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Library Lover's Mystery #1
Books Can Be Deceiving
Lindsey is getting into her groove as the director of the Briar Creek Public Library when a New York editor visits town, creating quite a buzz. Lindsey’s friend Beth wants to sell the editor her children’s book, but Beth’s boyfriend, a famous author, gets in the way. When they go to confront him, he’s found murdered—and Beth is the prime suspect. Lindsey has to act fast—before they throw the book at the wrong person.
269 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 5, 2011
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11.5k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,545 reviews
December 23, 2018
4 stars. This was a typical cozy, and it had a good first start; I'll give book 2 a chance. Characters are interesting. Location is cute. Curious about the town more. I love the drama at the library with the older staff and the newer staff. Plus the children's library desk games and scenes are hilarious. I wish I could do that all day. Might get a little too much, but kids would have fun with this crew. Not too scary. I like the town. Romance options are good. Worth a chance.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
April 20, 2020
27. Pearl Ruled
Rating: 1.5* of five (p76)
The Publisher Says: Lindsey is getting into her groove as the director of the Briar Creek Public Library when a New York editor visits town, creating quite a buzz. Lindsey's friend Beth wants to sell the editor her children's book, but Beth's boyfriend, a famous author, gets in the way. When they go to confront him, he's found murdered-and Beth is the prime suspect. Lindsey has to act fast before they throw the book at the wrong person.
My Review: Writing serviceable. Characters stock. Narration uninspired. Why the 1.5 stars? Now really. I like cozies, but knitting and discussing Rebecca when the horrible circ-desk dragon lady comes in? Just as the town nutball stands on his head to tell the director when they need to run the library book sale? P.U.
But what did it, what made me so mad I went outside and tossed the book in the bin before the garbage guys picked up, is the fact that the sleuth, the love interest (or I miss my guess), and the suspect get off a boat, find the body, and I simply couldn't bring even a small frisson of interest to the party. Not a whit. Yuck. Yikes.
I can't even quote anything because it's all much of a muchness, and not one turn of phrase or description so much as made an impression. This is so ~meh~ that the Mouldering Mound of ~Meh~ has misplaced it.
Rating: 1.5* of five (p76)
The Publisher Says: Lindsey is getting into her groove as the director of the Briar Creek Public Library when a New York editor visits town, creating quite a buzz. Lindsey's friend Beth wants to sell the editor her children's book, but Beth's boyfriend, a famous author, gets in the way. When they go to confront him, he's found murdered-and Beth is the prime suspect. Lindsey has to act fast before they throw the book at the wrong person.
My Review: Writing serviceable. Characters stock. Narration uninspired. Why the 1.5 stars? Now really. I like cozies, but knitting and discussing Rebecca when the horrible circ-desk dragon lady comes in? Just as the town nutball stands on his head to tell the director when they need to run the library book sale? P.U.
But what did it, what made me so mad I went outside and tossed the book in the bin before the garbage guys picked up, is the fact that the sleuth, the love interest (or I miss my guess), and the suspect get off a boat, find the body, and I simply couldn't bring even a small frisson of interest to the party. Not a whit. Yuck. Yikes.
I can't even quote anything because it's all much of a muchness, and not one turn of phrase or description so much as made an impression. This is so ~meh~ that the Mouldering Mound of ~Meh~ has misplaced it.
March 25, 2021
The idea of a cozy mystery series sounds charming, but I’m still looking for one that “sticks” with me.
Not badly written (but could use a firmer editing hand, with regards to goofy exposition— sorry— but true) and there were a few endearing supporting characters but I just didn’t find it good enough to want to continue the series. That said, it would make a cute movie!
So I will take my leave of Librarian Lindsey and her cute side kick bestie in Connecticut on the shore. My search for the “perfect for me cozy” mystery continues.
Not badly written (but could use a firmer editing hand, with regards to goofy exposition— sorry— but true) and there were a few endearing supporting characters but I just didn’t find it good enough to want to continue the series. That said, it would make a cute movie!
So I will take my leave of Librarian Lindsey and her cute side kick bestie in Connecticut on the shore. My search for the “perfect for me cozy” mystery continues.
April 19, 2012
I wanted to like this book – the main character is a librarian and the book is written by a librarian. The premise is good, the insider’s view of the library is good, and a few of the local characters are good – I’d personally love to meet Sully. Unfortunately, too many of the characters are caricatures – the bumbling police chief, the crazed ex, the petulant boyfriend. There’s a lot of irrelevant detail – what label of clothing/footwear someone’s wearing, where snacks for a roadtrip were purchased etc. I could have accepted the excessive descriptiveness if the same attention had been devoted to the mystery itself but sadly it was not. I do expect a librarian to demonstrate better investigative skills – public records, anyone? The biggest fault with the book however is what’s left out – how exactly did the murderer get to the island? How did this not come up?
In addition to those complaints, I have to say I was completely irritated by Ms. Cole – I can’t imagine any manager being so ambivalent about the behavior described and I’m as softhearted as you can get. I was also troubled by a couple of details related to Rick Eckman: one, he’s a Caldecott winner and yet Lindsey implies that his books have little to recommend them; two, his relationship with Beth, given the way he apparently interacts with people in general. Finally, I felt cheated by the buildup about Ruby island that went nowhere.
Sigh. If it were a first novel, I would give the next book in the series a try, but it’s not.
In addition to those complaints, I have to say I was completely irritated by Ms. Cole – I can’t imagine any manager being so ambivalent about the behavior described and I’m as softhearted as you can get. I was also troubled by a couple of details related to Rick Eckman: one, he’s a Caldecott winner and yet Lindsey implies that his books have little to recommend them; two, his relationship with Beth, given the way he apparently interacts with people in general. Finally, I felt cheated by the buildup about Ruby island that went nowhere.
Sigh. If it were a first novel, I would give the next book in the series a try, but it’s not.
April 15, 2024
I originally gave this book 2 stars years ago. I do like it better now especially since I’m a fan of two other series by this author. It’s by far the weakest of the three series so far but I hear it gets better. I’ll read the few available free copies at the library.
March 26, 2018
I had been wanting to start reading this series for awhile so when another book club online chose it as their discussion for March, I was happy to start reading it. I like settings in libraries and bookstores anyway so I devoured this book (a little slower than usual since real life kept interrupting lol).
Lindsey Norris was happily working as the director of the Briar Creek Library in Briar Creek CT. Her best friend Beth worked with her as the children's librarian. Despite a grumpy employee named Ms. Cole, the library ran smoothly and life was pretty good. That is until Beth's long time boyfriend Rick broke up with her very suddenly and the next thing we knew, Lindsey, Beth and their friend Sully (Capt. Mike Sullivan, a boat captain) found Rick dead in his island home.
Since all fingers seemed to point to Beth as the main suspect, Lindsey took it on herself to investigate--along with a little help from Sully and Beth. Surprisingly, they found that Rick was not everything he claimed to be. There was a great plot twist towards the end and at that point, I was really not wanting any interruptions!
This was a great cast of characters, well with the exception of the grumpy library worker. I loved the idea of them having a crafternoon--a book club discussion along with doing their knitting projects. It was so funny that when Lindsey was coming to a difficult part of her knitting (she only learned so she'd be able to meet with them) she would suddenly become very scholarly about the book and pretty hilarious when they all called her on it. I'd love to see an in-person cozy mystery book club do something like that.
Milton, the 80 something year old yoga expert was such a nice guy! I really liked him a lot and I hope he's in the rest of these books. He was the library board president among other local volunteer things he did. He made me think of one of my favorite actors, Dick Van Dyke in his Dr. Sloane character, an all around nice friend to have.
Nancy was such a sweet lady to kind of take Lindsey under her wing since her parents lived in another state, as well as be a good landlord and friend to her. The other ladies in the crafternoon group were fun too. And there was Beth. Everyone needs a best friend like her!
I had sort of guessed the killer but I sure didn't guess the twist that came later and the reasoning behind it all. There were some fun and handy things at the back of the book: Tips on how to hold a crafternoon group, a book guide to a book they were reading, Sully's yummy hot cocoa and Mary's clam chowder. There was also a short preview for the next book which I already know I'm going to read!
Lindsey Norris was happily working as the director of the Briar Creek Library in Briar Creek CT. Her best friend Beth worked with her as the children's librarian. Despite a grumpy employee named Ms. Cole, the library ran smoothly and life was pretty good. That is until Beth's long time boyfriend Rick broke up with her very suddenly and the next thing we knew, Lindsey, Beth and their friend Sully (Capt. Mike Sullivan, a boat captain) found Rick dead in his island home.
Since all fingers seemed to point to Beth as the main suspect, Lindsey took it on herself to investigate--along with a little help from Sully and Beth. Surprisingly, they found that Rick was not everything he claimed to be. There was a great plot twist towards the end and at that point, I was really not wanting any interruptions!
This was a great cast of characters, well with the exception of the grumpy library worker. I loved the idea of them having a crafternoon--a book club discussion along with doing their knitting projects. It was so funny that when Lindsey was coming to a difficult part of her knitting (she only learned so she'd be able to meet with them) she would suddenly become very scholarly about the book and pretty hilarious when they all called her on it. I'd love to see an in-person cozy mystery book club do something like that.
Milton, the 80 something year old yoga expert was such a nice guy! I really liked him a lot and I hope he's in the rest of these books. He was the library board president among other local volunteer things he did. He made me think of one of my favorite actors, Dick Van Dyke in his Dr. Sloane character, an all around nice friend to have.
Nancy was such a sweet lady to kind of take Lindsey under her wing since her parents lived in another state, as well as be a good landlord and friend to her. The other ladies in the crafternoon group were fun too. And there was Beth. Everyone needs a best friend like her!
I had sort of guessed the killer but I sure didn't guess the twist that came later and the reasoning behind it all. There were some fun and handy things at the back of the book: Tips on how to hold a crafternoon group, a book guide to a book they were reading, Sully's yummy hot cocoa and Mary's clam chowder. There was also a short preview for the next book which I already know I'm going to read!
October 8, 2018
My book was from the MERIDIAN LIBRARY and my thanks to them. This is the first book in the Library Lover's series. Lindsey has just started as the Libray Director. Beth, her BFF breaks off from her boyfriend she is even more upset when she discovers the boyfriend, Rick has stolen Beth's work.
Lindsey and Beth hire Sully to take to the island and find him murdered. The sheriff feels Beth murdered Rick. Lindsey decides to clear Beth reputation by seeking answers.
I highly recommend this book and series
Recipe and Knitting pattern included.
Lindsey and Beth hire Sully to take to the island and find him murdered. The sheriff feels Beth murdered Rick. Lindsey decides to clear Beth reputation by seeking answers.
I highly recommend this book and series
Recipe and Knitting pattern included.
June 25, 2020
What a wonderful first/opening book in a series. Enough twists and red-herrings to keep it interesting. And I found the characters absolutely delightful. I can't wait to read more.
September 8, 2014
I enjoyed the story a lot after getting over the first chapter and despite a lot of awkward writing and a major dangling plot point that was never accounted for. Or else I would give it more stars. I do plan to read more of her books because the characters are great.
I almost stopped reading in the first chapter because of the awkward dialog. Characters said the most obvious, stilted things by way of exposition. Why not edit the dialog and put the exposition beside it? Here's an example--
"Where's Mary?" Beth asked.
"She said she was shorthanded at the cafe and would be running a little late. I hope she brings some chowder with her," Violet said.
"That would be perfect on a cold, rainy day like today," Beth agreed . . . .
Nobody mentions the state of the weather to other people who are also experiencing it. People just say, "Don't you love this weather?" or whatever. Beth should have said, "That would be perfect in this weather." And then the narrator should have continued with something like: "She glanced at the windows sheeted with rain." Or, "Just at that moment a flash of lightning and a roar of thunder accompanied the drumming of the rain on the walks outside." Whatever. (Can you tell I'm in a very picky mood?)
I'm going to get more nitpicky. The mixed and otherwise odd metaphors began to drive me crazy. Here's the one that I wish I could forget--". . . the purple hush of twilight was spreading over the town like a thick, fluffy blanket." This disconnect between the "purple hush" and the blanket I'm sure will give me bad dreams that go round in a circle constantly morphing from a soundless dusk over a city to a terrible purple blanket threatening to smother me.
I almost stopped reading in the first chapter because of the awkward dialog. Characters said the most obvious, stilted things by way of exposition. Why not edit the dialog and put the exposition beside it? Here's an example--
"Where's Mary?" Beth asked.
"She said she was shorthanded at the cafe and would be running a little late. I hope she brings some chowder with her," Violet said.
"That would be perfect on a cold, rainy day like today," Beth agreed . . . .
Nobody mentions the state of the weather to other people who are also experiencing it. People just say, "Don't you love this weather?" or whatever. Beth should have said, "That would be perfect in this weather." And then the narrator should have continued with something like: "She glanced at the windows sheeted with rain." Or, "Just at that moment a flash of lightning and a roar of thunder accompanied the drumming of the rain on the walks outside." Whatever. (Can you tell I'm in a very picky mood?)
I'm going to get more nitpicky. The mixed and otherwise odd metaphors began to drive me crazy. Here's the one that I wish I could forget--". . . the purple hush of twilight was spreading over the town like a thick, fluffy blanket." This disconnect between the "purple hush" and the blanket I'm sure will give me bad dreams that go round in a circle constantly morphing from a soundless dusk over a city to a terrible purple blanket threatening to smother me.
November 23, 2018
Lindsey Norris is settling into her new life as the director of the public library in Briar Creek, Connecticut. One of her many joys is working alongside her best friend Beth Stanley, the children's librarian. Unfortunately, Lindsey has never warmed to Beth's boyfriend Rick Eckman, and spending more time with him doesn't change that at all. So, Lindsey isn't upset when the two break up. However, Beth gets some surprising news about Rick the next day just before she finds his body. It's obvious that Rick has been killed. With the police certain that Beth is guilty, Lindsey springs into action to clear her best friend. Can she do it?
I'm finally getting around to starting this series, but I've loved the other books from Jenn McKinlay I've read. I pretty much knew what to expect here, and I was right. We get a fantastic cast of characters that I already can't wait to spend more time with. The setting, both the library and the town, are charming as well. I'd move to this town is it weren't for the murder rate (and the fact that it's fictional). There is a bit of series set up that slows things down at the beginning, but the mystery is very strong once it gets started. I was surprised by some of the twists along the way. I also laughed several times along the way, and part of the climax made me want to cheer.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I'm finally getting around to starting this series, but I've loved the other books from Jenn McKinlay I've read. I pretty much knew what to expect here, and I was right. We get a fantastic cast of characters that I already can't wait to spend more time with. The setting, both the library and the town, are charming as well. I'd move to this town is it weren't for the murder rate (and the fact that it's fictional). There is a bit of series set up that slows things down at the beginning, but the mystery is very strong once it gets started. I was surprised by some of the twists along the way. I also laughed several times along the way, and part of the climax made me want to cheer.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 5, 2011
I found this book while browsing at the library. The covers of Cozy Mysteries are what make me want to read them... Usually I end up being somewhat disappointed by the stereotypical characters and the mediocre writing, but this one was better than the average. There are still stereotypes: the "lemon," the old-school librarian who is not only resistant to change but to helping people in general; the fat, slovenly police officer who is a dumbass; the thin, well-dressed detective who is not; the single, cute, sweet, oh did I mention he's single, police officer who flirts with the main character. The main character is Lindsey, a former academic librarian who accepts the position as public library director in a small town in Connecticut.
There are tons of references to novels that the book-lover will enjoy. For example, Lindsey chats about the Hunger Games trilogy with her barista. The children's librarian who dresses up as The Hungry Caterpillar. It was all very cutesy, fluffy, mindless reading that is perfect for a rainy, cool autumn day (the book is set in October). A few things that bothered me... The victim of the story was SO obnoxious and rude to his girlfriend that I didn't see how anyone could bear to be with him for 5 years. Also, there were some things that Lindsey should have known (as a librarian) that would have made her a better detective, like the fact that sales of houses are public records and she should have been able to find the owner of a house with a simple internet search. Other than that, I think I would continue with the series when the next one comes out in 2012.
There are tons of references to novels that the book-lover will enjoy. For example, Lindsey chats about the Hunger Games trilogy with her barista. The children's librarian who dresses up as The Hungry Caterpillar. It was all very cutesy, fluffy, mindless reading that is perfect for a rainy, cool autumn day (the book is set in October). A few things that bothered me... The victim of the story was SO obnoxious and rude to his girlfriend that I didn't see how anyone could bear to be with him for 5 years. Also, there were some things that Lindsey should have known (as a librarian) that would have made her a better detective, like the fact that sales of houses are public records and she should have been able to find the owner of a house with a simple internet search. Other than that, I think I would continue with the series when the next one comes out in 2012.
August 27, 2023
4.5 stars! this was such a great cozy mystery with all the wonderful elements that make up the perfect cozy and i cannot wait to continue the series. BUT THE COVERS ARE SO UGLY OMG.
anyway, i fell in love with the characters, the town, the little library, and the way the entire mystery was set up and i’m excited to see more of the potential budding romance between lindsey and sully!
anyway, i fell in love with the characters, the town, the little library, and the way the entire mystery was set up and i’m excited to see more of the potential budding romance between lindsey and sully!
January 5, 2021
Loved this book!!! The main character, Lindsey, was quite a stand-up person, not afraid and quite brave. The story was very easy to get into. Lindsey's best friend Beth, who also works at her library, is considered suspect no.1 when her ex-boyfriend ends up getting murdered. There were times when I wished that Beth would also have been a bit of a stand-up person, but I guess not all characters can be up to our liking. Briar Creek was a very charming place. And the twists in the end, I did not see them coming, so the ending was took me by surprise. This book makes me want to binge-read the series.
June 11, 2024
What am I going to do? Another book that I started and just could not put down. Until way past when I should have been asleep. LOL Seriously who wouldn't love reading about a Librarian, who loves to read, who is solving a mystery that may land her best friend and Children's librarian in jail for murder. (Don't answer that LOL). A good read that I wholeheartedly recommend.
March 29, 2021
I have always enjoyed Jenn’s books!! The characters and the town are very endearing. I love Beth and Lindsey. I cannot wait to see how the series progresses and look forward to another great plot.
February 21, 2019
This series has been on my TBR pile for longer than it should. I have read all the Hat Shop Mysteries and last month binge read my way through the Cupcake Bakery Series so I decided that in between my ARC reading obligations, I would start on this series. I really enjoyed this first book. Lindsey is smart and mature with a level head on her shoulders. Her friend Beth makes a great complement and they have a good friendship. The rest of the ladies in the crafting book club round out the cast nicely and I look forward to getting to know their characters better. The mystery was solid and woven nicely through the plot of the story. The only criticism I have is that the town sheriff was a stereotype of the blundering small town sheriff that I hope gets better as the series goes along. I really enjoy this author's writing style. She creates a wonderful charming world and fills it with characters that will grab readers attention allowing them to relate to someone in each story. I am looking forward to reading more in the series (I have the next four books on my TBR pile).
November 24, 2024
I want to live in Briar Creek, Connecticut and eat chowder every day while working in the library. Can anyone set me up?
I was hooked from page one until the very end. Even though this contains murder it was a comforting read. You felt all warm and cozy every time you opened the book.
The duo of Lindsey and Beth is perfect. Sully is a dream (hello new book boyfriend). He can cover me with his fleece anytime. There are just enough quirky characters to make the town interesting. I am looking forward to continuing my visits to Briar Cliff.
I was hooked from page one until the very end. Even though this contains murder it was a comforting read. You felt all warm and cozy every time you opened the book.
The duo of Lindsey and Beth is perfect. Sully is a dream (hello new book boyfriend). He can cover me with his fleece anytime. There are just enough quirky characters to make the town interesting. I am looking forward to continuing my visits to Briar Cliff.
March 5, 2023
(AUDIOBOOK) What more to love than a smart cozy mystery set in a library with a librarian MC? Ummmm, nothing at all. Also, the coastal setting is fabulous as well. Can't wait to continue reading and/or listening to this series! The narration was excellent.
February 7, 2019
I really, really enjoyed this first book to be added to my new shelf and reading project code name "Operation I Love Libraries" which will be its code name only for as long as it takes me to come with a better, cleverer title (please message me any suggestions). I thought it might be fun to start a list of books that either take place in libraries or feature librarians as the major character and what better place to start then with a mystery solving librarian!
Our heroine is the new director of the Briar Creek Public Library, Ms. Lindsey Norris. Lindsey left her life as an archivist at the prestigious Yale University library and her cheating fiancee six months ago desperate for a fresh start. With the encouragement of her best friend Beth, who also happened to be the children's librarian at Briar Creek, she applied for the director's post and won the confidence of its board with her innovative ideas and fresh enthusiasm.
Lindsey is slowly settling in to Briar Creek, a beautiful coastal town in Connecticut with its quirky residents and small town charm. She's made some changes to the traditional little library that don't sit well with all the residents but most have embraced her "Crafternoon" book club and admire her determination to update things. And while she's determined to distance herself from romance she can't help but notice (and share) the sidelong glances she's been getting from Sully a local boat captain.
But just when things are coming together tragedy strikes. Beth's newly dumped former boyfriend, a Caldecott winning children's book illustrator, is found horribly murdered in his solitary island home. To complicate matters further he's turned up dead just one day after Beth dumped him in a dramatic and very public scene. The local chief of police who, as far as Lindsey is concerned, couldn't detect his way out of a paper bag is ready to arrest Beth as the typical woman scorned. With nothing much to go on except the knowledge that her best friend could no more kill a housefly than a person Lindsey decides if the police aren't going to look for the real murderer she will.
This really was a lot of fun and I'm absolutely looking forward to diving into this series. Lindsey is a terrific character. There's a tendency in cozies I find for the detective to be very soft and reluctant to get into confrontations which makes sense since the basic idea of a cozy is to soften the usual violence and gore that populate grittier novels. What's nice here is author Jenn McKinlay is basically like "screw that" and writes Lindsey as an assertive woman who doesn't just sit there while another character yells in her face. She gets into more than one verbal sparring match with people who piss her off and its refreshing. The irony of course is that as the library director she probably ought to be more politic but god is it satisfying to watch her lay into a particularly horrendous helicopter mom who's demanding she fire Beth "the murderess." It also gives her character a nice dose of realism. She's got a temper and sometimes its helpful (when she stands up to the giant tool of a police chief) and sometimes its a hindrance (when she stands up to the crazy murderer with a gun).
The dialogue is also really excellent, smart and modern and not laden with a lot of local yokel, aren't they so quaint with their Quaker talk nonsense that also tends to be something of a hallmark of this type of mystery. Briar Creek also seems like a place I'd actually want to live. Sure its a nice seaside village away from the big city with pretty views and occasionally violent stormy nights but its not so quaint that you want to throw up. McKinlay manages to weave just enough quirky landlady's, retired actresses, and salty diner owners into a perfectly normal town in anywhere USA so that you have fun with the goofier touches and still feel like this is someplace real.
The way she approaches solving the mystery and the mystery itself also follow a really logical path, which absolutely does not always happen in a book like this. Part of what's great about making your detective a librarian is it just makes sense. I'm tooting my own horn a bit here but darn it librarians are smart! And we're good at research and most of us are veritable repositories of random, esoteric knowledge that we just know because we had to look it up for some lunatic. We also don't back away from the challenge of ferreting out an answer even if it takes forever. McKinlay also very smartly gives Lindsey a personal stake in this first foray into detection, you absolutely get why she wants the answers. You also spend enough time with everyone to see that Beth is a great person, a great friend and absolutely not a murderer so you're just as anxious as Lindsey to figure out what really happened.
Really my only beef is the somewhat sudden resolution to the story that was just a tad too melodramatic for me. Don't get me wrong it fits the mystery and its even pretty clever there's just something very Hollywood about the climax that didn't fit the tone of the rest of the book. I bought who the murderer was but there was a Scooby Doo sort of "lets see who you REALLY are" element that felt over the top.
That being said I'm still very keen to revisit Briar Creek and see how Lindsey shakes out as a sleuth. My guess is McKinlay gets stronger in her murder plotting as this series, which I think is now up to eight books, goes on and I'm looking forward to find out!
Our heroine is the new director of the Briar Creek Public Library, Ms. Lindsey Norris. Lindsey left her life as an archivist at the prestigious Yale University library and her cheating fiancee six months ago desperate for a fresh start. With the encouragement of her best friend Beth, who also happened to be the children's librarian at Briar Creek, she applied for the director's post and won the confidence of its board with her innovative ideas and fresh enthusiasm.
Lindsey is slowly settling in to Briar Creek, a beautiful coastal town in Connecticut with its quirky residents and small town charm. She's made some changes to the traditional little library that don't sit well with all the residents but most have embraced her "Crafternoon" book club and admire her determination to update things. And while she's determined to distance herself from romance she can't help but notice (and share) the sidelong glances she's been getting from Sully a local boat captain.
But just when things are coming together tragedy strikes. Beth's newly dumped former boyfriend, a Caldecott winning children's book illustrator, is found horribly murdered in his solitary island home. To complicate matters further he's turned up dead just one day after Beth dumped him in a dramatic and very public scene. The local chief of police who, as far as Lindsey is concerned, couldn't detect his way out of a paper bag is ready to arrest Beth as the typical woman scorned. With nothing much to go on except the knowledge that her best friend could no more kill a housefly than a person Lindsey decides if the police aren't going to look for the real murderer she will.
This really was a lot of fun and I'm absolutely looking forward to diving into this series. Lindsey is a terrific character. There's a tendency in cozies I find for the detective to be very soft and reluctant to get into confrontations which makes sense since the basic idea of a cozy is to soften the usual violence and gore that populate grittier novels. What's nice here is author Jenn McKinlay is basically like "screw that" and writes Lindsey as an assertive woman who doesn't just sit there while another character yells in her face. She gets into more than one verbal sparring match with people who piss her off and its refreshing. The irony of course is that as the library director she probably ought to be more politic but god is it satisfying to watch her lay into a particularly horrendous helicopter mom who's demanding she fire Beth "the murderess." It also gives her character a nice dose of realism. She's got a temper and sometimes its helpful (when she stands up to the giant tool of a police chief) and sometimes its a hindrance (when she stands up to the crazy murderer with a gun).
The dialogue is also really excellent, smart and modern and not laden with a lot of local yokel, aren't they so quaint with their Quaker talk nonsense that also tends to be something of a hallmark of this type of mystery. Briar Creek also seems like a place I'd actually want to live. Sure its a nice seaside village away from the big city with pretty views and occasionally violent stormy nights but its not so quaint that you want to throw up. McKinlay manages to weave just enough quirky landlady's, retired actresses, and salty diner owners into a perfectly normal town in anywhere USA so that you have fun with the goofier touches and still feel like this is someplace real.
The way she approaches solving the mystery and the mystery itself also follow a really logical path, which absolutely does not always happen in a book like this. Part of what's great about making your detective a librarian is it just makes sense. I'm tooting my own horn a bit here but darn it librarians are smart! And we're good at research and most of us are veritable repositories of random, esoteric knowledge that we just know because we had to look it up for some lunatic. We also don't back away from the challenge of ferreting out an answer even if it takes forever. McKinlay also very smartly gives Lindsey a personal stake in this first foray into detection, you absolutely get why she wants the answers. You also spend enough time with everyone to see that Beth is a great person, a great friend and absolutely not a murderer so you're just as anxious as Lindsey to figure out what really happened.
Really my only beef is the somewhat sudden resolution to the story that was just a tad too melodramatic for me. Don't get me wrong it fits the mystery and its even pretty clever there's just something very Hollywood about the climax that didn't fit the tone of the rest of the book. I bought who the murderer was but there was a Scooby Doo sort of "lets see who you REALLY are" element that felt over the top.
That being said I'm still very keen to revisit Briar Creek and see how Lindsey shakes out as a sleuth. My guess is McKinlay gets stronger in her murder plotting as this series, which I think is now up to eight books, goes on and I'm looking forward to find out!
February 23, 2021
This a great cozy mystery! Good characters. Good mystery. Good setting. Can't wait for the rest of the books.
June 25, 2016
My alter ego, Lindsey Norris, is the newish director of the Briar Creek (Connecticut) Public Library. She loves her job - most of the time - and is breathing new life into the library. Ms. Cole, a long-time librarian, however, does not approve of Lindsey and her methods or Beth, the children's librarian, who brings fun and games to the library. Lindsey learns from a library board member that a New York children's book editor is coming to Briar Creek and Lindsey encourages Beth to the show the editor her work. Beth is reluctant, especially after her boyfriend Rick, a Caldecott-winning author/illustrator. discourages her. Beth is finally motivated to break up with him after a big fight but that doesn't mean she wants him dead. When she meets the big city editor, the woman crumples Beth's dreams and Beth learns a secret about Rick. When she next sees her ex, he's lying in a pool of his own blood. The police chief has his sights set on Beth for the murderer and refuses to believe otherwise. Lindsey will do anything to support her friend and when she realizes the police don't have any other leads, she feels compelled to help Beth any way she can. Can she solve the mystery before Beth is charged with murder?
The mystery was super obvious. It was so incredibly obvious that even Lindsey should have known and I'd be willing to bet Detective Trimble would be looking at the same leads Lindsey perused. Though I was surprised by a twist in the story, this was not Jenn McKinlay's best mystery. She's really improved as a writer over the years.
What I loved about this book is Lindsey. She's me with a job: a New Englander with an undergrad degree in Literature (check), thought about going into the museum field (check), fell in love with archives (check), MLIS (check), job (unchecked). She's also close to my own age. She's so passionate about making the library a community center where people can come and enjoy themselves. I adore the Crafternoon club and all the women in it and their close relationship. Beth is a sweetheart and I don't know why the police would even think she would murder a man she was with for 5 years. I love how they're all good friends and devoted to helping each other but not afraid to tease and speak their minds. The other recurring character is Mike "Sully" Sullivan, Lindsey's potential love interest. I didn't really sense much chemistry between them though. What this book really needs is a library mascot like Dewey Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World.
I'm already halfway through the next book in the series.
The mystery was super obvious. It was so incredibly obvious that even Lindsey should have known and I'd be willing to bet Detective Trimble would be looking at the same leads Lindsey perused. Though I was surprised by a twist in the story, this was not Jenn McKinlay's best mystery. She's really improved as a writer over the years.
What I loved about this book is Lindsey. She's me with a job: a New Englander with an undergrad degree in Literature (check), thought about going into the museum field (check), fell in love with archives (check), MLIS (check), job (unchecked). She's also close to my own age. She's so passionate about making the library a community center where people can come and enjoy themselves. I adore the Crafternoon club and all the women in it and their close relationship. Beth is a sweetheart and I don't know why the police would even think she would murder a man she was with for 5 years. I love how they're all good friends and devoted to helping each other but not afraid to tease and speak their minds. The other recurring character is Mike "Sully" Sullivan, Lindsey's potential love interest. I didn't really sense much chemistry between them though. What this book really needs is a library mascot like Dewey Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World.
I'm already halfway through the next book in the series.
March 26, 2015
This was a fun, cozy mystery with mostly interesting characters and a fairly decent murder plot. But, alas, all was not rainbows and roses.
The setting of the small town and library was typical of these types of mysteries, as were a lot of the characters, some of whom were a little too stereotypical. Why, oh, why, I ask myself, does nearly every local police chief in these books have to be a bumbling, stupid, narrow-minded, incompetent bozo who immediately pegs one person as a suspect in the murder and absolutely refuses to investigate any other leads? Ugh, this is getting to be a little too formulaic and annoying. And, the murder victim had absolutely no redeeming qualities and was so obnoxious, selfish and unlikeable that it was a wonder someone had not offed him sooner! Why Beth had put up with him for five years was way beyond me. Was she that desperate for a man and marriage that she could turn a blind eye to all his faults and flaws?
Lindsey was a pretty good character for the most part, although, with all of her librarian skills and research knowledge, some of her sleuthing should have been a lot more of a no-brainer. For example, she could have researched public records for ownership of the island instead of relying on an old man's memory.
I really liked Sully, who was a good-looking, steady, sensible man instead of an impossibly gorgeous hunk who made every woman he looked at want to jump his bones. I enjoyed how the relationship between him and Lindsey started off slowly and seemed to be steadily blossoming into something a little more serious. Thank goodness, the plot was not overshadowed by the tiresome trope of the main character's lusty obsession with the hot, sexy man in her life!
This was a nice, light read that piqued my interest enough to want to continue on with the series.
The setting of the small town and library was typical of these types of mysteries, as were a lot of the characters, some of whom were a little too stereotypical. Why, oh, why, I ask myself, does nearly every local police chief in these books have to be a bumbling, stupid, narrow-minded, incompetent bozo who immediately pegs one person as a suspect in the murder and absolutely refuses to investigate any other leads? Ugh, this is getting to be a little too formulaic and annoying. And, the murder victim had absolutely no redeeming qualities and was so obnoxious, selfish and unlikeable that it was a wonder someone had not offed him sooner! Why Beth had put up with him for five years was way beyond me. Was she that desperate for a man and marriage that she could turn a blind eye to all his faults and flaws?
Lindsey was a pretty good character for the most part, although, with all of her librarian skills and research knowledge, some of her sleuthing should have been a lot more of a no-brainer. For example, she could have researched public records for ownership of the island instead of relying on an old man's memory.
I really liked Sully, who was a good-looking, steady, sensible man instead of an impossibly gorgeous hunk who made every woman he looked at want to jump his bones. I enjoyed how the relationship between him and Lindsey started off slowly and seemed to be steadily blossoming into something a little more serious. Thank goodness, the plot was not overshadowed by the tiresome trope of the main character's lusty obsession with the hot, sexy man in her life!
This was a nice, light read that piqued my interest enough to want to continue on with the series.
October 3, 2022
Normally, I *love* Jenn McKinlay's books, but this one left me a little disappointed. The library setting is wonderful, and some of the characters are great, but Lindsey alternated between seeming a bit unsure of herself, and being a tad too mean. Coupled with the sour Ms. Cole and the (dare I say it?) cluelessly stupid Chief Daniels, I was often rubbed the wrong way. But Captain Mike Sullivan is a decent character, and Milton is my favorite quirky one.
Lindsey's friend Beth breaks up with then discovers the body of her very secretive boyfriend who stole Beth's idea for a children's book. Beth becomes suspect number one. I was becoming interested in the whodunit until it *felt like* a last-minute suspect was tossed in. It's not exactly the case, however. I was kind of hoping for a resolution to Beth's quest for a published book, though.
There are two recipes, some knitting info, as well as a discussion for a book mentioned several times in the tale.
This is a clean read, no graphic violence, sex, cussing (one "hell" is mentioned). I'll read more in this series; perhaps by book 3, all of the characters and plots will be more fleshed out.
Lindsey's friend Beth breaks up with then discovers the body of her very secretive boyfriend who stole Beth's idea for a children's book. Beth becomes suspect number one. I was becoming interested in the whodunit until it *felt like* a last-minute suspect was tossed in. It's not exactly the case, however. I was kind of hoping for a resolution to Beth's quest for a published book, though.
There are two recipes, some knitting info, as well as a discussion for a book mentioned several times in the tale.
This is a clean read, no graphic violence, sex, cussing (one "hell" is mentioned). I'll read more in this series; perhaps by book 3, all of the characters and plots will be more fleshed out.
April 4, 2018
Great start to the series. We get to meet Lindsey, the new head librarian and her best friend Beth. I liked both of them and the rest of the supporting characters. There is such a fun small town vibe in this series. The mystery was good and I was solving at the same rate Lindsey was. Looking forward to the next book.
July 15, 2011
Jenn McKinlay is a very good writer!! I love her Cupcake Bakery series, and this new series is starting off just as good! Like the characters, the location and the story was great. I didn't figure out "whodunit" until very close to the end!
January 3, 2023
The Cozy Mystery Book Club's August 2021 read! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdN8k...
We absolutely loved this book!
We absolutely loved this book!
December 4, 2021
เนื้อเรื่องเรียบง่าย ไม่หนักเกินไป อ่านเพลินมาก ชอบความอบอุ่นของผู้คนในเมืองไบรอาร์ ครีก สภาพแวดล้อมผู้คนดีมาก น่ารัก เราชอบ
July 5, 2022
First book is a cozy mystery series..... fun!
October 15, 2018
This is a series that I have wanted to read for awhile. After all the comments about how good this series is, and having read and enjoyed many other books by Jenn McKinlay, I decided I needed to give it a try. I did enjoy this story, but not as much as I had anticipated.
Lindsey Norris has been hires as the director of the Briar Creek Library in Briar Creek CT. Her best friend Beth works with her as the children's librarian. There are several other employees, but I must mentions Ms. Cole, who is called "The Lemon" behind her back. Lindsey is settling in well, making some long overdue changes to the library and getting the Library Board's vote of confidence. All seems well, until Beth and her boyfriend of five years, Rick break up. When Beth finds out that the children's book she has been writing has been plagarized, she is ready to go and give Rick a piece of her mind. When Lindsey, Beth and Captain Sulley show up on the private island, they find Rick in no condition to listen to anything Beth has to say. With the breakup and plagarism, Beth becomes the main suspect, in fact, the only suspect as far as the sheriff is concerned.
This was a great cast of characters, including several townspeople, the library workers and the ladies who participate in "Crafternoon" that made the story interesting. The small town feel with the gossip mill that I love in cozies, was in full swing. Milton, the 80 something year old yoga expert was such a nice guy! He was the chair of the library board and when things got a bit sticky, I loved how he stood up for his staff. There is a rather nosy reporter who I would have liked to kick out of town, but again, it made the book interesting. There were not a lot of clues, so it is the questioning and nosiness that eventually reveal the culprit. I had a suspicion of who the killer was, and I was correct, but there was quite a twist at the end of the story that I was not expecting. A good cozy story that is a good introduction to this series and to Briar Creek. I am definitely going to read more in this series.
Lindsey Norris has been hires as the director of the Briar Creek Library in Briar Creek CT. Her best friend Beth works with her as the children's librarian. There are several other employees, but I must mentions Ms. Cole, who is called "The Lemon" behind her back. Lindsey is settling in well, making some long overdue changes to the library and getting the Library Board's vote of confidence. All seems well, until Beth and her boyfriend of five years, Rick break up. When Beth finds out that the children's book she has been writing has been plagarized, she is ready to go and give Rick a piece of her mind. When Lindsey, Beth and Captain Sulley show up on the private island, they find Rick in no condition to listen to anything Beth has to say. With the breakup and plagarism, Beth becomes the main suspect, in fact, the only suspect as far as the sheriff is concerned.
This was a great cast of characters, including several townspeople, the library workers and the ladies who participate in "Crafternoon" that made the story interesting. The small town feel with the gossip mill that I love in cozies, was in full swing. Milton, the 80 something year old yoga expert was such a nice guy! He was the chair of the library board and when things got a bit sticky, I loved how he stood up for his staff. There is a rather nosy reporter who I would have liked to kick out of town, but again, it made the book interesting. There were not a lot of clues, so it is the questioning and nosiness that eventually reveal the culprit. I had a suspicion of who the killer was, and I was correct, but there was quite a twist at the end of the story that I was not expecting. A good cozy story that is a good introduction to this series and to Briar Creek. I am definitely going to read more in this series.
February 17, 2018
Originally published at Reading Reality
I discovered this series as a read-alike for the Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James, and it certainly. Both feature real-seeming librarians in almost-real libraries in small towns that are just perfect. Although I did miss Diesel, the librarian’s very large cat from the Cat in the Stacks series.
But where the Cat in the Stacks series is set in Athena Mississippi, the Library Lovers mysteries hail from Briar Creek Connecticut. Let’s just that the autumns are obviously a lot blustrier in coastal Connecticut than in the landlocked parts of Mississippi.
Unlike Charlie Harris at the beginning of the Cat in the Stacks series, Library Director Lindsey Norris is the relatively new director of the small town Briar Creek Public Library. She is also female, single, unencumbered and in her mid-30s – very different from widowed, 50-something Charlie with his grown children – and Diesel.
Lindsey on the other hand, is still feeling her way professionally and personally. Briar Creek is her first posting as the library director, and it’s not a career turn she had planned on. She had been an archivist at one of the Yale University libraries when budget cuts forced her to look in other directions. She found the position in Briar Creek because her best friend from grad school is the children’s librarian there.
Being a new, first-time director has its challenges. But no one plans on having one of their staff, particularly a friend, accused of murder. It’s difficult to tell which is worse, that Beth had both the motive and the opportunity for murdering her ex, or that the local sheriff is so determined to take the easy way out and place the blame on the “woman scorned” that he isn’t even looking for any other suspects.
He’s not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer, either, and his bull-headedness is clearly driving the detective from the state Bureau of Investigation bonkers.
But with the local sheriff doing his level best to make sure Beth is found guilty, and the local press more than willing to stir up trouble just for the ratings, it’s up to Lindsey to focus her research skills on the late and not very lamented, to see if there’s someone else who might have a motive to end his existence.
The problem is that Lindsey’s research skills, as formidable as they are, barely keep her one step ahead of the killer – a step that closes faster than she expected.
Escape Rating B: I came down with the flu, and was looking for comfort reading again. As this will be posted just before I run off to the American Library Association Midwinter Conference, yet another library mystery seemed like a good fit.
Lindsey Norris does seem like “one of us”, much as Charlie Harris does. And for the same reason – her creator is also a library worker. But where I’d love to sit down and have coffee with Charlie, Lindsey reminds me much more of the “road not taken”. I often thought about becoming a library director but when I was interested I wasn’t able to make the leap, and eventually I realized that it just wasn’t my calling in the profession.
Seeing what Lindsey deals with, even in a fictional and perfectly imperfect library reminds me that I was right.
This story is the introduction to the series, the characters and the town of Briar Creek, and it does put the reader firmly into the middle of the action. Lindsey, as a transplant from somewhere else, is still warming up to the little town, and vice-versa, which makes her a good point of view character for the reader.
As is often the case, the case itself, the murder at the heart of the mystery, is just a bit over the top, but the scenes of small town life and Lindsey fitting herself into it are well done. The reader can certainly see why she’s fallen in love with the place.
A lot of what happens in the Briar Creek Public Library is very true to library life, both the good and the bad. Every library, big and small, has patrons just like those in Briar Creek, the good, the bad, the loud, the demanding, the weird and the obstreperous.
The staff, while occasionally a bit too good to be true and sometimes a bit too bad or weird to be true, is also quite true-to-life. And unfortunately that includes the nasty character of Ms. Cole, the head of the circulation department and the disapprover of everything that Lindsey, Beth and anyone not the previous (and deceased) library director. That Ms. Cole can’t let go of her resentment of change and the advent of the 21st century is unfortunately all too plausible. I’ve worked both with and for people like her in my career (and supervised a few), and saying that it is never fun is a serious understatement.
But Lindsey is the new director of the library. That makes her Ms. Cole’s boss, whether either or them likes it or not. That Lindsey, with just about six months tenure under her belt, has not figured out what to do about Ms. Cole yet is not surprising. The woman is a fixture in the library and the community – even if a frequently resented one. The problem isn’t just that Ms. Cole challenges Lindsey’s authority at every turn, although that is a problem.
What I found questionable, to the point where it threw me out of the story, is that Lindsey isn’t even thinking about what she should do about Ms. Cole. While the reality is that the answer may be very little, she’s at the point in her job where she should be at least thinking about some changes. This disturbed me because Lindsey makes it clear at one point that she is aware that part of the joy of the job from Ms. Cole’s perspective is to torment and browbeat the library shelvers, who are usually teenagers in their very first job. While life isn’t fair, and bad things happen to good people, etc., etc., etc., for Lindsey to be aware of this and not even be thinking about what to do about this aspect of Ms. Cole’s performance of her duties is problematic.
And now I’ll get down off my soapbox.
But if you like cozy mystery series like Cat in the Stacks, or other small town mystery series that feature the mainstays of the town, Books Can Be Deceiving is a lot of fun. I have the other books in the series and I’m looking forward to returning to Briar Creek the next time I need a comfort read.
Reviewer’s Note: One of the reviews listed in Goodreads for this book was written by a dear and departed friend. I knew that if she liked it, I would too. I wish I could talk about it with her, because I’d love to hear the snark that she left out of her review!
I discovered this series as a read-alike for the Cat in the Stacks series by Miranda James, and it certainly. Both feature real-seeming librarians in almost-real libraries in small towns that are just perfect. Although I did miss Diesel, the librarian’s very large cat from the Cat in the Stacks series.
But where the Cat in the Stacks series is set in Athena Mississippi, the Library Lovers mysteries hail from Briar Creek Connecticut. Let’s just that the autumns are obviously a lot blustrier in coastal Connecticut than in the landlocked parts of Mississippi.
Unlike Charlie Harris at the beginning of the Cat in the Stacks series, Library Director Lindsey Norris is the relatively new director of the small town Briar Creek Public Library. She is also female, single, unencumbered and in her mid-30s – very different from widowed, 50-something Charlie with his grown children – and Diesel.
Lindsey on the other hand, is still feeling her way professionally and personally. Briar Creek is her first posting as the library director, and it’s not a career turn she had planned on. She had been an archivist at one of the Yale University libraries when budget cuts forced her to look in other directions. She found the position in Briar Creek because her best friend from grad school is the children’s librarian there.
Being a new, first-time director has its challenges. But no one plans on having one of their staff, particularly a friend, accused of murder. It’s difficult to tell which is worse, that Beth had both the motive and the opportunity for murdering her ex, or that the local sheriff is so determined to take the easy way out and place the blame on the “woman scorned” that he isn’t even looking for any other suspects.
He’s not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer, either, and his bull-headedness is clearly driving the detective from the state Bureau of Investigation bonkers.
But with the local sheriff doing his level best to make sure Beth is found guilty, and the local press more than willing to stir up trouble just for the ratings, it’s up to Lindsey to focus her research skills on the late and not very lamented, to see if there’s someone else who might have a motive to end his existence.
The problem is that Lindsey’s research skills, as formidable as they are, barely keep her one step ahead of the killer – a step that closes faster than she expected.
Escape Rating B: I came down with the flu, and was looking for comfort reading again. As this will be posted just before I run off to the American Library Association Midwinter Conference, yet another library mystery seemed like a good fit.
Lindsey Norris does seem like “one of us”, much as Charlie Harris does. And for the same reason – her creator is also a library worker. But where I’d love to sit down and have coffee with Charlie, Lindsey reminds me much more of the “road not taken”. I often thought about becoming a library director but when I was interested I wasn’t able to make the leap, and eventually I realized that it just wasn’t my calling in the profession.
Seeing what Lindsey deals with, even in a fictional and perfectly imperfect library reminds me that I was right.
This story is the introduction to the series, the characters and the town of Briar Creek, and it does put the reader firmly into the middle of the action. Lindsey, as a transplant from somewhere else, is still warming up to the little town, and vice-versa, which makes her a good point of view character for the reader.
As is often the case, the case itself, the murder at the heart of the mystery, is just a bit over the top, but the scenes of small town life and Lindsey fitting herself into it are well done. The reader can certainly see why she’s fallen in love with the place.
A lot of what happens in the Briar Creek Public Library is very true to library life, both the good and the bad. Every library, big and small, has patrons just like those in Briar Creek, the good, the bad, the loud, the demanding, the weird and the obstreperous.
The staff, while occasionally a bit too good to be true and sometimes a bit too bad or weird to be true, is also quite true-to-life. And unfortunately that includes the nasty character of Ms. Cole, the head of the circulation department and the disapprover of everything that Lindsey, Beth and anyone not the previous (and deceased) library director. That Ms. Cole can’t let go of her resentment of change and the advent of the 21st century is unfortunately all too plausible. I’ve worked both with and for people like her in my career (and supervised a few), and saying that it is never fun is a serious understatement.
But Lindsey is the new director of the library. That makes her Ms. Cole’s boss, whether either or them likes it or not. That Lindsey, with just about six months tenure under her belt, has not figured out what to do about Ms. Cole yet is not surprising. The woman is a fixture in the library and the community – even if a frequently resented one. The problem isn’t just that Ms. Cole challenges Lindsey’s authority at every turn, although that is a problem.
What I found questionable, to the point where it threw me out of the story, is that Lindsey isn’t even thinking about what she should do about Ms. Cole. While the reality is that the answer may be very little, she’s at the point in her job where she should be at least thinking about some changes. This disturbed me because Lindsey makes it clear at one point that she is aware that part of the joy of the job from Ms. Cole’s perspective is to torment and browbeat the library shelvers, who are usually teenagers in their very first job. While life isn’t fair, and bad things happen to good people, etc., etc., etc., for Lindsey to be aware of this and not even be thinking about what to do about this aspect of Ms. Cole’s performance of her duties is problematic.
And now I’ll get down off my soapbox.
But if you like cozy mystery series like Cat in the Stacks, or other small town mystery series that feature the mainstays of the town, Books Can Be Deceiving is a lot of fun. I have the other books in the series and I’m looking forward to returning to Briar Creek the next time I need a comfort read.
Reviewer’s Note: One of the reviews listed in Goodreads for this book was written by a dear and departed friend. I knew that if she liked it, I would too. I wish I could talk about it with her, because I’d love to hear the snark that she left out of her review!
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