Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Fatal First Edition - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Fatal First Edition (A Library Lover's Mystery #14) by Jenn McKinlay

Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Briar Creek Library director Lindsey Norris and her husband, Sully, are at a popular library conference in Chicago to hear book restoration specialist Brooklyn Wainwright give a keynote address. After the lecture, Lindsey looks under her seat and finds a tote bag containing a first edition of Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train , inscribed to Alfred Hitchcock. Brooklyn determines the novel is one of a kind and quite valuable, so Lindsey and Sully return the book to the conference director, not wanting to stir up any trouble.

But just hours after the pair boards the train back to Connecticut, rumors that the Highsmith novel has gone missing buzz amongst the passengers, and they soon find the conference director murdered in his private compartment. And worse—the murderer planted the book in Lindsey and Sully’s room next door, making them prime suspects. Now, they must uncover the murderer and bring them to the end of their line, before they find themselves booked for a crime they didn’t commit.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoy this series and so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression:  This was such a fun read!  I've really enjoyed this series so I'm always glad to visit Lindsey and Sully and the rest of the Briar Creek world.  This one was a bit different - the book starts with Lindsey and Sully at an archivist convention complete with appearance from Brooklyn Wainwright from Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile series.  Then there's a murder on a train, a stolen book, and other shenanigans.  Characters may or may not be who they say they are and a good time is had by the reader.

I flew through this book and couldn't wait to see how everything came together.  I guessed a few points but the bulk of the story kept me guessing.  My only complaint is that we didn't get quite enough Ms. (excuse me - Mayor) Cole or the rest of the library crew.  This was an entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I really enjoy this author's books and this is my favorite series by her.

Would I Recommend this Book? Definitely!  If you're a cozy mystery lover you really should try this series and this book.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

8 comments:

  1. I read the first one a few years ago in 2021. I rather liked it . Here's a quote from my review "The local police chief is a tool but the state guy seemed nice. I rather hope we see him again. " From this blurb, I suspect we do see him again. lol

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  2. It's been a while since I've read a cozy. I need to pick one up soon.

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  3. I loved McKinlay's Summer Reading, but I haven't read any of her mysteries.

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  4. I have this series on my wishlist. Glad to see you enjoyed this one so much.

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  5. I need to go back and start this series from the beginning. I've only read a couple of the later books so far.

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  6. I'd like to read this series but whether I'll every get to it, I should stick to a few series that I like and get through them.

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  7. I love the crossover idea, with Kate Carlisle's series! I'm way behind on the Library Lovers books, and haven't started the Bibliophile series, but this gives me something to look forward to.

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  8. I keep seeing this book around and reminds me how much I want to read this series. It's on my TBR.

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