Overdue or Die by Allison Brook

Available October 3, 2023

Rated: 5 books

Carrie Singleton is very busy. She's planning a wedding, putting the finishing touches on the new library addition, and planning all the events that are being held in the newly expanded space. When her assistant, Susan, starts working for a local art gallery, Carrie fears she's about to lose a valuable employee, but that becomes an afterthought as the gallery is suddenly plagued with issues- including murder.

This series has improved tremendously! In the beginning I liked the stories but found Carrie's fake-goth persona and attention seeking behavior trying. She's grown so much, become more serious about her career, gotten involved with a good guy, and formed a healthy relationship with her formerly neglectful (at best) parents that has obviously healed some old wounds. I really enjoyed this book, the art forgery angle being an unusual and interesting topic. I did miss her aunt and uncle, who played a much smaller role than in previous books.

One thing did kind of bother me. Carrie is a full-fledged adult who's had her own household for several years. Dylan is a full-fledged adult who's had his own household for years and who inherited a large property with two houses and boatloads of money and also owns his own successful company. When they get married they'll be the richest couple in town and they'll have two of everything they need to run a household... but they're setting up two gift registries? For their engagement party? So their friends and family who are less well-off than they are can buy them a 3rd of a bunch of things they already have? I'm sorry, but that's just tacky.

Overall this is a series that is reliably good and getting better, I do plan to continue it.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.