The Grim Reader

Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library #3

by Margaret Welch

It's simmering Suspense week at the Castleton Manor literary retreat in Lighthouse Bay, MA. Faith has her hands full with a weeks worth of author talks and signings. The guest of honor clears out of her suite and disappears without a trace. Cause of this she has her hands full trying to keep her other guests and her boss satisfied.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Books About Books, Cozy

217 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Pseudonym for Molly MacRae.

Bio

Molly MacRae spent twenty years in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Upper East Tennessee, where she managed The Book Place, an independent bookstore; may it rest in peace. Before the lure of books hooked her, she was curator of the history museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.

MacRae lives with her family in Champaign, Illinois, where she recently retired from connecting children with books at the public library.
Bibliography and Awards
Novels

Argyles and Arsenic, Pegasus Books, March 2022
Heather and Homicide, Pegasus Books, December 2020
Thistles and Thieves, Pegasus Books, January 2020
Crewel and Unusual, Pegasus Books, January 2019
For Letter or Worse (writing as Margaret Welch), Annie’s Fiction, 2018
Scones and Scoundrels, Pegasus Books, January 2018
The Grim Reader (writing as Margaret Welch), Annie’s Fiction, 2017
Plaid and Plagiarism, Pegasus Books, December 2016
Knot the Usual Suspects, NAL/Obsidian, September 2015
Plagued by Quilt, NAL/Obsidian, November 2014
Spinning in Her Grave, NAL/Obsidian, March 2014
Dyeing Wishes, NAL/Obsidian, July 2013
Last Wool and Testament, NAL/Obsidian, September 2012
Lawn Order, Five Star Mysteries/Cengage, December 2010
Wilder Rumors, Five Star Mysteries/Cengage, May 2007

Short Stories

“Junk Food,” in Cooked to Death, Nodin Press, July 2016
My Troubles (collection of Margaret & Bitsy stories) Darkhouse Books, December 2014
“Cookies,” Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine (AHMM) June 2008
“A Walk in the Park,” Hardluck Stories, Summer 2007
“Wilder Dancing,” Mysterical-E, Summer 2007
“Practically Perfect,” Doses of Death, Lulu, 2005
“Fandango by Flashlight,” AHMM, December 2005
“It Takes Two,” AHMM, February 2002
“No Can Do,” AHMM, July/August 2001
“Ah, Paradise,” AHMM, November 2000
“Missing Something,” AHMM, May 2000
“Speaking Terms,” AHMM, April 1991
“My Trouble,” January 1990

Nonfiction

“Buzzing with Stories: A Visit with Author, Librarian, Teacher Janice N. Harrington,” Children and Libraries, Vol 19, No 4 (2021)
“Wilder Rumors,” an essay in the “New Books” section of Mystery Scene, issue 100, 2007
“Book Pusher: My Life in and out of Fiction,” Mystery Readers Journal, Fall 2005
Humor, Rumor, and Romance in Old Jonesborough, Overmountain Press, 1991 (editor)

Mystery Theater

Interactive dinner plays available through Positive Solutions Through Stories and Tours
“The Dead of Winter Murder Mystery”
“Daggers and Old Lace”
“Murder in Little Chicago”

Awards

2015 Lovey Award for Best Paranormal for Plagued by Quilt
2013 Lovey Award for Best Paranormal for Last Wool and Testament
2012 Suspense Magazine’s Best of 2012 for Last Wool and Testament
2001 Virginia Highlands Creative Writing Contest, first prize for novel, Wilder Rumors
2000 Sherwood Anderson Award for short fiction for “More or Less”

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery, and it is the third book in the Castleton Manor Library series. The main character is Faith and then there is her cat named Watson. Watson helps Faith solve the mysteries that comes into the library without her even knowing. I think my favorite character is Watson. In this book one of the three author that is at the library for the retreat and talk they were hosting went missing/kidnap. I found this book kept me on the edge of my sit and had me guessing. I love really enjoy this book. I cannot wait to pick up book four in this series. If you love cozy mysteries you should really check out this series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Simmering Suspense Week at Castleton Manor. Three authors are in-house for the suspense themed retreat...one is quite famous and the other two are lesser known writers. Castleton Manor librarian Faith Newberry is excited about the suspense retreat because it has gone over well. The event is sold out! Her excitement quickly turns to panic when famous author Gloria Bauer disappears after leaving her first event of the week early. Then a ransom note turns up. Maybe this won't be such a great week after all? Faith is on the case to search for the missing author. Turns out much more is at stake than a ruined retreat.....

I am really enjoying this series so far! The Grim Reader is the 3rd book in the Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library series. I love the background theme of a writers retreat that holds writer and book enthusiast retreat weeks with interesting themes. This time, suspense novelists are at the manor....makes for a great mystery! The plot develops at a nice pace with plenty of suspects and surprises along the way. I like how the guests and authors are allowed to bring pets with them. Faith's cat Watson is a great side character. This time one of the authors brought a pet that has the cutest dog name I have ever come across -- Sir Arfer Conan Doyle. Love it!

This series is published by Annie's Fiction (part of Annie's Attic) and released as part of a book club with a monthly subscription. Luckily, a wonderful person donated most of this series to my local library! :) I had to look online to find the reading order and book list because the books do not have a list of the books in this series. The series is written by various authors. The books are hardcover with nice cover art...quite attractive.

All in all, an entertaining cozy series. I will definitely continue reading. :)

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this cozy mystery series so much. Not only is there a library located in a huge manor turned literary retreat, there is a cute, tuxedo cat named Watson. I love the little blurbs into his mind throughout the story and his assistance in solving the crime.

In each book we follow Faith, the Castleton Manor's librarian and her book club friends solving mystery and murder. A quick, fun and charming read and one I highly recommend.

[Nancy Novacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished "The Grim Reader" by Margaret Welch and it was great! It is the 3rd book in the Mystery of Castleton Manor Library series that is written by different authors but with the same cast of characters in the fictional town of Lighthouse Bay on Cape Cod:
Faith, the Librarian
Watson, her tuxedo cat
Brooke, her friend and sous chef for the manor
Wolfe, owner of the Manor
Charlotte, Wolfe’s mom
Marlene, Manager of the Manor's literary retreats
Eileen, Director of the Candle Shop Library
Midge, Veterinarian for the town and the manor

The main guest author, Gloria Bauer, for Simmering Suspense Week leaves early. BUT did she leave by her own free will? The two other lesser known authors are happy to take over and be in the spot light! Lots of folks are up to mischief in this story including Watson and Sir Arfer Conan Doyle, nope not a typo. The guest speaker named her dog after the mystery character. And did we say murder?? Because someone does end up dearly departed.
One of the fun items in this series is that we get to hear Watsons point of view on everything.

This series doesn't have blood, gore and ick crime scenes or a sex Olympics going on. It is good clean fun that you can share with your mom or friends without worrying if you will scare or offend them. Yes, a G rated mystery.

This series has a classy edge to it. The hard cover editions that I get from the library have a ribbon attached to the binding to be used as a book mark.
Because the series is written by different authors, they are difficult to find so here is the list for you.

SECRETS OF THE CASTLETON MANOR LIBRARY
1) A Novel Murder by Elizabeth Penney
2) Bitter Words by Jan Fields
3) The Grim Reader by Margaret Welch
4) A Deadly Chapter by Jan Fields
5) An Autograph Mystery by DeAnna Julie Dodson
6) Second Edition Murder by Elizabeth Penney
7) A Crime Well Versed by Marlene Chase
8) A Murder Unscripted by Elizabeth Penney
9) Pride and Publishing by DeAnna Julie Dodson
10) A Literary Offense by Elizabeth Penney
11) Up to Noir Good by Jan Fields
12) For Letter of Worse by Margaret Welch
13) On Pens and Needles by Sandra Orchard
14) Ink or Swim by Catherine Dilts
15) Tell No Tales by Marlene Chase
16) Page Fright by Elizabeth Penney
17) A Fatal Yarn by Allie Pleiter
18) Read Between the Crimes by Lucy Averill
19) From Fable to Grave by Marlene Chase
20) A Fateful Sentence by Lucy Averill
21) Cloak and Grammar by Allie Pleiter
22) A Lost Clause by K.D. McCrite
23) A Thorny Plot by Catherine Dilts
24) A Scary Tale Wedding by K.D. McCrite

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book is a hardcover with a gorgeous dust jacket. This is book #3 in a series written by different authors. I own two of them but would love to read more.

I'll start with my only criticism: There isn't enough information about Faith Newberry, the main character. All we are told is that she came from Boston to be the Librarian and Archivist at the Castleton Manor Library in Lighthouse Bay, Cape Cod and that she has an aunt Eileen who is a librarian in town. How old is she? Does she have parents? Siblings? Is she blond, brunette, red-haired? Thin? Chubby?

Faith has a tuxedo cat, Watson, who helps along in the mystery. In this story Castleton Manor Library is hosting a retreat and featuring three mystery authors. The most famous one disappears and threatening ransom notes start to appear. There are several suspects. Faith's boss, Mrs. Jaxon who owns the mansion the library is in, does not want the police involved. The Candle House Book Club have to put their heads together to figure out whodunit.

[KayDee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books in this series are written by different authors which can make the writing uneven. This is one of them. While the characters are just as cute as ever, this is the stupidest premise for a mystery I've ever seen. When their star visiting author is missing NO ONE calls the police for four days! The reason given was because they weren't sure she was kidnapped even after receiving multiple ransom notes! I'm glad I'm not a guest there since I'd want SOMEONE with sense calling the police if there was even a chance that I'd been abducted! I'm assuming this poor author was given this dumb idea for a plot and had to work with it because the actual writing was okay if maybe a bit repetitious at times. It's a cute cozy series and I'm hoping this idiotic plot is the last of its kind.

[CatReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The consistency in the series is amazing again with this book. This mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. Lots of twists and turns. It was wonderful that the Candle House Book Club was highly involved in this mystery. Also, lots of Watson the cat's thoughts in this one for those that like them. The reveal was surprising and delightful and so was the ending. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Diane Yonchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the Castleton Manor Series from Annie's Attic. Very enjoyable read with well drawn characters and solid plotting. Wonderful to relax with, and proof that g rated can be entertaining and satisfying.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this latest installment in the "The Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library" series. It seems like they already have a lot of problems with visiting guest authors and this is only book 3.

Watson the cat is still my favorite, but there are other good characters, too.

I expected Marlene to stay in the stereotypical mean boss mode, but was surprised and glad to see her interactions with Faith change.

Faith had said that reasoning didn't reach Marlene, but it seemed like humor might and I loved the quote, "... maybe Faith's compliment had smoothed those prickles for the time being... Complimenting and thanking were both simple kindnesses. If she made an effort to offer either to Marlene more often, then maybe their relationship would improve."

It made me think of an overworked, grumpy administration assistant that I was determined to have a pleasant working relationship with - and did, over time.

I didn't guess whodunit. There had been so little about the character that at first I had to go back and see who that was.

Also, the clue of the comment made at another arrest wasn't said. I went back and checked. I wondered if the author had removed the comment as being too obvious, but then forgot to take out the later allusion to it. I even checked back during the dialog at one of the seminars on a related topic to see if the stray comment had simply been misplaced and it hadn't.

There were, however, other relevant clues.

It bothered me that Faith would read her boss (not Marlene, but Charlotte)'s private mail to her book club to force Charlotte 's cooperation. If Faith had thought it was that important, she should've taken it to the police... But that seems to be a theme with book mysteries, people not taking things to police, and I understand that the author wanted to keep the other book club members involved in the story.

The only complaint I saw in other reviews was that there wasn't much description of Faith, the main character. But there was in the earlier books.

Favorite quote: "A clean paw was a stealthy paw."

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith Newberry - librarian and archivist at Castleton Manor, Watson - her cat;
Simmering Suspense Weekend with 3 special guests;
Gloria Bauer - romantic suspense, murder with a twist of strychinine, KIDNAPPED;
Tanya Race - sea deep in secrets, used by the kidnapper, murdered;
Jed Knowlan - gasping, really is Jim Norton, owns a small trucking business in Ohio, Gloria writes all his books, used by the kidnapper;
Heath Westcott - guest, friends with Blake Jaxon, The Brick Bookend, KIDNAPPER and KILLER;
Marlene Russell - assistant;
Charlotte Jaxon - started Castleton as an event venue, didn't want to report kidnapping because she thought it might be her son, Blake;
Wolfe Jaxon; son who runs Castleton;
Eileen - Faith's aunt, who is also a librarian;
Brooke - sous chef at Castleton;
Midge - vet and owner of pet store;
Alyssa Masters, guest;
Rachel Vail, guest;
Dillon & Lindsey Hannah, she works at Castleton, he's in jail;
Officers Rooney & Tobin;
Mary Stewart Lifetime Achievement award came with a diamond necklace, book by Michael Patrick also taken; His birthday is 10/04;
Michael Patrick - Sea Shanties of the Cape Cod Whalemen, Truro, 1922;

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library cozy mystery series and The Grim Reader is an awesome addition to the series! It has everything I love about cozy mysteries: interesting likable characters, an intriguing cozy mystery, and friendship. Faith Newberry is the librarian at Castleton Manor library. In this book, it is Simmering Suspense Week with visiting authors and their fans. Everyone is enjoying the activities until one of the more famous authors disappears. Is it a publicity stunt or was she kidnapped. Faith, her Aunt Eileen and the rest of their book group work together to figure out what is going on. The book group's friendship is my favorite part and makes an enjoyable cozy even more enjoyable. The interesting thing with this series is that the books are written by a few authors but they are so well done, you wouldn't even realize it. The audiobooks are well done and are very enjoyable.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith Newberry and her cat Watson help with Simmering Suspense Week at Castleton Manor. When their "headliner" disappears, the question is did she leave of her own accord because she was anxious, stage a disappearance as part of the suspense for Shimmering Suspense Week, or is foul play involved?

Come to think of it, considering that Castleton Manor's announcement that there were unexpected suspense surprises to come, I'm surprised they didn't try to spin Gloria's disappearance as one of these "unexpected surprises" as a mystery for the guests to solve. Though I do admire their honesty.

I didn't really figure out the perpetrator before it was revealed but that is my norm so your experience may vary.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books remind me of growing up with my mother watching Murder she wrote. They are super fast reads and usually like the TV show predictable, this doesn't take away from the novel in any way. In this episode we find our Heroine Faith and her sidekick Watson, a tuxedo cat, searching for a missing/presumed kidnapped mystery author. All this during a week of mystery held at the Manor. I love these books because of the cat and well its about a library and an old Manor house along the sea. I use these as pallet cleansers between bigger heavier books. I have the whole series and I am sure they are all equally as fun.

[Nate Balcom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Grim Reader much more than Bitter Words (book 2). Though I think A Novel Murder (Book 1) has been the best in the series so far. Enjoyed the premise of mystery writers coming to the manor. Though I imagined a way different ending and was surprised at the actual ending. Still these are fun books and I'm enjoying staying in the same settings with mostly the same characters. VERY much like a television show and it makes every new book much easier to jump into. Quite good comfort-reading during the COVID Pandemic. On to the fourth book in the series: "A Deadly Chapter!"

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and each one has been written by a different author. My favorite one so far was the first book, but I really loved that the cat's perspective was more pronounced in this one. There is a whisper of a possible romance which I am rooting for. While I wasn't surprised by the villain, I was kept guessing throughout. The ending wasn't as abrupt as the second book, but it did feel slightly rushed. The relationship between Faith and her cat, Watson is my favorite part of this series.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

What to do on an unbearably hot summer day? Read! That is exactly what I did with this book. I am on the fence about this one. The story line had the opportunity to really develop but I felt cheated when it a solution would come or a suspect eliminated and I had to read a portion again to make sure I didn't miss anything. All in all, this installment of the Secrets of Castleton Library was a good read. The women are busy solving the latest crime and another one happens. Time to move on to the next one!

[Tweller83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting entry into this Castleton Manor cozy mystery. I enjoyed the authors involvement this time and while I again guessed the "bad guy" it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book. I'm looking forward to the holiday edition for next month. Faith and her side-cat Watson are fun. Probably a 3.5 rounded up, very enjoyable.

[Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing the trend, the series is great, even when written by different authors. There were a few things that felt just a little off (like characters that were big in the first book not showing up, or a focus on details that the others didn't). The actual mystery was interesting and kept me guessing until the end. Look forward to reading the rest of the series if it keeps this direction.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I'm not a real fan of this series. I read the 1st book, now this one, but I skimmed through both of them, impatient to know who the kidnapper/murderer was.
I won't be reading any more of the series.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The parts of this book I liked the most were the cat's viewpoint of things. This was a good mystery in that the villain of the piece was not immediately apparent from the first chapter.

[Dedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book from the Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you not like a cozy mystery that has a manx cat named Watson?

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading about the latest adventures of Faith and Watson - in fact this is my favorite one so far.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery

[Lisa Stanglin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great light mystery read. These are some of my favorite quick reads. They always have a great little storyline and love the friendships in the books.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good cozy mystery for a very rainy day.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery. I am enjoying this series.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good series. Passing this one along to my bestie!

[Amy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so incredibly impressed and in love with this cozy series! Fantastic, beautiful setting with creative literary events and a sneaky cat - What's not to love?!