Review and Giveaway: Read It And Weep

Read It And Weep (Library Lover's Mystery - Book 4) by Jenn McKinlay

Publication Date: 11/05/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime 
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425260720
ISBN-13: 978-0425260722

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

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

Jenn McKinlay on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest

Books in the series:

Books Can Be Deceiving (2011), Due or Die (2012), Book, Line and Sinker (2012) Read it and Weep (2013)

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Read It And Weep, courtesy of the authors website.

Synopsis:

William Shakespeare is credited with inventing how many words?* 

Answering Shakespeare trivia comes with the job description for library director Lindsey Norris. But when the Briar Creek Community Theater mounts their newest production of the Bard, she has no intention of leaving the stacks for the stage. Unfortunately a villain is waiting in the wings…

Former Broadway actress Violet La Rue is holding auditions for A Midsummer Night’s Dream—and everyone from the sour spinster librarian Ms. Cole to Lindsey’s youthful library pages are trying out for parts. Brought in to play the mischievous Puck is the flirtatious professional actor Robbie Vine, who seems to have eyes for Lindsey. Before her blush has faded, the Bard’s dream turns into a nightmare—when one of the cast is poisoned. Now Lindsey and her crafternooners must take center stage to unmask the culprit before the final curtain call…

Thoughts:

The fourth book in the Library Lover's Mystery series, Read It And Weep will have Jenn McKinlay fans enthralled. This is a great example of what a cozy mystery should be. McKinlay dabbles in the darker side of humanity but still manages to keep the book light and fun despite the circumstances. Public library awareness, as well as, local theatre support are ideas that permeate this book and readers will love all of the background knowledge and tidbits that the characters provide. With an idyllic setting, a complex and thrilling mystery and a surprise ending, this is one cozy fans won't want to miss!

Jenn McKinlay is a very good cozy mystery writer. She has several series' to her credit, but I have to admit that I am a bit partial to the Library Lover's series. Being a real book nerd, the Library is one of my favorite places on the planet. McKinlay being a librarian herself understands the ins and outs of what makes a library a special place in the community and that knowledge lends an authenticity to the setting and what happens there. 

The town of Briar Creek, Connecticut is a great cozy setting as well. It has that New England feel and the small town charm that readers generally expect with a good cozy series. I think McKinlay has done an excellent job of making the inhabitants of her fictional town come alive. Now in the fourth book in this series, fans know who these people are and what they can expect from there, but McKinlay is certainly not past surprising us. There is a twist in this one that I bet most readers wouldn't even dream of.

The community theatre aspect of this book was also something that I liked. I think these kinds of community events are so important in small and large towns a like. I think it inspires people who may never have thought they could possess a talent for something to try their wings and new possibilities. I loved this theme and thought it played very well with the mystery. A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of my all time favorite pieces of literature. Shakespeare being a particular favorite of mine. It added an interesting plot point and added a great chemistry to the story.

Lindsay is once again at her best. She is has one of those inquiring minds that readers love. There is a fine line between research and sleuthing and Lindsay can hop back and forth across it with ease. I liked the concept of a love triangle developing between Lindsay and one of the actors and her ex-boyfriend Sully, who is a real fan favorite. It added a human element to the story and character development. I can see lots of potential in where McKinlay is taking Lindsay's character. I think there will be a lot of good things coming up in this series.

The mystery aspect of the story, as always, was written to perfection. I figured it out a little bit before Lindsay did, but that only added to my surprise when the twist at the end became a factor. I think readers will really enjoy the new and old characters here. The suspects and motives and definitely the red herrings. McKinlay is one of the best in the genre and her latest book proves that out. 

Read It and Weep is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

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

About the Author:

The hardest decision Jenn McKinlay ever had to make 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 librarian. 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 the Hat Shop 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 Read It And Weep by Jenn McKinlay.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, November 20th.

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