Dewey Decimated

by Allison Brook

Overview

Librarian Carrie Singleton is back on the case, alongside library ghost Evelyn, in the sixth installment of Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mysteries.

Carrie Singleton is just off a hot string of murder cases centered around the spooky local library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She could really use a break—but no such luck, as she; Smoky Joe, the resident cat; and Evelyn, the library’s ghost, are drawn into another tantalizing whodunit.

First, a dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons. Carrie and Evelyn work hard to keep Alec out of sight, but what was he doing in Clover Ridge to begin with? And why was he killed?

Meanwhile, the town council, of which Carrie is also a member, is embroiled in a hot-headed debate over the fate of the Seabrook Preserve, a lovely and valuable piece of property that runs along Long Island Sound. Turn it into an upscale park? Sell it to a condo developer? Or keep it as protected land?

As the dispute rages, there’s another murder, this time involving a council member. Could the two murders be connected? And could Carrie be next on the hit list?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781639100903
Publisher:	CROOKED LANE BOOKS
Publication date:	09/06/2022
Series:	Haunted Library Mystery Series , #6
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	231,520
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

A former Spanish teacher, Allison Brook writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for young readers. She loves traveling, reading, knitting, doing Sudoku, and visiting with her grandchildren, Olivia and Jack, on FaceTime. She lives on Long Island with Sammy, her feisty red cat.

Editorial Reviews

07/25/2022

The discovery of the remains of an unidentified man at a construction site next door to the Clover Ridge, Conn., library drives Agatha finalist Brook’s enjoyable sixth Haunted Library mystery (after 2021’s Death on the Shelf). Hotshot TV reporter Julie Theron tries to draw Carrie Singleton, the library’s head of programs and events, into her investigation of the unknown man. Carrie, however, has enough on her plate as a member of the town council debating the use of a valuable piece of land. Eventually, the body is identified as that of Alec Dunmore, the long-lost uncle of Carrie’s fiancé, Dylan. Alec’s ghost takes up residence in the library, where sympathetic Carrie and her ghost friend, Evelyn Havers, feel compelled to help sort out his mysterious past and figure out who killed him. Another murder, of a town council member, raises the stakes. Brook makes subtle and strategic use of the ghost trope without diminishing Carrie’s sleuthing skills, and how the two murders are related remains a tantalizing puzzle. Fans of paranormal cozies will be well satisfied. Agent: Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Dewey Decimated:
“A tantalizing puzzle.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Books, ghosts, murder, fun.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Brook has a talent for weaving a charming mystery.”
—San Francisco Book Review, 5-star review

“A fun packed, fast moving series.”
—Cozy Mystery Reviews

“A thoroughly delightful series”
—The Nameless Zine

Praise for the Haunted Library Mysteries:
"Brook weaves together a spunky protagonist, a quaint setting, and a ghost with a mind of her own to create a book that cozy readers will be dying to check out."
—Lucy Arlington, New York Times bestselling author

“All my favorite cozy things.”
—Diane A.S. Stuckart, New York Times bestselling author

"A charming cozy town, a spunky heroine and a mystery that grabs you from page one.”
—Peg Cochran, national bestselling author of Dead and Berried

"The perfect combination that keeps readers turning pages."
—Kylie Logan, national bestselling author of Gone with the Twins

"Readers of Miranda James, Jenn McKinlay, Carolyn Hart, Nancy Atherton, and Carolyn Haines will be delighted.”
―Library Journal starred review

“Captivating . . . Well-drawn characters match the lively plot."
—Publishers Weekly

“Charming characters, an idealistic setting, and a killer reveal.”
—Manhattan Book Review, 5-star review

“Another superbly crafted novel by a master of the mystery and suspense genre.” 
—Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

2022-06-22
A librarian solves a very cold case with help from a friendly spirit.

Carrie Singleton has had a wonderful year. She’s landed a great job at the Clover Ridge Library, joined the town council, and become engaged to Dylan Avery. Now that the library’s acquired the building next door on the town square, renovations are underway courtesy of Powell Construction, whose owner, Sean Powell, has an excellent reputation. Evelyn Havers, the library ghost whom very few lucky souls have seen, has often helped Carrie with problems. But she’s taken aback when the workmen find a body in the cellar of the building under renovation. Carrie plans to keep out of the investigation until the body is identified as that of Dylan’s uncle, Alec Dunmore, whose ghost turns up in the library with a very limited memory of who he is and who murdered him. The three members of the Whitehead family who owned the building and sold it to the town were dominated by the dishonest James, whom many can easily imagine as a murderer, and there are plenty of other suspects. In the meantime, the town council has to decide what to do with a neglected nature preserve: make improvements, turn it into a park, or build high-end condos. The pressure put on Carrie by a snarky reporter who’s joined her to investigate places her friendship with police chief Lt. John Mathers in jeopardy. Even so, she can’t resist a puzzle and hopes the past and present will provide some answers.

Books, ghosts, murder, fun.

Kirkus Reviews