One for the Books
Library Lover’s Mystery #11
By Jenn McKinlay
ISBN#9780593101742
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Wedding bells are ringing in the latest page-turning Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Word to the Wise.
Love is in the air in Briar Creek as library director Lindsey Norris and boat captain Mike (Sully) Sullivan are finally tying the knot. The entire town is excited for the happy day, and Lindsey and Sully’s plan for a small wedding evaporates as more and more people insist upon attending the event of the year.
When Lindsey and her crafternoon pals head out to Bell Island to see if it can accommodate the ever-expanding guest list, they are horrified to discover a body washed up on the rocky shore. Even worse, Lindsey recognizes the man as the justice of the peace who was supposed to officiate her wedding ceremony. When it becomes clear he was murdered, Lindsey can’t help but wonder if it had to do with the wedding. Now she has to book it to solve the mystery before it ends her happily ever after before it’s even begun…. (Goodreads.com)
Review:
After ten previous books in the long running Library Lover’s Mystery series, Lindsey and Sully are finally going to tie the knot in One for the Books by Jenn McKinlay. Series fans finally get their wish, but, of course, things do not go smoothly for the couple. Facing the prospect of too many guests because of an invitation snafu, threatening winter weather, and a murder that directly affects the ceremony, Lindsey wonders if they will get married after all. Everything is on the line as Lindsey investigates.
As with many long-running series, these characters have become good friends, and I so enjoy my time spent in their world. Library director Lindsey is a practical sleuth with boat captain Sully as her steadfast love. The main and supporting characters are well developed and fully represented here, and everyone is excited about the wedding. Even sourpuss Ms. Cole has come around. I adore all of these characters.
We do not get to know the murder victim very well, but there are plenty of secrets revealed and readers will be invested in solving the crime. There are a few viable suspects with good motives, and the mystery is fairly easy to figure out, but who cares when the writing is so entertaining. Even though murder is front and center, there is a big emphasis on romance, which is no big surprise because of the wedding theme. The holiday-ish atmosphere gives it an extra cozy vibe.
I love this series, and even though One for the Books is the eleventh installment, the characters, setting, humor, and style are as fresh as ever. It can be read as a standalone mystery with great pleasure, but I suggest readers new to the series start at the beginning for maximum enjoyment. Highly recommended.
