A Merry Little Murder Plot - (Library Lover's Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay

Book Synopsis

'Tis the season in Briar Creek, and this year festivities become fatalities in the newest Library Lover's Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Fatal First Edition.

During the most wonderful time of the year, famous author Helen Monroe arrives in Briar Creek to be the writer in residence, but her "bah humbug" attitude excludes her from the many local holiday celebrations. To try to spread some Christmas cheer, library director Lindsey Norris invites the new writer in town to join her crafternoon club. Helen politely refuses and when an altercation happens between Helen and another patron, Lindsey begins to suspect the author has been keeping to herself for a reason.

Another newcomer, Jackie Lewis, reveals she's visiting Briar Creek to be near Helen because she believes they are destined to meet. Having dealt with a stalker in the past, Lindsey feels compelled to tell Helen about Jackie, as she suspects that Helen is unaware her "number one" fan is in town.

When Jackie's body is later discovered in the town park beneath the holiday-light display with a copy of Helen's latest manuscript in her hand, the reclusive novelist becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her self-proclaimed mega-fan. Helen's frosty demeanor melts when Lindsey offers her help, and now the librarian and her crafternoon pals must prove the author innocent before "The End" becomes Helen's final sentence.

Review Quotes

"The small-town Connecticut, seaside setting during the Christmas season, details of running a library while combating efforts to ban books, and plot twists add up to a satisfying holiday cozy."
--Booklist

"A pleasant addition to the longtime Library Lover's Mysteries series."
--Kirkus

Praise for the New York Times bestselling Library Lover's Mysteries

"A sparkling setting, lovely characters, books, knitting, and chowder! What more could any reader ask?"
--Lorna Barrett, New York Times bestselling author

"Terrific...intelligent, lively, and fun."
--Miranda James, New York Times bestselling author

"Sure to charm cozy readers everywhere."
--Ellery Adams, New York Times bestselling author

"[A] fast-moving, tricky tale that kept me guessing at every turn...[A] must read!"
--Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author

"What a great read!...McKinlay has been a librarian, and her snappy story line, fun characters, and young library director with backbone make for a winning formula."
--Library Journal

"A gifted storyteller, Jenn McKinlay writes a mystery that combines the challenges of wedding planning with the search for the killer in a very engaging narrative."
--Fresh Fiction

"Full of sass, charm, and page-turning suspense!"
--Woman's World

"Word to the Wise is another superbly crafted mystery novel by a true master of the genre. An inherently fascinating and compelling read from cover to cover, Word to the Wise is very highly recommended."
--Midwest Book Review

"Rarely does a clean-as-a-whistle cozy qualify as riveting, but this one definitely does."
--Publishers Weekly

"A mystery set in a library just feels right.... McKinlay lets the first third of the story breathe, effectively ramping up the tension.... and the conclusion is a wild ride indeed."
--BookPage (Starred Review)

"Jenn McKinlay really knows how to keep readers enthralled until the very last page of her books. I loved this one."
--Suspense Magazine

"Anyone who thinks the word cozy somehow equals slight and superficial ought to read Jenn McKinlay's Word to the Wise. The ordeal of the heroine battling a stalker is oh so real and harrowing. The characters are fully fleshed out and the coastal setting is appealing. A really enjoyable read."
--Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author

"Jenn McKinlay's books are always charming, endearing, and instantly engaging--but McKinlay's secret sauce is her deep understanding of human nature, her superb talent for storytelling, and the most desirable of skills: her unmatched ability to entertain, enlighten, and delight."
--Hank Phillippi Ryan, Five-time Agatha winner and author of Trust Me

"A master class in the cozy mystery!"
--Lucy Burdette, national bestselling author of A Deadly Feast

About the Author

Jenn McKinlay is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. Her work has been translated into multiple languages in countries all over the world. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with kids, pets, and her husband's guitars.