The Grim Reader

The Grim Reader by Kate Carlisle is the 14th A Bibliophile Mystery. I have read each book in this entertaining series, but The Grim Reader can be read as a standalone (but, really, why would you want to). I have enjoyed following Brooklyn from the very beginning. Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookbinder who specializes in rare books. She lives in San Francisco with her dashing husband, Derek Stone and their adorable cat, Charlie. Derek and Brooklyn are in Dharma, Brooklyn’s hometown, for the first annual Dharma Book Festival. This festival is featuring Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and will include a one-night performance of Little Women—the musical (it was performed on Broadway). Brooklyn’s mother, Becky Wainwright is co-chair of the festival committee and she has been having a difficult time with Jacob Banyan. Jacob has been acquiring wineries in the area by dubious means and turning their fine vintage into a box wine which has the other winery owners up in arms. Jacob threatens Becky more than once in an attempt to get his way. I like that all the women in the Wainwright family are strong and creative. Brooklyn is a spitfire just like her mother. The Grim Reader contains Kate Carlisle’s signature writing style which is engaging. The story is narrated by Brooklyn. I was quickly drawn into the book which moved along at a quick page. The mystery was intriguing with a murder or two, an attempt on Becky’s life, and missing money. While I narrowed in on my choice of killer early on, my interest did not wane. I kept turning the pages quickly so I could see how the whodunit would play out. The reveal scene was a delightful and creative. The dialogue is witty and provided me with many laughs. Brooklyn does a little book restoration in this story, but not as much as in other books. I missed Brooklyn doing a creative, unique paper project. Of course, Brooklyn is busy visiting family, preparing for the festival, keeping her mother safe, playing with Charlie, and repairing a first edition copy of Little Women. There are some delectable culinary delights in this book that will have your mouth watering. Thankfully, there are recipes at the end of the book. There are some great tidbits regarding Little Women in the book. The Grim Reader is a story that takes me on a journey into Brooklyn’s world that I was sad to see end. I cannot wait for the next A Bibliophile Mystery to come out next year. My favorite line comes from Brooklyn when she said, “Couldn’t we stumble across a poisoning once in a while.” Poor Brooklyn has an aversion to blood. One of Brooklyn’s other lines that had me laughing is, “So suck it up buttercup.” The Grim Reader is a compelling cozy mystery with a big bully, committee chaos, beaucoup blood, missing money, a bounty of books, and a fun festival.

Brooklyn is back in The Grim Reader. This time the whole family is involved in the action as the setting of the story is the charming Dharma community. Everyone has gathered for Dharma's first annual book fair, centered around one of my favorite books of all time Little Women. As usual Kate Carlisle doesn't disappoint. Her books always draw me in, her characters are inviting and the plot moves quickly. I always find myself wanting to learn more about book restoration. I highly recommend The Grim Reader, and if you haven't read the other 13 books in the series I recommend that you read them all.

The Grim Reader is the latest installment in Kate Carlisle's Bibliophile Mystery series. I personally love this series. The recurring characters and the fresh storyline takes the reader on a journey through rare books, tasty food, good wine and murder. Intrepid book conservator, Brooklyn Wainwright and her husband Derek, an ex-MI-6 agent are back in Dharma to help kick off the first annual book festival featuring Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. When one of the festival committee members ends up dead it is up to Brooklyn and Derek to catch the killer before he or she strikes again. This is a fun and suspenseful mystery with some yummy recipes. It would be an excellent selection for book clubs to try.