Booking for Trouble

Library Lover's Mystery #16

by Jenn McKinlay

It’s all hands on deck when a dead body is found near the small town of Briar Creek in this Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Merry Little Murder Plot.

Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Family, Romance

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 24, 2026

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

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see a new edition to the Library Lover's Mystery series. It's always fun to follow along with library director Lindsey Norris as we experience new events at the library, but there is also always a body discovered and a mystery to be solved. We start with Lindey's establishment of a book-boat, modeled after bookmobiles. But this boat will allow library staff to provide books to the families of the Split Islands, near Briar Creek. Not everyone is happy though, and one of the town councilmen is trying to reduce or eliminate the town's library.

Things don't go as planned though, when Lindsey and husband Sully (boat captain Mike Sullivan) discover a body at one of their first stops on their first day delivering. Police chief Emma is called out, but of course, Lindsey always ends up involved as well. The person killed had a longstanding feud with another islander, and there are clues leading to their involvement. But the violence and hostilities escalate, as well as the fight to save the library. Always a fun and interesting read, and the narration continues to be great.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my comfort series and this book absolutely delivered on this feeling. I absolutely LOVED this idea of a Book-boat and wish I could see one in action. What a delightful and caring idea to bring the library to the community that doesn't have easy access. I also enjoyed learning more about the islands around Briar Creek and envisioning them. I also really really love how this book focused on all the amazing things the library does. Books yes of course, but all the services, safe spaces, resources, etc and how it barely costs the townsfolk anything due to the amount of work Lindsay and her crew do in looking for outside grants and sources of funding. Her passion for the library is always wonderful to see and this seems like such a welcoming space. I had a great time reuniting with all the recurring characters and if this is the end of the series, I found it very satisfying. I also loved the mystery and fell for many of the red-herrings! I love how it ended and how everything came together (especially a big and touching reconciliation).

Note: I love love love the narration for this one! She is the voice for Briar Creek for me.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Librarian Lindsey and husband Captain Sully are back for the latest in this enjoyable series. Lindsey's library funding is threatened by a local anti-tax wealthy man who is on the town council and wants to do away with "non-essential" services like libraries and recreational and cultural operations.

Lindsey counters this by offering more services to highlight the library's usefulness and finds private funding. They come up with the idea of a book boat to offer mobile services to the inhabitants of the many small islands in the area. And rich friend Robbie helps persuade the members of a snooty and exclusive local club to foot the bill.

All is fine until Lindsey and Sully find a body when making a book delivery. The country clubbers are uncomfortable with Lindsey's penchant for detecting and try to slither out from their commitment

The supporting cast of friends, co-workers and family is always fun and these mysteries are a soothing and upbeat read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never turn down a Jenn McKinlay mystery. That includes this new one in the Library Lovers series! This time, the library is under fire from one entitled citizen who wants to close it entirely so he won't have to pay as much in taxes. But Lindsey has his number when she begins a new book boat (think bookmobile, but on water) for all the residents of the islands off their coast. But on their first outing, they find the body of one of the residents and Lindsey must solve the murder of she's to keep the funding for the boat. Along with her husband and friends, they're immediately on the case!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series because the characters have become like family and, while the mysteries may not always be as complex as I would like them to be, McKinlay does a great job of pulling me in and getting me so invested in the story that I can’t help but finish them in one sitting. Unfortunately, while I have grown to love all of these characters, this is the last in the series. I love the setting of this series and of this one, since the Thumb Islands figure more prominently in this one. The solution of the Book Boat was interesting, and I loved Lindsey creative way of finding sponsors for the added expense as well as the well-timed lecture on how much it really costs to keep a library running; it seems all libraries are having to defend themselves these days. Overall, this was a great end to a series that I am sad to see end.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the solution to the mystery to be a little far-fetched, but I always enjoy spending time with Lindsey and her crew.

*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy this series! Lindsey is a librarian in a small town on the Connecticut coast. As a booklover and resident of Connecticut, this series has always been a little special for me! As a long-lasting series, we have lots of friends and relationships that add to the flavor of the series, Lindsay has a devoted (and dashing) husband and adorable pets. Probably the thing I enjoy the most is that our MC is an intelligent woman who rarely does something that doesn't make sense or is irrational, in other words, she uses her brain to solve mysteries! All this to say that I was very sad to learn that this would be the last book in the series. It would appear the author is stepping away from cozy mysteries, which is indeed a shame. Fortunately, we get a very pleasant send-off, including all of our series favorite folks. We spend time on the water as a new bookboat figures into our mysteries, we spend time with family and friends, and we leave the library, Lindsay and Briar Creek, in a good place. Thank you to #Netgally, #BerkleyPress, and the author for an opportunity to read! #BookedforTrouble #LibraryLover'sMysteries #JennMcKinlay #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreaders

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading Jenn McKinlay’s romcom novels so I was excited to read the latest novel in her cozy mystery library series. This is book #16 however this novel can be read as a standalone, as this is the first one that have read!

It was a wonderful cozy mystery, featuring Lindsey Sullivan, the director of the local town library, who stumbles across a dead body while delivering books with the library’s new ‘boat mobile’, to give access to those residents in neighbouring islands surrounding the town.

It had a great group of characters and red herrings sprinkled throughout. It kept you guessing until the end. It was a fun and entertaining read which I devoured in one day!

I am now starting the series at book #1 so I have a lot of reading to do!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flew through this one!

I adored this installment of the Library Lover's mysteries. I enjoyed the serious amount of time we spent with Lindsey, Sully, and Robbie. The mystery (and the obvious play on Romeo and Juliet) were equally engaging and I was able to figure out most of the ending, but still had a little surprise waiting for me.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 based on the murder. I understood but didn't care much and the reason was meh.
The library funding parts were good as was the book boat.
Love the usual characters!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character is fighting to keep the library open. Of course there is murder but that is solved by the end of the book as is the fight to keep the library open. The book was an easy read.

[Belinda (Belle) Witzenhausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay: A Library Lover’s Mystery (Book 16) from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in order to read and give an honest review.

Librarian Lindsey Norris is back, but things are far from quiet in Briar Creek! In this 16th installment, the library’s future is hanging by a thread thanks to town councilman Gideon Trask. Trask is determined to slash the budget, claiming the library isn’t “essential” but Lindsey begs to differ and in true “Lindsey form” she will prove her point, winning support along the way.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Lindsey dreams up a brilliant, if ambitious plan: a “book boat” to bring library services to the isolated residents of the nearby Split Islands. With the help of her husband, water taxi owner; Sully, and a bit of clever maneuvering to get the local elite to fund the project, the venture is ready to set sail. However, the maiden voyage takes a dark turn when Lindsey and Sully stumble upon a body. Now, Lindsey must navigate a sea of red herrings, ancient family feuds, and fickle donors to solve a murder before the library’s funding sinks for good.

Returning to a Jenn McKinlay series always feels like catching up with old friends, and Booking for Trouble was no exception. There is a reason this series has lasted sixteen books; the mix of “found family” and clever plotting makes for a perfect cozy mystery.

I loved the idea of adding a boat-mobile library on the water! It felt fresh and perfectly suited to the coastal Connecticut setting. It added a great sense of adventure to the story.

As always McKinlay does an amazing job at crafting supporting characters who are relatable as well as villains you love to hate. Gideon Trask is one of those villains, he represents a very real-world frustration for library lovers, which made me root for Lindsey even harder as she fought to prove the library’s worth and resolved in a “give someone enough rope…” manner, truly brilliant.

This entry wasn’t a “seen it coming” kind of puzzle. With two murders to track and a web of secrets among the island residents, the pacing stayed brisk and the clues were layered beautifully. True to McKinlay's character development she provides us with an incredible supporting cast comprised of the library staff, the “crafternooners” and the townspeople who all contribute to providing that warm, upbeat atmosphere that makes this series a go-to comfort read for me.

Booking for Trouble is an incredible addition to the Library Lover’s Mystery series. It’s a fast-paced, fun-filled cozy that balances a tricky mystery with quirky characters, engaging plot, as well as a brilliant and an unexpected reveal at the end. As always, she always adds interesting craft ideas, book club questions and even recipes in a book that feeds the mind, soul, and belly! Whether you’ve been with Lindsey from the start or are just jumping aboard, this is a voyage worth taking! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the Library Lover’s Mystery Series

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Booking For Trouble
✍🏻Jenn McKinlay
Blurb:
It’s all hands on deck when a dead body is found near the small town of Briar Creek in this Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Merry Little Murder Plot.

Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.
My Thoughts:
Briar Creek is in crisis again - this time it’s the Haves vs the Have-not-as-much. New Council members want lower taxes and the only way to do that is cut city services..When a new council member wants to slash the Briar Creek Public Library’s budget, followed by the budget for Parks and Rec and education services, in order to leverage property tax cuts to wealthy residents, Lindsey knows she needs to build awareness for the library. How about a book boat? There are twenty-three islands with houses, and those residents might have unserved needs. She gets funding from the affluent ladies of The Club, a private club on one of the islands. Robbie Vine, the English actor and friend, is her way into the exclusive circle, but she knows she’s not really acceptable to them.
Lindsey’s husband, Sully, owner of a water taxi business, is also her captain for the new book boat, The Jolly Reader. The first visit to the islands introduces Lindsey to stories her husband knows, including the feud between neighbors, the Capshaws and Montgomerys on Split Island. Gwen Capshaw hates her neighbors, and she’s rude to Lindsey as well. It’s Lindsey, though, who finds Gwen’s body two weeks later when the boat book returns. And, of course, people point to the neighbors as suspects. When there’s a second murder on the islands, Lindsey’s library staff pull out the white board to list suspects and compare crimes.
Thanks NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and Author Jenn McKinlay for the complimentary copy of "Booking For Trouble" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BerkleyPublishing
#JennMcKinlay
#BookingforTrouble
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsey Norris is concerned about the future of the Briar Creek Library. Local councilman Gideon Trask is wanting to shut her down. He is part of the wealthy who live on the Thumb Islands off the coast of Briar Creek, Connecticut, and they want to lower their property taxes. He’s decided to go after the waste in the budget, and he wants to start with the library.

Lindsey and her fellow librarians know how much they offer the community, and they are determined to keep the doors open. But Lindsey knows that she has to do something to impress the island residents, since they don’t utilize the library services as often as the mainlanders. Her idea: a book boat. It would be like a bookmobile, but on a boat instead of a bus.

She wants to get the wealthier inhabitants of the islands involved with the library, to offset Trask’s campaign to close the library, so she talks three of the more charitable women into making a donation that will cover the costs of the boat. And once it’s up and running, complete with beautiful shelves with watertight doors, Lindsey and Sully head out to take books to the islanders.

The first trip goes pretty well, with several islanders impressed with the boat and checking out books. But when Lindsey and Sully head back out, they find one of their patrons has been murdered. They call the police, but Lindsey knows she has to investigate it herself, or she will be giving Trask and the council another reason to cut the library funding. She understands just how important the library is to the area, from providing children’s story time to a free place for local groups to gather to providing diapers for new parents who need them.

But when another murder happens in the islands, Lindsey loses more support from the council. She will need to fight hard to save the library and to solve the murders, before a killer comes after her too.

Booking for Trouble is book 16 in Jenn McKinlay’s Library Lovers Mystery Series. These mysteries feature Lindsey and her library book club, which includes fellow librarians and friends from town, and they discuss books, eat delicious food, and do crafts. These books celebrate the power of the library and what it can do for its community, even more so in this book, where she literally has to fight to keep the library funded.

I enjoyed Booking for Trouble. I have been a longtime fan of these characters, and I loved the addition of the book boat and the island residents. The mystery was well plotted and interesting. And there are always recipes and crats included at the end of the book, so readers can start their own Crafternoons These books are consistently good and fun to read, and I will always be a fan of Brian Creek Library.

Egalleys for Booking for Trouble were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.

[Ashley Cohoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars)

Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay was such a cozy, comforting return to Briar Creek, honestly, slipping back into this series always feels like catching up with old friends, and this installment reminded me exactly why I’ve loved spending time in this world.

This time around, librarian Lindsey Norris is facing a very real threat: library funding is on the chopping block thanks to a town council member who believes libraries are “non-essential.” (Rude.) Determined to prove just how important the library is to the community, Lindsey comes up with a creative and honestly adorable idea, a floating book boat that brings library services to nearby island residents. It’s the perfect fit for the coastal setting and added a fresh twist that made this entry feel new while still keeping the classic cozy vibes.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Library Lover’s Mystery without trouble… and Lindsey and Sully’s book delivery quickly turns deadly when they stumble across a body. Suddenly, Lindsey is juggling suspicious island residents, reluctant wealthy donors, town politics, and a murder investigation, all while trying to keep the library afloat (literally and financially).

One of my favorite parts of this series has always been the characters, and this book really shines there. The supporting cast- the library crew, friends, and townspeople- brings so much warmth and humor to the story. The relationships feel lived-in and genuine, and Lindsey and Sully continue to be such a solid, lovable duo. The mystery itself kept me guessing longer than I expected, with enough twists and red herrings to stay engaging without ever losing that cozy charm.

What I especially appreciated was how much heart this story had. The love for libraries, community spaces, and small-town connections really comes through, giving the book an extra layer beyond just the mystery. It felt both fun and a little nostalgic at the same time.

Overall, Booking for Trouble is a charming, feel-good cozy mystery with a clever premise, a strong sense of community, and a satisfying whodunit. Fans of the series will absolutely enjoy this one, and honestly, Briar Creek remains a place I’m always happy to visit.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

many thanks and gratitude to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an advanced digital copy of Booking for Trouble by Jennifer McKinlay in exchange for my thoughts and honest review.

in this story, we find librarian Lindsey Norris trying to come up with ideas to ensure her beloved library can receive funding amidst budget cuts and some community members who are objecting to having a library at all. her bright idea is to create a book boat (think a book mobile on the water) and soon her idea comes to fruition. i have to say, this was a brilliant idea, especially given the town of Briar Creek is next to a body of water and there are many islands near it that have residents living on them.

unfortunately, as i previously mentioned, there are some people that are not fans of the library, let alone a book boat, citing wasteful spending on books that “should be bought” by the people who want to read them. thankfully, Lindsey has a lot of support, including a group of wealthy women who belong to the towns most exclusive country club. with this, she is almost floating herself as the maiden outing of the book boat gets underway.

needless to say, tragedy strikes as one of the objecting residents is found dead by Lindsey…

the mystery in this book is stellar. as always, Jenn McKinlay does a terrific job at keeping the reader (me) on their toes and guessing the whole way through! and of course, i would be remiss if i didn’t mention the fabulous supporting cast of characters. they are always charming, funny, and insightful. they make every scene memorable!

i absolutely love Briar Creek and relished being back in this fictional town! if this is the final book, i am saddened but also grateful for the delightful stories, memorable characters, and the idyllic setting that made this series so special.

Booking for Trouble is available for purchase today, February 24, 2026

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are several islands off the shores of Briar Creek including two small ones known as theSplit Islands, a small town on the coast of Connecticut. Lindsey Norris, the town's library director, visits each island with her new book boat which is inspired by bookmobiles, but set up to serve the island residents. She's not about to let anything, not even a feud, stop her from delivering books. But Lindsey's new venture quickly becomes a murder investigation when she and her husband, Captain Mike "Sully" Sullivan, find a woman's body on the larger of the Split Islands. Hostilities are soon reignited and secrets come to light. There are many suspects so Lindsey must use all her skills and her community ties wisely. She needs to find a killer before her dreams of a successful book boat are sunk.

I've really enjoyed this amazing series and this book's no exception. The book was well-written with well-developed characters, both those you like and the ones you don't, while the plot moves along quickly. I was drawn into this captivating story and kept hooked from beginning to end. This is a fairly lengthy series but the author, Jenn McKinlay, has kept it fresh. Each book is an automatic must-read and I don't even bother with the synopsis. I did receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Berkley and this is my honest, unbiased review. This was a quick, fun read with an intriguing mystery. There's are strong bonds of family and friendship as well as the essence of small town life and the sense of community. There's also some sweet romance sprinkled throughout. I absolutely loved this book. I highly recommend both book and series which I believe is best read in order so you get the most out of things. However, each book has a self-contained mystery so you can read them individually.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was enjoying this sixteenth delightful entry in the Library Lover's series, I read Jenn's post that this is likely the final book in the series. I finished it with a sad heart as I simply love the patrons of the Briar Creek library and appreciate the setting which includes not just a sweet small Connecticut town, but the Thumb Islands. They provide such rich possibilities and in this book, the author takes full advantage of them.
First let me say, that I now think every library near a coastline of any sort needs a book boat! Lindsey comes up with this idea as a way to add value and hopefully new supporters for her beloved Briar Cliff library when it is threatened by a new member of the town council. When a member of the community is found dead by Lindsey and Sully, accusations start flying, mostly involving residents of the Thumb Islands surrounding Briar Cliff, including members of the extremely exclusive Club residing on one of the islands.
As the pressure mounts to find ways to continue supporting this new way of getting books and library services into more hands and to find the killer, Lindsey trusts her instincts and sadly finds another body. She, Sully, Robbie and Chief Emma Plewicki are working to find the killer, while Lindsey and Mayor Cole (aka Miss Lemon) search for a way to shut down the penny-pinching council member. Mayor Cole proves herself to be a more than worthy ally to the library as well as as quite the savvy politician! Lindsey, Sully, Robbie, Emma and the rest of the crafternooners concoct a plan to out the killer and foil the rest of the selfish plot.
My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the chance to read an early copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay takes the reader back to the library in Briar Creek and its endearing staff of librarians and volunteers. I do miss Miss Cole, who kept everyone in order but she is doing well as mayor. Robbie, a retired British actor, is in and out as usual and Beth is dressed differently every time there is a children’s presentation. Lindsey, head librarian is just back from a budget meeting where a cranky council member is looking to cut the library’s funding, if not get rid of it all together. Lindsey is searching for an idea when Beth appears, dressed as a boar. That’s it! A book boat to serve the islands so those residents don’t need to come to town as often. She immediately calls Sully, her husband and the owner of a sea taxi for assistance in finding a boat while she and Robbie work on finding funding.

As someone points out, Lindsey is often at the scene of a murder. But, if she weren’t what would the story be? The reasons for murder are convoluted and never more than for the two in this book. Good characters, both the old and the new, and a decent enough plot. It was a journey home for many readers, surely. Briar Creek is the perfect town in many ways and always a joy to return to these characters who have been around so long, we know them well.

I was invited to read Booking for Trouble by Berkley Publishing Group. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BerkleyPublishingGroup #JennMcKinlay #BookingForTrouble

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This one kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through for several reasons. As if there wasn't enough suspense about why women alone on the islands were being murdered and if a well loved character was being successfully framed for killing them, there was the even bigger suspense of what was going to happen to the library. A lot of our smaller libraries are in real trouble through lack of funding and having to deal wit the zealots wanting to censor anything that THEY think others shouldn't read. The character behind the efforts to close the library was one of the most despicable characters Jenn McKinlay has created. She did such a great job of giving him NO redeemable moments that I found myself hoping he would do a Rumpelstiltskin and tear himself in two!

I loved two of the new characters introduced. I hope we see more of Eleanor and the surviving member of The Club. I won't name her since that could sort of be a spoiler. I also hope we get to see more of the Book Boat. (Most of allI hope there will be a 17th book. Too many of my other favorite long running series have ended recently, and I always worry when there is no hints given about the next book at the end of the current one.)

I love that the book chosen by the crafternoon club was "Little Women." It is one of my all time favorite books along with the sequel, "Little Men." I have read both books too many times to count since I first encountered them when my age was counted in the single digits.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Town Council member Gideon Trask is trying to trim the town services and the library is on his radar. Lindsey goes to work trying to bring even more value from the library for the citizens of Briar Creek and the Thumb Islands. She comes up with the idea of a book boat, like a bookmobile but a boat.
I love the idea of a book boat, and it gives Lindsey and Sully more time together.
I loved how present Sully is in the book. He is one of my favorite characters in the series.
Sadly, on their second voyage they find a dead woman on Split Island.
This mystery was twisty, and you had to keep an eye out for clues. I think I might have missed something or several somethings because when Lindsey figures out what she thinks is happening, I was still a few steps behind.
I really enjoy the Library Lovers mysteries, because of the characters, the great mysteries and because I love libraries myself. I’m a bit sad as the author announced this may be the last Library Lovers mystery.
If you haven’t checked out this series yet, I hope you will because I think you’ll love it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay is a delightful tale. I always enjoy visiting Briar Creek, Connecticut and checking in with the crafternoon club. I just love Beth’s creative story time costumes. I do not understand why people think libraries are not essential. Lindsey has a fight on her hands and comes up with a clever idea. To provide library books to the various islands near Briar Creek, Lindsey acquires funding for a book boat. I just knew they were going to come across a dead body (it was inevitable). Lindsey dives into the case with help from her friends and family. It was great to catch up with Lindsay, Sully, Beth, and the other characters. Robbie provided some amusing moments (he is quite a character). While Booking for Trouble is the sixteenth A Library Lover’s Mystery, it can be read as a standalone. The background information needed is provided. Booking for Trouble is an entertaining tale with budget cuts, a book boat, feuding families, snobbish country clubbers, coming across a corpse, and designer duds.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publishing Date: February 23, 2026

Thank you, NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and Jenn McKinlay for this ARC.

Love it! I want my library to have a book boat even if I'm only near a lake.

Lindsey is excited to use her new book boat until she finds a body and her friend is a suspect. Plus she is at risk of losing the funding needed to run the boat. Let's not forget that she is also fighting to save her library since someone who doesn't appreciate it wants to pull that budget. Who doesn't love the library?!

This book also introduced "The Club" for rich people. Loved that drama, rich women who have nothing better to do then spread gossip and cause the drama. I don't watch that reality show with those housewives, but I wanted to be next to Eleanor watching the mess thar was their Spring Fling. Can I say I love Elenor?! Thank you for introducing her to us!!!

As usual I struggled with who was the murderer and why they did it!! Oh, I loved how it was revealed!! Drama, drama, drama with my popcorn!!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 16th in the Library Lovers mystery series. Lindsey Norris is the library director in Briar Creek Connecticut and is facing budget cuts as a new council member Gideon is trying to eliminate services and cut costs in order to get tax breaks for himself and wealthy friends. Lindsey is determined to fight for the library and comes up with a plan to offer services to all the islands with a floating book mobile. Lindsey with the help of Robin get funding from a group of elite islanders who are courting Robin for their elite club. While on one of their visits, Lindsey and Sully find the dead body of Gwen who has been feuding with a neighboring couple ever since their kids eloped many years ago. Lindsey investigates to clear the other woman and then another murder happens. I love this series and I enjoy how Lindsey and everyone pull together for the town and to get justice. I have read this is the last in this series and I am very disappointed as I can see a lot of fun with Eleanor and others introduced in this book.

[Carol Deegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is another book in the Library Lovers Mystery series and every bit as good as the previous books. Librarian Lindsay must save her beloved library from cuts to her budget. She comes up with a “book boat” idea similar to a bookmobile. It goes to the islands with books the residents can check out. She is again at the center of the mystery surrounding murders where she found the victims, one during a book boat stop. Both victims were killed by palette knives similar to those used by an adversary of the first victim. This conveniently makes the artist look guilty. Through a series of responses to her questions Lindsay figures out who murdered the two women and confronts them where local law enforcement can hear the conversation. While this book can definitely be read as a stand alone I think a reader would benefit by reading the series from the beginning. I received a copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisty story, and totally relatable. There is a wealthy councilman in town who has it out for the library - a waste of his property taxes. And he's haunting the library looking for waste. Lindsay's idea, with help from Sully, is a book boat - a bookmobile on water, taking books to the various people on the Thumb Islands, many of whom are in the same high tax bracket as the councilman. And Robbie proves instrumental in getting help from the high class Club to fund the boat. But on the first tour (3 hours, maybe?) Lindsay and Sully find a body at one of the houses. And suspicion quickly falls on a neighbor whose family has had a feud for years with the victim. Then, another killing, in the same manner. But a clue leads Lindsay to a possible suspect. With help from an original member of The Club, and the crafternooners, will Lindsay solve the case? And can she stop the councilman?

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite cozy mystery series --ever -- and McKinlay has delivered another epic Library Lover's edition with this 16th book (maybe there be many more!!!!) Lindsey is back in the middle of mayhem and murder in the course of performing her library duties. This time she stumbles over a body while working on the library's new book boat (with such a clever name!). Eeeepppp, think bookmobile only on the waterways around the Thumb Islands! I can't even....bibliophile fan-girling at its best! Great mystery with excellent plotting. I kinda sorta got a piece of it right (!) but mostly I let Lindsey and Sully and the Crafternooners do their thing. Love all these characters and Briar Creek and the sense of homecoming that always comes when I listen to the Allyson Ryan's brilliant narration.

[Judy Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this is the last book in Jenn McKinlay’s Library Lovers series as she has suggested that it is, then I challenge you to savor it, and not devour it like I did. Yep. I told myself to take time, make it last. But no. Once I got to the mystery it was full speed ahead, just like it always is for me with McKinlay’s clever and funny stories.
Well, I will miss Lindsey for sure. She really is a very fine protagonist and has held up well for 16 books! I'd read more stories wherein she's the star! Truth told though, the side characters in this series are the best! Lindsey’s hot husband, Mike “Sully” Sullivan, former military now boat captain. Sigh. And Robbie, the British film heartthrob. I almost got enough Sully and Robbie in this book. Almost. Just not enough to last forever.
So, fans of Library Lovers, slow down and savor this book. As always, Jenn McKinlay delivers!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booking for Trouble is book #16 in the Library Lover's Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay.

Lindsey Norris is trying to save the library funding and comes up with the idea of a book boat to visit the various islands. The funding of the boat came from an exclusive club. When Lindsey finds a dead body, the boat funding is threatened so she works with her husband and friends to solve the murder. This was the first book I’ve read in the series and I really enjoyed it. I liked the main characters, and I’d love to join the crafternooners. A lot of The Club members were so entitled and unpleasant. It was an interesting mystery and it kept me guessing until the end. I liked how Lindsey was intelligent and didn’t run off on her own. At the end, there is a book club guide, a craft project, and a recipe. I’ve bought some of the earlier books to start catching up on the series.

Thank you to the author, Berkley, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.