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Death Checked Out
A Larkspur Library Mystery
by Leah Dobrinska
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Death Checked Out: A Larkspur Library Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Level Best Books (December 6, 2022)
Number of Pages ~300
Digital ASIN : B0BHJJ1QRT
She’s used to checking out books. A death? Not so much.
Greta Plank, resident librarian in the small, lakeside town of Larkspur, Wisconsin, prefers her rose-tinted glasses extra rosy, thank you very much. Ever since a family tragedy landed her in Larkspur, she’s kept a happy-or-bust outlook. But Greta’s cheery resolve takes a hit when she finds the town recluse dead at the base of the stairs leading from his deck to the lake. What she assumes is a terrible accident Greta soon learns is something more sinister, and to make matters worse, new-to-town Detective Mark McHenry cites her as not only his primary source for the case, but his top suspect.
To clear her name and return to life as she knew it before the murder, Greta decides to do some clue cataloging of her own. After all, she’s got her master’s degree in library science with an emphasis in research methodology…how hard could a criminal investigation be? With the help of her fellow librarians and her lawyer mom, Greta begins checking out the pages of the murder, uncovering details about the recluse’s rare book collection and Larkspur’s real estate market as she tries to understand why anyone would have authored his death.
But with friends and neighbors stacking up as both victims and suspects, Greta must cross-reference the facts and put a hold on her idyllic worldview if she wants to get the full story without paying the fine of her life.
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Character Interview
Hello! Welcome to Larkspur Community Library. I’m Greta Plank, the director here. I’m so glad you stopped by. I’m just finishing up our Monday Morning Storytime. We host a reading hour for our youngest and most wiggly patrons each week, and it’s one of my favorite library events.
Unlike large branches with designated youth services and children’s librarians, I split the duties with my two co-librarians, Iris and Josie. Maybe someday we’ll hire someone who specializes in this area, but it’s not in the budget right now.
I suppose it’ll be my job to try to figure out our capacity for hiring and future guest services. To be honest, I’m still working to figure out exactly how to navigate my role as director. I’ve only been in the position for four months. I’ve been well received, for the most part, but there are some members of the Library Board with whom I don’t see eye-to-eye.
At this point, I’m choosing my moments so I don’t ruffle any feathers.
I do love spending time in the children’s corner of the library. With the colorful, kid-curated art adorning the walls, the wooden toy train table that’s tarnished with use, and the bin of cheerful stuffed animal puppets over there in the corner, it’s one of the happiest spots in the whole building.
And, as usual, I’m choosing joy this morning. If I’m being completely honest, I needed the children’s story time today more than usual. My dear friend, Franklin, died tragically on Friday. I stumbled upon his body. It’s awful, and I’ll be grieving his loss for a long time.
But this morning, I gladly buried myself in my duties and in the whimsical words of Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. It’s a crowd favorite, and the kids are currently milling about with the dried leaves I handed out after we finished our reading.
Oh dear. Why is Detective McHenry here? How am I just seeing him now? He’s new to town, too. Newer than me, even. And he was first on the scene of Franklin’s death, after me. I can’t argue with the fact that the man is rock solid in a crisis, but I’d rather not be reminded of all that right now. His presence is totally bursting the bubble of happiness I had built up around myself this morning.
Shoot. He’s coming this way. Everyone is staring. No doubt they’re all taking in the badge the detective is wearing on his hip and thinking that I, the woman who appears to be a sweet and innocent librarian, have somehow found myself on the wrong side of the law. Rest assured, I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for why Detective McHenry is gracing me with his presence while I’m at work.
If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have to go and figure this out.
Feel free to make yourself at home in the library. We’ve got something for everyone, and my co-librarians, Josie and Iris, can help you out if I get tied up with the detective. Wish me luck!
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About Leah Dobrinska
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Leah Dobrinska is the author of the Larkspur Library Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and the Mapleton novels, a series of standalone small town romances. She earned her degree in English Literature from UW-Madison and has since worked as a freelance writer, editor, and content marketer. As a kid, she hoped to grow up to be either Nancy Drew or Elizabeth Bennet. Now, she fulfills that dream by writing mysteries and love stories. Death Checked Out is her debut cozy mystery.
A sucker for a good sentence, a happy ending, and the smell of books—both old and new—Leah lives out her very own happily ever after in a small Wisconsin town with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she’s not writing, handing out snacks, or visiting local parks, Leah enjoys reading and running. Find out more about Leah, join her newsletter community, and connect with her through her website, leahdobrinska.com.
Author Links: Website / Newsletter / Amazon / Facebook / Instagram
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