Guest Marilyn Levinson, plus #giveaway

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News Flash: Katherine Holom is Marilyn’s lucky winner! Katherine, please check your email.

Edith/Maddie writing from Maine but thinking of my tomatoes ripening at home.

I’m also thinking of new books, including my fellow Guppy Marilyn Levinson’s newest Haunted Library Mystery, Booked on Murder, which is out next week!

Check out the blurb: Carrie Singleton is ready to kiss the single life goodbye. Her wedding to Dylan Avery is just a few weeks away, and a happy ending is about to be hers. But when a body is found on the lawn of their wedding venue, happily-ever-after is looking deadlier than ever. 

The victim turns out to be Billy Carpenter, a young man recently released from prison after serving time for a bank robbery. The stolen money he’d buried is gone and Carrie and the police suspect Billy’s two alleged co-conspirators, his friends Luke Rizzo and Tino Valdez. But then Luke is murdered and Tino is nowhere to be found. 

With no leads and only a week to go before her big day, Carrie is on the hunt for clues. She hopes to wrap up this investigation with a neat bow before she and Dylan tie the knot. Carrie has something old, something new, and something borrowed ready for her walk down the aisle. Now she needs to find the killer without becoming the ‘something blue.’

The Old and the New

A few years ago as I plotted Booked on Murder, the eighth book in my Haunted Library series, I realized it would be the last book in the series, as well. My sleuth, Carrie Singleton was now a mature and caring adult. In Death Overdue, Carrie comes on the scene ready to leave town. She’s been working in the Clover Ridge Library doing low-level work–reshelving books and helping out where she is needed. Now it’s time to leave the comfort of her great aunt and uncle’s home. It doesn’t matter where. Carrie’s a floater with no place to call home; no one to answer to.

The library director offers Carrie the position of head of programs and events, for which she is qualified. Too late, Carrie thinks. I’m outa here. But a voice urges her to consider the position. The voice belonging to a ghost named Evelyn Havers. Carrie considers and with her great aunt and uncle’s encouragement she became Clover Ridge Library’s next head of programs and events.

Carrie works hard at her new job. It isn’t always easy, especially when the director thinks she only got the job because her great-uncle is on the library board, and the nasty reference librarian believes she should have gotten the position. But Carrie had pluck and determination. She has innovative, creative ideas and is insightful enough to recognize the artistic talent of one of her assistants.  

As she grows more confident, Carrie makes friends. Her relationship with her mother and father, now divorced,  improves. She falls in love with Dylan Avery, the boy who used to play with her older brother when, as children, she and Jordan stayed at the Singleton Farm during summers. She becomes a temporary member of the town and often helps others. And with Evelyn’s input she solves murder mysteries.

In Booked on Murder, Carrie and Dylan are looking forward to their nuptials when they have the biggest adventure of their lives solving a rash of murders just hours before they’re to say “I do.” All is resolved. Carrie’s story arc is complete. Time for Allison Brook to move on.

I was a bit nervous when I told my agent and my editor about my decision to end the Haunted Library series. They were both fine with it, though I hadn’t counted on the many comments from readers who were sorry the series was ending. I began to feel guilty that I was disappointing readers, though  I was deeply touched to learn that a few people planned to reread the series.

Soon I was able to tell readers about the new series I’d begun. Delia Dickens is nine years older than Carrie. She’s divorced and has a fifteen-year-old son. They live on Dickens Island, an island I created and set down in the Long Island Sound midway between Long Island and Connecticut. Delia’s life is very different from Carrie’s. She left a lucrative marketing job in Manhattan to revitalize the general store her family owns. Her aunt, the town manager,  and her uncle, the president of the town council, are at odds over an island issue that may result in their divorce.

The characters are new, the storyline is different, but the coziness evoked is the same. There’s the small town where everyone knows everyone else. Good will abounds and secrets prevail. There’s a murder, a secret room, a ghost, and a shaggy dog. Once again my readers will find themselves in a cozy world filled with mystery, excitement and a touch of romance.

The new series is called  Dickens Island: A Books on the Beach Mystery. The first book is DEATH ON DICKENS ISLAND, and is authored as Allison Brook.

Readers: When a favorite author writes a new series, are you eager to read the first book? I’ll send one commenter a copy of the new book.

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, novels of suspense, and books for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook she writes the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series, the Twin Lakes series, and Giving Up the Ghost. Her suspense, Come Home to Death, was released in April, 2024, and Dangerous Relations will be republished in 2025.

Marilyn’s juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice and has recently come out in a new edition, followed by Rufus and the Witch’s Drudge, the second book in the Rufus series. And Don’t Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards. Her YA horror, The Devil’s Pawn, came out in a new edition in January, 2024.

Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids and playing with her kittens, Romeo and Juliet.

buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uuPRDZ

PRH:  https://bit.ly/PRHBookedonMurder

Social Links:

website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com where you can sign up for my newsletter

social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10?ref=ts&fref=ts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/161602.Marilyn_Levinson

X: https://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marilyn-levinson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilynlevinsonauthor/

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Published by Edith Maxwell

Agatha Award -winning author Edith Maxwell writes the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Beyond the Page) and short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Dot and Amelia Mysteries, the Country Store Mysteries series, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, and the Cece Barton Mysteries (all from Kensington Publishing). She lives north of Boston in an antique house with her beau and cat Martin, where she writes, gardens, cooks, and wastes time on Facebook.

79 Thoughts

  1. Absolutely! If the new series are cozies or at least in the mystery genre. I can think of two cozy authors who finished their series and released their “firsts” this year. Even better than the previous series, too!
    I have enjoyed Carrie and her friends since the beginning, and tried to savor Booked on Murder, but had to know whodunit! I would even enjoy a novella to see Carrie and Dylan in their new home.
    Your new series and protagonist sounds intriguing, and I am looking forward to reading it!
    jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot)com

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie! I’m having fun writing the new series, which is a good sign.:)

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    2. Absolutely! I always read a new series in order. I enjoy the character developments along the way.

      Thanks for the chance!!

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  3. Yes, I love reading the first book in a new series. And I like the premise for your new one. Do you have a release date?

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    1. Thanks, Dru. Not yet. I know I have until the end of December to finish writing it. I’m 2/3rds done.

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    2. Thanks, Dru. I don’t have a release day yet. I have until the end of the year to hand in my manuscript. It’s 2/3rds written.

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    1. Wendy,
      Many readers have told me they’re sorry the series is ended, but I’m hoping readers will like the new one, too. And perhaps, as Jeanie mentioned, I could always write a story about Carrie and Dylan.

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    2. Wendy, Many readers have told me they’re going to miss Carrie and Dylan. I might take Jeanie’s suggestion and write a novella or short story about them.

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  5. When an author I’m reading and/or a big fan of writes a new series, I am definitely interested in reading said new series. That excitement may or may not be tempered after reading the synopsis for the first book though.

    I could not like the setting or something. Or maybe the summation of the plot for the first book doesn’t tickle my fancy.

    But happily, when those writers who I spend a lot of time reading do put out a new series, I have so far enjoyed them all.

    Marilyn, congrats on the new series and here’s to its success!

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  6. Congrats on the new release! Yes, I’m excited to try a new series, particularly if it’s in a genre I know I like. Khpinelake (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thanks, Katherine. Hopefully, there’s something about an author’s voice that will draw readers to her/his new series.

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  7. I figure if I like one series by an author, I’ll like others. It does depend on genre though. There’s many cozy authors who do suspense/thriller which I also enjoy. Quite a few that do romance as well, and that’s not really my thing, but otherwise I definitely watch for new books by my favorite authors.

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    2. Alicia, I write in various genres, and find there is some readers who read my other books as well.

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  9. I started with Ann Cleeves’s Shetland series, switched to her series set in Devon with Matthew Venn when Shetland ended, and have now gone back to read her Vera series. And think of Michael Connelly writing about both Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller; I love both of those series. What a writer can do well in one setting, they can do well in another—so good luck with your last in this series and your first in the next.

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    1. Kim,
      I’m with you. I generally enjoy the series a favorite author writes. As an author, I like having different series out. Each series has its own tone and set of characters that’s unique.

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  11. When a favorite author writes a new book, I’m excited about that but as for being eager to read it it depends on what the book is about, I might wait a while before reading their new book I just never know

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  12. Welcome back Marilyn!! Thank you for today’s blog. It is always so wonderful to learn more about an author, and even get a glimpse of what’s “behind the curtain”. As to your question: I am always eager to read anything new that one of my favorite authors is writing. There is a subtle “signature” that each author writes into her/his books, which is unique. That “signature” is what entices me to read a new series. I am looking forward to catching up with Carrie and Evelyn…especially since this is the final book 😦 I will be looking forward to the ppublication date for your new, intriguing series starting with DEATH ON DICKENS ISLAND! JOY! Luis at ole dot travel

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    1. Thank you, Luis! Always a pleasure to be on the Wickeds blog, chatting about books and writing them.

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  13. Generally if I enjoyed one series by an author, I will read the first book in a new one. I will even genre hop if I like the way an author writes. I thoroughly enjoyed the Haunted Library series and will miss Carrie and Dylan, but look forward to reading the Dickens Island books. Thanks and congrats on the transition!

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    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading the Haunted Library series. I had so much fun writing it. The Dickens books are different, but I hope you’ll find the same cozy feeling and characters you’ll care about the way I care about them.

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  14. ALWAYS!!! It’s fun to see what my favorite authors have changed up in a new series! It’s exciting and so fun!!!

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  15. BOOKED ON MURDER sounds fabulous and a great way to start a new series, It’s already on my TBR list and I can’t wait to read and review Carrie’s first adventure.

    Love getting in on a new series with the first book where you can get to really know the main character and those closest to her. It gives you an advantage in reading the following stories. However, it’s nice when each book in a series can be read as a standalong so if you didn’t get to read book number one first, you aren’t lost completely on the main character or it taking you a few chapters to get up to speed. Sometimes it may be that you hadn’t been introduced to an author until a book later down the line or just that life circumstances has you not getting the previous books when they first came out, but I do so love reading them in order when one can.

    Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy of BOOKED ON MURDER!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Kay,
      My books can be read out of order, but I do recommend reading them in order to get the full enjoyment of seeing how Carrie’s life experiences bring her confidence and maturity.

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  17. Three cheers to you, Marilyn! I enjoy starting a new series with a favorite author. It’s a lot of fun to meet new characters and new places. Cheers!

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    1. Hi Jim,
      Thanks so much! I know you’ll agree there’s something so refreshing and exciting about starting a new series.

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  18. I will miss Carrie and company. I’ve grown very fond of them all, and this is a favorite series. Do you think Smoky Joe can apply for a cameo in the new series?

    The new series sounds like fun, and what a great setting. I’m looking forward to reading it and making new friends on “the Island”. As a general rule, I will follow a writer I like to a new series. It’s the quality of the writing that attracts me to an author, and that doesn’t change with new characters and setting.

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    1. Hi Kait,
      I’m so glad you enjoyed the Haunted Libary series. Alas, Smoky Joe does not appear in the Dickens Island series, but a bearded collie named Riley has a large role. Other animals make their debuts, but you’ll have to meet them when DEATH ON DICKENS ISLAND comes out.:)

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  19. Yes, I always want to read the first book of a new mystery series. I also want to read the first book of a series that is not new but is one that I have not yet begun reading. It’s so important to get to know and love the regular characters!

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    1. Patti,
      The main characters are so important to any series. You’re so smart to start with the first of a series that isn’t new. This way you can read the next books in the series without having to wait a year.:)

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  20. it varies depending on what the characters/story are in the new book and how much i will miss the old ones.

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  21. I am always excited to start reading the first book in one of my favorite authors new series.

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  22. I’m always looking for new series to start. There have been a lot of disappointments, but I have faith in your writing.

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    1. Thanks, Ginny. My goal is to have my readers care about my characters, how they interact with one another.

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  23. Hi Marilyn,
    I’m fairly new to cozy mysteries. I have checked out cozies from the library for my 95 year old mother over the years but until somewhat recently just stuck to primarily historical fiction for myself. Eva Gates’s lighthouse library series got me interested in cozies, and now I’m a fan. I’ll be interested in reading your library mysteries, among others. I like it when an author has a series of books. One becomes attached to the characters. When a reader sees a new series by a favorite author, there’s the feeling you will like the characters in the new series also.
    Best wishes,
    MJ Logan

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  24. It’s always about the premise to me. I usually dive in anxiously when an author I love starts a new series, but there have been a few times I haven’t followed along because it didn’t sound appealing. (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

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  25. I’m a new cozy mystery reader and I’ve had so much fun finding authors and new-to-me series. I love starting from the beginning and catching up with the series. I can’t wait to read this one!

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  28. I’m excited to read new series by my favorite authors if they are cozy mysteries or regular mysteries. I’ve followed some authors to romance and fantasy, but probably wouldn’t to horror or true crime. Looking forward to your new book.

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  30. I’m really sorry to see The Haunted Library series ending. I’m looking forward to reading the last book in the series. I will definitely read your new series once it releases. You are one of my favorite authors.

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  31. Yes! I am always excited for a new series by a beloved author but at the same time I am devastated when a series ends. Especially the Haunted Library Mystery series in this case. I love the character of Carrie Singleton ever since I read the first book. I love how her character and the relationships with other characters grew, starting to trust people. I will miss her very much!
    But I also can’t wait to meet the new characters in the new series! Thank you for writing for us!!!

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  32. Thanks, Janette. I think you’ll grow to love these characters, too. I’m having so much fun writing about them.

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  33. Hi Marilyn. I am absolutely excited to read a new series by an author that I love. I pray that you continue to feeling better. Please take care of yourself. God bless you.

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  34. I will miss Carrie and the other wonderful characters. That said, it is always exciting to know that a new series is coming, and it gives me something to look forward to.

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  35. Congratulations on the new series! I will miss our library ghost but your new series sounds very interesting. I like to read a new series by an author I like. I seem to do it a lot. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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  36. I really enjoy picking up a new book and trying out a new series from authors I have read before. I like to see what the characters would be like, what is the plot, how does the author work with the background and how different is this series and characters from the books I enjoy.

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  37. I’m always excited about a new Book. When it’s a series, getting the first one to see if I want to continue helps with the cost.

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  39. Some of my favorite authors have more than one series and I enjoy reading them all. I really hate when a series ends but if I enjoy an author I tend to read anything and everything they write whether it’s their blog or a new series I devour their written word. I totally fell into cozies one day and fell in love with them whether they are a mystery or paranormal cozy. At times will read 2 books at a time and other times read 2 books a week. My personal library would be the envy of any bookworm. Recently had to add another bookcase and in a few weeks an additional one will be ordered. I am an eclectic reader enjoying cozies mysteries and thrillers. In fact each of my authors have their own shelves and depending on how many books written by them have their own bookcase lol. Keep writing because as long as you do your books always have a home with me.

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  41. Being new to this, many of my most beloved series haven’t yet ended. However, with a few I love, their publishers have not continued them. This happened with Karen Odden’s Inspector Corravan Mysteries and appears to have happened with Kate Beli’s Gilded Gotham Mysteries. I would certainly be excited to read a new series by any or the authors I’ve come to love ( ;

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