Dora and Zoe are roped into helping a reclusive local poet. She drops off new poems late at night in Dora’s moms little Library. Local residents are thrilled that this local author is writing again, but something is off. Dora and Zoe search for clues in this second mystery in the series.
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She Stopped for Death by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli is the second book in A Little Library Mystery series and I enjoyed this one more than the first. Perhaps it was because I already knew the characters and what to expect from them. Jenny Weston lives with her mother, Dora in Bear Falls, Michigan after returning home due to a divorce. Jenny, Dora, and their neighbor, Zoe Zola have been spending their evenings on the screened in porch. One evening, someone stops at the Little Library boxes and they notice it is the reclusive poet, Emily Sutton. Dora calls out to Emily, but she quickly runs away. When they check the library boxes the next morning, they discover slips of paper with poems written on them. It seems that Emily has started writing again and wishes to share her work. Her only book of poetry was published twenty-five years earlier, and after a book tour, she did not venture out of her house again. She lived in the family home on Pewee Swamp with her sister Lorna, until Lorna packed up and left with a man. Her cousin, Althea did her shopping and stopped by to make sure she was okay. When Althea stopped coming by, Zoe volunteers to do the shopping for Emily. Jenny and Zoe also agree to visit Althea and see if she is okay. It turns out that she is dead, murdered quite viciously. When Alex Shipley shows up in town, she is hunting for her Uncle Walter who has been missing for a few years. The last she knew of her uncle, he was coming to visit Emily. What happened to Lorna, Althea, and Walter? Emily and Zoe set out to find the answers to these questions.

She Stopped for Death is a well written cozy mystery, with an interesting plot and some very odd and quirky characters. Jenny is still working through her issues, but she is much more likable than in the first book of the series. She is developing a friendship with handyman and retired cop Tony, but still has some serious trust issues. Zoe Zola, the neighbor, is a little person who writes fairy tales, and has fairy houses all over her yard, complete with inhabitants. The poet, Emily Sutton is very strange. She was responsible for some very uncomfortable moments in the story. I figured out the mystery before it was revealed, but I was still interested right to the end. This series does not seem to be for everyone. Many found it silly and nonsensical, but I enjoyed it and am going to give the next one a try as well.

SHE STOPPED FOR DEATH, the second book in the Little Library Mystery series by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli, has a mysterious, reclusive poet; betrayals and murder. The book weaves in the poems of Emily Dickinson. I enjoyed how the author includes poetry in this unique plot, and even though I’m not a huge fan of poetry, I found her choices speaks to your soul. The protagonist, Jenny Weston, is living in Bear Falls, Michigan, recovering from a nasty divorce. She’s unsure of herself, full of self-doubts, and runs from any conflict. Her next door neighbor is little person Zoe Zola. Zoe can be an abrasive character but Jenny and her mother have developed a close friendship, bordering on family, with Zoe. The author has chosen to use damaged people with problems to effectively bring to them life. As a reader, I found them easy to connect to, with their emotional issues, because haven’t most of us experienced heartbreak and disappointments in life? The mystery is well-developed with a well, thought out finale and I found myself turning pages late into the night. This is a delightful addition to a quirky series.

I fairly enjoyed this book. I found the characters and relationships a bit iffy. When it came down to the non mystery oriented events they happened quickly and with very little fan fare. Which was okay, just left me feeling not so much interested in the characters themselves. The mystery however was incredible! I was confused, sure, than unsure. I was both shocked and completely unsurprised by the ending. Great little cozy, but could use a little strength in character development.

I received the ebook from Netgalley and the publichers in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great 2nd book in the Little Library Mystery Series. I love the premise of the little libraries in the series, and enjoy the characters. The storyline in this one kept my interest, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what happens next time in Bear Falls.

She Stopped for Death has a mysterious and reclusive poet Emily Sutton taking center stage as Dora tries to befriend her after finding her leaving notes in the Little Library. Soon a terrible murder seems connected to Emily, and Jenny and Zoe are drawn into doing some investigating.

I'm enjoying this series and its quirky characters. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

This book was filled with despair, depression, and deceit, and that was from the heroines. Not one person seemed happy except for when Zoe was talking to her garden fairies. The main character, Jenny, wasn't happy living with her mother, but had no gumption to do anything to change, deciding to just live on her alimony checks a little longer. I had high hopes that the Zoe character would be interesting based on the description, but the most interesting thing about her was her one-eyed dog. The author hinted at Zoe having premonitions, but never really went anywhere with that story line. I usually can always find one character to enjoy, but I really didn't like any of these, and the mystery irritated me. Two people are missing, and you take the word of someone who obviously has issues that they went off together?

I will not be reading any more from this series.

I was given this by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I wish I didn't have to give it a not-so-great one.

She Stopped for Death is the second book in the Little Library Mystery series. I really wanted to enjoy this book, and it definitely did not disappoint. I love that you do not have to read the books in order in this series, they really work as stand alone works. The writing is vivid and the characters are relatable. The mystery keeps you going throughout the pages and the writer keeps the reader engaged during the entire story. When you are able to immerse yourself into the story and imagine yourself being the character, it is a glorious thing. This author really lets you involve yourself deeply with the characters and the story. Overall, the characters and relationships were a thing of beauty, the mystery was set to perfection, and the creativity of the author was top notch.

Jenny Weston returned to her childhood home in Bear Falls, Michigan after a bitter divorce. Jenny's mother Dora, a former librarian, has established a series of little libraries that invite visitors to leave a book and take a book. Reclusive poet Emily Sutton, who leads a reclusive life in a decrepit house on the edge of the dangerous Peewee Swamp. leaves some new poems in the little library. Emily’s mother was burned to death in their house and her sister Lorna, has run away. Cousin Althea shopped for Emily but has now gone missing. Emily agrees to let Jenny's friend Zoe shop for her. Meanwhile, wealthy Abigail Cane wants to hold an event in Emily's honour and she is surprised when Emily agrees to give a poetry reading. When Althea is found murdered, Jenny and Zoe do some sleuthing to find out more about Emily's past at an asylum. As Jenny and Zoe interact with Emily, they begin to uncover hidden family secrets. This is more of a psychological thriller than a cozy, but still an enjoyable read.

Light cozy with a different slant on the genre- this is a good, quick read with interesting characters. The mystery itself isn't that complicated but the characters are well done (I like Jenny). I read this as a standalone and don't think that was a problem. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC- I'm going to look for the next one in this series. Try this one- thumbs up (especially as it promotes both little libraries and poetry!)

She Stopped for Death by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli is the second book in A Little Library Mystery series. Jenny Weston lives with her mother, Dora in Bear Falls, Michigan. Jenny moved back home after she divorced her husband. They have two little library boxes in front of their home (one for adult books and one for children’s). Jenny, Dora, and their neighbor, Zoe Zola have been spending their evenings on the screened in porch. They notice a light coming down the street, and then someone stopped at the boxes. It is the reclusive poetess, Emily Sutton. Dora calls out to Emily, and Emily quickly runs away. When they check the library boxes the next morning, they discover slips of paper with poems written on them. It seems that Emily has started writing again and wishes to share her work. Twenty-five years prior Emily had published a book of poetry. After a book tour, Emily returned to the family home and did not venture out until now. The next night Emily ventures by again and respond to Dora’s greeting. Emily had lived in the family home on Pewee Swamp with her sister, Lorna. Their cousin, Althea did the shopping for them (and the local banker paid their bills). Lorna packed up and left with man according to Emily, and Althea has not been by recently. Zoe volunteers to do the shopping for Emily. Jenny and Zoe agree to visit Althea and see if she is well. Then Alex Shipley shows up in town looking for her uncle, Walter. He disappeared three years ago. Walter had corresponded with Emily and was coming to Bear Falls for a visit. What happened to Lorna, Althea, and Walter? Emily and Zoe set out to get answers but what happens when Zoe disappears.

She Stopped for Death contains good writing and interesting characters. Jenny has several “issues”. She is jealous of her sister (Lisa), upset over her divorce, does not know what she wants to do with her life, has trust issues, and has trouble communicating especially with Tony Ralenti (the guy she is attracted to). Jenny stews about her relationship with Tony, rants about her sister, and has no clue what to do with her future (you just want to shove a sock in her mouth). Zoe Zola, the neighbor, is a quirky character. Zoe is a little person who writes fairy tales. She has fairy houses all over her yard with fairy occupants (she moves them around, gives them stories, and talks to them). I am not a fan of Zoe. Instead of funny, I find her unlikeable (really dislike her dialogue). I give She Stopped for Death 3 out of 5 stars (am I being too kind?). I figured out the mystery early in the novel (it was not complicated). While She Stopped for Death is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides the character background and details from the first book in the series. I was hoping the second book in the series would be an improvement upon A Most Curious Murder (which is why I gave the series a second chance). A Little Library Mystery series is just not for me. I believe it is supposed to be quirky and humorous, but instead I found it foolish and nonsensical.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Like the first book in the series, Murder Most Curious, this mystery was curious. A reclusive poet, Emily Sutton has left her home in the Pewee Swamp to visit Dora’s Little Library and left some of her new poetry. Meanwhile another town resident is planning an event to honor the poet and is thrilled to learn that Emily wants to attend and do a reading. Dora with the help of Zoe and Jenny is determined to help the poet get out in the world again but Zoe has a bad feeling about her. She starts to do a little investigating and she and Jenny make a horrific discovery.

I really like the relationship between Jenny and her mom and love the way they have included Zoe in their little family group. Zoe doesn’t always make that easy. They were also very accepting of Emily and even welcome another visitor into their home midway through the story. They seem to be genuine individuals with the ability to truly empathize with others around them.

A twisted tangle of events take place in the story. This author has a real unique imagination that turned this story upside down. I was drawn deeper and and deeper into the mystery as I swiped each page. Such great writing, a complex mystery that brings a real psychological element to what otherwise is considered a cozy mystery. There are some very suspenseful moments that had me on the edge of my seat.

I can’t wait for the next installment. Watch this author, I expect many fantastic stories are headed our way.

This is the second in the Little Library series but the first I have read by Elizabeth and it is released today. I have my own tiny library, which I will need to launch again as I just moved so I loved the idea of the series. This was a complex mystery and was more of a true psychological mystery then a cozy. It was written very well and had a complex mystery as well as back story. It was very interesting and I enjoyed the idea of a town without a library, being made more cozy by the addition of Little Libraries just like in the story.