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aliciagoeser's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kimlb's review
5.0
I loved this first entry into the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series. Dewey is now one of my favorite feline sleuths...right up there with Koko and Yum Yum.
fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
As a librarian, I really should know better than to read a book about libraries and expect it to be accurate. I was very disappointed in this book as it was full of inaccurate stereotypes about libraries. The characters were also pretty unlikable and I had a hard time feeling any chemistry between the two love interests.
As a librarian, I really should know better than to read a book about libraries and expect it to be accurate. I was very disappointed in this book as it was full of inaccurate stereotypes about libraries. The characters were also pretty unlikable and I had a hard time feeling any chemistry between the two love interests.
samanthakelley's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
natmenard's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laura1564's review
2.0
As a librarian I couldn’t resist this book with its gently clever title and the promise of a cozy mystery about a librarian fighting to protect her beloved books and solve a murder. Unfortunately the author leaned too much on heavy handed stereotypes of shushing librarians who are weirdly committed to a physical book vs technology battle that does a disservice to the ways in which the vast majority of modern librarians use a blend of old and new technologies to serve their patrons. There is also, unfortunately, zero chemistry between our librarian hero and her romantic interest, the characters are mostly one dimensional, and the mystery plot doesn’t cohere too well. Some cute moments, but gets less engaging in the latter half.
bmpicc's review
3.0
Cozy mystery that takes place in the library. Does it get any better than that? I felt content and satisfied reading it which is all I normally hope for anyway.
katreader's review
4.0
THE BROKEN SPINE by Dorothy St. James
The First Beloved Bookroom Mystery
Books mean the world to assistant librarian Trudell Becket, so when the city manager decides to make the Cypress Public Library a bookless library, she devises a plan. Sneaking her friends into the library after hours, they transport as many of the books headed for the landfill down to the basement as possible in order to create a secret library of real books. A loud crash makes Tru realized they've worked too far into the morning. Quickly telling her friends to leave the library Tru heads upstairs to find the reason for the crash. What she finds is a multimedia shelving unit that has toppled over-right onto the city manager. The very dead city manager. Soon becoming a prime suspect, Tru realizes that in order to protect the books and her secret library, she'll have to prove her innocence and find the real murderer.
Trudell Becket is a hero! The quiet reserved assistant librarian who has been pretty invisible for most of her life has a mission. She will do everything in her power to save the town's books. And when it comes to her cat, Tru becomes a fierce momma bear! I love her transformation and her inner fire. It goes to prove you should never underestimate the quiet ones. I dislike her mother immensely and look forward to meeting her father. Of course, I adore Dewey and would happily supply him with toys if I could!
The first Beloved Bookroom Mystery is a story about growth and quiet rebellion. It has you rooting for the underdogs, the book lovers, and stalwart friends while wondering who dun it. There are several twists and turns that had me unsure of who I could trust.
THE BROKEN SPINE is a charming novel that kept me engaged with its well plotted mystery and unique cast of characters.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The First Beloved Bookroom Mystery
Books mean the world to assistant librarian Trudell Becket, so when the city manager decides to make the Cypress Public Library a bookless library, she devises a plan. Sneaking her friends into the library after hours, they transport as many of the books headed for the landfill down to the basement as possible in order to create a secret library of real books. A loud crash makes Tru realized they've worked too far into the morning. Quickly telling her friends to leave the library Tru heads upstairs to find the reason for the crash. What she finds is a multimedia shelving unit that has toppled over-right onto the city manager. The very dead city manager. Soon becoming a prime suspect, Tru realizes that in order to protect the books and her secret library, she'll have to prove her innocence and find the real murderer.
Trudell Becket is a hero! The quiet reserved assistant librarian who has been pretty invisible for most of her life has a mission. She will do everything in her power to save the town's books. And when it comes to her cat, Tru becomes a fierce momma bear! I love her transformation and her inner fire. It goes to prove you should never underestimate the quiet ones. I dislike her mother immensely and look forward to meeting her father. Of course, I adore Dewey and would happily supply him with toys if I could!
The first Beloved Bookroom Mystery is a story about growth and quiet rebellion. It has you rooting for the underdogs, the book lovers, and stalwart friends while wondering who dun it. There are several twists and turns that had me unsure of who I could trust.
THE BROKEN SPINE is a charming novel that kept me engaged with its well plotted mystery and unique cast of characters.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
cohencottage's review
4.0
This was a book lover’s cozy mystery! It was very fun and kept me guessing.
I did find the first half of the book a little slow. But at 50% I was hooked in.
I did find the first half of the book a little slow. But at 50% I was hooked in.