Death at the Library

Sukey Reynolds #9

by Betty Rowlands

This book was previously published as Smokescreen.

Toasted crumpets, a country house… and a curious murder?

Sukey Reynolds is invited 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 chase after Wendy, convinced she must have attacked Jennifer. But they find that she too has been killed – in the grounds of Jennifer’s beautiful manor. Why was she at Jennifer’s house? Are all of their suspects going to disappear?

With the police running around in circles, Sukey decides to do some sleuthing on her own. Looking closely at Jennifer’s household and acquaintances, Sukey wonders who could have wanted her dead? The homely housekeeper, the gloomy groundsman or the secretive secretary?

A dog’s lead and a pair of dirty boots direct Sukey to the truth, but will she be able to let her detective colleagues know who the culprit is, before the devious villain realises they’ve been rumbled?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

242 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Betty Rowlands is an member of the Crime Writers' Association and appears on panels at writers' conferences.

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a bestselling novelist is found dead in her bath, DC Sukey Reynolds and the rest of the team at the Bristol CID office have a very complicated murder case to solve.

Sukey Reynolds has finally achieved a long-held dream of being a detective and has moved to Bristol where she's found new co-workers and friends. When the team begins to investigate, they find that almost every single person they interview is lying. There is no shortage of possible killers and soon their primary suspect is found drowned near to Woodlands, the house where author Jennifer Cotrell lived with her PA and her housekeeper. Is the perpetrator living in the house, or is it someone else who wanted Jennifer out of the picture? And why? NO SPOILERS.

This was another entertaining cozy mystery and there was no shortage of bodies. Sukey has matured and come into her own making changes in her personal life along with her change of careers and living situation. Fergus is off at University so she's living alone and relishing her freedom. Her fellow DC, Vicky Armstrong, is a fast friend as well as a colleague. Although she still has her hunches, she's following orders and doing her job. I think it best that this series be read, from the beginning, in order to see the development of Sukey's character. I'm looking forward to reading book #10 shortly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Patricia Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the new Sarge and his humor. Enjoyed how Sukey and he worked together. Especially liked the book because there wasn't any great love interest that took up a large part of her other books.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

DC Sukey Reynolds and DC Vicky Armstrong attend an author talk at a library. Little do they know that Jennifer Cottrell, the author, will be the subject of murder. The police keep losing possible murderers, when they are murdered as well.

[aprilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, but I'll continue the series hoping it gets my interest back

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

An author is killed. There are several suspected. But some of them get murdered too. There are lies and surprises

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! This series is ridiculously additive and I’m so glad I came across it. Book 9 did not disappoint and I was gripped from the first page. Sukey seems to have evolved quite a lot since earlier books and she is really growing on me. Unfortunately I didn’t guess the killer in this book but it was lots of fun guessing who did it. A nice quick weekend read with a good fast paced plot. Highly recommend!

Thanks kindly to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that when I read the last Sukey Reynolds book Death at the Mariners Hotel I was a little disappointed. One of the things that I'd loved about this series was the characters that appeared time and time again. In book eight, however, Sukey had left her previous job and moved to Bristol, leaving behind the people that she had worked with before. I wasn't sure how the series would progress from here on in. Death in the Library appears in some ways to be a bit of a transition book. Sukey still has a little input from her son, Fergus, although now he is at University, he only has a small role. But, Sukey is beginning to gather a small cast of regular characters that I'm sure will grow in future books. She has a sergeant that she works with regularly and a friend and colleague, Vicky, who she is spending more and more time with. Hopefully, in future books, the cast of characters will build back to something similar to what existed before.
I enjoyed this book much more than the previous one. As I said, I wasn't sure about the sudden change that had taken place. I think if you hadn't read any of the earlier books, then you wouldn't be at all bothered by this, as the mystery and the storyline is a good solid one. I really enjoyed this aspect of it and this time around I have to admit that I didn't guess who was guilty, although I was right about who wasn't. That probably doesn't make much sense, but if you read the book, you'll see what I mean.
The question of Sukey's relationship with Jim is finally resolved, although I have to admit, not quite the way that I would like. Although I do see why.
Overall this was a good read and I'm interested to see where next for Sukey.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

DC Sukey Reynolds is still enjoying her new life in Bristol and being a member of the local CID is the job she always wanted. She works with friend, DC Vicky Armstrong, and between them and their team they try to work through the many clues and secrets surrounding the sudden death of Vicky's favourite author, Jennifer Cottrell, in her country house. With a staff including a PA, a cook/housekeeper, a gardener and a maid the similarities to the Agatha Christie estates of a previous era were very welcoming and it was easy to picture the various settings where murders were committed, interviews held, or investigations conducted.

Right until the epilogue I really enjoyed this book but then there was one of those instances where it almost seems as if an author realises she has missed something vital and has to hastily and unsatisfactorily deal with it. Before this the descriptions, characters, and locations were as inviting as always and the crimes made me envision a mix of this murder case intertwined with previous stories with mid 20th century settings.

This final disappointment won't colour my enjoyment of this series and in fact is the first time in both of Ms Rowlands excellent series of books that I have felt this way. I am sure the tenth outing for Sukey will be right back on track.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would still recommend it to all Ms Rowlands' fans but maybe not quite as strongly as usual.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book nine, although it can be read as a stand alone. The previous book gave a little shake up, as the main character Sukey moved and it disrupted the circle around her, mainly her boyfriend and son (who is now in college). In this book we are given a little closure with the old boyfriend, which helps, and overall I really liked this one. When Sukey goes to a book reading with a fellow cop, she is not impressed with the writer. During the reading a strange woman shouts out and calls the writer a murderer and then leaves. Within a day or two, the writer is found dead in her bathroom, and the list of suspects revolve around the household, and also the strange woman. When suspect after suspect keep showing up dead though, it muddies the water on who the killer is. This one kept me guessing, as I wasn't sure if the one I thought was the killer would be the next one dead, so decided to just follow the author on the journey. Overall, I highly recommend this book and author and series. I would give this 4.5, but that is simply because I felt the ending got wrapped up a little too quickly, and a few more details could have been added. Otherwise, another hit!

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 new 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.

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

Please Note: A copy of this book was given to us by Boukouture and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received. All opinions expressed are our own.

For more reviews, recommendations, or online librarain advice, please visit us at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK3v...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sukey and her colleague Vicky Armstrong attend a meet the author event at the library and a deranged threatens the author before running out. Within a few days the author is found dead in her home by her assistant, Sukey and Vicky are tasked with finding the woman and assisting in what turns out to be a homicide. When the fan turns up dead, they team must soldier on and determine who the killer truly is before tragedy strikes again.

I adore the Sukey Reynolds series and this is the second where Sukey is a detective after having been a patrol officer and a Crime Scene Investigator before that. The mysteries are well written and it’s even more enjoyable having a strong female character that has followed her passion and moved up the ranks. Lots of suspects and clues to keep you guess whodunit to the very end.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Anglophile Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the 9th book in the Sukey Reynolds’ saga, but don’t worry… you can read it if you haven’t read the previous ones ;) Great descriptions and characters, fast paced narrative that makes it an unputdownable whodunnit.

I loved this book! I couldn’t stop reading since I started; it only took me two days to finish it. I strongly recommend it. I got so hooked on it that I had to request other three books by Betty Rowlands! Hope there will be more books to come!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book to read and review.

[The Kawaii Slartibartfast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I thought these book was great! I really enjoyed Sukey and her friendship with Vicky.

The description of the bloviatibg Jennifer in the beginning was really great stuff.

The mystery was pretty solid with a twist that you would have to be paying pretty close attention to get.

I really loved this book!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

About that title. The first victim is the supercilious author that the partnering DCs observed at the local library along with a woman who loudly vocalized that she wanted the author dead. A few days later the author was dead in her own bath. This whole mystery is full of misdirection, red herrings, twists, due diligence and investigation misjudgments. Fascinating! Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Policewoman Sukey Reynolds goes to hear a noted romance author speak. The talk is interrupted by an obviously distraught woman, who accuses the author of murder. When the author is found dead, the woman, now missing, becomes the chief suspect. Sukey listens to her superiors, but she's not sure that the case is as simple as they think it is. Part of a series.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Fiona Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[T Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written as always, and now the unbelievable coincidences are gone so that the plot is more plausible. There's still at least one thing that's totally not plausible, but you have to find out by reading and thinking. Otherwise, the story and the characters are very good.

[lloyd tewcragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book with lots of twists and turns a book that was very difficult to put down once you start it.