DEATH IN THE STACKS is the eighth book in Jenn McKinlay's Library Lover's Mystery series. This story is right up my alley because I love cozy mysteries and I work in a library. Working in a library myself, I feel that the library politics in DEATH IN THE STACKS ring true. Library board president Olive Boyle is a miserable woman, and has been a constant irritant to Briar Creek Library director Lindsey Norris -- along with just about anybody else Olive came into contact with. Given her unpleasant disposition, it's not too surprising when somebody ends her reign of terror permanently. It's a little unfortunate for Lindsey that Olive is murdered in the library, and that quite a few library staff members had motives for murder.

Before the actual murder happens, at the Briar Creek Library's annual Dinner in the Stacks fundraiser, Jenn McKinlay throws out enough hints for all the different people who might want to harm Olive. Lindsey's friend Robbie is her fellow amateur sleuth. Luckily for them, Robbie's girlfriend is the chief of police and not likely to throw them in jail for ruffling any feathers in their investigation. To ferret out the identity of the murderer, Lindsey and Robbie must dig into Olive's past and her personal life. Olive made an art form out of making people miserable, but the story takes a few twists and turns before the truth is revealed. Lindsey and Robbie are entertaining and likable characters, so it's enjoyable following them as they hunt down clues. Lindsey's sweetie Sully is a supportive partner and sounding board, while the fiery nature of Robbie's romantic relationship is a hoot.

DEATH IN THE STACKS is an intriguing whodunit with fun characters, and an entire town full of suspects. Characters from Jenn McKinlay's Cupcake Mysteries series and London Hat Shop series make appearances in DEATH IN THE STACKS, but the character cameos are fun without being cheesy. I look forward to the next Library Lover's Mystery book.

Book Summary

In the latest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Better Late Than Never, the library’s big fund-raiser leaves director Lindsey Norris booked for trouble . . .

Lindsey Norris and her staff are gearing up for the Briar Creek Library’s annual Dinner in the Stacks fund-raiser. The night of dinner and dancing is not only a booklover’s dream—it’s the library’s biggest moneymaker of the year. But instead of raising funds, the new library board president is busy raising a stink and making the staff miserable.

Although Olive Boyle acts like a storybook villain, Lindsey is determined to work with her and make the event a success. But when Olive publicly threatens the library’s newest hire, Paula, Lindsey cracks like an old book spine and throws Olive out of the library.

The night of the fund-raiser, Lindsey dreads another altercation with Olive—but instead finds Paula crouched over Olive’s dead body. Paula may have secrets, but Lindsey and the rest of the crafternooners know she’s not the one who took Olive out of circulation. As the plot thickens, Lindsey must catch the real killer before the book closes on Paula’s future . . .