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Beloved Bookroom Mystery #2
A Perfect Bind
Librarian Tru Beckett, ardent defender of the printed word, is about to find out that keeping murder checked out of her beloved library is much harder than she thought....
Tru Beckett succeeded in building a secret book room in her now bookless library, where book lovers from lovely Cypress, South Carolina, can rejoice in the printed word. Now she's working hard to maintain the little library downstairs while keeping her "real job" upstairs in the bookless technology center. The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn't steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves.
A patron of the secret book room tells Tru that there have been creepy goings-on at the library for years, especially in the basement where the secret book room is located. He's heard rumors of a poltergeist that haunts the library, determined to scare off readers. Tru is certain it's hogwash, but she's at a loss to think of who might be vandalizing the beautiful books she fought so hard to protect. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it's not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover.
Tru Beckett succeeded in building a secret book room in her now bookless library, where book lovers from lovely Cypress, South Carolina, can rejoice in the printed word. Now she's working hard to maintain the little library downstairs while keeping her "real job" upstairs in the bookless technology center. The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn't steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves.
A patron of the secret book room tells Tru that there have been creepy goings-on at the library for years, especially in the basement where the secret book room is located. He's heard rumors of a poltergeist that haunts the library, determined to scare off readers. Tru is certain it's hogwash, but she's at a loss to think of who might be vandalizing the beautiful books she fought so hard to protect. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it's not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2021
42 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy St. James
11 books587 followersPseudonym for author Dorothy McFalls
Mystery author Dorothy St. James was born in New York but raised in South Carolina. She makes her home on an artsy island community in South Carolina with her husband, tiny little dog and fluffy cat. Though writing has always been a passion for her, she pursued an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and a graduate degree in Public Administration and Urban Planning. She put her educational experience to use, having worked in all branches and all levels of government including local, regional, state, and federal. She even spent time during college working for a non-profit environmental watchdog organization.
Switching from government service and community planning to fiction writing wasn't as big of a change as some might think. Her government work was all about the stories of the people and the places where they live. As an urban planner, Dorothy loved telling the stories of the people she met. And from that, her desire to tell the tales that were so alive in her heart grew until she could not ignore it any longer. In 2001, she took a leap of faith and pursued her dream of writing fiction full-time.
Mystery author Dorothy St. James was born in New York but raised in South Carolina. She makes her home on an artsy island community in South Carolina with her husband, tiny little dog and fluffy cat. Though writing has always been a passion for her, she pursued an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and a graduate degree in Public Administration and Urban Planning. She put her educational experience to use, having worked in all branches and all levels of government including local, regional, state, and federal. She even spent time during college working for a non-profit environmental watchdog organization.
Switching from government service and community planning to fiction writing wasn't as big of a change as some might think. Her government work was all about the stories of the people and the places where they live. As an urban planner, Dorothy loved telling the stories of the people she met. And from that, her desire to tell the tales that were so alive in her heart grew until she could not ignore it any longer. In 2001, she took a leap of faith and pursued her dream of writing fiction full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
September 22, 2021
Someone is breaking into the secret bookroom that librarian Tru Beckett has set up in the basement of the library and is disturbing the books at night when the building is supposed to be closed. Tru’s only lead is the theory that it is a poltergeist, but she suspects that someone all too human is involved. Then, one morning, the body of Owen Maynard, the town drunk, is found behind the library. Tru’s worried that the attacks on her secret room might be a key to solving the murder, so she jumps in to figure out what is going on so she can keep her secret. Will she solve the crime? Or will her secret be revealed?
I enjoyed the first book in the series because of the unique premise, and this book didn’t disappoint. Once again, the secret bookroom provides a great motive for Tru to get involved in solving a crime, and the plot weaves in some fun, surprising directions. I had the killer figured out before it was revealed, but I think I figured it out about the same time Tru did, so I was proud of myself. A couple of characters annoyed me, but for the most part I loved the cast, and I enjoyed seeing depth to them as the book went along. I smiled and laughed my way through the book, especially at the romantic sub-plots. This book is perfectly delightful.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I enjoyed the first book in the series because of the unique premise, and this book didn’t disappoint. Once again, the secret bookroom provides a great motive for Tru to get involved in solving a crime, and the plot weaves in some fun, surprising directions. I had the killer figured out before it was revealed, but I think I figured it out about the same time Tru did, so I was proud of myself. A couple of characters annoyed me, but for the most part I loved the cast, and I enjoyed seeing depth to them as the book went along. I smiled and laughed my way through the book, especially at the romantic sub-plots. This book is perfectly delightful.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 10, 2023
The new Beloved Bookroom cozy mystery series continues with this second book, A Perfect Bind.
Tru Beckett is still maintaining her secret bookroom filled with much loved physical books after her library went digital only. But now on top of trying to hide the fact she has a hidden bookroom in the library, Tru is trying to discover who is breaking into the bookroom and vandalizing the books. Then a dead body is found behind the library. Tru is once again on the trail of a killer, hoping to keep her secret safe and discover if the vandal has something to do with the death.
I enjoy this new series! It's always hard to protect a secret....even harder when dead bodies keep materializing to complicate things. This story was just as fun as the first book. The story moved at a nice pace, plus there was plenty of investigating and interesting character building. I like Tru as a main character. She loves books, freaks out at emergencies just enough to be amusing, and gets to serious work sleuthing when it comes down to ferreting out a killer. I'm definitely on board to read more books in this series! Always a fun read!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
1/10/2023 - I listened to the audio book version of this story. The audio is just short of 9.5 hours long, so a nice listening length. The narrator is Allyson Ryan. She has a pleasant voice, reads at a nice, even pace, and does a good job of voice acting. I've listened to several cozy mysteries she has narrated and enjoy her performance each time.
This is definitely a cozy series I will continue reading. It's a nice mix of humor, sleuthing and light-hearted library drama.
I am so thankful for my local library's offerings on Hoopla! I get to enjoy so many audio books! Love, love, love my local library!
Tru Beckett is still maintaining her secret bookroom filled with much loved physical books after her library went digital only. But now on top of trying to hide the fact she has a hidden bookroom in the library, Tru is trying to discover who is breaking into the bookroom and vandalizing the books. Then a dead body is found behind the library. Tru is once again on the trail of a killer, hoping to keep her secret safe and discover if the vandal has something to do with the death.
I enjoy this new series! It's always hard to protect a secret....even harder when dead bodies keep materializing to complicate things. This story was just as fun as the first book. The story moved at a nice pace, plus there was plenty of investigating and interesting character building. I like Tru as a main character. She loves books, freaks out at emergencies just enough to be amusing, and gets to serious work sleuthing when it comes down to ferreting out a killer. I'm definitely on board to read more books in this series! Always a fun read!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Berkley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
1/10/2023 - I listened to the audio book version of this story. The audio is just short of 9.5 hours long, so a nice listening length. The narrator is Allyson Ryan. She has a pleasant voice, reads at a nice, even pace, and does a good job of voice acting. I've listened to several cozy mysteries she has narrated and enjoy her performance each time.
This is definitely a cozy series I will continue reading. It's a nice mix of humor, sleuthing and light-hearted library drama.
I am so thankful for my local library's offerings on Hoopla! I get to enjoy so many audio books! Love, love, love my local library!
October 9, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The shock of a bookless library that held me captive in the first book, The Broken Spine is gone, but the disappointment of it still runs through my veins. All this new technology can co-exist with print versions of the books. I am happy Librarian Tru Becket was able to hide away several boxes of books meant for the dumpster and that she could set up the secret book room in the basement. Sadly that book room is in peril. The peril of being found out by Mrs. Farnsworth, the head librarian, and in peril of a vandal who is destroying the books and generally trashing the room. It has Tru and other patrons up in arms. One patron even believes it is a poltergeist that has been haunting the library for years. Tru believes it is someone looking for something and is getting angrier and angrier that they can’t find it.
To make matters worse someone has killed local car mechanic Owen Maynard. The drunkard has been a thorn in Mrs. Farnsworth’s side for years. He would drink to excess and then park his truck in the alleyway behind the library to sleep it off. No one would ever think she would kill him. And he did upset a lot of people by fixing their cars and trucks with rebuilt parts and selling them as new only to have them break down again. But is that a reason to kill the man? Maybe his death is related to the person trashing the secret book room. Tru needs to get to the bottom of both mysteries fast or her secret will get out or worse the killer could come for her next.
I really have been looking forward to returning to Cypress and the bookless library and Ms. St. James sure didn’t disappoint.
We get to know the core group of characters even better in this installment. There are some really strong women living within these pages. Starting with Mama Eddy and Aunt Sal, they have had to fight for a lot over their lifetimes. Then you have Tru, Tory, Flossie, Mrs. Farnsworth, and Anne. They are all ready to fight for their principles and the right thing for the library even when some things need to be kept under wraps. They strive to do the right thing.
Tru has a way about her that just allows people to open up and answer her questions. She does have a lot of layers and I do enjoy peeling those back a little more in each story. I love the romantic relationship blooming between Tru and Jace. It just feels really right. Her cat Dewey Decimal is quite a cat and I love that Tru brings him to work every day and he is allowed to roam the secret room or nap as he desires.
The mystery was very well written with two mysteries to solve. The author does an excellent job of placing the clues throughout the story. I had an inkling of part of what the vandal was looking for but was unsure of how that would be revealed. Well, let me tell you it was revealed in a fun, entertaining, and yes, a scary way until the culprit was in cuffs and taken away. I really enjoyed learning more about the history and of Cypress in general. It is things like that that really draw me into a story. It is also impressive that the room had a variety of secrets.
A Perfect Bind was a Perfect Escape. I enjoyed everything about this story. The Beloved Bookroom is still a secret from most of the residents of Cypress but I am concerned about how long it can be hidden from the powers that be. It seems that in every installment more people know about the special place in the basement. I am excited to see what Ms. St. James has planned for these wonderful characters next.
The shock of a bookless library that held me captive in the first book, The Broken Spine is gone, but the disappointment of it still runs through my veins. All this new technology can co-exist with print versions of the books. I am happy Librarian Tru Becket was able to hide away several boxes of books meant for the dumpster and that she could set up the secret book room in the basement. Sadly that book room is in peril. The peril of being found out by Mrs. Farnsworth, the head librarian, and in peril of a vandal who is destroying the books and generally trashing the room. It has Tru and other patrons up in arms. One patron even believes it is a poltergeist that has been haunting the library for years. Tru believes it is someone looking for something and is getting angrier and angrier that they can’t find it.
To make matters worse someone has killed local car mechanic Owen Maynard. The drunkard has been a thorn in Mrs. Farnsworth’s side for years. He would drink to excess and then park his truck in the alleyway behind the library to sleep it off. No one would ever think she would kill him. And he did upset a lot of people by fixing their cars and trucks with rebuilt parts and selling them as new only to have them break down again. But is that a reason to kill the man? Maybe his death is related to the person trashing the secret book room. Tru needs to get to the bottom of both mysteries fast or her secret will get out or worse the killer could come for her next.
I really have been looking forward to returning to Cypress and the bookless library and Ms. St. James sure didn’t disappoint.
We get to know the core group of characters even better in this installment. There are some really strong women living within these pages. Starting with Mama Eddy and Aunt Sal, they have had to fight for a lot over their lifetimes. Then you have Tru, Tory, Flossie, Mrs. Farnsworth, and Anne. They are all ready to fight for their principles and the right thing for the library even when some things need to be kept under wraps. They strive to do the right thing.
Tru has a way about her that just allows people to open up and answer her questions. She does have a lot of layers and I do enjoy peeling those back a little more in each story. I love the romantic relationship blooming between Tru and Jace. It just feels really right. Her cat Dewey Decimal is quite a cat and I love that Tru brings him to work every day and he is allowed to roam the secret room or nap as he desires.
The mystery was very well written with two mysteries to solve. The author does an excellent job of placing the clues throughout the story. I had an inkling of part of what the vandal was looking for but was unsure of how that would be revealed. Well, let me tell you it was revealed in a fun, entertaining, and yes, a scary way until the culprit was in cuffs and taken away. I really enjoyed learning more about the history and of Cypress in general. It is things like that that really draw me into a story. It is also impressive that the room had a variety of secrets.
A Perfect Bind was a Perfect Escape. I enjoyed everything about this story. The Beloved Bookroom is still a secret from most of the residents of Cypress but I am concerned about how long it can be hidden from the powers that be. It seems that in every installment more people know about the special place in the basement. I am excited to see what Ms. St. James has planned for these wonderful characters next.
October 10, 2022
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A Perfect Bind is the second book in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series and my first read in this series. This author's books are fabulous, once you start you just can't stop. You have to keep reading til the end to see how it's all going to play out.
Southern librarian Tru Beckett though young, is the old fashioned type and is appalled at the library she works at in Cypress, South Carolina going bookless. (Say what?) To attract more technological businesses to the town the library goes bookless using digital books and technological resources which ultimately annoys many of it's patrons especially the older folks.
Librarian Tru "rescues" some of the books destined for the dump and sets up a secret basement book area where patrons can still check out physical books.
The main librarian is strict and by the book but she "doesn't" know about this secret book area.
Tru's library cat Dewey is such a big help in her library area but of course she has to sneak him in. Though she works upstairs in the technological area Tru prefers her time with the "real" books, now just not to get caught.
When her special book room is vandalized more than once with her books being tossed about and destroyed it's more than this poor librarian's heart can understand.
Add to that when a body is discovered outside the library the creepy going-on's in the library start piling up. Could it possibly be that poltergeist some of the old timers are talking about.
Sleuthing librarian Tru and her smart tabby Dewey are on the case of uncovering who could have caused the trouble and why. Very engaging book. Fast paced cozy, I really enjoyed it.
Pub Date 28 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
A Perfect Bind is the second book in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series and my first read in this series. This author's books are fabulous, once you start you just can't stop. You have to keep reading til the end to see how it's all going to play out.
Southern librarian Tru Beckett though young, is the old fashioned type and is appalled at the library she works at in Cypress, South Carolina going bookless. (Say what?) To attract more technological businesses to the town the library goes bookless using digital books and technological resources which ultimately annoys many of it's patrons especially the older folks.
Librarian Tru "rescues" some of the books destined for the dump and sets up a secret basement book area where patrons can still check out physical books.
The main librarian is strict and by the book but she "doesn't" know about this secret book area.
Tru's library cat Dewey is such a big help in her library area but of course she has to sneak him in. Though she works upstairs in the technological area Tru prefers her time with the "real" books, now just not to get caught.
When her special book room is vandalized more than once with her books being tossed about and destroyed it's more than this poor librarian's heart can understand.
Add to that when a body is discovered outside the library the creepy going-on's in the library start piling up. Could it possibly be that poltergeist some of the old timers are talking about.
Sleuthing librarian Tru and her smart tabby Dewey are on the case of uncovering who could have caused the trouble and why. Very engaging book. Fast paced cozy, I really enjoyed it.
Pub Date 28 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
October 19, 2021
I love the idea of a secret bookroom! I don't want to have to have one because of our library going digital, but I do enjoy reading about one. The whole prohibition tie in makes it even better. I was able to figure out who the murderer was about halfway through. There were a few obvious signs. The romance stuff made me laugh a little. I hope we get more of the actual relationship in future books. Tru is going to go far with her sleuthing! (At least, I hope she will!)
October 8, 2021
Librarian Tru Beckett loves her books. She, also, loves her library, but recently management decided to make it a bookless library using only technology. Being an advocate for book lovers, Tru decided to open a secret book room in the library’s basement. Keeping it a secret in a small town like Cypress, South Carolina is no easy feat.
Suddenly Tru’s book room becomes the victim of vandals. She can’t understand how someone could want to destroy her nice book sanctuary. One town member suggests poltergeists, but Tru’s not buying that one. When a dead body shows up behind the library, she’s sure this isn’t the work of poltergeists but something much more sinister.
Tru Beckett is a wonderful amateur sleuth and heroine in this cozy mystery series. I probably like her so much because she loves books, as I do, and she has a cat, as I do. A cat named Dewey Decimal is the perfect tabby to prowl the library for killers and other bad guys.
Tru is quite busy trying to maintain her book room’s secrecy, find the vandals, and find a killer. At the same time she keeps running into the local detective who wants her to stay out of his investigations. She can’t do that, especially if it turns out to be connected to her secret room.
This cozy is filled with quirky and unique characters. The friendship between Tru, Flossie and Tori is fun and sweet. They truly care about each other. The characters come to life with each page.
The story moves at a fast-pace with many possible suspects. I did suspect the real culprit but I wasn’t sure of the hows and whys behind it. It was most enjoyable to figure it out along with Tru. Although, it’s the second book in a series, the murder mystery is contained in this book. However, I strongly suggest starting with the first book so you can read how the secret room came about.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in this delightful series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Suddenly Tru’s book room becomes the victim of vandals. She can’t understand how someone could want to destroy her nice book sanctuary. One town member suggests poltergeists, but Tru’s not buying that one. When a dead body shows up behind the library, she’s sure this isn’t the work of poltergeists but something much more sinister.
Tru Beckett is a wonderful amateur sleuth and heroine in this cozy mystery series. I probably like her so much because she loves books, as I do, and she has a cat, as I do. A cat named Dewey Decimal is the perfect tabby to prowl the library for killers and other bad guys.
Tru is quite busy trying to maintain her book room’s secrecy, find the vandals, and find a killer. At the same time she keeps running into the local detective who wants her to stay out of his investigations. She can’t do that, especially if it turns out to be connected to her secret room.
This cozy is filled with quirky and unique characters. The friendship between Tru, Flossie and Tori is fun and sweet. They truly care about each other. The characters come to life with each page.
The story moves at a fast-pace with many possible suspects. I did suspect the real culprit but I wasn’t sure of the hows and whys behind it. It was most enjoyable to figure it out along with Tru. Although, it’s the second book in a series, the murder mystery is contained in this book. However, I strongly suggest starting with the first book so you can read how the secret room came about.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in this delightful series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 14, 2021
I love everything about the Beloved Bookworm series by Dorothy St. James, and A Perfect Bind made me smile just as much as its predecessor. Tru and her band of secret library patrons & friends are loads of fun with lots of heart, and speaking of heart – swoony detective Jace has mine. There’s a little speech he gives that had me grinning like a fool & melting inside. I loved the added dash of romance with this one, and I’m looking forward to seeing where things go with he & Tru from here. The case is clever and full of twists and turns, books & bits of history too. Even Mrs. Farnsworth & Anne grew on me this time around. Another fun mystery with Tru, Dewey & the secret bookroom!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed on Reading Is My SuperPower
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed on Reading Is My SuperPower
October 29, 2021
This was a quick, fast-paced mystery that had me glued to it from the start. In addition to the murder, there is the question of who is breaking into the secret room. I enjoyed the glimpse into small town life, where gossip flows freely and everyone knows about you even before you do. The relationships/friendships in this are fun but Tori’s overreaction to her boyfriend’s dealings was childish and annoying. I had no idea who the killer was until the very end. I just don’t understand how the head librarian (or most of the town) has no idea about a HUGE room in the basement. Or why a fully digital library has no security system to protect their investment. And why can’t the cat stay home alone?
September 26, 2021
What a fun cozy mystery! Warning: You do have to get past the ridiculous situation of a small town library in South Carolina that has banished ALL books in favor of only electronic resources. That would never happen (I hope!); electronic and printed resources can and do live together in harmony in most libraries these days. But once you accept that notion, you will enjoy this series.
The main character of this series is Tru, a young librarian who has rescued a lot of the books her library discarded and has established a secret lending library/bookroom in the basement of the library building. Again - you need to just accept this nonsensical situation and enjoy the story. I loved how the town’s history, uncovered during the course of the book, related to the current murder mystery and the vandalism of the secret bookroom. I was glad that this time, Tru was not one of the suspects (as she was in the first book)! I was also glad that her secret bookroom is gradually being revealed to a larger number of people. Keeping it secret seemed an untenable situation and I’m interested to see how the author uses it in future books in this series. I’m also interested to see how Tru’s relationship with the sexy detective Jace develops.
The local townspeople are varied and some of them are quite funny. I enjoyed the makeover/shopping trip that Tru took under the guidance of her BFF, Tori. Count me in as someone who cannot understand how anyone can be comfortable in high heels! Jace’s reaction to Tru’s new look was priceless. I also laughed at the reaction to the offering of tai chi exercise classes in the library - a very strict, religious woman accused them of being classes in devil worship!
WWMMD (What Would Miss Marple Do?) indeed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The main character of this series is Tru, a young librarian who has rescued a lot of the books her library discarded and has established a secret lending library/bookroom in the basement of the library building. Again - you need to just accept this nonsensical situation and enjoy the story. I loved how the town’s history, uncovered during the course of the book, related to the current murder mystery and the vandalism of the secret bookroom. I was glad that this time, Tru was not one of the suspects (as she was in the first book)! I was also glad that her secret bookroom is gradually being revealed to a larger number of people. Keeping it secret seemed an untenable situation and I’m interested to see how the author uses it in future books in this series. I’m also interested to see how Tru’s relationship with the sexy detective Jace develops.
The local townspeople are varied and some of them are quite funny. I enjoyed the makeover/shopping trip that Tru took under the guidance of her BFF, Tori. Count me in as someone who cannot understand how anyone can be comfortable in high heels! Jace’s reaction to Tru’s new look was priceless. I also laughed at the reaction to the offering of tai chi exercise classes in the library - a very strict, religious woman accused them of being classes in devil worship!
WWMMD (What Would Miss Marple Do?) indeed!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 3, 2021
So glad I got in at the beginning of this series, though now I'm left bereft because I'm all caught up and I have no idea when the next book comes out. :-) I listened to the audible edition of A Perfect Bind (I tend to enjoy most of my cozies that way) and loved Allyson Ryan's narration. She's one of my faves and there's something extra cozy about a familiar voice storytelling in my ear.
Tru is back dividing her time between her duties in her ultra modern bookless library and the clandestine book-filled one in the basement. Still grinning over all the shenanigans that go on to keep that secret. And love their cat mascot, Dewey Decimal.
Another murder in close proximity to Tru's beloved library has her sleuthing once again...and clashing with her police detective-hopefully-soon-love-interest. There's a great cast of secondary characters -- I especially love her self-appointed posse of mystery club members. BUT, I must confess that Tru's best friend is starting to get on my very last nerve. She's more of a hindrance than a help and everyone around her, including Tru, keeps enabling her. Gah! She stole a star away from A Perfect Bind because I found her that annoying! lol
Tru is back dividing her time between her duties in her ultra modern bookless library and the clandestine book-filled one in the basement. Still grinning over all the shenanigans that go on to keep that secret. And love their cat mascot, Dewey Decimal.
Another murder in close proximity to Tru's beloved library has her sleuthing once again...and clashing with her police detective-hopefully-soon-love-interest. There's a great cast of secondary characters -- I especially love her self-appointed posse of mystery club members. BUT, I must confess that Tru's best friend is starting to get on my very last nerve. She's more of a hindrance than a help and everyone around her, including Tru, keeps enabling her. Gah! She stole a star away from A Perfect Bind because I found her that annoying! lol
June 6, 2021
A Perfect Bind " the 2nd instalment in the "A Beloved Bookroom" Mystery series by Dorothy St. James . What a great follow up to book one, I just loved it! Librarian Tru Beckett, ardent defender of the printed word, is about to find out that keeping murder checked out of her beloved library is much harder than she thought...
I really enjoyed this story, throw in some local history from during prohibition, murder and Dewey the cat. What’s not to like!
The mystery moved at a good pace, was interesting and I thought well plotted. I love the characters living in Cypress South Carolina especially Tru and BFF Tori Green and mysterious bestselling author Flossie Finnegan-Baker. Even stern Mrs Farnsworth is growing on me, as well as Annie!
Overall I found it to be a very entertaining read and I’m looking forward to book three to find out what happens between Tru and her Detective as well as Dewey and the bookroom. I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkley and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this story, throw in some local history from during prohibition, murder and Dewey the cat. What’s not to like!
The mystery moved at a good pace, was interesting and I thought well plotted. I love the characters living in Cypress South Carolina especially Tru and BFF Tori Green and mysterious bestselling author Flossie Finnegan-Baker. Even stern Mrs Farnsworth is growing on me, as well as Annie!
Overall I found it to be a very entertaining read and I’m looking forward to book three to find out what happens between Tru and her Detective as well as Dewey and the bookroom. I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkley and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 18, 2022
I will say the whole premise of this series about a “bookless” library is kind of upsetting for me but I wanted to give the second book a try. I really enjoyed it. I am loving this characters! I really would recommend this series
October 2, 2022
I fell in love with this new series during book one so I was more then ready to start this one. Tru is still running the secret room of books in the library basement though a patron tries to convince her that a poltergeist lives down there. Not convinced she tries to forget about it but then a body shows up out back. Now she is determined to find out what actually happened so her library is not at risk. Set in an adorable town and filled with a wide range of characters we get a mystery yo enjoy that will keep you guessing while turning the pages. Every bit as good as book one. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
December 16, 2022
I couldn’t stand the characters this time around
November 27, 2023
I love the idea of a secret library. This is a fun cozy mystery to read. The mystery is well plotted and moves a steady pace with plenty of surprises.
October 3, 2021
A Perfect Bind Earns 5/5 Bodies Outside the Library…Entertaining Fun!
Trudell Becket is a dedicated assistant librarian, but very few are aware of her secret. She and her friends rescued boxes and boxes of books destined for the landfill when the town manager’s plan was to turn the library into a “bookless” tech wonder and set up a “secret” bookroom in the basement, a former WWII-era bomb shelter. But, today she arrives to work upstairs, but loaded down with books in one tote and her tabby cat Dewey Decimal tucked in the other, she cautiously masks her movements toward the back exit, through a parking lot, and arriving at the heavy double doors leading to her pride and joy. The doors are ajar…“Not again!” she grimaces. Vandals have targeted the mystery section damaging shelves, throwing books on the floor, and ripping covers off copies, like Christie’s “The Body in the Library.” Who would do this? A poltergeist is Herbert Crawford, a regular bookroom patron, explanation according to rumors and his grandmother’s stories. Really? Then how does that explain the dead body out back. Tru has dealt with a lot trying to keep her bookroom secret, navigating the suspicious comments from the IT gal and demands by head librarian, but murder? The rumors about the victim are varied from drunkenness and money problems to business ethics and philosophical differences. But, it’s the threatening note that causes Tru the most concern.
Check it Out! Dorothy St. James has penned another well-written cozy as the second book in her Beloved Bookroom Mystery series. Quite a fun premise saving all the print books and opening on the sly a secret old-school library, but add a clever murder mystery wrapped in several suspects, intriguing motives, and law enforcement that doesn’t share much, and you have an engaging read! Tru is well-known to everyone in the community, so she feels comfortable approaching them for answers and insights, and they feel comfortable offering information, helpful or gossipy. So, who would threaten her? Tru’s family dynamic is a challenge with divorced parents who seem unable to cohabitate in the same town, the same hangouts, the same church, but Tru has her own way of handling it. Dorothy’s well-written drama follows the traditional cozy formula I enjoy with an early discovery of the crime, focus on the investigation, diverse characters, twists, personal peril, and karma! Great read!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Berkeley thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Trudell Becket is a dedicated assistant librarian, but very few are aware of her secret. She and her friends rescued boxes and boxes of books destined for the landfill when the town manager’s plan was to turn the library into a “bookless” tech wonder and set up a “secret” bookroom in the basement, a former WWII-era bomb shelter. But, today she arrives to work upstairs, but loaded down with books in one tote and her tabby cat Dewey Decimal tucked in the other, she cautiously masks her movements toward the back exit, through a parking lot, and arriving at the heavy double doors leading to her pride and joy. The doors are ajar…“Not again!” she grimaces. Vandals have targeted the mystery section damaging shelves, throwing books on the floor, and ripping covers off copies, like Christie’s “The Body in the Library.” Who would do this? A poltergeist is Herbert Crawford, a regular bookroom patron, explanation according to rumors and his grandmother’s stories. Really? Then how does that explain the dead body out back. Tru has dealt with a lot trying to keep her bookroom secret, navigating the suspicious comments from the IT gal and demands by head librarian, but murder? The rumors about the victim are varied from drunkenness and money problems to business ethics and philosophical differences. But, it’s the threatening note that causes Tru the most concern.
Check it Out! Dorothy St. James has penned another well-written cozy as the second book in her Beloved Bookroom Mystery series. Quite a fun premise saving all the print books and opening on the sly a secret old-school library, but add a clever murder mystery wrapped in several suspects, intriguing motives, and law enforcement that doesn’t share much, and you have an engaging read! Tru is well-known to everyone in the community, so she feels comfortable approaching them for answers and insights, and they feel comfortable offering information, helpful or gossipy. So, who would threaten her? Tru’s family dynamic is a challenge with divorced parents who seem unable to cohabitate in the same town, the same hangouts, the same church, but Tru has her own way of handling it. Dorothy’s well-written drama follows the traditional cozy formula I enjoy with an early discovery of the crime, focus on the investigation, diverse characters, twists, personal peril, and karma! Great read!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Berkeley thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
September 26, 2021
A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St. James has Tru Beckett discovering that someone has broken into the secret bookroom in the basement of the Cypress, South Carolina bookless library for the third time. Tru cannot figure out how someone is getting into the private space. A short time later, Owen Maynard is found dead behind the library. Tru wonders if the two incidents can be connected, but she cannot risk telling the police about the secret bookroom. Tru with Flossie and Tori work to find who is behind both crimes. A Perfect Bind is the 2nd A Beloved Bookroom Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not read The Broken Spine. I like Tru Beckett with her passion for books. She has a sweet cat named Dewey Decimal. I do wish, though, that Tru would stand up to her mother. There is a cast of secondary characters that include Tru’s friends, Flossie, and Tori. There are two mysteries in the story. Someone is breaking into the secret bookroom in the basement of the library, and the murder of local mechanic, Owen. Tru hopes the two incidents are not connected. She is afraid if the police are told about the bookroom, it will get closed down. There are good clues to help readers figure out why the crime happened. The guilty party can be identified early on in the story. I would have liked it to be more of a challenge. I enjoyed the lively reveal. I like how Tru, and Dewey are together. She talks to Dewey who responds to her in his own way. It is cute. At the end of the book, I was left with a couple of questions. I am curious as to why this hi-tech library does not have a matching security system. I would think the door to the basement would have a lock (the type where you need to enter a code or have a card). Also, now that the town manager who forced the library to get rid of the books is gone, why have the books not returned. Those readers who enjoy lighthearted cozy mysteries with books, a sweet cat, and good friends will enjoy reading A Perfect Bind. A Perfect Bind is a cute cozy mystery with a murdered mechanic, a bothered bookroom, a prodding detective, apple pie problems, a meddlesome assistant librarian, and a fun Fall Festival.
August 23, 2021
*I received a copy of this via the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Tru Beckett is a librarian without a library. Well, she's succeeded in building a clandestine book room within her library after it was turned into a bookless technology center, but she can't let anyone know she's secretly loaning out books to the small community, or else she'll lose her job. If juggling both jobs wasn't hard enough, some vandal seems determined to break into her book room, threatening the precarious balance Tru has tried so hard to keep in place. Tru keeps finding books strewn about and damaged, so when a patron tells her about how there have always been rumors floating around about a poltergeist that roams the library, Tru's first thought is to brush it off as a silly superstition. But then Tru discovers a body behind the library, and it's clear her perp isn't some ghost but someone made of flesh and bone, and it's up to her and her trusty sidekick, Dewey the cat, to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again.
I thought the first book in this series was so fun that I couldn't wait to dive into this, and it was just as good! Tru is an interesting character to follow. All she wants to do is protect her books, but she keeps getting roped into these murder cases. She's so clever and I like watching her ferret out all these clues to solve what's going on along with her cat (who is always so helpful in a pinch!). The two of them play off each other in such a fun way that sometimes you forget that one is an animal. I enjoyed seeing more of Tru's friends as they helped her with the case because their dynamic together is so great. I thought the mystery itself was fine, but like with the first book, I found it pretty easy to figure out who was behind everything. There were a few pacing issues, and some parts felt dragged out a bit too long for my taste, but overall, it was a cute read.
Tru Beckett is a librarian without a library. Well, she's succeeded in building a clandestine book room within her library after it was turned into a bookless technology center, but she can't let anyone know she's secretly loaning out books to the small community, or else she'll lose her job. If juggling both jobs wasn't hard enough, some vandal seems determined to break into her book room, threatening the precarious balance Tru has tried so hard to keep in place. Tru keeps finding books strewn about and damaged, so when a patron tells her about how there have always been rumors floating around about a poltergeist that roams the library, Tru's first thought is to brush it off as a silly superstition. But then Tru discovers a body behind the library, and it's clear her perp isn't some ghost but someone made of flesh and bone, and it's up to her and her trusty sidekick, Dewey the cat, to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again.
I thought the first book in this series was so fun that I couldn't wait to dive into this, and it was just as good! Tru is an interesting character to follow. All she wants to do is protect her books, but she keeps getting roped into these murder cases. She's so clever and I like watching her ferret out all these clues to solve what's going on along with her cat (who is always so helpful in a pinch!). The two of them play off each other in such a fun way that sometimes you forget that one is an animal. I enjoyed seeing more of Tru's friends as they helped her with the case because their dynamic together is so great. I thought the mystery itself was fine, but like with the first book, I found it pretty easy to figure out who was behind everything. There were a few pacing issues, and some parts felt dragged out a bit too long for my taste, but overall, it was a cute read.
September 4, 2021
I began this book with a lot of hope. The previous book, The Broken Spine, left me a somewhat fan of Tru’s, but something happened midway through this story. It became dull and stagnant. There wasn’t enough intrigue, witty dialogue, or curious characters compelling me to stay up late turning the pages, and I found myself scanning large sections.
By the end, there was a spark, but not enough for me to want to continue with this series.
By the end, there was a spark, but not enough for me to want to continue with this series.
January 9, 2022
Another fun cozy read!
February 4, 2024
cheesy fun
September 27, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/a...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
This is a wonderful sequel to the first in series, The Broken Spine. It is a delightful, thoughtful, and even at times downright scary cozy mystery. I enjoy the characters, especially Tru and Flossie, who are intelligent women in their chosen fields. The premise of a library without print books is, to me, as horrifying as it is to Tru! There is humor woven throughout, and the potential for at least one romance. The murder and vandalism kept me guessing throughout, and I enjoyed the history presented.
Renovations to the library are complete, and it reopened with no physical books. Only digital books and tablets to loan out are available. Many new programs have begun for the patrons, most of which are received well. Tru’s secret bookroom, where she and handful of like-minded patrons set up unique items she saved from the landfill, repurposed the WWII era bomb shelter in the basement. Included are local historical documents and several hundred well-loved books. Only people they know well, can keep secrets, and who love printed pages are allowed there to check out books.
One of those people is Hubert, president of the historical museum board, who does much research there. In recent weeks, a vandal has been getting into the library after hours, picking the lock on the bookroom, and tossing books, shelves, and documents to the floor. Some were damaged, but none are missing. Based on what Hubert’s grandmother told him from when she had worked there during Prohibition, there was a poltergeist. He believes the specter has returned to wreak havoc on their priceless library.
They cannot go to the police, as the head librarian, Mrs. Farnsworth, a stickler for the rules, would probably fire Tru for saving the books, even for a good cause. Shortly after opening, a patron came in and said there was a dead body behind the building.
Of all the people Mrs. Farnsworth doesn’t want to see behind the library, it is the town’s only auto mechanic, Owen. Whenever he has too much to drink, he parks behind the library to sleep it off. When she sees Owen’s truck in back, the elderly librarian insists he is sleeping off another drunk, until Tru sees the blood on his head and shirt. He sure wasn’t killed by a poltergeist, but Tru wonders if he was seen by the bookroom vandal and was killed as a result.
The author brings the people of Cypress to life. I enjoy Tru, her friends, and even though not among her favorite people, Anne. Anne is the young techno-wizard who came from Silicon Valley to obtain, set up, and maintain everything needed to take the library paperless. Tru and Flossie are vying for my favorites, even though there is nearly forty years between Tru and the best-selling author. Tru’s best friend Tori is loyal and always goes the extra mile. Jace, the local detective, has a crush on Tru that everyone can see except her, due to long-ago events. I do like him, however, and am rooting for something between the two of them. She rarely dates and keeps turning him down.
Cypress has a small police force, so a state detective comes to help with the murder. While he and Jace know Tru was instrumental in identifying the last murderer in town, they do not want her involved with this case even if she does feel proprietary about the library. Tru isn’t one to sit still, nor are her closest friends. They learn of at least one other death that could be related to this case. It was a great challenge to discern who the killer was as well as the vandal. There were a couple of excellent red herrings, so I didn’t figure out who it was until about the same time Tru did. The end is fully satisfying, and I am looking forward to the next in series! I highly recommend it to those who enjoy bookish cozy mysteries!
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
This is a wonderful sequel to the first in series, The Broken Spine. It is a delightful, thoughtful, and even at times downright scary cozy mystery. I enjoy the characters, especially Tru and Flossie, who are intelligent women in their chosen fields. The premise of a library without print books is, to me, as horrifying as it is to Tru! There is humor woven throughout, and the potential for at least one romance. The murder and vandalism kept me guessing throughout, and I enjoyed the history presented.
Renovations to the library are complete, and it reopened with no physical books. Only digital books and tablets to loan out are available. Many new programs have begun for the patrons, most of which are received well. Tru’s secret bookroom, where she and handful of like-minded patrons set up unique items she saved from the landfill, repurposed the WWII era bomb shelter in the basement. Included are local historical documents and several hundred well-loved books. Only people they know well, can keep secrets, and who love printed pages are allowed there to check out books.
One of those people is Hubert, president of the historical museum board, who does much research there. In recent weeks, a vandal has been getting into the library after hours, picking the lock on the bookroom, and tossing books, shelves, and documents to the floor. Some were damaged, but none are missing. Based on what Hubert’s grandmother told him from when she had worked there during Prohibition, there was a poltergeist. He believes the specter has returned to wreak havoc on their priceless library.
They cannot go to the police, as the head librarian, Mrs. Farnsworth, a stickler for the rules, would probably fire Tru for saving the books, even for a good cause. Shortly after opening, a patron came in and said there was a dead body behind the building.
Of all the people Mrs. Farnsworth doesn’t want to see behind the library, it is the town’s only auto mechanic, Owen. Whenever he has too much to drink, he parks behind the library to sleep it off. When she sees Owen’s truck in back, the elderly librarian insists he is sleeping off another drunk, until Tru sees the blood on his head and shirt. He sure wasn’t killed by a poltergeist, but Tru wonders if he was seen by the bookroom vandal and was killed as a result.
The author brings the people of Cypress to life. I enjoy Tru, her friends, and even though not among her favorite people, Anne. Anne is the young techno-wizard who came from Silicon Valley to obtain, set up, and maintain everything needed to take the library paperless. Tru and Flossie are vying for my favorites, even though there is nearly forty years between Tru and the best-selling author. Tru’s best friend Tori is loyal and always goes the extra mile. Jace, the local detective, has a crush on Tru that everyone can see except her, due to long-ago events. I do like him, however, and am rooting for something between the two of them. She rarely dates and keeps turning him down.
Cypress has a small police force, so a state detective comes to help with the murder. While he and Jace know Tru was instrumental in identifying the last murderer in town, they do not want her involved with this case even if she does feel proprietary about the library. Tru isn’t one to sit still, nor are her closest friends. They learn of at least one other death that could be related to this case. It was a great challenge to discern who the killer was as well as the vandal. There were a couple of excellent red herrings, so I didn’t figure out who it was until about the same time Tru did. The end is fully satisfying, and I am looking forward to the next in series! I highly recommend it to those who enjoy bookish cozy mysteries!
September 17, 2021
I enjoyed this fabulous second offering in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series even more than the first! This was a delightful visit to Cypress, South Carolina and the library that is one of the original Carnegie libraries and the centerpiece of town. It was almost perfect for the many years Tru worked there, but the past few weeks have been the very worst. She is the assistant librarian, working for the strict, elderly Mrs. Farnsworth.
To make Cypress attractive to hi-tech corporations looking for a new home, the former town manager took the library to the “future” by having all print books and historical documents removed. Every. Last. One. Only digital books, periodicals, and scanned historical documents would be available, and folks could check out tablets to read them from. A nightmare for people like Tru, who loves print books. With the help of a few select people, she rescued many classics and other special books along with local historical documents, moving them to the former WWII bomb shelter in the basement. Hiding the books downstairs breaks the rules, even though they were slated for the landfill, and she could get fired for it. A library gone paperless – or to me, and spineless.
Rarely does anyone go to the basement, so there was little chance that Mrs. Farnsworth or other staff members would find it. Since Dewey Decimal, a beautiful, charming cat, adopted Tru, she brings Dewey to the library every day and leaves her in the basement.
One of the patrons who is in the bookroom every day doing research for the town historical museum discovered that, during the night, someone got into the library for the third time in two weeks. They picked the lock of the bomb shelter, and tossed around a section of the materials and shelves.
Later that morning, Doris, one of the patrons, came in, very upset, and said there was a dead body behind the library. Mrs. Farnsworth, Tru, and Doris went outdoors and found Owen, the town drunk, looking like he was asleep in his truck. Mrs. Farnsworth pounded on it to wake him up until Tru saw the blood all over him.
Tru and a couple of her closest friends want to know if, as mystery lovers and huge fans of Miss Marple (WWMMD), they can solve another murder, as well as the break-ins of the library basement and bookroom. Being very protective of the library and books where she had spent many happy hours after her parents’ divorce, Tru is willing to investigate, despite warnings to the opposite from Jace, a detective she had gone to school with who seems very interested in her now.
There are many great things about this complex mystery. Is there a killer and a vandal? One person doing both crimes? Another is the secret bookroom and Tru’s love of books. I love Dewey Decimal, the cat who adopted Tru! I am very enthusiastic about this and the future of the series! All is wrapped up well and tidy, without any loose ends. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries set in charming Southern towns and a historic library and includes likable characters and cats.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
To make Cypress attractive to hi-tech corporations looking for a new home, the former town manager took the library to the “future” by having all print books and historical documents removed. Every. Last. One. Only digital books, periodicals, and scanned historical documents would be available, and folks could check out tablets to read them from. A nightmare for people like Tru, who loves print books. With the help of a few select people, she rescued many classics and other special books along with local historical documents, moving them to the former WWII bomb shelter in the basement. Hiding the books downstairs breaks the rules, even though they were slated for the landfill, and she could get fired for it. A library gone paperless – or to me, and spineless.
Rarely does anyone go to the basement, so there was little chance that Mrs. Farnsworth or other staff members would find it. Since Dewey Decimal, a beautiful, charming cat, adopted Tru, she brings Dewey to the library every day and leaves her in the basement.
One of the patrons who is in the bookroom every day doing research for the town historical museum discovered that, during the night, someone got into the library for the third time in two weeks. They picked the lock of the bomb shelter, and tossed around a section of the materials and shelves.
Later that morning, Doris, one of the patrons, came in, very upset, and said there was a dead body behind the library. Mrs. Farnsworth, Tru, and Doris went outdoors and found Owen, the town drunk, looking like he was asleep in his truck. Mrs. Farnsworth pounded on it to wake him up until Tru saw the blood all over him.
Tru and a couple of her closest friends want to know if, as mystery lovers and huge fans of Miss Marple (WWMMD), they can solve another murder, as well as the break-ins of the library basement and bookroom. Being very protective of the library and books where she had spent many happy hours after her parents’ divorce, Tru is willing to investigate, despite warnings to the opposite from Jace, a detective she had gone to school with who seems very interested in her now.
There are many great things about this complex mystery. Is there a killer and a vandal? One person doing both crimes? Another is the secret bookroom and Tru’s love of books. I love Dewey Decimal, the cat who adopted Tru! I am very enthusiastic about this and the future of the series! All is wrapped up well and tidy, without any loose ends. I highly recommend this to all who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries set in charming Southern towns and a historic library and includes likable characters and cats.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.
September 5, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars
A Perfect Bind is the second book in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series and is just as adorable and hilarious as the first. Librarian Tru Beckett and the gang are back to solve another murder when another body is found by the library. We also have the mystery of who is breaking into Tru’s secret bookroom in the basement of the library. Tru and her will-they-won’t-they detective, Jace, are determined to solve the crimes plaguing the town of Cypress.
I love the cast of characters in this series. They are all quirky, hilarious, and sometimes just downright weird (in the best way). The secret bookroom will never not make me laugh and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here (no spoilers). I am way too invested in the romance between Tru and Jace, so I request even more scenes between the two in the next book.
This is another cute cozy mystery series to get into. I highly recommend the audiobooks because Allyson Ryan is the narrator and is perfection. Accents on point.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to be posted closer to release date.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars
A Perfect Bind is the second book in the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series and is just as adorable and hilarious as the first. Librarian Tru Beckett and the gang are back to solve another murder when another body is found by the library. We also have the mystery of who is breaking into Tru’s secret bookroom in the basement of the library. Tru and her will-they-won’t-they detective, Jace, are determined to solve the crimes plaguing the town of Cypress.
I love the cast of characters in this series. They are all quirky, hilarious, and sometimes just downright weird (in the best way). The secret bookroom will never not make me laugh and I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here (no spoilers). I am way too invested in the romance between Tru and Jace, so I request even more scenes between the two in the next book.
This is another cute cozy mystery series to get into. I highly recommend the audiobooks because Allyson Ryan is the narrator and is perfection. Accents on point.
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to be posted closer to release date.
July 18, 2025
I LOVED THE MOMENTS BETWEEN TRU AND JACE, BUT OTHERWISE DIDN'T REALLY ENJOY THIS ONE.
SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Tru Beckett, a librarian, from Cypress, South Carolina.
In this book: The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn't steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it's not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover.
THOUGHTS: I truly enjoyed book 1 but after reading book 2, I think that's more based on the premise of the series theme. Having already gone through that, this book lacked a lot of what the first book offered me. I didn't find the mystery intriguing and a lot of the side characters I didn't find enjoyable either. It also doesn't help that I can feel the length of the book, it did tend to drag quite a bit. I do love every moment between Tru and Jace, don't get me wrong - but as this is a cozy-mystery and not a romance, I honestly think I'm good to leave this series here.
3 Stars
xoxo.
SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Tru Beckett, a librarian, from Cypress, South Carolina.
In this book: The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn't steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it's not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover.
THOUGHTS: I truly enjoyed book 1 but after reading book 2, I think that's more based on the premise of the series theme. Having already gone through that, this book lacked a lot of what the first book offered me. I didn't find the mystery intriguing and a lot of the side characters I didn't find enjoyable either. It also doesn't help that I can feel the length of the book, it did tend to drag quite a bit. I do love every moment between Tru and Jace, don't get me wrong - but as this is a cozy-mystery and not a romance, I honestly think I'm good to leave this series here.
3 Stars
xoxo.
November 1, 2023
This book was fun and entertaining to read. I liked all the characters and how much personality each of them had. The authors style of writting has great pace and she was able to handle sub plots within the main plot. Tru's aunt secret pie recipe was hilarious. And people doing what ever it takes to win the pie contest is a little added bonus to the whole story. There were other things going on too. Everyone had secrets. I had a difficult time trying to figure out who done it and all the time, I was reading, I really thought it was someone else so I was a little surprised to find out who it was in the end.
Great story and I will definitely read more of her works.
Great story and I will definitely read more of her works.
September 26, 2021
Overall, a reminder of why I love a good cozy mystery.
Spoiler-free Review: https://amberinoface.wordpress.com/20...
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
Spoiler-free Review: https://amberinoface.wordpress.com/20...
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
February 18, 2022
I enjoyed this second in the series. More action and sarcasm (which I loved in the first as well) and ending was satisfying and perfect.
Looking forward to the next one. I listened to the audiobook again for this one.
4/5 stars
Looking forward to the next one. I listened to the audiobook again for this one.
4/5 stars
January 23, 2024
Well the murderer was a tad, if not extremely guessable.
Really cozy though even if a bit obvious - love this series, it’s like a warm southern breeze :)
Really cozy though even if a bit obvious - love this series, it’s like a warm southern breeze :)
February 25, 2025
3.5. A fun cozy mystery with a librarian as the main character. I enjoy this author's writing style.
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