Cover Image: Death at the Library (A Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 9)

Death at the Library (A Sukey Reynolds Mystery Book 9)

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Member Reviews

Certainly a cosy series. Reminds me very much of midsummer murders. Re released and somewhat dated still at times though

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Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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Book 9 featuring Sukey and the series is still very entertaining. She has moved house and changed her career since the beginning and although she is a police officer now, I liked her more in the role of SOCO. Cozy mysteries for me mean that the sleuth is an amateur whether they are writers, florists, bakers,... I know a SOCO is working for the police but is not an officer so it still counts as an amateur. Now she is a DC and it is her job to help to solve murder cases. 

I still like the series, but it takes away a bit of the charm for me. 

Anyway, Sukey and her colleagues have a heavy cases on their hands and they do not seem to be able to find the culprit. That's when the DCI decides they need help, but are they really helpful? In the end it's more or less the killer who cannot keep quiet anymore and they reveal themselves.

I was a likable story most certainly, but not my favorite. It was written very well and the author once again managed to keep me in the dark until the very end. But I miss the atmosphere from the earlier books in the series. It felt more fun. Now it's really means business and I feel like the cozy part has been left out a bit.

In a nutshell, a good new installment, but it misses a bit of the warmth I like in cozy mystery books. 4 stars

Thank you

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My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of “ Death At The Library” for an honest

I hadn’t read any of this series of books before and didn’t find a problem with reading it as a stand-alone story.I found it a “ cozy” and easy read that had an interesting storyline and it had well written characters.I generally enjoy more hard hitting thrillers , but found this an nice change of style and would recommend it as a decent read.

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Sukey Reynolds has finally achieved her long held dream of making detective and seems to be settling in with her new crew in Bristol. She is soon back to solving the murder of a famous author. Expect the usual ‘comfy’ reading experience with all of the fun, quirkiness and humour. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.

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Sukey is back in book 9 of the Sukey Reynolds series and it's a winner. Sukey is now settled in Bristol and making friends. When Vicki invites her to attend an author lecture at the local library they witness a woman threatening the obnoxious writer. Sukey thinks someone is framing Wendy, the woman from the library. A good mystery as usual and can be read out of order and as a stand alone. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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I have told so many people about this series as, for me at least, it is a great one. As a character Sukey continues to grow into her new role, but she still possesses the instincts which endeared her to me in the very first book. This is a series which is still going from strength to strength, the books are easy reads, and I highly recommend them for fans of police procedurals.

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Over all rating is 4. its the type of series that I like to read and just want something quick to get lost in , with that said I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read and review it

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I didn't want the story to end. It was so full of surprises and wonderful storytelling that I was recommendinf it before I'd even finished.

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Flamboyant novelist murdered in her bath and the deaths continue.
Police baffled by murders of every suspect they have.

What is great about this book is the detail of the investigation, it is not easy to guess whodunnit but the painstaking way in which the author shows how the police investigate is really different.

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Another great book in the Sukey Reynolds series. This time, the team investigates the murder of a novelist. Several possible suspects exist, and they meticulously investigate them to find the killer. This series contains realistic characters and situations that make reading enjoyable. I'm always anxious to read the next book in the series, as Sukey grows and changes with each one. Highly recommended!

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Sukey is investigating again! I love this series. In this book we see more of how Sukey is transitioning in her life. I recommend that you start with book 1 and you will understand. As usual, there at murders to solve and that is what Sukey does best.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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First a disclaimer: no one dies AT the library! No books were injured in the writing of this story. But, since Sukey's introduction to the victim takes place at the library, I guess whoever titled the book without reading it made an assumption. Oh well! Thankfully the book is better than the title. Sukey, now on her own and settling in to her new position is up to her old tricks of investigating above and beyond her own position. For me, this book felt very much like an old Agatha Christie mystery: old english manor in the woods, lots of servants and somewhat related people involved, and suspicious cover ups and secrets. The only drawback to this story is I felt like Sukey, and her coworkers, missed out on following several clues. Obviously the crime was solved, but it seemed like somewhat shoddy police work and a bit of luck.

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Death at the Library by Betty Rowlands is the ninth book in the Sukey Reynolds Mystery series. All of these books in this wonderful series are a cosy police mystery, They are all well written and with a great plot. I just these books. All the characters are likeable and they alway have a good part in these books.

What I love about these books You don't need to read these in order and a added bonus these books can be a stand along books. But I do recommend to read all of these books to learn more about Love Sukey Reynolds.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

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Sukey Reynolds may have changed locations but she's still at the top of her game solving crime. Betty Rowlands brings us Sukey and her friends and family as they follow elusive clues and deliberate misdirection to find out who killed the author and her enemy and why. The back story is set in Sukey's new home town but still has the characters we've been cheering for since book 1. One more great read for all of us.

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DCs Sukey Reynolds and Vicky Armstrong go to author, Jennifer Cottrell’s visit to the library. Everything starts out normal until crazed fan, Wendy Downie, accuses Jennifer of killing off her fiancé. The next morning, the author is found dead in her bathtub. Convinced that Wendy is the killer, the team pursues her, only to find her dead as well. To make matters worse, Jennifer’s household staff keep giving the police false information and lies. What really happened to Jennifer? What are her former staff hiding? What connection does Wendy have to the case? The plot is well-developed, full of twists and turns, and lots of red herrings. The characters are funny, likable, and engaging. This is a must-read for mystery fans. Although it’s not required to read the first 8 books in this series, readers will want to pick the rest up.

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Thank you with gratitude to the publisher and to Net Galley for your generosity. My review opinion is my own. I love this series and find each book more exciting then the last ! I have read the previous 8 in series and I highly recommend all books in this series for your reading enjoyment.

Our intripd detective Sukey is back and enjoying life as a detective. Her son is away at school and she has personal freedom to spend time with friends when she is not working. She loves her village of Bristol and is enjoying her life of satisfying work and good friends. I love her independent nature and her devotion to her profession. The author's description of Bristol life is enchanting and pleasing to read.

When a bestselling novelist is found dead in her bath, Sukey finds many mysteries surround the women's death. When her main suspect is drowned she has to find the real killer before another death occurs. Her investigative skills. are sharp but is she looking in the right places for the killer?

This was another enjoyable cozy mystery by this beloved author. I forward to reading book #10 and the remainder of the series . Very well done perfect British Cozy Mystery.

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Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this mystery it feels like Sukey is settling in with her new team in Bristol and putting her life as a SOCO in Gloucester behind her. She and DS Rathborne are working along better together. Her friend Vicky is helping her be more settled in this book. We have visits from Jim Castle and her son Fergus. There are many changes in Sukey's life in this book, some that you can see coming from the previous book. Once again her life is in danger in this boos as well.

Vicky convinces Sukey to go with her to a the library where her favourite author Jennifer Cottrell will be discussing her latest book. In the audience they notice an odd woman who they later learn is a woman named Wendy Downie, she accuses Jennifer of killing her lover and then rushes off. A few days later they are investigating the murder of Jennifer. The cast of characters in Jennifer's house set about to confuse the police investigating the murder with false information, lies and cover-ups. The group assigned to investigate the murder of Jennifer soon finds that all their suspects and witnesses disappear and then reappear ..... dead. Sukey - acting on her famous hunches investigates the personal assistant to Jennifer, the groundskeeper, the housekeeper and a very frightened housemaid. Who in this group could have wanted their employer dead?

As Sukey closes in on the killer she will once again put her life in great danger. An Absolutely brilliant read and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next in the series. Betty Rowlands is worthy of more than 5 stars once again!!

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A 📝 writer's household brimming with secrets: red herrings and lies galore!😲
4.5🌟stars
Another fun and exciting murder mystery with DC Sukey Reynolds in the thick of the police investigation. As the suspected culpability for a successful author's murder shifts time and again, Sukey is constantly calm and diplomatic, not least of which in calming her frazzled lead detective. There's less independent investigating of Sukey's hunches than in the previous three books in the series that I read and much more team work as the investigation team expands and new twists seem to leave the police flat footed and two steps behind developing action. I found the whole plot a darn good yarn, though the climax and ending seemed a bit truncated and rushed.

Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

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Sukey Reynolds is invited, by her colleague Vicky, to an evening at her local library to hear Jennifer Cottrell, a noted novelist, speak about her latest book. But instead of an interesting event attended by the author’s fans, a woman in the audience, Wendy Downie, accuses Jennifer of killing her lover. Before a shocked Sukey can go after her, she flees into the night. The very next day, Jennifer is found dead. The police are convinced she must have attacked Jennifer but they find that she too has been killed – in the grounds of Jennifer’s beautiful manor. There are several suspects but everyone seems to be lying & Rathbone & his team feel as though they are chasing their tails.
This is the ninth book in the series & whilst it wasn’t my favourite it still drew me in from the start & held my attention all the way through. I was a tad disappointed at the direction Sukey’s personal life was heading & I miss Sukey & Gus mulling over the cases. I did enjoy the mystery around the murders & how the police including Sukey were baffled. There were new colleagues for Sukey as the team was expanded from three to six. Overall an engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

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