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The Village Library Mysteries #8
A Novel Idea
Sometimes a novel idea can turn out to be a bad one.
Sally Simmons was rather misunderstood in the small town of Whitby, North Carolina. An awkward woman with a sly countenance, she became a regular at the library, spending a good deal of time scribbling in a notebook and staring vacantly off into space.
It turned out, to everyone’s surprise, that Sally had been industriously penning a novel. To their greater surprise, it became something of a sensation, even landing itself on the bestseller lists.
Since much of the novel had been written within the hallowed walls of the Whitby Library, reference librarian Ann and other staff members decide to hold an event to celebrate Sally’s accomplishment and learn more about her book.
Sadly, it soon becomes evident that Sally’s book was inspired by actual residents of Whitby—and that she concealed their identities poorly.
When Sally meets an unfortunate demise, it’s up to Ann to figure out the killer so the police can throw the book at him.
Sally Simmons was rather misunderstood in the small town of Whitby, North Carolina. An awkward woman with a sly countenance, she became a regular at the library, spending a good deal of time scribbling in a notebook and staring vacantly off into space.
It turned out, to everyone’s surprise, that Sally had been industriously penning a novel. To their greater surprise, it became something of a sensation, even landing itself on the bestseller lists.
Since much of the novel had been written within the hallowed walls of the Whitby Library, reference librarian Ann and other staff members decide to hold an event to celebrate Sally’s accomplishment and learn more about her book.
Sadly, it soon becomes evident that Sally’s book was inspired by actual residents of Whitby—and that she concealed their identities poorly.
When Sally meets an unfortunate demise, it’s up to Ann to figure out the killer so the police can throw the book at him.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2023
50 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Spann Craig
94 books489 followersAuthor 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 28, 2023
A fun read in a series I really enjoy. The mystery was one that held my attention and I liked trying to solve it along with Ann and Grayson. Great read!
August 9, 2023
Plot, Interesting Characters, Great Writing
This book for Phils a lot for a good novel. It has a genuine plot that is complicated, but not too complicated; it has interesting characters and the writing is pretty good. It’s a great “get away from it all “ read for a relaxing weekend.
This book for Phils a lot for a good novel. It has a genuine plot that is complicated, but not too complicated; it has interesting characters and the writing is pretty good. It’s a great “get away from it all “ read for a relaxing weekend.
November 5, 2023
Village Library #8
Excellent read. I have always liked this authors books. She has a way of carrying you along in the stories she has written always wondering who the killer is.
Excellent read. I have always liked this authors books. She has a way of carrying you along in the stories she has written always wondering who the killer is.
April 15, 2026
I loved this book. It feels like visiting your favourite library and catching up with old friends and you don't even have to leave your home to do it.
I think if every library was as welcome and friendly as this one (if you don't count the murders, of course) then we wouldn't be losing so many and I don't just mean by having a friendly cat greet everyone. I love the characters, who continue to delight as they go about there business running a library. This makes it so easy to imagine and get lost in. There are a lot of recurring characters, so while the books can be read as standalone mysteries, I would recommend reading them in order. That way you get to know them so much better and it's as if you are watching a Hallmark film when ever you drop in and join them
The mystery was good and I had thought I had worked it out, only to be surprised at the end. The library made for the perfect setting for the murder and I can't wait for the next book.
When a new book comes into the library and Ann recognizes the author has being a local and a regular at the library, she is quick to set up an event to promote the book. The author, Sally is quite and prefers her own company while in the library, so Ann doesn't know her as well as some of the other patrons. However that all changes when Sally is found dead after the event and Ann becomes involved in the case. The book was a work of fiction but as Ann begins to learn about Sally she has to question if the book was more fact based and the reason for her death. Can Ann help find the killer?
I liked the narrator. She is perfect for the characters and makes them so easy to imagine, especially with the different voices she gives them.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I think if every library was as welcome and friendly as this one (if you don't count the murders, of course) then we wouldn't be losing so many and I don't just mean by having a friendly cat greet everyone. I love the characters, who continue to delight as they go about there business running a library. This makes it so easy to imagine and get lost in. There are a lot of recurring characters, so while the books can be read as standalone mysteries, I would recommend reading them in order. That way you get to know them so much better and it's as if you are watching a Hallmark film when ever you drop in and join them
The mystery was good and I had thought I had worked it out, only to be surprised at the end. The library made for the perfect setting for the murder and I can't wait for the next book.
When a new book comes into the library and Ann recognizes the author has being a local and a regular at the library, she is quick to set up an event to promote the book. The author, Sally is quite and prefers her own company while in the library, so Ann doesn't know her as well as some of the other patrons. However that all changes when Sally is found dead after the event and Ann becomes involved in the case. The book was a work of fiction but as Ann begins to learn about Sally she has to question if the book was more fact based and the reason for her death. Can Ann help find the killer?
I liked the narrator. She is perfect for the characters and makes them so easy to imagine, especially with the different voices she gives them.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 10, 2024
In this 8th book in the Village Library Mystery series, the Whitby Library hosts an event featuring a local author. Sally Simmons has a bestseller about several people who share guilt in a killing and how their emotions change their lives. The author doesn't realize how much speaking at the Whitby Library is going to change her life....and not for the better. Yep....you guessed it....she turns up dead. And, Librarian Ann Beckett is on the case again.
If my local public library was embroiled in so many murders, I would be afraid to go check out books! :) Not to mention living in a small town that has so many bodies showing up. Luckily, cozy mysteries allow readers to suspend reality and just enjoy a good bit of amateur sleuthing.
I enjoyed this book. The mystery and the antics of the characters kept me engaged with the story the entire time. My favorite character is still Fitz the Library Cat, of course!
The series is a bit formulaic as most of the novels seem to follow the same general plot outline: Murder, investigation starts, another murder, more investigation, twist, and reveal/end. But the circumstances are varied enough that I'm not getting bored, and I like the characters/background theme. So, I plan to read this series to the end. I just wish the plots would deviate from the standard. I have another series from this author on my shelves, the Myrtle Clover series, that I plan to read next. I hope those books don't follow this same standard each time. We shall see!
On to the next! I have already pulled book 9, End of Story, off my bookshelves and getting started reading right away! :)
If my local public library was embroiled in so many murders, I would be afraid to go check out books! :) Not to mention living in a small town that has so many bodies showing up. Luckily, cozy mysteries allow readers to suspend reality and just enjoy a good bit of amateur sleuthing.
I enjoyed this book. The mystery and the antics of the characters kept me engaged with the story the entire time. My favorite character is still Fitz the Library Cat, of course!
The series is a bit formulaic as most of the novels seem to follow the same general plot outline: Murder, investigation starts, another murder, more investigation, twist, and reveal/end. But the circumstances are varied enough that I'm not getting bored, and I like the characters/background theme. So, I plan to read this series to the end. I just wish the plots would deviate from the standard. I have another series from this author on my shelves, the Myrtle Clover series, that I plan to read next. I hope those books don't follow this same standard each time. We shall see!
On to the next! I have already pulled book 9, End of Story, off my bookshelves and getting started reading right away! :)
February 17, 2024
Sally Simmons was rather misunderstood in the small town of Whitby, North Carolina. An awkward woman with a sly countenance, she became a regular at the library, spending a good deal of time scribbling in a notebook and staring vacantly off into space. It turned out, to everyone’s surprise, that Sally had been industriously penning a novel. To their greater surprise, it became something of a sensation, even landing itself on the bestseller lists. Since much of the novel had been written within the hallowed walls of the Whitby Library, reference librarian Ann and other staff members decide to hold an event to celebrate Sally’s accomplishment and learn more about her book.
Sadly, it soon becomes evident that Sally’s book was inspired by actual residents of Whitby—and that she concealed their identities poorly. [amazon synopsis]
Now Sally has been killed in the library right after the event. Ann needs to find the killer so the town can get back to normal.
Sadly, it soon becomes evident that Sally’s book was inspired by actual residents of Whitby—and that she concealed their identities poorly. [amazon synopsis]
Now Sally has been killed in the library right after the event. Ann needs to find the killer so the town can get back to normal.
March 4, 2023
A light cozy mystery set in Whitby, North Carolina, with Ann, her library cat Fitz and journalist boyfriend Grayson, various colleagues and friends and local Police Chief Burton becoming involved with solving the murder of Sally Simmons. A rather dour, reserved woman Sally had been writing a novel, titled “Guilty”, sitting for hours in the library. It turns out her novel is inspired by local residents who may have events from their past which they would rather have stayed secret. A gentle pleasant murder mystery series.
March 16, 2026
It's my latest venture into the Village Library Mysteries. Ann, our favorite librarian, realizes that a best selling author with a new book out is a regular customer at the library. She arranges for Sally, the author, to do a special reading as a library event. Sally agrees even though she seldom does public events. Shortly after her reading which went quite well, she was murdered in the quiet room of the library. Obviously that is not good news for Ann or Wilson, her boss. As usual, Ann aids the police chief in his investigation which leads to past intrigue and several suspects.
February 14, 2023
Simple deductions
This read was easy and simple. I wasn't as "into" this book as previous ones by this author. I felt it needed more in the relationships to make them seem real. I found myself anxious for the story to end.
This read was easy and simple. I wasn't as "into" this book as previous ones by this author. I felt it needed more in the relationships to make them seem real. I found myself anxious for the story to end.
September 27, 2023
Enjoyable Series
A Novel Idea is the eighth in library series featuring Ann, Wilson, Burton, Grayson, and Luna. All great characters with interesting stories you'll want to follow. This book, in my opinion, is one of MS Craig's best in the series. Good plot!
A Novel Idea is the eighth in library series featuring Ann, Wilson, Burton, Grayson, and Luna. All great characters with interesting stories you'll want to follow. This book, in my opinion, is one of MS Craig's best in the series. Good plot!
September 20, 2025
Another excellent book. Love the Fritz. Main characters are fun and interesting. Some good humor. Some twists and turns. I really enjoy the writing style of this author. Some complexity but still kept simple and straightforward. She does an excellent job disguising the murder. Highly recommend.
April 10, 2026
Like candy. Maybe not great for my mind, but this series is certainly the kind of thing I crave when I just want to relax
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews