This book is everything a cozy mystery should be!
Fun characters, deceit, mystery, chemistry, antics, romance, charming townsfolk, cozy setting, etc!!
Vivid storytelling is the author’s strongpoint and she delivered it again.
I was so happy to have the opportunity to read this new cozy mystery since I enjoyed the author’s Mapleton series.

"There's no way there could have been a murder in this idyllic little town. Right?"

Wrong.

After a bit of a rocky start, I enjoyed Death Checked Out. It sure hit a lot of the cozy mystery marks -- murder, a small town, a job involving books, and a cat. Oh, a main character who likes to snoop in ways I don't have the courage to emulate.

I have to say the start of the Death Checked out concerned me. The writing seemed stilted, and everything was told and over-explained. I wasn't really enthused, but it felt like the author really got her feet underneath her, and everything flowed better.
I could nitpick word usage now and again. The quote I began with is not something I see anyone saying non--ironically, but it turned out to be a small issue as I got into the story.

Greta was a quite likeable main character, and I found her to be really sympathetic, especially when encountering friends in peril. Being a mystery, this happened a fair amount. I felt sadness about the murder victim, as well as a potential romance that was nipped in the bud as a result.

The small town midwest setting on a lake is pretty spot on. My credentials are I live in a small town where you can't throw a rock without hearing a splash a state over from the setting off this book. Greta explains quite convincingly and accurately how nothing is a secret, although she has a more benevolent outlook on her neighbors, at least for a while, than I do mine. Well, some of them.

Greta does tend to tell everyone everything anyhow. Everyone. Everything.

The detective investigating the case is set up to be a love interest, and I'm sorta here for it. They have nice chemistry, and I'd like to know more of his back story in future books, which I'm planning to read.

I figured out who done it instantly, as well as who else not to trust. I might be a genius. No, seriously, I think I've just read enough books that it popped out for me.

The book definitely ticks off the "sweet" or "clean" box. I don't like those terms, and it's not something I particularly seek out, but if that's what you like, here is a book for you. What I mean is that I think there's 0 swearing, and the potential romance isn't spicy not even in thought, let alone deed.

This is probably a 3.5 read for me that I'm rounding up to 4 because I can't deny I'm looking forward to the next installment. I can't give it higher because of that rocky beginning and a few small issues with the prose. And the title doesn't thrill me. Cover's cute!

If you are looking to spend time with the start of a very nice cozy series with a likeable heroine, a peaceful setting -- when the bodies aren't racking up -- a cat named Biff, and a stoic detective/cutie, I can recommend this.

"Larkspur Lane cut through the center of town like the spine of a storybook."

Let me start off by saying this book is written very well and the story is easy to follow. You get the MC's (Greta) POV throughout the entire book and because she is easy to relate to reading this book was very easy.

The descriptions of the town, the characters, and the surroundings allowed me to easily picture the story as I was reading through it - which I love. The town reminded me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls - a small town where everyone knows everyone.

I loved that Greta wanted to do what she could to help bring justice to her friends - it really speaks about the kind of person she is. The bond between the three female main characters was another aspect that I enjoyed. They had each other's backs and stayed true to each other.

As a homeschool mom I absolutely LOVED that one of the mothers in this story homeschools. It wasn't a large part of the story but I never see that talked about in fiction books. So that was a nice addition.

I thought I had things figured out but then there'd be a twist.. right up to the ending. Speaking of the ending... so heartwarming. I'd love to know more about Greta's life in Larkspur - and about the detective.

Definitely worth the read. Highly recommend.

I wanted to first say, Wisconsin unite! I’ve been living in Wisconsin for many years so when I saw this was placed in Wisconsin I was so excited. When a tragic accident happens Greta and her friends ban together to figure out that this death was no accident. What a great first book for this series. I am so excited to see where this goes!