Books Can Be Deceiving [Mass Market Paperback]

I am a big fan of McKinlay's other series and have been looking forward to this book ever since I learned it was coming out. This book definitely was worth the anticipation!

The book is set in Briar Creek on the coast of Connecticut. I loved the details and descriptions of the area very much. The food descriptions are good too, had me craving clam chowder at several points. There's also a cast of lovely, colorful characters ranging from the women in the Crafternoon Club (combination knitting and book club) to the natives of the town. Lindsey, the main character, is the director of the library in Briar Creek and is thrown into the sleuthing game when her friend Beth who is also the children's librarian becomes the chief "person of interest" in a murder. I won't go into any more detail so as not to spoil it for others, but it's a great story. There is some humor in the book, but it isn't overdone or silly. The plotting is well done and the pacing smooth and even without feeling thin in any way. After reading the book, you feel you know these folks but want to know them better, even have them be your friends. There may even be a romance brewing.

Books Can Be Deceiving will appeal to cozy mystery lovers everywhere, especially ones involving librarians and books. Sometimes when an author starts a new series they read much like the author's other books. That is not the case here. McKinlay's new series is very different from her other series and is excellently written. It's a fresh book and very entertaining. Overall, great, great cozy mystery! I'm already looking forward to the next book in this wonderful new series.

Having enjoyed Jenn McKinlay's Cupcake Bakery mysteries, which are above average for the cozy genre, I was looking forward to BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING. While this is a fairly engaging and quick read, the author expects us to believe at least a few impossible things before breakfast. The murder victim is said to be a Caldecott-winning children's author, yet our librarian heroine apparently has no access to biographical information about him in her library, and no idea how to find any. An Alzheimer's patient in her 70s has happy flashbacks to her childhood, watching I DREAM OF JEANNIE with her sister, a show that only dates back to the mid-1960s. And then there's the art professor who not only poses nude in class for his students, but requires them to do the same. There are certainly some inherently unrealistic aspects to the typical cozy mystery, but this one pushes credibility nearly to the breaking point.

Lindsey Norris is the new director of the Briar Creek Library. She has some fresh new ideas like a crafternoon, which combines a book club with a craft and some yummy food. The previous director Mr. Tupper, would have "never allowed such goings-on" as she was told by Ms. Cole, a long time employee of the library. Any time Lindsay tries anything new Ms. Cole takes the opportunity to throw Mr. Tupper's view into the conversation.

Lindsey does have a wonderful staff including her best friend Beth who is the Children's Librarian. Beth has been working on her own children's book for years. She has also been dating Rick, a well-known, award winning, children's author for about 5 years, with no talk of marriage and Beth has never even been to his house. He has also berated her talent as an illustrator and author several times. The last straw occurs when a New York editor is learned to be vacationing in Briar Creek. One of Beth's friends goes so far as to make an appointment to meet with the editor and Rick does everything he can to stop that meeting. But Beth and Lindsey attend the meeting together and uncover the real reason Rick didn't want them to meet.

Furious, Beth and Lindsay, hire a water taxi to take them to Rick's home on one of the mysterious Thumb Islands. They are going to confront him with what they have learned. They are too late, when they arrive at his home, they find him murdered. The local chief of police decides immediately that Beth is the killer without even an initial investigation. Lindsey needs to get the rest of the story before her friend ends up behind bars booked for a crime she didn't commit.

I love everything about this book, the subject matter, the setting, the plot, the characters, even Ms. Cole, she reminds me of a few librarians in my past. The story is fast moving, enjoyable with a splash of humor, great friendships, a little crafting, and a captivating mystery. This book contains all my favorite things in one of my favorite places.

Growing up I spent so many hours at the local library. I didn't actually work there but I loved shelving books just for fun. It was definitely my haven as my parents worked long hours and my siblings were so much older than me. I wish some of those librarians were still around. They would not be surprised that I spend my days and nights reading and telling others about the books I have read. I did that without the help of the internet as a child/teenager. I was always one to share my opinions. It seems I have found the perfect outlet for my obsession. Thank you to Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Hein and all the other librarians the fed my need to read!!

So, one more time. I loved this book and you should all get right out and buy it today because I said so. That would make Mrs. Lee very proud!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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