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The Haunted Library Mysteries #6
Dewey Decimated
Librarian Carrie Singleton is back on the case, alongside library ghost Evelyn, in the sixth installment of Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mysteries.
Carrie Singleton is just off a hot string of murder cases centered around the spooky local library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She could really use a break—but no such luck, as she; Smokey Joe, the resident cat; and Evelyn, the library’s ghost, are drawn into another tantalizing whodunit.
First, a dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons. Carrie and Evelyn work hard to keep Alec out of sight, but what was he doing in Clover Ridge to begin with? And why was he killed?
Meanwhile, the town council, of which Carrie is also a member, is embroiled in a hot-headed debate over the fate of the Seabrook Preserve, a lovely and valuable piece of property that runs along Long Island Sound. Turn it into an upscale park? Sell it to a condo developer? Or keep it as protected land?
As the dispute rages, there’s another murder, this time involving a council member. Could the two murders be connected? And could Carrie be next on the hit list?
Carrie Singleton is just off a hot string of murder cases centered around the spooky local library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She could really use a break—but no such luck, as she; Smokey Joe, the resident cat; and Evelyn, the library’s ghost, are drawn into another tantalizing whodunit.
First, a dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons. Carrie and Evelyn work hard to keep Alec out of sight, but what was he doing in Clover Ridge to begin with? And why was he killed?
Meanwhile, the town council, of which Carrie is also a member, is embroiled in a hot-headed debate over the fate of the Seabrook Preserve, a lovely and valuable piece of property that runs along Long Island Sound. Turn it into an upscale park? Sell it to a condo developer? Or keep it as protected land?
As the dispute rages, there’s another murder, this time involving a council member. Could the two murders be connected? And could Carrie be next on the hit list?
324 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2022
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940 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
May 4, 2025
Dewey Decimated is the 6th book in the Haunted Library Mysteries written by Allison Brook. Set on the southern coast of Connecticut and revolving around Carrie Singleton, a young librarian who happens to have a knack for solving murders, this series continues to delight me. For starters, Carrie speaks to a ghost who lives in the library, but in this installment, a second ghost appears and begs for help. Luckily, Carrie previously told her fiancé, Dylan, that she often talks to ghosts, so it's not all that shocking when she later learns that the new spirit has a connection to them personally!
Brook has built a complex mystery where a murder from ~5 years ago comes back to haunt someone... and there are a solid 6 potential culprits, not to mention another murder that might have introduced a second killer too. When a cozy brings together all these suspenseful yet charming elements, plus a fun group of supporting characters, it's a perfect storm of creativity and depth... and that's exactly what I've come to rely on when reading this author's work. From family history and drama to admirable friendships and animosity, the small town life has big impacts on many levels of the story. Another winner in the series!
Brook has built a complex mystery where a murder from ~5 years ago comes back to haunt someone... and there are a solid 6 potential culprits, not to mention another murder that might have introduced a second killer too. When a cozy brings together all these suspenseful yet charming elements, plus a fun group of supporting characters, it's a perfect storm of creativity and depth... and that's exactly what I've come to rely on when reading this author's work. From family history and drama to admirable friendships and animosity, the small town life has big impacts on many levels of the story. Another winner in the series!
September 4, 2022
When a body was found in the basement of the building next door to Clover Ridge's library - the building being renovated as a new addition - the people of the town were shocked. It appeared the body had been there for a number of years, and the police were having trouble with identification. But it wasn't long before librarian Carrie Singleton's fiance, Dylan, discovered the body was that of his Uncle Alec, although Dylan had lost touch with him years prior.
But with Alec's ghost taking residence in the library, alongside long time resident, the ghostly Evelyn, and Carrie the only one who could see them (aside from Carrie's niece Tacey), Carrie knew the mystery of who'd murdered Alec would set him free. And when it turned out that Dylan could both see and hear his uncle (but not Evelyn), he was shocked but also grateful for the chance to find out about the past.
Carrie was a new member to the local council and when one of the long time members was murdered, Carrie decided enough was enough. She needed to have these crimes solved so firstly, Alec could leave, and secondly, so they could get on with their lives. But was she putting herself at risk in taking over from the police?
Dewey Decimated is #6 in the Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook and it was lots of fun as usual. Smokey Joe, the library cat, owned by Carrie, is a real character in himself, and Evelyn is a snarky, but knowledgeable ghost! I'm really enjoying this series and look forward to the next, hopefully not too far away. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
But with Alec's ghost taking residence in the library, alongside long time resident, the ghostly Evelyn, and Carrie the only one who could see them (aside from Carrie's niece Tacey), Carrie knew the mystery of who'd murdered Alec would set him free. And when it turned out that Dylan could both see and hear his uncle (but not Evelyn), he was shocked but also grateful for the chance to find out about the past.
Carrie was a new member to the local council and when one of the long time members was murdered, Carrie decided enough was enough. She needed to have these crimes solved so firstly, Alec could leave, and secondly, so they could get on with their lives. But was she putting herself at risk in taking over from the police?
Dewey Decimated is #6 in the Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook and it was lots of fun as usual. Smokey Joe, the library cat, owned by Carrie, is a real character in himself, and Evelyn is a snarky, but knowledgeable ghost! I'm really enjoying this series and look forward to the next, hopefully not too far away. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
August 17, 2022
Another good book in this enjoyable series about a library which really is haunted by a ghost called. Evelyn. Only two people can see her, our MC and Librarian Carrie Singleton and her cousin who is still a child.
In Dewey Decimated a second ghost appears shortly after his murdered body has been found by builders who are making an extension to the library. Evelyn informs us that Alec is not able to "move on" until his murder has been solved and Carrie sets herself the task of fixing things. Who would want him dead is a huge puzzle particularly when it is discovered that he is Dylan's long lost uncle.
All this plus the fact that the Alec ghost has amnesia and cannot remember who killed him. The mystery is good, there are lots of red herrings, many nice characters and a delightful cat called Smoky Joe who spends his days in the library making up to the customers. All good,clean fun.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In Dewey Decimated a second ghost appears shortly after his murdered body has been found by builders who are making an extension to the library. Evelyn informs us that Alec is not able to "move on" until his murder has been solved and Carrie sets herself the task of fixing things. Who would want him dead is a huge puzzle particularly when it is discovered that he is Dylan's long lost uncle.
All this plus the fact that the Alec ghost has amnesia and cannot remember who killed him. The mystery is good, there are lots of red herrings, many nice characters and a delightful cat called Smoky Joe who spends his days in the library making up to the customers. All good,clean fun.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 5, 2022
The library expansion project has just begun when it comes to a halt. In the basement hidden under a shelf the worker finds a body. Librarian, Carrie Singleton, tries to stay out of the investigation this time. But when she is visited by the ghost of the dead man she has to help find out who he is and what happened to him.
I really like this series. This is book number six, however, each book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book. The characters are interesting and likable. The mystery is well-plotted with plenty of twists and turns. Enjoyable cozy mystery with a touch of paranormal and romance.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
I really like this series. This is book number six, however, each book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book. The characters are interesting and likable. The mystery is well-plotted with plenty of twists and turns. Enjoyable cozy mystery with a touch of paranormal and romance.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
March 4, 2022
I enjoyed reading Dewey Decimated very much. I have read this series from the beginning. Carrie Singleton is the main character along with the characters from book one. Evelyn Havers is the library ghost who only Carrie and her niece can see. Carrie is also on the town counsel. The members are trying to decide what to do with land that was given to the town. There is the new characters that add to the story. Carrie is head of programs and events at the library. The library bought the building next door to add on to the main library. While work is being done a body is found in the basement. When the workers break through the wall by mistake a ghost appears in the library. He is confused and doesn't know what happen to him. Carrie and Evelyn decide to hide the ghost until they can find out more about him.. It is discovered that the ghost's name is Alex Dunmore. Dylan Avery is Carrie's fiancé realizes that the dead man is his uncle. The story takes off with Carrie trying to find out who killed Alex. and later the death of the contractor, Sean Powell. The story builds up to an exciting and surprising ending,
I look forward to the next adventure of Carrie. Dylan and the employees of the library,
Thank you NetGallehy and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
I look forward to the next adventure of Carrie. Dylan and the employees of the library,
Thank you NetGallehy and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
January 23, 2023
Review coming soon.
September 7, 2022
This is the sixth book of the Haunted Library Mysteries series by Allison Brook. I picked it up because it sounds like a fun series; and because the title said Dewey (which made me think of library) and Decimated (which made me think of murder). So - a murder mystery set in a library. Sounds like good reading to me. I haven't read any other books in this series.
Well, the body wasn't found in the library, but was in the basement of the building attached to the library. Carrie Singleton is the librarian for the spooky library set in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. Apparently, she has been involved in some other murder cases in previous books. This time the victiim is her fiance's Uncle Alec. Dylan hadn't seen his uncle in years. The library ghost, Evelyn, informs that Alec can't move on until his murder is solved. Now the library has a second ghost!
An enjoyable, ghostly cozy mystery. The library has a cool cat called Smoky Joe. Ghosts in a library is a fun theme. There are some interesting turns in the investigation. The characters were likeable, as was the town, and the plot was fun. Very cute cover too.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 6, 2022.
Well, the body wasn't found in the library, but was in the basement of the building attached to the library. Carrie Singleton is the librarian for the spooky library set in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. Apparently, she has been involved in some other murder cases in previous books. This time the victiim is her fiance's Uncle Alec. Dylan hadn't seen his uncle in years. The library ghost, Evelyn, informs that Alec can't move on until his murder is solved. Now the library has a second ghost!
An enjoyable, ghostly cozy mystery. The library has a cool cat called Smoky Joe. Ghosts in a library is a fun theme. There are some interesting turns in the investigation. The characters were likeable, as was the town, and the plot was fun. Very cute cover too.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 6, 2022.
July 14, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
The expansion of the library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut was underway until a dead body was found in the basement. At first, no one knows who the man is but it is soon learned he was Alec Dunsmore, Dylan's uncle whom he hadn't seen in years. But Alec hasn't left this realm, his ghost has taken up residence in the library and he isn't a quiet ghost like Evelyn. His energy when he is upset causes disturbances that are distressing to the patrons of the library. They don't understand why papers are flying or things are falling so Carrie enlists Evelyn's help to keep Alec away from the main areas of the library while she tries to find out why the man was in Clover Ridge and why he had been killed.
Carrie has also filled an opening on the town council and they need to decide if the Seabrook Preserve that runs along the Long Island Sound will remain a protected nature area or if it is time to sell the land to a condo developer or turn it into upscale park. It is a real hot-button issue with the council and the community. Soon after the decision is made one of the council members is killed. Are the murders connected? Is the library expansion or the preserve designation catalysts to the deaths? Is Carrie in danger?
____
In this installment of the Haunted Library Mysteries, we have two ghosts instead of one. It was fun to see Evelyn have her hands full. Instead of just popping in to see Carrie and issuing orders or talking about murders, she had to help ghost Alec through a scary time. At first, he didn't know who he was, he had no memory of anything that happened, and later he was frustrated being stuck in the library. He was a handful for good reason. We learned more about Dylan's family and their issues with the ghost's appearance.
Carrie is juggling a lot in Dewey Decimated. She is the point person on the library expansion and in addition to a dead body, other issues arise that must be addressed. Being new to the town council she has a lot of reading to do so she is informed about the topics under consideration. Then there are the murders to investigate and a ghost loose in the library. Oh, I can't forget, she has a wedding date to set and a wedding to plan. Ms. Brook's characters are always entertaining but there were even more so in this story.
The mystery put forth by the author was complicated. The body had been in the basement for several years, making it a cold case, but some suspects emerged with the deceased memories slowly coming back. Carrie is uncomfortable with some assistance that is thrust upon her. Assistance that put her in a dangerous situation when the killer was revealed. I had the person on my radar but I was stunned by the way the showdown occurred.
Dewey Decimated is an exceptional addition to this series. With a spirited plot and dynamic characters, including a wonderful library cat, this story kept me completely captivated. Ms. Brook never disappoints. She has written another Perfect Escape!
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 expansion of the library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut was underway until a dead body was found in the basement. At first, no one knows who the man is but it is soon learned he was Alec Dunsmore, Dylan's uncle whom he hadn't seen in years. But Alec hasn't left this realm, his ghost has taken up residence in the library and he isn't a quiet ghost like Evelyn. His energy when he is upset causes disturbances that are distressing to the patrons of the library. They don't understand why papers are flying or things are falling so Carrie enlists Evelyn's help to keep Alec away from the main areas of the library while she tries to find out why the man was in Clover Ridge and why he had been killed.
Carrie has also filled an opening on the town council and they need to decide if the Seabrook Preserve that runs along the Long Island Sound will remain a protected nature area or if it is time to sell the land to a condo developer or turn it into upscale park. It is a real hot-button issue with the council and the community. Soon after the decision is made one of the council members is killed. Are the murders connected? Is the library expansion or the preserve designation catalysts to the deaths? Is Carrie in danger?
____
In this installment of the Haunted Library Mysteries, we have two ghosts instead of one. It was fun to see Evelyn have her hands full. Instead of just popping in to see Carrie and issuing orders or talking about murders, she had to help ghost Alec through a scary time. At first, he didn't know who he was, he had no memory of anything that happened, and later he was frustrated being stuck in the library. He was a handful for good reason. We learned more about Dylan's family and their issues with the ghost's appearance.
Carrie is juggling a lot in Dewey Decimated. She is the point person on the library expansion and in addition to a dead body, other issues arise that must be addressed. Being new to the town council she has a lot of reading to do so she is informed about the topics under consideration. Then there are the murders to investigate and a ghost loose in the library. Oh, I can't forget, she has a wedding date to set and a wedding to plan. Ms. Brook's characters are always entertaining but there were even more so in this story.
The mystery put forth by the author was complicated. The body had been in the basement for several years, making it a cold case, but some suspects emerged with the deceased memories slowly coming back. Carrie is uncomfortable with some assistance that is thrust upon her. Assistance that put her in a dangerous situation when the killer was revealed. I had the person on my radar but I was stunned by the way the showdown occurred.
Dewey Decimated is an exceptional addition to this series. With a spirited plot and dynamic characters, including a wonderful library cat, this story kept me completely captivated. Ms. Brook never disappoints. She has written another Perfect Escape!
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.
September 6, 2022
I’ve always loved the concept of the library ghost sticking around and communicating with Carrie but one of my favorite things about this series was Carrie’s wanderlust and how she didn’t want to put down roots, always wanting to see something else. Now, she’s deeply entrenched in this town and it’s like she never goes anywhere. It’s even in the writing – she goes to the same restaurant everyday for lunch at the same time with the same person, she goes into work and checks on her programs before sending emails – it’s gotten monotonous and so unlike the original Carrie that I found so fascinating. Other than that, the mystery was interesting and keep me invested. I just can’t help but wish for a little more excitement.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
July 17, 2022
Our favorite sleuthing librarian is back in action with the aid of her friendly ghost and an unwanted sidekick! This may be the best book in the series yet as much is going on with the expansion of the library, Carrie's engagement, starting on the town council, sharing her ghost seeing with her loved ones and of course a dead body or two to throw a wrench into her plans. This story was extremely well crafted as it kept you guessing as to who the murderer or murderers actually were, yet the reveal made absolute sense! I can't wait to read what comes next for these characters in the next book and hope the author doesn't keep us in suspense for too long!
August 30, 2022
I've read books in other series that are set in and around libraries, but this one has something the others don't: A resident ghost. And quite honestly, when near the end one of the characters agrees to not say a word to anyone else about the ghosts (actually, there are two of them), he adds, "Besides, who would believe me?" my response was something like "For sure not me." But credibility aside, it's a creative and entertaining way to add some spice to the usual cozy mystery formula.
This one, the sixth, begins as construction does likewise on an addition to the Clover Ridge, Connecticut, public library at which Carrie Singleton is in charge of programs and events. Rumor has it that the to-be-refurbished building that will house the addition is "cursed," and when a well-hidden dead body turns up that's deemed a murder, suspicions move closer to reality. Evelyn, the resident ghost, doesn't seem too surprised - at least not until another ghost, a man, turns up. Like Evelyn, Carrie can see and speak with him, but he has no memory of who he is or from whence he came.
Being the heroine of a series, Carrie has plenty of experience, albeit unofficial, solving local crimes; she makes a half-hearted effort to keep her nose out of this one (which no doubt readers of previous books know ain't gonna happen). Carrie's finance, private investigator Dylan, knows it as well and seems accepting, while her friend, police Lt. John Mathers, is a little less tolerant.
Concurrently, Carrie is appointed to the town council (a detail a bit hard for me to swallow given her age and lack of political experience), and one of her first orders of business involves collectively deciding on the fate of a nature preserve that's now legally available for repurposing. As might be expected, which future direction the project will take creates quite a furor among the council members, all of whom seem to have their own agendas.
Amid all this, the dead man is identified as Dylan's uncle Alec - and surprise (well, not really) - that's his ghost wandering around in the library. As the investigation starts to get serious, a local TV newscaster starts force-feeding her presence into the action (apparently, she's the requisite cozy "friend" who pesters the heroine and leads her into places she probably shouldn't go). Little by little, clues reveal why Uncle Alec was murdered - but it's also clear he won't leave this world until every piece of the puzzle is in place. Little by little, the chapters proceed to put them there.
All told, it's a clever and fun story that cozy lovers should love (for the record, it stands alone well; I've not read any of the others and had no problem following along). I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy (and for learning a new word - "gawp." At first, I thought it was a typo that should have been "gawk"; looking it up proved that by golly, I can be wrong.
This one, the sixth, begins as construction does likewise on an addition to the Clover Ridge, Connecticut, public library at which Carrie Singleton is in charge of programs and events. Rumor has it that the to-be-refurbished building that will house the addition is "cursed," and when a well-hidden dead body turns up that's deemed a murder, suspicions move closer to reality. Evelyn, the resident ghost, doesn't seem too surprised - at least not until another ghost, a man, turns up. Like Evelyn, Carrie can see and speak with him, but he has no memory of who he is or from whence he came.
Being the heroine of a series, Carrie has plenty of experience, albeit unofficial, solving local crimes; she makes a half-hearted effort to keep her nose out of this one (which no doubt readers of previous books know ain't gonna happen). Carrie's finance, private investigator Dylan, knows it as well and seems accepting, while her friend, police Lt. John Mathers, is a little less tolerant.
Concurrently, Carrie is appointed to the town council (a detail a bit hard for me to swallow given her age and lack of political experience), and one of her first orders of business involves collectively deciding on the fate of a nature preserve that's now legally available for repurposing. As might be expected, which future direction the project will take creates quite a furor among the council members, all of whom seem to have their own agendas.
Amid all this, the dead man is identified as Dylan's uncle Alec - and surprise (well, not really) - that's his ghost wandering around in the library. As the investigation starts to get serious, a local TV newscaster starts force-feeding her presence into the action (apparently, she's the requisite cozy "friend" who pesters the heroine and leads her into places she probably shouldn't go). Little by little, clues reveal why Uncle Alec was murdered - but it's also clear he won't leave this world until every piece of the puzzle is in place. Little by little, the chapters proceed to put them there.
All told, it's a clever and fun story that cozy lovers should love (for the record, it stands alone well; I've not read any of the others and had no problem following along). I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy (and for learning a new word - "gawp." At first, I thought it was a typo that should have been "gawk"; looking it up proved that by golly, I can be wrong.
February 24, 2022
Small town secrets can be deadly.
Although I found the book quite slow going at first, once the unknown body was found, things picked up big time. I realized at some point that I was fully invested, so it did grab my attention, even if it took awhile to click with me. I've read other books of this series but feel it worked nicely as a stand-alone. Brook introduces us to the main characters and shows rather than tells, a big plus, weaving past events smoothly into the plot. As always, Carrie seemed fully invested in her job despite the noise and confusion of the next door building that is being renovated to become part of the library. We do get quite a few looks into how many libraries operate, by the way, another plus for us book lovers. Now, true, I don't think most libraries have a resident ghost but, well, how would I know. Evelyn the ghost is a delight, in any case, and a definite help to Carrie throughout this book.
The plot centers about the discovery of the body of an unknown man, which may or may not be related to a later murder. Carrie is, for her, rather uninvolved in the investigation, her days being full of library business and her slowly dawning realization that husband-to-be Dylan and she still have things to learn about each other. Such as who he is related to. There are also several side stories, ranging from Angela's search for the "perfect dog" to the dimensions of the proposed auditorium to be build in the added building. It was interesting to see how Carrie, a new member of /the Clover Ridge, Connecticut, cautiously but effectively working her way into the city board and all the decisions it is ultimately responsible in making. She even deals with a pesty, ambitious reporter in the process.
Bottom line, despite the slow to me start, I enjoyed "Dewey Decimated" and recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries with a helping of books, libraries, small town politics and secrets, and how the past often intertwines with the present. And, oh, did I mention ghosts, as in ghosts plural. It all somehow seems to, well, normal, even as those closest to Carrie are slowly coming to gripes with her talent for communicating with ghosts. Settle in and enjoy the read.
Thank you #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me over to Clover Ridge for a spell. Looking forward to more adventures with Carrie, Dylan, Smokey Joe, the library cat, and all the rest in the future.
Although I found the book quite slow going at first, once the unknown body was found, things picked up big time. I realized at some point that I was fully invested, so it did grab my attention, even if it took awhile to click with me. I've read other books of this series but feel it worked nicely as a stand-alone. Brook introduces us to the main characters and shows rather than tells, a big plus, weaving past events smoothly into the plot. As always, Carrie seemed fully invested in her job despite the noise and confusion of the next door building that is being renovated to become part of the library. We do get quite a few looks into how many libraries operate, by the way, another plus for us book lovers. Now, true, I don't think most libraries have a resident ghost but, well, how would I know. Evelyn the ghost is a delight, in any case, and a definite help to Carrie throughout this book.
The plot centers about the discovery of the body of an unknown man, which may or may not be related to a later murder. Carrie is, for her, rather uninvolved in the investigation, her days being full of library business and her slowly dawning realization that husband-to-be Dylan and she still have things to learn about each other. Such as who he is related to. There are also several side stories, ranging from Angela's search for the "perfect dog" to the dimensions of the proposed auditorium to be build in the added building. It was interesting to see how Carrie, a new member of /the Clover Ridge, Connecticut, cautiously but effectively working her way into the city board and all the decisions it is ultimately responsible in making. She even deals with a pesty, ambitious reporter in the process.
Bottom line, despite the slow to me start, I enjoyed "Dewey Decimated" and recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries with a helping of books, libraries, small town politics and secrets, and how the past often intertwines with the present. And, oh, did I mention ghosts, as in ghosts plural. It all somehow seems to, well, normal, even as those closest to Carrie are slowly coming to gripes with her talent for communicating with ghosts. Settle in and enjoy the read.
Thank you #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me over to Clover Ridge for a spell. Looking forward to more adventures with Carrie, Dylan, Smokey Joe, the library cat, and all the rest in the future.
September 4, 2022
The “A Haunted Library Mystery” series improves with each additional book. In Dewey Decimated, Carrie may need to fear for her life after several murders keep leading back to the city council, of which she is a part. But when the body of her fiancé’s uncle Alec is discovered in the building next to the library during construction, the evidence suggests that the deaths have less to do with the city council and more to do with the past.
Family and history play a big part in this story. Finding the body of uncle Alec allows Carrie to get involved in the investigation into his death and the next victim's demise. The construction is giving everyone at the library a headache and might have something to do with underhanded business practices and the killings. Plenty of red herrings and twists help readers discover the murderer of the uncle and take them on a few hours of enthusiastic daydreaming. There is a good amount of action and no end to the suspect list. When the killer is unmasked, readers will be relieved and possibly surprised.
This story will have readers contemplating their distant relatives and how they may have played a part in shaping their families' past and future. Uncle Alec is an anxious ghost with memory problems that leaves Evelyn jumping through hoops. The construction on the building next door, once complete, will give the library even more room for everything, which will help this series continue to flourish. Dewey Decimated has a group of fun characters, romance, intrigue, and the always delightful Smoky Joe. It introduces us to uncle Alec who, by the end of the story, you have come to really like. And then there are the politics of life within a community where nothing is secret for long, and everyone knows your business to deal with. This story could be ripped from headlines in any small-town newspaper with the added element of the paranormal. And the best part for me is we finally find out why Evelyn, who has been dead for quite some time, is still hanging around! This book will captivate readers from start to finish.
Family and history play a big part in this story. Finding the body of uncle Alec allows Carrie to get involved in the investigation into his death and the next victim's demise. The construction is giving everyone at the library a headache and might have something to do with underhanded business practices and the killings. Plenty of red herrings and twists help readers discover the murderer of the uncle and take them on a few hours of enthusiastic daydreaming. There is a good amount of action and no end to the suspect list. When the killer is unmasked, readers will be relieved and possibly surprised.
This story will have readers contemplating their distant relatives and how they may have played a part in shaping their families' past and future. Uncle Alec is an anxious ghost with memory problems that leaves Evelyn jumping through hoops. The construction on the building next door, once complete, will give the library even more room for everything, which will help this series continue to flourish. Dewey Decimated has a group of fun characters, romance, intrigue, and the always delightful Smoky Joe. It introduces us to uncle Alec who, by the end of the story, you have come to really like. And then there are the politics of life within a community where nothing is secret for long, and everyone knows your business to deal with. This story could be ripped from headlines in any small-town newspaper with the added element of the paranormal. And the best part for me is we finally find out why Evelyn, who has been dead for quite some time, is still hanging around! This book will captivate readers from start to finish.
February 13, 2022
A cozy, light, murder mystery. This was my first Allison Brook (given to me by Netgalley) and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Having jumped right into the middle of the series (6th book in the series), it was not difficult to follow. Brief references to past mysteries did not make me feel lost. But having read this I am keen to go back and read the entire series.
A friendly resident ghost- Evelyn, a library cat- Smokey Joe, and the librarian Carrie Singleton who can see ghosts, make a beautiful central star cast.
The Clover Ridge library is getting renovated and the noise is causing general consternation amongst the librarians. The new wing to be added to the old library was the erstwhile home of the Whiteheads and is rumored to be cursed. But things get interesting when a dead body is found in the new wing. Soon enough a new ghost, who remembers nothing about his life including who killed him, finds his way into the old wing and to Carrie. The new ghost is not happy to be around and Carrie is eager to solve the mystery for "Having to deal with an unhappy ghost is hard work." The local Nancy Drew investigates while trying not to upset the local police, John.
In the meantime, a news reporter Ms. Theron wants to join forces with Carrie to solve the mystery. The story picks up when the identity of the ghost is discovered and is soon followed by another murder!
But a reader must be cautioned that this is no Agatha Christie and Carrie is no Ms. Marple. Brook doesn't leave the readers with bread crumbs leading up to the killer.
Yet, I would recommend it as a nice, pleasant, and quick read. Carrie and her fiance Dylan are sweet. The sub-plots and other characters add to the beautiful canvas that Brook wants to portray of a cozy town with its many local dramas.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy #DeweyDecimated #NetGalley
Having jumped right into the middle of the series (6th book in the series), it was not difficult to follow. Brief references to past mysteries did not make me feel lost. But having read this I am keen to go back and read the entire series.
A friendly resident ghost- Evelyn, a library cat- Smokey Joe, and the librarian Carrie Singleton who can see ghosts, make a beautiful central star cast.
The Clover Ridge library is getting renovated and the noise is causing general consternation amongst the librarians. The new wing to be added to the old library was the erstwhile home of the Whiteheads and is rumored to be cursed. But things get interesting when a dead body is found in the new wing. Soon enough a new ghost, who remembers nothing about his life including who killed him, finds his way into the old wing and to Carrie. The new ghost is not happy to be around and Carrie is eager to solve the mystery for "Having to deal with an unhappy ghost is hard work." The local Nancy Drew investigates while trying not to upset the local police, John.
In the meantime, a news reporter Ms. Theron wants to join forces with Carrie to solve the mystery. The story picks up when the identity of the ghost is discovered and is soon followed by another murder!
But a reader must be cautioned that this is no Agatha Christie and Carrie is no Ms. Marple. Brook doesn't leave the readers with bread crumbs leading up to the killer.
Yet, I would recommend it as a nice, pleasant, and quick read. Carrie and her fiance Dylan are sweet. The sub-plots and other characters add to the beautiful canvas that Brook wants to portray of a cozy town with its many local dramas.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy #DeweyDecimated #NetGalley
November 23, 2022
Well, I started another cozy mystery series out of order. This is the sixth book in the series. I had picked it up at the library right before attending one of their seminars. I really liked this book and currently have the first book in the series from the library. I will definitely read them all. I love the cute towns in cozy mysteries. Clover Ridge sounds like a nice town to live in. I really like the main character, Carrie. She always stays calm and patient in situations. She's smart and works in the library. She has a cute cat too, named Smokey Joe. At first, when I started reading how she talks to ghosts, I wasn't sure if it was going to be cheesy. I actually really liked her interactions with ghosts. I can't get enough cozy mysteries. I'm glad I found this series. If you like them too, I recommend this series. Happy reading!
October 15, 2022
This is book six in The Haunted Library Mysteries series and it was my favorite so far. I liked that library was more haunted this time around and that we finally learned more about Evelyn's purpose at the library. The mystery was complex enough to keep me guessing and definitely cozy. The only complaint I have is that Carrie still comes across as a bit annoying and little whiney. Overall it was a quick and easy read and an enjoyable way to spend a lazy fall day.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2022
I was happy to visit Carrie, her family, and friends in Clover Ridge! The author paints beautiful pictures of Connecticut in early autumn, especially the preserve. My favorite parts are catching up with Carrie and her friends and watching the new mystery unfold, as I’ve loved this upbeat series from the beginning.
It is September, almost a year since Carrie was promoted to a dream job as head of programs and events at the library. It has also been nearly a year since she became reacquainted with Dylan, a childhood friend. I am delighted to see how this former goth girl blossomed into a beloved community member who has helped the police solve several murders.
It is interesting to me to see what Carrie and her assistants put into the various events. Until reading this series, I didn’t know how much goes into quality programs. She and Dylan recently became engaged and will set a wedding date soon. Carrie has overseen planning for construction on the auditorium portion of the new library annex. The structure had stood vacant for more than a decade and is close enough to the library building that they are being combined. As if that isn’t enough, she is also filling in a town council seat that was recently vacated. One of her close friends is Evelyn, who had worked at the library and was murdered behind it several years ago. Evelyn is a ghost, and her murder is one that Carrie helped solve. Evelyn is always interested in local news and is a font of wisdom.
Construction comes to an abrupt halt when someone finds the remains of a man in the annex. It has been years since the man died, so there was little forensic evidence. They learn that he was murdered about 5 to 8 years ago and had no ID. His ghost has just come into the library. He has no idea who or where he is or what happened. He is not wise and peaceful like Evelyn, instead, he scares the patrons and badgers Carrie constantly.
Julie, an aggressive investigative reporter from the local TV station, began to investigate when she thought the police department was not working fast enough. She discovered the man was Alec, from Chicago. He was Dylan’s uncle and had not been seen for several years. Dylan and his now-deceased parents had cut him off from the family long before he died. Julie, knowing Carrie’s ability to solve murders, tries to team up with her, but Carrie has neither time nor inclination to do so.
An important vote has just been taken at the town council that left two members very unhappy with the loss of their pet projects. Hours later, Sean, another of the members, was found murdered. He had been well-liked by the town and recently learned his cancer was terminal. The suspect list is a work in progress, as each plot twist adds to who may have done it.
Carrie and her friends invited me into the novel from the start and kept me engaged throughout. The author has a perfect balance between funny, warm-hearted, romantic, and sad moments. While romance is present, it does not overwhelm the plot. There are also brief, enlightening discussions on family dynamics experienced by Dylan and Carrie. The mysteries were challenging, and while I guessed part of the solution, I was totally surprised at part of it. I highly recommend this novel and series to those who enjoy dynamic characters and libraries with a light paranormal element.
From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, a positive review was not required.
It is September, almost a year since Carrie was promoted to a dream job as head of programs and events at the library. It has also been nearly a year since she became reacquainted with Dylan, a childhood friend. I am delighted to see how this former goth girl blossomed into a beloved community member who has helped the police solve several murders.
It is interesting to me to see what Carrie and her assistants put into the various events. Until reading this series, I didn’t know how much goes into quality programs. She and Dylan recently became engaged and will set a wedding date soon. Carrie has overseen planning for construction on the auditorium portion of the new library annex. The structure had stood vacant for more than a decade and is close enough to the library building that they are being combined. As if that isn’t enough, she is also filling in a town council seat that was recently vacated. One of her close friends is Evelyn, who had worked at the library and was murdered behind it several years ago. Evelyn is a ghost, and her murder is one that Carrie helped solve. Evelyn is always interested in local news and is a font of wisdom.
Construction comes to an abrupt halt when someone finds the remains of a man in the annex. It has been years since the man died, so there was little forensic evidence. They learn that he was murdered about 5 to 8 years ago and had no ID. His ghost has just come into the library. He has no idea who or where he is or what happened. He is not wise and peaceful like Evelyn, instead, he scares the patrons and badgers Carrie constantly.
Julie, an aggressive investigative reporter from the local TV station, began to investigate when she thought the police department was not working fast enough. She discovered the man was Alec, from Chicago. He was Dylan’s uncle and had not been seen for several years. Dylan and his now-deceased parents had cut him off from the family long before he died. Julie, knowing Carrie’s ability to solve murders, tries to team up with her, but Carrie has neither time nor inclination to do so.
An important vote has just been taken at the town council that left two members very unhappy with the loss of their pet projects. Hours later, Sean, another of the members, was found murdered. He had been well-liked by the town and recently learned his cancer was terminal. The suspect list is a work in progress, as each plot twist adds to who may have done it.
Carrie and her friends invited me into the novel from the start and kept me engaged throughout. The author has a perfect balance between funny, warm-hearted, romantic, and sad moments. While romance is present, it does not overwhelm the plot. There are also brief, enlightening discussions on family dynamics experienced by Dylan and Carrie. The mysteries were challenging, and while I guessed part of the solution, I was totally surprised at part of it. I highly recommend this novel and series to those who enjoy dynamic characters and libraries with a light paranormal element.
From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley, a positive review was not required.
September 27, 2022
Dewey Decimated is the 6th book in the Haunted Library Mystery series. This is the third book I have read in this series and I was happy to dive in. Allison Brook incorporates some backstory, making this an ok standalone read. I was sold from the beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provided a good sprinkling of clues to satisfy any diligent armchair detective.
The author has drawn a lot of great characters in this fabulous cozy mystery. I particularly like librarian Carrie Singleton who works in the local haunted library building. The library is expanding into the neighbouring building and a body is found, the victim being her fiancé, Dylan's estranged Uncle Alec.
Set in a small Connecticut town - Clover Ridge - Carrie has a lot going on in this book including selecting a wedding date and nuptials planning and there is another dead person found. I enjoyed how Carrie handled the investigations and there were a number of suspects. Readers are left with a good ending to a belter of a story. I am looking forward to returning to Clover Ridge with Carrie on a future occasion to read the earlier books in the series! So puzzling and engaging, Dewey Decimated is definitely well worth the time invested.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
The author has drawn a lot of great characters in this fabulous cozy mystery. I particularly like librarian Carrie Singleton who works in the local haunted library building. The library is expanding into the neighbouring building and a body is found, the victim being her fiancé, Dylan's estranged Uncle Alec.
Set in a small Connecticut town - Clover Ridge - Carrie has a lot going on in this book including selecting a wedding date and nuptials planning and there is another dead person found. I enjoyed how Carrie handled the investigations and there were a number of suspects. Readers are left with a good ending to a belter of a story. I am looking forward to returning to Clover Ridge with Carrie on a future occasion to read the earlier books in the series! So puzzling and engaging, Dewey Decimated is definitely well worth the time invested.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
February 2, 2022
I've been reading this series from the beginning, and I think Dewey Decimated is my favorite so far.
Upon the discovery of a dead body in a building the library is renovating, it leads librarian Carrie Singleton with a lot of unanswered questions.
I thought the mystery was intriguing and I was caught off guard when the pieces all fell into place.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#DeweyDecimated #NetGalley
Upon the discovery of a dead body in a building the library is renovating, it leads librarian Carrie Singleton with a lot of unanswered questions.
I thought the mystery was intriguing and I was caught off guard when the pieces all fell into place.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#DeweyDecimated #NetGalley
November 23, 2022
This author knows nothing about how a public library operates.
September 10, 2022
‘Trish came bursting through the door, her face alive with excitement. “Guess what? They found a body in the old building next door.”’
Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook is the 6th book in The Haunted Library Mystery Series. It’s my second read for both Brook and the series. My first read in this series was book 2, Buried in the Stacks.
When Carrie Singleton, head of programs at her local library, learns of a dead body in the building the library recently acquired for expansion, she says she won’t be looking into it.
Carrie has racked a reputation for solving crimes in her local community. And everyone expects her to take part in this investigation.
“Why all the questions? Are you planning to look into the case?”
“Just natural curiosity. I want no part in this investigation.”
“Music to my ears.”
It is not clear why but Carrie can see ghosts. Including Evelyn whom she met in the library when she first joined a year earlier. Together, Carrie and Evelyn solve murders one book after the other. 😊
Despite her supposed-disinterest in the murder, Carrie is slowly dragged into it. The victim turns out to be her fiancé’s distant uncle.
But that’s not the only problem. Soon it’s not just Evelyn that Carrie can see but there’s a second ghost with no recollection of who he is or how he died.
Bit by bit, Carrie is dragged into solving the murder. Add in a nosy reporter who is dying to break a story and feature Carrie in it.
“Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
I laughed. “Because Evelyn’s a ghost, and she’s a good friend of mine.”
Dewey Decimated welcomes a few familiar faces and names and adds more people to The Haunted Library Mystery Series cast.
In addition to the murder mystery, Carrie is now part of her town’s council. And though they are just 5 people, there’s much debate over a major project in the town. Carrie soon discovers that there are politics and money at play in the council.
“I needed to give the subject a rest. At this point, there were too many suspects.”
And as soon as she solves one mystery, a new one emerges with the death of a council member.
Dewey Decimated is a fun and calming read from Allison Brook. One of my problems with Buried in the Stacks was the amount of repetition Carrie had to do to tell the different people what has happened. While this remains a part of Dewey Decimated, it’s much less than Buried in the Stacks.
“The last thing I needed was a ghost having a meltdown in my office.”
The only thing I didn’t get about the book was the title ‘Dewey Decimated.’ But that could just be me.
In terms of imagery, there wasn’t a lot of it but that didn’t bother me. I also love the book covers in this series.
Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook is the 6th book in The Haunted Library Mystery Series. It’s my second read for both Brook and the series. My first read in this series was book 2, Buried in the Stacks.
When Carrie Singleton, head of programs at her local library, learns of a dead body in the building the library recently acquired for expansion, she says she won’t be looking into it.
Carrie has racked a reputation for solving crimes in her local community. And everyone expects her to take part in this investigation.
“Why all the questions? Are you planning to look into the case?”
“Just natural curiosity. I want no part in this investigation.”
“Music to my ears.”
It is not clear why but Carrie can see ghosts. Including Evelyn whom she met in the library when she first joined a year earlier. Together, Carrie and Evelyn solve murders one book after the other. 😊
Despite her supposed-disinterest in the murder, Carrie is slowly dragged into it. The victim turns out to be her fiancé’s distant uncle.
But that’s not the only problem. Soon it’s not just Evelyn that Carrie can see but there’s a second ghost with no recollection of who he is or how he died.
Bit by bit, Carrie is dragged into solving the murder. Add in a nosy reporter who is dying to break a story and feature Carrie in it.
“Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
I laughed. “Because Evelyn’s a ghost, and she’s a good friend of mine.”
Dewey Decimated welcomes a few familiar faces and names and adds more people to The Haunted Library Mystery Series cast.
In addition to the murder mystery, Carrie is now part of her town’s council. And though they are just 5 people, there’s much debate over a major project in the town. Carrie soon discovers that there are politics and money at play in the council.
“I needed to give the subject a rest. At this point, there were too many suspects.”
And as soon as she solves one mystery, a new one emerges with the death of a council member.
Dewey Decimated is a fun and calming read from Allison Brook. One of my problems with Buried in the Stacks was the amount of repetition Carrie had to do to tell the different people what has happened. While this remains a part of Dewey Decimated, it’s much less than Buried in the Stacks.
“The last thing I needed was a ghost having a meltdown in my office.”
The only thing I didn’t get about the book was the title ‘Dewey Decimated.’ But that could just be me.
In terms of imagery, there wasn’t a lot of it but that didn’t bother me. I also love the book covers in this series.
September 20, 2022
I have been with this series from book one, and it’s one of my fave cozy mystery series. I haven’t missed an installment yet, and I don’t plan to. I love everything about it – the characters, the setting, the plots, and of course Smokey Joe the library cat. But the highlight for me in every book is the interactions between Carrie the librarian (with the best name) and Evelyn the resident library ghost. Their friendship, unconventional though it may be, adds warmth as well as a unique twist to the mystery solving process.
In Dewey Decimated, Carrie and Evelyn receive some unexpected (and not necessarily welcome) additions to their sleuthing team – an overly eager investigative reporter who sees Carrie as her ticket to fame & a murder victim who’s still sticking around as a frustrated & amnesiac ghost. These new characters keep Carrie and Evelyn on their toes and I enjoyed watching them juggle the shifting dynamics – though I will also be happy when it’s back to just the two of them.
The juggling continues for Carrie with the pressure to start wedding plans, problems with the library renovations, and her new role on the city council. Each element fleshed out the characters even more and also filled in any down time where the dual murder mysteries were concerned. Clover Ridge is a charming small town that I’d love to visit in real life, and I laughed at one character’s comment that, with all the recent murders, they didn’t want to become known as the Cabot Cove of Connecticut. Loved that nod to the quintessential & fan favorite cozy mystery small town.
Bottom Line: I’ve come to expect smart plots, charming characters, and intriguing twists from this series, and Dewey Decimated fit right in. The author took all the things I’ve loved from the previous books and added some fresh layers to enhance the continued character development and give readers more insight into the characters’ lives. I once again thoroughly enjoyed my time in Clover Ridge, and I also appreciated the new dynamics that the author introduced. Already looking forward to my next visit with Carrie and Evelyn and Dylan and Smokey Joe – and all the regular supporting characters. A must-read for fans of cozy mysteries, libraries, and friendly ghosts.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
In Dewey Decimated, Carrie and Evelyn receive some unexpected (and not necessarily welcome) additions to their sleuthing team – an overly eager investigative reporter who sees Carrie as her ticket to fame & a murder victim who’s still sticking around as a frustrated & amnesiac ghost. These new characters keep Carrie and Evelyn on their toes and I enjoyed watching them juggle the shifting dynamics – though I will also be happy when it’s back to just the two of them.
The juggling continues for Carrie with the pressure to start wedding plans, problems with the library renovations, and her new role on the city council. Each element fleshed out the characters even more and also filled in any down time where the dual murder mysteries were concerned. Clover Ridge is a charming small town that I’d love to visit in real life, and I laughed at one character’s comment that, with all the recent murders, they didn’t want to become known as the Cabot Cove of Connecticut. Loved that nod to the quintessential & fan favorite cozy mystery small town.
Bottom Line: I’ve come to expect smart plots, charming characters, and intriguing twists from this series, and Dewey Decimated fit right in. The author took all the things I’ve loved from the previous books and added some fresh layers to enhance the continued character development and give readers more insight into the characters’ lives. I once again thoroughly enjoyed my time in Clover Ridge, and I also appreciated the new dynamics that the author introduced. Already looking forward to my next visit with Carrie and Evelyn and Dylan and Smokey Joe – and all the regular supporting characters. A must-read for fans of cozy mysteries, libraries, and friendly ghosts.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 12, 2022
I really loved this book!
Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook is the 6th book in the Haunted Library Mystery series; but, honestly, it can be completely enjoyed as a stand alone book. I can’t say that about all cozy mystery series because I just get lost if I haven’t read them all! I did read the fourth book in this series too, and you can read my review of Checked Out For Murder on my blog, Christy's Cozy Corners .
By this sixth book, we know that Carrie and Dylan are engaged. I really don’t think that’s a spoiler for the prior books since we cozy mystery lovers are always “shipping” characters. (That means put them into relationships. Shipping. Relationships. Get it?) Like most couples, they adore each other, but they’ve still got some things to resolve before marriage. One of those things is Dylan’s childhood and growing up with his parents. When Carrie wants to know about his parents and childhood, Dylan brushes her questions off and finds a way to avoid talking about it. He tells her that her family is his family, and that’s enough. In Dewey Decimated, Dylan finally opens up to Carrie; and, strangely enough, his Uncle Alec’s body is found in the building next to the library where Carrie works.
From the synopsis, we find that the library has a ghost named Evelyn; only Carrie and her five year old niece can see Evelyn. Evelyn comes in handy when mysteries and murder find their way into Carrie’s life. The mystery Evelyn has to help Carrie with this time is Uncle Alec. Well, his ghost that is. He can’t remember a thing about his death, and Carrie gets swept up in another mystery. I really loved the mystery in Dewey Decimated! It was very well-plotted and kept me turning the pages. There is a whole lot going on in this book which made it all the more interesting and exciting. Though the “stuff” may seem random, it’s not. All of these things are tied together in some way which helps Carrie (and us!) figure out whodunit.
Dewey Decimated has wonderfully written, realistic characters. That doesn’t only apply to the “regular” main characters. Characters that make an appearance for just this mystery are not flat. They’ve got personalities that make them stand out. So, while you’re solving the mystery with Carrie, you’ll know who is who even if you’ve never read another book in the series. I really appreciate authors who can do this because I hate being confused about who is who!
Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy Dewey Decimated for its realistic characters and well-plotted mystery. They’ll appreciate the little details that make this delightful cozy mystery book come to life. I highly recommend it!
Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook is the 6th book in the Haunted Library Mystery series; but, honestly, it can be completely enjoyed as a stand alone book. I can’t say that about all cozy mystery series because I just get lost if I haven’t read them all! I did read the fourth book in this series too, and you can read my review of Checked Out For Murder on my blog, Christy's Cozy Corners .
By this sixth book, we know that Carrie and Dylan are engaged. I really don’t think that’s a spoiler for the prior books since we cozy mystery lovers are always “shipping” characters. (That means put them into relationships. Shipping. Relationships. Get it?) Like most couples, they adore each other, but they’ve still got some things to resolve before marriage. One of those things is Dylan’s childhood and growing up with his parents. When Carrie wants to know about his parents and childhood, Dylan brushes her questions off and finds a way to avoid talking about it. He tells her that her family is his family, and that’s enough. In Dewey Decimated, Dylan finally opens up to Carrie; and, strangely enough, his Uncle Alec’s body is found in the building next to the library where Carrie works.
From the synopsis, we find that the library has a ghost named Evelyn; only Carrie and her five year old niece can see Evelyn. Evelyn comes in handy when mysteries and murder find their way into Carrie’s life. The mystery Evelyn has to help Carrie with this time is Uncle Alec. Well, his ghost that is. He can’t remember a thing about his death, and Carrie gets swept up in another mystery. I really loved the mystery in Dewey Decimated! It was very well-plotted and kept me turning the pages. There is a whole lot going on in this book which made it all the more interesting and exciting. Though the “stuff” may seem random, it’s not. All of these things are tied together in some way which helps Carrie (and us!) figure out whodunit.
Dewey Decimated has wonderfully written, realistic characters. That doesn’t only apply to the “regular” main characters. Characters that make an appearance for just this mystery are not flat. They’ve got personalities that make them stand out. So, while you’re solving the mystery with Carrie, you’ll know who is who even if you’ve never read another book in the series. I really appreciate authors who can do this because I hate being confused about who is who!
Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy Dewey Decimated for its realistic characters and well-plotted mystery. They’ll appreciate the little details that make this delightful cozy mystery book come to life. I highly recommend it!
July 9, 2022
I received an advanced copy via NetGalley.
Dewey Decimated is the 6th book in the Haunted Library Mysteries, set in modern Clover Ridge, Connecticut. Carrie is a librarian and town council member, and she can also see ghosts--and has a reputation for solving murders as well. I hadn't read any previous books in the series, but I had no problems getting into the groove. The premise of the book seems straightforward at first: the library has acquired the long-abandoned building next door to expand their space. A man's body is found on the premises, dead for many years--and his bewildered ghost begins haunting the library. Things become more convoluted as the dead man is identified as the uncle of Carrie's fiancée. A local reporter puts heavy pressure on Carrie to get back to her amateur-sleuthing ways, and she can only resist the urge for so long...
The setting here is incredibly fun, and I loved how the mundane library work was paced into the plot. Carrie is a great character, realistic and compassionate, and her romance with Dylan is quite sweet. The pacing of the mystery, though, didn't work for me in major ways. The ghost that the action centers around has amnesia, and only remembers things in perfect timing with the rest of the plot. It annoyed me in how it felt so contrived. I'd been excited to see how ghosts would be used in the plot and it was a big disappointment to find them integrated in such a clunky way. So many other aspects, like the local political drama and the ambitious local reporter, worked well, too.
Dewey Decimated is the 6th book in the Haunted Library Mysteries, set in modern Clover Ridge, Connecticut. Carrie is a librarian and town council member, and she can also see ghosts--and has a reputation for solving murders as well. I hadn't read any previous books in the series, but I had no problems getting into the groove. The premise of the book seems straightforward at first: the library has acquired the long-abandoned building next door to expand their space. A man's body is found on the premises, dead for many years--and his bewildered ghost begins haunting the library. Things become more convoluted as the dead man is identified as the uncle of Carrie's fiancée. A local reporter puts heavy pressure on Carrie to get back to her amateur-sleuthing ways, and she can only resist the urge for so long...
The setting here is incredibly fun, and I loved how the mundane library work was paced into the plot. Carrie is a great character, realistic and compassionate, and her romance with Dylan is quite sweet. The pacing of the mystery, though, didn't work for me in major ways. The ghost that the action centers around has amnesia, and only remembers things in perfect timing with the rest of the plot. It annoyed me in how it felt so contrived. I'd been excited to see how ghosts would be used in the plot and it was a big disappointment to find them integrated in such a clunky way. So many other aspects, like the local political drama and the ambitious local reporter, worked well, too.
July 3, 2022
*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I read the previous book as an ARC and still have not found the time to read the first four books, but when I saw I might be able to read this one as an ARC, I jumped at it and was allowed to read the book!
I am starting to like paranormal cozies more and more and what is great about this one is that you ease into it. There is a friendly resident ghost called Evelyn and Carrie is the only one (next to her niece) who can see Evelyn. Together they solve the cases, but Evelyn is not a huge part, but more one who hands tips and ideas. I really love it. In this installment the library finally gets an extension. The work is going quite well until a body is found hidden away in the basement of the extra space.
Even more surprising is that Carrie now sees a second ghost in the library, the ghost of the person whose body was found. There are many, many questions and even more when the identity of the ghost has been discovered. When a second murder happens, Carrie, with some help of local reporter Julie Theron, goes to find answers and solve the case.
Even though the book started a little slow, when the body was found it picked up and I had a hard time putting it down! I had no idea who did it and why until it was revealed. I really need to read the first 4 books as this series is really, really good!!
I read the previous book as an ARC and still have not found the time to read the first four books, but when I saw I might be able to read this one as an ARC, I jumped at it and was allowed to read the book!
I am starting to like paranormal cozies more and more and what is great about this one is that you ease into it. There is a friendly resident ghost called Evelyn and Carrie is the only one (next to her niece) who can see Evelyn. Together they solve the cases, but Evelyn is not a huge part, but more one who hands tips and ideas. I really love it. In this installment the library finally gets an extension. The work is going quite well until a body is found hidden away in the basement of the extra space.
Even more surprising is that Carrie now sees a second ghost in the library, the ghost of the person whose body was found. There are many, many questions and even more when the identity of the ghost has been discovered. When a second murder happens, Carrie, with some help of local reporter Julie Theron, goes to find answers and solve the case.
Even though the book started a little slow, when the body was found it picked up and I had a hard time putting it down! I had no idea who did it and why until it was revealed. I really need to read the first 4 books as this series is really, really good!!
September 21, 2022
You've had a guest that wouldn't leave? How about a ghost who won't "crossover"? Librarian, Carrie Singleton, Evelyn (the library's resident ghost) and Smokey Joe (the library cat) have their work cut out for them in trying to figure out what's keeping the unwelcome guest stuck in the library. Problem is, if they find out what's going on, they may be stuck in the same situation - forever!
Carrie is one of my favorite cozy characters. Readers have grown with her over the years from a young rebel to a savvy and professional librarian and city council member and now a bride-to-be! I love the mystery surrounding Dylan's Uncle Alex and it was fun to see more of Evelyn. Just as much as the entertaining mystery, the author has woven a story of a character's personal growth which makes Carrie "come alive" on the pages and someone we can relate to - though I've never seen a ghost...yet!
If you're a long-time reader of the series, you'll love this book and if you're a first time reader, I'd encourage you to start at the first book and settle in for a mysterious reading adventure!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in review are my own.
Carrie is one of my favorite cozy characters. Readers have grown with her over the years from a young rebel to a savvy and professional librarian and city council member and now a bride-to-be! I love the mystery surrounding Dylan's Uncle Alex and it was fun to see more of Evelyn. Just as much as the entertaining mystery, the author has woven a story of a character's personal growth which makes Carrie "come alive" on the pages and someone we can relate to - though I've never seen a ghost...yet!
If you're a long-time reader of the series, you'll love this book and if you're a first time reader, I'd encourage you to start at the first book and settle in for a mysterious reading adventure!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in review are my own.
November 7, 2022
Dewey Decimated" is the 6th instalment in the A Haunted Library Mystery series by Allison Brook.
A dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons.
The protagonist Carrie is one of the librarians and Evelyn (ghost) was also before her untimely death. This time Evelyn wants Carrie to find out who murdered the man in the basement next door as his ghost is now flying around the library. Plus things are about to get real for Carrie as she thinks about telling Angela about him. I also loved the inclusion of the library cat, Smokey Joe into the story.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons.
The protagonist Carrie is one of the librarians and Evelyn (ghost) was also before her untimely death. This time Evelyn wants Carrie to find out who murdered the man in the basement next door as his ghost is now flying around the library. Plus things are about to get real for Carrie as she thinks about telling Angela about him. I also loved the inclusion of the library cat, Smokey Joe into the story.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 6, 2022
I really enjoyed that. All the clues kept me guessing and since I kept wanting to follow the trails of the shiny red herrings, most of the big reveal came as a genuine surprise to me when we got to that point. I love the growth we’ve seen in Carrie. She’s a stronger, more mature woman than who we were first introduced to. I particularly like seeing that even though she’s become more willing to stand up for what she believes in, she’s also more cautious with her personal safety. It’s been fun watching the evolution of her relationships, too. All of these things together mean that I’m very excited to see where the author is going to take Carrie next.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
August 21, 2022
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
3.5 stars
I have only read one other book in the Haunted Library series, and to be totally honest, I had forgotten I had even read that one, so it was like starting afresh with these characters.
I do like the library setting (my sister is a librarian, I have asked her if she has a library ghost haha), and I liked how the everyday "boring" bits of the work were brought in 0 you know, emails, meetings etc.
I did find the use of the ghost a bit underwhelming. I don't know, it is probably just me and my headspace at the moment, but I just felt they could have been better used to drive the story - but what do I know haha
I did like the writing, and though I did find the story a bit slow moving, I was intrigued enough to find out whodunnit.
3.5 stars
I have only read one other book in the Haunted Library series, and to be totally honest, I had forgotten I had even read that one, so it was like starting afresh with these characters.
I do like the library setting (my sister is a librarian, I have asked her if she has a library ghost haha), and I liked how the everyday "boring" bits of the work were brought in 0 you know, emails, meetings etc.
I did find the use of the ghost a bit underwhelming. I don't know, it is probably just me and my headspace at the moment, but I just felt they could have been better used to drive the story - but what do I know haha
I did like the writing, and though I did find the story a bit slow moving, I was intrigued enough to find out whodunnit.
October 2, 2022
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Welcome back to Clover Ridge with Carrie and het ghostly friend Evelyn. The library is gearing up to add the house next door ad an addition to the library. This will give them the room they need while abiding to historical standards. What no one expected was the body they found in the basement of the long empty property. It also comes with a ghost who is determined to bother the library patrons. Learning it was Dylan's long lost family just makes things more urgent creating an enjoyable read as Carrie looks into things. Makes for a fabulously fun read that is sure to delight cozy fans. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Welcome back to Clover Ridge with Carrie and het ghostly friend Evelyn. The library is gearing up to add the house next door ad an addition to the library. This will give them the room they need while abiding to historical standards. What no one expected was the body they found in the basement of the long empty property. It also comes with a ghost who is determined to bother the library patrons. Learning it was Dylan's long lost family just makes things more urgent creating an enjoyable read as Carrie looks into things. Makes for a fabulously fun read that is sure to delight cozy fans. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
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