The Bibliophile Mysteries written by Kate Carlisle get better and better each time. The Book Stops Here is no exception, and I find myself being more stringent in my reviews because they always impress me... so it's hard to keep upping the game, right? The other thing I've noticed about them is the author pushes a bit further outside the cozy zone with each book... a little more mention of foul language, discussion of sex, rougher violence in scenes. Don't misunderstand me... still a very cozyish series, but it brings a nice balance for those readers who also enjoy thriller and suspense as well as the lighter amateur sleuth investigations.
Brooklyn is a guest appraiser on This Old Attic in San Francisco. She values a book at $25K, which triggers several crimes and sudden new 'real owners' to pop up. When one of them is found dead, Brooklyn feels compelled to find the killer, especially since a scary bald man keeps stalking her, threatening to kill her if she doesn't return the book. Yikes, she better run... except on the set, a fellow host on the show is being stalked by someone intimately involved in the production. Derek, Brooklyn's secret agent boyfriend (of sorts), watches over her and the host. The two stories collide together, and when it all comes together at a fancy house party in San Francisco, there are fireworks... especially because Minka, that crazy other appraiser, returns.
A fun series that I really am enjoying. I've got 6 more to read until I'm current, and I will be finishing them up in early 2022. Carlisle is a smart writer. She balances retelling the facts and clues just enough to help readers solve the puzzle on their own. This mystery did come out of nowhere, slightly, but it was still strong and offered something different than all the rest. I enjoy the friendships she makes, and the new character, Alex, is a dream! She seems perfect, and I would love find out her real story. I don't believe what we've been told to date. Let's see where this one goes!