Review and Giveaway: Due or Die

Due or Die (Library Lover's Mystery - Book 2) by Jenn McKinlay


Publication Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 304pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425246689
ISBN: 042524668X


(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)


Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound


Jenn McKinlay on the WEB: website, facebook


Books in the series: Books Can Be Deceiving (2011), Due or Die (2012), Book, Line and Sinker (coming in 2012)


CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Due or Die (Amazon Look Inside Feature)


Synopsis: 

What is the original meaning of the word clue? *

Answering trick reference questions like this one is more than enough excitement for library director Lindsay Norris. That is, until another murder is committed in her cozy hometown of Briar Creek. Connecticut, and the questions of who did it must be answered before someone else is checked out - for good.

Carrie Rushton, the president of the Friends of the Library, has been accused of murdering her husband. The evidence is stacking up against Carrie, but neither Lindsay nor the Briar Creek crafternoon club is buying it. 

When a nor'easter buries the small coastal town, the police are too busy digging out the locals to investigate the murder. With the help of her crafternoon friends and an abandoned puppy the named Heathcliff, Lindsay has to solve the question of who murdered Mr. Rushton before the killer closes the book on Carrie...


* a ball of yarn or thread


Thoughts:

Jenn McKinlay continues her Library Lover's Mystery series, with the second book, Due or Die. McKinlay's enchanting characters and New England coastal town setting make this one of the best up and coming cozy mystery series'. McKinlay is not stranger to the cozy world having seen success with her Cupcake Bakery series, but this one will hit the spot with readers and book lovers, with a librarian lead character and a sidekick straight out of a classic novel.

I've read several Jenn McKinlay books and I'll have to say this one is among my favorites. The Library Lover's series will definitely strike a cord with readers, much like anything involving books usually does. Set in the Briar Creek Library, Due or Die centers heavily on the happening in and about the library and a small coastal New England town in Connecticut. Main character Lindsay is the head librarian and finds herself dealing with all sorts of issues including murder.

Lindsay is one of my fav's. She is very no-nonsense and doesn't pull any punches. What you see is what you get with her and I like that in a person. She doesn't beat around the bush and she runs the library accordingly. When she finds herself in the middle of another murder mystery she takes it in stride and knows that she has to prove her friend Carrie's innocence. I liked the fact that the author shows Lindsay as capable and inquisitive. She gets herself into some typical cozies messes including a nor'easter that threatens to take her out.

One of the best additions to the second book in the series, is the new library puppy, Heathcliff. I loved Wuthering Heights as many people do and I liked the homage to the book, by naming the puppy after the main character. Heathcliff's story reminds me of Dewey the Library cat and I think having a library mascot is a perfect idea. Heathcliff added a lot of comic relief to the story and just one of those comforting little touches that make a book special.

Something that I enjoy about most cozies is the special features provided at the back of the book. Often times if there are recipes in the back, I usually try one or two so I can mention it in my review. This time however, I was still in the office and just didn't have the time, but the recipes look very tasty. There is also a crochet pattern for crafters. A reading group guide for the classic, Wuthering Heights, definitely a nice touch and a preview of the next book in the series. I always enjoy those because it kind of whets the appetite for what's to come.

This is a great series. There are a lot of cool extra features. The characters are a lot of fun to read about and the plot and mystery is somewhat unpredictable where the motive is concerned. Definitely a series for the book lover and the crafter.
Due or Die is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.


I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

The hardest decision Jenn McKinlay was what to major in during college. Then she discovered the sanctuary of the library and library science - a major that allowed her to study all the subjects. She loves working as a library. After all, what other occupation allows you to research the ethnobotanical properties of agave, perform a puppet show for twenty wiggly toddlers, and try to answer why the rabbit's foot is considered lucky, all in the same day? Jenn is the author of The Cupcake Bakery Mysteries and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, in a house that is overrun with books, pets, kids, and her husband's guitars.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The Publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay.


~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail subscriber to participate
~ US addresses only
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST April 14th.


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