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The Library Lib/E: Where Life Checks Out
Three generations of secrets, three murders-and the dead won't rest until the murderer checks out too. In 1934 the body of a beautiful, but poor young woman was found alongside a riverbank near the Depot. Beaten to a pulp, only recognizable by a tattoo on her ankle, and yet days after the discovery, the story all but disappears. Eighty years later, locals claim the Depot is haunted. But in all the years homicide detective Mark Waters has visited the historic 1800s train station turned restaurant, he's never seen proof-until now. As he sifts through evidence of a supposed suicide by train, he learns a murder that took place eighty years ago may directly affect his case. Six months after the strange occurrences at the Depot, there's another murder. This time, the library holds secrets of several murders, and the dead won't rest until the murderer checks out too.
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First published December 7, 2013
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About the author
Carmen DeSousa
43 books644 followersReader Profile: First and foremost, I am a reader. From the moment I could hold a book, I've been fascinated with the written word. I enjoy almost everything, but lean toward romantic-suspense and magical realism. If you're looking for poor reviews, you won't find them here. The reason...life's too short to read bad books. If a book isn't at least three stars halfway through, I stop reading, and therefore, don't feel as though I have the right to review it. That's my policy! Please don't send me requests, though. If you are one of my cyber friends, I will eventually find you. :)
Author Profile: I write stories that overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, a hint of paranormal sometimes, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a great story be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual but not erotic, gripping but not graphic, and will hopefully make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
New Series: Midnight Sons
#1 Sam's Folly
#2 Alex's Atonement
#3 Vince's Chance
The Southern Collection:
#1 She Belongs to Me
#2 Land of the Noonday Sun
#3 Entangled Dreams
#4 When Noonday Ends
#5 Split Decisions
Creatus Series (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)
#0 Creatus (They Exist) The Prequel
#1 Creatus
#2 Creatus Rogue
#3 Creatus Eidolon
#4 Creatus Animus
#5 Creatus Talis
Author Profile: I write stories that overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, a hint of paranormal sometimes, and of course, tragedy. After all, what would a great story be without a tragic event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual but not erotic, gripping but not graphic, and will hopefully make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
New Series: Midnight Sons
#1 Sam's Folly
#2 Alex's Atonement
#3 Vince's Chance
The Southern Collection:
#1 She Belongs to Me
#2 Land of the Noonday Sun
#3 Entangled Dreams
#4 When Noonday Ends
#5 Split Decisions
Creatus Series (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)
#0 Creatus (They Exist) The Prequel
#1 Creatus
#2 Creatus Rogue
#3 Creatus Eidolon
#4 Creatus Animus
#5 Creatus Talis
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
December 1, 2022
The Library: Where Life Checks Out
By Carmen DeSousa
This was an ok read about a detective investigating a suicide that may have been really a murder. Murder by ghost. I gave it a 2 1/2 stars rounding to 3.
By Carmen DeSousa
This was an ok read about a detective investigating a suicide that may have been really a murder. Murder by ghost. I gave it a 2 1/2 stars rounding to 3.
February 19, 2017
I think I had a misperception about what this book was going to be. It was a miss for me and I did not finish it.
I somehow got the idea that the library of the title was magical in some way. I read "Part 1" and was 8 chapters into "Part 2" and the only thing that seemed to really be the focus was the dysfunctional relationship that develops between the main character cop, and the pregnant girlfriend of the victim from the murder he's investigating. First off, the speed with which the two of them get together felt ridiculously forced and unlikely, and second the inappropriateness of that was really hard to buy for me. Thirdly, I didn't care AT ALL about their drama and angst about being together.
As I said, this may simply be a case of me not being clear on what this book was about, but I really didn't care about the relationship drama of these two characters, and since that seemed to be the main focus of the book, I was not only bored, but annoyed at the ongoing wah, wah, wah.
This was the wrong book for me and I gave up on it. I am moving on to the next book on my list.
I somehow got the idea that the library of the title was magical in some way. I read "Part 1" and was 8 chapters into "Part 2" and the only thing that seemed to really be the focus was the dysfunctional relationship that develops between the main character cop, and the pregnant girlfriend of the victim from the murder he's investigating. First off, the speed with which the two of them get together felt ridiculously forced and unlikely, and second the inappropriateness of that was really hard to buy for me. Thirdly, I didn't care AT ALL about their drama and angst about being together.
As I said, this may simply be a case of me not being clear on what this book was about, but I really didn't care about the relationship drama of these two characters, and since that seemed to be the main focus of the book, I was not only bored, but annoyed at the ongoing wah, wah, wah.
This was the wrong book for me and I gave up on it. I am moving on to the next book on my list.
January 8, 2014
Great book well written. Detective, ghosts, past mixed with present and let's not forget most importantly, romance.
Very intriguing story. A sort of roller coaster ride. When I read "the depot" I expected the next story to be something else but then I realized she continued on just at a later date in the story, the present.
Carmen is a very talented writer. I don't usually read detective books but this is not just that, with the paranormal added it makes for a very interesting book. A different type from the usual.
The ending was great , not left you to wonder with a million questions but also left so Carmen can continue the story with a variety of characters she can write about. Just one of the many In The Library. Me myself would like Mark and Ashlyns story to go on with of course another case involved. Maybe that detective agency?
One great thing about the book.is you can identify with the characters, all of them not just Mark and Ashlyn but they were my favorite characters. This book is very well rounded in the character aspect. You get to know enough about each that you either love them or hate them. Plus it's left that it can continue in many directions. I'd say Carmen could start a Ser oily especially with a bit of a mix or maybe just a couple in one book add the others along the way to become one great story in the end of many books.
She'll decide that for us readers I'm sure.
With that said:
I can't wait to read more of Carmens books!
This book is a 5 star. READ THIS BOOK!! It's not a waste of time. You'll find yourself not wanting to put it down.
I was given this book for a honest review so there you have it.
If you'd like to read a more extensive review with spoilers go to my blog
Http://thereaderhaven.WordPress.com The Book Junkie.
It will be posted the next couple days. Where I will talk more about the characters the story line and a whole lot more On "The Depot" and "The Library".
My likes, dislikes if there are any. Just a lot more so if you don't want spoilers don't read the blog review. I save the spoilers for the blog. If you do go..I'd love to have you..Plus many good books postings and other reviews if your looking for a good book. New up coming releases also.
Very intriguing story. A sort of roller coaster ride. When I read "the depot" I expected the next story to be something else but then I realized she continued on just at a later date in the story, the present.
Carmen is a very talented writer. I don't usually read detective books but this is not just that, with the paranormal added it makes for a very interesting book. A different type from the usual.
The ending was great , not left you to wonder with a million questions but also left so Carmen can continue the story with a variety of characters she can write about. Just one of the many In The Library. Me myself would like Mark and Ashlyns story to go on with of course another case involved. Maybe that detective agency?
One great thing about the book.is you can identify with the characters, all of them not just Mark and Ashlyn but they were my favorite characters. This book is very well rounded in the character aspect. You get to know enough about each that you either love them or hate them. Plus it's left that it can continue in many directions. I'd say Carmen could start a Ser oily especially with a bit of a mix or maybe just a couple in one book add the others along the way to become one great story in the end of many books.
She'll decide that for us readers I'm sure.
With that said:
I can't wait to read more of Carmens books!
This book is a 5 star. READ THIS BOOK!! It's not a waste of time. You'll find yourself not wanting to put it down.
I was given this book for a honest review so there you have it.
If you'd like to read a more extensive review with spoilers go to my blog
Http://thereaderhaven.WordPress.com The Book Junkie.
It will be posted the next couple days. Where I will talk more about the characters the story line and a whole lot more On "The Depot" and "The Library".
My likes, dislikes if there are any. Just a lot more so if you don't want spoilers don't read the blog review. I save the spoilers for the blog. If you do go..I'd love to have you..Plus many good books postings and other reviews if your looking for a good book. New up coming releases also.
May 1, 2016
Ms. DeSousa needs a good editor for the following reasons:
1. There are many grammatical errors in her book.
2. She spends way way Way WAY WAY too much time on Mark's internal fussing about his relationship with Ashlyn. ENTIRE CHAPTERS are dedicated to this drivel. Enough with the whining and wailing.
3. The story does not make logical sense. How is the police captain's wife connected to Wild Bill? No one knows, but it is apparently important to the conclusion of the mystery. 3 men tried to kill Ashlyn's relatives, but only one succeeded? By my count, it was 2 and only one succeeded. Did Ashlyn's mother break up with Gregory or did he break up with her? Where did the blackmail come in? I was left scratching my head in complete confusion.
I am sort of taken aback by all the 4 and 5 star ratings. This book was a hot mess. A redeemable hot mess, but a hot mess just the same.
1. There are many grammatical errors in her book.
2. She spends way way Way WAY WAY too much time on Mark's internal fussing about his relationship with Ashlyn. ENTIRE CHAPTERS are dedicated to this drivel. Enough with the whining and wailing.
3. The story does not make logical sense. How is the police captain's wife connected to Wild Bill? No one knows, but it is apparently important to the conclusion of the mystery. 3 men tried to kill Ashlyn's relatives, but only one succeeded? By my count, it was 2 and only one succeeded. Did Ashlyn's mother break up with Gregory or did he break up with her? Where did the blackmail come in? I was left scratching my head in complete confusion.
I am sort of taken aback by all the 4 and 5 star ratings. This book was a hot mess. A redeemable hot mess, but a hot mess just the same.
October 1, 2019
The premise of this story was very strange. Somehow a murder from generations ago comes back to haunt Ashlinn and her mother. Detective Mark Waters doesn't believe in ghosts, but this case will change his mind and his life.
This book was weird as fuck. There's really no other way to put it. Also there's surprise incest! No one wants that!! Several times in this book there were cliches and flat character development. The way Mark or Ashlinn would be at times was just so cringe worthy and I wanted to throw this book. It definitely made my migraine worse, but at least it was short.
The ending had some shocks in it, but I did not care one bit. I don't even care enough to really figure out wtf happened. There was a library which was nice, but everything else was ugh.
This book was weird as fuck. There's really no other way to put it. Also there's surprise incest! No one wants that!! Several times in this book there were cliches and flat character development. The way Mark or Ashlinn would be at times was just so cringe worthy and I wanted to throw this book. It definitely made my migraine worse, but at least it was short.
The ending had some shocks in it, but I did not care one bit. I don't even care enough to really figure out wtf happened. There was a library which was nice, but everything else was ugh.
May 29, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed catching up with this author and the character of Detective Mark Waters.
Having already read The Depot and The Pit Stop I knew loosely what to expect. It was that slightly different approach to the murder mystery that I wanted. That touch of paranormal, an investigation helped by a ghost.
The library is a clever story that stems from being set in a small community - it is dependent on the generations of a wealthy family not venturing far and links old yearbook scholars to a crime long after they graduated.
The author also has romance running through her writing which must appeal to elements of her readership but is wonderfully used as both a motive and a shock in this account of money and reputation.
At times it seems very much enclosed with this small town mentality. It perhaps feels like everyone knows everyone else in the case, a little incestuous but then hidden truths are harder to reveal and lies to expose.
Great showdown in the library; spoiler alert, not everyone gets out alive but haunted spirits may be laid to rest.
Having already read The Depot and The Pit Stop I knew loosely what to expect. It was that slightly different approach to the murder mystery that I wanted. That touch of paranormal, an investigation helped by a ghost.
The library is a clever story that stems from being set in a small community - it is dependent on the generations of a wealthy family not venturing far and links old yearbook scholars to a crime long after they graduated.
The author also has romance running through her writing which must appeal to elements of her readership but is wonderfully used as both a motive and a shock in this account of money and reputation.
At times it seems very much enclosed with this small town mentality. It perhaps feels like everyone knows everyone else in the case, a little incestuous but then hidden truths are harder to reveal and lies to expose.
Great showdown in the library; spoiler alert, not everyone gets out alive but haunted spirits may be laid to rest.
December 17, 2013
The Library by Carmen Desousa
Do you believe in ghost!!
Detective Mark Waters is called to a stunning old architectural library where his bosses wife is the librarian. He's there to investigate an old mans murder. He remembers coming here when he was young. A murder isn't all that's happening around this old library, there's something paranormal going on. If you've read "The Pit Stop" and "The "Depot" Carmen's other two paranormal suspense, romance books, you'll recognize some of the characters. Carmen kept me in suspense with every turn of the page. I love every one of these books. They all flow right into one another. Don't miss this series of awesomeness. Her writing never bores me. I can't wait for her next read to come out.
Do you believe in ghost!!
Detective Mark Waters is called to a stunning old architectural library where his bosses wife is the librarian. He's there to investigate an old mans murder. He remembers coming here when he was young. A murder isn't all that's happening around this old library, there's something paranormal going on. If you've read "The Pit Stop" and "The "Depot" Carmen's other two paranormal suspense, romance books, you'll recognize some of the characters. Carmen kept me in suspense with every turn of the page. I love every one of these books. They all flow right into one another. Don't miss this series of awesomeness. Her writing never bores me. I can't wait for her next read to come out.
October 21, 2015
Enjoyable, easy-to-listen-to mystery with ghostly elements. Main characters were a little annoying, especially their love story. I found it a little too "just so" and bit unbelievable. Aside from those parts, I liked it and was curious about "whodunnit!!"
Strong narrator on the audiobook, she kept the pace up and kept me interested.
Strong narrator on the audiobook, she kept the pace up and kept me interested.
July 26, 2016
There is so much to love about Carmen DeSousa's writing in general and this book in particular. Let's start with the characters, which, for me, are the most important aspect of any story. I instantly felt a connect with Mark and Ashlyn, the two main characters. Mark is the perfect hero; protective, brave, and just flawed enough to make him feel real. Ashlyn is battling her own personal demons with an inner strength that shines through. There are no weak-kneed females in need of rescuing here.
The plot is intricate, while also being easy to follow. There are a few great twists as we follow along with Mark to solve both a new and an old murder.
The paranormal aspect is well done. While not the central focus, the ghosts offer just enough to give Mark - and readers - something to think about.
* The Library is the follow-up to the novella The Depot. If you haven't read The Depot, it's included here as an added bonus. *
The plot is intricate, while also being easy to follow. There are a few great twists as we follow along with Mark to solve both a new and an old murder.
The paranormal aspect is well done. While not the central focus, the ghosts offer just enough to give Mark - and readers - something to think about.
* The Library is the follow-up to the novella The Depot. If you haven't read The Depot, it's included here as an added bonus. *
October 21, 2015
Amazon Freebie.
So it's basically a paranormal/detective/romance book. Not really my thing.
I'll say up front that I really appreciate new authors trying to self-publish. It's admirable and this one is better edited, the prose is decent, the characters fleshed out, the detail seemingly accurate, and the story is fairly well-crafted.
That said, I found the entire thing to be a bit too cliched, the characters (like Ashlyn) to be a little too unflawed, it a little bit of a stretch that every single character in the book had some intimate intertwining relationship at some point in the past, and the entire thing wrapped up just a little too neatly. I felt like the main character (Mark) didn't really have any try-fail cycles, but just floated through the plot right up until the end. He didn't even really have to work at it, he was just carried along.
At least that was my resulting impression. But it's not really a genre I enjoy.
So it's basically a paranormal/detective/romance book. Not really my thing.
I'll say up front that I really appreciate new authors trying to self-publish. It's admirable and this one is better edited, the prose is decent, the characters fleshed out, the detail seemingly accurate, and the story is fairly well-crafted.
That said, I found the entire thing to be a bit too cliched, the characters (like Ashlyn) to be a little too unflawed, it a little bit of a stretch that every single character in the book had some intimate intertwining relationship at some point in the past, and the entire thing wrapped up just a little too neatly. I felt like the main character (Mark) didn't really have any try-fail cycles, but just floated through the plot right up until the end. He didn't even really have to work at it, he was just carried along.
At least that was my resulting impression. But it's not really a genre I enjoy.
December 16, 2013
Mystery, ghosts, and a bit of romance. I enjoyed this mystery with a bit of a paranormal twist. Mark solves murder mysteries with a bit of help from ghosts. But is is really seeing ghosts, or is he just crazy? The mystery involves more than one generation, and really keeps you guessing. There are plenty of surprises and drama as well.
August 12, 2016
I'm sorry, but this was horrible. I liked the premise, but the story was very badly written. Normally, I can allow for a certain amount of awkward prose and inaccurate grammar in the interest of a good story, but this was not a good story.
March 17, 2017
First, I must apologize to the author, Carmen DeSousa, because this is going to be a bad review. I hate having to give bad reviews, but when my first thought upon finishing a book is "thank god I'm done", then unfortunately this means that a bad review is on its way. I have also noticed that I may be in the minority, but that's just how it goes.
Where do I even begin? The story itself seemed promising; a murder mystery involving ghosts, set in a library. But I have to say I didn't enjoy this one little bit. I struggled to finish it and wanted to give up many, many times, but was curious to see how everything would get wrapped up. So I stuck with it until the end.
My first issue is with the characters. I didn't find one redeeming quality about any of them. And really could have cared less about what happened to them. Found them all to be just very boring, self centered and just plain stupid at times. No real character development at all, except for maybe Ashlyn a little. But, for example; Mark. (and this part bugged the shit out of me) He's in a relationship with someone he met while investigating a murder. (Fine, I can live with that, love blossoms in strange places) 6 months later they are still dating and contemplating marriage even though she is pregnant with her dead ex-boyfriend's baby (again, have no problem here except maybe how quickly they moved to marriage). But he is in the library talking to Jay and she smiles at him. Simple as that, just smiles. Mark's reaction? "OMG Does she like me? She must like me, I mean she smiled at me. I would hate to be rude and not smile back, but I don't want her thinking I am interested." Seriously? You are "devoted" to your pregnant girlfriend and worried that because some twenty something cutie smiles at you. Please. And don't get me started on Ashlyn, she's as self righteous as they come and very shallow. She changed her tune towards the end which i was happy about, but really, she would only date someone wealthy?
My next issue was with the writing. I don't know if this is the authors first book, but the impression I got was that this was her first time penning a novel. The premise of the story was great, but I just found the writing to be very simple. It definitely had the "self published" vibe. She was writing it as though we (the readers) had never read a crime procedural before. The conversations between Mark & Ashlyn were just plain silly and unrealistic at times. (Ashlyn getting mad because he was "reading between the lines again" when she made a comment about rules) Overuse of the term "obviously" (eg "Ashlyn obviously got her gardening skills from her mother", nothing at all obvious about that statement. Giving us abbreviations and then repeating the same sentence to tell us what the abbreviations meant (eg. "When Tim was Mark's FTO he would never have done that" followed by "When Tim was Mark's Field Training Officer, he wouldn't have done anything like that" (Or something similar, these quotes are not exact)
I actually enjoyed The Depot more than The Library. Maybe because it was a short story. Again, I have absolutely no issues with the actually story line, it held promise and even though the ending felt a little choppy, everything was wrapped up nicely. There were no surprises though (for me anyway) as I had figured out pretty early on what was going on. I just kept reading to see if I was right.
Again, my sincerest apologies to the author. I am not an author myself, but I am lover of reading and have read many many books. This one in my opinion just didn't cut it. I'm very happy that it was a Free download, as I would have been quite bummed to have had paid for it. I don't know that I will read anything else by this author in the future. But, stranger things have happened. I certainly won't judge her skills as a writer simply based on one book.
All in all, this is a pass for me. I would have given it 1 star, but went with 2 simply because I did not quit and was intrigued enough to see where it went. But in my honest opinion? Give this a pass.
Where do I even begin? The story itself seemed promising; a murder mystery involving ghosts, set in a library. But I have to say I didn't enjoy this one little bit. I struggled to finish it and wanted to give up many, many times, but was curious to see how everything would get wrapped up. So I stuck with it until the end.
My first issue is with the characters. I didn't find one redeeming quality about any of them. And really could have cared less about what happened to them. Found them all to be just very boring, self centered and just plain stupid at times. No real character development at all, except for maybe Ashlyn a little. But, for example; Mark. (and this part bugged the shit out of me) He's in a relationship with someone he met while investigating a murder. (Fine, I can live with that, love blossoms in strange places) 6 months later they are still dating and contemplating marriage even though she is pregnant with her dead ex-boyfriend's baby (again, have no problem here except maybe how quickly they moved to marriage). But he is in the library talking to Jay and she smiles at him. Simple as that, just smiles. Mark's reaction? "OMG Does she like me? She must like me, I mean she smiled at me. I would hate to be rude and not smile back, but I don't want her thinking I am interested." Seriously? You are "devoted" to your pregnant girlfriend and worried that because some twenty something cutie smiles at you. Please. And don't get me started on Ashlyn, she's as self righteous as they come and very shallow. She changed her tune towards the end which i was happy about, but really, she would only date someone wealthy?
My next issue was with the writing. I don't know if this is the authors first book, but the impression I got was that this was her first time penning a novel. The premise of the story was great, but I just found the writing to be very simple. It definitely had the "self published" vibe. She was writing it as though we (the readers) had never read a crime procedural before. The conversations between Mark & Ashlyn were just plain silly and unrealistic at times. (Ashlyn getting mad because he was "reading between the lines again" when she made a comment about rules) Overuse of the term "obviously" (eg "Ashlyn obviously got her gardening skills from her mother", nothing at all obvious about that statement. Giving us abbreviations and then repeating the same sentence to tell us what the abbreviations meant (eg. "When Tim was Mark's FTO he would never have done that" followed by "When Tim was Mark's Field Training Officer, he wouldn't have done anything like that" (Or something similar, these quotes are not exact)
I actually enjoyed The Depot more than The Library. Maybe because it was a short story. Again, I have absolutely no issues with the actually story line, it held promise and even though the ending felt a little choppy, everything was wrapped up nicely. There were no surprises though (for me anyway) as I had figured out pretty early on what was going on. I just kept reading to see if I was right.
Again, my sincerest apologies to the author. I am not an author myself, but I am lover of reading and have read many many books. This one in my opinion just didn't cut it. I'm very happy that it was a Free download, as I would have been quite bummed to have had paid for it. I don't know that I will read anything else by this author in the future. But, stranger things have happened. I certainly won't judge her skills as a writer simply based on one book.
All in all, this is a pass for me. I would have given it 1 star, but went with 2 simply because I did not quit and was intrigued enough to see where it went. But in my honest opinion? Give this a pass.
May 14, 2021
This is a bad book. I am writing in %s since i am reading e-copy.
It all goes well the first 65% of it. I read those in 5 nights considering i read a little each night. And then come the love pages - i spent 3 other nights dragging through 5% of the book because it simply became... another book. Our characters Mark and Ashlyn were together for a weekend and they were constantly touching each other's something, i.e. cheek, getting hot flushes and realizing how in love they are. COME OOONNN! WTF happened? Did we need this much explanation? Downhill from then on.
On another note we read a lot of times how much they love each other but there was no proof of their relationship - what do they like about each other so much, what makes them unique personalities? No personality in the book whatsoever.
The ghost story was good. This is why i am giving it the second star.
The crime story though............. Horrible. What happened? I didn't understand what went on. Who did what to whom, who blackmailed whom for what? What lead to multiple murders? Why was anyone killed at all?
It all goes well the first 65% of it. I read those in 5 nights considering i read a little each night. And then come the love pages - i spent 3 other nights dragging through 5% of the book because it simply became... another book. Our characters Mark and Ashlyn were together for a weekend and they were constantly touching each other's something, i.e. cheek, getting hot flushes and realizing how in love they are. COME OOONNN! WTF happened? Did we need this much explanation? Downhill from then on.
On another note we read a lot of times how much they love each other but there was no proof of their relationship - what do they like about each other so much, what makes them unique personalities? No personality in the book whatsoever.
The ghost story was good. This is why i am giving it the second star.
The crime story though............. Horrible. What happened? I didn't understand what went on. Who did what to whom, who blackmailed whom for what? What lead to multiple murders? Why was anyone killed at all?
October 26, 2017
I've had this on my Kindle for longer than I should admit before I finally read it. This was a nice little mystery. There was a haunting or two as well as some deep family secrets that came to light in the end. There was also what we call in the YA world 'insta-love', that while it worked for the story, could have been drawn out a little more. I'm not great as guessing 'who did it', but there were so many moving pieces that I may not have been the only one who didn't see who the killer was.
September 7, 2025
The entire concept is fascinating but I will admit to having been a bit lost as to who was who at times. Maybe because I listened to the audiobook, it was harder to keep track of everyone. The back and forth between generations and how everyone was related just got a bit confusing. But the overall story was interesting and the ending was satisfying.
January 26, 2015
The Library: Where Checks Out
by Carmen DeSousa
This review includes mention of the prequel short story, "The Depot (When Life and Death Cross Tracks), which was included with the Kindle edition of this book.
I liked both of these items, although I'll admit to liking the short story better than I liked the novel. I'm not a romance novel lover and the novel itself contained a little too much touchy/feely intimacy between the two main characters for me. No real sex scenes, just some sort of "eww" petting references that really lent nothing to the storyline. So, though I would have rated the story itself a 4 star, I knocked one off for having to go "eww" one too many times. If you like a romancy paranormal, this might be your cup of tea -- but it also might not be steamy enough to float our boat either. More or less -- one or the other would have been better, and it would have been nice if any of the sex was really necessary to the storyline. It wasn't. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I know how sex works. Sex scenes don't bother me unless they seem to be written by a teenager. For example, at about 2395 on my Kindle:
**...and he did his best to keep his hands from wandering. As much as he wanted to feel her skin beneath his fingertips, they were outside and the neighbors might see.
Mark released a groan as he realized they had to stop or he wouldn't be able to walk back inside the house.**
Really? Was that last sentence necessary to show that he loves and desires Ashlyn? I could have lived without it.
However, the strong relationship between the main character, Mark, and Ashlyn is very important to the storyline, so I can be somewhat forgiving (but not of prose like I showed above). This story involves a timeline that starts long before either Mark or Ashlyn were born, and actions of the past play a very large part in the happenings in the novel's present time. Characters, families, secrets and lies all conspire to make a lovely tangled web through which Mark must shift in order to learn the truth, and his only guides along the way are the ghosts of Ashlyn's long dead grandmother, Edda, and the long dead girlfriend of Mark's police captain, Jessica. Can he figure out what they are trying to show him before someone else is killed?
There is nothing particularly scary about this story. It involves ghosts. It involves people who are willing to kill to get what they want or to get rid of what they don't want. It involves danger to the characters that you identify with in the novel. But, it was never scary. I never felt the characters were in much real danger, and certainly the ghosts were not the frightening kind. It is more a story of how the past affects the future and about how secrets usually do not stay secret forever.
The editing and proof reading was pretty good. There were two places I wasn't sure why a particular word was used and one where I noted a double word. At 1293, their is used as a pronoun for a singular subject. I'm not sure why. Perhaps to keep from revealing the gender of the person to which the sentence refers: **As years earlier, the coward had shielded their face in some ridiculous ski mask...** That stopped my progress and yanked me right out of the storyline. I re-read it several times, but could never come up with a good reason to use their as the pronoun. At 2078, in dialogue, Ashlyn says: "Oh, she's at the gym. Had a Zoomba class, she said." Why the misspelling of Zumba? Was it intended to show a quirky pronunciation of the exercise format? I mean, the characters can't see the written dialogue, so if the author doesn't somehow tell the reader that the misspelling is intentional, perhaps by adding a qualifier after the sentence. Or, maybe the author just didn't know how to spell it correctly. I'll never know, but again I do know that it pulled me out of the storyline to ponder why. The other error was just a double word, two back to back ands that were definitely not intended.
So, it was an interesting premise, and should have provided a rousing paranormal story and a very interesting mystery. Instead, it was a good read, but for me it wasn't great on either the paranormal or mystery front.
by Carmen DeSousa
This review includes mention of the prequel short story, "The Depot (When Life and Death Cross Tracks), which was included with the Kindle edition of this book.
I liked both of these items, although I'll admit to liking the short story better than I liked the novel. I'm not a romance novel lover and the novel itself contained a little too much touchy/feely intimacy between the two main characters for me. No real sex scenes, just some sort of "eww" petting references that really lent nothing to the storyline. So, though I would have rated the story itself a 4 star, I knocked one off for having to go "eww" one too many times. If you like a romancy paranormal, this might be your cup of tea -- but it also might not be steamy enough to float our boat either. More or less -- one or the other would have been better, and it would have been nice if any of the sex was really necessary to the storyline. It wasn't. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I know how sex works. Sex scenes don't bother me unless they seem to be written by a teenager. For example, at about 2395 on my Kindle:
**...and he did his best to keep his hands from wandering. As much as he wanted to feel her skin beneath his fingertips, they were outside and the neighbors might see.
Mark released a groan as he realized they had to stop or he wouldn't be able to walk back inside the house.**
Really? Was that last sentence necessary to show that he loves and desires Ashlyn? I could have lived without it.
However, the strong relationship between the main character, Mark, and Ashlyn is very important to the storyline, so I can be somewhat forgiving (but not of prose like I showed above). This story involves a timeline that starts long before either Mark or Ashlyn were born, and actions of the past play a very large part in the happenings in the novel's present time. Characters, families, secrets and lies all conspire to make a lovely tangled web through which Mark must shift in order to learn the truth, and his only guides along the way are the ghosts of Ashlyn's long dead grandmother, Edda, and the long dead girlfriend of Mark's police captain, Jessica. Can he figure out what they are trying to show him before someone else is killed?
There is nothing particularly scary about this story. It involves ghosts. It involves people who are willing to kill to get what they want or to get rid of what they don't want. It involves danger to the characters that you identify with in the novel. But, it was never scary. I never felt the characters were in much real danger, and certainly the ghosts were not the frightening kind. It is more a story of how the past affects the future and about how secrets usually do not stay secret forever.
The editing and proof reading was pretty good. There were two places I wasn't sure why a particular word was used and one where I noted a double word. At 1293, their is used as a pronoun for a singular subject. I'm not sure why. Perhaps to keep from revealing the gender of the person to which the sentence refers: **As years earlier, the coward had shielded their face in some ridiculous ski mask...** That stopped my progress and yanked me right out of the storyline. I re-read it several times, but could never come up with a good reason to use their as the pronoun. At 2078, in dialogue, Ashlyn says: "Oh, she's at the gym. Had a Zoomba class, she said." Why the misspelling of Zumba? Was it intended to show a quirky pronunciation of the exercise format? I mean, the characters can't see the written dialogue, so if the author doesn't somehow tell the reader that the misspelling is intentional, perhaps by adding a qualifier after the sentence. Or, maybe the author just didn't know how to spell it correctly. I'll never know, but again I do know that it pulled me out of the storyline to ponder why. The other error was just a double word, two back to back ands that were definitely not intended.
So, it was an interesting premise, and should have provided a rousing paranormal story and a very interesting mystery. Instead, it was a good read, but for me it wasn't great on either the paranormal or mystery front.
August 17, 2015
Ok, first you need to know this is a two-part deal. Technically, The Library is the followup to the short story "The Depot". "The Depot" is included here at the beginning so the reader gets the background. So, when you're ten chapters in and wondering why this all takes place at a bar, and there is no library, that's why.
I made it through "The Depot". It was a pretty good short ghost story, with a good shiver at the end. "The Library" is supposed to start 6 months after "The Depot" the first chapter introduces a new murder, body found at the library, and the same detective from "The Depot" is on the case. Unfortunately, 90% of the first chapter is about his relationship with the girl from "The Depot". And not in an active way - it's primarily his musings and concerns about their relationship:
...she is so gorgeous he doesn't understand how any man who looks at her could not fantasize about her and he doesn't like the thought of other guys thinking of her that way and he doesn't understand why she is so reluctant to move forward in their relationship even though she's pregnant with her ex's baby and why she is going to spend the last part of her pregnancy with her mother who obviously thinks he's not good enough, why isn't he good enough? and why does her mother dislike him so... and ON AND ON AND ON...
I couldn't take any more of the internal personal dialogue... I actually put the book down for a couple days and made myself finish it, because I feel it only fair to actually finish the book if I'm to write a review. I can safely say it doesn't get better. The detective continues to whine about his insecurities. It did not make me like his character in the least. If you're ok with a ridiculously intertwined soap opera that loosely revolves around a murder mystery, then you should be good. Detective Mark even says at one point, "this is such a soap opera" and he's right. If you're looking for an intricately plotted twisty murder mystery, this isn't it. The majority of the book is very passive. Not a lot of stuff actually happens, until the very last scene.
I made it through "The Depot". It was a pretty good short ghost story, with a good shiver at the end. "The Library" is supposed to start 6 months after "The Depot" the first chapter introduces a new murder, body found at the library, and the same detective from "The Depot" is on the case. Unfortunately, 90% of the first chapter is about his relationship with the girl from "The Depot". And not in an active way - it's primarily his musings and concerns about their relationship:
...she is so gorgeous he doesn't understand how any man who looks at her could not fantasize about her and he doesn't like the thought of other guys thinking of her that way and he doesn't understand why she is so reluctant to move forward in their relationship even though she's pregnant with her ex's baby and why she is going to spend the last part of her pregnancy with her mother who obviously thinks he's not good enough, why isn't he good enough? and why does her mother dislike him so... and ON AND ON AND ON...
I couldn't take any more of the internal personal dialogue... I actually put the book down for a couple days and made myself finish it, because I feel it only fair to actually finish the book if I'm to write a review. I can safely say it doesn't get better. The detective continues to whine about his insecurities. It did not make me like his character in the least. If you're ok with a ridiculously intertwined soap opera that loosely revolves around a murder mystery, then you should be good. Detective Mark even says at one point, "this is such a soap opera" and he's right. If you're looking for an intricately plotted twisty murder mystery, this isn't it. The majority of the book is very passive. Not a lot of stuff actually happens, until the very last scene.
October 20, 2015
The Library: Where Life Checks Out by Carmen DeSousa is an interesting mystery where past and present intertwine with the normal and the paranormal.
There is a prologue that takes place in the early 1930's and is focused on the murder of a young woman at the hands of her lover. The scene almost immediately changes to present day with the attempted murder of another young woman, Ashlyn Allen, also by her lover. The suicide of the assailant (or is it murder?) is investigated by homicide detective Mark Waters. He and Ashland are instantly drawn to one another. Their relationship deepens as the mystery of Part I is resolved.
Part II has a second murder that Mark Waters investigates. Part II is far longer and more involved than Part I with threads reaching back to the very first murder and including events that occurred twenty plus years before the ongoing story. I found it interesting how well the author braided those threads together, adding more from the present. The ending brought a satisfying conclusion to all these different storylines. The ongoing relationship of Mark Waters and Ashlyn Allen is also a main focal point of Part II.
I rarely read books with a paranormal theme, but enjoyed this one very much. In this case the paranormal brought depth to the book and was key to the storyline without being a "ghostly being" acting as a sleuth.
I "read" this book in its audio format. Michelle Babb did an excellent job with the narration. There are several character in the story and each has a recognizable voice. Her pacing made it easy to follow and engrossing.
I recommend this book for pretty much anyone but for mystery lovers in particular.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any renumeration nor was I required to write a positive review The opinions stated are solely my own.
There is a prologue that takes place in the early 1930's and is focused on the murder of a young woman at the hands of her lover. The scene almost immediately changes to present day with the attempted murder of another young woman, Ashlyn Allen, also by her lover. The suicide of the assailant (or is it murder?) is investigated by homicide detective Mark Waters. He and Ashland are instantly drawn to one another. Their relationship deepens as the mystery of Part I is resolved.
Part II has a second murder that Mark Waters investigates. Part II is far longer and more involved than Part I with threads reaching back to the very first murder and including events that occurred twenty plus years before the ongoing story. I found it interesting how well the author braided those threads together, adding more from the present. The ending brought a satisfying conclusion to all these different storylines. The ongoing relationship of Mark Waters and Ashlyn Allen is also a main focal point of Part II.
I rarely read books with a paranormal theme, but enjoyed this one very much. In this case the paranormal brought depth to the book and was key to the storyline without being a "ghostly being" acting as a sleuth.
I "read" this book in its audio format. Michelle Babb did an excellent job with the narration. There are several character in the story and each has a recognizable voice. Her pacing made it easy to follow and engrossing.
I recommend this book for pretty much anyone but for mystery lovers in particular.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any renumeration nor was I required to write a positive review The opinions stated are solely my own.
November 17, 2015
The Library: Where Life Checks Out: Supernatural Checks In
What a great read! I couldn't put this book down if I tried. I have read all of Ms DeSousa's books from "The Pit Stop," "The Depot," and "The Library," and I have to say that each book just got better as I went on. I really hated to see this book end. I like to read novels that have 20-25 books to go with them so you can grow with the characters. Me DeSousa, you asked for feedback from your readers where do we think you should go with your novel? This is just my opinion, but I think you should slowly develop all of the characters that you have right now! You have a " Great Bunch " to work with. Just don't be in a hurry to develop them in 1, 2, or even 3 novels. Take your time, and let readers like me enjoy watching the characters "grow" throughout the years. John Sandford was great for doing that with his "Lucas Davenport" novels. I have read all 25 of them
from beginning to end, so it can be done. (Developing characters for that length of time and still keep it interesting) Just don't be in a hurry to have the baby grow up to quickly etc.. You've developed a great cast of characters. From Detective Mark Waters to Ashlyn, (his fiancee, now wife) I really enjoyed their first encounter. I definitely don't think you should take your novel and build it around one of the minor characters, ( you can build on your other novels with them.) Whatever you do "Keep Up The Supernatural End"of it. I Love It!!!!!!! Can't Wait for your next book, please, please, don't make it a love story. Keep going like you are and you'll do great!
What a great read! I couldn't put this book down if I tried. I have read all of Ms DeSousa's books from "The Pit Stop," "The Depot," and "The Library," and I have to say that each book just got better as I went on. I really hated to see this book end. I like to read novels that have 20-25 books to go with them so you can grow with the characters. Me DeSousa, you asked for feedback from your readers where do we think you should go with your novel? This is just my opinion, but I think you should slowly develop all of the characters that you have right now! You have a " Great Bunch " to work with. Just don't be in a hurry to develop them in 1, 2, or even 3 novels. Take your time, and let readers like me enjoy watching the characters "grow" throughout the years. John Sandford was great for doing that with his "Lucas Davenport" novels. I have read all 25 of them
from beginning to end, so it can be done. (Developing characters for that length of time and still keep it interesting) Just don't be in a hurry to have the baby grow up to quickly etc.. You've developed a great cast of characters. From Detective Mark Waters to Ashlyn, (his fiancee, now wife) I really enjoyed their first encounter. I definitely don't think you should take your novel and build it around one of the minor characters, ( you can build on your other novels with them.) Whatever you do "Keep Up The Supernatural End"of it. I Love It!!!!!!! Can't Wait for your next book, please, please, don't make it a love story. Keep going like you are and you'll do great!
July 27, 2015
There is nothing I enjoy more than a good murder mystery with a paranormal edge. "The Library Where Life Checks Out" is one such read the has more murders, suspects, betrayals and twists and turns than a roller coaster at your favorite amusement park.
Mark Wade is a twenty-eight year old detective who is known for his dedication and solving crimes. While investigating the death of a high profile man who jumped in front of a train. Mark meets Ashlyn a pretty waitress at a bar next to the crime scene. He discovers that she was dating the victim and that she is keeping a secret..What he discovers is that the rumors about ghosts haunting the bar are true and Ashlyn is a woman he wants in his life.
Move forward six months, Ashlyn is eight months pregnant with the baby of the victim but now engaged to the detective. When he is called to the historic town library to investigate the murder of a homeless man once again ghosts appear and his fiancee's mother, his superior and chief of police and a high powered wealthy family connected the train victim all seem to be intermingled into a murderous scheme. One thing for sure, Mark will solve these crimes. The only question is will he live long enough to reveal the real killer.
I enjoyed this book but must admit that at times the storyline did not transition well from time frame to time frame. The scenes just didn't flow well. However, I did enjoy the characters, suspense and twists and turns. I will most likely move on to read the next book in the series.
Mark Wade is a twenty-eight year old detective who is known for his dedication and solving crimes. While investigating the death of a high profile man who jumped in front of a train. Mark meets Ashlyn a pretty waitress at a bar next to the crime scene. He discovers that she was dating the victim and that she is keeping a secret..What he discovers is that the rumors about ghosts haunting the bar are true and Ashlyn is a woman he wants in his life.
Move forward six months, Ashlyn is eight months pregnant with the baby of the victim but now engaged to the detective. When he is called to the historic town library to investigate the murder of a homeless man once again ghosts appear and his fiancee's mother, his superior and chief of police and a high powered wealthy family connected the train victim all seem to be intermingled into a murderous scheme. One thing for sure, Mark will solve these crimes. The only question is will he live long enough to reveal the real killer.
I enjoyed this book but must admit that at times the storyline did not transition well from time frame to time frame. The scenes just didn't flow well. However, I did enjoy the characters, suspense and twists and turns. I will most likely move on to read the next book in the series.
January 22, 2016
•••I listened to the Audible Audio Edition of this book•••
This is narrated by one of my favorite narrators and is a really fun listen! I really enjoyed it because Babb is so expressive and creative in her performances. I can't wait to listen to something else narrated by her :)
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The Haunted Detective
This series must be listened to (or read) in order. The first book is The Pit Stop: This Stop Could be Life or Death and as far as I know is unavailable in Audible Audio Edition format. The second book is The Depot: When Life and Death Cross Tracks and is included in this edition though not listed in the description as far as I could tell. This is the third (and it seems final) book in this series.
Mark has been trying to deny the existence of ghosts for quite some time now. It keeps getting harder and harder for him to pretend they are not real and that they are figments of his imagination. His fiancée's life was saved by her greatgrandmother's ghost after all. Can he keep denying the supernatural's existence? Or will he just take the extra help to solve this odd string of crimes spanning generations? Will he be able to stop the killing before it lands too close to home? How can he trust his instincts when he half believes henis cracking up? What is really going on in their town?
***This book is suitable for mature young adult through adult listeners (and readers) who enjoy short supernatural mysteries with a bit of romance and ghostly intervention :)
This is narrated by one of my favorite narrators and is a really fun listen! I really enjoyed it because Babb is so expressive and creative in her performances. I can't wait to listen to something else narrated by her :)
××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
The Haunted Detective
This series must be listened to (or read) in order. The first book is The Pit Stop: This Stop Could be Life or Death and as far as I know is unavailable in Audible Audio Edition format. The second book is The Depot: When Life and Death Cross Tracks and is included in this edition though not listed in the description as far as I could tell. This is the third (and it seems final) book in this series.
Mark has been trying to deny the existence of ghosts for quite some time now. It keeps getting harder and harder for him to pretend they are not real and that they are figments of his imagination. His fiancée's life was saved by her greatgrandmother's ghost after all. Can he keep denying the supernatural's existence? Or will he just take the extra help to solve this odd string of crimes spanning generations? Will he be able to stop the killing before it lands too close to home? How can he trust his instincts when he half believes henis cracking up? What is really going on in their town?
***This book is suitable for mature young adult through adult listeners (and readers) who enjoy short supernatural mysteries with a bit of romance and ghostly intervention :)
October 31, 2015
A gripping crime drama aided and abetted by the supernatural.
When Mark Waters starts investigating the murder of a homeless man at the local library he gets more than he bargained for.
His fiance Ashlyn in the first part of the novel breaks up from her boyfriend and he dies soon after and this sets in motion the chain of events for the whole novel.
A murder happened at the depot in 1934 where Ashlyn's boyfriend Devin also dies, he ran out of there totally spooked and was hit by a train but what did he see that night?
The place is supposedly haunted but Waters has never seen any evidence of this.
Now six months later the homeless man has also been murdered and somehow in his bones Mark knows they are connected but how?
Who is holding all the keys to the well kept secrets and WHO is the mysterious lady Jay who volunteers in the local library, she seems to want to try and help the case but is strangely tight lipped on the whole situation.
Can Mark crack the case or will the dead keep their secrets they have taken to the grave?
A great story with an interconnected short story "The depot" at the beginning of this novel.
Well worth a read for those who enjoy supernatural mysteries with a hint of romance thrown in.
When Mark Waters starts investigating the murder of a homeless man at the local library he gets more than he bargained for.
His fiance Ashlyn in the first part of the novel breaks up from her boyfriend and he dies soon after and this sets in motion the chain of events for the whole novel.
A murder happened at the depot in 1934 where Ashlyn's boyfriend Devin also dies, he ran out of there totally spooked and was hit by a train but what did he see that night?
The place is supposedly haunted but Waters has never seen any evidence of this.
Now six months later the homeless man has also been murdered and somehow in his bones Mark knows they are connected but how?
Who is holding all the keys to the well kept secrets and WHO is the mysterious lady Jay who volunteers in the local library, she seems to want to try and help the case but is strangely tight lipped on the whole situation.
Can Mark crack the case or will the dead keep their secrets they have taken to the grave?
A great story with an interconnected short story "The depot" at the beginning of this novel.
Well worth a read for those who enjoy supernatural mysteries with a hint of romance thrown in.
May 6, 2016
This book was a surprise. By the title, I was curious, but didn't know what to expect. I got into the book and didn't want to put it down. It was creative linking multiple generations by criminal deaths over the years. By the end, the interweaving of relations got tricky, but Carmen helped us unravel them and prove who did what to whom. Amidst all this, a relationship buds and evolves.
This book is engaging. The suspense will keep you riveted. The romance will make you say, "Aw." The conclusion will make you were clever enough to deduce what was going to happen.
This is a must read for those who need something fresh, who think they might like a bit of a surprise, and for those who dwell in romance novels. There is nothing graphic in the book so even young teens could read the book.
This book is engaging. The suspense will keep you riveted. The romance will make you say, "Aw." The conclusion will make you were clever enough to deduce what was going to happen.
This is a must read for those who need something fresh, who think they might like a bit of a surprise, and for those who dwell in romance novels. There is nothing graphic in the book so even young teens could read the book.
June 19, 2015
Mark Waters doesn't believe in ghosts. But, without them he would be dead. A homeless man is found dead and Mark is surprised to learn his identity. A man wanted for the double homicide of his family twenty years earlier. Murder, lies and secrets all combine together to reveal the truth and a killer.
June 14, 2015
Great Read
I really enjoyed reading this book, I have been so busy as of late ,and really needed to unwind & this fit into what little time I had & really engrossed me in a good mystery. Would love to read more from this author.
I really enjoyed reading this book, I have been so busy as of late ,and really needed to unwind & this fit into what little time I had & really engrossed me in a good mystery. Would love to read more from this author.
June 22, 2015
Great mystery suspense
All the needed elements for a great mystery. The handsome police officer, the damsel in distress, the decades of lies and your friendly ghost.
All the needed elements for a great mystery. The handsome police officer, the damsel in distress, the decades of lies and your friendly ghost.
October 12, 2015
"You don't have to continue; I don't really want to hear the details," said no police detective ever. 2.5 stars.
January 28, 2017
Murder, Mayhem and ghosts, with romance.
Great mystery. You won't regret reading this one. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Loved the ghosts and the interaction.
Great mystery. You won't regret reading this one. Fast paced and lots of twists and turns. Loved the ghosts and the interaction.
December 2, 2024
This has to be one of the most egregious cases of misleading plot summary I've come across. Yes, there is the murder mystery aspect. Yes it is many layered. The locations listed in the summary are in place. Hoooowever.
It pays homage to a book that was an early case of mixing suspense with romance as a bit of a wall break. I argue that this book is far more of a romance with a b plot of a mystery. that's not necessarily a bad thing but it is not why I go to this genre and never would have purchased this title even for the low fee that I did if I had known. Even if I put this aside, there were so many rushed aspects to the romance and a great irony that the author went to such care to pay respect to procedural rules for police and court...but had him hook up with someone who was, even if cleared in his mind, still connected to the case before it was closed. Look, I would much rather have a story about a man completely devoted to their partner than one completely objectifying. I have such a soft spot for someone 'stepping up' if you will. But his gushing was not only so plentiful but more than once repetitive that I found myself rolling my eyes a little.
We're not even going to touch the love interest other than to give the surface example that she hated how her mother idolized looks over everything and rebels against it but several times obsesses about her appearance or weight. Her fantasy dream was about being on a beach super fit in a bikini. I can understand given her condition at the time if it were about her being more comfortable in general, but it makes her down right wistful. Oh and a few beats later she's poo-pooing about the lead gushing over her in general/her body.
Then there's the supernatural element. Wow was that all over the place. not just misleading to create a catch. maybe I would have understood all the ties as they were being revealed if I had read the first book (unintentional mix up on my part) before going into this--but in a good series you should be given enough info where that isn't necessary. To be fair, at the point where things concerning family were in play i had to an extent already checked out.
In the end I think the problem I had with this read was that it was catering to two different audiences and satisfying none. That's something you have to do even if you're blending them.
It pays homage to a book that was an early case of mixing suspense with romance as a bit of a wall break. I argue that this book is far more of a romance with a b plot of a mystery. that's not necessarily a bad thing but it is not why I go to this genre and never would have purchased this title even for the low fee that I did if I had known. Even if I put this aside, there were so many rushed aspects to the romance and a great irony that the author went to such care to pay respect to procedural rules for police and court...but had him hook up with someone who was, even if cleared in his mind, still connected to the case before it was closed. Look, I would much rather have a story about a man completely devoted to their partner than one completely objectifying. I have such a soft spot for someone 'stepping up' if you will. But his gushing was not only so plentiful but more than once repetitive that I found myself rolling my eyes a little.
We're not even going to touch the love interest other than to give the surface example that she hated how her mother idolized looks over everything and rebels against it but several times obsesses about her appearance or weight. Her fantasy dream was about being on a beach super fit in a bikini. I can understand given her condition at the time if it were about her being more comfortable in general, but it makes her down right wistful. Oh and a few beats later she's poo-pooing about the lead gushing over her in general/her body.
Then there's the supernatural element. Wow was that all over the place. not just misleading to create a catch. maybe I would have understood all the ties as they were being revealed if I had read the first book (unintentional mix up on my part) before going into this--but in a good series you should be given enough info where that isn't necessary. To be fair, at the point where things concerning family were in play i had to an extent already checked out.
In the end I think the problem I had with this read was that it was catering to two different audiences and satisfying none. That's something you have to do even if you're blending them.
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