Better Late Than Never (Library Lover’s Mystery #7)
Author: Jenn McKinlay
ISBN13:9780399583735
Author website: http://www.jennmckinlay.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis: 
In the latest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Likely Story, a decades overdue book puts library director Lindsey Norris hot on the trail of a cold case…
When the Briar Creek Public Library holds its first overdue book amnesty day—no fines for late returns—the volume of incoming materials is more than Lindsey and her staff can handle. In a bind, Lindsey drafts the crafternoon ladies to help check in and sort the stacks of books.
But one tardy tome catches her attention—a copy of J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, twenty years past due. When Lindsey looks up the borrower, she’s shocked to discover it was a murdered school teacher named Candice Whitley, whose killer was never found.
Candice checked out the novel on the day she was murdered. Now Lindsey wonders if it could provide a clue to the decades-old cold case. No one noticed who brought the book back in, but could it be Candice’s killer? Lindsey is determined to catch the culprit one way or another, because justice for Candice Whitley is long overdue…
Review:
Better Late Than Never is the 7th installment in wonderful author Jenn McKinlay’s “Library Lover’s Mystery” series. This is another fabulous book in this series that I truly love. Who does not love a book about a library. I love the characters, the setting, the relationships, and of course the fabulous writing style of Jenn McKinlay. Main character Lindsey Norris is surrounded by a fun and eclectic group of crafternooners and friends. An actress, landlord, fellow librarian, restaurateur, fishermen, and more. What fun it is to join in the fun and friendships in Briar Creek. The characters have become even more developed and the relationships are ever changing and for the good. A long overdue book, brings up a murder that is long overdue to be solved. We all know that Lindsey can never let an injustice go.
In this latest book of the super series, the Briar Creek Public Library is having its fine forgiveness for overdue books. Even if one librarian is not happy about it, but when is Miss Cole ever happy about things like that, rules are rules. When a very late book shows up (Catcher in the Rye) Lindsey goes to the ever ready Miss Cole since she keeps records forever. The book was checked out by poor Candice Whitley on the same day she was murdered 20 years prior. No one was ever charged with the murder but it hit the small town hard. Lindsey has to find out something about the why and how and if possible the who surrounding the book and it’s timely check out and return. The search takes her to several townsfolk that were there and knew the poor woman. When recent burglaries seem to be connected, she knows it is no coincidence.
All the wonderful characters are once again in this fantastic read. Several big events are happening or at least touched on. One of my favorite things to happen is Lindsey’s love triangle is finally settled, sorry but about time. I love the relationships between all the friends in the lovely town. I would love to be dropped in and hang out for a while, as long as I did not end up dead that is. Better Late Than Never is easy enough to read as a standalone, but much more meaningful if the series is read in order.
Author Jenn McKinlay is a master at crafting entertaining towns filled with a super cast of characters. She has a writing style that is not only suspenseful and intriguing, but includes humor and real life dialogue. Reading her books is like sitting down with a good friend and catching up over some local beer and a steamy seafood buffet. Comfy, yet exhilarating. It does not get much better than a Jenn McKinlay cozy!
