Murder at the Lakeside Library: A Lakeside Library Mystery

Shortly before Memorial Day, Rain Wilmot, the protagonist of this run-of-the-mill series launch from Danvers (the Handcrafted Mysteries as Holly Quinn), arrives at her family’s lakefront cabin in Lofty Pines, Wis., where she runs into Julia, a childhood friend she hasn’t seen in several years. The original portion of the cabin, built by Rain’s great-grandfather, now serves as the community’s summer library, which Rain’s mother, Willow, has always run, but since Willow may not visit until Labor Day, Julia pressures Rain to open it for the season. Later that same day, the library treasurer discovers the body of Thornton Hughes lying behind the cabin’s outhouse. Rain doesn’t know the victim, but Julia’s police officer brother tells Rain that Willow and Thornton, a wealthy developer seeking to buy the town campground, were rumored to be having an affair. To save her mother’s good name, Rain decides to help investigate the murder. Rain is too easily pushed around by Julia, and the sleuthing largely consists of flimsy clues and a few “aha” moments. Cozy fans will hope Rain shows more spine next time. Agent: Sandy Harding, Spencer Hill Assoc. (July)