I Love Visiting Briar Creek Again

TITLE:  Hitting the Books (Library Lovers Myster\y#9)
AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay
PUBLISHER: Berkley Books
PUBLISHING DATE: September 11, 2018

FROM GOODREADS:  When a stack of library materials is found at the scene of a hit and run, library director Lindsey Norris finds herself dragged into the investigation as the police try to link the driver of the stolen car to the person who borrowed the books. Before Lindsey can delve into the library's records, the victim of the hit and run, Theresa Houston, suffers another "accident" and the investigation shifts from driver negligence to attempted homicide.

A clue surfaces in the confiscated library materials that could crack open the case and it is up to Lindsey to piece it all together. But things are not as they seem in the sleepy town of Briar Creek and when the driver of the stolen car turns up dead, Lindsey, her staff and her library friends have to hit the books before the murderer gets the last word...

MY THOUGHTS:  Every time I see a new book releasing in McKinlay's Library Lovers series, I do a little happy dance inside.  And then I try my hardest to get an advance copy somehow because I've already waiting a year or so and simply can't wait any longer.  Such was the case with "Hitting the Books."  In this installment, someone is trying to kill the town tennis coach before she can marry the man of her dreams and once again, Lindsey ends up in the thick of things.

I don't want to give a lot away since this is the 9th book in the series, but I love the progression McKinlay provides us for this town and the characters.  Reading "Hitting the Books" really was like visiting with some old friends.  Lindsey is such a wonderful character and even though she sometimes ends up in over her head, she always has a cast of loyal friends and family to help her out.  In fact, I really can't think of one character I don't like in Briar Creek.  Even Ms. Cole (aka The Lemon), the grumpy librarian, has grown on me over the years.  

If you like cozy mysteries and aren't reading this series, then you need to - immediately.  I will continue to recommend them as much as possible and only hope the author doesn't have an end in sight!  (Hey Jenn, is there an end in sight???? Now I'm worried).

Also, since I am using this for the #DogDaysofSummer readathon, I must mention Heathcliff, Lindsey's best friend and faithful companion. That's him on the cover, sniffing out trouble.  Many times throughout the series Heathcliff has saved Lindsey and I really don't know what she would do without him.

I received a copy of "Hitting the Books" from Penguin First to Read in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 5 PAWS