She Stopped for Death by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli is the second book in A Little Library Mystery series and I enjoyed this one more than the first. Perhaps it was because I already knew the characters and what to expect from them. Jenny Weston lives with her mother, Dora in Bear Falls, Michigan after returning home due to a divorce. Jenny, Dora, and their neighbor, Zoe Zola have been spending their evenings on the screened in porch. One evening, someone stops at the Little Library boxes and they notice it is the reclusive poet, Emily Sutton. Dora calls out to Emily, but she quickly runs away. When they check the library boxes the next morning, they discover slips of paper with poems written on them. It seems that Emily has started writing again and wishes to share her work. Her only book of poetry was published twenty-five years earlier, and after a book tour, she did not venture out of her house again. She lived in the family home on Pewee Swamp with her sister Lorna, until Lorna packed up and left with a man. Her cousin, Althea did her shopping and stopped by to make sure she was okay. When Althea stopped coming by, Zoe volunteers to do the shopping for Emily. Jenny and Zoe also agree to visit Althea and see if she is okay. It turns out that she is dead, murdered quite viciously. When Alex Shipley shows up in town, she is hunting for her Uncle Walter who has been missing for a few years. The last she knew of her uncle, he was coming to visit Emily. What happened to Lorna, Althea, and Walter? Emily and Zoe set out to find the answers to these questions.

She Stopped for Death is a well written cozy mystery, with an interesting plot and some very odd and quirky characters. Jenny is still working through her issues, but she is much more likable than in the first book of the series. She is developing a friendship with handyman and retired cop Tony, but still has some serious trust issues. Zoe Zola, the neighbor, is a little person who writes fairy tales, and has fairy houses all over her yard, complete with inhabitants. The poet, Emily Sutton is very strange. She was responsible for some very uncomfortable moments in the story. I figured out the mystery before it was revealed, but I was still interested right to the end. This series does not seem to be for everyone. Many found it silly and nonsensical, but I enjoyed it and am going to give the next one a try as well. I listened to the audio book and must say that the narrator did a wonderful job with the voices. I loved listening to this story and think that may have added to my enjoyment over reading this story. ( )

This second book in the series has some serious issues besides the mystery of a dead body or two. Jenny is still living with her mother and nursing her wounds from her recent divorce. She is wondering where her romance with Tony is headed, and whether she should stay in Bear Falls or go on to Chicago. As if this wasn’t enough to occupy Jenny’s thoughts, a reclusive poet makes an appearance at Jenny’s mom’s little library. This tale was entertaining, but not quite as well written as the first installment. The mystery was not terribly engrossing and the characters were just plain unhappy. A good tale, just not a great cozy. ( )

She Stopped for Death by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli is the second book in A Little Library Mystery series. Jenny Weston lives with her mother, Dora in Bear Falls, Michigan. Jenny moved back home after she divorced her husband. They have two little library boxes in front of their home (one for adult books and one for children’s). Jenny, Dora, and their neighbor, Zoe Zola have been spending their evenings on the screened in porch. They notice a light coming down the street, and then someone stopped at the boxes. It is the reclusive poetess, Emily Sutton. Dora calls out to Emily, and Emily quickly runs away. When they check the library boxes the next morning, they discover slips of paper with poems written on them. It seems that Emily has started writing again and wishes to share her work. Twenty-five years prior Emily had published a book of poetry. After a book tour, Emily returned to the family home and did not venture out until now. The next night Emily ventures by again and respond to Dora’s greeting. Emily had lived in the family home on Pewee Swamp with her sister, Lorna. Their cousin, Althea did the shopping for them (and the local banker paid their bills). Lorna packed up and left with man according to Emily, and Althea has not been by recently. Zoe volunteers to do the shopping for Emily. Jenny and Zoe agree to visit Althea and see if she is well. Then Alex Shipley shows up in town looking for her uncle, Walter. He disappeared three years ago. Walter had corresponded with Emily and was coming to Bear Falls for a visit. What happened to Lorna, Althea, and Walter? Emily and Zoe set out to get answers but what happens when Zoe disappears.

She Stopped for Death contains good writing and interesting characters. Jenny has several “issues”. She is jealous of her sister (Lisa), upset over her divorce, does not know what she wants to do with her life, has trust issues, and has trouble communicating especially with Tony Ralenti (the guy she is attracted to). Jenny stews about her relationship with Tony, rants about her sister, and has no clue what to do with her future (you just want to shove a sock in her mouth). Zoe Zola, the neighbor, is a quirky character. Zoe is a little person who writes fairy tales. She has fairy houses all over her yard with fairy occupants (she moves them around, gives them stories, and talks to them). I am not a fan of Zoe. Instead of funny, I find her unlikeable (really dislike her dialogue). I give She Stopped for Death 3 out of 5 stars (am I being too kind?). I figured out the mystery early in the novel (it was not complicated). While She Stopped for Death is the second book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides the character background and details from the first book in the series. I was hoping the second book in the series would be an improvement upon A Most Curious Murder (which is why I gave the series a second chance). A Little Library Mystery series is just not for me. I believe it is supposed to be quirky and humorous, but instead I found it foolish and nonsensical. ( )