The Body in the Bookmobile by Connie B. Dowell (A Millie Monroe Mystery Series — Book 1)

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I read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Synopsis

Newly dropped out from law school and feeling a bit adrift, Millie Monroe lands what should be an easy-peasy job as a library bookmobile driver in a new-to-her town in scenic, small-town Virginia. On her first day there, she moves in with her cousin, finds a good craft beer joint, and likes her new coworkers. Things seem like they'll be okay ... until they aren't. On her first day of work, a retired librarian is found dead in her van. As is typical of the cozy genre, despite multiple warnings from police not to investigate, Millie and her friends do—and things go haywire from there!

My Thoughts

This was a fun little mystery, but emphasis on "little." Why do I say that? I feel like the book's plot wasn't too deep or complicated. While not all books need to be really twisty, the "twists" advertised in this book's Amazon description didn't really do much for me. It wasn't a bad mystery, though, by any stretch. I just wanted a bit more to the plot and action than what we got. 

I also felt like the book's ending was a bit pat, easily wrapped up before we really got going without much in the way of clues to the reader as to what was going to happen until it suddenly did. And I didn't really believe the main character's motivation for investigating. It's typical in a cozy genre to want to roll your eyes a little as the protagonist, against ALL advice to the contrary, gets themselves embroiled in the mystery, because otherwise there wouldn't be a book—but Millie just didn't convince me.

I liked the cover art very much, and this book would grab my eye if I saw it on a bookshelf, especially since I am a bibliophile. I am a sucker for mysteries set in libraries, book shops, and now bookmobiles. The Body in the Bookmobile appears to have been professionally edited—yay!—but I found some irritating homonyms that were not caught in a proofread. "Breaks" for "brakes" and "pearl two" for "purl two" being two that come to mind instantly. That said, as an editor and proofreader, I know we are not perfect at what we do, and a small amount of errors are acceptable, so it is what it is. (Knitters, please try not to groan at "pearl two.")

I did like the tiny bit of action in the end. I don't want to spoiler you, so all I'll say about that is Millie's way of confronting someone in a time of high stress is something I haven't seen too often in a cozy, and I kind of respect her for it.

I plan on reading Book 2 in the series, A Villain in the Vineyard, because I liked the characters and I want to see what happens next in their lives. The two main characters started Book 1 by making big changes in their lives, which means there is room for character growth and interpersonal relationships to be expanded upon, so I'm curious to see how they develop. 

If you're looking for a light, fun cozy mystery with characters you'd probably like having a beer with, this book may be a good fit for you. 

Get the Book

You can find The Body in the Bookmobile by Connie B. Dowell on Amazon. At the time of this writing, the book is free on Kindle Unlimited or available for purchase on Kindle. I did not see a paperback version offered at the time of this review. Inquire with your local bookstore or library about availability in those venues.