I’m not sure why I requested this book. Some vague memory that the characters had been kind of sweet in the previous book.

And the cover of this book is adorable, of course.

It’s a few weeks after the events of the previous book and the town of Larkspur is coming to grips with that and with their next event: a Fall Festival to put the town on the map. That is until some acts of vandalism and a dead body ruin the day.

The description sounded interesting, but I had a hard time getting into this book. Greta I remember, and that she had two coworkers, but I forgot who’s who. The narrative is not helpful in figuring it out. At some point someone wants to talk about men and Iris pales. The other women commiserate, but Iris’ backstory is not explained. I sometimes get annoyed when there is too much exposition, but here there is too little.

Rather than do a quick recap of Iris’ misfortune at the end of the previous book, the story takes the opportunity to let Greta explain why she ran away from her previous job. Sure, the other women know what happened to Iris, but the reader doesn’t (when reading as a stand-alone) or may have only vague memories (when having read the previous book about a year ago).

It’s not just this instance: the only character that gets a bit of a backstory is Greta. It’s almost like the author doesn’t even like the other characters and they are only there for the greater glory of Greta.

I like to decide for myself who’s going to be my favourite character in a book. And Greta is not likely to be it. Despite being the author’s favourite, the show and tell don’t line up.

At one point it is mentioned that Greta isn’t reckless by nature. What is shown is that when the lights go out at a banquet, Greta takes it upon herself to search for a circuit breaker, in the dark, in a building she doesn’t know, without a flashlight and while there are people around who do know the building and/or have flashlights.

There might have been a point if Greta was one of the organisers and she felt somehow responsible, but she was a volunteer to help set up and a guest speaker. There are a few more examples where Greta acts without thinking of the consequences (which is the very definition of reckless behaviour).



Despite that Greta told detective McHenry - who she is not comfortable calling Mark, though she insists he must call her Greta - that she would not investigate, she and her two co-workers have compiled a list of three suspects:

Stewart Diddle, who was rather vocal about not liking tourists in his town;
Abby Daniels, deputy mayor, who took over the tasks of the mayor rather eagerly;
Rex Rossman, a journalist, who was invited to write about the town for a tourist magazine.

There’s also Oliver Jacobson, but despite his assertion he will ruin Ed Kennedy, owner of holiday cottages by Larkspur Lake, he’s not considered a suspect. Nor is the stranger that Greta heard arguing with the mayor.

Greta does mention that argument to detective McHenry, but rather than grill her about all the details of what she overheard and saw, they discuss why the mayor chose to ignore the fact Greta might have overheard her arguing with a person. I guess he didn’t feel comfortable slapping his notebook on the table during lunch.

By the way, using a lunch date for a witness statement? If McHenry was half the professional the narrative suggests he is the conversation following Greta’s “Do you want to grab lunch?” would have gone something like this:
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but if you have something important to tell me about the murder I am currently investigating, let’s step into my office first. You can tell me all about it without being interrupted by waiters or other patrons. We can grab lunch when I’m done asking questions.”

The book picks up a little in excitement in the latter quarter.

I feel like this was a good sequel to the series; it furthered the relationships between Greta and the townspeople and the mystery was intriguing but not too scary. I enjoy how light the mysteries are in her writing and feel like these books are a good introduction for someone wanting to branch out into the mystery genre. I really enjoyed Greta and McHenry's progression in their relationship specifically, and look forward to where it goes in the next book. The slow burn is nice, but throw a log on because I'm getting chilly! Overall, a cozy mystery story in a small town that was a nice palette cleanser between longer and more intense reads.

This is the second book in Leah Dobrinska's Larkspur Library series, set in Wisconsin.
Full of great fall vibes and set in a town I would love to call home, this was the cozy mystery I've been craving lately!

Librarian Greta Plank and the rest of the town are gearing up for Larkspur’s Fall Festival and regional tourism showcase which, if successful, will be a boon to the local economy. But disaster strikes and there's a dead body on the lawn when the reporter arrives. Mayhem ensues as vandalism and violence circulate through the town. Greta once again finds herself trying to solve the mystery and drawing closer to a certain protective detective.

The mystery was great and kept my interest to the end. I loved the various characters and seeing some of them deepen and develop since the first book.

I really enjoyed the progression of the relationship between Greta and the detective. I'll admit, when I met him in the first book I pretty much hated him at first, but I think the author wanted that, to develop the relationship. Now, I think I might have a little crush on him myself! Honestly, how can you not fall for a guy who confesses:

"I like books that read like Hallmark movies, okay? Real life can get a little chaotic, so I like the guaranteed happy ending of romance novels." -- Detective McHenry

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries and series like Aurora Teagarden (by Charlaine Harris).

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Mayhem in Circulation, the second installment of the Larkspur Library Mysteries, immerses readers in the charming town of Larkspur with its cozy fall vibes. Librarian Greta Plank faces a challenging task as she navigates a series of pranks escalating to murder on the day of a crucial tourism showcase. The narrative unfolds with a delightful mix of mystery, romance, and quirky characters. The author skillfully weaves a web of motives, keeping readers guessing until the surprising end. The small-town setting and relatable characters enhance the overall appeal. While not surpassing the excitement of the first book, the story retains its charm, offering a fun and engaging read. Fans of cozy mysteries with strong female leads and endearing side characters will find Mayhem in Circulation a delightful addition to the series, eagerly anticipating Greta's next adventure.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Okay so if I'm being honest, I chose this book because of the cozy fall vibes the cover gives off. It seemed right up my alley. The beginning was a little slower than I expected but it didn't take long for me too really get into the story. The cozy murder mystery vibes set in a small town with a hint of romance was just what I wanted. I didn't realize this was the second book in a series at first but once they referenced the first one a few times I really wished I had read it. I'll have to go back and read it soon because I really enjoyed this one. I definitely recommend for fans of cozy mysteries!

Thank you to publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a feel good mystery this is the book for you. The main character Greta is sweet and the book is full of rich characters.

I found myself loving all the supporting characters, Detective McHenry and her co-workers Josie and Iris. The mystery has plenty of suspects, and it's not something you figure out in the first few chapters. The town it's self, Larkspur, is another character, it's the type of town we all wish we lived in, it has that "Hallmark" movie town feel. A place you want to visit and be a part of.

The story starts out with Greta planning the fall festival, in hopes of impressing Rex Rossman a tourism journalist. However, that positive review looks unlikely when he witnesses a vandalism happing throughout Larkspur, coupled with finding the body of one of Larkspur’s own residents. It seems that someone want's to ruin Larkspur's reputation? Who is it? Greta enlists the assistance of her friends and fellow librarians to sleuth out the suspects, and uncover who has done this before they find another body.

I didn't realize this was the second book in a series, and excited to go back and read the first book. I am rooting for all the characters to eventually find their happily ever after. I hope the author continues to write about Greta and Larspur, they feel like book friends to me!

love a local festival as a plot point. it's giving harvest festival from parks and rec. i love the small town of it all and that she was a librarian

I loved the first book in the series as it was a change from the same characters and plots I came across in the books recently. However, as is often the case with book series, the second book unfortunately remains in the shadow of the first. I do not want to read another book with the same plot, but this was the case for Mayhem in Circulation. I know that it a mystery novel and how much can you deviate without shifting to another genre, but, at least I would have wanted to read that Greta is not meddling in everything. Granted, as this is a mystery so we should be on tenterhooks but somethings may happen to other people as well, like coming across a heated argument or hearing a phone call. Those as well can be shared with Greta, which in turn we would learn but no! You'd think, after coming back from the brink of death in the 1st book, she had learnt her lesson.

--- SPOILER ALERT!! ---

Alas, it must be Greta, who should go to the utility room to check the breaker after the blackout, without her phone or a flashlight on her, while wearing heels, in a building which she is neither the owner or in charge of. Only person she talks while she goes down to the basement is the owner of a catering company, not the detective, not the interim mayor, not her friends. Nobody! There is a killer on the loose and she has to be the one to solve the electricity problem. I know that we need to learn that there was somebody in the basement but this could easily be conveyed in another way, like Barry the club's custodian encountering that person. Or like, although hearing that she must stay put in the car during the stakeout, she must follow the person that is escaping, without taking precautions or having necessary training. Likewise, she doesn't know who the killer is but is sharing every bit of information she gathers or learns from the detective with every person in the town. According to the book, Greta is almost 30 years old but she is behaving like this is a YA novel. Additionally, can the characters please TALK ON THE PHONE??? Everybody is sending a message to everybody, even at the most crucial moments. Josie is Greta's best friend, she has responsibilities at the book sale tent, she is nowhere to be found, I repeat, THERE IS A KILLER ON THE LOOSE, so what does Greta do? She sends her BEST FRIEND a message, asking about her whereabouts, after being attacked the previous night herself, as if Josie's failure in fulfilling her responsibilities is a regular occurrence.

--- SPOILER ENDED ---

Also, I do not like when writers want to be contemporary while writing the books. Indeed, somethings like cancel culture or sourdough bread-making kick are recent happenings but if I read this book 10 years later, I would not understand what the writer was referring to.

Additionally, a person's surname is not a pet name. The writer uses "pet name" in two places, which, only one of them is true: babe. How is "Miss Plank" a pet name?

The book hints that the 3rd book would take place during the librarian conference but honestly I'm neither intriguied nor looking for it. If Leah Dobrinska didn't develop her characters in this book, I don't think she will in the 3rd one.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Leah Dobrinkska
Mayhem in Circulation
2023
4.5 Stars



Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Level Best Books for my copy of Mayhem in Circulation. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: Nancy Drew grew up and solves mysteries as a librarian in the small town Larkspur. It give off a 1980’s television series such as Murder She Wrote etc.

This is my first book by Leah Dobrinksa, however this book is part of a series and Mayhem in Circulation is book number two in the series.
In the book there is a lot happening, a murder, a kidnapping and an explosion to name some of the plot points. Greta the main character with her friends solve mysteries. The difference is Greta is a librarian. My main thought here was that Greta is such a nosey person sticking her nose where she shouldn’t and even manages to override McHenry time after time so she can solve the mystery.
I liked unique storytelling by the author. I found myself getting invested in the actual story which wasn’t flakey or unsubstantial, I wanted to know what nosey Greta was going to get herself into next. The book certainly lives up to its title.
I enjoyed this book mainly for the lightness of it, satisfyingly interesting and well built characters. I would like McHenry to be a stronger character though. Meaning I think he let Greta get away with too much. Maybe Greta is in the wrong job as a librarian? Seriously though, it was enjoyable read.

Literary Cozy Mystery in which a Wisconsin library director and her friends turn sleuths when the fall festival's threatened by the mayor's murder and a series of pranks.

5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Dobrinska's Larkspur Library Mysteries series, which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place during the fall in Wisconsin and features a library director. With plenty of twists and turns, Dobrinska's crafted a mystery that balances the suspects, clues and red herrings deftly and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, Dobrinska's characters re incredibly likable; I particularly love Greta's friend (and sleuthing) group. It's also great to check in with all the fine folks of Larkspur and I really like seeing Greta and McHenry's relationship continue to grow. Oh and as this takes place in autumn during the Fall Festival, there are plenty of comfy cozy feels and the small town atmosphere is at it's best. There are some sensitive situations that take place, so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick out book one, Death Checked Out.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Level Best Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

One morning as Greta Plank, director of the Larkspur Library, was coming into work, she notices that the city's garden landscape was destroyed. She mentioned this to Detective Mark McHenry as well as the mayor, Sandra Collins. The mayor was upset because this weekend a reporter from a Midwest magazine was coming to write an article about the town and the annual Fall Festival.
There was more vandalism and the reporter seemed to be hiding something, but when the mayor was murdered, it became more than some teenage pranks. So Greta and her librarians decided to help the police in getting to the bottom of the destruction and maybe even find out who wanted the mayor dead.
An enjoyable tale in the series of the Larkspur Library Murders, when once again Greta and friends get into the middle of the investigations with information that helps find the killer.
Thank you NetGalley and Level Best Books for this e-galley of "Mayhem in Circulation".

This was such a cute and cozy mystery! I really enjoyed the story, the small town vibes, and the romance between Greta and Detective McHenry. I didn’t realize it was the second book in a series, but I will definitely be checking out the first book soon! The setting of Larkspur and the towns fall festival made this a perfect fall read.

I bought the first book after being approved for this one and did not like it. The story was fine but the writing was unnatural and took me out of the story. However, I was pleasantly surprised that this book was an improvement in the first. The writing was much more natural and easy to read. I also really came to like Greta and was invested in her relationship with McHenry. I think the one thing that reads odd is that Greta shows very little sadness at the loss of the Mayor which is a bit of a distraction and does not read true to life. Overall I enjoyed this book and would read another in the series if released.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3 stars!

Mahem in circulation is a sequel to Death Checked out. The original gang is back together in this story to solve a murder. This was a good fall read because the story is surrounded by a fall festival, and you get all of the fall vibes. I enjoyed getting to see all of the characters again, but I found that they were lacking some of the original charm from the first book. The murder mystery aspect was well written to where I had an eerie feeling. It was hard for me to guess who the actual murderer was as I didn't like any of the suspects. Overall, I enjoyed this sequel and would recommend it.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. Despite reading, reviewing and liking the first book in the series, I found this one to be too slow, too wordy and awkward. Thank you for the opportunity.

A librarian solving mysteries? Count me in!

Mayhem in Circulation is the second book in the Larkspur Library Mysteries, a series that follows the main character Greta Plank, a librarian in a small Wisconsin town. When there is vandalism and a murder leading up to the town’s highly anticipated tourism showcase, she can’t help but become involved. Alongside her best friends, the charming Detective McHenry, and a cast of other charismatic characters, Greta sets out to uncover the truth behind the events that have unfolded in her normally peaceful town.

While I’m not a huge reader of mysteries, I was drawn to this one with the premise of a librarian MC solving the mysteries. Greta Plank knows how to do her research, and while at times she is idealistic, she is most importantly curious and driven. Her curiosity especially moves the plot forward, gliding the book smoothly between lulls and points of tension. However, if I had one word to describe the book, it would be cozy. Despite the premise around solving a murder-mystery, there are not many points in which there are high stakes, and it is easy to get sucked into the relationships of the townsfolk and the descriptions of the picturesque setting. Further, the romantic relationship developed between Greta and Detective McHenry felt authentic and soft. It had a slow build-up and instead of upstanding the mystery plot, it seemed like a reasonable development alongside it.

Overall, this was a pleasant read. It lacked a bit in character development – for both Greta and other characters – as well as “told” rather than “showed” some of the pieces coming together at the end of the novel, but for the most part, I enjoyed it. The book took me out of my head and had me relaxing into the world of Larkspur.

This book is the second of the Larkspur Library Mysteries, but I found that it can certainly be read as a standalone. I had not previously read Death Checked Out, the first in the series, and I did not think that it had an impact on my comprehension or enjoyment of Mayhem in Circulation. Now that I’ve read one book in the series, I would like to read the first or even a following novel to really see how certain relationships either came together or pan out in the future.

Thank you to Level Best Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced readers copy.

Fall festival feels in a small town, makes for one cozy setting. Add in a splash of murder and you have created some mayhem. Book two in the series takes us back to Larkspur, where we get a peek more into the lives of the librarians we have come to love. Greta and her gang try to solve the latest string of vandalism and a dead body before the sabotage takes over the town and leaves some of the local businesses questioning if they can continue.

I enjoy this book, not as much as the first one but I would 100% pick up the next book in the series to see what adventures await the librarians.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. This book hits the shelves December 5, 2023.

A fun new series of cosy mysteries set in a small town with a librarian heroine. The town is nicely portrayed and I think this series will run and run.

I really enjoyed this book! since I work at a library in circulation, it was a must read. I loved the characters and the cozy mystery in Larkspur. This was my first Leah Dobrinska book and will not be my last. I hope she continues the Larkspur mystery series.

MAYHEM IN CIRCULATION is the second book in the Larkspur Library Mysteries by Leah Dobrinska. The eye-catching cover invites the reader to enter and the heartwarming cozy mystery with a hint of sweet romance keeps them turning pages. The author has created core characters that readers will love—they are truly nice people, that care about each other, their customers, and their community. Protagonist Greta Plank is the town’s librarian and is lucky enough to have two best friends, Josie and Iris. Together they make a formidable trio, solving the murder of the mayor right before the start of Larkspur’s Fall Festival. The author’s strong descriptive voice brings the town and the festivities to life and I like how she weaves in the age-old debate of pro tourism vs. remaining the same quaint, quiet town.

The mystery is well-plotted and moved at a fast enough pace. I was more invested in getting to know the charming characters (and following the sweet interaction between Greta and McHenry) than I was finding out whodunit. Yet Ms. Dobrinska had the clues in place and enough suspects to keep the armchair detective guessing. I highly recommend this cozy fall-themed mystery while snuggled up in an armchair with a plushy blanket and a mug of hot cocoa!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own