Dollycas's Thoughts
Library Director Lindsey Norris loves her job but one of her patrons is making her very uncomfortable. After helping him find some gardening information he brings her flowers to the library, plants himself in a chair there, and just stares at her, then he shows up at her home with more flowers. No matter what she says to him he just won't stop. Her friends and her fiancé, Sully are concerned about this unwanted attention too.
When the man is found dead, his body staged outside the library, all the evidence puts Sully in the hot seat. Lindsey knows she should concentrate on her wedding plans and leave the investigation to her friend, police chief Emma Plewicki but she just can't do that. She needs to do all she can to help clear Sully and reveal the real killer. She can't have her wedding without her groom. Getting in the killer's way is dangerous though. She can't have her wedding without a bride either!
All the characters in this series continue to grow and evolve. Lindsey and Sully's relationship has developed very realistically and that relationship continues to make Lindsey stronger in each book. Beth, the children's librarian is just so darn sweet and a true friend to Lindsey. Even Mrs. Cole is softening just a little bit. Emma has grown too, but she still doesn't really want her friend investigating another murder. I love that the cast is very diverse and all their interactions are genuine. The canine characters, Heathcliff and now Duke who visits the library once a week with his person Laura are great too and always give me the warm fuzzies.
Now let me tell you the stalker theme of this book was a mind grabber with plenty of suspense. Ms. McKinlay added plenty of twists but the killer caught my focus right away. There was another nice twist though that made things even more dire.
I felt for Lindsey as she tried her best to deal with Aaron Grady. He was new in town and she gave him so many chances even when his actions really started to scare her. Her patience at first shows just how much she has grown. I really enjoyed Lindsey's determination to find the true guilty party.
Setting a quick pace Jenn McKinlay has written a book that was almost impossible to put down. Word to the Wise is a wonderful addition to the Library Lover's Mystery Series. I do love these characters and the way the author tells their stories.
Library Director Lindsey Norris loves her job but one of her patrons is making her very uncomfortable. After helping him find some gardening information he brings her flowers to the library, plants himself in a chair there, and just stares at her, then he shows up at her home with more flowers. No matter what she says to him he just won't stop. Her friends and her fiancé, Sully are concerned about this unwanted attention too.
When the man is found dead, his body staged outside the library, all the evidence puts Sully in the hot seat. Lindsey knows she should concentrate on her wedding plans and leave the investigation to her friend, police chief Emma Plewicki but she just can't do that. She needs to do all she can to help clear Sully and reveal the real killer. She can't have her wedding without her groom. Getting in the killer's way is dangerous though. She can't have her wedding without a bride either!
All the characters in this series continue to grow and evolve. Lindsey and Sully's relationship has developed very realistically and that relationship continues to make Lindsey stronger in each book. Beth, the children's librarian is just so darn sweet and a true friend to Lindsey. Even Mrs. Cole is softening just a little bit. Emma has grown too, but she still doesn't really want her friend investigating another murder. I love that the cast is very diverse and all their interactions are genuine. The canine characters, Heathcliff and now Duke who visits the library once a week with his person Laura are great too and always give me the warm fuzzies.
Now let me tell you the stalker theme of this book was a mind grabber with plenty of suspense. Ms. McKinlay added plenty of twists but the killer caught my focus right away. There was another nice twist though that made things even more dire.
I felt for Lindsey as she tried her best to deal with Aaron Grady. He was new in town and she gave him so many chances even when his actions really started to scare her. Her patience at first shows just how much she has grown. I really enjoyed Lindsey's determination to find the true guilty party.
Setting a quick pace Jenn McKinlay has written a book that was almost impossible to put down. Word to the Wise is a wonderful addition to the Library Lover's Mystery Series. I do love these characters and the way the author tells their stories.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Wonderful book in this series. Loved all of the twists and turns. Look forward to the next one. Such a great read.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Word to the Wise is 300-plus pages that come oh-so-close to being perfection. The only thing that kept it from being perfect was a killer who was a bit too easy to pick out of a lineup, but you know what? I don't care because I loved every other molecule of this story.
The more Jenn McKinlay writes, the better she gets-- and she was good to begin with. There's something for everyone in Word to the Wise: a killer to catch, wedding plans to carry out, a stalker to make readers' blood run cold, and meeting up with all these characters who have become good friends.
Being an introvert like Lindsey, I think McKinlay nailed her character's reactions to things like wedding planning and constantly being in a group of people (even when they're people she cares about). Then there's the ongoing evolution of a lemon called Ms. Cole. The Lemon has gone from the early days of me wanting to lock her in an iron maiden to now when I find myself cheering her on. Don't worry, though, all her rough edges have not been worn down!
For those readers like me who don't care for a lot of gushy romance stuff in their mysteries, McKinlay has a light touch that never makes me growl or scowl. And for those who appreciate scenes that ratchet up the suspense, I'll tell you right now that McKinlay's stalking scenes are right on target and so vivid that they brought back memories of the stalker I had to deal with. (Don't like to be too scared when you read a book? Don't worry. Jenn takes care of you.)
One element after another in Word to the Wise made this a gripping read, but if I had to choose one word to describe it, I would choose "happy." It made me smile and feel all's right with the world. This isn't the only book of Jenn McKinlay's to show the all-encompassing power of friendship, but it's certainly one of her best.
The more Jenn McKinlay writes, the better she gets-- and she was good to begin with. There's something for everyone in Word to the Wise: a killer to catch, wedding plans to carry out, a stalker to make readers' blood run cold, and meeting up with all these characters who have become good friends.
Being an introvert like Lindsey, I think McKinlay nailed her character's reactions to things like wedding planning and constantly being in a group of people (even when they're people she cares about). Then there's the ongoing evolution of a lemon called Ms. Cole. The Lemon has gone from the early days of me wanting to lock her in an iron maiden to now when I find myself cheering her on. Don't worry, though, all her rough edges have not been worn down!
For those readers like me who don't care for a lot of gushy romance stuff in their mysteries, McKinlay has a light touch that never makes me growl or scowl. And for those who appreciate scenes that ratchet up the suspense, I'll tell you right now that McKinlay's stalking scenes are right on target and so vivid that they brought back memories of the stalker I had to deal with. (Don't like to be too scared when you read a book? Don't worry. Jenn takes care of you.)
One element after another in Word to the Wise made this a gripping read, but if I had to choose one word to describe it, I would choose "happy." It made me smile and feel all's right with the world. This isn't the only book of Jenn McKinlay's to show the all-encompassing power of friendship, but it's certainly one of her best.
Word to the Wise is the tenth entertaining installment in A Library Lover's Mystery series. If you have not read any of the previous books in the series, I do not recommend starting with Word to the Wise. You would be a little lost regarding the characters and their relationships. Jenn McKinlay skillfully tackles the serious topic of stalkers as well as online predators in Word to the Wise. We see how easily a stalker can fool people with their friendliness and lack of threatening demeanor. They are very careful to not break the law and use the law to their benefit. Of course, some people believe Lindsey is overreacting to Aaron Grady's overtures and that she should be complimented by his attention. Stalking is one of those crimes that is hard to prosecute especially since the law has yet to catch up with disturbing crime. I believe the author accurately portrayed how victims feel and the attitudes of those around them (some are supportive, and others are not). I found Word to the Wise to be well-written and it proceeded along at an even pace. I love the characters in A Library Lover's Mystery series. Beth Barker, the children's librarian, is sweet and comes up with creative story hour ideas. She is wearing a bat costume in this book and Beth has some special news to share with her friends. Ms. Cole has changed from the lemon we first met her in Books Can Be Deceiving, and I was surprised by her decision in Word to the Wise. The rest of the Crafternooners are present with Violet and Nancy adding humor. There is an amusing scene between Robbie and Sully that will have you chuckling. The mystery was interesting with a good twist, but it was easily solved (that I found disappointing). Aaron Grady, in my opinion, is the creepiest villain Lindsey and the group has had to deal with to date. Unfortunately, Lindsey's wedding planning takes a backseat while solving the whodunit. But her friends are ready to help especially with picking the cake flavor (cake for lunch). There is a section at the end that tells you what a crafternoon is and how to host one. I cannot wait for the next A Library Lover's Mystery for the wedding of Lindsey and Sully. My favorite quote from the book is, âLife is uncertainâeat dessert first.â Word to the Wise has scary stalker, reeking roses, valuable friends, wedding work, a hound named Heathcliff, and one alarmed librarian.
