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robinlovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
Bookstore owner Flora Steele already has a full schedule with an upcoming event. It is a Crime Writers' Conference and Flora hopes to sell books during the event. However, she takes time away as she plans on delivering a gift to retiring librarian Maud Frobisher. As Flora approaches the library where Maud works, things do not look right. In fact, it does not take Flora long to realize what happened. Jack, Flora's fiancé Jack, a crime writer, will also be at the conference.
Not only does Flora see a man standing rather close to Maud's body, she sees that he is holding something that clearly has blood on it. Putting two and two together, Flora is certain that she has run into the murderer.
Flora and Jack live in the small village of Abbeymead and they are no strangers to nefarious activities. It is always fun to see Flora diving in headfirst while Jack tries to show more restraint, even when danger plays a huge role.
It is hard to believe that The Library Murders is the eighth book in the delightful Flora Steele cozy mystery series. Having read and enjoyed all of the previous books in the series, I am glad to say that the stories are fresh, the characters are well-written and there is always a fair amount of intrigue. Meanwhile, Flora and Jack's wedding is coming up, albeit delayed by the conference. Many fans like me are eager for book nine so that we can see if the wedding will soon take place.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.
Not only does Flora see a man standing rather close to Maud's body, she sees that he is holding something that clearly has blood on it. Putting two and two together, Flora is certain that she has run into the murderer.
Flora and Jack live in the small village of Abbeymead and they are no strangers to nefarious activities. It is always fun to see Flora diving in headfirst while Jack tries to show more restraint, even when danger plays a huge role.
It is hard to believe that The Library Murders is the eighth book in the delightful Flora Steele cozy mystery series. Having read and enjoyed all of the previous books in the series, I am glad to say that the stories are fresh, the characters are well-written and there is always a fair amount of intrigue. Meanwhile, Flora and Jack's wedding is coming up, albeit delayed by the conference. Many fans like me are eager for book nine so that we can see if the wedding will soon take place.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this book for review. This is my honest opinion.
bookwormbev17's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
nordicat's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
emmasthingstoread's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
srivalli's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
4 Stars
How did we reach the eighth book already? Flora and Jack are delightful characters, and you can’t help but root for them when they go sleuthing.
While the book still works as a standalone, it’ll be more enjoyable if you read at least the previous 2-3 books. The dynamics in their relationship will be easier to understand with some background knowledge.
The mystery is independent and decently done. The reveal makes sense, and we take a logical path to uncovering the secrets. Flora and Jack have some differences of opinion, but both have the same goal –dig up the truth and find the killer.
There’s a sub-track, which I thought would be complex. However, I like how it is sorted. This is a cozy mystery, after all. No point in complicating things more than necessary.
Young Charlie is fifteen now! Can you believe it? I miss his younger days, though I hope he’ll one day play a bigger role in solving a crime (pretty please).
The books in the series are small, compact, and steady-paced. This one is no different. I’d have liked it better if we got a little more detail about the crime conference and the authors who attended. While one of them gets space, there is no chance of character development.
As always, I love historical settings in my cozy mysteries. Abbeymead village in 1958 is old-school but with more touches of modernity than the locals would like to accept. Yet, we see a balanced narrative where the side characters are good but with some flaws, and the grumpy ones have some redeeming qualities.
To summarize, The Library Murders is a solid addition to the series and an entertaining read. There are a couple of leads for the next book, so I’m curious to see where it goes (and hopefully no more delays for the wedding).
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLibraryMurders
marciabrilhante's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Library Murders is the newest book of Flora Steele Mysteries Serie and it’s a page turner book full of realistic characters, secrets, and intrigue. This book takes place in the summer of 1958 and follows Flora – the bookshop owner - and Jack – crime writer - in the midst of a murder investigation.
The setting was quite nice, English countryside in the 1950’s and the twists and turns was quite entertaining. I felt like this book is a cozy mystery one, that made me feel relaxed while unraveling a murder investigation.
This was the first book I read in this series but I’ll be reading the rest of them because it was such a wonderful cozy mystery story, with a great pace and well written in such a cozy little setting.
Thank you, Bookouture & NetGalley, for approving me to read this arc and write this review.
ahobson29's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC copy of The Library Murders.
The Library Murders follow Jack and Flora as they try to uncover the identity of the murderer who struck down the beloved librarian during a crime author seminar in their small English village.
This book was like Murder She Wrote meets Father Brown in all the best ways. The cast of characters provide for loads of entertainment and red herrings, keeping you guessing all along the way as to who the real killer is. I started this book with my morning coffee and didn't put it down until it was finished. It was so well written that I could not tear myself away from it except to grab snacks and more coffee.
I look forward to following the rest of the series, and especially excited to see how the relationship between Jack and Flora flourishes.
The Library Murders follow Jack and Flora as they try to uncover the identity of the murderer who struck down the beloved librarian during a crime author seminar in their small English village.
This book was like Murder She Wrote meets Father Brown in all the best ways. The cast of characters provide for loads of entertainment and red herrings, keeping you guessing all along the way as to who the real killer is. I started this book with my morning coffee and didn't put it down until it was finished. It was so well written that I could not tear myself away from it except to grab snacks and more coffee.
I look forward to following the rest of the series, and especially excited to see how the relationship between Jack and Flora flourishes.