Where There's a Will

The Village Library Mysteries #5

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

No good deed goes unpunished.
The Whitby Library is a hive of activity. The basement of the old building is under construction and there are smaller projects on the main floor, too. The work is being done practically pro-bono by Cornelius, a Friends of the Library member who's a local real estate investor and builder and now a philanthropist.
Then Cornelius is found dead in an elevator shaft under mysterious circumstances. The focus falls on his family after his will is read and the amount of his fortune is realized.
Can Ann track down the killer before he strikes again? Where there's a will, there's a way.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

214 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2021

About the author

Author also writes under Elizabeth Craig

Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

Reviews

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avevo già letto dei libri di questa autrice appartenenti a un'altra serie ed ero curiosa di provare questa, sia per l'ambientazione in una libreria sia per il gatto che compare in tutte le copertine. Ho iniziato da questo libro perché mi permetteva di finire un paio di challenge e mi ispirava. È risultato essere una lettura veloce e abbastanza piacevole. La protagonista non fa delle indagini e non si caccia nei guai come capita spesso nei cozy mysteries, ma finisce per inciampare nel colpevole: alla fin fine va bene così, è stata una lettura rilassante.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun cozy series. I enjoy the characters, the plots and especially that the main character is a librarian and that much of the story involves and takes place at the small town library.

This book I actually figured out who the killer was (even though I never try to do that) but that didn't take away any enjoyment of the story. I like Ann and all the supporting characters in this series. This is just a good, entertaining easy-reading cozy series and a fun go-to when I'm in the mood for something light.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid cozy series I really enjoy. This latest installment had a great mystery and kept me guessing at the culprit. Enjoyed.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really more of a 3.4 book. I do recommend this series! The books are short, and the author keeps the story moving along. Good characterization for the space, though most aren't too complex. I do like the library setting, which is handled well for the most part-- but this time having a volunteer come in and quickly do some of the things this one did had me on edge. Fitz the cat is a delight, nice little romance going on, and pleasant characters. There was actually an effort to round out a fairly stock irritating character, for which I give the author points. This is a good palate cleanser book for me, because some cozies these days feel that they have to go to extremes to catch attention, throw in magic or ghosts along with knitting, cooking, house flipping, etc. That's not to say these can't be good things, but it's as if everyone is jumping on the bandwagon-- just like all the teen vampire books after Twilight. It's good to have a book that gets back to the basics of what I read the genre for, without so much filler.

[Mary Tufts · Rating 5 out of 5]

always a delight

This series of books is always a delight for me. I love the characters; I love the character development; I love a plot. The storyline is just gentle enough, and just compelling enough for my interest level. When you need a great book, that isn’t too heavy and romance, isn’t too heavy on murder mysteries, but has a lot of great description for a location, and for plot development, this book might be for you.

[Cay Resko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful intrigue

I love the characters and their relationship to each other. I love to just cozy up with this type of book and help solve the crime with them. The library series is so interesting because I never knew that they had all of those services. Fitz of course is my favorite.

[Marit · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable sweet cozy mystery with Ann, Fitz, her library cat, Grayson, her boyfriend, and various colleagues and acquaintances. Set in Whitby, North Carolina this is a gentle read as they go about solving the murder of a construction company owner and his nephew’s girlfriend.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and it's the perfect place to spend time. With the invention of kindle's and the instant access to books, libraries are struggling but this book reminded me of why I fell in love with books and the many happy hours I spent in them. The author has recreated the magic of libraries without even having visited my local, which makes it so easy to picture and enjoy. She then backs it up with delightful characters, just like the staff at my local library and the small town setting makes it feel cozy and like you are visiting with old friends, although I don't remember them ever solving a murder. The mystery was good and to be honest I was to busy caught up in the workings of the library to have worked out who the killer was. Off to enjoy another library visit by jumping into the next book and mystery. I would recommend this book and in fact the whole series to any cozy mystery fan.

The Whitby library might not be the quiet haven most of it patrons expect with construction work taking place. The benefactor is a local builder and real estate investor, having his crew do the work isn't the only gift he is giving the library. He also asks Ann to collect some books he wishes to donate but apon arriving at his house, she and her boss discovers him dead at the bottom of his elevator. His family members quickly become the prime suspects and Ann can't help but find herself investigating his death. When another number of the family is found dead, Ann finds herself the confidante of the remaining family members but could she be talking to a killer?
I like the narrator. She was a good choice to bring the characters to life and used her pleasant voice well.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renovations are underway at the Whitby Library. A local construction company owner is making repairs to the building and donating the services of his construction company for free. But a murder soon silences the hammering and drilling.....and Librarian Ann Beckett finds herself on the trail of a killer once again.

I am really beginning to feel sorry for Ann Beckett. Every time she turns around, there is a new dead body and another murder to investigate. If this happened in real life, I'm sure the state police would be questioning her or another library employee, or law enforcement would be all over the small town of Whitby, NC looking for a serial killer. Small towns just don't have murder after murder after murder....but, I love the fact that in books you can suspend reality and just enjoy a story. So, Ann is safe for now......unless she starts reading True Crime novels and gets a hankering to do a little killing as a side hobby. :)

Where There's a Will is the 5th book in the Village Library Mystery series. I'm enjoying these books! I like the setting...a small town where everybody knows each other is the perfect place for a cozy mystery series. The characters are likable and the plots have the perfect blend of background theme, humor and amateur sleuthing. My favorite character? Fitz the Library Cat, of course!

I've had these books on my bookshelf for quite awhile. I'm glad to finally be reading them! I'm halfway through the series, so I'm invested now. I want to know what happens next!! I would be a bit worried if I was a resident of Whitby though....seems like a lot of people are ending up dead.

On to the next book -- Frictional Characters.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Whitby Library is a hive of activity. The basement of the old building is under construction and there are smaller projects on the main floor, too. The work is being done practically pro-bono by Cornelius, a Friends of the Library member who's a local real estate investor and builder and now a philanthropist. Then Cornelius is found dead in an elevator shaft under mysterious circumstances. The focus falls on his family after his will is read and the amount of his fortune is realized. [amazon synopsis]

Will Ann and her friends solve this one before the killer murders again? Very enjoyable series [tho I am sick of the cat - not a cat person at all]

[Victoria Marie Lees · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook of Where There’s a Will by Elizabeth Spann Craig is delightful. I thoroughly enjoy Spann Craig’s audio books.

Once again, narrator Romy Nordlinger brings the author’s unique characters to life. Each with distinctive voices.

Our amateur sleuth, the reference librarian Ann Beckett, becomes involved in the murders as she is the one to discover both bodies on two separate occasions at Cornelius’ expensive home in North Carolina when she comes to collect donated books for the library. Cornelius is a philanthropist who is helping the library renovate their building. Until he is discovered murdered in his own palatial home.

Spann Craig does an excellent job weaving this cozy tale. She makes each character unique and gives them all backstories. The author unfolds the plot slowly, keeping the reader turning the pages until the end. Spann Craig knows how to create a murder mystery. This is how she creates a dedicated following for her cozy mysteries. Bravo, Elizabeth!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wealthy donor who owns a construction company is renovating the library and donating all the materials and labor. What could be more wonderful, except that as you might expect, murder gets in the way of all of their plans. Ann and Luna are again on the track of a killer. As I said in my previous review, it's time for me to take a break. The stories are beginning to feel quite formulaic which takes much of the fun out of reading them.

























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+666.0

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Ann is involved in a murder investigation and trying to get some free time to spend with Grayson. The familiar characters interacting with the library and Ann help the cozy feeling of this mystery series.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy fun

Where There's a Will, number five in the series finds Ann at her best surrounded by new characters and our old favorites. It's always fun to read a pleasant cozy after a long day.

[Illyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are getting better and more engaging the further I go into the series; it's nice to now know the characters in the town (though the librarian seems to find all of the victims? that should change as it's fairly implausible now matter how small the town is).

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well another “cute” cozy

I say cute because if you like a cozy with romance this is not the cozy for you. They are taking is so slowly that I think they may all need walkers before they have any serious relationship. Other than that a cute little read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beloved man is killed and construction at the library is on hold. Wilson is not happy.
Then we have another murder and everyone wants to blame Samson. So Ann is on the case since she pops up at both murder scenes. So another adventure for Ann in this series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review for Where There’s a Will

I absolutely loved it! My guess as who the killer was way off base. Another excellent book! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book. I stumbled upon this author at the library and I'm truly finding her writing remarkable. I love her main characters. She has great plots and storylines. Some twists and turns. Her main character is smart but endearing. Highly recommend.

[Darvionne J Givhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ann and the library mysteries! As usual, I was wrong about the killer.
I just need her romance with Grayson to pick up steam and let Luna give Burton a chance!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series, fun, clean, interesting plot twists and of course who doesn't like the library cat -Fitz.

[patricia sonoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent New book in this series

I have loved this series from the first book. It's a great story line and keeps you guessing as to who the killer was right to the end!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN There’s a Will

I really enjoyed the book. I loved all of the characters. I highly recommend the book . I look so forward to the next book in the series.

[Cheryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series with Ann the librarian, Fitz the library cat and the other staff at the library. The murder plots have twists and turns and Fitz is adorable.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, escapist cozy mystery