I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. genealogy, bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading Checking Out Crime by Laurie Cass.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

Minnie and rescue cat Eddie come upon a dead cyclist while out on the bookmobile rounds. She first thinks it is a hit and run but soon discovers it was murder. When another cyclist is found dead, she goes all in on solving the mystery. I enjoyed the book although the motive for the murders is weak. There are several plot lines and some are quite obvious. While Minnie seems bright in some areas, she is completely clueless in others. I did enjoy the book and look forward to the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley for an opportunity to read and review this ARC. Oh how I love cats and a cozy mystery about books and cats is just what I need in my life! Great story and characters! I would highly recommend this book!

Checking out Crime by Laurie Cass

I enjoy this series. Can’t wait until the next Bookmobile novel. Neat characters, well-planned plot. Never guessed the guilty party. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Love Eddie the Bookmobile cat. I my library's bookmobile had such a wonderful librarian running it.

Minnie Hamilton adores her job as the assistant director for Lower Michigan’s Chilson’s District Library. She loves even more driving the Bookmobile throughout the lakeshore town, and it’s a testament to her success that her boss and patrons are requesting additional stops throughout the week. While bookmobile cat Eddie serves as an added attraction for patrons and reluctant readers, Minnie and her bookmobile clerk Julia Beaton are already running themselves ragged with their current schedule. They are forced to make another unexpected stop when they come across the body of a bicyclist lying in the road as another car speeds away. Despondent after her attempts at CPR fail to revive the victim, Minnie is even more shocked to learn that the death of Brown Bernier was not due to an accident.

Minnie and Eddie have a history conducting their own side investigations into the crimes of their small town, but the lead detectives waste little time advising her to stay out of their way. That’s going to be impossible, of course, not just because Minnie attempted to save Brown but because he happened to have been a friend of her own bestie’s father. At first it seems that the former City maintenance worker had no enemies and was beloved by all, but another death by bicycle indicates that something is definitely afoot. Further keeping Minnie occupied is a plea by her library assistant to intervene in his relationship with his girlfriend, not to mention Minnie’s own fluctuating living situation. Living on a houseboat is ideal only during the warm months of the year, and with her and her fiancé’s home still in the midst of construction her residential plans are definitely in flux and causing no small amount of stress.

This ninth in the series is an absolute delight as it allows readers to settle in and relax with the genial, supportive residents of Chilson. Minnie’s library staff have become a part of her family, which is why she struggles to make her bookmobile a success despite there being not enough resources nor time for her to do it without much needed help. Her one-sided consultations and conversations with Eddie are hilarious, as he responds with appropriately feline snores and the occasional purr. Minnie finds a new ally in the form of a detective’s retired, but still very capable, wife and Detective Hal Inwood may regret both introducing the women and ignoring their suggestions. The personal lives of Minnie and her friends are just as compelling as the mystery, which swerves on an unexpected path towards a very clever conclusion. Readers will revel in Minnie and Eddie’s bookmobile visits to loyal patrons, who reward her not only in praise but with information. Library lovers, cat aficionados, and cozy mystery fans will adore the latest in this always entertaining series.

Another great book with Minnie and Eddie (the cat)! I thought the story was very realistic where Minnie finds a dead body on the road. It would be hard to wonder if someone really was hurt or were they playing a prank. I felt the shock and sadness of this moment from the writer's words.

Also, we learn some of Minnie's personal fears when it comes to relationships and especially with her fiance. That is something that happens all the time in real life and this story allows the reader to connect with moments like that.

This series always makes me happy to read because of Eddie and how he gets to go around with Minnie on the bookmobile. But more importantly how they get to go around solving crimes together. :)

Minnie, the librarian in charge of the bookmobile, discovers a dead man in the road. This leads her into an investigation of possible suspects in his murder. Her cat, Eddie, is her faithful companion and provides some nice diversions/humor to the main story line. I found the whole romantic portion of the story (Minnie's engaged and waiting for her fiance to finish the house they'll move into) a bit boring, however. I didn't really sense any chemistry between them. I'd say this was a typical cozy mystery, but it doesn't really stand out as one of the best I've read.

Great addition to a fantastic cozy mystery series. I really like this series, and this book was really good. I didn't guess the ending until just before the end so I like that! I really enjoy Minnie and Eddie's adventures and I look forward to the next book!

Checking Out Crime by Laurie Cass
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Publication Date: April 6, 2021

Checking Out Crime by Laurie Cass is the ninth book in A Bookmobile Cat Mystery series. I had not read the previous books in the series, but was able to read this as a standalone cozy mystery.

This was a fun cozy mystery and I enjoyed it. I thought the story was very interesting, the mystery was fascinating, and the characters were likeable.

I look forward to reading the other books in the series!

I'm so grateful to Laurie Cass, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Checking Out Crime (A Bookmobile Cat Mystery #9). By Laurie Cass. 2021. Berkley (ARC eBook).

On her bookmobile route, librarian Minnie Hamilton comes across the body of a town resident on the road. When a second body turns up, a bicyclist and deemed a murder, just like the first death, Minnie decides to do some sleuthing.

This is the first time reading Laurie Cass and overall I liked the story. There were several red herrings along with personal and professional changes happening that keep Minnie busy; and Eddie, the bookmobile cat, is amusing.

9th book in this mystery series

Minnie and her cat Eddie our out on deliveries in the bookmobile when they come upon a car speeding away down the road. When they come upon a dead bicyclists she assumes she just missed a hit and run.

Minnie is on the lookout for the driver of the car, but it turns out things are more complicated than they seem. It seems the driver isn’t going to stop with just one dead body. Is Minnie up for the challenge to solve this mystery.

I always love visiting with Minnie and Eddie on the bookmobile. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

This is my first A Bookmobile Cat Mystery and it will not be my last, in fact I have added books 1 through 8 to my wish list, in case anyone wants to buy me a birthday or Christmas present. :)

I had no idea who the killer was or the why they had done it until the reveal; this was very well written. I love that the book had a bit of romance, some interesting library problems, and a fantastic and caring aunt.

Can't wait to read more books from this author!

Love cozy mysteries and cats? Well then you're going to want to add this series to your to read list. It's fantastic!----
Minnie Hamilton is the town's bookmobile librarian near Chilson, Michigan. The town's folk always look forward to the books she brings. Things are going so well that her boss wants to add more hours.
I loved seeing her relationship with her rescue cat Eddie and his endless chorus of Mrrr's.
His cattitude will have you purring with delight. He's got his own mind and does what he wants.
While Minnie is all for bringing the books to those who want them but when she stumbles upon the body of a bicyclist whom she assumes is on the receiving end of a hit and run accident after she sees a car speeding from the scene.
She is doggedly determined to get to the bottom of this case.
Fast past very enjoyable book!
#CheckingOutCrime #NetGalley

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This series has captivated me since the first mystery, Lending a Paw. Checking Out Crime is another exciting novel with the very likable Minnie and her best buddy, Eddie, the gorgeous cat that adopted her when she moved to Chilson. It is a delight to learn more about Minnie and her friends who the author brings to life in the early autumn days of northern Michigan. I also enjoyed Minnie’s new friend, who I hope will be a very welcome addition in future mysteries. This mystery has numerous twists and turns that kept me actively engaged throughout.

Minnie has been the assistant librarian in Chilson for about three years. One of her accomplishments has been successfully getting a bookmobile that reaches people in the county who have few opportunities to come into town. It is also the part of her job that she loves the best. Eddie has been a regular on the bookmobile since stowing away on the maiden trip; enough children and adults have loved the feisty feline that the library sees how valuable he is.

Minnie and Julia are returning late from a bookmobile run and meeting. First, a speeding car almost sideswipes the bookmobile, requiring every skill Minnie has to keep it on the narrow road. Moments later, Minnie had to suddenly brake, not an easy fete either, but a man wearing bicycling attire was lying in the road and she didn’t want to hurt him. The wheels stopped two feet from the man, who had no signs of life. Minnie performed CPR until the EMTs arrived, but it was too late. When Eddie escaped from the bookmobile and ran into the woods, he led them to a bicycle that probably belonged to the dead man. They assumed at first that the man had a heart attack. The actual cause of death, however, was a fractured skull. Brown, a recent retiree, had been murdered. When another bicyclist was found dead, it quickly becomes one of the most complex crimes Minnie felt compelled to solve.

The characters couldn’t be improved on if one tried. Minnie is a pure delight; she is someone I would enjoy having as a friend. Her conversations with Eddie are fun to hear and reminiscent of some I have with my cats, even if his response is usually limited to mrr. In the absence of another human, Eddie provides a sounding board, who doesn’t hesitate to remind her who the superior being is. Him. I adore Eddie, without whom the series would just not be the same. Minnie rolls with the changes she is presented with and is very personable and intelligent. Her friends and beloved Aunt Frances are also defined as well as needed for their roles. I especially enjoyed meeting Tabitha this time, and hope we see more of her in the future!

For anyone who hasn’t read the series in order, the author provides sufficient backstories on Minnie and other characters. There is a perfect balance between the mystery, Eddie, and Minnie’s work and relationships. The mystery is finely plotted and executed with excellence. Plot twists lend a complexity that made the novel even more enjoyable, and Minnie’s collaboration with her “new” aunt brought another intelligent and fun person to the mix. This is one of the few times that I did figure out the solution before Minnie. Overall, I was very satisfied with the ending, and am looking forward to the next in series. I highly recommend this mystery and series!

I have read all the books in the bookmobile cat mysteries and they never disappoint. This one is probably one of the best in the series in terms of the murder mystery setting. No spoilers in this review!

Minnie Hamilton is stretched thin lately. Her job as bookmobile librarian is going very well, so much so that her new boss wants to add more hours and there is only one Minnie. When she stumbles across a dead body driving the beloved bookmobile, she learns that a well loved man with no enemies has been murdered. When another body turns up dead, Minnie is trying to put the pieces together before another person is killed. Again finding herself in harm's way, Minnie stops at nothing to solve the crime.

This book was extra wonderful with the addition of Tabitha Ingram, detective Ingram's wife. While she has not appeared in previous books, which we learn was deliberate on the detective's part, she is a delightful character and a definite match for Minnie in wits and curiosity. I do hope she starts to make regular appearances in the series.

Honorable mention goes to Mr. Eddie, Minnie's feline companion, and his never ending chorus of Mrr! Someday we will learn what goes on in that little brain of his. Until then I am happy to disappear into these mysteries for hours at a time. I do hope there will be more!

This book is part of a series and once again Minnie manages to solve the crime! I love her relationship with her cat Eddie. I can relate to both her love of books and cats! If you love both too you will enjoy this series!

Checking Out Crime: A Bookmobile Cat Mystery
By Laurie Cass
Berkley
April 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

Minnie Hamilton adores her job as the assistant director for Lower Michigan’s Chilson’s District Library. She loves even more driving the Bookmobile throughout the lakeshore town, and it’s a testament to her success that her boss and patrons are requesting additional stops throughout the week. While bookmobile cat Eddie serves as an added attraction for patrons and reluctant readers, Minnie and her bookmobile clerk Julia Beaton are already running themselves ragged with their current schedule. They are forced to make another unexpected stop when they come across the body of a bicyclist lying in the road as another car speeds away. Despondent after her attempts at CPR fail to revive the victim, Minnie is even more shocked to learn that the death of Brown Bernier was not due to an accident.

Minnie and Eddie have a history conducting their own side investigations into the crimes of their small town, but the lead detectives waste little time advising her to stay out of their way. That’s going to be impossible of course, not just because Minnie attempted to save Brown but because he happened to have been a friend of her own bestie’s father. At first it seems that the former City maintenance worker had no enemies and was beloved by all, but another death by bicycle indicates that something is definitely afoot. Further keeping Minnie occupied is a plea by her library assistant to intervene in his relationship with his girlfriend, not to mention Minnie’s own fluctuating living situation. Living on a houseboat is ideal only during the warm months of the year, and with her and her fiancé’s home still in the midst of construction her residential plans are definitely in flux and causing no small amount of stress.

This 9th in the series is an absolute delight as it allows readers to settle in and relax with the genial, supportive residents of Chilson. Minnie’s library staff have become a part of her family, which is why she struggles to make her bookmobile a success despite there being not enough resources nor time for her to do it without much needed help. Her one-sided consultations and conversations with Eddie are hilarious, as he responds with appropriately feline snores and the occasional purr. Minnie finds a new ally in the form of a detective’s retired, but still very capable wife, and Detective Hal Inwood may regret both introducing the women and ignoring their suggestions. The personal lives of Minnie and her friends are just as compelling as the mystery, which swerves on an unexpected path towards a very clever conclusion. Readers will revel in Minnie and Eddie’s bookmobile visits to loyal patrons, who reward her not only in praise but with information. Library lovers, cat aficionados, and cozy mystery fans will adore the latest in this always entertaining series.

I love this cozy series, and this is book 9 in the Bookmobile Cat series. Minnie is the librarian in small town Chilson, Michigan and she and her cat Eddie take out the bookmobile on a regular basis to the outlying area. One night they are heading home in the big rig when there is a body in the middle of the road, a hit and run. When another body turns up in town, both newly retired it seems someone is ridding the area of older citizens. Minnie can't let anyone else die so she and Eddie start investigating. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.