Hitting the Books

Hitting the Books by Jenn McKinlay is the ninth book A Library Lover’s Mystery series. Lindsey Norris is the library director for Briar Creek Public Library in Briar Creek, Connecticut. Linsey is tired from a late night of reading so during crafternoon she finds herself staring out the window (and avoiding holding a baby). She sees Theresa Huston, a local tennis coach, get hit by a car that then speeds away. The same car almost hits Charlie Peyton outside the Blue Anchor. Theresa ends up with a broken leg three weeks before her wedding to Larry Milstein. The car belonged to Kayla Manning who had reported it stolen. The pilfered car is later found with borrowed library materials inside. Before Lindsey can discover who checked out the items, Theresa is attacked in her home. Someone is determined to do away with the bride-to-be. Lindsey delves into the library records in hopes of discovering the identity of the guilty party. The killer makes another attempt which sends Lindsey into overdrive to unravel the clues and expose the predator. Will Theresa make it to her wedding? Jenn McKinlay never fails to deliver an entertaining cozy mystery. I have read every book in this series and look forward to the latest release each year. It is like visiting old friends when I pick up A Library Lover’s Mystery. Hitting the Books could be read as a standalone, but I believe it would be beneficial to read Books Can Be Deceiving first. It is the first novel in A Library Lover’s Mystery series and it will give you the background on the characters. I thought Hitting the Books was well-written with a nice, steady pace. Briar Creek is a welcoming small town with pleasant townspeople. Lindsey Norris is a smart, friendly and caring woman who is the head librarian for Briar Creek. Her best friend and children’s librarian, Beth is a woman who really loves her job. I like the various costumes she wears to entertain the children’s during story time (she is clever). Lindsey and Captain Mike Sullivan are now living together, and it is an adjustment. I can understand Lindsey not enjoying Mike’s cheery whistling so early in the morning (that would be annoying). I felt there was too much time devoted to the romance, but I like seeing this pair together. Lindsey is worried about the future (marriage, kids) and needs to work through a few concerns. The mystery was intriguing. There are good clues that will aid readers in solving the crime before the solution is revealed. My rating for Hitting the Books is 4 out of 5 stars. The ending will have fans of the series smiling. Hitting the Books has friendly characters, a charming town, a cozy library, a perplexing mystery, a sweet romance and a cute dog.

When a stack of library materials is found at the scene of a hit and run, library director Lindsey Norris finds herself dragged into the investigation as the police try to link the driver of the stolen car to the person who borrowed the books. Before Lindsey can delve into the library's records, the victim of the hit and run, Theresa Houston, suffers another "accident" and the investigation shifts from driver negligence to attempted homicide. A clue surfaces in the confiscated library materials that could crack open the case and it is up to Lindsey to piece it all together. Things are not as they seem in the sleepy town of Briar Creek and when the driver of the stolen car turns up dead. Lindsey, her staff, and her library friends have to hit the books before the murderer gets the last word. -- Series: A Library Lover’s Mystery - Book 9 Author: Jenn McKinlay Genre: Cozy Mystery/ Library Publisher: Berkley Publishing Date: September 11, 2018 Hitting the Books is Jenn McKinlay’s ninth book in the “A Library Lover’s Mystery” series. This series is going strong and only gets better with each new addition. The characters are well rounded, likable and even lovable in many cases. Ms. McKinlay’s writing is superb, there are few mistakes, and the flow is smooth. Her characters hold true from beginning to end, and with each new addition to the series, they feel more and more real. It's very easy to think of someone, friend or relative who a particular character reminds you of him or her. Lindsey is horrified when she sees her friend, Theresa mowed down by a car in what appears to be a deliberate hit and run. When other attempts threaten Theresa’s life, Lindsey jumps in to solve the mystery before Theresa ends up a victim of a killer bound and determined to put an end to her. Lindsey is adjusting to her new life with her live-in boyfriend, Sully but it isn’t all champagne and roses. His incessant whistling every morning is driving her crazy, she’s not sure how much more she can take. Lindsey is much like anyone who is coming to grips with a new living arrangement. It is easy for the reader to empathize with her. Adjusting to living with someone is hard on most people, especially those who are used to being in their own space and doing whatever they want, whenever they want. Top all of this off with Lindsey worrying about her friend Theresa, and you have a situation that sooner or later will come to a head. All the characters in this book and series are written well and have enormous appeal. The characters are multifaceted and rich, with lives that readers can relate to. The location is wonderful and makes the reader want to explore every inch. The town is not described in detail in this installment, but if the reader goes back to the beginning of the series, they will have a better understanding of what the town is made up of and where it is located. This book can stand on its own but is more enjoyable if the reader has a good idea of the dynamic between the characters. Overall I recommend Hitting the Books to anyone who enjoys a great who-done-it with a side plot that will have you guessing up to the end.