Answering tricky reference questions is excitement enough for library director Lindsey Norris. Until a murder is committed in her cozy hometown of Briar Creek, Connecticut, and the question of who did it must be answered before someone else is checked out--for good.

Review

When Carrie Rushton decides to run against stuffy old Bill Sint for president of the Friends of the Library association, library director Lindsey Norris leaps at the chance to back her; sure, Carrie’s husband Markus is a whiny, disagreeable, book-hating pig of a man, but Carrie is young and smart and – unlike Bill – shares Lindsey’s vision for the library’s future.  The vote to elect Carrie is unanimous, but her tenure may be short-lived:  just hours after she becomes president, Markus is found dead and Carrie becomes the main suspect in his murder.  Lindsey knows her friend is innocent, but without an alibi for Carrie, how can she prove it?  If the town rumor mill is to believed, Markus had more than his fair share of enemies; can Lindsey figure out which one of them actually killed Carrie’s husband before her friend can be sent to prison for a crime she didn’t commit?

Due or Die is author Jenn McKinlay’s second Library Lover’s Mystery.  I’ll admit, while I’m a huge fan of McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, I was a bit indifferent to the first Library Lover’s Mystery, Books Can be Deceiving.  After having read Due or Die, however, I’m happy to report I think McKinlay has another winner of a series on her hands.  The plot is compelling, the pacing is perfect, and the mystery is solid.  The prose is colorful and has a fantastic flow to it, the sense of atmosphere is strong, and McKinlay does a remarkable job of capturing the essence of life in a small town.  

Her real strength, however, is her character work, and that’s what ultimately takes Due or Die from good to great.  Not only is McKinlay’s core cast populated with lively, likable, well-drawn characters, but even the most minor of suspects is fully fleshed, with a unique motive and a personality all his or her own.  And the skill with which she writes the relationships between her characters is just icing on the cake.  Every interaction feels genuine, honest, and 100% earned.

Lindsey’s an engaging and enigmatic heroine.  The quintessential girl next door, she’s caring and energetic, intelligent yet humble, and loyal to a fault.  Best friend and children’s librarian Beth makes for a fabulous sidekick and sounding board, and is the perfect George Fayne to Lindsey’s Nancy Drew.  Dour, uptight, officious circulation desk attendant Ms. Cole serves to add both conflict and comic relief to McKinlay’s tale.  Ruggedly handsome and dependable boat captain Sully is the love interest dreams are made of.  And abandoned puppy Heathcliff is guaranteed to melt your heart.

Looking for a fun and cozy new read in which to lose yourself this weekend? Check out Jenn McKinlay’s Due or Die; you can thank me on Monday.

Reviewed by Kat N.

READERS COMMENTS