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Killer Librarian #1
Killer Librarian
FILE “M” FOR MURDER. . . . Champion of the mystery section at a small-town Minnesota library, Karen Nash is about to embark on a dream trip to London—a literary tour inspired by every murderous intrigue, wily suspect, and ingenious crime found in the pages of the British mysteries that she devours. But she’s clueless why the love of her mid-life, Dave, would dump her hours before takeoff—until she spies him at the airport with a young honey on his arm! She decides the best revenge (for now) is to get on that plane anyway . . . and entertain schemes for Dave’s untimely demise while crossing the pond. After touching ground in the hallowed homeland of Christie, Sayers, and Peters, she checks into a cozy B & B run by charming bibliophile Caldwell Perkins. Soon she’s spilling tears in her pint at the corner pub, sharing her heartbreak saga with a stranger. That night, a B & B guest drops out of circulation—permanently. And when Dave and his cutie turn up in London, Karen realizes they are an assassin’s target. With the meticulous attention to detail that makes her a killer librarian, Karen sleuths her way through her own real-life mystery—in which library science meets the art of murder.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 399 reviews
September 17, 2018
I read this book for the Cozy Mystery square of my 2018 Halloween Bingo card.
I’m not usually a tremendous fan of the cozy mystery genre—I tend to like things a bit darker and more threatening--but I was charmed by this librarian-reluctantly-turned-sleuth tale that also incorporated a gentle romance.
Karen Nash is a successful librarian who has always dreamed of visiting England, the land of all of her favourite authors. She has carefully planned her upcoming vacation, trying to indulge her passion for literature while not boring her plumber boyfriend Dave. But the course of true love never did run smooth and Dave dumps Karen just days before they are to embark on this adventure. What’s a girl to do? Karen buys her own plane ticket and goes anyway, finding at the airport that Dave has replaced her with a younger woman. Understandably angry, Karen conceals herself as best she can on the flight, then follows the couple upon landing in London.
Who hasn’t been dumped and fantasized about taking revenge on the former object of our affection? Karen books into her B&B and is pleased to find that the owner loves books as much as she does. When she goes looking for some juice in the middle of her first night, she stumbles over the body of a fellow customer, complicating her situation.
The remainder of the book deals with meeting the other denizens of the B&B, being touristy in London, causing trouble for the disloyal Dave, pursuing the new man in her life, plus solving the murder mystery. A very full schedule. Karen is a woman after my own heart, a planner, a reader, and a very competent woman.
Perfect if you want a warm, fuzzy reading experience with a very gentle mystery attached to it. Truly, the story is much more about Karen and how she sorts out her life after it’s been shaken up. Very enjoyable.
I’m not usually a tremendous fan of the cozy mystery genre—I tend to like things a bit darker and more threatening--but I was charmed by this librarian-reluctantly-turned-sleuth tale that also incorporated a gentle romance.
Karen Nash is a successful librarian who has always dreamed of visiting England, the land of all of her favourite authors. She has carefully planned her upcoming vacation, trying to indulge her passion for literature while not boring her plumber boyfriend Dave. But the course of true love never did run smooth and Dave dumps Karen just days before they are to embark on this adventure. What’s a girl to do? Karen buys her own plane ticket and goes anyway, finding at the airport that Dave has replaced her with a younger woman. Understandably angry, Karen conceals herself as best she can on the flight, then follows the couple upon landing in London.
Who hasn’t been dumped and fantasized about taking revenge on the former object of our affection? Karen books into her B&B and is pleased to find that the owner loves books as much as she does. When she goes looking for some juice in the middle of her first night, she stumbles over the body of a fellow customer, complicating her situation.
The remainder of the book deals with meeting the other denizens of the B&B, being touristy in London, causing trouble for the disloyal Dave, pursuing the new man in her life, plus solving the murder mystery. A very full schedule. Karen is a woman after my own heart, a planner, a reader, and a very competent woman.
Perfect if you want a warm, fuzzy reading experience with a very gentle mystery attached to it. Truly, the story is much more about Karen and how she sorts out her life after it’s been shaken up. Very enjoyable.
February 9, 2013
I discovered this book at my local library and I just had to check it out. I have a ton of books to read, but this one jumped to the top. It's a bit of brain candy, and I love that it's truly a nice cozy mystery and not a gory slasher/thriller.
I also loved the heavy emphasis on books and the realtionship that develops between the two main characters. The ending is sweet, and even though I'm not sure if there will be a series of these books, I would be interested to read more about these characters.
I have some interesting coincidences in my reading selections; and while I'm sure I shouldn't be surprised at a mention of the Oxford English Dictionary in a book about a librarian, it was interesting since I just finished the book The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, which details the origins of this esteemed tome.
interesting quotes:
"Such enormous stretches of serendipity only happened in books, and usually not in very good ones." (p. 95)
"I know this will be hard for you to believe, but he didn't like books."
Caldwell shook his head sadly. "It's a shock to realize that there are people like that in the world isn't it?" (p. 259)
"Creating order out of a muddle. How nice that there was a certain place, one place only, that a book should be in a library, and I was able to put it there." (p. 295)
new word: floofy
I also loved the heavy emphasis on books and the realtionship that develops between the two main characters. The ending is sweet, and even though I'm not sure if there will be a series of these books, I would be interested to read more about these characters.
I have some interesting coincidences in my reading selections; and while I'm sure I shouldn't be surprised at a mention of the Oxford English Dictionary in a book about a librarian, it was interesting since I just finished the book The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, which details the origins of this esteemed tome.
interesting quotes:
"Such enormous stretches of serendipity only happened in books, and usually not in very good ones." (p. 95)
"I know this will be hard for you to believe, but he didn't like books."
Caldwell shook his head sadly. "It's a shock to realize that there are people like that in the world isn't it?" (p. 259)
"Creating order out of a muddle. How nice that there was a certain place, one place only, that a book should be in a library, and I was able to put it there." (p. 295)
new word: floofy
February 19, 2013
I was attracted to this by the title and plot summary. Unfortunately, it was a major disappointment. Our heroine, Karen, is a middle-aged Minnesota librarian with amazingly ample financial resources, stunningly few technology skills, and a placid job where she shelves lots of books (which, by the way, is NOT a professional task but delegated to often minimum-wage student workers). Just before a long-planned trip to England, Karen's dumped by her boyfriend Dave, a plumber. Karen decides to go anyway and is both stunned and furious to see Dave on the plane--accompanied by a girl half his age. (What are the odds that someone like him would pick up a "Honey" with the time, passport and money to immediately travel abroad?) Karen vents to a handsome stranger and is then plagued with worry that she's inadvertently triggered a hit-man's interest. In the meantime, a rose grower at her London bed and breakfast (in town for the Chelsea Flower Show) dies. Although this occurs in Chapter 8, the mystery isn't solved until Chapter 32, mostly due to coincidences and confessions. The slow-moving, silly story is only one of the problems here. The characters are (often ridiculous) stereotypes, and the whole thing is just totally implausible and not that interesting to read about.
January 16, 2016
The best thing about this book was the title. It was really a midlife-crisis/G-rated romance novel masquerading as a mystery, and not a very compelling one at that. Plus, I think the author has a less-than-realistic view about what librarians do all day.
January 21, 2013
Excellent first book in a new series. A very different style of cozy mystery that was a lot of fun from the first page. Totally non-formulaic, this story was a delightful departure from the standard and I devoured it nearly in one sitting.
Librarian Karen Nash is packed and ready to leave with her boyfriend for their first trip to London - only to be dumped literally hours before take-off. In a fit of defiance she decides to go anyway, only to discover she's sharing the plane with her now-ex and his new girlfriend. Arriving in London, one of her fellow B and B guests end up dead.
The blurb on the back of the book is misleading, leading one to think there's a lot of action afoot. In reality, this is a rather calm, relaxing mystery that unfolds in it's own time with a denouement that sneaks up on you and a climax to the story that's rather breathtaking.
I'm truly looking forward to the next book in this series, I can't wait to see what Ms. Kirwin does with the next plot.
Librarian Karen Nash is packed and ready to leave with her boyfriend for their first trip to London - only to be dumped literally hours before take-off. In a fit of defiance she decides to go anyway, only to discover she's sharing the plane with her now-ex and his new girlfriend. Arriving in London, one of her fellow B and B guests end up dead.
The blurb on the back of the book is misleading, leading one to think there's a lot of action afoot. In reality, this is a rather calm, relaxing mystery that unfolds in it's own time with a denouement that sneaks up on you and a climax to the story that's rather breathtaking.
I'm truly looking forward to the next book in this series, I can't wait to see what Ms. Kirwin does with the next plot.
December 30, 2012
I loved this debut fiction novel about a midwestern librarian who travels to London and finds murder and love. I'm not really sure why as I've read other mysteries that I thought were better written. (Not that the writing in this book is bad, but it's certainly a freshman effort). Maybe it's because Karen reminds me of myself. I'm a librarian (albeit a school librarian, though I've worked in the public library), a lover of books and I've always wanted to visit London.
This is a quick, cozy read with a bit of romance. It's what I call a soft read. I found the story engaging, but not an edge of the seat thriller. Kirwin manages to throw in quite a few "lucky dog" acts that might make the story a little unbelievable, but for this story seems to work. Not only does Karen still get to take her dream trip to London, but she meets an attractive new man, solves a mystery (with almost an afterthought) and manages to end up of quite well off financially, due to a freak accident. Perhaps in another story, I might find all these things just too unbelievable, but for me it was a good fit read. I'm hoping there were will be more stories about this Killer Librarian. I gave it 5 stars for the enjoyment factor.
This is a quick, cozy read with a bit of romance. It's what I call a soft read. I found the story engaging, but not an edge of the seat thriller. Kirwin manages to throw in quite a few "lucky dog" acts that might make the story a little unbelievable, but for this story seems to work. Not only does Karen still get to take her dream trip to London, but she meets an attractive new man, solves a mystery (with almost an afterthought) and manages to end up of quite well off financially, due to a freak accident. Perhaps in another story, I might find all these things just too unbelievable, but for me it was a good fit read. I'm hoping there were will be more stories about this Killer Librarian. I gave it 5 stars for the enjoyment factor.
July 5, 2015
Killer Librarian is about a librarian who not only loves mysteries, but finds herself in the middle of one. How could I not buy this?
Karen, librarian, mystery lover and Anglophile, is all packed for her first ever trip to London, with her boyfriend Dave. Instead of picking her up as planned, Dave unceremoniously dumps her with a phone call. Karen decides to go to London anyway. At the quaint bed and breakfast where she has decided to stay while in London she meets fellow book lover and B and B owner Caldwell Perkins, Betty and Barb two elder ladies with a passion for flowers, and husband and wife, Howard and Annette. Howard loves flowers and has even named his newest hybrid after his wife. His wife is less enthusiastic about flowers and her husband's passion for them. When Howard dies suddenly, some question whether his death was simple due to age or whether there is a more sinister reason.
Killer Librarian is totally fluff and absolutely delightful. The last book I read touched on sex trafficking and my next book is all about Henry VIII and his succession of wives, so delightful fluff was just what needed in between. If you're looking for a light read and cozy mystery this will do the trick.
Karen, librarian, mystery lover and Anglophile, is all packed for her first ever trip to London, with her boyfriend Dave. Instead of picking her up as planned, Dave unceremoniously dumps her with a phone call. Karen decides to go to London anyway. At the quaint bed and breakfast where she has decided to stay while in London she meets fellow book lover and B and B owner Caldwell Perkins, Betty and Barb two elder ladies with a passion for flowers, and husband and wife, Howard and Annette. Howard loves flowers and has even named his newest hybrid after his wife. His wife is less enthusiastic about flowers and her husband's passion for them. When Howard dies suddenly, some question whether his death was simple due to age or whether there is a more sinister reason.
Killer Librarian is totally fluff and absolutely delightful. The last book I read touched on sex trafficking and my next book is all about Henry VIII and his succession of wives, so delightful fluff was just what needed in between. If you're looking for a light read and cozy mystery this will do the trick.
April 14, 2013
Karen Nash is a small-town librarian who is about to go on a dream vacation to London, accompanied by her long-term boyfriend, Dave. However, Dave calls to break up with Karen just hours before they depart, shattering her happiness and confidence. She refuses to let it disrupt her vacation, though, and heads to airport on her own, only to find that Dave is on the same flight, accompanied by Honey, a blonde bimbo half Karen's age.
As anger begins to replace sadness, Karen begins to fantasize about killing Dave. After their plane lands, she follows Dave and Honey to their hotel before heading to the bed and breakfast where she's staying. The b&b's owner, Caldwell Perkins, takes her out for a pint at a real English pub, where she proceeds to get drunk and spill out Dave's betrayal and her own desire to revenge to another pub patron, rumored-criminal Guy, who promises, "Dave will be taken care of."
The possibility of accidentally having put out a hit on her ex is only one of Karen's problems, however, when one of her fellow guests at the bed and breakfast dies and she suspects foul play...
This tone of this book was odd. Karen spends a lot of time early in the book dreaming about Dave's death, which seems at odds for a staid, middle-aged, mild-mannered librarian. Given that this book is the first in a series, it's hard to say that it was out of character for Karen to get sloshed and confide her desire for Dave's death to a complete stranger, but it sure rang false to me. Everyone has nasty thoughts from time to time, sometimes to the point of wishing someone dead, but most of us (besides not actually wanting that death to occur) are smart enough not to talk about it to another person. In a time when it's possible to be arrested for making a terroristic threat, Karen's behavior is doubly stupid.
Also, this book is presented as a cozy mystery when it's really more of a romance that happens to occur around a mysterious death that is easily resolved. When Karen finally gets around to asking her fellow guests a few questions, the guilty party immediately confesses, and the death turns out to have been a complete accident. Even after being sentenced to time in prison, the guilty party likes Karen, even going so far as to "send [guilty party's] love" once she's back in the United States.
Most of the page time is devoted to Karen's relationship with Caldwell. In the midst of suspecting a murder in the b&b and fearing that she ordered a hit on Dave, Karen manages to swoon over Caldwell, convince herself he's dating another guest, and go on several dates with Caldwell, one an all-day book shopping affair in Hay-on-Wye. There are a great number of silly, romance-obsessed women out there, but it's hard to imagine that there are many who would treat a crush on a innkeeper as a bigger priority than a murder and the possibility of being the cause of and an accessory to another.
I didn't like this book, but it's mediocre in a harmless way. If slow-paced, bloodless, profanity-free cozy mysteries are your thing, this is right up your alley.
As anger begins to replace sadness, Karen begins to fantasize about killing Dave. After their plane lands, she follows Dave and Honey to their hotel before heading to the bed and breakfast where she's staying. The b&b's owner, Caldwell Perkins, takes her out for a pint at a real English pub, where she proceeds to get drunk and spill out Dave's betrayal and her own desire to revenge to another pub patron, rumored-criminal Guy, who promises, "Dave will be taken care of."
The possibility of accidentally having put out a hit on her ex is only one of Karen's problems, however, when one of her fellow guests at the bed and breakfast dies and she suspects foul play...
This tone of this book was odd. Karen spends a lot of time early in the book dreaming about Dave's death, which seems at odds for a staid, middle-aged, mild-mannered librarian. Given that this book is the first in a series, it's hard to say that it was out of character for Karen to get sloshed and confide her desire for Dave's death to a complete stranger, but it sure rang false to me. Everyone has nasty thoughts from time to time, sometimes to the point of wishing someone dead, but most of us (besides not actually wanting that death to occur) are smart enough not to talk about it to another person. In a time when it's possible to be arrested for making a terroristic threat, Karen's behavior is doubly stupid.
Also, this book is presented as a cozy mystery when it's really more of a romance that happens to occur around a mysterious death that is easily resolved. When Karen finally gets around to asking her fellow guests a few questions, the guilty party immediately confesses, and the death turns out to have been a complete accident. Even after being sentenced to time in prison, the guilty party likes Karen, even going so far as to "send [guilty party's] love" once she's back in the United States.
Most of the page time is devoted to Karen's relationship with Caldwell. In the midst of suspecting a murder in the b&b and fearing that she ordered a hit on Dave, Karen manages to swoon over Caldwell, convince herself he's dating another guest, and go on several dates with Caldwell, one an all-day book shopping affair in Hay-on-Wye. There are a great number of silly, romance-obsessed women out there, but it's hard to imagine that there are many who would treat a crush on a innkeeper as a bigger priority than a murder and the possibility of being the cause of and an accessory to another.
I didn't like this book, but it's mediocre in a harmless way. If slow-paced, bloodless, profanity-free cozy mysteries are your thing, this is right up your alley.
February 12, 2014
"Killer Librarian"
This was my first book by this author or in this series. I did not want to stop reading this book for a second. The librarian in a cozy library in Minnesota is all set to go on a fabulous trip of a life time with her long time boyfriend, Dave. Karen Nash is the librarian and the day of the planned trip Dave cancels out. He needs his space, which turns out to be another woman. Karen is crushed by this unforeseen news.
Karen picks herself up off the floor and goes on her own to England. She even spots Dave with the other woman on the same plane. Karen with the spirit and fortitude of a librarian continues to a B&B. The B&B is managed by a very polite and accommodating manager/owner Caldwell.
Soon they appear to be getting along a bit better than just a manger and a client. Another client at the B & B appears a little too quiet sitting in the parlor dozing off with a book in his hands. Karen takes a closer look and finds he is dead. Was it his heart or and overdose of his meds or just plain murder.
While delving into the possibilities of a murder the relationship between Caldwell and Karen develops. The story was just intriguing. since I am a librarian I may have enjoyed for more than just a being a lover of mysteries.
I love this new series and intend on keeping on as long as the author is willing to write more of the same.
This was my first book by this author or in this series. I did not want to stop reading this book for a second. The librarian in a cozy library in Minnesota is all set to go on a fabulous trip of a life time with her long time boyfriend, Dave. Karen Nash is the librarian and the day of the planned trip Dave cancels out. He needs his space, which turns out to be another woman. Karen is crushed by this unforeseen news.
Karen picks herself up off the floor and goes on her own to England. She even spots Dave with the other woman on the same plane. Karen with the spirit and fortitude of a librarian continues to a B&B. The B&B is managed by a very polite and accommodating manager/owner Caldwell.
Soon they appear to be getting along a bit better than just a manger and a client. Another client at the B & B appears a little too quiet sitting in the parlor dozing off with a book in his hands. Karen takes a closer look and finds he is dead. Was it his heart or and overdose of his meds or just plain murder.
While delving into the possibilities of a murder the relationship between Caldwell and Karen develops. The story was just intriguing. since I am a librarian I may have enjoyed for more than just a being a lover of mysteries.
I love this new series and intend on keeping on as long as the author is willing to write more of the same.
February 8, 2013
2 1/2 stars. Karen Nash, Minnesota librarian, is getting ready for her first trip to England when her boyfriend who is supposed to accompany her, breaks up with her. Karen decides to go on her trip anyway and is appalled when her now ex-boyfriend is still going to England, just with a different woman. Determined to have a good time, Karen checks onto her B&B and meets an interesting crew of folks who are in London for a flower show. She is also quite taken with the owner of the B&B, book lover, Caldwell Perkins. Little does she know that before her trip is over she will be in the middle of a murder investigation.
Hmmm, I really did not like the main character, Karen. She is 45 years old but acts more like a 20 year old. She fakes an English accent and lies about what her job is. The mystery is there but so unimportant that it could have been left out and this could have been a romance. I found that I like Caldwell much better than Karen. So this series will stop here for me.
Hmmm, I really did not like the main character, Karen. She is 45 years old but acts more like a 20 year old. She fakes an English accent and lies about what her job is. The mystery is there but so unimportant that it could have been left out and this could have been a romance. I found that I like Caldwell much better than Karen. So this series will stop here for me.
May 20, 2016
Originally published on More Mysteries Please
Wow, this was a refreshing take on a cozy mystery.
Unlike most mysteries this story wasn't really centered around finding the killer, it was more about Karen enjoying her trip, and if she found clues along the way, then that's a bonus.
Overall great characters, great setting, well written, there's really not anything bad about this book, besides the fact that there's only one other book after it. Definitely this will join my favorites.
Wow, this was a refreshing take on a cozy mystery.
Unlike most mysteries this story wasn't really centered around finding the killer, it was more about Karen enjoying her trip, and if she found clues along the way, then that's a bonus.
Overall great characters, great setting, well written, there's really not anything bad about this book, besides the fact that there's only one other book after it. Definitely this will join my favorites.
March 9, 2021
Review title: File under L for Librarians, Killer
I had picked up a hardback Mr. Mercedes that my wife had asked me to check out at our local public library, but I decided to see if they had a paperback version since it would be smaller and lighter to carry on the mile and a half hike back the trail home. No paperback version of that, but right after "King" on the paperback rack was this book about a killer librarian. I had to read it, having a library degree myself and a love of libraries, and having spent hundreds of valuable hours in them without ever encountering a Killer Librarian.
This little bit of fluff, a writing debut for Kirwin, reads fast and light. Yes there is a small body count by the end, but no gore, no really tense jump scares or deadly card catalogs (although our heroine does use a book as a weapon at one point!). Karen Nash is a 40ish librarian at smallish Minnesota public library who has planned a trip to England with her plumber boyfriend to celebrate and spend some of his royalties from a toilet patent. When he breaks up with her on the day of the flight to London via a phone call (ouch), distraught Karen continues on with the planned trip--only to see boyfriend Dave board with his new (and 20-something) female companion. After Karen blurts out her wish to kill Dave in a drunk and jet-lagged rant to a British stranger in a pub, she worries she may have set in motion a chain of events that could lead to murder.
Murder--or at least mishaps--do occur, but author Kirwin keeps the story moving by not focusing on the mayhem or the sleuthing, giving her lead Karen and her readers a chance to experience London as first-time tourists. This book can be read easily in an hour or two, and if it's impact is as light as the reading it is at least an enjoyable couple of hours. Unlike Stephen King who started this search, a single followup in 2013 completes her oeuvre, so even the most devoted Kirwin fan can be exhaustive without being exhausted. Who knows, you might even find a copy at your own library.....
I had picked up a hardback Mr. Mercedes that my wife had asked me to check out at our local public library, but I decided to see if they had a paperback version since it would be smaller and lighter to carry on the mile and a half hike back the trail home. No paperback version of that, but right after "King" on the paperback rack was this book about a killer librarian. I had to read it, having a library degree myself and a love of libraries, and having spent hundreds of valuable hours in them without ever encountering a Killer Librarian.
This little bit of fluff, a writing debut for Kirwin, reads fast and light. Yes there is a small body count by the end, but no gore, no really tense jump scares or deadly card catalogs (although our heroine does use a book as a weapon at one point!). Karen Nash is a 40ish librarian at smallish Minnesota public library who has planned a trip to England with her plumber boyfriend to celebrate and spend some of his royalties from a toilet patent. When he breaks up with her on the day of the flight to London via a phone call (ouch), distraught Karen continues on with the planned trip--only to see boyfriend Dave board with his new (and 20-something) female companion. After Karen blurts out her wish to kill Dave in a drunk and jet-lagged rant to a British stranger in a pub, she worries she may have set in motion a chain of events that could lead to murder.
Murder--or at least mishaps--do occur, but author Kirwin keeps the story moving by not focusing on the mayhem or the sleuthing, giving her lead Karen and her readers a chance to experience London as first-time tourists. This book can be read easily in an hour or two, and if it's impact is as light as the reading it is at least an enjoyable couple of hours. Unlike Stephen King who started this search, a single followup in 2013 completes her oeuvre, so even the most devoted Kirwin fan can be exhaustive without being exhausted. Who knows, you might even find a copy at your own library.....
September 19, 2018
Light and fun, plenty of book & reader joy. Nothing surprising but it’s entertaining - a good choice between more challenging reading. More a romance than a mystery.
Karen the Minnesota librarian goes to England by herself after her lunkhead nonreader boyfriend dumps her for a skinny younger woman, meets an attractive B&B owner who loves books, and some mysterious events happen. Some fun travelogue stuff including a glimpse of Hay on Wye, famous bookshop town, and Macbeth at the Globe Theatre.
Karen the Minnesota librarian goes to England by herself after her lunkhead nonreader boyfriend dumps her for a skinny younger woman, meets an attractive B&B owner who loves books, and some mysterious events happen. Some fun travelogue stuff including a glimpse of Hay on Wye, famous bookshop town, and Macbeth at the Globe Theatre.
November 8, 2023
Entertaining first in series, and quite a quick read.
June 22, 2016
I strangely found myself driven to finish this book. I am not sure if it was the murder or the budding romance between the main character, a librarian from a small town in Minnesota and the B & B owner. Karen Nash is your typical English/ Librarian nerd (in the sense that I too am one of these people) and has dreamt of going to England to see the palces that she has read about. After helping her boyfriend, a plumber, develop a product, they earn enough money to go. The day of the trip, he leaves her for another woman. Both still go on the trip separately (which is slightly comical).
Too make a long story short, and yes it does drag at points, Karen falls for the B &B owner who also has been left by a lover; who also loves a mystery; who also loves books like breathing. Together they solve the mystery of the "accidental" death that occurred in the B & B one of the first nights.
The side stories of the past boyfriend, an alleged hit-man/ crime boss, and the rare flower show, keep the story moving when the murder mystery is not.
I would read more in this series because I to a liking to the characters. I appreciated the references to other authors and literature and LOVED the connections to Macbeth... nothing over the top, but clever.
Too make a long story short, and yes it does drag at points, Karen falls for the B &B owner who also has been left by a lover; who also loves a mystery; who also loves books like breathing. Together they solve the mystery of the "accidental" death that occurred in the B & B one of the first nights.
The side stories of the past boyfriend, an alleged hit-man/ crime boss, and the rare flower show, keep the story moving when the murder mystery is not.
I would read more in this series because I to a liking to the characters. I appreciated the references to other authors and literature and LOVED the connections to Macbeth... nothing over the top, but clever.
January 12, 2013
If you're looking for Sherlock Holmes, this isn't your kind of mystery. The middle aged, Midwestern librarian who is the heroine narrator is not too proactive a detective. Her wastrel of a plumber boyfriend dumps her on the very day they are supposed to fly off on their first trip to England. The money for the trip was earned through her idea, engineered by him and then named by her. Even though she is stunned and hurt, she decides to go on the trip anyway. At the airport, she discovers that her just ex and his new girlfriend (young, skinny, blonde...) are on the same plane. Although she manages to stay out of their sight on the plane, she can't help but resent what has happened. Enter the quintessential British gentleman (her B and B host), two Nebraskans in town for the flower show, one dead flower breeder, the widow, a Frenchwoman and a "mobster." The descriptions of London, Hay-on-Wye, the Victoria and Albert and even a Holiday Inn made this cozy delightful. Oh, and while there is a murder, it is not quite what you think! And then there is the other unexpected death...
January 8, 2014
I found the title of this light, cozy mystery, which will appeal to book lovers and Anglophiles, irresistible. It's a fun story, with plenty of interesting characters. Karen Nash, a Midwestern small-town librarian, after being dumped by her lover just before their planned trip to England, decides to get on the plane anyway, all the while entertaining vengeful thoughts about her ex. After checking in at a London B&B, owned by an attractive bibliophile, she finds out that her ex and his new girlfriend may in fact be the target of an assassin.
There were some gaffes that I found distracting, however. At the B&B, Karen decides to read a book by Josephine Tey and settles down in the bathtub with her copy of The Tiger in the Smoke -- which, of course, was written not by Tey, but by Margery Allingham. But what I found even more annoying were the put-downs of other mystery/thriller authors, something I have never run across in a traditional mystery before. It's totally unnecessary, and insulting other, more successful authors is more likely to alienate readers than anything else. Without these problems, this would have been a 4-star mystery for me.
There were some gaffes that I found distracting, however. At the B&B, Karen decides to read a book by Josephine Tey and settles down in the bathtub with her copy of The Tiger in the Smoke -- which, of course, was written not by Tey, but by Margery Allingham. But what I found even more annoying were the put-downs of other mystery/thriller authors, something I have never run across in a traditional mystery before. It's totally unnecessary, and insulting other, more successful authors is more likely to alienate readers than anything else. Without these problems, this would have been a 4-star mystery for me.
March 4, 2015
Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin (Mary Logue) It's been a long time since I've read a book and simply couldn't put it down until the very last page. This is that book! Karen Nash, librarian from a small-town Minnesota library is about to go on a dream vacation to London with her boyfriend. As she stands ready to leave for the airport, he calls and breaks up with her! She leaves for England anyway and within a few days, finds a dead body. She also finds her boyfriend enjoying "her trip" to London with another young woman. She winds up in a pub, shedding tears in a pint, while she spills her story to a nefarious character who decides to make things "right" for her. As her vacation unfolds, she and the book-loving caretaker of the B&B she is staying in, try to solve one murder while preventing a second. This book is written so well it simply flows! My favorite quote from the book - "You can make anyone a reader, if you match them up with the right book." If you love mystery, books and London - you will love this page turner!
January 5, 2013
When I picked KILLER LIBRARIAN up, I kept looking for what series it belonged to. I don't seem to run across cozy mysteries that are stand-alones. This is perfectly stand-alone. Adventure, possible murder, hitman possibilities, excellent miscommunication.
I felt so bad for Karen, the main character who gets dumped on the day she and her boyfriend are to vacation in London. I also almost set the book aside as I read her woe-is-me bit. I kept reading and glad that I did. Karen pulled herself up off the pity couch and took herself to London on her own. She has her own adventure and finds she can be okay on her own and that this might have been a good thing, even after seeing her ex with another woman.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery, I enjoyed watching Karen grow strong.
Highly recommendable.
I felt so bad for Karen, the main character who gets dumped on the day she and her boyfriend are to vacation in London. I also almost set the book aside as I read her woe-is-me bit. I kept reading and glad that I did. Karen pulled herself up off the pity couch and took herself to London on her own. She has her own adventure and finds she can be okay on her own and that this might have been a good thing, even after seeing her ex with another woman.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery, I enjoyed watching Karen grow strong.
Highly recommendable.
April 9, 2016
Karen is a librarian and has been dating Dave for 4 years. They had a trip to England planned when Dave breaks up with Karen on the day they are supposed to leave! Karen decides to take the trip, anyway, and finds herself on the plane, along with Dave and his new girlfriend! Karen keeps herself hidden, and when they all arrive in London, Karen checks herself into the B&B she'd booked. On the first night there, she finds one of the other guests dead.
I really enjoyed this. I was able to identify with both Karen and her friend and co-worker Rosie (I am also a librarian). The book wasn't as much mystery as it sounded, and there was a bit of a romance in it, as well. There were also many books mentioned/talked about/referred to, so that was fun, too. It was a very fast read.
I really enjoyed this. I was able to identify with both Karen and her friend and co-worker Rosie (I am also a librarian). The book wasn't as much mystery as it sounded, and there was a bit of a romance in it, as well. There were also many books mentioned/talked about/referred to, so that was fun, too. It was a very fast read.
January 31, 2017
This was a fun, light read. Of course, the title was what made me choose it, and I enjoyed reading about Karen Nash's library world and her trip to London. Even though her boyfriend splits with her and cancels, she decided to go because she has made so many plans. I loved how Karen has thoughtfully planned each day in London. She loves everything British, and even tries to effect a British accent at times. Part of what I liked about her approach is because it reminded me so much of my own Mother. She made several trips to England. I kiddingly say that she thought it was some divine mistake that she wasn't born English! Well, Karen's stay in London doesn't turn out exactly as she had planned, but the surprises and exciting things she encounters make for a good cozy mystery.
December 29, 2012
Nice cozy mystery with good exploration of literary London and a romance as part of the backdrop. After Librarian Karen Nash is dumped by her boyfriend on the eve of a long-awaited trip to London, she goes anyway, only to run into him and his new squeeze on the plane. Staying at a B&B run by a bookish (single) man, she reinvents herself as a mystery writer doing research, and finds lots to do with a death at the B&B. Standard cozy mystery plotting and pace, quirky side-characters, and good use of the setting in London. An over-the-top ending is not quite right, but the mystery and romance were fun to read on a rainy day.
January 23, 2013
This book left me with mixed feelings. At times I was engaged and caught up in the story, at other times it was a struggle to keep reading. In part, that was due to the mixed nature of the book - I was expecting a cozy mystery, instead I got a mid-life crisis and a sweet romance in the trappings of a cozy mystery. The mysteries, there were two, were the framework for the stories but most definitely not the focus. There were many coincidences, some red herrings, some very obvious story directions and a story line involving a potential rival for the lead's love interest that abruptly went nowhere. It's the first in a new series and I doubt if I'll bother to pick up any of the others.
November 13, 2013
It 's strange as I was driven by this book, enjoying every page. At the end I thought that this story was fantastic. After some time I realized however that much were the flaw , maybe little consistency and uniformity in the plot respect to genre.
But I liked very much as the story turn out be one comedy of errors, poor Dave. And I liked read of books and of who love books as Karen and Caldwell and also as the author makes fun of American tourist as of snooty English people or frivolous French woman . So I'll read the next.
But I liked very much as the story turn out be one comedy of errors, poor Dave. And I liked read of books and of who love books as Karen and Caldwell and also as the author makes fun of American tourist as of snooty English people or frivolous French woman . So I'll read the next.
May 13, 2015
Our midwestern librarian protagonist in this first installment of the Killer Librarian series puts on colorful, comfortable walking shoes to take us on a slow-paced tour of London. I think it was unnecessarily obtuse to have male characters called "Twad and Tweed" (Thad and Treat) as well as a female duo referred to as "the Tweedles" (Barb and Betty), but it wasn't too hard to remember that "Mr. Toad" was the guy who dumped our heroine. I loved the side trip to Hay-on-Wye ... I am ready to visit there myself.
December 4, 2012
I needed a book to clear my palate and this was just the book. Killer Librarian is a light, fun read. Sure there's a dead body or two, but no blood and guts or evil killers on the loose. It wasn't overly romancey either. I started out thinking it was just 'okay' but toward the end realized I was really liking it. Will keep my eye out for book 2 of this new series.
March 4, 2013
I enjoyed this book. Karen and Caldwell were delightful characters and I loved all the other characters especialy the Tweedles. And the Bookshops were wonderful
If you enjoy lighter mysteries I highly recommend this one!
If you enjoy lighter mysteries I highly recommend this one!
October 24, 2013
Really enjoyable, this mystery kept my interest throughout, unusual with many cozies. Maybe because it has to do with books of all sorts.
July 23, 2020
A cute, fast read by an author I never read before. There is also a sequel, but this is a stand alone book. Karen has been dumped by her boyfriend the very day they are to take a trip to England. She decides to go anyway, and is shocked to see her now ex with another woman on the same plane. She goes to her B&B, and then while drinking at a pub tells her story to a total stranger and mentions how she would like to kill him. The stranger assures her he can take care of that for her. She forms an attraction to her host, and they have a great time together until one of his guests is murdered. She then realizes that she must stop the stranger from hurting her ex. Who killed the guest, can she stop the stranger and most important, what will happen when her vacation is over and she has to leave the new love of her life?
August 29, 2020
2 1/2 stars. It was a quick read and I enjoyed the characters. I especially enjoyed Karen's developing a relationship with the B & B owner, Caldwell, who was a much better romantic fit than her ex-Dave. The mystery of the B & B guest who died suddenly was fine. I did find the idea that Karen thought she had unwittingly caused an assassin to want to kill her ex and his present girlfriend ludicrous. She is suppose to be a sensible woman and even with the emotional trauma of being dumped right before a big trip doesn't compute with setting in motion murder by just talking to someone in a pub and telling your love woes. There was no money exchanged, no declaration of intent.
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