I Finally Figured It Out, I'm a Genre Junkie

 

TITLE: Booking for Trouble (Library Lovers #16)

AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: February 24, 2026

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation. 

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.

MY THOUGHTS: I honestly can't believe this is the 16th installment in one of my favorite series. I have heard some rumors that this might be the last one from the author and while I will miss reading a new one each year, I can see why she might want to hang it up and move on.  

This time around, the murder mystery focuses on the islands surrounding Briar Creek. Hoping to garner more support for library funding, Lindsey and the gang create a mobile boat library which will go around all the small islands and make it easier for patrons to access all the reading material their hearts desire. They are able to do so because of special funding provided by some elusive island club which ended up sponsoring them.  However, as usually is the case, Lindsey stumbles upon not just one dead body but two in a matter of a week.  Afraid of bad publicity, the club wants to pull their funding, but Lindsey is determined to make sure the mystery is solved and find the killer as well. 

This was a fun little read and while I enjoyed that the mystery branched out to the surrounding islands, I have to admit I miss some of my old faves.  This series just hasn't been the same since "The Lemon" library became mayor and became less bitter and one of the gang. Yet McKinlay still manages to make The Lemon one of my favorite characters. The mystery kept me guessing and I was very pleased with the resolution.

I find cozies great palette cleansers when I need something lighter between all my darker reads.  This one was no exception. There were even scenes with dear Heathcliff, who not only manages to dominate the cover again but manages to make it my favorite cover yet. Oh, and my blog title?  In the book, Linsey references a patron who reads all kinds of genres both current and backlisted as a "genre junkie."  I also refer to myself as an eclectic reader but from now on, I am claiming this title.  Anyone care to join me?

MY RATING: 4 PAWS