A Literary Offense

Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library #10

by Elizabeth Penney

It's Gatsby week and the roaring 20s are in full swing. One of the guests starts to receive threatening letters. When Avis is involved in an incident at the manor and then a mishap at the county club the plot thickens.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

207 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Elizabeth Penney lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts. After spending early years in England and France, she grew up in Maine, settings that are reflected in her books.

Elizabeth is the author of the Apron Shop Series and Cambridge Bookshop Series from St. Martin's as well as over twenty novels, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA. She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.

She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.

Reviews

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

This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the 10th book in the Secrets of the Castleton Library series. I have to I missed the Library again in this book, but I loved that this book at least took place in the Manor. I love the characters in this book. The mystery was so good, and I did not guess who did it. Of course Watson help solved the mystery in this book. My favorite character is Watson, and I love that some parts are in the point of view of Watson. Watson is Faith's cat. If you have not give this series a try you should because it has great characters and always something about books in this series. (*)

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

I love this series! A Literary Offense is my favorite book so far but I've said that after each one, This series has everything I love about cozy mysteries - interesting likable characters, friendship, humor, and potential romance (this is book 10 and it is still potential). Faith Newberry is the librarian at Castleton Manor Library. Her cat Watson accompanies her and finds clues. The manor is doing a Great Gatsby week with everyone dressing in period clothes. An unpopular author dies and Faith and friends try to figure out what happened. Wolfe Jaxon is the co-owner of the manor along with his mother Charlotte and both play bigger parts which makes this even more enjoyable. The characters and friendships really are what make this series so perfect! Very enjoyable!

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tenth book in this series takes Faith and Watson out of the library to help Wolfe's mother with a Gatsby retreat. I really enjoy how all the books take a different genre or author theme to focus on. As usual, Watson is a favorite of mine and his point of view is always amusing. We get to know Wolfe a little more which satisfies my desire for a little romance. I know they are just friends, but I'm rooting for it to become more. Until then, I will enjoy when Wolfe and Faith work together to solve various mysteries.

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

"Maybe that was the problem. Human noses didn't work right. If they did, they could follow the trail that led to solving this mystery instead of crying and yakking." Watson the Tuxedo Cat

It's Gatsby Week at Castleton Manor and per their literary style, packed full of era-fun activities. During these activities it seems someone wants to harm one of the guests, literary agent Avis Roth, and during the 2nd attempt...they succeed. Now it's up to Watson, Faith and the Candle House Book Club to solve the mystery and catch a murderer.

This is definitely, by far, my absolute favorite cozy mystery series. It's fun, it's literary, it has a cat finding clues and helping solve mysteries, while sharing his thoughts throughout. Not to mention these are quick and enjoyable. I would highly recommend this series to anyone wanting to try this genre out.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preferred the earlier books in the series to this one, but that might not be the fault of the author. About a librarian, this series of mysteries styles each book after a different genre. This one was loosely styled after "The Great Gatsby," which I haven't read, and some of the clues involved had to do with that specific book. A "Roaring 20's" theme could've been more interesting to me if it had been more general. It did, however, make "The Great Gatsby" sound like a worthwhile read.

It also took a little longer than usual for me to identify the suspects' personalities and roles.

I did, however, wonder if the culprit was the one, not because of the specific clues, but because ... well, that might give it away. I hadn't totally settled on that person, however.

Watson wouldn't have won the blue ribbon in a traditional cat show, due to his missing tail.

The EMTs aren't permitted to guess to inquirers about the causes for injuries even when it's fairly obvious. It also takes more than that to be declared dead on the scene. They also do a heart monitor, in case the pulse is too weak for them to detect with the usual method.

Someone was said to be "avenged" in the end who wasn't even dead. I was thinking that perhaps that person had been insulted? But everyone else was also, so I didn't see that as being a big deal.

All in all, it's been an enjoyable cozy mystery series. I'd recommend it. This is the last one we have of the set.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would put this closer to 3.5 stars than 3 stars--rating shown may differ depending on whether site allows half star ratings. A friend (CC) sent me the first 10 books from this series after she'd read them. This is the last one I have from this series. I'll miss Watson but I think I'm ready to take a bit of a break from Castleton manner. I didn't like this book as much as I did others from the series. I'm kind of sad to end this part of the series on a lower note.

I did read "The Great Gatsby" for English class but it was years ago. I'm sure I didn't catch all the references.

So . . . if Faith was drafted as Charlotte Jaxon's assistant, who manned the library? In most books of the series, guests are in and out of the library wanting books to read or reference books.

I've heard the publishing world is cutthroat, but I kind of feel like Avis took that to the extreme.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Castleton Manor Mystery books to rest from the more involved stories. As always enjoyed the mystery of “who done it”. Of course Watson was as alert as always because he had to protect his human. It looks like Faith and Wolfe are getting a bit closer. The roaring twenties was the theme this time and Charlotte went all out in planning all the activities from a “twenties” fashions show to a vintage car race. Very entertaining and I already have the next two books in the series.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As has been noted elsewhere, the books in this series are written by a variety of quthors, so the pacing and the calibre varies somewhat. I find the stories diverting.

What I really appreciate is what isn't in this series: graphic violence, explicit sex, and a lot of profanity. Just an entertaining and diverting series of stories.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faith and friends are off on another mystery adventure. There is murder, theft, and more in this story. It is "The Great Gatsby" retreat at the manor and Mrs Jaxson is in charge. Another good read in this series.

[Jodi Kauble · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[Nate Balcom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book #11 of my #30BookSummer Challenge! Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library #10: A Literary Offense by Elizabeth Penney. Another murder at Castleton Manor! Light and fun as always.

[Tweller83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good addition to the series with an unlikeable victim. The romance between Wolfe and Faith is such a slow burn, is it even happening? I'd like to see that move a little faster, but otherwise a decent cozy mystery.

[Jamie Banewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe Wolfe is getting so bold!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[CatReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery and a ferret named Fitz. I didn't figure out the killer. The ending was action packed. Eileen and Watson figured the whole thing out.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faith Newberry and her sometimes annoying cat Watson return for another mystery. This time, instead of focusing on library work, Faith becomes the assistant to her boss Wolfe's mother, Charlotte Jaxon, as she hosts multiple events for Gatsby week. Authors, editors, and agents all join in on the fun. All is well until an unpleasant agent experiences multiple attempts on her life before finally being murdered. Multiple thefts are also happening throughout the area. As usual, Faith and her friends investigate, and with Watson's help, figure out who is guilty. The wonderful library at Castleton Manor is not featured in this story, but literary works are still in abundance. This cozy mystery series maintains its light entertainment.

[Dedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book from the Secrets of Castleton Library series

[Tambra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these set in Amish . Great story, They are really great fun read, great characters.

[Cheriwinkle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was enjoyable-it deserved 4 stars, but Christa Lewis’s narration detracts from the enjoyment of the audiobook-I play it at 2x or I can’t stand her dreadfully slow pace and huge pauses.