What do you think?
Rate this book
The Librarian Sleuth #4
The Sleuth's Surprise
Mary Daley has been the sheriff of Tipton County for more than two decades, but someone wants her job. When it seems circumstances can’t get more complicated, a murder happens on her watch. Had she been the intended victim? Deputy Chief Lyle Griffin only wants Mary to be happy, but when he asks her if she’d consider retiring, it sets off a string of events and emotions that muddy their friendship. Nancy Daley-Malone can’t believe anyone would run for sheriff against her mom. She is onboard to help run the best campaign Tipton County has ever seen until the sheriff’s opponent is murdered and Nancy’s husband joins the race. On top of that, it appears someone is out to kill her mother as well.
Can Nancy, along with the sheriff’s department, find the murderer before it’s too late? Will Lyle and Mary be able to admit their feelings for one another or will the status quo remain?
Can Nancy, along with the sheriff’s department, find the murderer before it’s too late? Will Lyle and Mary be able to admit their feelings for one another or will the status quo remain?
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
37 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Rose Johnson
53 books319 followersAward winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in Montana. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 1, 2020
Small town mystery and murder with surprises. From a yearly pie judging contest to finding the guilty person, the story is filled with possibilities and intrigue. With love and faith in the mix, I couldn't stop reading. I found myself seeing this whole story as a movie. I enjoyed this series very much. Great read.
August 1, 2020
Some surprising twists in this book with the changes coming. Hopefully they will all live happily ever after, but I know that’s too much to wish for. There will have to be some ups and downs to keep life interesting. This series has been so much fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book from the author but was not expected to review. This is my voluntary and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the author but was not expected to review. This is my voluntary and honest review.
September 1, 2020
Mary has been a character throughout this series and I really enjoyed her story. She and Lyle have worked together for years and he has been a constant in her and Nancy's lives. We get to catch up with all the characters and of course there is a murder to solve - I was a little shocked by who was murdered. Romance is brewing and things are changing for many people. Great story and loved the ending.
August 1, 2020
Mary Daley has been sheriff of Tipton for twenty-five years, but now someone else has entered the race for the job. What will she do if the other person wins? Her daughter Nancy, the local librarian and part-time sleuth, is quite upset when she hears someone is running against her mother. She is first and foremost concerned for her mother, but I can imagine she is also wondering what she will do for excitement and challenge if the other person wins. After all, she has been helping solve non-violent cases for several years and simply seems unable to keep from getting involved, whether the department wants her help or not. The tension mounts as events unfold that turn their attention from an election campaign to solving an apparent murder. Hold on a minute. That sounds more like a violent case. Even as Mary tries to distance herself from this case, can she keep her daughter out of the line of fire as the sheriff’s department seeks to find the guilty party? I enjoyed seeing a different side of Mary in this story than she showed in the previous books of the series. I encourage you to read those first to get better acquainted with the main characters. If you enjoy mystery, suspense, and romance, I think you will like this story. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
September 1, 2020
A satisfying conclusion to the series
It’s hard to believe The Librarian Sleuth series has ended! It’s been such fun seeing Nancy, the librarian, solving crimes that have the sheriff’s office stumped. Driving said sheriff, Mary, Nancy’s mom, crazy in the process.
Well, Mary got to play a prominent role in The Sleuth’s Surprise. It was fun seeing things from her perspective and I enjoyed the older-than-the-norm main characters.
It was interesting to see Mary portrayed in a new light. Where she had been so confident in the previous stories, discovering that someone was set on murdering her had her scared. (Yeah, I can see how that would happen!)
Fear, in fact, and specifically why we shouldn’t, was a major theme of the story. As she saw her mom more vulnerable than ever before, Nancy dealt with fear. I really appreciated how her friend, Anna, helped her to keep her eyes on the Lord through that.
Mostly cozy mystery with an undercurrent of romance and faith, The Sleuth’s Surprise is a sweet story that stands alone, though it is more enjoyable when read as a part of The Librarian Sleuth series.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
It’s hard to believe The Librarian Sleuth series has ended! It’s been such fun seeing Nancy, the librarian, solving crimes that have the sheriff’s office stumped. Driving said sheriff, Mary, Nancy’s mom, crazy in the process.
Well, Mary got to play a prominent role in The Sleuth’s Surprise. It was fun seeing things from her perspective and I enjoyed the older-than-the-norm main characters.
It was interesting to see Mary portrayed in a new light. Where she had been so confident in the previous stories, discovering that someone was set on murdering her had her scared. (Yeah, I can see how that would happen!)
Fear, in fact, and specifically why we shouldn’t, was a major theme of the story. As she saw her mom more vulnerable than ever before, Nancy dealt with fear. I really appreciated how her friend, Anna, helped her to keep her eyes on the Lord through that.
Mostly cozy mystery with an undercurrent of romance and faith, The Sleuth’s Surprise is a sweet story that stands alone, though it is more enjoyable when read as a part of The Librarian Sleuth series.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
September 10, 2020
The Sleuth's Surprise
I've loved everything about this series! The characters are likable and you feel like you are part of the gang.
I've loved everything about this series! The characters are likable and you feel like you are part of the gang.
September 2, 2020
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”
I first loved The Sleuth’s Surprise, #4 The Librarian Sleuth, because it is a Christian cozy. No bad words, no bad scenes, but a small town with a murder and an amateur sleuth.
While I vaguely remembered the librarian, Nancy, who tries to solve the mystery (I’d only read one other book in the series), it was obvious that this book could stand on its own merits. Yay.
The main character, Mary, is a mature woman, into her fifties. She is quite capable and respected in her job AND she has a romance waiting to happen IF she and a friend can get past the “friend” point. How often main characters are only in their twenties or thirties at best! Thank you, Ms. Johnson.
The competition that Kimberly Rose Johnson sets up for Nancy’s heart. How can Nancy ever decide whom to support between the two people she loves most.
Just for free, the main characters of the other book I read were also involved and their relationship grew, as well.
Lighter than my most recent read, The Sleuth’s Surprise was a timely, delicious surprise for a hungry bookworm.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own.
I first loved The Sleuth’s Surprise, #4 The Librarian Sleuth, because it is a Christian cozy. No bad words, no bad scenes, but a small town with a murder and an amateur sleuth.
While I vaguely remembered the librarian, Nancy, who tries to solve the mystery (I’d only read one other book in the series), it was obvious that this book could stand on its own merits. Yay.
The main character, Mary, is a mature woman, into her fifties. She is quite capable and respected in her job AND she has a romance waiting to happen IF she and a friend can get past the “friend” point. How often main characters are only in their twenties or thirties at best! Thank you, Ms. Johnson.
The competition that Kimberly Rose Johnson sets up for Nancy’s heart. How can Nancy ever decide whom to support between the two people she loves most.
Just for free, the main characters of the other book I read were also involved and their relationship grew, as well.
Lighter than my most recent read, The Sleuth’s Surprise was a timely, delicious surprise for a hungry bookworm.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own.
September 1, 2020
If you ever root for the characters within a series to live happily ever after, this is the series. Mary Daley has been sheriff for over 2 decades. However, things are about to change. Her world in which she has been comfortable may be no more especially after her health scare. With the election on the horizon and a killer on the loose, Mary may have to sit this one out. The twists within this story prompted me to keep turning the pages. I love how we saw the continuation of these characters throughout the story. You can read each as a stand alone story, however, I do advise reading the first three books. KImberly Rose Johnson writes powerful stories which bring in all aspects of life. One thing which I truly love is that within her books, she fills the story with the promise of God's Love. I received an ARC copy. A review was not required.
August 14, 2020
Kimberly Rose Johnson has done it again. She has finished the 'Librarian Sleuth Book' series. The whole series is a fantastic read, and this fourth book, The Sleuth's Surprise, is no exception. Full of suspense, romance, and most of all with a theme of God's love woven through expressed through the characters. This book is being released in September. I received an ARC copy of this book.
March 7, 2021
I read this on #KindleUnlimited
September 14, 2020
KRJ is never disappointing. I so enjoy her books. Light hearted murders if we can say that. I like how the author might point you one direction, then another, and you end up not really knowing who the murderer is. This was as enjoyable as all the others in the series, focusing on the mother was a good idea. as I always wondered where she'd end up. Now I know.
Loved it.
Loved it.
April 25, 2024
I really loved these characters!
The Librarian Sleuth series have great plots, also. I also liked that the characters were all different ages. Each had different dilemmas and were helped with advice from someone, in some cases, who was in a different age group. This is a hopeful series that you will enjoy reading.
The Librarian Sleuth series have great plots, also. I also liked that the characters were all different ages. Each had different dilemmas and were helped with advice from someone, in some cases, who was in a different age group. This is a hopeful series that you will enjoy reading.
July 28, 2021
Loved this Series
I read the first book in this series and was hooked. I couldn't wait to read the remaining books. This final book was the perfect conclusion. This was the first time I have read this author but it sure won't be my last. Loved these books!
I read the first book in this series and was hooked. I couldn't wait to read the remaining books. This final book was the perfect conclusion. This was the first time I have read this author but it sure won't be my last. Loved these books!
December 4, 2023
Love At Any Age
I loved all the books in this series. Each book had strong female characters. The characters also have faith and trust in God to pave their lives. A great read for anytime.
I loved all the books in this series. Each book had strong female characters. The characters also have faith and trust in God to pave their lives. A great read for anytime.
September 3, 2020
Great
Really enjoyed this series, it was full of suspense and action. The characters are great, and their interactions really 'make' the books. Liked the ending. Really good.
Really enjoyed this series, it was full of suspense and action. The characters are great, and their interactions really 'make' the books. Liked the ending. Really good.
September 3, 2020
Another Good Book
This was another good book with plenty suspense,twists and turns.
I loved the storyline and the characters.
This book is highly recommended.
This was another good book with plenty suspense,twists and turns.
I loved the storyline and the characters.
This book is highly recommended.
September 8, 2020
Good
A murder mystery that the victim was supposed to be the sheriff didn't happen that way and the sheriff had a murder to slove.
A murder mystery that the victim was supposed to be the sheriff didn't happen that way and the sheriff had a murder to slove.
September 18, 2020
Top notch
This is a top notch series. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all four books in the series. You will also.
This is a top notch series. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all four books in the series. You will also.
July 20, 2021
Nice series
I hope that there are some more books to this series because I really enjoyed all 4 books in the series. I would love to read about the characters in this series.
I hope that there are some more books to this series because I really enjoyed all 4 books in the series. I would love to read about the characters in this series.
October 1, 2023
Great series. I enjoyed all 4 books, and loved the characters. This book was a bit different in that it was about a couple in their 50's falling in love. Great suspense series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews