<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42248348-and-then-they-were-doomed" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="And Then They Were Doomed" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564361291l/42248348._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42248348-and-then-they-were-doomed">And Then They Were Doomed</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1702591.Elizabeth_Kane_Buzzelli">Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2914988705">3 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I enjoy Agatha Christie tribute mysteries. there's probably not much better fodder for this than And Then There Were None. The protagonist of this mystery, Zoe Zola, is a literary biographer. She's also a little person, which is central to the plot. Zoe's mother was tormented by her family after becoming pregnant out of wedlock. The family claimed Zoe's stature was evidence of God's revenge. Charming (/sarcasm). Every time someone in the family died, they would send Zoe's mother a creepy, black-lined death notice. The book opens with Zoe being invited to an Agatha Christie webinar being held in a hotel in the woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The invitation arrives with the tell-tale back lining, leading Zoe to believe it must be from her family. Now, this would probably be enough to make most people say "no way," but Zoe will prove at many points in this tale to exhibit very little common sense. So, Zoe goes to the conference in a horrific rainstorm. The hotel is indeed in the middle of nowhere, and the bridge connecting it to the mainland washes out, trapping conference attendees. Then people start disappearing. Zoe has to figure out what is going on, why she is at the conference, and what the connection is to her family.<br /><br />This book has several complicated storylines that ultimately come together. I definitely appreciated the author's ability to plot a complicated mystery. That said, there were parts that were repetitive. When Zoe is trying to figure out the meanings behind the names being used by conference participants, the exact same thing is repeated multiple times in the book. The book is also full of seriously unlikeable characters. Most of them are supposed to be this way, though honestly I found Zoe to be incredibly whiny about things she couldn't change (like the weather). I also had a hard time figuring out what Zoe actually does. She's involved in writing a "new method of literary biography" that "gets inside the heads of her subjects." Okay? Is she some sort of medium? It's not really clear. If so, why is she invited to an academic conference? I don't understand why the character isn't just a scholar. That seems much more straightforward, and it was never clear during the book why this is Zoe's career. I realize this is a small issue, but it niggled throughout the book and made it harder to fully understand Zoe. Anyone with experience in the academic conference circuit would know that you can google everyone beforehand, and if you can't find them that is a giant red flag. Finally, while this book is part of the "little libraries" series, there's hardly anything about little libraries. That was not a particular issue for me, but it was notable.

The Agatha Christie influences were very clear running through this book (and I don't just mean the setting). The setting was definitely vivid and gave me some chills. The story overall is a bit dark, which is not what I was expecting, but it worked well. Overall a little torn on the plot, but the book was decently written, and dark mystery lovers are likely to enjoy it.

What a great cozy mystery. And Then They Were Doomed has too of the ingredients to make this a great read. Great well-crafted characters and storyline!

Not my cup of tea, this book. Weird vibe for me and not one I enjoyed. Didn’t care for several of the elements I’d this book. About the only part I liked was the Agatha Christie tie in but it could have been done differently and better,

If you are a fan of Dame Agatha Christie you will enjoy the theme of this episode of A Little Library Mystery. The mystery is well-developed and plotted with plenty of red herrings. This is a little darker than the last one I read but as a nod to Christie, it is understandable. The characters are complex and interesting.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

A well written cozy mystery. Well crafted plot and characters. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Mystery and mayhem, rain and regret, loss and lies. There are at least 4 different storylines going on during this one novel but it is not difficult to keep them straight. Zoe Zola's family history is revealed as a sad story with hateful spirits. Her friend, Jenny, is trying to find her self and isn't sure that Tony and a wedding are the answer she seeks. An Agatha Christie symposium in the upper peninsula and a township of forgotten Fins lead both Zoe and Jenny to the answers they seek and a question that still needs to be answered. This Little Library story is much less of a library story and more of a Christie mystery. The people at the Netherwood Lodge are not who they claim to be while the fierce Fin ladies are exactly what they appear to be, which makes them an excellent subject for Jane's documentary. Zoe is a headstrong and determined character who is absolutely bigger in personality and talent than her little body demonstrates. I often have to remind myself when reading that Zoe is not full-sized because she certainly does not let her very petite body type stop her from getting the bottom of this mystery and she needs to do it to determine if she is one of the soldiers as a variety of the great Dame's works are almost literally and "literal"ly reenacted around her. Past books are not necessary to be able to understand the character dynamics in the story.

Zoe Zola is a semi-famous author who gets invited to a literary seminar in Netherworld lodge which is situated a secluded place. Nine other peopke have been invited too. Slowly, people start going missing. Zoe is already suspicious, but she has come to face her fears. The title comes from Agatha Christie's masterpiece, And Then There were None, obviously and the story is inspired from it.
Zoe is a strong character. I liked her zing. She is frank and sharp. She doesn't mince words. The others are a bit unpleasant with their thinly veiled insults. I didn't care for them.
This book is for Agatha Christie lovers, no doubt. There are so many references and parallels with Christie's books. A cozy mystery. Though at times, it felt bland. The ominous feeling dissipates as fast as it builds up. The ending was tragic and yet it failed to move me.
This book is about family, secrets, loss, revenge and fun trivia about our Queen of Crime. Loved the concept. Loved the story. Characters? Not so much.

E-arc received from Netgalley.

I already know I am going to love any book set in Northern Michigan, being as it's my home state. I enjoyed the premise of this book better than a prior installment in the series. I could really relate to the protag. And a trip to the UP for an Agatha Christie seminar captures my interest.
Very enjoyable book.

This is my first Little Library Mystery and I LOVED it! Zoe Zola is lured to a remote lodge to supposedly give a webinar about Agatha Christie. Then people start disappearing. I really liked how the author paid homage to Agatha Christie and her mysteries. Zoe has to use her knowledge of Agatha Christie mysteries to figure out what is going on. She finds out the actual reason she was brought there was totally different than what she initially feared. I loved Zoe. She's smart, funny, and she has a dog! I also liked that she is a little person. I'm not sure if the other three books in the series is as dark as this one is, but I loved that this one was. It had to be to fit in with the Agatha Christie theme. I also liked her friends, Jenny and Lisa. They really had Zoe's back. I will be reading the other books in this series! Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Zoe Zola has received a mysterious invitation to take part in a webinar about Agatha Christie but the invitation itself seems a bit sinister, reminding Zoe of death notices from her mother's family. Jenny Weston agrees to take her to the remote location since her sister his nearby working on a documentary and it's a good excuse for a visit.

The weather is horrific,with constant rain and flooding, cutting off the webinar resort from the "rest of the world". Zoe seems to feel that the webinar is just an excuse for intrigue. There are 10 people at the resort and they start disappearing one by one - reminding Zoe of Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.

This book was very dark and had a cruel feeling to it. I didn't like it, especially since it didn't seem to really fit with the Little Library theme.

This book was a solid, enjoyable story if somewhat predictable.

Recommended for Agatha Christie fans.

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

And Then They Were Doomed was written to mimic Agatha Christie’s book And Then There we’re None. Little person and author Zoe Zeta, believes the worse thing is to receive an invitation, edged in black, to an Agatha Christie symposium. The organizer is Emily Brent. Each character slowly disappears. A little person’s family was out for revenge. I have to say the characters were strange and not who you thought they were. The ending was a complete surprise but It was a good book. Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced reader’s copy.

A Little Library Mystery. An Agatha Christie symposium is taking place and author Zoe is one of ten invited to participate. As the symposium itself begins to bizarrely resemble one of the Queen of Crimes own novels, Zoe realises that she needs to escape quickly - but can she? Quirky romp through Christie plots - fast paced but twists odd twists along the way.

This was first book in the series and will be my last. I intrigued by the story mirroring And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie but the story fell flat. I finished It only to see who the killer was and I was disappointed by that as well.

Zoe Zola receives a strange black-edged invitation to an Agatha Christie symposium. Its appearance brings back horrible memories from her past. She decides to go and confront her personal demons -- and horrible relatives, if they are behind the invite -- so she can finally move on with her life. The event is at a strange, isolated hunting lodge. Zoe is one of 10 speakers attending the event. It isn't lost on her that each one seems to have something in common with characters from And Then There Were None, a famous Christie novel. But she's stuck and can't leave -- the road is washed out. When presenters start disappearing, Zoe fears she will be next. Will Jenny Weston arrive before Zoe becomes a victim?

I love the fact that Zoe is the main character in this 4th book in the Little Library Mysteries series! She is my favorite character in the series and is usually just a side plot enhancer. This time she is in the forefront, dealing with a spooky situation in the middle of nowhere. I liked how the plot linked up here and there with Christie's famous story. I was on the edge of my seat when presenters started to disappear...... Yikes!

Nice character development in this latest book. I still don't fully like Jenny Weston....she's just a bit too flighty and whiny for me. I did love the ending of the story. I sort of had an idea what it might be...but the actual end was a surprise. Nicely done!

Enjoyable story! It definitely kept my attention from start to finish. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Dollycas’s Thoughts

What a great story using Dame Agatha Christie as its theme. Zoe Zola gets invited to participate in a symposium that will be webcast to a group of subscribers. Zoe is nervous about accepting because the invitation envelope is edged in black, just like funeral notices she and her mother received over the years from their estranged family. When neighbor Jenny Weston decides she needs to get away for a few days and plans to visit her sister near where the symposium is taking place, Zoe decides to attend.

When Jenny and Zoe get into the Upper Peninsula it is raining and both the lodge where the symposium is taking place and her sister’s camp is out in the boonies. Zoe is nervous when Jenny drops her off but soon the other participants arrive for a total of 10. Zoe is anxious to get to the true reason for her being there.

The leader, Emily Brent, the same name as a character killed in Christie’s And Then There Were None and her helper also with another questionable name try to keep the participants under control but they have various opinions about Christie’s work and fame. When one of the scholars is gone the next morning the group is down to nine, the correlations to Christie’s And Then There Were None were not lost on Zoe Zola. When another is said to have left, Zoe is ready to leave herself, but there is no way to contact Jenny. The visit they had planned is rained out so she is stuck. She just hopes the sisters will arrive before she is the one to disappear.

Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli sure sets a spooky/scary scene. An isolated lodge in the middle of Michigan’s north woods in plagued by rain, rain, and more rain. Roads get washed out and fog gives everything a dreary haze. The lodge itself is pretty rustic and not somewhere I would want to stay on a sunny day, but it is the perfect place for a Christie-Esque mystery to play out.

Little person Zoe Zola has not had an easy life and that is the focus in this story. It brings so much clarity to this character. The characters brought into her life in this story are an eclectic group and not very likable but again perfect for this story. Little Librarian Dora has a minor role again as Zoe takes the lead with some assistance from Dora’s daughters. Jenny and Zoe have become fast friends and share some similar traits like stubbornness and perseverance. Zoe takes some risks that were questionable but I understand needing to get away from something to clear your head even if there are animals and humans that could be a risk.

This book is darker than previous books in the series but I loved that it was based on Agatha Christie. The author has laid out a fantastic plot that had a great flow and some epic twists. I do think the eerie ending pushes the rules of the cozy realm to the limit. It was unusual and unexpected but very compelling. The book was hard to put down, but past the 3/4 mark, it was impossible.

While the author does her best to give background so the book can be read on its own, I really stress that the books in this series should be read in order to understand the characters, their lives and how they relate to each other.

And Then They Were Doomed was an interesting foray for the characters from Bear Falls. However, the characters they meet gave me a case of the heebie-jeebbies. Nevertheless, this was A Perfect Escape.

Very strange book. Narrator is apparently heavily persecuted and threatened with harm by her former husband's family, just for existing? Honestly, I didn't even come close to finishing this. It wasn't compelling at all.

Zoe Zola is a writer and a little person. She had a mother, Evelyn, but the father left after her mother got pregnant. Evelyn's family was very strict and threw her out, but stayed in touch via death announcements. Years after Evelyn's death Zoe receives a black edged envelope. Inside is an invitation to an Agatha Christie conference in upper Peninsula Michigan in a out of the way area.
Zoe is curious so she goes to the conference. Then everything just gets weird.
I think the author is trying to imitate Agatha Christie but it doesn't seem very well done. I skimmed the last 1/3 of the book because I just wanted to finish. The ending wasn't very satisfying. I guess this is the fourth book in A Little Library Mystery series, so maybe I would like it better if I'd been introduced to the characters with their full story.