Death Overdue

 Death Overdue 
Author: Allison Brook

I read a review copy of this book when it first came out in 2018. I decided to revisit this series from the beginning, as I lost track of it and new books have been added. I listened to the audio book version - very enjoyable listen!

I love cozy mysteries with a ghost or Halloween theme, so this series is a perfect autumn read for me. The ghost is not scary, and the situations are not horrific (well, except for the murder of course). Just a fun read with a nice mix of humor, amateur sleuthing and mystery. I love libraries....and a haunted would be even better! I wonder how many libraries in the world are considered haunted? All those people....all those books that have been read over and over by so many....old buildings.....   I bet there are a lot of haunted libraries!

The basics: (from my original review in 2018) Carrie Singleton is a free spirit. She doesn't stay in one place too long. She likes her freedom. But, then she gets offered the job as head of programs and events at the library in Clover Ridge, CT. It's a better paying and more permanent job than she has ever had before. She not only discovers that the job is a bit hectic, but that the library has its own resident ghost. Things get out of hand for Carrie immediately. Her first event is a presentation by a retired local police detective. Al Buckley claims he has new information about a decades old local murder case. But, before he can reveal the new evidence....he drops dead. Right in the middle of the library. Carrie feels a bit guilty because Al was poisoned at her library event, so she decides to investigate not only the death of Al Buckley, but the old murder case of Laura Foster as well. I loved this book! Not only because of the haunted library theme -- perfect for an October release! But also because I just enjoyed the characters, the plot and the premise for this new series. Carrie is a strong and intelligent woman who loves her freedom but also realizes that being an adult requires....adulting. The ghost of a former librarian is a hoot -- and a helpful side character that is woven into the plot. Nicely done! And I got sucked right into the story from the beginning. Poor Carrie -- her first event at her new job and the speaker drops dead. Not only that but there is a bit of job tension, jealousy and funny goings-on at the Clover Ridge Library. I had to keep reading to find out if Carrie survived both her promotion, all the adulting, and her amateur sleuthing. :) A great mix of mild spookiness, humor and mystery. Great start to a new series! The mystery moved along at a nice pace with a nicely complex plot. There were several situations going on with multiple suspects. It was a well-written, enjoyable read!  The audio book, narrated by Mia Gaskin, is just shy of 9.5 hours long. Gaskin reads at a nice pace and does a good job of voicing the characters. All in all, a nice listening experience.  As with most cozy mysteries, the cover art for this book is supremely awesome. :) Definitely eye-catching! Definitely going to keep reading and listening my way through this series. Allison Brook is a pen-name for author Marilyn Levinson. For more information on the author and her other books, check out her website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com/