I ordered this ex-library book from Better World Books, for another release copy. It's from a mystery series themed on (surprise!) Little Libraries! I knew those themed mysteries were getting awfully specific, but this one really amused me.

Not a bad story, though it does open with a disturbing act of vandalism against the titular Little Library. The search for the culprit is part of the plot, and ties in to more sinister events, including murder... Luckily, someone's on hand to repair and even enhance the little library by the end of the story!

The tale involves recently-divorced Jenny, who's returned to her Michigan home town to get over her feelings about her ex. When she discovers the smashed remnants of her mother's little library, she's appalled - as is neighbor Zoe, a little person with an obsession with Lewis Carroll that leads to much awkward conversation. (I like some good literary banter between characters in novels, but in this case the Carroll tidbits were often so obscure that I didn't recognize them, which rather spoiled my fun {wry grin}.)

As with many cozy-style mysteries, this one blends murder with more light-hearted banter, such as the bit about finding any books that survived the library massacre. Turns out War and Peace made it intact, having been hidden beneath Fifty Shades of Grey, leading to Mom's quip "At last, a use for that particular book"!

The main plot involves a wealthy family with dark secrets and black sheep, and the investigation includes lots of red herrings, suspicion against relative newcomer Zoe, a missing dog, and more regrets from Jenny's past. Not bad - and there's another in the series, She Stopped for Death (which, I hardly need to add, has an Emily Dickinson theme).

I'm having this book sent to KarenBC in Canada, to fill a wish for the US/Canada wishlist-tag game. Enjoy!

*** Released for the 2022 Spook-tacular challenge. ***

Thank you GoryDetails for this Little Free Library mystery story. I'm just a few chapters into it...but oh my! They killed a LFL! And well, a grumpy neighbour too. I think I might be a bit off my rocker, I was more concerned for the LFL - whodunnit?

This book is heading to 100 Mile House to spend some time inside the Back on the Rack Consignment store.

Please do check in from time to time little book on your ongoing trip - a journal note will do the trick!