10th book in the Library Lovers Mystery Series.Lindsey is getting ready to wed Sully. But a creepy stalker gets in the way. As a librarian this series is high up on my list

Jenn McKinlay never disappoints. "Word to the Wise" is the tenth book in her Library Lover's Mystery Series and involves librarian, Lindsey Norris, having a stalker that just won't leave her alone. In addition, he has a very jealous wife and when her stalker is found dead, all clues point to Lindsey's fiancé, Sully.

I love this author so much, and I love all of her books. This is the 10th book in the series, and sadly I have not gotten to read the prior books in this particular series. I feel like I got lost amongst the various characters and storylines I did not already know, but it was still worth the read. This ARC is going to make me go back and read all the others. I would say in this particular type of genre, Jenn McKinlay is one of my two favorite authors. Tied for first place. This also has a super creepy feature of the fact stalking is involved. I did love the wedding aspect though. Who does not love a good wedding? But the creepy stalker kinda puts a damper on things. I loved this book and cannot wait to read more in the series. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 10 in the Library Lover's Mystery and is a great addition to the series. Could be read as a stand alone but you'll want background on all the returning characters. Lindsay and Sully are planning their wedding when a new resident in town starts stalking her. When he ends up dead Sully becomes the number one suspect. Many series tend to bog down when they get this many books but this one continues to be fun and interesting. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Jenn McKinley has a Word to the Wise in this next Library Lover's mystery; Lindsey Norris, head librarian, is getting married to Sully, a serving police officer. Then a stalker starts to harass her and Sully is implicated when the stalker is murdered. There are lots of suspects, but none quite fit. Whodunit?

In Word to the Wise, gardening enthusiast Aaron Grady’s dead body is found staged outside the library and all the clues point to Lindsay’s fiancé, Sully. Set in a charming coastal town and featuring a feisty young library director, this cozy mystery is entertaining, gripping and so much fun!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jenn McKinlay on my blog, about how she drew inspiration for Word to the Wise from her own experiences as a former librarian: https://www.vanessa-westermann.info/Jenn-McKinlay-interview

“Word to the Wise” earns 5/5 Suspicious Stalkers...Engaging!

Jenn McKinlay has brought book lovers a new treat with this tenth book in her Library Lover’s Mystery! Wedding. Stalker. Murder. Lindsay Norris, the library director, is prepping for her wedding, but a stalker takes an awkward interest. When the stalker ends up murdered, Lindsay’s fiancé is a prime suspect. A well-written cozy in the third-person narrative (not my favorite perspective, but done very well) incorporating an engaging mystery I couldn’t put down and rich characters delightful to follow. Although I thought I had it all worked out, the twists and turns kept me guessing with some tense moments and a just a touch of humor. Jenn is masterful with descriptive language and dialogue that does well to illustrate the various personalities, and her exploration of stalking and how each character reacts is fascinating and realistic. I highly recommend this book...check out the series!

The author that posts about making bad breakfast choices has outdone herself again. I think this may be my favorite installment in the Library Lovers series. The only thing I would have changed is to make it longer, and deepen the Grady character and his backstory. All the usual characters were back, and by now it's like running into family. This was definitely edgier than McKinlay usually goes, which I appreciated, as well as how she touched on today's social issues which I don't ever remember her doing in past books. It made Briar Creek feel a bit more real. This is my favorite cozy series and I recommend it to patrons and coworkers all the time, and I'm sad and impatient that I have to wait another year for the next adventure (and the wedding).

Ok, every cozy mystery, no matter how “cozy” is still really about a murder (or most of the of time, multiple murders) so none of the books are sunshine-and-rainbows, all-is-well books, but honestly, Word to the Wise freaked me out more than a little.

Grady’s character was SCARY. He wasn’t big or ugly and didn’t have special powers or a whole team of baddies behind him, but he is scary in a way that, unfortunately, many women know firsthand.

His behaviour towards Lindsey INFURIATED me and made me want to reach into the book and throttle him. McKinlay wrote him perfectly. Because not every “bad guy” out there is someone you can see coming – they can be unassuming, bland, quiet – the ones that people scoff at you and say “You have nothing to worry about.”.

Speaking of scoffing, some of the town’s people reactions to Lindsey’s concerns about Grady are also very spot-on with how the world often treats victims of stalkers or unwanted attention. McKinlay's does such a great job of writing Lindsey's experience that I was torn between holding my breath and screaming at the pages.

One big twist, of course, is that Grady himself becomes the murder victim. I couldn’t feel sorry for him but of course I was concerned because those that cared about Lindsey, especially Sully, were now the prime suspects.

One thing about reading a long-running series is that you become attached to some characters and each book seems like a long-overdue visit with old friends. In the Library Lover’s Mystery series, I’m definitely fans of Lindsey, Sully and their friends, Robbie and Emma (the police chief). I really enjoy the interactions between these four characters and could read chapters just with their banter alone.

The ending is satisfying and pretty much what I’ve come to expect from McKinlay. I’m looking forward to returning to Briar Creek and catching up with everyone in the next book.

p.s. Lemon for Mayor!!!

*** Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Word to the Wise, the tenth book in the Library Lover’s mystery series hits on a subject which is not common to cozy mysteries. Stalking is a not a subject to be joked about and Jenn McKinlay takes a delicate, yet strong, hand to the subject and the fear associated with it.

What begins as a normal day for library director Lindsay Norris turns into a frightening experience when a library patron takes a kind gesture and turns it into an open invitation for a relationship that was not offered. The stalking continues until Grady turns up dead on the steps of the library and Lindsay and her fiancé, Mike Sullivan, are named chief suspects. As Grady’s wife makes public accusations, no one is sure what is going on until Lindsay does some reverse photo identification and finds out not everyone is who they claim to be.

In the past, I did not hold this series to a high standard, the characters were created to be simple and naïve. The atmosphere and relationships are on the old-fashioned side, but once you get past that, the core friendships are what rises to the top. This book and its subject matter changed that. Jenn McKinley took a cozy mystery to a different dimension and in doing so opened the eyes of her readers.

Most of you are aware that I love this series as well as this author. It's one of the few series I'm actually current on so that tells you something. The mysteries are always fun, the small town atmosphere is so quaint that I can see myself living there (even though I vowed to live in a small town after growing up in one) and the characters are awesome. "Word to the Wise" is a strong addition to the series but I can't say that it was my favorite.

Lindsey and Sully are finally getting married and what should be a happy time is clouded by the appearance of a rose-growing stalker. This man is more persistent than the most tenacious weed and it's no real surprise, as well as no real loss, when he ends up dead. Once again Lindsey is thrown into trying to solve a murder to protect those she loves.

I pretty much had the mystery figured out about halfway through the novel but McKinlay still through a twist or two in at the end which kept me on my toes. The book manages to introduce a few new characters while still showing us plenty of our favorites and I like the direction the next book seems to be heading. Plus I give the book extra kudos for featuring Lindsey's pooch Heathcliff on the cover.

The only real negative I found in the book is at times it seemed to be pushing feminism too much. Now I'm all for that as well as equality but it felt almost forced at times and I'm not sure it needed to have such a strong presence in a cozy mystery.

If you haven't picked up this series and you love cozy mysteries, then you are really missing out. I hope McKinlay has no end in sight for this because this is one series that I am not tired of even though this is the 10th book in the series.

When I realised that this was the latest book in a series I decided to start from the beginning before reading this book. I was not disappointed. Every book was better than the last. As a librarian I can relate to a lot of this story but I also found the twists and turns very engaging. I think Word to the Wise is my favorite so far, mainly because we are seeing character growth not only from the protagonists but others as well. I am looking forward to the next installment.

WORD TO THE WISE is the tenth book in Jenn McKinlay’s “Library Lover’s” cozy mystery series, which follows library director Lindsey Norris as she acts as frequent amateur sleuth. In this installment, Lindsey is preparing for her wedding to her longtime beau when a library patron turns into a stalker. After working in a library for years myself and seeing this type of situation play out with librarians, this story sadly rings true. Fans of cozy mysteries often see the amateur sleuths in their favorite books as being “safe” no matter the circumstances. The story starts out in the quaint small town with familiar fun characters, when a sinister presence is introduced, turning things briefly into a nightmare for the main character.

The main characters are put into an interesting situation when Lindsey’s stalker is murdered. In this case, a lot of people are better off when Aaron Grady is murdered. The possibility that Lindsey must look for possible suspects among people who have been victimized by Grady is a tragic prospect, but it needs to be done in order to throw suspicion off her fiancée and herself. I like how Jenn McKinlay gives a realistic look at how some men in power react to stalking situations. Lindsey struggles to be taken seriously by men in the community she has known for years, and who should believe her. Trying to find out who killed Grady means digging into his past and discovering the twisted and tangled things in his background.

WORD TO THE WISE is heart-stopping and a mix of thrills and classic cozy mystery staples. I love how Lindsey’s friends, family, and co-workers act as fierce protectors and give her the support she needs, as she’s initially threatened and later as she’s hunting down clues. I look forward to Jenn McKinlay’s next book – whether it’s a cozy mystery or one of her contemporary romances.

Word to the Wise
(Library Lover's Mystery #10)
by Jenn McKinlay

Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Published September 3rd 2019 by Berkley


Goodreads synopsis:
It's no-holds-barred murder, in the latest page-turning Library Lover's Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Hitting the Books.

Lindsey Norris is finally getting married to the man of her dreams--but it's not all roses for Briar Creek's beloved library director, as gardening enthusiast and town newcomer Aaron Grady gives the term "book lover" a whole new meaning. Inappropriate looks and unwelcome late-night visits to Lindsey's house have everyone from the crafternooners to Lindsey's fiancé, Sully, on edge.

When Grady's dead body is found staged outside the library and all the clues point to Sully, Lindsey knows it's up to her to dig through the hidden chapters of Grady's previous life to find the real culprit and clear Sully's name. But becoming a thorn in the killer's side is not without its consequences, and the closer Lindsey gets to the truth, the more determined the murderer is to make her just a footnote.


***

4.5 Stars

This is the tenth book in the Library Lover’s series by Jenn McKinlay.

In this offering by McKinlay we see that Lindsey is being stalked by a seemingly nice man who just keeps showing up over and over with roses and declarations of how much he appreciates her help with keeping his rose garden alive during the drought. To Lindsey this is just her job. She directs people to the books they need. But Aaron Grady took this nice gesture in the completely wrong way. Suddenly Lindsey feels uncomfortable at the library which is unheard of in her mind.

Right after she spoke to the Mayor about Grady and he forced her to let him use the library like every other patron, the man ends up dead and the weapon used is owned by none other than her fiancee, Sully!

This book really does give you the creeps. It makes you realize how even nice gestures can seem threatening in the right circumstances. I wasn’t sure how Lindsey was going to get out of this situation but her quick thinking and unique research-esque perspective leads her to a number of revelations that even the police don’t dig up.

Since this is the tenth book in the series we see a such well rounded atmosphere and characters that it is refreshing and easy for the reader to wander around in awe of it all. I enjoyed this book, was creeped out by it and marveled at the conclusion.

I look forward to reading other books in this series and immersing myself into the library world of Lindsey Norris. Cozy mystery lovers will truly enjoy this series.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

4.5 stars. Great series, great characters. This mystery focused on a creepy, stressful stalker, and I really felt that along with the characters. Great twists and suspense. Fun character development for the overarching series - town politics, wedding plans, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the community effort on this case. This series is not slowing down. It's a must read for me. Series fans should NOT miss this one!

Word to the Wise is the tenth entertaining installment in A Library Lover’s Mystery series. If you have not read any of the previous books in the series, I do not recommend starting with Word to the Wise. You would be a little lost regarding the characters and their relationships. Jenn McKinlay skillfully tackles the serious topic of stalkers as well as online predators in Word to the Wise. We see how easily a stalker can fool people with their friendliness and lack of threatening demeanor. They are very careful to not break the law and use the law to their benefit. Of course, some people believe Lindsey is overreacting to Aaron Grady’s overtures and that she should be complimented by his attention. Stalking is one of those crimes that is hard to prosecute especially since the law has yet to catch up with disturbing crime. I believe the author accurately portrayed how victims feel and the attitudes of those around them (some are supportive, and others are not). I found Word to the Wise to be well-written and it proceeded along at an even pace. I love the characters in A Library Lover’s Mystery series. Beth Barker, the children’s librarian, is sweet and comes up with creative story hour ideas. She is wearing a bat costume in this book and Beth has some special news to share with her friends. Ms. Cole has changed from the lemon we first met her in Books Can Be Deceiving, and I was surprised by her decision in Word to the Wise. The rest of the Crafternooners are present with Violet and Nancy adding humor. There is an amusing scene between Robbie and Sully that will have you chuckling. The mystery was interesting with a good twist, but it was easily solved (that I found disappointing). Aaron Grady, in my opinion, is the creepiest villain Lindsey and the group has had to deal with to date. Unfortunately, Lindsey’s wedding planning takes a backseat while solving the whodunit. But her friends are ready to help especially with picking the cake flavor (cake for lunch). There is a section at the end that tells you what a crafternoon is and how to host one. I cannot wait for the next A Library Lover’s Mystery for the wedding of Lindsey and Sully. My favorite quote from the book is, “Life is uncertain—eat dessert first.” Word to the Wise has scary stalker, reeking roses, valuable friends, wedding work, a hound named Heathcliff, and one alarmed librarian.

What a delightful series! This was the first book in the series for me and HOLY COW! I don't know how I've missed such wonderful books, but I'm rectifying the situation immediately. The characters are charming and witty, with the perfect amount of mystery and intrigue.

"Word to the Wise" Book #10 of the Library Lover's Mystery Series by Jenn McKinlay is a cozy mystery with an edge! I absolutely LOVED this and highly recommend this book.

The setting is Briar Creek, where Lindsey is the Library Director, and who is also in the midst of planning and getting ready to marry Fiancée Captain Mike Sullivan "Sully". Enter Aaron Grady, a new comer in town, who is a gardening enthusiast, and who is also smitten with Lindsey. Grady's stalker behavior escalates, and later ends up murdered and Sully becomes the primary suspect. I truly enjoyed this cozy with a thriller undercurrent that gave me a bit of the creeps in the best way possible.

I enjoyed it so much that I devoured this book over the long week-end in an afternoon. I did not get up until I got through this addictive and thrilling cozy mystery. I also wanted to mention that I loved the Crafternoons mention in the story and made this a really cozy read feel for me. The Crafternoons are a group of book lovers discussing their current read, while also enjoying a meal and a craft activity. What I also loved is the bonus in the back of the book on discussion questions, a craft activity, and along with some recipes for a charcuterie board, Greek Salad Skewers and even a White Chocolate Cake with Raspberry filling.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Pub for the ebook ARC copy for my honest and objective review.

Wedding Plans, A Creepy Stalker, and Murder

Lindsay is finally getting married to Sully, but she’s finding wedding planning stressful An introvert, Lindsay hates being the center of attention as the bride-to-be. On top of the stress of wedding plans, the library attracts a new patron, Aaron Grady. He’s looking for books on gardening, but his main interest seems to be on Lindsay.

Aaron’s unwelcome attentions bring him into a conflict with Sully and leads to a fight. When Aaron’s body is discovered outside the library, Sully is a primary suspect. Lindsay can’t let Sully take the blame, so she begins sleuthing, but getting close to the killer can be dangerous.

The characters in this book are delightful. Lindsay is engaging in dealing with the library workers and patrons even though she prefers to be alone. Sully is attractive and so nice he’s almost unreal. Still, I like him. The other library workers are interesting characters and even Mrs. Cole, the lemon, becomes more likable.

The plot is interesting although it’s fairly easy to guess the murderer early in the book. However, the author does a good job with red herrings and twists to keep the reader interested. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this is a good one.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Sometimes the situations in cozy mysteries test credulity. Sometimes, they are completely plausible situations, and frankly, as a librarian, the set up of library director Lindsey dealing with a stalker after a simple reference interaction was scarily believable. I continue to love this series both for its great characters and plots, but also for the fact that Jenn McKinlay writes a fictional library and librarian in this one that are some of the most realistic I've read in fiction, from the typical reference questions to the difficult issue the city faced in how to handle Lindsey's stalker. Can't wait for more!