Death Checked Out is a delightful, cute cozy mystery that charmed me from start to finish. Leah Dobrinska has created a quaint small-town setting and a cast of characters that feel like old friends by the end. The plot is engaging, with just the right mix of intrigue and heartwarming moments. As a librarian, this book brought back fond memories of reading Leaf Man to my students—it has that same cozy, comforting feeling wrapped up in a clever mystery. If you're looking for a light, entertaining whodunit with lovable characters, this book is a perfect pick. Highly recommend!

Unfortunately, this book didn't hold my attention. I DNF'd early in the book, and I couldn't get back into it. Thank you NetGalley and the author for the digital copy.

Unfortunately this book didn't snag my attention like I'd hoped. DNF @ 20%.

This book is cute and cozy and uncomplicated.

Thanks you Netgalley for my complimentary e-arc. All opinions here are my own.

Greta is the newish librarian in town and when she finds her neighbor dead, she finds herself needing to solve the mystery! I loved how this book has a ton of characters, but they were introduced with so much personality that it was easy to keep everyone straight. The twist at the end had me wanting to speed up the audio so I could listen faster. I immediately picked up book 2.

Thanks to the author for a digital copy. All opinions are my own.

What is better than a book with a librarian main character and a bunch of book puns? I enjoyed this very cozy mystery, where we follow a small town rocked by a murder. There's a new detective in town who is trying to solve it and he points the finger at the town librarian who always seems to be there when trouble happens. The small town dynamics are lovely and the dialogue is smart and fun. The characters are warm and real. The town is a character. I'm excited for the next book in the series!

I enjoyed This book. It was well written. I was able to engage with characters and plot. I would Read another book by this author and I recommend This book

A cozy mystery that centers around librarians? Yes, please!

This was such a cute cozy mystery! It was the perfect book to read between heavier reads. I'll absolutely be picking up more books in this series.

I loved the town, with its quirky little shops, and all the characters. Our grumpy MMC, Detective Mark McHenry, was fun and I really liked our FMC, Greta. I didn't predict the ending, which is super rare for me in a cozy mystery so that was a huge plus. I don't know that it broke any new ground, but it left me happy and I found myself smiling as I read it.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Get ready to cozy up with a captivating whodunit in 'Checked Out for Murder' by Leah Dobrinska. Greta Plank's idyllic life takes a sinister turn when she stumbles upon a dead body in her small lakeside town. As suspicions swirl and Greta finds herself at the center of the investigation, she embarks on a quest to clear her name and uncover the truth behind the murder. With wit, charm, and a keen eye for detail, Greta delves into the town's secrets, relying on her librarian instincts to piece together clues and unearth hidden motives. 'Checked Out for Murder' is a delightful blend of mystery and humor, filled with quirky characters and clever plot twists that will keep readers guessing until the final page. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, this charming tale proves that when in doubt, the library is always the best place to start unraveling a mystery.

I don’t even know where to begin, except to say that I was entertained once again NetGalley! Glad I was honored with this ebook ARC! #forevergrateful

I absolutely love small town mysteries, especially when they're about libraries! I honestly think this is the first book I've ever read that was set in Wisconsin and I adored the writing style. This was a great start to a cozy mystery and I absolutely look forward to what this series will be like going forward and what other mysteries the town of Larkspur has to offer.

I think i tried to read this at the wrong time and im glad i waited. I wanted a book to pass time travelling and it was easy and accessible to come in and out of.

3.5 stars

This book was cute, but it had trouble keeping my attention. I really loved the cover of the book and the concept, but the characters were just so simple. Greta reads like she’s 80 years old instead of in her 30s.
I don’t think I would continue reading this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Greta is the library directory in Larskspur and has befriended her older neighbor. When she stops in she finds him dead and she has become the prime suspect. She takes it upon herself to work on the case without the newest detective finding out.

I liked that the main character was a librarian and all the elements that came along with that. Especially the ending, but those are reading goals. The side characters were great and added to the story. I think the new detective is meant to be a love interest, but I didn't get that vibe from the two characters.

I enjoyed the pacing of the story and the build up. I didn't see the ending coming.

This is the first book in a new series by the author and I will be reading the second book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I never read a mystery set in a small town, but it's such an intriguing concept I need to read more like this! It's such a funny twist to the common mystery trope, since in such a small town, everyone knows and is invested in everyone's business, making a mystery seem all the more "mysterious" lol. The characters were well-rounded and complex, making me interested in their story from the very first page.

This was a delightful cozy mystery, with all of the pieces I had hope it would have. The small town atmosphere made it even more fun, and the cast of characters was fun.

I am delighted to have received an ARC copy of Death Checked Out by Leah Dobrinska, courtesy of NetGalley. This cozy mystery is a must-read for anyone who loves snuggling up with a hot drink and a blanket on a rainy autumn day. From start to finish, this book captivated me with its perfect storyline and well-rounded characters, making it the best cozy mystery I've read in a long time. I eagerly await any future releases by this talented author, as she has once again delivered an outstanding read.

Leah Dobrinska has truly outdone herself with Death Checked Out. This cozy mystery takes place in the idyllic north woods, providing a picturesque backdrop for the lovable characters and intriguing mystery. From the first page, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The ongoing investigation kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to uncover the truth alongside the characters. I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of this book - you won't be disappointed. And let's not forget the stunning cover, which is an added bonus. I can't wait to dive into the next installment in this series. Happy reading!

Leah Dobrinska's self-description as a small-town romance and cozy mystery author couldn't be more accurate. She has a knack for creating engaging stories that transport readers to charming locales and keep them enthralled until the very last page.

The cover of Death Checked Out is a delightful mix of brightness and quirkiness, providing a captivating contrast to the ominous title. It immediately caught my attention and drew me into the story.

The protagonist, Greta Plank, is a director at the local library who finds herself entangled in a series of unfortunate murder attempts. Some are successful, while others thankfully fail. As she becomes a potential suspect, Greta sets out to clear her name and seek justice for her deceased friend, leading her on a thrilling investigation. Along the way, she uncovers hidden family connections, searches for a rare book, interviews estate investors, and narrowly escapes danger.

The characters in Death Checked Out are wonderfully multi-dimensional, each bringing their own unique traits to the story. The dynamics between them either complement or clash, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

The plot of this book had me hooked from the beginning, and I was constantly kept guessing. The true culprit took me by surprise, as there were no obvious signs pointing to them until the reveal. Reading this book felt like solving the mystery alongside the narrator, and it was an enjoyable and satisfying experience.

I only noticed a few minor errors throughout my reading, but they did not detract from the overall smoothness of the narrative. The descriptions and dialogue flowed effortlessly, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the mystery and connect with the characters' emotions.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Death Checked Out, I was slightly disappointed by the lack of closure regarding the potential romance between the detective and librarian, as well as the undisclosed reason behind the detective's move from Chicago. However, I suspect these loose ends may serve as a setup for a possible sequel, which I eagerly anticipate.

In summary, Death Checked Out is a five-star read that delivers an engaging storyline, compelling characters, and a satisfying mystery. Leah Dobrinska's writing talent shines through, making this book a must-read for fans of the cozy mystery genre. I highly recommend adding it to your reading list.

Exactly what I was expecting. An easy read, with a loveable set of characters and a cosy setting. An overall nice book.

Great new series. I'm a sucker for anything with librarians as the main character. This book had an intriguing storyline. Murder, librarians, and even a "budding" friendship between Greta and McHenry. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

This book was the perfect cozy mystery. Greta was a great character with depth and amazing character develop. I loved following her solve the mystery of Franklins murder and didn’t see the ending coming. I can’t wait to pick up the second book in the series.

For some reason this book took me forever to read. Like most first in the series cozy mysteries it followed the typical the main character is accused of the murder format. Which having read a lot of cozy mysteries…I don’t mind that at all. But my goodness this book was hard to get into. With that being said I didn’t completely hate it. I liked that the main character works at a library and books were a park of the story. I like the main character Greta and her co-worker/friends at the library. I even liked the grumpy detective. My main problem was how long it took the story to actually get interesting. It was for me at least very slow and honestly didn’t not pick up until the last 80-100 pages of the book. I didnt fully guess the who done it at the end which was a surprise. But again I think this book would have benefited from being a bit shorter.
So not my favorite book but it also was the worst book. It was just ok.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the digital copy!

*I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*