This book starts out in Chicago, where Lindsey Norris and her husband, Sully, are attending the annual archivist convention. Lindsey is having a fantastic time, and that includes the train trip back home to Connecticut. Quite a few of the attendees are also on the train. However, when Lindsey wakes up the next morning, someone is dead in the compartment next to her and Sully. Does it have anything to do with the valuable first edition that Lindsey stumbled upon during the keynote address?

One thing I love about cozy mysteries are the familiar locations and characters, so I was happy to see this book found an excuse to spend a lot of time at home while continuing the plot. The series regulars gave us some great laughs. Meanwhile, the plot zigs in a different direction part way through, and I was hooked as a result. Unfortunately, it did make the climax a bit rushed, although it was still logical. Fans will be pleased with this entry in the series. If you haven’t started these books yet, you’ll be happy you changed that.

Librarian Lindsey and her husband Sully travel to an Archivist convention. On the way home via train, a man is murdered and they get involved in the investigation. ARC from NetGalley.

Fatal First Edition by Jenn McKinlay, book fourteen in the Library Lover’s Mystery series, has Lindsey and friends once again solving a mystery; this time, a murder on a train filled with librarians during a snow storm. Lindsey and her husband, Sully, take the train to attend a book conference. While there, she discovers a possibly valuable book has been left under her seat. Seeking advice from well known archivist Brooklyn, they learn its quite rare. Brooklyn and her husband Derek, well known charters from Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile series, give a cameo appearance.

On the train ride home, Lindsey and Sully discover that many of the convention attendees, including the director of the convention Henry, are also on board. Unfortunately a murder was committed on the overnight train ride, killing Henry, the man in the train compartment next to Lindsey and Sully’s. The investigation, along with an unexpected blizzard, keeps all the suspects in town as they solve the mystery. Lindsey can’t help but get involved as this particular criminal is making it personal; especially after they kidnap Sully. A fast paced story with twists and turns that kept me guessing.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

One of my absolute favorite cozy series for so many reasons! As usual there are lots of great and interesting bookish connections in the story, and I feel like this one did a great job connecting the plot of this mystery with the book being primarily referenced. I was nervous when this started that it wasn't immediately set in Briar Creek and that we'd miss out on the crafternoon group and all the delightful characters that populate this series, but we do get into town for further investigation.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Berkley Publishing for the free book! #berkleypartner

Librarian Lindsey Norris and her husband Sully attend a conference to hear noted book restoration specialist Brooklyn Wainwright speak. Lindsey finds a valuable first edition of Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train, inscribed to Alfred Hitchcock. When a series of events make Lindsay and Sully appear to be book thieves responsible for a suspicious death, she must clear their names. 

 McKinlay takes the reader on an entertaining ride with nods to classic mystery tropes and pop culture references in this solidly plotted, enjoyable mystery. We get a murder on a train, a blizzard that strands the suspects, a valuable book that once belonged to Hitchcock, and a nod to author Patricia Highsmith. The cross-over cameo featuring Brooklyn Wainwright from Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile series adds even more fun for cozy mystery lovers. 

This is the fourteenth book in the Library Lover’s series, but it would work as a stand-alone. Visiting the world of Briar Creek, Connecticut, is always delightful. Lindsey is a bright, likable sleuth, a librarian who solves crimes. This time, the stakes for her are high and become very personal, but she is surrounded by a great cast of quirky characters in the Briar Creek regulars who bring camaraderie and humor. The cast is warm and inviting, as is the writing. McKinley's style lends itself well to this fast-paced, intriguing mystery. The way the author wove in all the elements surrounding the valuable book and the inspiration from Highsmith was cleverly done and fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend both this book and the entire series!

Loved the visitors from another series. The mystery kept me guessing. I love all the characters, it really is like visiting with friends.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest

Fatal First Edition
By Jenn McKinlay
Berkley
February 2024

Review by Cynthia Chow

Nothing can get a bibliophile more excited than a book-themed conference, where attendees can learn more about innovations in their field while mingling with other like-minded book addicts. That is why Briar Creek Library Director Lindsey Norris is thrilled to be attending the Annual Archivists Convention in Chicago, especially since her husband Mike “Sully” Sullivan joins her when not visiting his old Navy buddies. Lindsey’s enjoyment of the riveting lecture by a special guest book restorer is hampered a bit by a rude conference attendee kicking the seat behind her, but it leads to the surprise of a tote bag inadvertently shoved under her seat. Lindsey is shocked to find in the bag a signed edition of Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, a book worth over $10,000. The rather rude director of the conference swoops in and hands it over to his assistant for Lost and Found, but on the train ride back home the book goes missing and the director Henry Standish brutally murdered.

Lindsey and Sully had thought that the train ride home was both a bargain and romantic, but now they have a train filled with suspects about to disperse into the wild. As fortune would have it, a storm grants the police an excuse to keep them all in Briar Creek until the blizzard clears, giving them all a ticking clock on tracking down the culprit. Henry Standish had lost a client due to accusations of failing to detect fraudulent books, but the subsequent theft of all of those items cast enough doubt that he was still made the conference director. There is an abundance of archivists hungering to take over his position, and one of those just happens to be the woman who brought to light the counterfeit books and cost Henry his job. Lydia Armand is but one of those who battled with the arrogant director though, as he belittled his assistant while numerous – very charming - book collectors were vying for Highsmith’s book. When Sully goes missing Lindsey fears the worst, so she and her library crafternooners will do everything they can to solve the mystery of the murder on the train and find the book thief who is stopping at nothing to win the prize.

This 14th of the series starts off with a fun departure by exploring the book conference world, but it quickly returns to the familiar Briar Creek Library and Connecticut setting. A Reader’s Guide for Strangers on a Train is included at the end, but the author is careful throughout the novel to not spoil anything for those who have yet to delve into this iconic book and Hitchcock movie. Lindsey being friends with the police chief allows the women to work together to solve the case, and the librarian uses her book knowledge and connections to put together the clues for an unexpected but satisfying conclusion. There are enough new characters introduced to make this an easy entry for those unfamiliar with the series, especially with the unexpected crossover cameo by Brooklyn Wainwright, a book restoring specialist from Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile mystery series. The immediate immersion into the book conference, followed by the romantic train ride, all lead to an action filled-ending and twisty conclusion. The witty dialogue and comfortable banter between characters reflects their close bonds and long histories, making this the ultimate cozy read for book lovers and classic mystery fans.

If you're in the mood for a book that's just plain fun to read, pick up Jenn McKinlay's Fatal First Edition. Although this is one of my favorite series and I would love you to read all fourteen books in it, I think you could pick this one up and not feel confused about the characters and their lives if you don't have the time to invest in the entire series. (But don't blame me if you read it and find yourself looking up all the others.)

There are so many elements that make Fatal First Edition a winner. There's the cameo appearance by book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright, the main character in Kate Carlisle's excellent Bibliophile series. There are ties to master mystery writer Patricia Highsmith and master filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock through Highsmith's Strangers on a Train. There's train travel for those of you who haven't had the pleasure (and those of us who have). Even the weather cooperates by providing a blizzard during the hunt for the killer.

With all these elements comes a first-rate cast that I consider part of my fictional family. When a character's life is in danger, I was reminded of how I think McKinlay could be an extremely talented thriller writer. She definitely had me turning the pages as fast as I could.

After this thrill ride of a mystery, I can't wait to see what is next in store for intrepid librarian Lindsey Norris. Hurry up with the next book, Jenn!

inlay brings so many fun elements together in her latest Library Lover’s Mystery, Fatal First Edition. There’s a murder on a train with a closed group of suspects, a cameo appearance from Kate Carlisle’s book restorer character, Brooklyn Wainwright and her husband, Derek, and references to a few other authors. But, the best element is the first edition itself, a signed copy of Strangers on a Train, signed by Patricia Highsmith to Alfred Hitchcock.

Library Director Lindsey Norris, and her husband, Sully, are at an archivists convention in Chicago. One of the last programs features book restorer Brooklyn Wainwright. When Lindsey reaches under her chair for her tote, she finds a bag containing a signed first edition of Strangers on a Train. Lindsey shows it to Brooklyn, who only has a brief glimpse, but guesses it’s the real deal, and it’s worth a great deal of money. Lindsey turns it over to Henry Standish, the conference director, to return the book to the rightful owner.

The train back to Briar Creek, Connecticut is filled with people from the convention, including Henry, his assistant, and a woman who was responsible for Henry’s firing from his position as a billionaire’s archivist. There are a few tense moments in the dining car, witnessed by Lindsey and Sully. But, it’s the nighttime that is most disturbing. Lindsey blames her restlessness on watching “Strangers on a Train” before bed. She hears thumps from the compartment next door, and when she gets up to investigate, a number of people seem to be disturbed in the middle of the night. Lindsey feels guilty the next morning when a body is found in that next door compartment. And, someone hid that first edition back in Lindsey’s bag during all the disturbance.

If Briar Creek hadn’t been the next railroad stop, Lindsey would have been in trouble. There she is with a signed first edition, and a body in the compartment next to hers. But, Police Chief Emma Plewicki is a friend. However, it doesn’t help Lindsey’s nerves when Sully disappears in the middle of a blizzard.

McKinlay throws everything at the reader in the latest book, and it makes for an entertaining read. Longtime fans of the series will be pleased when the Crafternoon women come to Lindsey’s rescue in her last ditch attempt to solve the mystery.

I really liked this book. I love how right from the first chapter I felt like I was right back with my old friends and continuing on a new journey. Highly recommend if you have never read Jenn McKinlay or especially if you've followed along with this series.

This was such a fun read! I've really enjoyed this series so I'm always glad to visit Lindsey and Sully and the rest of the Briar Creek world. This one was a bit different - the book starts with Lindsey and Sully at an archivist convention complete with appearance from Brooklyn Wainwright from Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile series. Then there's a murder on a train, a stolen book, and other shenanigans. Characters may or may not be who they say they are and a good time is had by the reader.

I flew through this book and couldn't wait to see how everything came together. I guessed a few points but the bulk of the story kept me guessing. My only complaint is that we didn't get quite enough Ms. (excuse me - Mayor) Cole or the rest of the library crew. This was an entertaining read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This is book 14 in the Library Lover’s Mystery series and I have to admit it is the first I’ve read, but I thought it worked well as a standalone. I’m sure I would have been more attached to the characters if I had read the prior books, but there was enough explanation that I understood them and it worked. Library Director Lindsey went to a book archivist convention in Chicago and her husband came too (this made sense, but why did he go with her to the sessions, that was weird). While there she finds a super rare book under her seat. Many of the convention attendees including the director of the convention Henry took the train home and unfortunately a murder was committed on the overnight train ride. Lindsey can’t help but ask some questions and the more she knows the more she needs to keep digging because this particular criminal is making it personal. Overall a good cozy mystery and this is a series I will read more of.

Lindsey Norris stumbles across more dead bodies than any library director should have to deal with, but they all seem to be around the Briar Creek area where she lives with her husband Sully. Surely a trip out of town to a library conference will be a nice change of pace, right? And there is the added benefit of getting to hear the keynote address by famed book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright. (This crossover appearance is also a plus for fans of the Bibliophile Mystery series). But, alas, Lindsey becomes entangled in another murder investigation after she finds a signed first edition of <i>Strangers on a Train</i>. She turns in the book to the conference director, but on the way home there is a death on the train that she, Sully, and several other conference attendees, are aboard.

Readers follow along as Lindsey, Sully, and their friend Emma Plewicki, the police chief of Briar Creek, try to unravel the connections between people and events. There were several conflicts between those at the conference, past relationships, current rivalries, etc. Is the death related to those? Or is it all centered around the book dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock (just to throw another famous mystery name into the mix). It doesn't help that a snowstorm strands all the suspects in Briar Creek and traps them in the hotel, or that the roads are nearly impassable. As the unknown culprit remains on the loose there are more incidents - rooms and homes broken into, assaults, a kidnapping, and someone even leaves Lindsey's dog Heathcliff out in the storm. Animal cruelty on top of everything else!

Over the years the Library Lover's Mystery series has seen Lindsey and Sully deal with all sorts of book-related situations. A dead body found in a secret room located in a posh home library. A murdered tourism director found at the site of a search for pirate treasure. The body of the library board president found in the library's stacks during a fundraiser. Whoever thought that librarians lead quiet lives will have their opinion changed by these captivating stories. Although it is fun to read them in order and see the relationships between all the characters develop, they are also satisfying to read as stand-alone adventures.

If you know a library lover or mystery lover, this book is coming out just in time for Valentine's Day - so make their holiday special with a little mayhem to unravel.

Lindsey Norris, the director of Briar Creek Public Library, is in Chicago for the annual archivist’s convention with her husband, Sully. After one lecture, she discovers a rare and extremely valuable first edition of Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train has been placed in her tote bag. She returns the book to the conference director, Henry Standish, but the next day, as they are returning home by train, Henry is found dead, and the book is missing. Lindsay and Sully are determined to figure out what has happened, but the murderer may be watching them.

My Thoughts

A murder on a train filled with librarians during a snow storm. What’s not to love? Even when the suspects were moved off of the train, they were taken to a lovely little seaside community with a charming inn in the middle of a blizzard. So cosy!

All the characters were nicely developed - even the cat and dog had distinct personalities. Lindsay’s friend group, a wonderful assortment of talented women, is exceptionally loyal and creative. The way in which gossip was telegraphed around town made it feel very authentic to small town living.

At the start of the book, as the conference director was announcing one of the country’s best book restoration specialists, I thought, wouldn’t it be neat if it was Brooklyn Wainwright, the protagonist of Kate Carlisle’s bibliophile mysteries. And it was! I was thrilled! It was a fun crossover.

This was a very enjoyable book.

I love Jenn McKinlay’s Hat Shop mysteries and Cupcake Bakery mysteries, so I don’t know how I managed to miss her Library Lovers mystery series. Having discovered it, I will absolutely go back to the beginning and read the whole series!

I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fatal First Edition is the most recent addition to the Library Lover’s Mystery Series by Jenn McKinlay. I have enjoyed other cozy mysteries by McKinlay, and Fatal First Edition did not disappoint. I have not read all the books in this series and look forward to catching up while waiting for the next installment. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A library conference, a missing book that shows up in Lindsey’s belongings, a train ride home complete with a murder, several suspects and motives, the missing book (again), a blizzard, and help from friends, all add up to a fun whodunit. Who committed the crime and why do Lindsey and her husband, Sully, keep being dragged into it? Is someone trying to frame them?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is one of my very favorite cozy series, and I’m always thrilled when a new installment is released.
Here, newlyweds Lindsey Norris and her husband Sully are at a rare book conference in Chicago. One of the presenters is Brooklyn Wainwright, protagonist of Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mysteries. Lindsey is, of course, a huge fan (as am I!) and welcomes the chance to meet one of her idols while showing her a first edition of Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train that she’s stumbled across.
The book is whisked away for safekeeping by the director of the conference, although the astute reader is already aware that it will reappear later in the story.
On the train trip back home, Lindsey and Sully learn that the Highsmith book is valuable enough that someone would commit murder for it.
This is a wonderful homage to locked-room mysteries, Patricia Highsmith, and Agatha Christie. Jenn McKinlay is to be congratulated!

Though the story surrounds a missing first edition of Stranger on a Train by Patricia Highsmith with notes from Alfred Hitchcock, Fatal First Edition begins with all the usual characters and feelings of Murder on the Orient Express. This book could have been a closed-room mystery, but Jenn McKinley conveniently brought the train to Briar Creek Station so her friends could be part of the adventure.

The second crack in the story was that Sully had gone missing while delivering groceries to people on the surrounding islands during a blizzard -- in his water taxi. Nope. That didn’t work. Islanders would know to be prepared and not need a last-minute grocery run. That part didn’t sit well with me. But how else could McKinley throw in a subplot?

Is the who-done-it obvious from the beginning? Not necessarily, I had my suspicions, but there was a slight twist and a convoluted explanation. Good thing reliable Robbie was there to re-explain it.

By the end, this could have been a novella. The story contained too much fluff, backstory, and twisty conclusion. By the 14th book in a series, followers already knew a quarter of what was on these pages.

Wow! Jenn McKinlay has done it again. An incredible cozy mystery! When Lindsey and Sully attend a conference in Chicago, they stumble on a rare book by accident. The train ride home leads to murder, suspects,and later a kidnapping! The crafter nooners help Lindsey more than anyone could guess. I loved how McKinlay always encourages the reader to try other titles such as Highsmith’s Strangers on the Train. There is even a reader’s guide at the end of the book. Definitely recommend this title as an incredible cozy mystery with well known characters from previous books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Jenn McKinley for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

I have been on this journey with Lindsey for so long so I was thrilled I got to read this right away. What I love about this book is Jenn brought in another MFC from Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile series so I was excited to see Brooklyn and Derek for a brief second. I love that Jenn likes to pepper in books from her IRL author friends.

In this book, Lindsey and her husband, Sully, take the train to watch a book conference. While there, she discovers a book left under her seat. When she hands it over to Brooklyn and the archivist, they note that its a very rare book. And what have we learned about rare books? People will kill to get their hands on them.

Very fast paced, kept me on the edge of my seat especially because poor Sully was kidnapped and I wanted to see the person or persons who did it caught right away.

Can't wait for the next one!