Book Review: Killer Research by Jenn McKinlay (Library Lover's Mysteries #12)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Strong mystery, characters, humor

Cons: I’ve done the research – there are none

The Bottom Line:

Election season

Complicated by murder

Laughs and twists abound

Murder Complicates Elections

When a series goes on long enough, we really get to know all of the characters.  That’s the case with Jenn McKinlay’s Library Lover’s series, and I’m thrilled with the development we saw in Killer Research for one of them.

The town of Briar Creek, Connecticut, will be holding an election for mayor is six months, but things are already heating up in town, especially for Lindsey Norris.  While the current mayor is technically her boss, her employee Ms. Cole is running against him, and Lindsey and the rest of the staff are supporting her while off the clock.  Mayor Hensen is not taking have an opponent well, and is trying to make life difficult for everyone in the library.

One afternoon, Ms. Cole finds a dead body in the trunk of her car, buried under campaign signs.  Naturally, Mayor Hensen jumps on this as an excuse to hound Ms. Cole out of the race.  It only gets worse when a connection between Ms. Cole and the victim are found.  While she considers dropping out of the race, Lindsey jumps into the investigation.  Can she figure out what is really happening?

If you are familiar with the series, you know that Ms. Cole started out as a one note, one joke character in the early books.  I enjoyed her, but I never would have expected the growth we’ve gotten in her over the last few books.  Since so much of the story centers around her, we get to see another side of her with this book, and I appreciated that so much.  Of course, the rest of the regulars are present, although they don’t get quite the development Ms. Cole does, I enjoyed spending time with all of them.

The plot is wonderful.  The campaign for mayor helps keep the story moving forward, and the mystery keeps us guessing until the end.  I figured out the killer about the same time Lindsey did, although I didn’t have the motive yet.  The ending might be a bit theatrical, so it was fun and it is easy to overlook that.

Speaking of fun, there is plenty of be had here.  As always in a Jenn McKinlay book, I laughed multiple times as I was reading.

If you are looking for extras, this book has plenty for you.  Inspired by the Crafternoon bookclub that Lindsey hosts at the library, we discussion questions for a classic, a craft idea, and two recipes.

The Library Lover’s Mysteries are still going strong and show no signs of slowing down.  Longtime fans will be thrilled with Killer Research.  If you are new to the series, you can jump in here or go back to the beginning.  Either way, you are in for some fun stories.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Library Lover’s Mysteries.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.