While I like cozy mysteries, I also equally like a smart character who knows their detective gimmicks fairly well. However, what I found here was amateur sleuthing.

The plot and mystery was well written but it wasn't a page turner for me. What it did deliver on was a a bunch of winter, hot drink in hand, library style coziness.

Those who enjoy amateur detective mysteries will find a lot of fun to this mystery.

Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library is the second book in this lakeside library themed cozy mystery series by Holly Danvers.

Rain is settling in at the lake full time and keeping the library open in the winter for the locals and any winter visitors.
An ice fishing contest and a type of chili cook-off are the backdrop to the latest mystery and I found the setting vivid and fun.
The icy Wisconsin winter, the cozy warm library, cracking fireplaces and steaming mugs. These were the highlights of the story for me. I want to visit Lofty Pines asap.

The mystery was effective as well. A man is found dead and the husband of Rain's best friend is a suspect. Rain and Julia do their best to solve the mystery and keep Nick out of trouble.
I didn't enjoy Julia and Rain quite as much as the first book, but I thought the puzzle was a fun one to follow and the resolution was clever.

If you are looking for a smart cozy in a vivid setting, I highly recommend this series.

I want to thank NetGalley, Crooked Lanes and Holly Danvers for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book and allowing me to give an honest review.

Holly Danvers crafts a charming and frosty whodunit in her second Lakeside Library Mystery, "Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library." Set against the backdrop of a Wisconsin winter, cozy log cabins, and the allure of a quaint library, this icy murder mystery is a delightful addition to the genre.

Rain Wilmot, the warm-hearted librarian, finds herself entangled in a chilling murder mystery during the annual Ice Fishing Jamboree when local man Wallace Benson is found dead in his ice shanty. As the prime suspect becomes Rain's friend Nick, her sleuthing instincts kick in, and she dives into the mystery, uncovering clues hidden within the library's shelves.

Danvers masterfully combines the cozy atmosphere of Lakeside Library with the suspenseful elements of a murder investigation. The vivid descriptions of the wood stove, log cabin, and the aromatic shelves of books create a warm and inviting setting, providing a delightful contrast to the icy crime that takes place.

The narrative unfolds with a culinary twist as Rain recalls Benson borrowing cookbooks for the fishing tournament's communal "chili dump." The enigmatic note left by Benson adds an intriguing layer to the investigation, keeping readers guessing and invested in solving the puzzle. The small-town charm and the camaraderie between Rain and her friends Julia and Jace add depth to the story, creating a sense of community that enhances the overall appeal.

The plot is well-paced, and Danvers skillfully introduces a cast of suspects with plausible motives. The exploration of family dynamics and personal vendettas adds complexity to the mystery, providing readers with multiple threads to follow. The culinary angle, involving the annual chili event, offers a unique and engaging element that elevates the story beyond a typical murder mystery.

While "Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library" is an enjoyable and well-crafted cozy mystery, some readers may find certain plot points and character motivations slightly predictable. However, the charming setting and the likable cast of characters compensate for any minor shortcomings.

In conclusion, Holly Danvers' Lakeside Library Mystery series continues to deliver a delightful blend of cozy charm and intriguing mystery. "Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library" is a cozy culinary whodunit that keeps readers hooked until the last page. Cozy mystery enthusiasts will undoubtedly relish this winter-themed addition to the Lakeside Library series.

Title: "Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library" by Holly Danvers - A Cozy Small-Town Escape

Rating: ★★★☆☆

"Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library" by Holly Danvers is a charming and heartwarming tale set in the small town of Lakeside. The story revolves around Carrie, a dedicated librarian, and her mission to save the beloved local library from budget cuts and potential closure.

Holly Danvers' writing creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in Lakeside, filled with a strong sense of community and a love for books. The characters are endearing, and their camaraderie adds authenticity to the narrative.

While the book offers a cozy and comforting reading experience, it follows a predictable storyline and lacks some depth in character development. It's a delightful escape for fans of small-town stories and the enduring love of books.

I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this heartwarming novel.

Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library is the second story to feature Lofty Pines library owner Rain Wilmot and her lifelong friend Julia. Everything is going well in Rain's life, until the body of one of the library's patrons is found in his ice shanty during the Ice Fishing Jamboree.
When Julia's husband Nick is accused of the crime, Rain and Julia launch their own investigation to find the killer and clear Nick's name. From then on, the mystery deepens as the girls uncover more suspects, some with very good motives to kill.
An excellent mystery novel, very well designed, with a very attractive cover and strong and very human characters.
Another Holly Danvers hit!
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

This was an great read. Different from some but packed full of action from the very start. I enjoyed the amazing characters and the wild winter weather. Worth buying and reading.

The characters were well-developed, and I found myself invested in their lives. The plot was well thought out and had enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat. I appreciated the attention to detail, and the author did a great job of creating a vivid world that was easy to picture in my mind.
The themes explored in the book were thought-provoking and gave me a lot to consider. The story had a great message and was inspiring, leaving me feeling uplifted and motivated. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story with well-developed characters and a powerful message.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with this book and would definitely read it again. It was a great addition to my reading collection, and I can't wait to see what else this author has in store.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

This is the second entry in this cozy series. I was drawn to it by the title as it included one of my favorite words, library! And this one is set in a log cabin! This title can easily be read without having read the first book.

This story features librarian Rain, her fronds and a very cold Wisconsin winter. Someone is dead after an ice fishing incident. Who murdered Wallace Benson? What connection, if any, is there to some titles that he recently took an interest in at the library? What is the meaning of Benson’s note to Rain? Is a friend of Rain’s who was the last to see the victim the murderer? Answering these questions will keep readers turning the pages.

This wintery title may be just the thing as readers wait for spring to arrive.Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

I am quickly learning that I just love cozy mysteries! A fun, relatively short, and mysterious read that I actually found to be really engaging! I read through this pretty quick and honestly found that I loved all of the characters! Julia had her dumb moments, but I felt it was just part of her “go with the flow” personality. I loved Rain and I adored her blossoming relationship with Jace that I’m dying to find out more about so I will honestly probably pick up the others in this series!
The only thing that truly bugged me was that Danvers overused the word “acquiesced”. I normally don’t hyper-fixate on overused words but I found this one to be really annoying.

I got this book as an e-ARC from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Two of my favorites in one, mysteries and books. I liked the writing and thought the characters were well drawn. Jumping into this series on the second book was not a detriment but now I’m curious enough to pick up the first book.

Adorable little cozy mystery that will keep you entertained and intrigued until the very end. I loved trying to guess the plot in the story in the culprit and overall had a great time reading it I would highly recommend this if you’re into cozy mysteries of any sort and want a quick escape from the real world.

Rain has decided to remain permanently in Wisconsin, residing in a log cabin and working in the Lofty Pines Library which is adjacent to her new home. Winter is Wisconsin is nothing to sneeze at, but Rain decides to keep the library open during the winter to give the residents of Lofty Pines something to do during the long, cold and bitter winter. Things seem to be going along as planned until a local is found dead during the fishing tournament. Suddenly, Rain’s life and that of her friends is turned upside down. Rain and Julia, whose husband is accused of the murder, immediately go into sleuthing mode. This is a great cozy mystery read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The setting of the book was enticing, and the characters are well-developed and easy to like. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review this book!

I really enjoyed this cozy! I loved Rain's continued sleuthing in this one and the setting is absolutely perfect. I am so excited to continue reading this series and have already recommended it to many customers~!

That sing-song voice was very creepy in my head, reminded me of Jack Nicholson in The Shining. Another fun mystery in the Lakeside Library mystery series. I am excited to find out whose boots Rain recognized. I am glad that the library crew is back together again and keeping the Lofty Pines library open during the winter. Looking forward to book #3.

I loved the change of seasons from the first book to this book. The winter setting definitely gave the story a different dimension. The descriptions made me feel like I was in the middle of a Wisconsin winter with all of the snow and cold weather. Rain and Julia are great main characters and rely on each other when things get tough. Julia does talk Rain into doing some things that are questionable, but she is distraught over her husband being charged with murder. The conclusion to the mystery had a unique twist that I didn't see coming. Overall a very good book.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I liked this book and disliked it all at the same time. The setting is creative, and the mystery starts off well. My issue is with the behavior of Rain's friend, Julia, whose husband is a murder suspect. I get the whole roller coaster of emotions. That does not mean acting like an idiot is acceptable. I am also not interested in a long, drawn out love triangle. I will give book three a try and hope the characters have more common sense.

This is an excellent cozy mystery series! Much more depth than many others I've read. In this installment, I particularly loved the attention to how we all interact with each other... how each person is connected and has an impact in the lives of others. I'm also hooked into the potential love triangle. Can't wait for the next one! Who was at the door???

It was nice to return to Lofty Pines and visit with Rain and her friends. The descriptions of the cold and snow had me shivering even though the temperature outside was close to 100 degrees.

I found the descriptions of the ice fishing shanty process very interesting and I love the idea of a chili dump.

The closeness of Rain and her friends make me want to be able to visit the library.

Cosy mysteries are a very interesting and comforting genre, with a tad bit of suspense and a lot of entertainment, and this second book in this new cosy mysteries series does all that!

We get dropped into the life of our protagonist, Rain Wilmont, and get to visit Lofty Pines again and explore the town with her. The context around the murder itself was so fun to read in this one, as well as the character's interactions and relationships!

If you love cosy mysteries, this is a must-read! And if you don't know where to start with the genre, this series might get you there too,

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC!