Homicide in Hardcover (A Bibliophile Mystery #1)
by
Kate Carlisle (Goodreads Author)
murder is always a bestseller... first in the new bibliophile mystery series The streets of San Francisco would be lined with hardcovers if rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright had her way. And her mentor wouldn?t be lying in a pool of his own blood on the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration. With his final breath he leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, and...more
ebook, 304 pages
Published
February 3rd 2009
by New American Library
(first published January 1st 2009)
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Maybe I'm too picky. Maybe I tend to read books more as a writer than a casual reader. Maybe I'm nuts. I don't know. But I do know that Kate Carlisle's Homicide in Hardcover didn't live up to my expectations.
The story is set in the world of book restoration and bibliophiles, literary museums and high brows. But Carlisle has chosen to write the book in an almost chick-lit style. Her protagonist (the book is written in first person) drops cutesy cliches left and right and indulges in way to much s...more
The story is set in the world of book restoration and bibliophiles, literary museums and high brows. But Carlisle has chosen to write the book in an almost chick-lit style. Her protagonist (the book is written in first person) drops cutesy cliches left and right and indulges in way to much s...more
I was probably unduly harsh on this book on account of being a conservator and all, and thus noticing details that don't fit with my Conservator's World View, such as the heroine eating chocolate at her work bench, wearing sandals while using scalpels and using bread to lighten foxing spots. (Hmm). But it's quite a well-made setting and characterisation for all that. I certainly don't want to discourage anyone from making their heroines book conservators/restorers; it is good to see. I wonder, c...more
Oct 10, 2012
Elizabeth
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-fiction,
mystery
Continuing on the cozy-mystery bender...
Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookbinder and restoration specialist in San Francisco. She's come a long way from the little girl who was raised on a commune in wine country. When she attends a gala event for the opening of an exhibit of books restored by her mentor, Abraham, all hell breaks loose. Meeting Abraham in his studio for a private tour and catch-up session, she finds him shot, lying in pool of his own blood, and with his last breath he presses a price...more
Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookbinder and restoration specialist in San Francisco. She's come a long way from the little girl who was raised on a commune in wine country. When she attends a gala event for the opening of an exhibit of books restored by her mentor, Abraham, all hell breaks loose. Meeting Abraham in his studio for a private tour and catch-up session, she finds him shot, lying in pool of his own blood, and with his last breath he presses a price...more
Aug 06, 2012
Kristen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fun-fluffy-reads,
favourite-series
It's always a great day when you discover a new book series that you love - this book fits that bill for me!
Honestly, there are so many things about this book I loved, that I'm not even sure where to start! First, how do you not love a main character who is: a rare book restorer, who loves to eat [and eat things like ice cream, pizza and chinese food], who loves to drink [coffee and red wine - also faves of mine!], who has a wickedly sassy sense of humour, and who's name - Brooklyn - came from...more
Honestly, there are so many things about this book I loved, that I'm not even sure where to start! First, how do you not love a main character who is: a rare book restorer, who loves to eat [and eat things like ice cream, pizza and chinese food], who loves to drink [coffee and red wine - also faves of mine!], who has a wickedly sassy sense of humour, and who's name - Brooklyn - came from...more
There are spoilers. Don't read this review if you don't want to know.
I really wanted to like this book because the protagonist is bookbinder and I find that subject area interesting. I like intelligence in my hero/heroine and Brooklyn Wainwright is just too stupid to live. This book is allegedly a mystery but she spent most of the book doing the following activities a.) eating b.)fainting at the sight of blood c.) getting rescued by men and d.)committing book theft. Right before she discovers th...more
I really wanted to like this book because the protagonist is bookbinder and I find that subject area interesting. I like intelligence in my hero/heroine and Brooklyn Wainwright is just too stupid to live. This book is allegedly a mystery but she spent most of the book doing the following activities a.) eating b.)fainting at the sight of blood c.) getting rescued by men and d.)committing book theft. Right before she discovers th...more
Brooklyn Wainwright is very skilled at what she does...a book restorer. She loves books and is diligent in ensuring their survival. At the opening of this entertaining book, she is nervous because she's going to a posh reception, an opening of an exhibit of rare books where she'll encounter her mentor and beloved family friends after a falling out six months before. To her relief, she's greeted joyfully. Unfortunately, he dies in her arms that night and she's the main suspect.
She continues to en...more
She continues to en...more
I ran across this book at Barnes & Noble in Tuscaloosa, AL. Interesting bookstore. No copies of Third World America, but a gigantic section for Bibles. I knew I was in the bible belt, fur shuur. But I digress. The protagonist, Brooklyn, in this series is a restorer of old books. She learned her craft at University and from her mentor, who is the murder victim in this first book. Brooklyn also has a very interesting, though stereotypically Californian, background, having been raised in a comm...more
Brooklyn Wainwright, die Heldin dieses Auftakts der "Bibliophiles-Serie", ist in einer Hippie-Siedlung aufgewachsen und hat sich gerade als Buchrestauratorin in San Francisco selbständig gemacht.
Gerade hat ihr väterlicher Freund, Mentor und Lehrer ihr verziehen, dass sie nicht mehr für ihn arbeitet, da wird er auch schon ermordet. In ihren Armen sterbend, haucht er noch ein kryptisches "Remember the devil." Hatte die extrem wertvolle Faust Ausgabe, an der er gerade arbeitet, etwas mit dem Mord z...more
Gerade hat ihr väterlicher Freund, Mentor und Lehrer ihr verziehen, dass sie nicht mehr für ihn arbeitet, da wird er auch schon ermordet. In ihren Armen sterbend, haucht er noch ein kryptisches "Remember the devil." Hatte die extrem wertvolle Faust Ausgabe, an der er gerade arbeitet, etwas mit dem Mord z...more
Kate Carlisle’s new mystery, Homicide in Hardcover, is a stunning debut on many levels. It’s one of those rare books that is not only smart and sophisticated; it has an intriguing plot, a delightful heroine (Brooklyn Wainwright), and enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
Few books are “laugh-out-loud” funny--this one is pumped with witty dialogue. Think Kathy Griffin. Chelsea Handler. Laurie Notaro.
The premise is both clever and unusual–the heroine’s mentor, Abraham Karastovsky...more
Few books are “laugh-out-loud” funny--this one is pumped with witty dialogue. Think Kathy Griffin. Chelsea Handler. Laurie Notaro.
The premise is both clever and unusual–the heroine’s mentor, Abraham Karastovsky...more
I'd have to say, I haven't laughed so hard at a book in a while. Brooklyn isn't your typical strong woman. She faints when she sees blood, she's well..whimpy. Yet there's nothing wrong with that. I thought she was filled with humor and wit, I found myself laughing at a lot of her thoughts and predicaments. What I found myself laughing more was her mother, who went into her mentras and chants when something was to go wrong. I think the entire story gets more kooky and crazy considering Brooklyn's...more
After reading a book where I must pay attention to most every detail, I enjoy picking up one of these 'cozy mystery' genre books.
Kate Carlisle is a new writer, to me, but recommended by my favorite bookseller, Vanessa. After this much time of her getting to know me, Vanessa pretty much can put her finger on writers that I would enjoy and Carlisle was it.
Nice storyline, plenty of intrigue, with great character development. Set in San Francisco, the main character is Brooklyn Wainwright, who is...more
Kate Carlisle is a new writer, to me, but recommended by my favorite bookseller, Vanessa. After this much time of her getting to know me, Vanessa pretty much can put her finger on writers that I would enjoy and Carlisle was it.
Nice storyline, plenty of intrigue, with great character development. Set in San Francisco, the main character is Brooklyn Wainwright, who is...more
3.5 stars
This book is the 1st in cozy mystery series set in the world of book restoration and bibliophiles. As someone who enjoys reading, it definitely fits my kind of theme. Characters who care about books?? Bring it on, please!
The mystery is pretty smart -- the twist is related to a literary material, with first clue referred to Goethe's Faust. The heroine, Brooklyn Wainwright, is smart, and funny, and definitely a likeable person. Her inner thoughts often make me smile widely. And of course,...more
This book is the 1st in cozy mystery series set in the world of book restoration and bibliophiles. As someone who enjoys reading, it definitely fits my kind of theme. Characters who care about books?? Bring it on, please!
The mystery is pretty smart -- the twist is related to a literary material, with first clue referred to Goethe's Faust. The heroine, Brooklyn Wainwright, is smart, and funny, and definitely a likeable person. Her inner thoughts often make me smile widely. And of course,...more
It's been awhile since I've stumbled upon a new cozy mystery book/series that I've enjoyed so thoroughly! Homicide in Hardcover had the perfect balance of mystery, humour, great characters and a well-plotted story.
Cozy fans who may be weary of stories where the mystery is secondary to the romance/cake shop/business that the main character is running or involved in will be thankful to know that the murder mystery definitely takes center stage here. Even better, the whodunnit aspect never seems fo...more
Cozy fans who may be weary of stories where the mystery is secondary to the romance/cake shop/business that the main character is running or involved in will be thankful to know that the murder mystery definitely takes center stage here. Even better, the whodunnit aspect never seems fo...more
This is the first book I purchased (and read) on my Sony Reader. (Yes, I have the elegant red one.)
Our heroine, Brooklyn Wainwright is an expert in rare books and their restoration. Although she'd been estranged from her mentor, Abraham Karastovsky, she is happy that they have reconciled. Until she finds him lying in a pool of blood in the midst of restoring an edition of Faust that is said to be cursed.
When Brooklyn is hired to complete the renovation of the Faust, she suddenly begins to have a...more
Our heroine, Brooklyn Wainwright is an expert in rare books and their restoration. Although she'd been estranged from her mentor, Abraham Karastovsky, she is happy that they have reconciled. Until she finds him lying in a pool of blood in the midst of restoring an edition of Faust that is said to be cursed.
When Brooklyn is hired to complete the renovation of the Faust, she suddenly begins to have a...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Homicide in Hardcover, is the first in this cozy mystery series featuring book restorer, Brooklyn Wainwright. This mystery is set in the beautiful and perhaps just a little 'out of the mainstream' city of San Francisco. The mystery surrounds the restoration of an expensive and beautiful collectible book... Faust written by Goethe and commissioned by Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm in 1880. The story features a supposed curse associated with anyone known to have owned the book and a very shocking letter...more
"Remember the Devil"
Brooklyn Wainwright is the main character in this series written by Kate Carlisle. There is suspense, mystery, comedy and romance all wrapped up in this quick read book. Brooklyn restores old books which Kate Carlisle actually makes this career sound exciting to me. Brooklyn grew up with her Hippy parents at Guru Bob's Fellowship for Spiritual Enlightenment and Higher Artistic Consciousness. They are an interesting group of people but loving and nice and funny. (A little nosy...more
Really, this should be 2.5 star review, but I'm being generous here since we have to think in terms of whole numbers. I don't know that I was expecting a literary masterpiece here, but I really would like to see the mystery serial move past this rut it's gotten itself into.
The same old plot where a late 20s/early 30s woman gets herself caught up in a murder investigation, often as a possible suspect, meets a mysterious, extremely handsome, kinda douchey guy along the way she can't help but be a...more
The same old plot where a late 20s/early 30s woman gets herself caught up in a murder investigation, often as a possible suspect, meets a mysterious, extremely handsome, kinda douchey guy along the way she can't help but be a...more
I actually enjoyed the story more than I anticipated.
Ms. Brooklyn Wainwright is a skilled book restoration expert by trade. She finds herself thrown into restoring a rare book upon the mysterious murder of her teacher and mentor. As she investigates the circumstances and people surrounding her mentor's last days, she stumbles on: her ex-fiance's being blackmailed for his sexual preferencs; the wealthy owners of rare books; not one, but two very hot men, who rescue her from tight situations as th...more
Ms. Brooklyn Wainwright is a skilled book restoration expert by trade. She finds herself thrown into restoring a rare book upon the mysterious murder of her teacher and mentor. As she investigates the circumstances and people surrounding her mentor's last days, she stumbles on: her ex-fiance's being blackmailed for his sexual preferencs; the wealthy owners of rare books; not one, but two very hot men, who rescue her from tight situations as th...more
"Homicide in Hardcover" is a cozy mystery with a heroine who loves and restores old books. Given my love for books and the cozy genre, I expected to love this novel. Although there isn't necessarily anything wrong with the plot, somehow it just didn't meet expectations. I think the main problem with this book is its tone. The story is told in first person by the heroine, Brooklyn Wainwright, who is an intelligent and passionate bibliophile Her narration, however, is quite fluffy (stereotypical c...more
Brooklyn believes firmly in her job of book restoration - she refuses to let a good book die, especially if it's a very old classic, even if it's cursed. Enough people have already died when they owned/inherited this book, or were even working on restoring it. The latest victim is Brooklyn's mentor, so she's determined about 3 things: a) the book is not going to kill her because there's no such thing as a curse, b) she is definitely going to finish restoring the book before next week's exhibit,...more
This is the first cozy mystery I have read and I actually really liked it! It reminded me a lot of the Nancy Drew mysteries I read when I was younger. It was an easy, fast and kinda "fluffy" read but super fun!
Brooklyn restores books in San Francisco. She is invited to her mentor's celebration for his latest book restoration project that includes Goethe's Faust. The collection belongs to a very wealthy and prestigious family who really knows nothing about books.
As Brooklyn looks for her mentor,...more
Brooklyn restores books in San Francisco. She is invited to her mentor's celebration for his latest book restoration project that includes Goethe's Faust. The collection belongs to a very wealthy and prestigious family who really knows nothing about books.
As Brooklyn looks for her mentor,...more
murder is always a bestseller...
first in the new bibliophile mystery series!
The streets of San Francisco would be lined with hardcovers if rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright had her way. And her mentor wouldn’t be lying in a pool
of his own blood on the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration.
With his final breath he leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, and gives her a priceless—and supposedly cursed—copy of Goethe’s Faust for safekeeping.
Brooklyn suddenly finds herself accused of mu...more
first in the new bibliophile mystery series!
The streets of San Francisco would be lined with hardcovers if rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright had her way. And her mentor wouldn’t be lying in a pool
of his own blood on the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration.
With his final breath he leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, and gives her a priceless—and supposedly cursed—copy of Goethe’s Faust for safekeeping.
Brooklyn suddenly finds herself accused of mu...more
Posted at Oh My Books!
It has been a while since I read a cozy mystery, and I missed them so much. Homicide in Hardcover has raving reviews..so it was the perfect candidate to get my cozy vibes again.
Brooklyn Wainwright loves books, that's why her job is to restore old books. She's one of the best in the field, thanks to her old mentor. It has been a while since they talked, but the night they finally did (and left all hard feelings behind), he was murdered and died in her arms. Of course she's t...more
It has been a while since I read a cozy mystery, and I missed them so much. Homicide in Hardcover has raving reviews..so it was the perfect candidate to get my cozy vibes again.
Brooklyn Wainwright loves books, that's why her job is to restore old books. She's one of the best in the field, thanks to her old mentor. It has been a while since they talked, but the night they finally did (and left all hard feelings behind), he was murdered and died in her arms. Of course she's t...more
Apr 06, 2009
Rhonda
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-modern-formula-amateur
Kate Carlisle is updating Sue Grafton (has she gotten to Z yet? whew! I fell off that bus years ago) as Brooklyn Wainwright, Bookbinder. ARE there such people as "the two most prominent bookbinders in San Francisco"? But who cares, we're in San Francisco with this wisecracker raised on a commune in Sonoma (now a thriving town, Dharma), and Carlisle ju-u-u-ust manages to render Wainright's parents, and Guru Bob, as endearing adults rather than as cartoon characters (which so often happens when pe...more
It is hard for some to believe that someone who is such a lover of romance, urban fantasy and certain crime procedurals could also be a lover of Cozy Mysteries. For some reason, I always get a funny look when it is found out that I also love those sweet little books that seem to be the exact opposite of these other genres. But I don’t believe that to be true. Let’s face it, most have some romantic aspects to them, though the romance generally spans several books, and they almost always involve t...more
I really wanted to like the first book in this Bibliophile series. It was recommended by my daughter-in-law and she has the next 4 books in the series that I can borrow. However, I just couldn't get that interested in the book. I did learn a lot about book restoration; I didn't even realize that it was a profession reached with a college degree. Although it seemed to go on and on, the mystery was good right up to the end and then I found that it was actually a rather weak reason for murder. The...more
I really liked the front cover art. I liked the title. I even liked the title font. The characters are so stereotypically predictable, you would think they were assembled from I kit. This appears to be the writer's first book perhaps she will hone her skills with the next book in the series, “If Books Could Kill” which fortunately or not I have already purchased. This series holds so much promise for book lovers to really delve into the details of the book industry, antiquarian booksellers, book...more
Homicide in Hardcover: A Bibliophile Mystery by Kate Carlisle is the first in a cozy mystery series featuring Brooklyn Wainwright. Brooklyn is a skilled surgeon as far as books are concerned. She is a talented restorer of old books. Her mentor is Abraham Karastovsky. Brooklyn finds Karastovsky lying in a pool of his won blood on the eave of a celebration for his latest book restoration. I really liked this book. It was fast paced, filled with quirky characters. The setting is San Francisco which...more
The one- and two-star reviews already written for this book capture my feelings & thoughts exactly. I wanted to like it - I LOVE books, and was interested in learning a bit more about book making, book conservation, etc. And as a San Francisco native, I always enjoy books set in The City. But the entire mess was filled with over-the-top stereotypes, cliches and felt like a poorly-translated-from-another-language-version of a Stephanie Plum mystery. It reminds me of having food that a beginni...more
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Golden Heart and Daphne du Maurier Award winning author Kate Carlisle spent over twenty years working in television production as an Associate Director for game and variety shows, including The Midnight Special, Solid Gold and The Gong Show. She traveled the world as a Dating Game chaperone and performed strange acts of silliness on The Gong Show. She also studied acting and singing, toiled in vin...more
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“Men were good for one thing only. Killing spiders. Other than that, I was on my own. It was sad though. Where was the chivalry of yesteryear?”
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Feb 23, 2012 04:54am