April 30, 2018
Carlisle’s charming 12th Bibliophile mystery (after 2017’s Once upon a Spine) finds book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright about to marry the love of her life, Derek Stone, in San Francisco. Her well-planned wedding weekend happens to coincide with the big National Librarians Association conference, but, as Derek points out, attending the conference will help distract her from any pre-wedding jitters. Overachieving Brooklyn knows she can balance both events, but then she runs into an old grad school friend, Heather Babcock, at the conference. Brooklyn is stunned to learn that Heather is still harboring bitter feelings toward her ex-boyfriend and Sara Martin, the ex-friend who stole him. Since Sara is also attending the conference, Brooklyn sets out to ensure that the two old friends make peace, but a murder spoils the reconciliation. Might murder also spoil Brooklyn’s wedding? Book lovers are in for a treat. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency.
May 1, 2018
The run-up to San Francisco bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright's wedding to security expert Derek Stone immerses her in a librarians' conference before the ceremony itself unfolds as a race between the minister and the meat wagon.Back in library school, Brooklyn and her roommates, Heather and Sara, were so tight that everyone called them the Three Musketeers. Then Sara stole Heather's boyfriend, Rod Martin, married him, and disappeared for 12 years. Now she's back as a surprise guest at the surprise party Brooklyn's family has thrown for her in between the events she's running at the conference of the National Librarians Association. Unfortunately, they've also invited Heather, whom Brooklyn hasn't seen for just as long. The reunion doesn't exactly go well, but both ex-friends do present the bride-to-be with rare first editions of particularly meaningful books. One of these volumes turns out to be (1) exceptionally valuable and (2) fake, and the fraught atmosphere becomes even fraughter when Brooklyn, despite bridling against conventioneers who press her about her proclivity for finding dead bodies (Once upon a Spine, 2017, etc.), goes hunting with Derek for Sara and finds her dead in a hotel basement, buried under the cartons of books her boss had ordered her to bring over to the conference. Fans of the series will be too savvy to worry whether Brooklyn will solve the case in time to tie the knot with Derek. Instead, they'll be focused on the important things, like the moment when Brooklyn tells the knife-wielding killer who's grabbed her moments before the ceremony, "You get one drop of blood on this dress and you're a dead man."Books, fashion, cocktails, tearful displays of affection, and more books. Oh, and half a dozen appended recipes, because weddings make everyone hungry, especially when they've just witnessed another near murder.
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June 1, 2018
The 12th entry in Carlisle's bookish cozy series (Once Upon a Spine) finds book restorer Brooklyn Wainwright days away from her wedding to hunky Derek Stone. She has everything under control until her mother surprises her with a bridal shower. The surprises keep coming when Brooklyn discovers her mother invited her two best friends from college. For 12 years, Heather and Sara have been estranged, ever since Sara stole Heather's boyfriend. After a rocky start, Brooklyn manages to avert a crisis when the two appear reconciled. But when Brooklyn discovers Sara's body crushed beneath crates of books, Heather zooms to the top of the suspect list. Also, it turns out that Sara's wedding gift, a rare copy of The Three Musketeers, is actually a forgery. Now to ensure their wedding day ends in happy-ever-after, Brooklyn and Derek must follow the clues they hope will lead them to a killer. VERDICT Carlisle does a great job of evoking life in San Francisco through a delightful cast of quirky characters. Her usual blend of humor and mystery will draw in both new and longtime readers. Recommended for admirers of Jenn McKinlay, Lorna Barrett, and Joan Hess.--Julie Ciccarelli, Tacoma P.L., WA
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