A review by kimdavishb
Word to the Wise by Jenn McKinlay

5.0

WORD TO THE WISE, the tenth book in the Library Lover’s Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay, weaves in the creepy issue of stalking into a well-plotted mystery. It’s always a pleasure sitting down and catching up with the characters in this long-enduring series and this new release didn’t disappoint. Protagonist Lindsey Norris is the library director at the Briar Creek Public Library in Connecticut. I so enjoy the interaction she has with her staff, all well-developed characters on their own. Sweet Beth, the children’s librarian, brings lighthearted fun to the story and I admire the close friendship she has with Lindsey. It’s been a pleasure watching the characters grow and develop, especially Mrs. Cole, aka The Lemon.

When the stalker increases his attentions toward Lindsey as she plans her wedding, her friends and co-workers provide support and try to protect her from harm. Ms. McKinlay ups the suspense by portraying the ways people can excuse or dismiss the behavior of stalkers and how it can turn deadly for the victim. Except in this story, the stalker ends up being murdered and Lindsey’s fiancé, Mike Sullivan, becomes a suspect. While the perpetrator wasn’t difficult to guess, there were some twists that kept the book entertaining and kept me turning pages.

One of the fun events included in each of the books in this series is the library’s Crafternoon events: a combination of crafts, book club, and shared food all in one. It’s a time for friends, new and old, to come together and forge stronger bonds. I love how Ms. McKinlay includes a book club list of questions for a book the group reads, directions for a craft, and a couple recipes at the back of the book.

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