Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay

★★★★

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Subject: libraries, plagarism, impersonation

Sertting: Briar Creek, CT

Main Characters: Lindsey Norris, Beth Stanley, MsCole, Mike Sullivan, Rick Eckman

Series: yes, #1 Library Lover's Mysteries

Dates Read: February 16 - February 18

Number of pages: 269

Off the Shelf (pre-2012)? Source?: yes, my bookshelves

Category for 12 in 12 challenge: Study hall, Home Ec

Being someone who visits her local library so frequently that they know my name, this book hit home for me almost immediately. The characters are very true-to-life. They're not all likeable and they're not all funny or smart, but mostly they're heartwarming and friendly.

The story also seemed on the most part realistic. We all would fear something bad happening in our personal environment and then being erroneously blamed for it simply because we would be the most likely culprit. I would hope if that happened to me, I would have a friend like Lindsey Norris who, when her friend Beth appears to be the murderer, sets out to find the real killer to clear her friend's name. The backdrop of the library also makes this story warm and cozy. How many of us head home to a quiet evening and a good book when we're stressed. That's exactly how the characters in the Briar Creek behave. The crafternoon club brings the comfort of a good book, a ladies group, and fun crafts together at the library so that the setting is not just a place for books but also friendships. I really liked this book and will have to keep an eye out for the next one.