Reviews

The Paper Caper by Kate Carlisle

Only show reviews with written explanations

h_with_a_feather's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

tigger25k's review against another edition

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5.0

I continue to love this series and the characters!!

kimdavishb's review against another edition

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5.0

THE PAPER CAPER is the sixteenth book in the Bibliophile Mysteries by Kate Carlisle. Every time I see that a new book is being released in this series, I can’t wait to find out which classic book and author will be showcased for the theme. In this newest release, it’s Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper, and Ms. Carlisle, as always, puts her own twist on the classic tale. Her storytelling expertise has had me racing to read the original classic several times after finishing her books, and The Paper Caper was no exception. I also loved that she starts each chapter with a quote from Mark Twain, which adds to the theme’s appeal.

With protagonist Brooklyn, and her husband, Derek, involved in the Covington library’s Mark Twain Festival, the mystery is set up quickly when a generous benefactor announces a look-alike contest with a hefty monetary prize. Since Derek is in charge of the benefactor’s security and Brooklyn is in charge of restoring a rare first edition of The Prince and the Pauper, the pair land in the thick of things when the look-alike winner is targeted with violence. Along with writing a well-plotted and fast-paced mystery that kept me intrigued, the author does an admirable job in bringing the details to life. It was easy to visualize the streets of San Francisco, feel the pages of the old book between my finger, hear the happy chatter of the kids taking part in Brooklyn’s library craft, and taste the wine from Brooklyn’s parents’ winery. It brings the characters and the setting to life, and keeps fans coming back to find out what happens next in Brooklyn and Derek’s exciting life!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

xenaschakram's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

ewil6681's review

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lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

booklovingmom_'s review against another edition

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5.0

The Paper Caper is the sixteenth mystery in the Bibliophile Mystery series and the first in the series I have read. In this mystery, Brooklyn Wainwright, an expert in book restoration, finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when a body turns up during the first annual Mark Twain Festival.

Not having read any of the other Brooklyn Wainwright mysteries, I was going into this series blind, but I still enjoyed it very much. This was a good mystery and I really loved getting to know Brooklyn and her gang. I thought this was a fun mystery and I am definitely going to go back and start this series from the beginning. I look forward to seeing all this series had to hold and am sure I will love the rest of the series just like I did this book. I would definitely recommend this mystery to those have read this series from the beginning as well as to others just starting out, the only thing I missed out from starting in the middle of the series was a little history.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook version of this mystery!

hannagg's review against another edition

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3.0

I don't usually read cozy mysteries, but I was drawn to this one because it revolves around books. Joseph, a wealthy media mogul, and publisher who loves Mark Twain novels, decides to support the Covington Library yet another way – by organizing a Mark Twain-themed book festival. There will be "Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn's" based painting a fence or "The Prince and the Pauper's" inspired look-alike contest with a generous prize. Brooklyn – the returning character in Kate Carlisle's "Bibliophile" series – will do a public demonstration restoring an old copy of Mark's Twain novel. However, murder destroys the joyful mood of celebration. Did the exhibition of poisoned papers in the library give ideas to the murderer on how to proceed? Once more, Brooklyn, using her observation skills and logic, together with her handsome British husband, Derek, who now is on an assignment to protect Joseph during the festival, follows the trails to bring the murderer to justice.
I enjoyed listening to the mystery, mainly for the background of book restoration and the feeling of the book lover community in the library. The characters are lively, especially the perky Brooklyn is adorable as a newly-wed wife with her admiration of Derek and slightly jealous of a statuesque Swedish-born wife of Joseph. There is some light humor and although solving the mystery was a bit predictable, it was still an enjoyable story.