I was not previously familiar with the Haunted Library Mystery series when I picked up Booked on Murder, the 8th and final installment. I believe this book could be read as a stand alone, the mystery is self-contained, however, it is clear that Allison Brook is bringing back a large cast of characters. I think perhaps I would've felt more drawn into the story if I were already connected to this group, as it was, it felt a bit like a laundry list of acquaintances.

I found it difficult to feel connected to or absorbed into this book. I believe this is in part due to so much of the writing being very procedural, (we went here, we did this, then we went here and did this, then we told someone everything we just did). Additionally, though there were ghosts present on several occasions in this book, I did not feel like they did anything to move the plot forward. They were just sort of there, and perhaps this is again me missing callbacks to past books, but it didn't help with my overall experience of a disjointed, very procedural read. Lastly, without spoilers, I did feel like there were a few pieces that were tied up very superficially at the end of this book, which left me surprised that it was the final book in the series. Perhaps fodder for a spinoff?

Thank you to Allison Brook and Crooked Lane books for the ARC of Booked on Murder in exchange for an honest review.

The eighth book in a series, Booked on Murder by Allison Brook is filled with many twists in the plot, keeping the reader guessing what will happen. Since I had not read the previous seven, I was at a disadvantage keeping up with all the characters. However, definitely interested in going back to read the others. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you are looking for a finely crafted piece of crime fiction, this book will be disappointing. It is also not really cosy, despite the cute cat and library setting. This is not a bad novel to read in bits while waiting in lines or babysitting. The plot is pretty easy to follow, just complicated enough without requiring long sustained attention. The bad guys are fairly obvious, the obligatory sleuth knocked out while snooping scene is in here, and the sleuth manages to suspect almost everyone except the real bad guy. Also, the sleuth, Carrie, gets married in this book. If you have followed this series since the first book, you may appreciate the several chapters of the wedding itself, but if you are hoping to dive into the series on this book, the 8th in the series, the wedding takes up way too much space and feels tacked on to the end of an already finished light crime novel. I do know people for whom this would be a good recommendation that they might enjoy, but I did not particularly enjoy this book. I did like the cat though.

It took me a long time to get into this one. I picked it up, put it down, picked it up, and then finally was able to really get into it. I don't think it was anything against the author; the book is very well written, it just wasn't as fast paced as some of the books I've been reading lately. I did get wrapped up into the finding of a diary from "witch "hanging days in the library and the sudden interest two specific people showed the diary. I also found it interesting that the main character, Carrie, is able to see and speak to ghosts. Being that I enjoy the show "Ghost Whisperer", it was nice to see that one of Carrie's dearest friends is a ghost. Once the adventure and crime stopping was underway, u was sucked in. All in all, a good book.

Booked on Murder is the with and final book in Allison Brook's Haunted Library Mystery series. Librarian Carrie Singleton is preparing to finally marry her long time love Dylan. As luck would have it she is pulled into another murder investigation. She must juggle murder investigations along with buying a new home and final wedding plans. I have really enjoyed this series. I was very sad to read at the end of the book that it will be the final. But I look forward to reading any books written by Allison Brook in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When the last of a series hits your queue, it's bittersweet. Booked on Murder, the 8th and final Haunted Library Mystery written by Allison Brook, was delightful and classic. A conflict between several people over a hidden treasure that suddenly appears, and then one of them dies. Who is the killer? Toss in the much-awaited wedding of the protagonist and her detective-ish boyfriend, and you've got a winner. Good mystery. Clever side stories. Lots of romance and conclusion to years of wonderful sleuthing and relationship-building. Really happy with this series and curious where the author will go next.

Dylan and Carrie are getting married in two weeks but what an action packed two weeks it will turn out to be. Along with wedding planning there is a theft from the library, murder and a campaign to exonerate accused witches from the 17th century.
I have mixed feelings about this series. The characters are pleasant but not too memorable. The ghost that makes it The Haunted Library series just seems sort of contrived, what little she contributes to the plots would be just the same if she was alive and she makes only a few brief appearances this time around. The cat also seems superfluous, just there because a cozy mystery needs a cute cat or dog, as other than being taken back and forth to the library and being fed he is just there. This entry actually focuses more on the Carrie and Dylan’s wedding and plans for their future with almost every few pages having Carrie musing upon - or telling Dylan - how happy she is to marry him as he loves her as she is and does not want to change her than it does on an actual mystery even though there are several murders as well as a subplot about the injustices of the 17th century witch trials. Possibly the most interesting part is the two new ghosts who make an appearance, and whose fates we would like to know more about, but as the author states this is the last entry in the series, that is a storyline that unfortunately will not be explored. Overall while not my favorite cozy mystery series these are a quick and pleasant way to pass a lazy Sunday.

After about a third of this book I couldn’t put it down! Even though her wedding day is fast approaching Carrie finds herself enmeshed in a murder and robbery investigation. Descriptions of all the places where activity takes place are done very well so that you feel you are right there. There were lots of twists, and Carrie being kidnapped on the day of the wedding adds to the tension. Will the wedding actually happen? This is the 8th book in the Haunted Library series and I’m sad to find out it will be the last. If you like cozy mysteries this book and the entire series will give you hours of reading pleasure. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Booked on Murder is the 8th of the Haunted Library mysteries. I have read this series from the beginning. It takes place in the town of Clover Ridge, CT. Carrie Singleton works for the library as head of the programs and events. Sally Prescott is her boss and head of the library. Carrie was helping Norman Tabin, a reference librarian go through the old papers when they come across a diary of Verity Babcock who was hung as a witch in 1622, She was one of four killed in this manner.

The library has an interesting group of people working there. There is also a ghost, Evelyn Havers who lives in the library. Carrie is thle only one who can see her.

Verity was subject to awlful accusations and lies. She was accused of killing her neighbor's husband, John Whitcomb, by herbal medicine to get their land. He had been sick and really died of pneumonia. She is jailed and later hanged. Carrie is asked by Sally to write an article for the Gazette newspaper about the diary, which she does. A photographer from the paper is coming to take pictures of her and Norman with the diary. The diary is put in a sealed case.

Carrie is getting ready to marry her fiance, Dylan Avery who is a private investigator. They are getting married at their friend, Victor Zalinkas's home. Victor is away in NY but has given them a key. They go to measure the living room to see how they will be doing the chair set-up and also to check out the deck where the cocktails will be. While looking out over his property they see a figure near the gazebo. They go to check it out and find a man in his 20's dead. Shot in the head and neck. There is a shovel a few feet away from the body. They call the police. Lt. John Mathers comes. They also call Victor to tell him about the body. Victor wonders what was he digging for.

Billy Carpenter is the victim. HIs aunt and uncle had owned the house for 30 years before selling it to Victor. Billy had served 4-6 years in prison for bank robbery. He never told the police about his accomplices were. He was released early that week. His cellmate, Fred Rawlings, was also recently released. His childhood friends were Luke Rizzo and Tino Valdez.

At dinner with her great aunt, Harriet and her great uncle, Bosio are telling them about an old house that is up for sale. (Carrie and Dylan are looking for a house). It is owned by friends of theirs, the Wolcott's. It has been on the market for 3 years as it is haunted. They both decide to go see it as Dylan thinks it would be fun living with ghosts. After seeing the house and meeting the two children who were killed in a fire who are the ghosts. They buy the house.

After finishing lunch, Carrie and her friend, Angela go to see what the excitement is about with the police there. They find out that Luke Rizzo had been killed. Stabbed many times.

This is where the story takes off with all the twists and turns. There is so much going on that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting end. There is mysterious emails, two ancesters who both want the diary, the dairy stolen, the death of one of the ancestors and a wild car ride.

The second ending is the marriage of Carrie and Dylan's wedding which okwas really lovely. I loved the main charactors who make up the town. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.

As Carrie and Dylan prepare for their wedding, a body is found on the lawn of their wedding venue.
The victim had just been released from prison for a bank robbery he committed. Are his two
unidentified accomplices have anything to do with his murder? Carrie is also caught up in the
interest in the diary of Verity Babcock, a woman who was hanged as a witch in 1652. There's a
growing interest in pardoning Verity and other women convicted of witchcraft. It also appears that someone
is trying to steal the diary. As more murder victims are found, will all be resolved before the wedding?
Eighth and last book in series.
#BookedonMurder #NetGalley

When you have been known to regularly assist the police with their investigations it's probably unrealistic to think the run up to your wedding will be smooth and murder free! Carrie Singleton is getting married in two weeks but finding a dead body at the venue looks to be putting a spanner in the works!

With a major historical find stirring emotions at the library where Carrie works and the murder investigation she’s determined to keep out of, even when everyone expects her to be involved, the days are rushing by. With fiance Dylan Avery close at hand Carrie finds herself unable to resist having a quick look! What she finds quickly escalates into a dangerous hunt for a desperate man and as the death count increases she begins to wonder if getting to the altar may be a step too far!

Book eight in this wonderful cosy mystery series is, sadly the final one. There is always such a feel good factor to these stories that I shall be sad to see this end. Once again there is a complicated, twisty, turny, murder mystery to solve which is gradually revealed alongside Carrie and Dylan's busy private life and their place within the local community, all of which I enjoyed enormously. If there is one criticism it's that there is a little too much wedding description but in a final installment there has to be a little artistic licence allowed! 

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane, but the opinions expressed are my own. I love this series which I would highly recommend, especially if you can read it in publication order. I will miss all the main protagonists immensely.

I was so excited to be excited to read this ARC!

This is one of my favorite series, and this is book 8, also the final book for the series.

It’s wedding time!

Carrie & Dylan are getting married!

But if you think the weeks leading up to the wedding will be easy, boy are you wrong!

Carrie discovers a diary in the library written by a woman who died because she was accused of being a witch in the 1600’s, thus killing a man (supposedly).

Descendants from both families are after that diary, and it does go missing

That’s only part of the adventure for Carrie & Dylan in this book, including Carrie being kidnapped on their wedding day!

Do they get married?

And for those who know, yes, Evelyn is in the book, and we meet two more ghosts!

As much as I would love the series to continue, I think the ending was tied up nicely

Librarian Carrie Singleton is checking out her wedding venue when she stumbles upon a dead body. The victim is Billy Carpenter, a bank robber who had recently been released from prison. It’s believed that Billy was murdered by one of his partners while retrieving the missing bank money. Soon, one of Billy’s compatriots is also murdered. The other partner is missing, and his brother is asking Carrie and her fiancé to help find him. Meanwhile, Carrie is also dealing with problems at the library. The diary of Verity Babcock, a woman that was hung as a witch back in the 1600s, is causing havoc around town. Some people want to see Verity exonerated of the witchcraft crime. Others believe Verity got what she deserved. When Verity’s closest living descendent is murdered and her son steals the diary from the library, Carrie is also on the case of yet another murder plus a theft. Carrie is determined to help the police wrap up their multiple murder cases and located the missing diary before her wedding day.

BOOKED ON MURDER is the first of the Haunted Library Mysteries that I have read, and I felt like I needed some more backstory to fully understand certain things—including the main character’s relationships with other characters. While the mystery and the several murders were interesting, I felt like the story was rushed and could have used some more details. There’s a lot going on, and it sometimes was difficult to keep all the plots and subplots straight. I did enjoy the subplot concerning the historic witch trials and the current movement to exonerate the accused. Overall, an interesting book. I plan to go back and read the series from the beginning.

The first book I've read in the Haunted Library series turned out to be the last and, although I could tell I'd missed some events that happened previously in the series to get to this eighth and final book, it worked as a stand alone read.

A new case unfolds in this story as Carrie and Dylan finalize the last two weeks until their wedding. This is a cozy read and it had too much wedding planning details for my liking, but about two-thirds into the book it really picked up and ended as I was expecting it would.

I'd recommend looking into the series from the beginning if you're interested in how these characters came to be so special ro each other before this sweet conclusion to the series, but it also works as a stand alone if you enjoy a cozy slice of life murder mistery.

Carrie and Dylan are ready to tie the knot. But when a body is found during their lead up to the, big day, it leaves Carrie with more questions than ever. Can she figure out what happened and reclaim her wedding day, or will it not end in I do, but I would’ve?

I am so happy that Carrie is FINALLY getting married. When a story line progresses in the characters life it makes the series eve more enjoyable. A mystery and a catch up in each book. Solid whodunits and a lovable protagonist. You can’t get better than this.

thanks to netgalley for arc

dnf because i just found out that this was a 8th book in a series! i also dont like the way you read it as a ebook. honestly booked on murder is a weird title.

carrie and dylans wedding is ready to happen but in a walk through there is a body. but carrie is still set to get married. this is another great story in the series. well written and keeps you reading to the end. i was given a copy of the book by net galley but this is an honest review

I tried to get into this series, but it just isn't for me. The FMC is just not my cup of tea and neither are the rest of the characters. Everything just seems forced. I'm sure others will enjoy this one, it just wasn't for me.

Carrie is getting married! There's a lot going on, she's found the diary of a woman who was executed as a witch over 400 years ago, she's planning her wedding, and she's been invited to join a "secret" society of women in Clover Ridge. When someone tries to steal the diary out of the Historical Room, things start to get hairy.

This will be the last book in the Haunted Library series. While it's a series that I've followed since it began and I do enjoy it, I didn't enjoy this book as much as some of the others. There were things that just didn't make sense to me. A lot of the story focuses around the old diary and how worried Carrie is that it will be stolen or damaged because the security system hadn't yet been installed. Why didn't they put it in a safe deposit box or even just lock it away in someone's office until the security system was installed? Instead it was left in a flimsy locked glass case accessible to the public and completely unguarded.

Another thing that bothers me is the house hunt that Carrie and Dylan are on in this book. They have Dylan's manor house, which comes along with the cottage on the river. Why are they living in the cottage in the first place when they have the manor house? Why are they looking for another house to move to since the cottage isn't really big enough for the two of them (and why will it not be big enough for them after they're married when they've been perfectly comfortable living there prior to their marriage?) If they buy a house they'll own three houses. Since Carrie is the one driving the house search, it makes her seem demanding and entitled. I've been on the fence about Carrie the entire series, she started out trying to raise eyebrows with a goth wardrobe she didn't even really care and it took several books for me to warm up to her but she lost some ground in this book, wanting to give up Dylan's historic manor house and cozy river cottage for a McMansion in a new development.

There's a cute secret society presented in this book that I wish we'd seen earlier in the series. Carrie knew nothing about it but everyone she talked to was like "oh yeah, them." This was a realistic portrayal, there's no way a small town could have a group of women gathering for multiple generations and people not know about it, and the subterfuge was kind of cute in light of the fact that this group is the worst kept secret in town. I do wish it hadn't been presented as something Carrie had never heard of because clearly everyone else in town knew all about it and several people Carrie knew intimately were members.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this book, particularly in light of the fact that it's the last in the series. There was so much unfinished business. I'd have liked to see Evelyn freed to move on, I'd have liked to see Carrie and Dylan settled somewhere, I'd have liked to see Verity exonerated, but these were all loose ends that will now never be tied up. Perhaps the author is planning to continue the series independently, if so I will definitely be interested in reading further books in the series.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Booked on Murder
(Haunted Library 8)
Allison Brook






Welcome back to Clover Ridge!

Two weeks and counting... It’s finally time for the wedding!

Dylan and Carrie are finalizing the wedding plans. Everything should be focused on the wedding and honeymoon going off without a hitch. It’s Carrie though so when does that ever happen?!

Sally the library director, has demanded that Carrie publish an article on the diary of Verity Babcock. Verity was one of the rare educated women of the 1600s, she was a herbalist, could read, write, and a land owning widow. The diary details her feelings as she met her fate as an accused witch.

After Carrie’s article is published in the town Gazette, people become very interested in Verity’s plight and begin a call to pardon her post humorously. While Winifred (Winnie) Thompson, a descendant of hers is excited and happy her ancestress is receiving such recognition, she has been trying for years to receive a pardon for Verity. Garrett Grimm, is angry, a descendant of John Whitcomb’s, who died after ingesting her herbs. Garrett believes Verity got exactly what she deserved as his ancestor died.

After finding the body of Billy Carpenter, a convicted bank robber in the backyard of their wedding venue. Carrie is invited by an anonymous letter to become a member of the Wise Women Circle. Evelyn ensures she knows that this is a significant achievement. Carrie is unsure if this group is the right fit.

If that’s not enough, she’s also receiving anonymous emails about the murder! The bodies are beginning to stack up.
Join Carrie and Dylan as they attempt to track a killer and get married, without becoming one of the victims!

5*****
What an amazing ending to a wonderful series. I’m so sad to see this series end but Allison Brook allowed her characters to bow out in style. Thank You, Allison Brook, for writing this amazing series.



Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Brook, and the publisher for the ARC.
#BookedonMurder #HauntedLibrary #AllisonBrook #Cozy #Mystery #LastinSeries