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Bookmobile Mystery #3
Read or Alive
A match-made in cozy heaven for fans of Jenn McKinlay, Kate Carlisle, and book lovers everywhere, Nora Page's third Bookmobile mystery will (book)worm its way into your heart.
Two wrongful accusations has librarian Cleo Watkins and her loved ones booked for trouble.
It's springtime and septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins is celebrating new blooms and old books. To her delight, the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society has brought its annual fair to Catalpa Springs in honor of Cleo's gentleman friend, respected antiquarian bookseller and restorer, Henry Lafayette. But trouble rolls in with the fair when a flirtatious book scout makes the rounds, charming ladies of a certain age out of prized books.
Among the conned is Cleo's cousin, Dot, who relinquished a signed first edition of Gone With the Wind. With no proof the scout took it, Dot is at a loss. And when he's found dead the very next morning, without Dot's first edition or other valuable books reported missing in his belongings, Dot's freedom is on the line. Cleo is flummoxed in discovering too that the scout's body is found behind Henry's shop, and the murder weapon identified to be Henry's bookbinding hammer.
Although books are at the heart of the crimes, Cleo feels dizzyingly out of her depths. Someone is setting up the people she holds dearest and with the authorities on the wrong trail, Cleo has no choice but to catalog the evidence herself. Along with the help of her trusty bookmobile cat Rhett Butler, it will be up to Cleo to book the real killer for good.
Two wrongful accusations has librarian Cleo Watkins and her loved ones booked for trouble.
It's springtime and septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins is celebrating new blooms and old books. To her delight, the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society has brought its annual fair to Catalpa Springs in honor of Cleo's gentleman friend, respected antiquarian bookseller and restorer, Henry Lafayette. But trouble rolls in with the fair when a flirtatious book scout makes the rounds, charming ladies of a certain age out of prized books.
Among the conned is Cleo's cousin, Dot, who relinquished a signed first edition of Gone With the Wind. With no proof the scout took it, Dot is at a loss. And when he's found dead the very next morning, without Dot's first edition or other valuable books reported missing in his belongings, Dot's freedom is on the line. Cleo is flummoxed in discovering too that the scout's body is found behind Henry's shop, and the murder weapon identified to be Henry's bookbinding hammer.
Although books are at the heart of the crimes, Cleo feels dizzyingly out of her depths. Someone is setting up the people she holds dearest and with the authorities on the wrong trail, Cleo has no choice but to catalog the evidence herself. Along with the help of her trusty bookmobile cat Rhett Butler, it will be up to Cleo to book the real killer for good.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2020
24 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 20, 2020
The third book in the Bookmobile mystery series by Nora Page. Cleo is back with a new mystery to solve! A conman who deals in books comes to the antiquarian book show in Catalpa Springs. He's swindling Cleo's friends, and things go downhill when he is found killed. Cleo knows those close to her can't be behind the murder, so she sleuths to find the killer.
A cozy mystery centered around books. I enjoy Cleo, her bookmobile, and the small town setting. A delightful read with an older protagonist. Fun and entertaining.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A cozy mystery centered around books. I enjoy Cleo, her bookmobile, and the small town setting. A delightful read with an older protagonist. Fun and entertaining.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2020
Librarian Cleo Watkins and her best friend, Mary Rose Garland are beyond excited to attend the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society Fair and pour over all the rare books, old books, manuscripts, photographs, etc., featured at the different booths. Henry Lafayette, Cleo’s significant other, will have a booth for his shop, the Gilded Page. When the fair opens, it quickly becomes evident to Cleo there are dealers selling goods they didn’t come by legally. Accusations fly, and someone turns up dead.
Book three in the Bookmobile Mystery series is an entertaining novel. I always enjoy re-visiting Catalpa Springs, Georgia and the affable cast of characters who feel like old friends. Cleo’s cat, Rhett Butler, and Henry’s old pug, Mr. Chaucer are sweet 4-legged companions for both their owners and are usually by their sides as they sleuth.
The mystery is a good one, and I didn’t realize who the culprit was until the author revealed how she had cleverly disguised them. I wish the Bookmobile had been featured more in this story, as it had in previous books. Cookie recipe included that sounds delish!
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. Thank you.
Book three in the Bookmobile Mystery series is an entertaining novel. I always enjoy re-visiting Catalpa Springs, Georgia and the affable cast of characters who feel like old friends. Cleo’s cat, Rhett Butler, and Henry’s old pug, Mr. Chaucer are sweet 4-legged companions for both their owners and are usually by their sides as they sleuth.
The mystery is a good one, and I didn’t realize who the culprit was until the author revealed how she had cleverly disguised them. I wish the Bookmobile had been featured more in this story, as it had in previous books. Cookie recipe included that sounds delish!
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. Thank you.
May 8, 2022
A great suspenseful book. I didn't guess the main culprit until the very end. I hope there are more books in the series and that Cleo and Henry's story continues.
March 30, 2020
Another nice cozy mystery! It's time for the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society Fair and Cleo has to solve another murder. Is Dot guilty?
Thank you Netgalley for this interesting story!
Thank you Netgalley for this interesting story!
April 25, 2020
Cleo is beside herself with excitement when an antiquarian book festival comes to her small town of Catapulta Springs, Georgia. Her romantic interest, Henry, is the local host and there are many interesting exhibits, many of which are collector's copies of Gone With the Wind. But when an alleged book thief is murdered, it casts a dark spell over the event and the town. The situation worsens when circumstantial evidence points to Henry as the prime suspect. Cleo devotes all of her energy to exonerate him and restore his good reputation.
I enjoyed this book very much, mainly because of Cleo. She is an active woman, defying the stereotype of a widow sitting by a window knitting all day (no offense to knitters!) I prefer a more mature character who is confident and doesn't let fear dominate her life. Her devotion to her life-long friend Dot, during difficult times is based on a relationship that has grown over a lifetime. While the mystery wasn't terribly complex, it kept my attention to the very end.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
I enjoyed this book very much, mainly because of Cleo. She is an active woman, defying the stereotype of a widow sitting by a window knitting all day (no offense to knitters!) I prefer a more mature character who is confident and doesn't let fear dominate her life. Her devotion to her life-long friend Dot, during difficult times is based on a relationship that has grown over a lifetime. While the mystery wasn't terribly complex, it kept my attention to the very end.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
June 11, 2020
Librarian Cleo Watkins and her best friend Mary Rose Garland are excited to attend the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society fair to look over all the books and other memorabilia Cleo's boyfriend Henry Lafayette has a booth for his shop the Gilda Page. When it first opens its clear to Cleo that some of the dealers selling goods didn't get them legally. Especially a rare edition of a first print of Gone with the Wind that her cousin owned that one dealer is talking about but won't let anyone see.
When her cousin Dot comes in and accuses a man of taking her books and threatening him and runs out with Cleo and Henry chasing after her.
Then the man ends up dead behind Henry's store with one of his books tools as the murderer weapon the next day, Cleo gives him an airtight alibi that he was at her house the whole night before with her.
But Henry has something to confess he couldn't sleep so he took his dog for a walk and stopped in at his shop over night. With her cousin Dot and Henry as prime suspects in the case there in nothing else for Cleo to do but catch the killer herself.
And how to find out how she does it well you will have to read the book!!
What great fun ahead for you, never a dull moment around when Cleo is flying around in her bookmobile. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
When her cousin Dot comes in and accuses a man of taking her books and threatening him and runs out with Cleo and Henry chasing after her.
Then the man ends up dead behind Henry's store with one of his books tools as the murderer weapon the next day, Cleo gives him an airtight alibi that he was at her house the whole night before with her.
But Henry has something to confess he couldn't sleep so he took his dog for a walk and stopped in at his shop over night. With her cousin Dot and Henry as prime suspects in the case there in nothing else for Cleo to do but catch the killer herself.
And how to find out how she does it well you will have to read the book!!
What great fun ahead for you, never a dull moment around when Cleo is flying around in her bookmobile. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
April 15, 2021
I enjoyed it when the Antiquarian Book Fair came to town. I love Cleo's book Mobile. Although I enjoyed the story, I didn't care for the writer's tone of voice. The ages of the characters I couldn't relate to. A cozy mystery that uses the third person's point of view is something I'm not used to.
Thank you Kensington and Netgalley For the ARC of this review. This was an honest Review.
Thank you Kensington and Netgalley For the ARC of this review. This was an honest Review.
July 26, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The Georgia Antiquarian Book Society’s fair is being held in Catalpa Springs this year thanks to septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins’s gentleman friend, antiquarian bookseller and restorer, Henry Lafayette. Cleo is excited to attend the event with her best friend, Mary Rose, to support Henry, and hopes to add some new old books to her collection.
When Cleo steps up to the first booth, she notices a book that looks like one belonging to her cousin Dot. A few steps further, she sees pages with pictures that have been cut from books that also look like Dot’s. Cleo learns that a shifty book scout has been in town, encouraging people to give their rare books to him to sell for top dollar. Turns out Dot did just that, but she has no proof.
The literary con man is found the next morning dead in an alley near Henry’s shop; one of his bookbinding tools appears to be the murder weapon, making him a top suspect, right along with Dot. Sadly, members of the community, including some of Cleo’s friends, believe Henry is responsible for the death. If they don’t know he is innocent, how is she ever going to convince the police that Henry is not a killer?
Librarian Cleo knows books, but can she find the proof to clear Dot and Henry and get the book thrown at the real killer? She sets out with her Persian cat, Rhett Butler, in her beloved bookmobile to try.
Crimes have again come to Catalpa Springs, and Cleo Watkins is on the case. The active 76-year-old librarian is a smart, witty, and charming woman who loves her job, especially traveling around in her bookmobile, an old school bus, transformed by her grandson as his Eagle Scout project. She is sweet on Henry Lafayette, who loves books just as much as she does. Her cousin, Dot, is in a bit of a pickle, which led her to make a poor decision. Mary Rose has been Cleo’s best friend “since infancy”. She owns the local Pancake Mill, but she’s right by Cleo’s side to help her in any investigation. Cleo’s favorite neighbor is Deputy Gabby Honeywell. Cleo would rather deal with her every day of the week, instead of Chief Silas Culpepper. He jumps to conclusions, takes the easy way out, falls for a pretty face, and is not a fan of Cleo. Wanda is Cleo’s rude, nosy, gossipy neighbor who needs to have her garden clippers taken away. Over the course of the 3 books in this series, these characters have become people I would love to hang out with, sans Silas Culpepper and Wanda.
Ms. Page doesn’t just create fabulous human characters. Rhett Butler is a fluffy Persian feline who expresses himself with numerous faces, loves treats and belly rubs, and rides with Cleo in the bookmobile in hopes of more treats and belly rubs. He is also a pretty good judge of character. Mr. Chaucer is Henry’s elderly fawn pug, who is very intuitive of people’s feelings and needs. He is also a fan of belly rubs and treats. Like Rhett with Cleo, Mr. Chaucer is never far from Henry’s side. They love their playdates together.
Who knew a bunch of rare book enthusiasts would bring so much trouble to town? The author has plotted out a marvelous mystery with some unlikable characters. Cleo and Mary Rose both picked up on a problem right away, but they needed proof. Then, the fox in the henhouse, Hunter Fox, was killed, and the tables were turned to protect their own. I love how Cleo investigates. She knows everyone in town is talking about the murder, so she uses her bookmobile route to not only deliver books but also give a little information to get a little back in return. Golden Acres nursing home is always a good place to start, because if those seniors don’t have information, they know where to get it. I had a delightful time tooling around with Cleo and Rhett.
I hate that this third book in the series is the last book in the series. Read or Alive had me loving these characters even more than I already did. Catalpa Springs is filled with eclectic residents ripe for more mysteries. At least we know for Cleo that, “books would never break her heart, and neither would Henry Lafayette”. This was a Perfect Escape, entertaining and fun. I enjoyed the whole series, so if you missed this series when it was first released, like me, I hope you will give the Bookmobile Mysteries a try.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
The Georgia Antiquarian Book Society’s fair is being held in Catalpa Springs this year thanks to septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins’s gentleman friend, antiquarian bookseller and restorer, Henry Lafayette. Cleo is excited to attend the event with her best friend, Mary Rose, to support Henry, and hopes to add some new old books to her collection.
When Cleo steps up to the first booth, she notices a book that looks like one belonging to her cousin Dot. A few steps further, she sees pages with pictures that have been cut from books that also look like Dot’s. Cleo learns that a shifty book scout has been in town, encouraging people to give their rare books to him to sell for top dollar. Turns out Dot did just that, but she has no proof.
The literary con man is found the next morning dead in an alley near Henry’s shop; one of his bookbinding tools appears to be the murder weapon, making him a top suspect, right along with Dot. Sadly, members of the community, including some of Cleo’s friends, believe Henry is responsible for the death. If they don’t know he is innocent, how is she ever going to convince the police that Henry is not a killer?
Librarian Cleo knows books, but can she find the proof to clear Dot and Henry and get the book thrown at the real killer? She sets out with her Persian cat, Rhett Butler, in her beloved bookmobile to try.
Crimes have again come to Catalpa Springs, and Cleo Watkins is on the case. The active 76-year-old librarian is a smart, witty, and charming woman who loves her job, especially traveling around in her bookmobile, an old school bus, transformed by her grandson as his Eagle Scout project. She is sweet on Henry Lafayette, who loves books just as much as she does. Her cousin, Dot, is in a bit of a pickle, which led her to make a poor decision. Mary Rose has been Cleo’s best friend “since infancy”. She owns the local Pancake Mill, but she’s right by Cleo’s side to help her in any investigation. Cleo’s favorite neighbor is Deputy Gabby Honeywell. Cleo would rather deal with her every day of the week, instead of Chief Silas Culpepper. He jumps to conclusions, takes the easy way out, falls for a pretty face, and is not a fan of Cleo. Wanda is Cleo’s rude, nosy, gossipy neighbor who needs to have her garden clippers taken away. Over the course of the 3 books in this series, these characters have become people I would love to hang out with, sans Silas Culpepper and Wanda.
Ms. Page doesn’t just create fabulous human characters. Rhett Butler is a fluffy Persian feline who expresses himself with numerous faces, loves treats and belly rubs, and rides with Cleo in the bookmobile in hopes of more treats and belly rubs. He is also a pretty good judge of character. Mr. Chaucer is Henry’s elderly fawn pug, who is very intuitive of people’s feelings and needs. He is also a fan of belly rubs and treats. Like Rhett with Cleo, Mr. Chaucer is never far from Henry’s side. They love their playdates together.
Who knew a bunch of rare book enthusiasts would bring so much trouble to town? The author has plotted out a marvelous mystery with some unlikable characters. Cleo and Mary Rose both picked up on a problem right away, but they needed proof. Then, the fox in the henhouse, Hunter Fox, was killed, and the tables were turned to protect their own. I love how Cleo investigates. She knows everyone in town is talking about the murder, so she uses her bookmobile route to not only deliver books but also give a little information to get a little back in return. Golden Acres nursing home is always a good place to start, because if those seniors don’t have information, they know where to get it. I had a delightful time tooling around with Cleo and Rhett.
I hate that this third book in the series is the last book in the series. Read or Alive had me loving these characters even more than I already did. Catalpa Springs is filled with eclectic residents ripe for more mysteries. At least we know for Cleo that, “books would never break her heart, and neither would Henry Lafayette”. This was a Perfect Escape, entertaining and fun. I enjoyed the whole series, so if you missed this series when it was first released, like me, I hope you will give the Bookmobile Mysteries a try.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
January 19, 2020
Read or Alive by Nora Page was another engaging mystery in the Bookmobile Mystery series.
Ms. Page's descriptive writing has allowed the characters, Cleo, Dot, MaryRose, Henry to come to life within these books. It's refreshing to have characters that are mature and contribute so much to their communities. Cleo's sleuthing is realistic because she basically just puts the word out to her library patrons and they bring the clues to her. Catalpa Springs seems to be a charming small town that also has it's usual drawbacks, nosy neighbors and a grapevine that works faster than the internet. Although the pace of the story seemed to slow down in the middle, it was a well written mystery with plenty of twists to keep me guessing until the reveal.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Ms. Page's descriptive writing has allowed the characters, Cleo, Dot, MaryRose, Henry to come to life within these books. It's refreshing to have characters that are mature and contribute so much to their communities. Cleo's sleuthing is realistic because she basically just puts the word out to her library patrons and they bring the clues to her. Catalpa Springs seems to be a charming small town that also has it's usual drawbacks, nosy neighbors and a grapevine that works faster than the internet. Although the pace of the story seemed to slow down in the middle, it was a well written mystery with plenty of twists to keep me guessing until the reveal.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
August 27, 2020
Lovely fun book with older sleuths !!
July 20, 2022
It was cute. Characters fun, but too meek, in my opinion. Reveal was a surprise.
May 12, 2020
This is a fabulous third offering in A Bookmobile Mystery series! If I had not already read the first two, the gorgeous cover would have drawn me in before even seeing the description. I love seeing the bus, Rhett Butler, and Mr. Chaucer in full color. Springtime in Georgia sounds beautiful, and what book lover can resist a book fair? The regular characters are very likable, a wonderful age group, and three-dimensional. This complex mystery is excellent with an unexpected whodunit.
Cleo Watkins, at 76, is still head librarian at the Catalpa Springs library. She frequently is found on the bookmobile, a repurposed school bus completely renovated by her grandson for an Eagle Scout project. Her protégé, Leanna, mans the library on any given day. Cleo and best friend Mary-Rose went to the book fair opening to see what bargains they might find among the rare, vintage, and used books.
One of the first things they saw was a very expensive French copy of Gone With the Wind and the booth of Kitty Peavey, outfitted to look and sound like Marilyn Monroe. Before they left her booth, Cleo was stunned to see the cover of a book open in the trash can near Kitty’s stall with the custom-made bookplate that belonged to her cousin Dot. It matches the size of Dot’s prized movie edition of Gone With the Wind, found at an estate sale years ago. In the door of the facility marched Dot, yelling for Hunter Fox, a “book scout” who had taken some of her valuable books on the auspices of selling them on commission. She tried to contact him several times to cancel the deal, but he didn’t return her calls. He denied it, they argued loudly, and she told him he would be sorry. The next day, she has the misfortune for find the man dead in the alley while on her way to work.
Cleo was taking Henry to his shop. Henry is her gentleman friend who owns Gilded Page Antiquarian & Rare Books. They saw Dot run into the street to flag them down, and she showed them her grisly find of only moments earlier. The police chief doesn’t appear to be one of the sharpest – or kindest – tools in the shed. His deputy and Cleo’s favorite neighbor, Gabby, also arrived. People heard Dot’s dispute with Fox the prior day, and she was immediately the prime suspect. When they found the murder weapon, one of his bookbinding tools, Henry became the suspect.
Cleo is on the case. In this small town, she knows most of the residents, many of whom are her bookmobile patrons. It is amazing what her network of friends can find, including that Dot was not the only woman taken in by Mr. Fox. Dot, Henry, and Chloe were befriended by a dealer next to Ms. Peavey’s stall, Buddy Boone. He found one of Dot’s books at another seller’s stall and made sure it was returned to her. I love the humor, the antics of the pets, and Cleo’s unflagging loyalty to Henry and Dot despite the evidence.
This mystery is well-plotted and executed. There are a couple red herrings that I kept veering towards despite a different possible suspect. The real whodunit was a surprise to me, as I had discounted the person more than once! All loose ends are tied up; the end is very satisfactory. I highly recommend this to lovers of well-written cozy mysteries, cats and dogs, libraries and bookstores, and Southern settings.
From a thankful heart: I received an advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Cleo Watkins, at 76, is still head librarian at the Catalpa Springs library. She frequently is found on the bookmobile, a repurposed school bus completely renovated by her grandson for an Eagle Scout project. Her protégé, Leanna, mans the library on any given day. Cleo and best friend Mary-Rose went to the book fair opening to see what bargains they might find among the rare, vintage, and used books.
One of the first things they saw was a very expensive French copy of Gone With the Wind and the booth of Kitty Peavey, outfitted to look and sound like Marilyn Monroe. Before they left her booth, Cleo was stunned to see the cover of a book open in the trash can near Kitty’s stall with the custom-made bookplate that belonged to her cousin Dot. It matches the size of Dot’s prized movie edition of Gone With the Wind, found at an estate sale years ago. In the door of the facility marched Dot, yelling for Hunter Fox, a “book scout” who had taken some of her valuable books on the auspices of selling them on commission. She tried to contact him several times to cancel the deal, but he didn’t return her calls. He denied it, they argued loudly, and she told him he would be sorry. The next day, she has the misfortune for find the man dead in the alley while on her way to work.
Cleo was taking Henry to his shop. Henry is her gentleman friend who owns Gilded Page Antiquarian & Rare Books. They saw Dot run into the street to flag them down, and she showed them her grisly find of only moments earlier. The police chief doesn’t appear to be one of the sharpest – or kindest – tools in the shed. His deputy and Cleo’s favorite neighbor, Gabby, also arrived. People heard Dot’s dispute with Fox the prior day, and she was immediately the prime suspect. When they found the murder weapon, one of his bookbinding tools, Henry became the suspect.
Cleo is on the case. In this small town, she knows most of the residents, many of whom are her bookmobile patrons. It is amazing what her network of friends can find, including that Dot was not the only woman taken in by Mr. Fox. Dot, Henry, and Chloe were befriended by a dealer next to Ms. Peavey’s stall, Buddy Boone. He found one of Dot’s books at another seller’s stall and made sure it was returned to her. I love the humor, the antics of the pets, and Cleo’s unflagging loyalty to Henry and Dot despite the evidence.
This mystery is well-plotted and executed. There are a couple red herrings that I kept veering towards despite a different possible suspect. The real whodunit was a surprise to me, as I had discounted the person more than once! All loose ends are tied up; the end is very satisfactory. I highly recommend this to lovers of well-written cozy mysteries, cats and dogs, libraries and bookstores, and Southern settings.
From a thankful heart: I received an advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
June 15, 2020
Read or Alive is the third book in the Bookmobile Mystery series by Nora Page and if you have read the previous books, you cannot help but be a fan. As soon as you open Read or Alive you will be swept back to Catalpa Springs.....
Cleo Watkins is the main character and she drives a bookmobile for her library......and solves murders. However in Read or Alive the case may be too much for her to handle when her cousin AND her gentlemen friend are both being accused of a murder.
Henry, Cleo's gentlemen friend is a antiquarian bookseller and restorer and owns his own shop in town, The Gilded Page Antiquarian and Rare Books. He and the town have been awarded the honor of hosting The Georgia Antiquarian Book Society Fair which is a week long yearly book event hosted in a different town every year.
To say that Henry is nervous and excited and Cleo is hopeful to purchase some good books is an understatement. But how could either of them have predicted that a death would occur in the alley between Henry's shop and the town psychic ...... not even Madam Romanov could have seen that coming !!!
Unfortunately on opening day of the week long event, while Cleo and her best friend Mary Rose are looking at books at the fair, they hear Cleo's cousin Dot yelling at a gentlemen at one of the booths demanding that she wants her books back !! Cleo quickly learns that the person Dot is yelling at, Hunter Fox, may have visited members of her town "looking" to buy their valuable books but at what cost ?? Turns out the cost was his life and Dot was overheard telling the victim that he would be sorry !!!
Cleo frantically tries to figure out who could have killed Hunter Fox and why but no matter what she does, it seems Chief Culpepper has his eyes on Henry or Dot and refuses to look at any of the out of town guests working the fair and staying at the Myrtles Bed and Breakfast.....especially Kitty Peavey who is high on Cleo's list of suspects.
Readers will get swept away in this book and no one can blame them !! Page has a way of opening up the reader's mind so that they will feel like they are hanging around in Catalpa Springs. They will wish they were hanging out at the Pancake Mill or riding along with Cleo in her bookmobile. They will become as determined as Cleo to solve the case so that Henry and Dot can go back to running their businesses and Cleo can go back to deliverying books to homebound members of the town.
Page's imagination is off the charts amazing. How she comes up with these tales is just outstanding and captivating !! I became a fan with the first book and will continue until there are no more Bookmobile Mystery books to reads but I hope that is a loooooooong ways in the future !!! Maybe Madam Romanov can help with that.....
May 10, 2020
New from Crooked Lane Books comes Nora Page's third book, Read Or Alive in the "A Bookmobile Mystery." An exciting ride with red herrings that will have readers buried within the pages until the very last word.
Cleo Watkins is one of my favorite heroines. An older sleuth, she is as curious as her cat, Rhett, when she sets out to find a killer. Asking questions as politely as her upbringing will allow, which at times can be a hindrance, she slowly makes headway only to realize that not everyone who loves books is good people. The setting of a library and bookmobile instead of a traditional bookshop allows Cleo more freedom to come and go and get into more trouble. There are some terrific twists and turns throughout the story and will keep readers guessing the killer's identity.
Henry, Cleo's companion, and a local bookshop owner as well as an antiquarian book restoration expert is a suspect in the death of an antiquarian book dealer with questionable ethics. So is her cousin, Dot, who is a Gone With the Wind fan just as Cleo is, and owns the Drop By store. Neither Henry or Dot have alibi's, and the local chief of police is positive one of them killed the victim and wants to see someone behind bars as fast as possible. The fact that neither one may be guilty is beside the point as far as he is concerned. Thank goodness that officer Gabby and best friend Mary-Rose, who are there to add logic and understanding to the investigation and to make sure Cleo is never in danger.
The mystery in this book is entertaining; readers will enjoy the companionship of all the characters. The town is attractive and easy to picture. The fact that townsfolk are happy to help out whenever needed makes this series a fan favorite leaving them with a sense of well being and a smile. Henry's bookshop, where most of the action takes place, intrigues even the most hardened cozy reader. When the killer is unveiled, readers will be surprised and delighted. The cookie recipe in the back is mouth-watering! I am happy to recommend Read or Alive to all readers and look forward to the next addition to the series.
Cleo Watkins is one of my favorite heroines. An older sleuth, she is as curious as her cat, Rhett, when she sets out to find a killer. Asking questions as politely as her upbringing will allow, which at times can be a hindrance, she slowly makes headway only to realize that not everyone who loves books is good people. The setting of a library and bookmobile instead of a traditional bookshop allows Cleo more freedom to come and go and get into more trouble. There are some terrific twists and turns throughout the story and will keep readers guessing the killer's identity.
Henry, Cleo's companion, and a local bookshop owner as well as an antiquarian book restoration expert is a suspect in the death of an antiquarian book dealer with questionable ethics. So is her cousin, Dot, who is a Gone With the Wind fan just as Cleo is, and owns the Drop By store. Neither Henry or Dot have alibi's, and the local chief of police is positive one of them killed the victim and wants to see someone behind bars as fast as possible. The fact that neither one may be guilty is beside the point as far as he is concerned. Thank goodness that officer Gabby and best friend Mary-Rose, who are there to add logic and understanding to the investigation and to make sure Cleo is never in danger.
The mystery in this book is entertaining; readers will enjoy the companionship of all the characters. The town is attractive and easy to picture. The fact that townsfolk are happy to help out whenever needed makes this series a fan favorite leaving them with a sense of well being and a smile. Henry's bookshop, where most of the action takes place, intrigues even the most hardened cozy reader. When the killer is unveiled, readers will be surprised and delighted. The cookie recipe in the back is mouth-watering! I am happy to recommend Read or Alive to all readers and look forward to the next addition to the series.
February 11, 2022
2/11/2021 3.5 stars. Full review tk at CriminalElement.com.
January 30, 2020
First book of this series I've read and was pleasantly surprised by Cleo and her love of books and friends. Cleo is a fun senior with a heart that feels deeply and a mind sharp as a tack. Loved the added recipe for cookies that are an integral part of story.
October 1, 2020
The school bus turned book mobile is back on the road. But when an antique book dealers conference comes to town a murder happens and suspects abound. A good mystery!
May 23, 2020
Read or Alive is the third book in Nora Page’s Bookmobile Mystery series. The story moves along at a steady pace, the well-developed characters are somewhat quirky and delightful, the mystery is well plotted, and humor is disbursed throughout the book. There are lots of twists and turns, and the final reveal came as a surprise.
Cleo Jane Watkins is a seventy-six-year-old librarian who drives Words on Wheels, a school bus that’s been converted into a bookmobile to readers throughout her community. Cleo’s “gentleman friend” and owner of Gilded Page Antiquarian and Rare Books, Henry Lafayette, has arranged for this year’s Georgia Antiquarian Book Society Fair, a one-week extravaganza of rare books, old books, used books, and bookish items, to take place in Catalpa Springs. When an attendee, Hunter Fox, is found murdered, Chief Silas Culpepper has narrowed in on two suspects, Dot Moore, Cleo’s cousin, and Henry. Prior to his death, Hunter had been going around town, targeting ladies, talking them out of valuable books. Hunter conned Dot out of multiple books, including a rare and valuable edition of “Gone With the Wind.” Dot was seen arguing with the victim about her books, and the murder weapon was an awl belonging to Henry, who confronted Hunter, supposedly threatening to have him banned from Georgia antiquarian. With the evidence stacking up against Dot and Henry, Cleo is determined to find the stolen books, clear her loved ones’ good names, and identify the thief and killer.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Cleo Jane Watkins is a seventy-six-year-old librarian who drives Words on Wheels, a school bus that’s been converted into a bookmobile to readers throughout her community. Cleo’s “gentleman friend” and owner of Gilded Page Antiquarian and Rare Books, Henry Lafayette, has arranged for this year’s Georgia Antiquarian Book Society Fair, a one-week extravaganza of rare books, old books, used books, and bookish items, to take place in Catalpa Springs. When an attendee, Hunter Fox, is found murdered, Chief Silas Culpepper has narrowed in on two suspects, Dot Moore, Cleo’s cousin, and Henry. Prior to his death, Hunter had been going around town, targeting ladies, talking them out of valuable books. Hunter conned Dot out of multiple books, including a rare and valuable edition of “Gone With the Wind.” Dot was seen arguing with the victim about her books, and the murder weapon was an awl belonging to Henry, who confronted Hunter, supposedly threatening to have him banned from Georgia antiquarian. With the evidence stacking up against Dot and Henry, Cleo is determined to find the stolen books, clear her loved ones’ good names, and identify the thief and killer.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
May 20, 2020
The third installment of Nora Page’s Bookmobile Mystery Series begins with a premise difficult to dislike: a rare books fair. In addition to the library and bookmobile, we now have an entire hotel full of books (drool-worthy books) and book lovers. It’s an ideal setting for a crime that will strike readers to the heart. Unfortunately, the execution of this premise is messy. The chief of police is annoyingly stereotypical, and the reveal itself is much too complicated and sloppy. There is a lot of promise to this one, but it fails to really deliver.
August 2, 2020
A book fair is coming to town and it is honoring Cleo’s boyfriend Henry. Everything seems to be going ok until Cleo finds a smooth talking man has conned her friend out of her beloved books. when the man is found dead Henry is blamed. Cleo finds a con and and fake fortune teller are adding to the confusion in the case.
April 27, 2022
Sorry this is last book in this series. I will miss Miss Cleo, Mr. Chaucer and Rhett Butler. ❤️
July 4, 2020
This is the third book in the series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. The setting of a book fair is interesting and gave a great jumping-off place for the mystery. Cleo is a smart and relatable character. The mystery is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
February 1, 2020
Unfortunately, I was not able to make it past chapter two in this book. I've enjoyed her others, so am really not sure why. I will try again later and update my review if I am able to finish it.
December 10, 2020
Cleo is excited to be attending a book fair of antique and collectible books. But all is not well. Her cousin Dot is swindled out of some highly prized books, her gentleman friend gets arrested on suspicion of murder, and Cleo’s bookmobile is broken into and a valuable book is stolen. It’s a lot for Cleo to take in, but she is determined to set things right. She may be considered to be elderly by some, but don’t let that fool you. She has all the skills and mental acuity needed to track down and trap a killer. It’s a delightful cozy and well written with engaging characters. How nice to see someone of “a certain age” who still can hold her own, and then some!
January 3, 2020
The good, the sleazy, and the devious. The Book mobile librarian is also the town's best sleuth, but she amasses her clues and info from everyone, including her neighbor who is local law enforcement and much more astute than the chief. There's an antiquarian book show in town, and the smarmy sleaze winds up murdered. Lots of suspects including a real prize of a manipulative older blonde. Good sleuthing with plenty of twists and red herrings. I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 4, 2020
I'm really enjoying the Bookmobile Mysteries, and this was a good addition to the series. I loved being back with Cleo and her friends again. In this one, rare books go missing, and a man is murdered. It is up to Cleo to solve the case before the police arrest her gentleman friend, Henry.
As with the previous two books, I liked the characters, and found the storyline fun and entertaining. This was a quick and easy to read cozy mystery.
As with the previous two books, I liked the characters, and found the storyline fun and entertaining. This was a quick and easy to read cozy mystery.
January 10, 2020
I love me a cozy mystery! Nora Paige always gotta the spot with her clever, relaxing, perfectly fun stories. Love reading her books and feeling like I've been transported somewhere relaxing, but with a good clean mystery to solve.
July 21, 2020
Read or Alive by Nora Page is the third book in the ‘Bookmobile Mystery’ series and it was an engrossing read.
What a highly entertaining cocktail of mystery and mayhem! This was a wonderful cozy mystery which was both lovely and enjoyable and it made perfect reading for me between other more intense novels. It was fantastic to return to the small town of Catapulta Springs, Georgia, and catch up with septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins. Protagonist Cleo makes a great amateur sleuth as she is hardworking, confident, astute, and game for anything. The other characters were also very well drawn and I especially liked the charming Henry Lafayette, Cleo's gentleman friend who owns Gilded Page Antiquarian & Rare Books. Cleo's ginger Persian cat, named Rhett Butler, and Henry's sweet pug, Chaucer added interest of the four-legged variety.
Funny and quirky with a fantastic plot, this book was a great package of fun and excitement and although it was quite long for a cozy, it was a perfect book to enjoy whilst relaxing on the sofa with a large mug of tea.
I really appreciated the clever writing from Nora Page in this novel which kept me intrigued right to the end. Whilst there was plenty of substance to this mystery and an abundance of red herrings to mislead the reader, there was a high comedic value, too. With its great story and wonderful characters, I would recommend Read or Alive to all cozy mystery lovers out there who are wanting an easy-to-read weekend read. If you prefer more humour than a mystery to your cozy reading then this would be a good choice. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
What a highly entertaining cocktail of mystery and mayhem! This was a wonderful cozy mystery which was both lovely and enjoyable and it made perfect reading for me between other more intense novels. It was fantastic to return to the small town of Catapulta Springs, Georgia, and catch up with septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins. Protagonist Cleo makes a great amateur sleuth as she is hardworking, confident, astute, and game for anything. The other characters were also very well drawn and I especially liked the charming Henry Lafayette, Cleo's gentleman friend who owns Gilded Page Antiquarian & Rare Books. Cleo's ginger Persian cat, named Rhett Butler, and Henry's sweet pug, Chaucer added interest of the four-legged variety.
Funny and quirky with a fantastic plot, this book was a great package of fun and excitement and although it was quite long for a cozy, it was a perfect book to enjoy whilst relaxing on the sofa with a large mug of tea.
I really appreciated the clever writing from Nora Page in this novel which kept me intrigued right to the end. Whilst there was plenty of substance to this mystery and an abundance of red herrings to mislead the reader, there was a high comedic value, too. With its great story and wonderful characters, I would recommend Read or Alive to all cozy mystery lovers out there who are wanting an easy-to-read weekend read. If you prefer more humour than a mystery to your cozy reading then this would be a good choice. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
September 27, 2021
3.5 stars: This addition to the Bookmobile Mystery series was enjoyable, with a new mystery for Cleo to solve. Henry Lafayette, Cleo's beau has brought the Georgia Antiquarian Book Society Fair to Catalpa Springs and everyone is excited. Cleo and her BFF, Mary Rose Garland attend to see what they might be able to pick up and just to see and touch all the old and rare books, manuscripts, photographs, letters and more. What Cleo soon discovers is that some of the items on display and for sale may have been obtained illegally. When she realizes that some of her friends are being swindled or their items stolen, she tracks down the main culprit, but when he is murdered, she ups her sleuthing when Henry becomes the main suspect.
I enjoyed re-visiting Catalpa Springs, Georgia and meeting up with this varied cast of characters. Cleo is a septuagenarian librarian. She uses her Bookmobile to bring books to those who can't get to the actual library. She loves books and justice and both come to play in this mystery. Cleo and Henry have a sweet relationship and they are both booklovers. They are both well loved in the community and are able to suss out information. The police chief is the typical bumbling fool who jumps at the first suspect and is manipulated by the attractive visitor to town. Very cliché so it is up to Cleo to prove Henry is innocent. I love the four legged characters, Cleo’s cat, Rhett Butler, and Henry’s old pug, Mr. Chaucer. They are usually by the sides of their owners as they sleuth. There were several suspects in this story and a few red herrings here and there. Although I enjoyed this story, it didn't seem to have the same quirky feel as the first in the series. I will read more, especially #2 which I missed to see I enjoy it more. The audiobook was narrated by Ann Richardson and she did an enjoyable job with this story. She does a great job with her inflection adding the right amount of surprise, excitement, dismay and expression. She gave voice to the characters bringing enjoyment to the story for me.
I enjoyed re-visiting Catalpa Springs, Georgia and meeting up with this varied cast of characters. Cleo is a septuagenarian librarian. She uses her Bookmobile to bring books to those who can't get to the actual library. She loves books and justice and both come to play in this mystery. Cleo and Henry have a sweet relationship and they are both booklovers. They are both well loved in the community and are able to suss out information. The police chief is the typical bumbling fool who jumps at the first suspect and is manipulated by the attractive visitor to town. Very cliché so it is up to Cleo to prove Henry is innocent. I love the four legged characters, Cleo’s cat, Rhett Butler, and Henry’s old pug, Mr. Chaucer. They are usually by the sides of their owners as they sleuth. There were several suspects in this story and a few red herrings here and there. Although I enjoyed this story, it didn't seem to have the same quirky feel as the first in the series. I will read more, especially #2 which I missed to see I enjoy it more. The audiobook was narrated by Ann Richardson and she did an enjoyable job with this story. She does a great job with her inflection adding the right amount of surprise, excitement, dismay and expression. She gave voice to the characters bringing enjoyment to the story for me.
May 14, 2020
Cleo Watkins is one of my favorite mystery characters. At the age of 76 she could settle into retirement from being the town librarian, spending time with her gentleman friend, Henry. She has too much energy to slow down and still takes charge of the local bookmobile, Words on Wheels, the refitted school bus. It's now Spring in the town of Catalpa Springs, Georgia and all book lovers are eager to start their book hunting at the Antiquarian Book Society Fair. Book sellers and scouts are all over town and one or more of them are on the shady side. Cleo's cousin, Dot, crosses paths with one and he offers to sell her first edition of Gone With the Wind for her. When she wants to change her mind, he makes himself scarce - but not for long. She corners him at the event and a loud argument is heard by all. Cleo is pretty sure that there are more than a few book dealers selling books not acquired by legal methods. It's not long after that when the book scout is found dead - police look at Cleo's cousin until they learn that the murder weapon was a book restoring tool owned by Henry. Wrong but the police chief won't be swayed so Cleo, with the help of Dot, Henry, Mary-Rose and her next door neighbor, Gabby, a police deputy with a lot more investigating skills than the Chief of Police will ever have.Along with the humans there are two four legged companions, Cleo's cat, Rhett Butler and Henry's sweet pug, chaucer. The killer will soon be caught.
It's nice to read a mystery with a senior citizen sleuth. There have been many in the annals of crime fiction but not as many as I would like there to be. The puzzle was very satisfying and the red herrings had me guessing wrong. Add humor and a lovely small town setting and this makes for a great reading escape.
My thanks to the publisher, Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
It's nice to read a mystery with a senior citizen sleuth. There have been many in the annals of crime fiction but not as many as I would like there to be. The puzzle was very satisfying and the red herrings had me guessing wrong. Add humor and a lovely small town setting and this makes for a great reading escape.
My thanks to the publisher, Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
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