Tongues Wag…
The third Lakeside Library mystery - Summer has descended upon Lofty Pines and, with it, the Summer bookclub. As tourists flock the bookclub swells but when a member is discovered dead tongues begin to wag. Lily, it seems, was murdered and the killing horribly mirrors the bookclub’s present choice of read - Agatha Christie’s Sparkling Cyanide. With an eclectic cast of characters, a plethora of suspects, a fun and frothy plot peppered with red herrings and an ideal setting this cosy mystery is a worthy addition to the series to date.

This was a fast fun read. I have not read any of the earlier books and had no trouble picking this up and understanding the plot. The setting is fun, a lakeside town in Wisconsin of which I know never little. Sounds like a great place to vacation! The story starts with a book club meeting and we are introduced to quite a few characters in a few pages. I did feel like I had to go back and reread this to see who they were, later in the book. The crime is solved by librarians Rain and Julia. When they find a member of the book club dead they dive headfirst into the investigation much to the displeasure of local cop, Jace, who is Julia's brother and Rain's potential boyfriend. There is a great red herring side plot which keep me guessing who the true killer was. An enjoyable read.

Rain Wilmot has decided to bring back the book club previously run by her mother. Along with her other staff of the small library in a scenic Wisconsin location, the group decides to read and discuss Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie. But after a contentious first meeting, one of their members is found poisoned. Is it coincidental that the plot of the Christie novel involves poisoning?

Each of the members of the group are a suspects. Including Rain. So, she and her partners set out to investigate and find the murderer. They learn that the murder might be connected to a long ago accident on the lake. But was it really an accident? And is the current murder an act of revenge?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing style is crisp and enjoyable. The plot is well thought out. The characters are fun to follow. My only criticism...and it's a minor one...is having the main character named Rain. Every sentence that started out with her name made me think it was a reference to precipitation! But that aside, I think this was a lovely book.

A very catchy cozy mystery, "Read to Death at the Lakeside Library"by Holly Danvers and I can't wait for the next one.

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Read to Death at the Lakeside Library
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Holly Danvers
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 08 August 2023

“ Α cozy mystery set in α library in an original log cabin. Two of my favourite things! ” - @dupuisshowreads

This novel is the perfect way to end your summer! Yep, add this one to your Summer TBR list if you like α cozy mystery series with stunning library settings, enjoyable characters, and plot twists.

The story is set in Lofty Pines, Wisconsin and sees Rain Wilmot as the owner of the Lakeside Library. With best friend Julia Reynolds by her side, Rain resurrects her mother’s summer book club. The first meeting does not go as planned and we see α guest leave early. Upon visiting the guest the next day, she is found murdered in α similar fashion to the character in the novel they were discussing the night before. Can they find out what happened before someone gets away with murder?

Adventure and investigation ensues, allowing the reader to embark on α wonderful read with a delightful cast of characters in α fun setting. I was unaware this was part of a series, and I did not read any previous titles, however the book does not suffer because of this. Danvers does an excellent job filling in the character's backgrounds for the reader, so I found it works well as a standalone. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC!

Another awesome addition to this series. In this book the library starts a bi-weekly book club and they start with a mystery. Soon after the first meeting, one of the participants is found dead and Rain and Julia feel obligated to help solve the crime. The clues lead back to the murderer being a participant in the book club. I enjoy this series cause it dives in to how confusing grief can be and how it is a mix of emotions. Rain takes strides in this book in her personal life and I was very happy for her. The one thing I didn't like at all was how transparent Jace seemed to be with the women but it was not reciprocated. instead they hid things from him because they didn't understand how all the evidence fit or they weren't sure it was evidence and I would prefer because he is a part of both their lives the they worked together with him better and were more honest.
My favorite thing was getting to read "true dat" in a cozy mystery. Thank you to Net gallery for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

It's summertime at the lakeside library! Time for sipping flavored waters on the deck, floating on the calm waters in a pontoon, watching the sun set gracefully over the woods while discussing Agatha Christie with a group of like-minded mystery fans... only this time the mystery hits a bit close to home.

When one of the lakeside library readers group members is found dead at her cabin just a few doors down from the library, Rain and Julia feel the need to get to the bottom of the mystery. Could Lily have killed herself after receiving a devastating diagnosis? Or did someone help her along? With Lofty Pines PD having no detectives on staff, only a reenactment and some research by the library ladies can dig up the truth.

The setting of this series is one of my favorites. I love a serene lake setting for any kind of novel, it can be cozy and romantic, it can be relaxing, and it can be spooky and dramatic. The lake was definitely dramatic in this book! I also absolutely adore the library. The characters in this book are also a lot of fun, Rain and Julia are friends from way back and Julia's husband Nick is supportive, helping out when the ladies want to go investigating. Unlike many male love interests in cozy-dom, Nick isn't overprotective and constantly telling them to stay out of things.

There's still a bit of awkwardness in some of the dialogue and an impression of some things being padded a bit, but I think the author is really hitting her stride with the series, each book being better than the one before. I compare this series to Lucy Lawrence's Decoupage series, nice lake setting with the main character making her living doing something really fun.

This series is definitely worth a read, even more so if you (like me) spent any part of your summers growing up (or grown up) on a lake (or dream of spending your summers on a lake or just like the water).

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

This is the third book in the Lakeside Library Mystery series. I read it as a standalone since I hadn’t read any of the prior books. I didn’t feel like I missed anything in the series except some of the background on the other mysteries the girls had solved and the death of Rain’s husband. I did really like this book, it was cozy, and I always love a cozy mystery that takes place with a library. Throw a dog in the mix, and you can’t go wrong. I do think that the three different storylines for why Lily would’ve been murdered got a little bit convoluted and one of them was probably unnecessary.

Likes

References to Agatha Chritie
The cozy setting of a log cabin turned library

Dislikes

The note… and then trying to find the culprit with handwriting; why would someone leave a note? and why wouldn’t they disguise their handwriting?

Rain Wilmot is the owner of a small lake side library in Lofty Pines, Wisconsin. She starts a summer book club, and things get heated between two members while the group are discussing a book by Agatha Christie, One of the club members is murdered shortly after the meeting and her death is eerily similar to the book they were just discussing, Rain and best friend Julia can't help but try and find clues to help Julia's police officer brother Jace find a killer. This was a nice light cozy. It had mystery, mayhem, a loveable dog, and a little romance blossoming between Rain and Jace. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

Love this so much!! Very well written, I couldn't put it down. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could! I love that it is part of a series, but can be read separately (although I will be reading the other ones). Thank you for the opportunity to read this one and congratulations.

I posted this on Goodreads and Instagram (I posted the links below):

I received this one as an ARC from NetGalley and I am so glad that I did. This is the perfect cozy mystery that you won't want to put down.

It starts with Rain, getting ready to kick off the first book club meeting. While discussing their current book, things get a little heated, leading to everyone deciding to call it a night. However, the next morning, Rain isn't happy about how things went with another member, Lily, so Rain and her best friend Julia decide to pay Lily a visit. However, the visit takes a turn for the worse when Lily is found lying on the floor. As being the last ones to see her alive, the whole book club is taken in for questioning, leaving everyone to wonder what the motive was and could there really be a killer among their book club.

Great story, with some romance, and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a cozy mystery. This is a cute fun read. It has enjoyable characters. Rain and Julia are cohorts that can't help themselves-trying to figure out the mystery. 3.5 stars

Sweet story, light mystery. A charming summertime read for readers who like their plots and characters simple with nice scenery. The library setting will appeal to those readers who love small town libraries. It's helpful not to have too high of expectations for this book, otherwise you'll be disappointed. The writing is basic, so the story is basic, but if you're looking for something you can read easily and don't need a lot to happen, this could be your book. Even for cozy mysteries, this one is sleepy-cozy.

Holly Danvers is one of my new absolute favorite cozy mystery authors. I've read all of the books in this series thus far and this one is by far my favorite.

Rain and Julia are an excellent pair of friends and sleuthing buddies. They're so very clever and genius about figuring things out.

They have a great way of finagling answers out of people without being pushy and rude.

Julia and Nick are such a cute married couple. Both of them are as sweet as pie.

Jace is just fantastic as a character and I loved all of the surprises in this book. It made my heart so happy! I'm excited for the next book.

Wonderful characters, world building, and I loved the mystery itself. So many twists and turns.

I enjoyed it immensely. I highly highly recommend this book and all of the previous books in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers, and to the author for the ability to read and review the book. All opinions are honest and completely my own.

Rain Wimot is running the lakeside library in Lofty Pines, Wisconsin. She is excited to host the first book club group discussion on Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie.

Then the next day Lily from the book club is discovered murdered by poison. Could it be someone in the book group is a murderer?

Rain and her best friend Julia will look at all the clues and investigate to figure out who the murder is. I like how they try and re-enact the book club just like they did in the book.

This is first book that I have read by this author and even though this is third in series it works as a stand alone. I was drawn to this book as it gives off Agatha Christie vibes, has a book club, library and takes place in Wisconsin. I enjoyed all the Green Bay Packer references and history of the old fashion drink and recipes in the back of book.

This was a fun addition to the series! This book uses an Agatha Christie book as its inspiration for the plot line. The mystery itself wasn't all that exciting to me, but I adore the setting, characters, and the light romance of this series.

This is the first time I have read this author. I really enjoyed this cozy. Rain and Julie are the amateur sleuths with Marge adding whatever she can to help figure who did it. as Jace, the police officer and Julie's brother says when you put Rain and Julie together , they are trouble. This begins with the Lakeside Library's first book club meeting. They are discussing Agatha Christie's Death by Cyanide.After discussing the book Lily ,one of book club members goes home and is murdered. Who finds her but Rain and Julie. The sleuthing begins. A Very Good Cozy.

If I could find a genie to grant me 3 wishes, they would be good books, good food and good friends. I hVe found my genie. She is Holly Danvers. Her book has all my wishes plus a murder mystery. I thank her immensely.

The Lakeside Library continues to be a welcoming place for readers. Greater character development and a fast-paced plot make this latest entry the strongest one yet. A new mystery shines light on a cold case from the past which adds depth and intrigue.

Rain Wilmot runs the small Lakeside Library in Lofty Pines, a cosy town in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Her best friend Julia and Marge, an older lady help her out at the library. Rain starts a book club with the first novel being "Sparkling Cyanide" by Agatha Christie. However, the next day, after the book club meets and has a heated discussion based on the book a member of the club turns up dead. Rain and Julia then take it upon themselves to search around and find out who the murderer is before another member turns up dead.

This is the third instalment of the series, however I read this as a stand-alone and it was perfect. It was a quick, cosy mystery, perfect to read on a night in. I loved all the characters, especially the friendship between Rain and Julia and their slightly humorous sleuthing. There was also a lot more depth to the story than I thought there would be as well, with a mix of romance, grief, fear (for Marge's health) yet with all this it still stays light-hearted and is generally a really enjoyable read. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series.

An enjoyable read in a charming setting. It's lovely taking the imagination to a library in an old cabin next to a lake. I sometimes wonder about the smarts of some people but that is my pet peeve and does not take away from the all round enjoyment. I received this as an advance reader copy from the author via NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.