Death on the Shelf (Haunted Library Mystery 5), by Allison Brook

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Death on the Shelf is the fifth installment in the Haunted Library Mystery series, by Allison Brook, that I've been reading seasonally since last October. The fact that I continue to read the series should tell you that I'm really enjoying it. This one actually takes place in late June through early July, so although I missed that time frame, I did finish it before astronomical fall begins. More importantly, I thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, Death on the Shelf may just be my favorite installment in the series so far.

Carrie Singleton, head of programs and events at the local library, is excited to attend her best friend, Angela's, wedding. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a happily ever after when someone keels over and dies. Later, someone else close to Angela is in a fatal accident. Or was it an accident? With the body count piling up, Carrie is determined to find out who is responsible for these heinous crimes. And while working on this case, Carrie's ghostly friend, Evelyn, tasks her with solving a different kind of mystery.

There is a lot happening in this book with Carrie working on multiple mysteries, but it never felt overwhelming to me. All of the events flow at a comfortable pace. It helps that things are going smoothly in her relationship with her boyfriend. He, along with with Carrie's father are her anchors. They keep her grounded through everything that is happening. Some of my favorite scenes in this book are when she is with her family and boyfriend sharing meals. (Technically, this isn't a culinary cozy, but all the food talk will make you hungry!) It is beautiful to see how all of Carrie's relationships have grown throughout the series. She doesn't have a lot of friends and family, but she is very close with those she does have in her life. This is what makes it feel cozy to me.

I also love the way the detective respects Carrie and all that she does to try to help solve these crimes. There is some tension between them because he is genuinely concerned for her safety. However, he clearly appreciates her efforts. Carrie does make mistakes sometimes, ones that almost cost her her life, but I don't see this as a problem in these books. She is, after all, an amateur sleuth, not a professional. Amateurs will make mistakes, even those who are strong and intelligent, like Carrie.

The mysteries in this installment are strong. There are several viable suspects with motives, means, and opportunities.  I bounced around a lot with who I thought the culprit was, and in the end, I was surprised at the outcome. The mystery that Evelyn wants Carrie to solve is a minor subplot, which was a nice reprieve from the main mystery at times.

The end of this book is uplifting and satisfying, but I'm also glad there is more to come. I will be reading the sixth installment, Dewey Decimated, very soon. While this series does have a paranormal aspect with the friendly ghost who occasionally visits Carrie, it is a very light paranormal. If you're on the fence about reading this type of book or you just want to get your feet wet, this series might be a good starting point for you. However, I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series, Death Overdue, so you can follow the subplots. And it's perfect timing because Death Overdue takes place around Halloween!