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Book Review of Read on Arrival: A Bookmobile Mystery

Read on Arrival: A Bookmobile Mystery
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Read on Arrival is the second installment in the Bookmobilie Mystery series set in the small town of Catalpa Springs, GA and featuring librarian and bookmobile driver, Cleo Watkins. Cleo is looking forward to the grand reopening of the town library, there are just a few last minute renovations and repairs to be completed.

Cleo is devastated when the bright shiny Airstream pulled by the gaudy and overbearing Belle Beauchamp arrives in town. Belle has arrived from nearby Claymore, and claims that her bookmobile is what the people really want - loud music, loud colors, streamers, a tiny horse named Lilliput and absolutely no books. And unfortunately, Library Board member, Mercer Whitty has fallen head over heels for the woman, and is now determined to have her join the library staff as a full time employee.

In addition to dealing with Belle, Cleo and her friends Henry Lafayette and his little pug, Mr. Chauncey have accidentally stumbled into another murder scene. For over forty years Cleo has been taunted by Dixie Huddleston, who borrowed the book "Luck and Lore" a compilation of good and bad omens found in the Deep South. The woman has never paid the overdue fines and several times has offered to return the book to Cleo but the circumstances surrounding the exchange have always ended in a nasty prank.

This time though is going to be different, according to Dixie. She tells Cleo that the luck of the book has run out and she needs to make amends to everyone that she has wronged in the past and that includes Cleo. Full of doubts, Cleo and Henry arrive at Dixie's house only to find the woman trapped in her pantry and dead from bee stings. Sheriff Culpepper is quick to point the finger at Cleo but with the help of her neighbor Deputy Gabby Honeywell and trusty sidekicks Henry and his pug, Cleo sets out to check out the real killer.

A fun, fast paced plot with returning characters and a delightful bookmobile. This addition to the series can read as a stand alone but I recommend if you haven't read the debut yet go and do it so that you have a better understanding of the characters and their histories.