A Merry Little Murder Plot

Library Lover's Mystery #15

by Jenn McKinlay

‘Tis the season in Briar Creek, and this year festivities become fatalities in the newest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Fatal First Edition.

During the most wonderful time of the year, famous author Helen Monroe arrives in Briar Creek to be the writer in residence, but her “bah humbug” attitude excludes her from the many holiday celebrations the town residents enjoy. To try to spread some Christmas cheer, library director Lindsey Norris invites the new writer in residence to join her crafternoon club. Helen politely refuses and when an altercation happens between Helen and another patron, Lindsey begins to suspect the author has been keeping to herself for a reason.

Another newcomer, Jackie Lewis, reveals she’s visiting Briar Creek to be near Helen because she believes they are destined to meet. Having dealt with a stalker in the past, Lindsey feels compelled to tell Helen about Jackie, as she suspects that Helen is unaware her “number one” fan is in town.

When Jackie’s body is later discovered in the town park beneath the holiday-light display with a copy of Helen’s latest manuscript in her hand, the reclusive novelist becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her self-proclaimed mega-fan. Helen’s frosty demeanor melts when Lindsey offers her help, and now the librarian and her crafternoon pals must prove the author innocent before "The End" becomes Helen's final sentence.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christmas, Cozy, Fiction, Holiday, Audiobook

317 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2024

About the author

Jenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook for this one and really liked the narrator. They did a good job of bringing the main character to life while also doing a good job voicing all of the other characters. I’ve read a few of the other books in this series, but I haven’t read them all and that doesn’t seem to hinder my enjoyment at all. I do enjoy these cozy mysteries which isn’t a surprise since I am partial to cozy mysteries about librarian amateur sleuths. Lindsey is busy with holiday themed events and the library’s first writer in residence when she meets a woman who seems far too interested in their writer in residence, Helen. Left with a bad feeling Lindsey asks a few questions not intending to do anything, but when she stumbles on another dead body she can’t help but get involved in the investigation. I found this mystery fun even if I thought the red herrings were a little too obvious and I figured it out fairly early on. Overall I gave it 4.5 stars rounded up for being a a great listen.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This winter, the Briar Creek Library is hosting a writer in residence, and they are honored to have thriller writer Helen Monroe as she works on something new. But Lindsey Norris’s radar goes off when she meets an obsessive fan of Helen’s. Sure enough, the sparks fly when the two meet at a public event. And then Lindsey finds a dead body in the city’s park – electrocuted by the town’s Christmas lights. Can she figure out what is going on?

I always enjoy visiting these characters, and that was no exception. Having said that, I didn’t appreciate the subplot about book banning, mainly because it was just knee jerk storytelling and didn’t have any of the nuance that should be involved in the topic. Still, that was a minor part of a book I enjoyed overall. The plot was great and kept me guessing even about who the victim would be (I went in without reading anything about the plot). The twists kept coming after the murder, but everything made sense at the end. The characters, both old and new, were fun. I laughed quite a few times as I went along. And the festive setting added a nice touch to the book. There are some Christmassy extras at the end. Fans will love this book. Anyone looking for a fun Christmas mystery will be glad they picked this book up.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsey Norris is head librarian at the Briar Creek library. The library and town are busy as they prepare for Christmas. The library has invited a writer to stay in town and write her next book, but soon it seems that there are people targeting her. Then, one of those women is found dead one night in the park gazebo. Could the writer be the murderer? Or is she the intended victim?

Once again Lindsey’s craft group, husband, and of course her friend the police chief are all looking for clues. Can they solve the mystery before there’s another death?

These books continue to be a fun cozy mystery series, and the audiobook is narrated well. I’m hoping there will be more to come in the series.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s nothing better than waking up early in the morning and starting your day with a Jenn McKinlay book. As a long-time fan of Jenn McKinlay, I have read both of her romance books and cozy mysteries, but there’s something so cozy and serene about this series that I love.

Lindsey, the main heroine, is such an amazing character. Vastly different than McKinlay’s other characters, she stands out because of her soft personality. Some amateur sleuths are nosy and pushy, but Lindsey feels so classy and refined to me. I also love that she loves to read and shares her passion with everyone.

McKinlay weaves a wonderful mystery in A MERRY LITTLE MURDER PLOT. It’s a holiday-themed book, complete with intrigue and suspense. Library Lovers fans will definitely fall in love with A MERRY LITTLE MURDER PLOT.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t go wrong with murder, Christmas and Jenn McKinlay! I love this series! The books are so easy to read and the characters are great, I really want to join the crafternooners. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best-selling author Helen Monroe has agreed to work as Briar Creek’s writer in residence, but she doesn’t seem to care about getting acquainted with her fans. When Lindsey discovers the body of one of Helen’s super-fans, the police can’t help but move Helen to the top of the suspect list. Something about that doesn’t seem right to Lindsey, so she offers to help Helen prove her innocence.

This is one of my all-time favorite series, and I especially love spending the holidays with the folks in Briar Creek. The recurring primary characters feel like old friends by now, and it’s fun watching their relationships change as the series progresses. Combining a book discussion, crafts and food sounds like a fantastic idea, but a book a week seems a bit too much.

The murder victim was a visitor to town, so there weren’t many suspects to consider, but as the investigation continued, more names were added to the list. There were plenty of red herrings, and I kept changing my mind about who the killer was. I didn’t have the actual culprit high on my list until things became obvious in the book, but I wasn’t surprised by the reveal.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series and find out what happens next with Lindsey, Sully and the rest.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Micky Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesssss! What another amazing visit to Briar Cliff and the Crafternoon friends! The characters are so amazing in this series. This group of multigenerational ladies are the ladies you aspire to have as friends. They are there with you through thick and thin as well as helping sleuth out the villain when there is a dead body found in their small town. Set in a small coastal New England town the main character is a local librarian so is naturally curious and adept at research making her the perfect amateur sleuth. The author always weaves an engaging plot and this story definitely lives up to that. She kept you on the edge of your seat with a few obvious and a few not so obvious suspects. I couldn't put the book down and you won't be able to either! I actually listened to the audiobook and it was even more outstanding than just reading the book. The narrator really makes the individual characters come to life and enhances the already amazing story. Now I am back to anxiously awaiting the next book to be written in the series!

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable cozy mystery! Great characters!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this cozy mystery. The library setting is wonderful and the characters feel like friends by now. I love reading what is happening with them and the mysteries keep me guessing until the end.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always fun to visit with Lindsey, Sully, and the crafternooners at the library in Briar Creek, Connecticut. Our group is getting ready for the holidays with displays, decorations, and crafts. The library has a residential librarian thanks to a new initiative by the Friends of the Library. Unfortunately, that seems to stir up some controversy when a member of the Friends, its newly elected president, decides she wants to ban their guest author's books and eliminate the program before its truly off the ground. To add to the tension, Lindsey gets a weird vibe off a woman who comes in and declares herself the resident author's number one fan. After a couple of strange confrontations, between the author, Friends president, and strange fan, the fan is found in the town gazebo dead. Was it really an accident, or was it murder? Is their first residential author a murderer or a victim? Will our regular crew be able to resolve these questions so everyone can enjoy the Christmas holidays? Come along for some snow, crazy Christmas sweaters, cookies, and murder. It's definitely a good time for all!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay follows Lindsey Norris, librarian extraordinaire, as she hosts an "author in residence" event while dealing with a book banner as the director of the friends of the library. The season that becomes more complicated than she expected when they find a former friend of the author in residence Helen dead and the prime suspect is Helen. Lindsey doesn't believe Helen committed the murder and decides to help along with her crafternoon book club.

Jenn McKinlay is a national treasure and is allergic to writing bad books and that's a fact. She proves it by writing this book which is awesome! I love revisiting Lindsey and the crafternooners because the plots are always phenomenal, I will always get a surprise on who the killer is, and I get to feel all cozy with these stories. My favorite part was Robbie and Emma's storyline that I don't want to spoil but I was laughing out loud as things got resolved. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes cozy mysteries and small towns. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

[Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy murder for sure. I would be open to reading more in the series.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's holiday time in Briar Creek and while everyone is in the spirit, things are a little tense with the writer in residence. But Lindsay and the crafternooners are there to help. When a superfan of the writer comes into the library, Lindsey gets a weird feeling about her. It's proved true when the fan shows up at an ugly sweater contest and makes a scene, saying that the writer stole her work. But when the fan turns up dead, it's up to Lindsey (and the police) to figure out what happened. A Merry Little Murder Plot is another fantastic entry in the Library Lovers Mystery series!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is my favorite of the series so far and I’m glad this series is back on track. I love any time I get to spend in Briar Creek and the mystery in this one had me invested, second guessing my hunches the whole time. The timely addition of book banning, while not integral to the plot, was a great way to showcase how divisive this issue is and showed how far it could go. Highly recommended but start at the beginning of the series to truly get to know the characters.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an honest review.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaaand we are back [see my review for #14 for context]!! I am so glad - this was 1. just what I needed, and 2. exactly what I have come to expect from this author!

It's Christmas [again, this feels so weird to write on a 75 degree, sunny, October day] and Lindsey and Co. are in full-blown celebration mode. There are parties galore, cookies in abundance, and of course [because nothing says Happy Holidays like finding a body], murder.

This was more twisted than usual [and I was totally here for it], and there was some deep sadness here, as well as a big side of FAFO [which, like the killer, I never saw coming]. This was a very good mystery [I was 100% clueless and of course the one I hoped it was, was not. Sigh. I am so afraid we will see this obnoxious character again IYKYK], and an excellent reveal [YES!!!]; this was a truly excellent [much needed] read.

Allyson Ryan is one of my favorite narrators and I love visiting my Briar Creek "friends" through her excellent narration. I highly recommend this audiobook!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenn McKinlay, Allyson Ryan -Narrator and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the most wonderful time of the year in Briar Creek and Lindsey and the Crafternooners are excited for the holiday celebrations. With so many good Christmas books, crafts and town activities, it's a fun time of year. New to the library is an author in residence program. Popular mystery writer Helen Monroe is visiting the library to write a brand new series after killing off her Mallory Quest character. When a new visiting patron, Jackie, claims to go way back with Helen, she gives Lindsey creepy vibes. Is Lindsey projecting because of her own stalker incident a few years ago or is Jackie a threat to Helen? Lindsey feels she should warn Helen but everyone else is divided in their opinion. Lindsey's plan is to befriend Jackie and find out everything she's planning in regards to Helen and THEN decide if she's a threat. Lindsey's first phase of investigation doesn't go so well and Jackie crashes the ugly Christmas sweater competition Helen is judging and makes a scene. Helen calmly deflects Jackie's drama and Chief Emma drags the irate Jackie out the door. Problem solved? Lindsey's spidey senses are up when she discovers town lights out in the gazebo and someone shoves her aside while they run away from the scene. A scene that Lindsey soon discovers contains a dead Jackie! The police aren't sure Jackie's death is suspicious or an accident but when a clue shines a light on Helen, Emma has to bring Helen in for questioning. Lindsey knows in her bones Helen didn't kill Jackie and the death was not an accident. Who did kill Jackie and why? As other incidents start to stack up, Lindsey is perplexed but determined to figure this one out before Christmas.

Hooray! A second Library Lovers book in one year. It's always fabulous to catch up with Lindsey, Sully and the Crafternooners. This story is no exception. While it lacks the suspense of the previous two books in the series, it has twists I didn't see coming and plenty of Christmas charm. I love Christmas, no surprise there since Lindsey is my alter ego! The town of Briar Creek goes all out and it's so much fun. I question the snowfall that early in the season. I've never actually seen a white Christmas but sometimes they have different weather than we do a bit farther northeast. It's nice to imagine it snows around here at Christmas. It suits the scene and the atmosphere of the story.

I'm so happy Jenn finally addressed the book banning controversy! A public library in a Connecticut shore town next to where she lived as a young adult received some challenges in 2023. Fortunately, the library chose to keep the two challenged books. Naturally the library in her hometown has also had some pushback from misinformed and misguided people who spend too much time on social media and not enough time actually reading and thinking. Yes what happens in this book is NOT far fetched! It's happened, it's happening and it will continue to happen. In the novel, Lindsey and co. have a conversation with the would-be banner about why she's so adamant about removing the books and the author. She has her reasons which she explains, they listen. Betty feels heard and the library staff are sympathetic but won't be removing the books. No just because you pay taxes doesn't mean you can demand books you don't like be removed from the library. Libraries are for everybody! Does Betty even know the mayor is a librarian? It doesn't seem like it when she threatens Hannah and Anne Marie's jobs!

The characters in this series have evolved and some of them are so wonderful. As always Lindsey is a librarian and does her librarian thing. She checks library databases for information and brings "smexy" vampire novels to a local patron to fish for information on a newcomer. I DYE laughing every time Lindsey tries to craft. She really is my alter ego with a different job and a hunky husband. I can't even visualize how to make the ornaments. Sorry Paula! Her relationship with Sully is solid and she has such a strong bond with him that she can feel him coming when she needs his support. They lean on each other. He still wants to be the knight in shining armor sometimes but only when necessary. Heathcliff is the most adorable doggie son a couple could ask for. He hugs their legs when they come home! Zelda could care less, like most cats, but she seems drawn to Sully's quiet strength. The Crafternooners are a fun bunch when they're on page. Nancy, Paula and Ms. Cole have the largest roles here. Nancy is cookie baker extraordinaire and super competitive. It's for a good cause though! Paula is creative and crafty. She's patient with Lindsey and doesn't take over Lindsey's craft in annoyance, just to demonstrate and gives Lindsey the final crafting task to do on her own. Ms. Cole sure has come a long way! She knows what's best for the town and the library and knows all the legal stuff involved in accessing patron records. She's the voice of reason for Lindsey's worries. Her relationship with Milton has been good for her but him as well, I think. He's more aware of the issues the library faces and willing to meet them head on with Ms. Cole and Lindsey.

Ian and Mary want to get in on the sleuthing too. They're so funny! When the baby is with her grandparents and the restaurant isn't swamped, they're free to gossip and catch up on Lindsey's latest investigation. Charlie isn't sleuthing here but he's busy with his band. LOL on the guitar solo during "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Robbie and Emma have a subplot of their own which I could have done without. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER! Lindsey has learned this valuable lesson and shares her advice with her friend. Robbie annoys me and I don't get what Emma sees in him. He inserts himself into Lindsey's investigation, goes off script and nearly ruins everything. He does, however, save the day once with his antics. He's insufferable after that though. I miss Beth though. She's in one scene in the beginning just before storytime. She's the best children's librarian and was a good friend to Lindsey but now she has a family, she seems to have stepped back from sleuthing. She does participate in Crafternoons when she's working though and has a few lines here and there.

There aren't many newcomers in town this time of year. Helen Monroe is a writer who has decided she's had enough of her popular crime mysteries and wants to try something new. She's not very friendly and her wit is very acerbic. Helen doesn't want Lindsey befriending her, she doesn't want to participate in town activities and is quite aloof. Helen even handles her stalker nemesis with her usual aplomb. She doesn't seem perturbed or surprised Jackie has found her. That is until Lindsey comes across Jackie's body and Helen comes across Lindsey being attacked. Then Helen is shaken and nervous. She didn't kill Jackie. The timing isn't right unless Lindsey's timeline is wrong or Lindsey is mistaken. Yet she did sort of see the killer and could be a target. Helen knew Jackie from way back when before she was a published author. Jackie claims they were friends but Helen has a different story. Jackie does give off overzealous fan vibes at first but then she turns into an angry, bitter woman who can't let go of the past. Jackie feels like Helen owes her because of all her success and Jackie's lack thereof. Helen seems to work hard and has a great agent and editor to help her polish her books. Jackie is jealous, obviously. Honestly I thought it was going to be Helen who was the victim and not Jackie. It seemed like the perfect set up. The only person who has motive to kill Jackie is... Helen! Yet, that doesn't work! Jackie was such a sad, angry person. She needed therapy, not to be murdered. Emma tries to help but Jackie doesn't want to hear it and soon she ends up dead. How sad. What a life not well lived.

Carrie Rushton is the outgoing president of the Friends of the Library group. Carrie has done a lot for the library and the town. She's sad to be leaving her position but has been voted out. Carrie was the one to suggest the writer in resident program and bring Helen Monroe to the library. Now, the new president, Betty Carruthers, wants to do away with the artist in residence program AND ban the Mallory Quest novels from the library. GASP! Oh no she doesn't! Backed up by the mean girl squad, somehow Betty won the election and feels free to do whatever she wants. She's a spoiled, wealthy, divorcee with teenage kids she has to homeschool because the public schools are "inferior." Betty loves to make everyone else seem small, insignificant and inferior to her OBVIOUSLY FABULOUS self. Her giant ego is causing problems in the library. Betty thinks because she pays taxes (as does everyone else) only SHE should say what books are in the library! What about the rest of the tax payers? Don't they get a say? What about Lindsey, the trained professional? Ms. Cole, the trained professional and the mayor? Ann Marie, the adult services librarian? Betty acts like a spoiled brat pitching a fit when she doesn't get her own way. I sincerely hope she's the murderer. She seems to know Jackie even though she denies it and they seem to be working together towards a common goal - Helen.

The only other suspects are people from Helen's past who feel she glorifies murder and uses people for her own gain. Lisa Campbell is one angry woman. Her tragedy has become a popular fictional story and she doesn't like that one bit. Her father is to blame for the tragedy but instead of owning up to the domino effect he created, he supports his daughter's hurt and anger towards Helen. I'm certain he's the one who actually killed Jackie while his daughter is the one who ran down Lindsey. Yet, why kill Jackie? There doesn't seem to be a motive. There's a possibility the killer could be another victim from the headlines Helen used to craft her story. I TOTALLY sympathize with Sarah Alexander! I hope she's not Jackie's killer. That doesn't make sense. It could also be Helen's husband. Kenny seems like a nice guy and in love with Helen but their relationship is weird and the whole story is a bit creepy. He does have a good motive or two and makes more sense than any of the other suspects.

Helen's old friend, Liz Maynard, is an attorney specializing in family law. She tends to have loose lips when drunk and set off a chain reaction that eventually led to Jackie's death. Liz seems nice but I don't think Robbie is a reliable witness. I'm not sure what to make of her.

I really hope there's more Library Lovers adventures in store for us. The expert is from Love at First Book which I have already read and there's no information about any new cozies from Jenn. Witches of Dubious Origin will be out next year and that's a different genre.

Books read
A Christmas Memory

Upcoming
Christmas Bells

Books mentioned

A Christmas cozy in the Meg Lanslow series by Donna Andrews
The Twelve Clues of Christmas (in general- a Christmas cozy from Rhys Bowen in the Her Royal Spyness series.)

Thanks Jenn for adding to my TBR list!

Beth's books:
Little Fox in the Snow
Making a Friend
A Thing Called Snow

[Marion]

Library Lover’s Mystery # 15 -

I am a great fan of this series and can’t wait when another one comes out. Once again, we have our Crafternoon club solving a mystery. In every book McKinlay shows how her characters grow and develop whether they are major or minor ones. I feel that I know Lindsey, Sully, Beth and many others from the club. McKinlay also shows how a community can get together and help each other out of some difficult situations. The Friends of the Library have brought in a writer in residence, Helen Monroe, who writes suspense stories. When Lindsay meets another new person in town, Jackie Lewis who states that she is Helen’s number one fan, Lindsay feels goosebumps run up and down and decides to let Helen know that she might have a stalker. She finds out that Helen knows Jackie, and they have had issues that left them enemies, and she is glad she mentioned it. When Jackie is found electrocuted Lindsay becomes suspicious that it might have been a murder and not an accident. When it is decided by the police that it is a murder and Helen becomes a suspect, she asks Lindsay to prove who is innocent and thus begins our mystery. I highly recommend this cozy mystery with a splash of the holiday season in it. Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for providing an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Merry Little Murder Plot (Library Lover's Mystery #15)" by Jenn McKinlay has some hilarious holiday moments. I particularly enjoyed Lindsey's friend Robbie during the ugly sweater contest. There were several other laugh out loud moments throughout this book. It does have its serious moments as well. This one discusses book banning and burning a few times along with the typically seriousness that comes with cozy murder mysteries.

When author, Helen Monroe, visits Lindsey's library as an author in residence, there's some drama that starts happening with a potential stalker. Then this stalker is found electrocuted by the town's Christmas lights. Was it a tragic accident or intentional? Then someone seems to be maybe making attempts on Helen's life. Or, are they unlucky coincidences? There's one clear person still openly against Helen being in town and she just seems off balanced all around.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this better as an audio book, and after reading the rest of the series.
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This was a cute holiday cozy mystery. Unfortunately, I haven't read any of the other books in this series, so it took me awhile to click with all the characters, and there a lot of them. Most of the characters are really likeable; it makes me want to read more books in the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

15th in the series, wonderful!! I have come to realize that the library scenes and the community scenes are much more meaningful to me in these books than the whodunit. Still, this author is so great because she does a great job with the crime, also. I was so happy this came out in time for the holidays. There were so many references that were spot on for librarian work. However, I think they would be just as interesting to a library patron!
p. 250 It’s difficult to make the right choices when you don’t have all the information.
p. 186 Intellectual property can be sticky.
p. 143 The idea that one person can dictate what information everyone else has access to makes me woozy.
p. 141 I want my sons to read books from all sorts of authors in all sorts of genres. It teaches them to see things from different points of view so that they can learn empathy and understanding and become men that I can be proud of.
p. 140 We are information specialists. We have degrees that teach us how to curate a collection, do in/depth research to find the RIGHT answers for information requests and to purchase materials that fulfill the needs of our ENTIRE community.
p. 82 As the director of the library, she felt that she was the face of the library and always wanted to be perceived as friendly.
p. 80 It’s a wonderful thing to have a community that appreciates the small joys in life.
p. 78 It was fiction, not true crime.
p. 53 She’s going to try and do everything she can to ban books and gut programs—anything she doesn’t like will be a target.
p. 37 Lindsey had certainly read books that had changed her life, and she was ever grateful to the authors who’d written the stories that captured her imagination.
p. 9 We do maintain a list of local handypersons in our files if you need some recommendations.
p. 7 In a move that had shocked the publishing world, Helen had declared that she had series fatigue and killed off the protagonist of her long-running thriller series.
p. 6 She wanted anyone who used the library to know that they were among friends even if they wanted to keep their distance.
p. 6 She wanted to ask her colleague how things were going, but she didn’t want to cut ahead of anyone to do it.
p. 4 Surely, writing a class description and choosing software could not be more difficult than getting her master’s degree in information science, right?
p. 1 The faux snowperson was actually their children’s librarian, Beth Barker, who also happened to be one of Lindsey’s closest friends.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Merry Little Murder Plot is the 15th book in Jenn McKinlay’s Library Lover’s Mystery and it is one of my favorites (although I said that about the last few books too). I love this series and the characters. Lindsey Norris is the Library Director in Briar Creek and is married to Sully, a boat captain. It is right before Christmas. The town is decorated and there are ugly sweater contests (I haven’t laughed so much!),caroling, and bake sales. The library is hosting the Writer in Residence and it is famous author Helen Monroe. Another author, Jackie Lewis, also arrives in town and creates some havoc and then ends up dead. Betty is the new President of the Friends of the Library and is causing problems as well. Police Chief Emma is acting odd. What is going on? The Crafternoon group help Lindsey with some sleuthing as well as Sully and their friend Robbie. They also add humor and warmth to the story. There are so many things to love about this book and series! The audiobook is narrated by Allyson Ryan who does an amazing job! You don’t want to miss this one! #AMerryLittleMurderPlot #LibraryLoversMystery #JennMcKinlay

[Chubby_Little_Butter_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

When writers start dropping dead, who better to solve the mystery than a librarian?!

This book obviously forms part of a series, all of which I have not read. Saying that, I was able to jump in here and keep up with all of the established lore, which is a great start. I enjoyed the tone of this book which was fairly lighthearted and cozy, given the aforementioned murder taking place. It was twisty and really entertaining. For undisclosed reasons, I’m usually really good at guessing the murderer really early, but this book really held me at bay for a while, which was fun.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a Christmas-y book that doesn’t have a plot of romance but definitely brings the festive vibe.

Also, as I listened to this one, I will also mention that the narration was fairly unobtrusive, despite doing some accent work…which can sometimes wreck the vibe.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, the Library Lovers’ mysteries is one of my favorite cozy series.

This one just was not my favorite of the series. While I did like the introduction of Helen, too many other characters were introduced in regards to the crimes. It took away from the other Briar Creek characters we know and love.

Especially in a Christmas cozy, the beloved characters need to inhabit space. Robbie and Emma had their due, with Sully and Lindsey. But the crafternooners, Mayor Cole, and Mary and her husband were not mentioned as often as they usually are. I missed them.

Robbie and Emma’s misunderstanding was quite funny. I think that scene and Mayor Cole’s unexpected Christmas outfit were my favorites.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was another fun (and festive) installment in the series! it was especially fun being back in Briar Creek with Lindsey and the library crew as they are preparing for the holiday season. of course, someone ends up dead and the prime suspect is someone the victim didn’t have a great relationship with…

but while this is part of the formula, the mystery was still good! i love how Jenn McKinlay writes an intriguing plot and keeps it feeling so cozy, but i most appreciate the subplots. these storylines add to ongoing character development and relationships between them. i know i’m not alone in this sentiment when i say it’s what keeps me invested! 😊

i was satisfied with the outcome of this book but this officially means i am caught up and will have to wait for the next book, scheduled to be published in 2026!📚

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series continues with a Christmas-themed entry, finding a popular author as writer-in-residence at the Briar Creek Public Library. The director, Lindsey, tries to involve Helen Norris in the community events, but gradually learns that a former friend of Helen's is stalking her, claiming that Helen stole the idea for her popular series. Even worse, the newly elected head of the Friends of the Library group is lobbying for the library to ban Helen's books. When Helen's stalker is found dead, she's suspected of murder, especially when it's discovered that Helen is married to the stalker's ex-husband. A series of what may be attempts on Helen's life--or are they ruses meant to show her innocence?--ensue, before a dramatic attempt at multiple murders almost ruins Christmas.

[Cynthia T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC. Jenn McKinlay Library series are wonderful reads. I loved how this book was about an author and her thriller books that hit a little close to home. The mystery had me guessing until the end. A must read.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy mystery set at Christmas time that features a murder that isn't ruled a murder, a couple of attempts at murder but everything is wrapped up by Christmas Eve. The story had some funny light moments in it. It was an easy read.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect Christmas cozy, this book had such a festive atmosphere between the ugly sweater contest, the adorable lit up town square, and all the other holiday activities going on. I would LOVE to visit Briar Creek during Christmastime and enjoy all the small town feels. Of course, a murder is not a greatttttt way to celebrate the holidays, but at least Lindsay and the team were on it! The idea of an author in residence is so interesting and of course all the drama it brought made for an exciting book. I was SHOCKED by the ending and loved seeing Robbie and Emma and how their relationship is growing. I always enjoy time with these characters that feel like friends at this point! Ohhh and the book discusses book banning and I love that it showcases all the downfalls of book banning and how harmful it can be.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and loved it!

[Emi Autry · Rating 4 out of 5]

15 books later & finally at the end of this series… well until the next one comes out. It kind of feels like losing a friends

[Cynthia Beckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and staying in touch with the characters.
When can we expect another book in the series?