Another great entry in the series! A return to the fun setting of Dharma and some significant time with long running secondary characters made The Grim Reader more than just another cozy. While the mystery wasn't as tricky as some previous books, it still keeps you guessing with several excellent red herrings. Book lovers and wine lovers will both enjoy this cozy mystery.

It is difficult to believe that we are 14 titles into this entertaining series by the talented Kate Carlisle. Heroine Brooklyn Wainwright has lost none of her appeal and the books at this point are like a family reunion for the many characters in Brooklyn's orbit. In fact, I couldn't think of one that didn't make an appearance in The Grim Reader, where, once again, there is a rare book worth killing for. That book this time is Little Women, wonderful timing given the success of the recent movie.

Brooklyn's bookbinding skills are not as highly showcased in this adventure, but, as usual, those who are fascinated by books will learn more about the featured title and its history. The action takes place mostly in Brooklyn's hometown of Dharma in the Sonoma Valley, and, once again, readers will also get some tips on wine and wine making. At the end of the book, there are also recipes for the enticing food mentioned through the book.

The mystery itself is probably not the strongest in the series, but the reader will be so charmed by Brooklyn, her security expert husband Derek, and the quirky members of her immediate and extended families and friends, that the reader won't care. It is just a pleasure to spend a few hours in Brooklyn's world.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

The bibliophile mysteries is one of my favorite series. Brooklyn Wainwright, restorer of rare books, never fails to become embroiled in murder. Brooklyn, along with new husband security expert ,Derek, are in her hometown Dharma, for their first annual book festival that her mother is running. There is a bully however who is trying to push his way onto the committee for his own gains. As Brooklyn’s mother thwarts him, he threatens her, and has created enemies in town wherever he goes. So when a dead body is discovered, Brooklyn assumes it will be him, and not the co-chair of the committee.
Along with family and friends, another murder, a few red herrings, this is another page turner of a mystery, pun intended. I love reading about the details of book restoration, a welcoming bonus in this series. Slower paced than some of her precious mysteries, I still enjoyed reading this book, and always look forward to the next. In the back there is a readers guide that asks if you’d like the mysteries set in San Francisco or Dharma, and I have to say SF, as I think there is sometimes too much of a zaniness in Dharma.