"A Killer Hold" is apparently the third book in a Series of Library Mysteries - I had no idea when I started it. However, it did not hinder me in getting to know the setting and our characters.
A Killer Hold is a quick and easy read, the prose is quick to the point and a seasoned reader can manage in a day (as did I).

The story progresses easily, with a few detours left and right with some of the supporting cast. I had a bit of trouble connection with the many many side characters, and i think that is because I have not yet read book 1 and 2 of the series.

My main complaint is that some parts felt more like filler, and did not much contribute to the plot, or were connected to the main plot by the flimsiest thread. The romance part was in my opinion barely there, and the book would have been perfectly fine without a (cop) romance subplot altogether.

My favorite part with the cover was that the depicted kitty cat was not only actually included in the plot, but also played (a very minor) role, and was continouosly mentioned. (Love you, Biff!). There have been way too many books with cats on the covers, only to have not even a single mention of one!

"A Killer Hold" is perfect for everyone who craves the feeling of a warm and cozy afternoon in, ideally with a cat curled up, purring on your lap, and a warm steaming mug in your hand.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC! A Killer Hold will be published on December 3, 2024. 🤍

I didn’t realize A Killer Hold was the third book in the Larkspur Library Mystery series, so I felt confused at the beginning. There wasn’t much explanation for new readers, and it was hard to understand the characters and their relationships.

The plot seemed interesting at first, but there were too many unnecessary parts that made it drag. A lot of scenes felt like filler and made the book less interesting. The mystery was okay, but the slow pacing took away from the excitement. I did enjoy the cozy, small town vibe of Larkspur and the quirky side characters added a nice touch of the story.

If you’ve read the first two books, you might enjoy this one, but for new readers, I’d suggest starting with the earlier books in the series.

This book really surprised me!

Set in a small town, a local librarian stumble into a murder mystery while hosting a librarian conference. The main character, Greta, is no stranger to helping solve mysteries and her and her friends are determine to figure out who the murderer among them is.

This book kept me on my toes the whole time and I wasn’t able to predict who the murder was until right before the big reveal. I’m a big fan of cozy reads and this definitely felt like a cozy murder mystery. The author did a great job at keeping things fun with a bit of romance while also keeping the suspense high.

I received a free copy of, A Killer Hold, by Leah Dobrinska, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book three in Larkspur Library Mysteries. Greta Plank is a Director at a library, she loves her job, she hosting a conference for the librarians of Wisconsin. When someone is murdered, Great has to solve a murder. This was a nice mystery, an entertaining read.

This series is perfect for you if you enjoy cozy little town settings. Leah never lets you down. I found myself back in Wisconsin. I felt as though I had never left. Some Wisconsin history was vividly brought to life by this tale. There were many suspects, and I was left wondering who did it right up until the very end. I'm excited to see what this series will do in the future. eagerly awaiting the next one.

This was a strong third entry in the Larkspur Library Mystery series. The mystery element worked well overall and was hooked from the first page, it had that element that I enjoyed from the previous two books. The characters were everything that I was looking for and was invested in what was going on with them. I’m excited to read more in this series and from Leah Dobrinska.

The third book in this Wisconsin-set cozy mystery series delivers an engaging blend of history, romance, and suspense. Librarian Greta gets pulled into a murder tied to 1930s gangsters and a hidden treasure, all while her relationship with detective Mark deepens—despite his efforts to keep her out of trouble.

The mystery is well-plotted with twists that kept me guessing, and the historical elements added depth. While Greta’s involvement in the case occasionally felt a bit forced, the familiar cast and character development made up for it.

With moments that were unexpectedly creepy, A Killer Hold is a solid, entertaining addition to the series.

Rating: 4/5
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

A book about it a library and a mystery! Need I say more!? Perfect combo!!! This was a great entertaining read. I enjoyed the mystery and the tension in figuring this one out. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

If you love small town cozies this series is for you. This the 3rd book in the series. Leah does not disappoint. I was transported back to Wisconsin. It was like I never left. This story brought to life some Wisconsin history. Lots of suspects and had me still guessing who did it until the end. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for this series. Can’t wait till the next one.

₊‧ ୨୧ 3 stars rounded up ◞♡
⤿ tysm to netgalley for providing me with this arc!!

this was my first ever arc!! though, it DID somewhat disappoint 🤧🫂… in reality it’s probably a 2.5 star, but i feel like it deserves a higher rating because of it being my first arc XD

the writing was quite easy to read and super fast-paced, while the characters
overall, the CRUMBS of romance were super wholesome and cute and i definitely recommend this book if you want a quick and easy read with some pretty twisty plot twists!! 💌

Greta is no stranger to police investigations. This time, finding crucial evidence and being the detective's girlfriend, getting mixed up in another murder mystery is inevitable.
Usually, the main female character in a cozy mystery gets in a lot of trouble, tries to solve the murder on their own, and makes questionable decisions that put her in danger.
I loved how Greta is so levelheaded, smart, and honest. She doesn't beg for gossip, she invites people to go directly to the police if they have information, and she lets the law enforcement officers deal with dangerous situations.
Did I mention the hazelnut lattes and delicious snacks? I was tempted to go to a coffee shop several times while reading this volume.

Wish I would have known this was the third in a series, but now that I do, I will definitely be reading the first two, and keeping an eye out for future installments. We all know I love a quick lil murder mystery, and this was no different! Funny, witty, entertaining, and kept me hooked! another one I basically inhaled in one sitting. Pretty fun, a little more predictable than I would have liked, but I LOVE GRETA and can't wait to read the first two in the series!!

3.5 ⭐️
A funny and entertaining book filled with mystery and murder solving that will keep you in your seat trying to find out more!
And a big thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for letting me have and arc copy!

A Killer Hold is another fun and engaging installment in the Larkspur Library Mystery series! Leah Dobrinska brings us back to the charming small town of Larkspur, where Greta, our favorite librarian-turned-amateur sleuth, gets wrapped up in a new mystery with ties to a notorious gangster from the past. The historical twist adds depth, and I loved how the puzzle unfolded, keeping me guessing until the end.

The quirky characters and warm community setting are a highlight, making it easy to get drawn into their world. Greta's growing relationship with Mark adds a nice romantic subplot without distracting from the main mystery.

While I enjoyed the story overall, some parts felt a bit rushed, especially toward the climax. I would have liked to see more clues revealed gradually rather than in a big exposition-heavy moment. Still, it's a cozy, fun read that fans of the series will appreciate, and new readers can jump in without feeling too lost.

If you love libraries and amateur sleuths, you'll love this book! I had so much fun reading this and Greta is a delightful character. I had not read the first two books in this series prior to reading this but will definitely read them now!

Leah, you wrote such a FUN story!!! I highly suggest this for a fun book club read. It was darling! Loved the characters, and their honesty. It was so relatable and I couldn't put it down. Well done!

A solid third installment for this charming cozy mystery series. Greta and her librarian besties find themselves, once again, at the center of a mystery and murder in quaint Larkspur, WI. A local jeweler has uncovered area ties to an associate of famed mobster John Dillinger but is found dead behind a local restaurant. The timing couldn’t be worse for Greta because she’s hosting a statewide library conference, entertaining a quirky author, and facing off with her smarmy ex while navigating her new relationship.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

A Killer Hold by Leah Dobrinska is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and historical intrigue, set in the charming town of Larkspur. Greta Plank, the librarian-turned-amateur sleuth, finds herself at the center of a treasure-hunting mystery linked to Wisconsin’s notorious gangster past. What a playful and delightful story that weaves together present-day secrets and historical legends with ease, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The quirky characters and light romantic subplot add warmth to the story, while the book’s focus on decoding mysterious clues brings a fun puzzle element to the narrative. A solid and enjoyable cozy mystery, perfect for fans of historical twists and small-town charm. I would be happy to recommend this book.

I am Greta. Greta is me. Right down to our shared love of Iced Hazelnut Lattes, sourdough bread and Pride and Prejudice.

A Killer Hold was full of twists and turns and kept me guessing far longer than most mysteries I read. I never would have suspected the killer but finally it all came together and made total sense!

I love our cast of characters and loved getting to see how Greta and Marks relationship has developed since the previous books.

The end did feel very exposition heavy and I wish things could have been revealed slowly throughout the book so it wasn’t a big chunk of dialogue where the detective tells civilians the details of a STILL OPEN CASE. BUT for the sake of keeping the reader guessing, I understand not wanting to reveal your hand too early. Still, there has to be a happy medium somewhere right??

Overall, “A Killer Hold” held (get it) my attention, and genuinely gave me the creeps at times. The sequence in the tunnels was *stressful* and reminded me of the film Barbarian. If Leah ever decides to venture out from cozy mysteries or romances, I think HORROR would be something she would excel at.

A great next entry into the Larkspur Library Mystery series!

*received arc copy from netgalley*

Let me start off by saying I had no idea that this was a third book in a series until I looked it up on Goodreads. Netgalley did not say it was a third book, and it made it seems as if it were a standalone and that's how I read it. (My own error is not included in the rating). I will say, I think that is a good thing for a book where someone can pick it up on accident and still follow along without being confused.

I have been trying to branch into the contemporary sphere and a book about librarians, murder, and mystery are some of my favorite things. And that is what this book gave me! It was a fun read, quick, read and it is what I consider a good segway for me to continue reading more contemporary stories. There were issues with prose and dialogue that i definitely think could be resolved. For instance the prose itself felt very stiff and a bit of a drag to read. It also did more showing rather than telling, which i think is good in books but sparingly. The dialogue itself was very... much? I love a good yapping character, but there wasn't much action between the dialogue, and if there was it was very brief.

Overall, this book was good! A nice palette cleanser after reading fantasy for so long. in the future I may read the first two books to get the entire picture of the world and the characters.