Leah Dobrinska

Death Checked Out by Leah Dobrinska is the debut of A Larkspur Library Mysteries. Greta Plank is a woman who has a cheery attitude (she wears rose colored glasses because she wants to ignore anything bad or negative). She enjoys living in Larkspur. It is a fresh start for Greta. She moved to Larkspur to get away from her ex-boyfriend (the louse). Greta likes the small town where everyone knows you and gossip spreads faster than maple syrup on hot flapjacks. I enjoyed getting to know the town and its residents. Larkspur reminds me of Stars Hollow. There is a lack of character development. I wish the author had spent more time fleshing out the characters, especially Greta. I thought it was odd considering everything else is overexplained. I thought the dialogue was awkward and expected. The mystery was straightforward. Greta finds her neighbor dead. It looks like an accident at first blush, but Detective McHenry is quick to find evidence that it was murder. Greta is at the top of Detective McHenry’s suspect list (of course). She feels the only way to clear her name is to find the guilty party. Greta gets help from her fellow librarians Josie and Iris. Greta is told to keep details of the case to herself, but she is quick to share them with everyone she encounters (that is one way of helping the killer stay one step ahead of her). There are a couple of suspects, a red herring, and pointed clues. The whodunit can be solved early in the story (before the murder). I kept hoping for a twist (anything to make the story less predictable). There is a tense reveal. The crime has a good wrap up at the end. I am not a fan of Detective Mark McHenry. I do not know what Greta saw in him (maybe she is a fan of somber, broody men). I found the encounters between Detective McHenry and Greta to be frustrating. Death Checked Out is an okay cozy mystery. It felt like the author was following a cozy mystery formula or checklist. She was making sure to include a nosy main character, a death of someone close to protagonist, a dogged detective, a charming small town, gossip galore, and, of course, a touch of romance. I enjoyed the Nancy Drew references in the story. I also liked how Greta, Josie, and Iris were there for each other (Josie more than Iris). Death Checked Out is an upbeat cozy with Biff the tabby, a librarian in love, a deceased recluse, rampant rumors, a caring community, a determined detective, and a sleuthing librarian.… (meer)

With its likable librarian heroine and smart amateur investigation, I was hooked.

Death Checked Out is the entertaining debut of Leah Dobrinska’s new series, the Larkspur Library Mysteries. Greta is a highly likable heroine, and her fellow librarians are engaging sidekicks. Detective Mark McHenry, a formidable investigator with zero bedside manner, has a secret sweet spot for the new library director.

The small town of Larkspur is picture-perfect with its lakeside location and fall in full swing. Several local businesses make their way into the story, which rounds out the cozy visual image. I came away wanting to attend the town’s upcoming Fall Festival the mayor and Greta were planning. Larkspur is a town of contrasts, though. While it is the typical small town where everyone knows everyone else and all their business and rumors streak through the grapevine, the story demonstrates that there can still be some surprising and shocking, and very well-kept secrets.

Greta, Josie, and Iris do an excellent job of ferreting out critical information, as librarians are wont to do, that identifies several potential suspects and other individuals vital to solving the crime. I liked that Greta and Josie consciously considered the ramifications and possible dangers of talking to some of these suspects and planned accordingly before deciding to pursue a meeting. We aren’t privy to much of McHenry’s initial investigation, but he (the professional) seems to be two steps behind the women throughout.

With its likable librarian heroine and nicely paced and plausible amateur investigation, I was hooked by the story from start to finish. I recommend DEATH CHECKED OUT to cozy mystery readers who enjoy library settings, librarian sleuths, and small towns in Wisconsin with a crisp autumn feel.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.… (meer)