjoyable. The crime happens early-a plus in my book. There are plenty of suspects-another plus. The story wraps up in a completely sensible way for a cozy mystery-done.
A conference on the past of whaling ships and all that it entailed for that interest might be very interesting. Another well done book by Annie's.

[Sam Sigelakis-Minski · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are fun and light stories. The manor sounds too good to be true (obviously), but the mysteries are always fun and the motives are solid. My biggest issue with this series is continuity. I always feel like the main character and her employer's flirtation is one wrap forward two steps back due to the serialized nature of the series. It is a shame the various writers aren't more in synch.

[Vinette Dephillipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book. Hard to put down. The cat and dog managed to solve the mystery. Really enjoyed reading this story.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great murder mystery in the Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library series.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5