by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Word to the Wise. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

For a librarian there is nothing more satisfying than making a patron happy, be it by providing the right answer or by finding the perfect book. Unfortunately, that professional delight of providing public service is too often misinterpreted as personal interest, leading to dodgy situations that cross boundaries. That is the situation facing Briar Creek Public Library director Lindsey Norris, who is at first more than happy to provide new resident Aaron Grady with a number of rose gardening resources. By simply fulfilling her job requirements Lindsey becomes the subject of Aaron’s obsession, starting with the delivery of roses to the library and quickly escalating to him showing up at her doorstep. Lindsey’s fiancé Mike “Sully” Sullivan is understandably furious, but they take the right steps by reporting Aaron’s actions to the police. Their friend chief of police Emma Plewicki does what she can within the law to warn Aaron and protect Lindsey, but legally they find that their actions are limited. Almost as alarming as Aaron’s stalking is the treatment she receives from her own administration. Telling Lindsey that she should be flattered by Aaron’s “crush,” Mayor Hensen delivers the ultimate betrayal by overruling Aaron’s ban from the library, essentially making her favorite place unsafe.

When someone takes care of the problem – permanently – the situation only gets worse for Lindsey and Sully. Aaron’s wife proclaims to anyone who will listen that Lindsey was the instigator pursuing a relationship, and police target both her and Sully as possible suspects. Emma attempts to reassure them that police are only following the evidence, but more and more of it is pointing directly at Sully. Refusing to let her upcoming wedding be derailed by an imprisoned groom, Lindsey begins her own investigation into Aaron’s history of inappropriate obsessions. Lindsey was not the first woman whom Aaron stalked and she certainly wasn’t the first to have her complaints to be ignored. Along with Emma’s theatrical actor boyfriend Robbie Vine, Lindsey and Sully track down Aaron’s past and the victims who may have turned the tables on the source of their terror.

It’s impossible to read this enthralling novel without becoming enraged and frustrated on Lindsey’s behalf. When the law is legally unable to help her, and then the mayor tells her that she’s overreacting and should be complimented by the unwanted attention, readers will feel Lindsey’s frustration and powerlessness. Too frequently women are blamed for attracting their stalkers, whose behavior and gifts are seen as being “nice” and generous. This is a topic that needs to be discussed, and here the author interweaves it into a thoroughly engrossing mystery.

Lindsey’s public service role as a librarian makes her particularly vulnerable, and seeing her fight back and protect herself is so rewarding. Despite the seriousness of the issue, humor is spread throughout due to Robbie’s exuberance, Lindsey’s librarian coworkers, and the supportive crafternoon patrons. This bestselling author of numerous cozy mystery series delights with her sharp dialogue, well-paced plot, and book-loving characters.

To enter to win a copy of Word to the Wise, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “wise” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 12, 2019. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address (so if you win we can get the book sent right out to you), and if via comment please include your email address. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Be sure to check out our new mystery podcast too with mystery short stories, and first chapters read by local actors. A new episode went up this week featuring a mystery short story told by a black cat-perfect for Halloween season.

Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Word to the Wise (A Library Lover’s Mystery #10)

You can use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.