by: Leah Dobrinska
Series: Larkspur Library Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: December 5, 2023
Publisher: Level Best Books
Librarian Greta Plank is hard at work planning and preparing for Larkspur’s Fall Festival and regional tourism showcase which, if successful, will be a boon to the local economy. But disaster strikes and chances of a positive review look slimmer than a periodical’s spine when a series of pranks escalates and one of Larkspur’s own is found dead the same day the reporter is set to arrive.
Desperate to defend her town’s character and get to the bottom of the circulating mayhem, Greta begins indexing suspects. Could the crimes be an outside job, undertaken by someone intent on harming the town’s reputation? Or is someone closer to home trying to ruin Larkspur from the inside?
With destruction of property, sabotage, and strange animal mishaps piling up on top of murder, Greta wouldn’t recommend this ‘choose your own (disastrous) adventure’ to anyone. In the end, she must decide who she can trust so she can close the book on these crimes before the shadowy vandal authors another kill.
Well, hello there! I’m doing well, thanks. How’re you? Thanks so much for chatting today!
I’m good. Thank you for asking. Please introduce yourself to readers.
I’m Greta Plank. I’m just shy of thirty years old, and I work as the library director in the small town of Larkspur, Wisconsin. I love my job because I get to interact with the community members here in town. My co-librarians are also my two best friends, so that’s a definite perk!
When I’m not working at the library, I usually have three books that I’m reading at a time, and I like hanging out with my friends and my parents. I live in a log cabin on Larkspur Lake, and getting out on the water is one of my favorite things to do. In the summer, I’m a huge fan of paddleboarding. In the fall, I love taking in the gorgeous scenery from my cabin’s deck or from the deck of a pontoon boat as we cruise around the lake.
Tell me about your town of Larkspur, Wisconsin.
Larkspur is the absolute best. It’s quaint and charming and all the good things you hear about small towns in the books you read. I moved here about a year ago from a nearby town in northern Wisconsin, and I definitely feel like I’ve found my people. Everyone is welcoming and kind…if a bit quirky! But I think that just adds to our charm. Though I will say we’ve recently experienced an uptick in vandalism and senseless destruction of property. I’m not sure what gives with that, but the general consensus is that it’s just some kids with too much time on their hands.
Anywho! Like I mentioned, Larkspur is located on a lake, so we take full advantage of water activities, and the gorgeous setting is perfect in all seasons. We’re prepping for our town’s big festival at the moment, and there’s going to be so much to do—a local craft fair with street vendors, carnival rides, food trucks, pontoon boat rides—I can’t wait! This year, a tourism publication is doing a spotlight feature on Larkspur during the festival, so we’re trying to put our best foot forward and impress the reporter who’ll be in town for the week. Our town’s mayor has gone above and beyond (some may say overboard!) in making sure Larkspur shines. Hopefully, everything comes together seamlessly and there’s no more vandalism!
If you manage a visit, I’d highly recommend staying in one of Ed Kennedy’s rentals. Ed owns Kennedy’s Cozy Cottages, a resort of cabins located right on the water. And you simply must stop at Mugs & Hugs, the cute coffee shop in town. Allison, the owner, serves the best coffee in northern Wisconsin, and the atmosphere in the café is top notch. Allison’s got outdoor heaters so her patio seating is still open this time of year. It’s one of my favorite places. With your beverage of choice in hand, pop across the street and come see me at the library!
Who are some people we’ll meet in your story, Mayhem in Circulation, and the Larkspur Library Mystery series?
I can’t wait to introduce you to my two co-librarians and best friends, Iris and Josie. They are the Bess and George to my Nancy Drew, and I’m so grateful they have my back. Allison, who owns Mugs & Hugs, is another great pal. We’ve got a girls’ night coming up, and she promised to make us one of her legendary charcuterie boards. Who can be mad about the busywork the mayor is putting us through in the lead-up to the festival when we’ve got good cheese to look forward to, am I right?
In Mayhem In Circulation, you’ll also get to meet Biff, my adopted Siberian tabby cat. He’s an active kitty and an adept sounding board for all my musings.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Detective Mark McHenry. After getting off to a rocky start, what with him accusing me of murder earlier this year, the two of us have formed a fledgling friendship. Actually, he showed up at the library with a to-go cup of coffee for me the other day—and it was my favorite, a hazelnut latte, no less! Detective McHenry is even newer to town than I am, but the more I get to know him, the more I think there’s a lot that goes on behind his gruff exterior. In fact, it might be hiding a protective, kind, softhearted man. Jury’s out, but what I do know is he’s got the town’s best interests in mind.
What’s your most prized possession?
That’s a tough one. My most valuable possession is my rare books collection, though admittedly the circumstances surrounding my acquisition of it were less than ideal. But I do have both volumes of a first-edition copy of Little Women that I’m very fond of!
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
Like I told Detective McHenry, I never intentionally jump into the middle of things. I just sort of end up there…for better or worse! In my defense, during the last murder investigation, the police had me pegged as their top suspect and I needed to clear my name and save my reputation in my new town. In this most recent case, I refuse to let Larkspur’s name be drug through the mud. We’re so much more than the murders that have happened here. Also, I’m a truth seeker by nature…it’s the librarian in me. I like to know things, and what I don’t know, I want to find out. Above all, I want to see justice prevail and good triumph over evil. If I can help ensure that happens, then sign me up, I guess.
I’m a romance girl. Is there any chance of a budding romance in your future? If so, I want ALL the details!
*blushes furiously* Well, Detective McHenry did just tell me I can call him by his first name. I’m not sure I’m there yet, but I have started calling him just McHenry. And when he looks at me, I feel sort of fizzy.
I got out of a terrible relationship about a year and a half ago, so I’m hesitant to put myself out there romantically, but I’ll admit that McHenry makes me feel safe and protected, and I do really like spending time with him. We’ll see where our friendship goes.
What can readers expect from Mayhem in Circulation?
According to some recent good press by way of an Indies Today review, in Mayhem In Circulation you should be prepared for “wit, wordplay, and enough cloak-and-dagger shenanigans to satisfy even the most demanding mystery lover.”
Readers can expect a happy, cozy mystery with a feisty amateur sleuth, devoted and fun sidekicks, a grumpy detective (with a secret soft side), and a gorgeous Northern Wisconsin setting. Spending time in Larkspur should feel like getting a warm hug…even with all the, ahem, issues we’re dealing with. You’ll find that the community here is second to none. We all band together when the going gets tough, and you’ll be welcomed right into the fold, I promise.
What’s next for you?
Word on the street is that the president of the library board is going to throw Larkspur’s name in the hat to host the Wisconsin Library Organization spring convention, so as soon as the festival is complete, I’ll need to turn my attention to prepping for that massive undertaking. I’m a little leery about it because it’ll bring my ex-boyfriend to town, but with my girlfriends and McHenry here to have my back, I know I’ll be okay. What’s more, the WLO conference will butt up against the anniversary of the Little Bohemia Lodge Raid, an event of great significance as it pertains to the gangsters who had hideouts up here in Wisconsin in the early twentieth century—think John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. One of our library clubs is planning to put on a special exhibit in honor of the Little Bo anniversary. You’ll be able to catch up with me and follow along in A Killer Hold, set to release in December 2024!
Greta, thank you so much for your time.
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A sucker for a good sentence, a happy ending, and the smell of books—both old and new—Leah lives out her very own happily ever after in a small Wisconsin town with her husband and their gaggle of kids. When she’s not writing, handing out snacks, or visiting the local library, Leah enjoys reading and running. Find out more about Leah, join her newsletter community, and connect with her through her website.
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I absolutely love finding 'new to me' authors and this series sounds fantastic. I'm looking forward to going back to read Book 1. Thank you for the giveaway!
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