Review & Giveaway: Books Can Be Deceiving by Jenn McKinlay

Paperback, 240 pages

Published July 5th 2011 by Berkley Pub Group (Mm)

ISBN : 0425242188 (ISBN13: 9780425242186)

primary language English

series: Library Lover's Mystery #1

The Brier Creek public library is usually a quiet place and for director, Lindsey Norris, and her best friend Beth Stanley, the children's librarian, it's a pleasant place to work in a safe community. When word gets out that an editor from New York will be vacationing in their little town, Lindsey convinces Beth to show the editor her children's book she has been working on for quite some time.

Even though Beth's boyfriend Rick Eckman, local celebrity kid's author, tells her the book is too amateurish, she is convinced by Lindsey to try to see the editor and get her work appraised. The editor tells her she is talented but just not with that particular book. She is stunned when she finds out why Rick has been so disparaging of her work. Time for a confrontation!

When Lindsey and Beth arrive at  Rick's home on Thumb island, Beth goes in to speak to Rick first but unfortunately it's too late. She finds him dead and it's obviously not from natural causes. Since half the town witnessed their break-up the night before at the local watering hole, the police finger Beth as the most likely suspect without looking any further into Rick's life.

Chief Daniels is happy to take a short cut to end the investigation. As far as he is concerned Beth is a suspect with a viable motive and that's good enough for him. Case closed! Not so good for Beth and Lindsey who is determined to find the real killer and prove Beth's innocence. Will Lindsey be able to close the book on this investigation without her best friend being put on trial?

Disclosure: a review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jenn McKinlay, who consistently pens a perfectly paced plot, is also the author of the Cupcake Bakery series; one of my favorites! Writing under the pen name of Lucy Lawrence, Jenn always writes another cozy series with a decoupage theme. Books Can Be Deceiving, the first in the new Library Lover's Mystery series is an auspicious beginning to a new series.  Due or Die, the second book in the series, will be published soon. Can't wait! 4****

To find out more about this author, you can visit her web page or find Jenn on facebook .

To celebrate this month's release of Books Can Be Deceiving, Berkley is allowing me to host a giveaway for one copy of the book. Open to US only and deadline to enter is July 22nd at 5 PM (est).  Please be sure to leave an e mail address in your comment. Bonus entries available for this contest are as follows:

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