Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews

Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews
Narrator: Janina Edwards
Series: Peach Coast Library Mystery #2
Published by Hallmark Publishing on September 13, 2022
Source: NetGalley
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Length: 8 hrs 13 mins
Pages: 336
Format: Audiobook
Purchase at Bookshop.org or Audible
Add on Goodreads

Marvey, a small-town librarian,
finds a mysterious list of names…
and what happens next can’t be a coincidence!
If you love Hallmark mystery movies,
you’ll love this cozy mystery
with humor, intrigue, and a hint of romance.

Marvey, still adjusting to life in Peach Coast, Georgia, is at a library fundraising event when she comes across a list of four names. One is the name of someone who recently died—and who may have been murdered. Another is Spencer Holt, the handsome newspaper owner who’s become one of Marvey’s best friends.

The four people appear to have nothing in common other than living in Peach Coast. Spencer dismisses the list at first, but before long, he has to admit he may be in danger. As Marvey prepares for a visit from her parents, can she, Spencer, and their intrepid librarian friends stop a killer bent on long overdue revenge?

Murder Out of Character is the second in the Peach Coast Library series, but the first I’ve read. I thought it did a good job of letting me get to know the characters and giving me enough background to feel comfortable.

Marvey is still getting used to her new life in Peach Coast, Georgia, and her job as the library’s Director of Community Engagement. Marvey comes across a list at a library fundraising event that has four names on it. The first is a murder victim, the second recently passed away, the third lives in Peach Coast and the fourth is her friend, Spence. Honestly, I’m still a little confused about why the killer had a list and then managed to drop it, but at least Marvey brings it to the police’s attention. Marvey does always keep the detectives on the case informed, even if they don’t appreciate her “help.”

Marvey is likable and I understood her reason for needing to figure out who the killer was. She’s smart and curious and tenacious. It was nice that she was close to her parents, but their needing to come to town to protect her (?) while there was a murderer on the loose seemed a bit overboard. And she comes from Brooklyn – not exactly a crime-free area I’m sure.

I enjoyed the small-town setting and the southernisms. Marvey’s friends and family were fun to get to know.

The mystery itself was fine. We had a couple of twists and several potential suspects. I actually listened to the audio and I thought the narrator did a good job. She did an excellent with Marvey and the other characters were all easy to differentiate. Overall it was a fun, quick read.