Dollycas's Thoughts
Following storm damage the Catalpa Springs library has been closed for repairs and renovations and now is preparing for its grand re-opening. Head Librarian Cleo Watkins would love for a book checked out over 40 years ago to finally be returned. Dixie Huddleston has had the book in her possession all these years and has played several tricks on Cleo over the years but never returns the book. This time Dixie has vowed to return the book. She tells Cleo she has seen the signs and that her death is imminent and she wants all her affairs to be in order.
Cleo doesn't take Dixie's words seriously but then when Cleo and Henry Lafayette, her gentlemen friend, arrive at Dixie's home, they find her dead body. She was clearly murdered but adding Cleo to the list of suspects is just plain nuts and she intends to prove it by catching the killer. It isn't going to be easy especially when the killer is terrorizing the good people of Catalpa Springs in the form of death threats delivered in an eerie way. They also vandalize Cleo's bookmobile, Words on Wheels.
With the library set to reopen soon Cleo has to deal with the killer but she also has to deal with a new employee being forced on her. Can she catch a killer and save her beloved library or will she be checked out permanently?
_____
Librarian Cleo Watkins stole my heart just a few pages into Better Off Read, the first book in this series. She is a strong, savvy, smart septuagenarian who loves her library and her books and everything they have to offer. When the library was damaged in the storm she loaded up the library's old bookmobile and she and her Persian cat Rhett Butler traveled near and far to be sure everyone who wanted to read got their books. Cleo has been grooming her assistant Leanna to take her place when and if she decides to retire. They have a great plan until Mercer Whitty, president of the library board springs Belle Beauchamp on them. Belle wants to modernize the library in a way that would break every bibliophile's heart. I love Cleo's dedication to the library and Leanna is walking right in her footsteps. They have to deal with all the quirky residents of Catalpa Springs. Ms. Page has created a diverse cast of people for readers to love and a few we can dislike. She has surrounded Cleo with a group of likable friends. As I had hoped, the core characters had more depth in this installment leaving room for continued growth.
I really enjoyed the murder mystery twisted up with what was happening at the library. Both held my interest. When Dixie's best friend asks Cleo to look into her death, Cleo can't say no. I had a good time following along with Cleo as clues were revealed and as she followed where they led usually with Henry by her side. Henry had an interesting little adventure of his own too. What I really liked was that Cleo's neighbor and her favorite deputy Gabby Honeywell listened to what Cleo had to say and used what Cleo found and suggested to move the investigation forward. She also looked out for Cleo at all times. The killer was my top suspect and I was pleased with the reveal and takedown.
I loved the small town setting of Catalpa Springs. It is a close-knit town full of southern charm. There are events held through the school and library for all ages.
Cleo reminds me of a few librarians that I grew up with and I admire her for how she handled everything thrown at her in this story.
Read Upon Arrival is a clever addition to this story. I was delighted to get to know Cleo and her friends better. This was a fun read and I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series, Read or Alive soon.
Following storm damage the Catalpa Springs library has been closed for repairs and renovations and now is preparing for its grand re-opening. Head Librarian Cleo Watkins would love for a book checked out over 40 years ago to finally be returned. Dixie Huddleston has had the book in her possession all these years and has played several tricks on Cleo over the years but never returns the book. This time Dixie has vowed to return the book. She tells Cleo she has seen the signs and that her death is imminent and she wants all her affairs to be in order.
Cleo doesn't take Dixie's words seriously but then when Cleo and Henry Lafayette, her gentlemen friend, arrive at Dixie's home, they find her dead body. She was clearly murdered but adding Cleo to the list of suspects is just plain nuts and she intends to prove it by catching the killer. It isn't going to be easy especially when the killer is terrorizing the good people of Catalpa Springs in the form of death threats delivered in an eerie way. They also vandalize Cleo's bookmobile, Words on Wheels.
With the library set to reopen soon Cleo has to deal with the killer but she also has to deal with a new employee being forced on her. Can she catch a killer and save her beloved library or will she be checked out permanently?
_____
Librarian Cleo Watkins stole my heart just a few pages into Better Off Read, the first book in this series. She is a strong, savvy, smart septuagenarian who loves her library and her books and everything they have to offer. When the library was damaged in the storm she loaded up the library's old bookmobile and she and her Persian cat Rhett Butler traveled near and far to be sure everyone who wanted to read got their books. Cleo has been grooming her assistant Leanna to take her place when and if she decides to retire. They have a great plan until Mercer Whitty, president of the library board springs Belle Beauchamp on them. Belle wants to modernize the library in a way that would break every bibliophile's heart. I love Cleo's dedication to the library and Leanna is walking right in her footsteps. They have to deal with all the quirky residents of Catalpa Springs. Ms. Page has created a diverse cast of people for readers to love and a few we can dislike. She has surrounded Cleo with a group of likable friends. As I had hoped, the core characters had more depth in this installment leaving room for continued growth.
I really enjoyed the murder mystery twisted up with what was happening at the library. Both held my interest. When Dixie's best friend asks Cleo to look into her death, Cleo can't say no. I had a good time following along with Cleo as clues were revealed and as she followed where they led usually with Henry by her side. Henry had an interesting little adventure of his own too. What I really liked was that Cleo's neighbor and her favorite deputy Gabby Honeywell listened to what Cleo had to say and used what Cleo found and suggested to move the investigation forward. She also looked out for Cleo at all times. The killer was my top suspect and I was pleased with the reveal and takedown.
I loved the small town setting of Catalpa Springs. It is a close-knit town full of southern charm. There are events held through the school and library for all ages.
Cleo reminds me of a few librarians that I grew up with and I admire her for how she handled everything thrown at her in this story.
Read Upon Arrival is a clever addition to this story. I was delighted to get to know Cleo and her friends better. This was a fun read and I am looking forward to reading the final book in the series, Read or Alive soon.
