Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

Books Can Be Deceiving

Lindsey is the director of the Briar Creek Public Library.

Other books in the series:

Oooh this gives me the chance to read Hitting the Books

I like this series. I am waiting for Book 10 to be published in September.

I have read the first four of the series and enjoyed them. I'll plan to read/listen to number 5 in August.

Of Jenn's three mystery series, this is the only one I'm behind on. I'm working on catching up slowly but surely, however. It's fun, which is no surprise since I've enjoyed her other series as well.

I love this series, it's one of my favorites. Unfortunately, there is the dreaded love triangle but it is eventually resolved. I'm looking forward to the next release coming out next month.

Julesy wrote: "I love this series, it's one of my favorites. Unfortunately, there is the dreaded love triangle but it is eventually resolved. I'm looking forward to the next release coming out next month."

I almost gave up on the series because of that - I am glad I stuck with it!

Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) wrote: "Julesy wrote: "I love this series, it's one of my favorites. Unfortunately, there is the dreaded love triangle but it is eventually resolved. I'm looking forward to the next release coming out next month."

I almost gave up on the series because of that - I am glad I stuck with it!

Me, too! I said to myself if the love triangle was not resolved by the next book, that was the end of the road for me. The next book was SO GOOD! 🥰

I really enjoy this series. Lindsey is kind of like my book alter-ego... with a job. My parents have a house on the Connecticut coast not far from Lindsey's fictional town, I studied literature as an undergrad and later discovered archives and we both like cute dogs. That's about where the similarities end but I like the way she thinks because I find myself thinking the same thoughts. I think it's a librarian thing.

I just finished listening to On Borrowed Time, the 5th book in the series. I enjoyed learning more about Lindsey's brother Jack. The "love triangle" aspect was a bit tedious (they both acted like schoolchildren), but other than that, it was a really good book!

Barbara wrote: "I just finished listening to On Borrowed Time, the 5th book in the series. I enjoyed learning more about Lindsey's brother Jack. The "love triangle" aspect was a bit tedious (they b..."

Just to say it is well worth reading on, the triangle is resolved in a very satisfactory way!

Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I just finished listening to On Borrowed Time, the 5th book in the series. I enjoyed learning more about Lindsey's brother Jack. The "love triangle" aspect was a bit..."

Good to know! I plan to continue with the series.

This series really doesn't have a love triangle in the usual sense. It's nice to read a series where she doesn't spend half her time stringing along two guys.

I am reading and enjoying A Likely Story #6.

It's been a while since I read any books in this series. I think I was put off by an emerging love triangle but it's barely mentioned.

Thanks for picking this one Barb. I had forgotten how much I like this new-again series. I've already bought the next one - Better Late Than Never

I think the love triangle turned off some readers, but fortunately, McKinlay didn't let it drag on for book after book after book like some authors have done :) I'm just about to start an ARC of Word to the Wise and can't wait to settle in for a visit with Lindsay, Sully, Robbie and the rest.

I'll be interested to see what I think of the love triangle when I get to it. I'll be starting the book where it really picks up steam in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, not in time to officially join this discussion.

Mark wrote: "I'll be interested to see what I think of the love triangle when I get to it. I'll be starting the book where it really picks up steam in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, not in time to officially..."

We're fine with you "unofficially" joining the discussion too! The topics remain open for comments. There are a couple of reads from earlier this year that I plan to get to in the next few months as well.

I will certainly pop back in and share my thoughts when I am done.

It's really not even a real love triangle.

Finished A Likely Story. Then read Better Late Than Never. It was very, very good!

And you're right - there isn't a real love triangle. The MC knows who she wants.

(It's when they waffle back and forth for book after book that annoys me. That doesn't happen here.)

Finished an ARC of the newest book in the series, and enjoyed my visit with Lindsey, Beth and the rest of the Briar Creek folks. Can't wait to see what happens in the next one :)

Word to the Wise (Library Lovers #10), by Jenn McKinlay, finished 8/28 ★★★★

Oh Barb, how lucky! I put it on my library wish list but I don't think I'll have time to read it before winter. I did read the excerpt from the first chapter that was in the back of the latest Cupcake Bakery mystery.

I enjoy this series, but not nearly so much as the Cupcake bakery series, or even the Hat Shop series. I'm behind on this one, but will catch up eventually.

Melodie wrote: "I enjoy this series, but not nearly so much as the Cupcake bakery series, or even the Hat Shop series. I'm behind on this one, but will catch up eventually."

I would agree 100% with you if Lindsey weren't my fictional alter ego with a job I don't want, and all the dead bodies I don't want either.I got one of my real life friends hooked on Jenn McKinlay and she's loving Cupckaes and Hat Shop. I did tell her I wasn't sure she'd like the Library Lovers books. The Hat Shop gals got canceled but I see they'll be back in January.

I, on the other hand, like this series - Library Lover's - much more than the Cupcake series. Too much silliness in the Cupcake series for me. I got stuck at book #3. Maybe I will give it another chance?

I was delighted to see a new book in the Hat Shop series.

I like all three series equally, but the Cupcake series is always the first that comes to mind when I think of Jenn McKinlay, so I guess that means it's my favorite?

I just finished Book, Line and Sinker . I enjoyed it and plan to continue the series. I haven't read any of her other series to compare to this one...maybe one day!

I'm the outlier - I like the Library Lover's series much better than the Hat Shop series or the Cupcake series (although to be fair, I have only read one of each). I plan to read more of the Cupcake series and give it a fair try. The Hat Shop series (book 1) did not hold my interest.

The first Cupcake book was the first of Jenn's books I read. I thought it was okay; I liked it enough to read the next. It took two or three before I was completely hooked.

I honestly can't remember how many books it took me to get into the Hat Shop series, but I definitely did before get into that one as well.

I've really enjoyed this series. I work in a public library and found that the author has done her homework. The library references are usually spot on.

Once I re-started this series, I kept reading - Better Late Than Never, Death in the Stacks and Hitting the Books. Death in the Stacks was my favorite. Now I've read all but the most recent - waiting for the paperback.

OH GOOD! Just spotted this, and I'll be starting the series in a day or two. I got behind over the weekend. AND I have the first seven, so I'll be up to speed in no time flat!

I finished
As a mystery it was a bit lacking. It was super obvious who the murderer was. I didn't think much of it made a lot of sense. This one is more about the relationship between Lindsey and (view spoiler)[Sully and their upcoming wedding. (hide spoiler)] Those of you concerned about love triangles have no fear. Lindsey is sure of her own heart through good times and bad.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I finished
As a mystery it was a bit lacking. It was super obvious who the murderer was. I didn't think much of it made a lot of sense.

I heard the same thing from others. I'm planning on reading it in January.

I recently finished listening to A Likely Story. I really enjoyed it and found myself staying in the car just a few minutes longer to get to the end of the chapter!

Barbara wrote: "I recently finished listening to A Likely Story. I really enjoyed it and found myself staying in the car just a few minutes longer to get to the end of the chapter!
[bookcover:A Lik..."

The print version features a bonus short story about a new character. It's worth reading if it isn't included in the audio.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I recently finished listening to A Likely Story....The print version features a bonus short story about a new character. It's worth reading if it isn't included in the audio...."

That must be in the paperback edition. I read it in hardcover and there's no bonus story.

The short story is included in the hardcover edition I got from the library unless I read the e-book and didn't mark it.

QNPoohBear wrote: "The print version features a bonus short story about a new character. It's worth reading if it isn't included in the audio."

I read A Likely Story a couple of years ago but I honestly can't remember if I read the bonus short story or not. I'll have to go back and read it. I still have the ebook.

She has one more in progress already!

Killer Research is an enjoyable read. I liked the inner workings of the library and seeing the character development. I never guessed whodunit or why. Lindsey really is my alter ego. She keeps declaring she's uncrafty and she proves herself right by not being able to do a simple craft. I squeed when they discussed Pride and Prejudice. Sorry Beth, I agree with Paula- NOT on #TeamDarcy. This discussion leads into Jenn's next romcom. Can't wait for that!

As I write this, she posted on Facebook on 12/14 she completed her first draft of The Plot and the Pendulum and doesn't hate it LOL! I'm guessing with the Poe inspired title we'll see an October release.

Jenn is still slowly writing the next book, titled "Booking for Trouble" slated for 2026 AND.... she's decided she's not done yet with Cupcake Bakery, so she started one more, tentatively titled "Formula for Disaster" AND she started a proposal for a Cupcake spin-off. At least one romantasy and two rom coms slated before the cozies though.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Jenn is still slowly writing the next book, titled "Booking for Trouble" slated for 2026 AND.... she's decided she's not done yet with Cupcake Bakery, so she started one more, tentatively titled "Formula for Disaster" AND she started a proposal for a Cupcake spin-off."

YAY!! I enjoy both series, though it took a few books for me to get into the library series. I know she's writing more romance these days, but I hope more entries to her mystery series keep coming. They're some of my favorites to read.

Thanks for the information.

Library Lovers was a slow start for me too. It's not as funny or memorable as the Cupcake Bakery and Hat Shop books but Lindsey is my fictional alter ego with a different job and Sully. I like how she always gets the library details right. Most authors don't bother but I know Jenn worked in libraries until she quit to write full-time and her mom was a librarian so she knows plenty of people to ask for help on how things are done. Plus Lindsey really has a classic librarian brain!