Read on Arrival
by Nora Page
Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Expected publication: May 7th 2019 by Crooked Lane Books
Goodreads synopsis:
Death, deadly omens, and a decades-overdue book put senior librarian Cleo Watkins on a collision course with a killer in the second Bookmobile mystery.
Septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins believes in gracious manners, sweet tea, and justice—library justice. For over forty years, Cleo has tried every trick in the book to get delinquent patron Dixie Huddleston to return the most overdue volume in Catalpa Springs, Georgia. When Dixie says she’ll finally relinquish the book, Cleo is shocked. She’s even more startled by the reason: superstitious Dixie says she’s seen the signs: she’s about to die and is setting her affairs in order.
Cleo dismisses Dixie’s ominous omens…until she and her gentleman friend, Henry Lafayette, arrive at Dixie’s home to find her dead. Cleo suspects murder. The police agree but promptly list Cleo among the likely culprits. To clear her good name and deliver justice, Cleo uses her librarian skills to investigate, with Henry and her trusty bookmobile cat, Rhett Butler, at her side.
However, the killer has opened a new chapter of terror. Death threats appear around town, and residents start seeing bad luck everywhere, including in Cleo and her beloved bookmobile Words on Wheels. With her bookmobile and legacy on the line, Cleo accelerates her sleuthing. Suspects and clues stack up, but so does the danger. Another death is coming due, and Cleo fears the killer may be about to turn the final page on someone she loves most.
***
4 Stars
I was getting stress reading this book. The character of Belle was driving me bonkers. That is great character building right there, folks. The more Belle tried to take over all Cleo had built, the more I wanted to reach through the pages and ring her skinny neck. I wasn’t sure how you could be “for” the library but get rid of the very essence of what it was.
The main thrust of the story seemed to want to be Dixie and the 40-year overdue book. But I felt like what ended up being the main story was Belle and how she was gathering all the allies to make the library into a clown show.
When Belle was found hovering over the body of a dead board member, I was screaming, yes, yes!! I knew it was too good to be true but I wanted it to be true. The plot really takes you on a literal ride and I felt like the ending was truly surprising. I did not see that coming.
This is an easy and fast read. If you love cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
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