A Killer Hold
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A librarian's rule for sleuthing: Better to be bookish than brash! Spring has sprung, and with it, a full line-up of programming at Larkspur Community Library. Director Greta Plank is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organization's annual conference-and dreading the arrival of her ex-boyfriend-while also helping a local treasure-hunting club coordinate a showcase highlighting Northern Wisconsin's gangster trail and the nearby hideouts of the notorious criminals of the early twentieth century. When Greta overhears the library board president and a larger-than-life member of the treasure-hunting club arguing about a secret discovery, her curiosity is piqued-even more so when one of the women leaves a book with a sequence of strange markings on its pages in the library book return bin. Before Greta can ask about the marginalia, the book's outspoken owner turns up dead. At the request of the police-though against the better judgment of her new beau, Detective Mark McHenry-Greta sets to work trying to decipher the peculiar notations, and she quickly hypothesizes that there's more to the story. Was something sketchy going on at the deceased's jewelry shop? Did her death have anything to do with the gangster trail event she was helping to plan and the personal research she was bragging about? Greta must work against the clock to decode the dead woman's book code. What she finds is someone willing to go to great lengths to keep a secret buried in the stacks-and the past-even if it means killing again.
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3 primary books#3 in Larkspur Library Mysteries
Larkspur Library Mysteries is a 3-book series with 3 released primary works first released in 2022 with contributions by Leah Dobrinska.
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Book Review: The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen 📚
Rating: 3.5 Stars
When I first picked up The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen, the cover art immediately caught my eye. It's one of those beautifully designed covers that almost whispers promises of enchantment and mystery. And in many ways, the book delivers on that promise. 📚✨
The story takes us to Victorian London, where Harriet Hunt finds herself ensconced in the crumbling estate of Sunnyside house. With her father mysteriously vanished, Harriet is left to her own devices, tending to her peculiar and magical garden—a sanctuary teeming with life and a certain otherworldly power. Harriet's reclusive nature and her affinity for the garden make her an oddity in the eyes of society, but she seems content with this solitude. 🌿🏰
However, things take a dark turn when Harriet becomes the target of suspicion regarding her father's disappearance. In a bid to safeguard herself, she enters into marriage with a man who appears to appreciate her quirks. But as the story unfolds, it becomes painfully clear that her new husband may be entangled in a sinister plot, forcing Harriet to tap into the latent magic of her garden to uncover the truth and regain her freedom. 🔍🌙
Iversen weaves a tale that is both mesmerizing and fiercely feminist, exploring themes of independence and empowerment through Harriet's journey. The garden itself is a character full of vibrancy and potential—its magical elements are intriguing, though I found myself wishing for a bit more exploration into its depths. A deeper dive into the mystical aspects could have added an extra layer of richness to the narrative. 🌸💪
Despite this, I found myself flying through the pages, finishing the book in just two days. The pacing is brisk, and the writing engages effortlessly, pulling you into Harriet's world. While I craved a little more fleshing out of certain plot points and characters, The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt still offers an enjoyable escape into a world where magic seeps through the cracks of reality. 🕰️📖
Overall, I'd give it a solid 3.5 stars. It's a delightful read with a premise that piques curiosity, even if it leaves you longing for just a touch more magic and complexity. 🌠✍️
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Originally posted at tinyurl.com.