Books Can Be Deceiving: A Library Lover’s Mystery by Jenn McKinlay

              I found this Library Lover’s mystery series because I came across one of its books in a Little Free Library.  As usual, the book I found was not the first in the series.  In fact, it was pretty far down the line, making it even more important that I start for the beginning.  Not that I wouldn’t have anyways.        

                Lindsey Norris is the new director of the Briar Creek Public library.  Even though she is new to this small, northeast town, pretty much everyone loves what Lindsey is doing with the library.  Everyone except for Ms. Cole, the head of Circulation.  She is a very disapproving woman who constantly brings up the previous library director as though his methods were the only way to do anything.  Fortunately, Lindsey has the support of the library board, so she doesn’t have to worry too much about Ms. Cole’s antics.

                What Lindsey does have to worry about is her friend Beth.  Beth found out that her recent ex-boyfriend Rick stole the children’s book she had been working on, and it’s about to be published.  Furious, Beth goes to confront Rick, bringing Lindsey along for support.  What they find is Rick dead.

                Since Beth was away from Lindsey for a few moments, and she was angry with Rick, the chief of police, Chief Daniels, is convinced that Beth is the culprit.  Without any desire to look at any other possible suspects, it is fortunate that the state police are called in, otherwise Beth would be arrested on the spot.  Having the state police come to help also gives Lindsey time to figure out what really happened to Rick and clear Beth’s name.

                Other then Ms. Cole and Chief Daniels, this town is full of great characters.  Even the state police officer Detective Trimble is a good character.  I’m hoping he returns, although I have a feeling he may cause a love triangle with Lindsey and the boat captain, Sully.  Lindsey and Sully aren’t a couple yet, but it surely seems to be headed in that direction.

                While at the moment I would not put Ms. Cole in the category of great characters, I suspect there’s a lot more to her than it currently appears.  That may all come out slowly as Ms. Cole gets used to Lindsey and the changes she is making at the library.  Or it may not.  I will have to read more of the series to find that out.

                As much as I enjoyed this book and the mystery, there is one thing that didn’t get resolved, and it really bothers me.  That one thing is whether or not Beth got credit for the book Rick stole.  I certainly hope that she did, but I don’t know if that is the case.