by Cynthia Chow
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Better Late Than Never. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.
For Briar Creek Public Library’s first annual “fine amnesty” day, library director Lindsey Norris expected a day of hectic but worthwhile chaos. Allowing tardy miscreants to get off scot-free went against all of stodgy traditional librarian Mrs. Cole’s ethics, but Lindsey believed that the loss of fines would be worth regaining patrons who would feel free to return to the library. What Lindsey didn’t expect was the return of a book due twenty years ago, last checked out to high school teacher Candice Whitley on October 2, 1996. The day the beloved teacher was murdered and left strangled under the football bleachers.
Lindsey can’t help but believe that Candice’s library copy of The Catcher in the Rye must have been dropped off by her murderer, and despite having never met the woman, Lindsey feels compelled to find justice for the young woman. A true librarian at heart, Lindsey needs to find answers to every question, be it how to speak a different language or as momentous as to why Candice was murdered. Lindsey will use all of her resources at hand, from the library itself to the crafternooner women who meet to discuss books, craft, and share snacks. Ranging from a Broadway actress to a news reporter to landlord, these women are as delightfully down-to-earth as they are intelligent and creative. Less complacent, but just as enthusiastic, is English actor Robbie Vine, who has neither given up his pursuit of Lindsey nor his intention of being the Watson to her Sherlock. It’s an awkward situation, considering that Lindsey may be resuming her relationship with Captain Mike Sullivan, who intend on keeping whatever their status is on the down-low from their closest friends and family.
I absolutely adore this Library Lover’s Mystery series that celebrates libraries and highlights their current dilemmas and relevance to patrons. The libraries of today look far different than they did twenty years ago, and Lindsey intends on making hers an interactive site of community activities. Librarians obsess over unanswered questions long after the asker has left, so Lindsey’s determination to find the solution to Candice’s murder is entirely believable and far too relatable. Just as enjoyable is debate of opinions of The Catcher in the Rye itself, which takes precedence over the crafternooner’s book selection of The Scarlet Letter. The effect of the gossip that spread through Candice’s high school reinforces Lindsey’s ambivalent approach to a relationship, which is resolved in a way that will satisfy all readers.
Full of clever dialogue, very humorous interactions, and a surprising conclusion, McKinlay continues to craft reliably entertaining and enjoyable novels. Briar Creek Public Library is a place where everyone, from the locals to the readers, will feel welcome to return to again and again. My own library system has been contemplating a fine amnesty day, and if it not only brings back patrons but helps to solve a murder, why not?
To enter to win a copy of Better Late Than Never, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “late,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 19, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.
Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
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I really enjoy Jenn McKinlay’s books and would LOVE to win a copy of Better Late than Never ~
Wow, a 20 year-old mystery. I love these kind of mysteries! I also love libraries! They were and have been my best friend growing up and today! Yay, for libraries!
DElholm@prodigy.net
Mylibrary has a amnesty day April 1st for fines.donamaekutska7@gmail.com
Jenn McKinley is one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read “Better Late Than Never”. Thanks for the chance.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds wonderful!! jawdance@yahoo.com
Better Late Than Never sounds like a great read. Thank you for this chance.
peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net
I’ve liked what I’ve read of her books and this one looks good too.
I love mysteries that deal with books and this is one of my all time fave series!!
After living through all the news of the recent election, I would love to win Jean McKinlay’s “Better Late Than Never” and have some fun escape time reading it.
Would love to read this.
kckendler at gmail.com
I loved meeting this author, and would love to read this book.
Sounds like a book I’d love to read.
karin56381 (at) gmail.com
How amazing to win this book! After all the stress this last week, I could lose myself for awhile!
I like the idea of a mystery out of the past. And I like Ms McKinley’s writing so that is a bonus.
Love this & all of Jenn’s series.
Jenn McKinlay is a fabulous writer and I have enjoyed pretty much every book of hers that I have read. This is a book that I truly look forward to reading. Thank you for the chance to win.
robbfan141729(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the great review! I just finished the first book in this series and want to continue reading the following books. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love reading mysteries. Thanks for the chance to be entered in the giveaway!
Can’t wait to read Jenn McKinlay’s latest release. She’s one of my favorite authors.
Great giveaway! Thanks!
I wished they had amnesty days when I was younger. I racked up the fine when I was a kid. Now that I can monitor my account online I never have fees.
acm05atjuno.com
Yes please!!
Love!!
Would love to win this book. I really enjoy this series.
I love anything Jenn writes. brichardson0056@yahoo.com
I love all of Jenn McKinlay’s series. I’d love to win this latest one. jmvarner50@hotmail.com
I love Jenn’s books!
wow this sounds awesome would love to read thanks for the chance jody.714@hotmail.com
This sounds like such a fun book. Thankyou for the opportunity! minishoes@msn.com
I’d love to win a copy, I’ve been dying to get my hands on one of Jenn’s books! This looks fantastic! Thanks for the opportunity!
We have a winner!