Amid a mountain of rain-soaked donations to the Ohnita Harbor Public Library rummage sale, Gabriela Domenici finds a small box that contains an odd-looking cross. When the carved center turns out to be ivory and a clue links the cross to Catherine of Siena, a medieval saint, Gabriela turns to her expertise as an authenticator of historic documents to lead the quest to discover the truth about this mysterious object.

But the cross isn’t the only secret in first, a beloved Ohnita Harbor resident is found floating in the harbor, and then someone else is murdered on the library lawn. As Gabriela races to solve the mystery of the cross, she discerns between infatuation and what could be the start of true love. All the while, she must stay one step ahead of the danger that slowly encircles her.

This cozy mystery set in the northeastern United States (New York area) kept me on my toes, with twists and turns that left me guessing until the characters uncovered the murderer.

Gabriela, the main female lead, is a truly likable character. As a single mom, she not only cares for her young son but also looks after her elderly mother, Agnese, who is battling cancer and occasionally undergoing chemo treatments. That aspect of the story resonated deeply with me, as I lost my own mother to cancer at 16. However, I really appreciated the mother-daughter dynamic, watching them navigate their relationship. Agnese was a fun and memorable character with her sassy and feisty personality. Originally from Italy, her charmingly broken English added to her appeal.

I also loved the cozy small-town atmosphere that gave off those classic small-town vibes. It was enjoyable getting to know the townspeople and watching their interactions, which deepened my immersion in the story and highlighted the importance of community and neighbors supporting each other. I especially appreciated that many scenes took place in the town’s library, where Gabriela works. It felt like a nod to book lovers, readers, and writers. The fact that the library looked like a castle was a fun touch, reminding me of a similar library from my childhood. I really enjoyed all the unique locations and settings.

The story also had a touch of romance, which I enjoyed. It developed into a bit of a love triangle, and I was pleased with Gabriela’s final choice. She ended up with the guy I was rooting for all along.

However, the story unfolds at a slower pace, which might feel a bit dull for some readers. Like many cozy mysteries, it leans heavily into slice-of-life moments. At times, I felt there was a bit too much detail, with scenes being overly described. The play-by-play of certain events made it feel a bit tedious and boring.

I also felt the murder mystery could have been more prominent. In most cozy mysteries I’ve read, the main character typically takes on the role of an amateur sleuth or detective, driven by their own reasons to solve the case. However, in this book, the murder mystery seemed to take a backseat, which was unexpected. I was hoping for more sleuthing and investigation, but that aspect of the plot was barely explored.

Instead, much of the story focuses on an old cross discovered during a library rummage sale. Gabriela, along with her team and friends from the library, works to authenticate the cross and determine its value, hoping to use the proceeds to fund the library and secure their jobs. While the library politics occasionally felt dull and didn’t fully capture my interest, I appreciated how real historical details were woven into the story as they learned more about the artifact, which might be hundreds of years old. That aspect was truly engaging and held my attention.

Overall, even though the book had a slower pace and took me a while to get through, I did enjoy it. I liked the characters, the settings, the intriguing plot surrounding the cross, and watching the romance develop. I just wish the murder mystery took more of the spotlight. But I am looking forward to reading the sequel. If this book sounds appealing to you, it’s definitely worth checking out!