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Library Lover's Mystery #13
The Plot and the Pendulum
Library director Lindsey Norris is happy to learn the Briar Creek Public Library is the beneficiary of the Dorchester family’s vast book collection. However, when Lindsey and the library staff arrive at the old Victorian estate to gather the books, things take a sinister turn. One of the bookcases reveals a secret passage, leading to a room where a skeleton is found, clutching an old copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Lindsey does a quick check of missing persons, using the distinctive 80s era clothing worn by the deceased to determine a time frame, and discovers that Briar Creek has an unsolved missing person’s case from 1989. A runaway bride went missing just weeks after her wedding. No suspects were ever arrested and the cold case remains unsolved. Lindsey and the crafternoon crew decide that justice is overdue and set about solving the old murder mystery, using some novel ideas to crack the case.
Lindsey does a quick check of missing persons, using the distinctive 80s era clothing worn by the deceased to determine a time frame, and discovers that Briar Creek has an unsolved missing person’s case from 1989. A runaway bride went missing just weeks after her wedding. No suspects were ever arrested and the cold case remains unsolved. Lindsey and the crafternoon crew decide that justice is overdue and set about solving the old murder mystery, using some novel ideas to crack the case.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2022
479 people are currently reading
1473 people want to read
About the author
Jenn McKinlay
68 books5,155 followersJenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
October 11, 2022
4.5 Stars
I greatly enjoyed this spooky literary cozy mystery. I'm new to the Library Lover's series and was hesitant to jump in at the 13th book, but I'm glad I did. THE PLOT AND THE PENDULUM can easily be read as stand-alone, but it did make me very curious about the previous twelve.
In this one, library director Lindsey Norris is thrilled when a wealthy local family donates their extensive collection of rare books to the library. However, her visit to the creepy Dorchester estate to collect the books lands her in the middle of a "runaway bride" cold case from 1989.
I enjoyed meeting this cast of characters, with their funny moments mixed in with more serious scenes. The foreboding atmosphere was perfect for the mystery and setting. Readers in the mood for an eerie Halloween cozy should pick this one up!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I greatly enjoyed this spooky literary cozy mystery. I'm new to the Library Lover's series and was hesitant to jump in at the 13th book, but I'm glad I did. THE PLOT AND THE PENDULUM can easily be read as stand-alone, but it did make me very curious about the previous twelve.
In this one, library director Lindsey Norris is thrilled when a wealthy local family donates their extensive collection of rare books to the library. However, her visit to the creepy Dorchester estate to collect the books lands her in the middle of a "runaway bride" cold case from 1989.
I enjoyed meeting this cast of characters, with their funny moments mixed in with more serious scenes. The foreboding atmosphere was perfect for the mystery and setting. Readers in the mood for an eerie Halloween cozy should pick this one up!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2022
The Plot and the Pendulum is the 13th book in the Library Lover's Mysteries written by Jenn McKinlay. I've read all the previous books in the series and several of the author's other series too. She's a prolific writer spanning cozy mysteries and romantic dramas, but I prefer the amateur sleuth investigations generally. Set in my home state of Connecticut, protagonist Lindsey is a librarian who's married to a boat captain. A local family donates their book collection to the library in this installment, but one member of the family isn't quite ready to give them up. When a visit to a hidden room in their house uncovers this missing body of a former girlfriend, everyone is ready to blame the man who left town to escape the town's dislike for him. But did he really do it? Toss in a few pet romps, some fun in the library, and a ghostly presence looming in the house, and all is quite a trip in this book. Highly recommended series!
October 11, 2022
It’s October in Briar Creek, and local gossip is stirring thanks to the return to town of William Dorchester whose ex-girlfriend vanished a few weeks after marrying someone else. But Lindsey Norris, director of the local library, is more interested in the books that he is donating to the library. The catch is, she needs to pack them up from the Dorchester mansion on the edge of town, a mansion that seems to be trying to creep Lindsey and her friends out even before they make a shocking discovery. Can Lindsey figure out what is going on?
This book is perfect for its October release day. It’s got a spooky edge to it, but fans of the series don’t need to worry, we still have plenty of laughs and fun with the characters we know. I appreciate how the large cast is balanced with some of them given more page time, but everyone making an appearance. The pacing of the plot was a bit uneven, with a bit too much set up leading to an abrupt climax. Still, along the way, we get some fun surprises and suspects. As always, we get some good extras for a book club meeting like Lindsey hosts at the library. If you are looking for a slightly spooky book filled with fun, be sure to pick this one up.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This book is perfect for its October release day. It’s got a spooky edge to it, but fans of the series don’t need to worry, we still have plenty of laughs and fun with the characters we know. I appreciate how the large cast is balanced with some of them given more page time, but everyone making an appearance. The pacing of the plot was a bit uneven, with a bit too much set up leading to an abrupt climax. Still, along the way, we get some fun surprises and suspects. As always, we get some good extras for a book club meeting like Lindsey hosts at the library. If you are looking for a slightly spooky book filled with fun, be sure to pick this one up.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
December 10, 2023
4.5 stars
October 5, 2022
A twisted plot that uncovers a woman's body that has been missing for over 30 years has the Library Lovers back in the sleuthing saddle again. With Halloween looming, everyone is seeing or rather feeling a ghostly presence or is it the killer back to make sure that their crime does not get unearthed!?! Once again an excellent plot has us on the edge of our seat and the narrator of the audiobook absolutely brings the story to life. I really can't decide whether I prefer to read this series or listen to it, but am starting to lean towards listen to it! Every detail is well laid out, yet the story keeps you guessing the true identity of the killer. I usually have it all figured out well in advance and must admit that I was leaning the wrong way on this one! You'll have to read and see if you uncover the truth before someone offs our favorite librarian!
October 16, 2023
You couldn’t ask for a better Halloween read. It had it all - the creepy old house complete with a dead body in a secret room. I really like the characters in this series, Lindsey and Sully are great and I love watching them work with all the other characters to solve crime. Cold cases are one of my favorite storylines so I really enjoyed this. I liked how they went about solving the mystery at the end and was surprised at the results.
October 15, 2022
An excellent addition to Author Jenn McKinlay’s popular Library Lover’s Mystery series. The plot was quite intriguing with a great cast of characters backing the main protagonist. I love the little schnauzer, and the new cat character is sweet. The murder mystery is interesting and the killer reveal wraps up all the missing pieces at the end. I highly recommend this story, and the entire series!
September 29, 2022
Running time, 7h 4m
Never underestimate the power of words. Such is the power of not just words but suggestion that as soon as I noted that this is the 13th book in the series and that Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum" would somehow be featured, I was hooked. It's been awhile since I last visited Lindsey and Sully, now happily married, so it was both a delightful and spooky visit. An air of sadness hovered over the story, however, perhaps due to the excellent job of conveying emotions done by narrator Ryan, that was hard to shake, I must admit. Once I started reading, well, listening to the audio version of the book, I became determined to finish asap to blow that shadow away. But, don't get me wrong. It was an absolutely fascinating, intriguing read and I loved all those chills.
I won't detail the plot other than to say Lindsey is thrilled when her beloved library is selected to receive the vast library collection of the somewhat mysterious Dorchester family. Several valuable books are involved and Lindsey is determined none be damaged. The only catch is she has only about a month to retrieve the books, hence she drafts her friends from the library staff and Crafternoon group to help. They arrive at the old Victorian estate ready to work.
There are some complications, however, and this is where the chills and shadows begin to close in. Ghost cat? Flickering, failing lights? Rumors of a runaway bride perhaps haunting the place? Yep, all those and more. Marian Dorchester is slowly losing touch with reality due to dementia, which adds an extra element of sadness. Toss in a hidden room and initially unidentified skeleton found in that room and you have the makings of a fine, chill inducing read. Add characters with contradictory needs and desires and even Lindsey's husband Sully, usually a rock, admits being a bit spooked. On the plus side, Lindsey and Sully do get a new pet but I'll leave readers to sort out how that happens.
Thanks #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia - #BerkleyPublishingCompany - #Berkley - #PenguinRandomHouse for allowing me this early bit of Halloween spookiness. We're left wondering, however, do we or don't we believe in ghosts? Loved it! I need to visit Lindsey and Sully more often.
Never underestimate the power of words. Such is the power of not just words but suggestion that as soon as I noted that this is the 13th book in the series and that Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum" would somehow be featured, I was hooked. It's been awhile since I last visited Lindsey and Sully, now happily married, so it was both a delightful and spooky visit. An air of sadness hovered over the story, however, perhaps due to the excellent job of conveying emotions done by narrator Ryan, that was hard to shake, I must admit. Once I started reading, well, listening to the audio version of the book, I became determined to finish asap to blow that shadow away. But, don't get me wrong. It was an absolutely fascinating, intriguing read and I loved all those chills.
I won't detail the plot other than to say Lindsey is thrilled when her beloved library is selected to receive the vast library collection of the somewhat mysterious Dorchester family. Several valuable books are involved and Lindsey is determined none be damaged. The only catch is she has only about a month to retrieve the books, hence she drafts her friends from the library staff and Crafternoon group to help. They arrive at the old Victorian estate ready to work.
There are some complications, however, and this is where the chills and shadows begin to close in. Ghost cat? Flickering, failing lights? Rumors of a runaway bride perhaps haunting the place? Yep, all those and more. Marian Dorchester is slowly losing touch with reality due to dementia, which adds an extra element of sadness. Toss in a hidden room and initially unidentified skeleton found in that room and you have the makings of a fine, chill inducing read. Add characters with contradictory needs and desires and even Lindsey's husband Sully, usually a rock, admits being a bit spooked. On the plus side, Lindsey and Sully do get a new pet but I'll leave readers to sort out how that happens.
Thanks #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia - #BerkleyPublishingCompany - #Berkley - #PenguinRandomHouse for allowing me this early bit of Halloween spookiness. We're left wondering, however, do we or don't we believe in ghosts? Loved it! I need to visit Lindsey and Sully more often.
July 16, 2023
I love this cozy series. It should be on the Hallmark channel! :-)
Read
July 22, 2023While I always love McKinley’s cozies, I solved this one (mostly) very early on. McKinley is great at leaving subtle clues, but after reading every one of her books, I think I’ve picked up on a few of her tricks. Regardless, it was still a great cast of characters, and a cold case is always intriguing (as it usually involves all new people). I sped right through this one and will be anxiously awaiting the next.
February 19, 2023
The Plot and the Pendulum
4 Stars
When William Dorchester decides to donate his family's significant collection of books, including some priceless works, to the Briar Creek library, Lindsay Norris, the library director, is ecstatic. But cataloging the collection takes a sinister turn when a secret room is located containing a skeleton believed to be a missing woman known as the "Runaway Bride".
Once again, Lindsay and her Crafternooners become involved in investigating a cold case - the disappearance of Grace Little, a newlywed, who vanished 3 decades prior. Unlike most of the books in this series, the first few chapters are dedicated to exposition, and the remains are only found about 1/3 in. While establishing the backgrounds of the various suspects is necessary, it does slow the pacing. However, the action picks up thereafter, and the rest of the narrative is compelling, especially the reenactment of the crime and the truly sad and disturbing revelation of what happened to Grace.
The subtle inclusion of several paranormal elements and allusions to the works of Edgar Allen Poe - the gothic mansion with its aged owner, the secret room housing a decomposing corpse, the cold drafts, and the vanishing cat - all contribute to the creepy atmosphere of this installment. As a fan of Poe, this is an added bonus.
In sum, this is a fun addition to the series. At this time, it appears to be the final book as McKinlay has yet to announce the next one. Hopefully, there will be more of Lindsay and the Crafternooners soon.
4 Stars
When William Dorchester decides to donate his family's significant collection of books, including some priceless works, to the Briar Creek library, Lindsay Norris, the library director, is ecstatic. But cataloging the collection takes a sinister turn when a secret room is located containing a skeleton believed to be a missing woman known as the "Runaway Bride".
Once again, Lindsay and her Crafternooners become involved in investigating a cold case - the disappearance of Grace Little, a newlywed, who vanished 3 decades prior. Unlike most of the books in this series, the first few chapters are dedicated to exposition, and the remains are only found about 1/3 in. While establishing the backgrounds of the various suspects is necessary, it does slow the pacing. However, the action picks up thereafter, and the rest of the narrative is compelling, especially the reenactment of the crime and the truly sad and disturbing revelation of what happened to Grace.
The subtle inclusion of several paranormal elements and allusions to the works of Edgar Allen Poe - the gothic mansion with its aged owner, the secret room housing a decomposing corpse, the cold drafts, and the vanishing cat - all contribute to the creepy atmosphere of this installment. As a fan of Poe, this is an added bonus.
In sum, this is a fun addition to the series. At this time, it appears to be the final book as McKinlay has yet to announce the next one. Hopefully, there will be more of Lindsay and the Crafternooners soon.
October 30, 2022
A fantastic read for me! The mystery of this one was so good, with just the right amount of spooky moments thrown in. Nothing really spooky but a few things to add a layer to the mystery. Loved this one!
September 29, 2022
4.5 stars This is my favorite book in this series so far, but it would also work as a standalone.
November 15, 2024
....Lindsey and Sully are back in the 13th book off the Library Lovers Mystery series. In this story Lindsey is excited to get a huge book collection for the library. As she heads to where the books are located, and she is more than certain that it is a valuable collection, she is about to find a gruesome discovery. The hold library at a Victorian estate has more than books in its vaults. There is a hidden room, and this room contains a skeleton that has a collection of Edgar Allen Poe in its hands. In fact, with Poe’s creepy stories, The Pit and the Pendulum just might follow that course.
Naturally, Lindsey’s attention is drawn to the old collection of books, but her attention is redirected to the deceased body. She promptly employs her exceptional deductive skills to identify the individual and potentially uncover the reason behind the skeleton’s possession of Poe’s book. The release of this book coincides with mid-October, which may evoke a sense of unease and foreboding among readers.
I manage to get a book ahead of time but don’t get around to reviewing it right away, I can usually borrow it from my library using Libby. I’m glad I did because there are some really cool additions at the end of this book. Since this was an audiobook review, and Allyson Ryan’s narration was amazing, I decided to check out the e-book. Jenn McKinlay added some really fun stuff at the end too!
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Naturally, Lindsey’s attention is drawn to the old collection of books, but her attention is redirected to the deceased body. She promptly employs her exceptional deductive skills to identify the individual and potentially uncover the reason behind the skeleton’s possession of Poe’s book. The release of this book coincides with mid-October, which may evoke a sense of unease and foreboding among readers.
I manage to get a book ahead of time but don’t get around to reviewing it right away, I can usually borrow it from my library using Libby. I’m glad I did because there are some really cool additions at the end of this book. Since this was an audiobook review, and Allyson Ryan’s narration was amazing, I decided to check out the e-book. Jenn McKinlay added some really fun stuff at the end too!
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
September 12, 2025
One of my favourites in the series!!
October 13, 2022
GREAT. GOOGLY. MOOGLY.
This is probably the creepiest book I have ever read by Jenn McKinlay. Folks, it was C R E E P Y. Truly, I should have known since the title mimics an Edgar Allan Poe book and he is referenced throughout the story and is a BIG part of the reveal. And let's just TALK about that reveal...HOLY MOLEY!!! I will be honest here and say that I had some of it figured out, but the rest. Nope. Never saw that coming. WOW.
After struggling with this series for the first few books [love triangle nonsense anyone?], I have fallen in deep love with them in recent editions [this is my first 5 star review of any of the series so WHOOOO HOOOOOO!!!] - Lindsey, Sully, Beth and the rest of the crew are really, really, great characters [WHO would have ever guessed that about Miss Cole? Not THIS girl that is for sure] and I love the little town and the library so much. The love they all have for each other and the camaraderie just warms my heart and I love when I get to "spend time" in Briar Creek.
Allyson Ryan is one of my all-time favorite narrators [I sure wish she'd narrate more of my favorites cozies] and it was so lovely to hear the familiar voices of Lindsey and Sully and Robbie Vine [a male British voice CANNOT be easy and she does it SO well] and everyone else.
I am so glad I was able to get this audiobook and dive back into the crazy life of Lindsey and the crew; what a ride.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenn McKinlay, Allyson Ryan - Narrator and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is probably the creepiest book I have ever read by Jenn McKinlay. Folks, it was C R E E P Y. Truly, I should have known since the title mimics an Edgar Allan Poe book and he is referenced throughout the story and is a BIG part of the reveal. And let's just TALK about that reveal...HOLY MOLEY!!! I will be honest here and say that I had some of it figured out, but the rest. Nope. Never saw that coming. WOW.
After struggling with this series for the first few books [love triangle nonsense anyone?], I have fallen in deep love with them in recent editions [this is my first 5 star review of any of the series so WHOOOO HOOOOOO!!!] - Lindsey, Sully, Beth and the rest of the crew are really, really, great characters [WHO would have ever guessed that about Miss Cole? Not THIS girl that is for sure] and I love the little town and the library so much. The love they all have for each other and the camaraderie just warms my heart and I love when I get to "spend time" in Briar Creek.
Allyson Ryan is one of my all-time favorite narrators [I sure wish she'd narrate more of my favorites cozies] and it was so lovely to hear the familiar voices of Lindsey and Sully and Robbie Vine [a male British voice CANNOT be easy and she does it SO well] and everyone else.
I am so glad I was able to get this audiobook and dive back into the crazy life of Lindsey and the crew; what a ride.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jenn McKinlay, Allyson Ryan - Narrator and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2022
3.5 stars- mainly for the creep factor. It's not a bad book!
When William Dorchester offers to donate his family's collection of rare and antiquarian books, Lindsey jumps at the chance to have the library care for the books. She doesn't quite bargain on the mystery of the runaway bride coming back to haunt the town- almost literally. William Dorchester left town 39 years ago after his former girlfriend married someone else and then disappeared. Gossips think Grace ran away with William or ran from her husband, Tim Little. Lindsey, a newcomer, tries to tune out the gossip but when she discovers a skeleton of a woman in 1980s clothing hidden in a secret room behind a bookcase in the Dorchester mansion, she's terrified she's found Grace at last. When spooky things happen inside the mansion, Lindsey's friends are convinced the house is haunted. Even Grace's death seems like something out of an Edgar Allen Poe tale. Briar Creek is buzzing with the news of Grace's death and they all blame one person- her husband Tim! Robbie is friends with Tim and convinced his buddy would never do such a thing. To get justice for Grace and clear Tim's name, Lindsey is going to have to do a little digging for information. Can she find the killer before she meets the same fate as Grace?
Ooh This one is so October! It's atmospheric. You have the autumn weather, leaves, Thanskgiving approaching and then the creepy stuff. There's a derelict old mansion, a locked room with no lock, a ghost cat (?!), a breeze from nowhere, a secret room, flickering lights, a skeleton, an old lady with dementia, and one cold case! I really don't like creepy and I normally love Jenn McKinlay because she's funny and doesn't do creepy. This one didn't appeal to me so much. It's also pretty dark and sad. As always though I appreciate the attention to detail in librarianship and police procedure. I also love the animal companions and suspect Zelda's story was inspired by that litter of feral cats that moved into the McKinlay-Orf household this summer LOL! I did figure out who the murderer was. I had a suspicion but couldn't figure out how. The whole reveal still came as a shock!
Jenn and hubs have big hearts and that comes through in Lindsey and Sully as well. I LOVE how much of a pet dad Sully is. He's sooo cute about the furry kids! I've been lukewarm on him until now, especially in the beginning, but now I love him because he loves his fur babies. Lindsey is not your average annoying cozy mystery heroine who goes running off asking questions skipping out on her real job. Lindsey operates differently. She works hard and goes sleuthing on her lunch hour or days off. This time, it's also part of her library duties to pack up the collection so she has a legit excuse to be at the Dorchester mansion. The way she solves the mystery is a bit silly but I'm not saying it couldn't happen. Lindsey is a good pet parent and does the right thing asking the vet about "Zelda" even if her heart knows what it wants. I adore the vet and Sully for knowing exactly why Lindsey chose the name Zelda! I'm not sure many people would know that.
The Crafternooners are a big part of the mystery in the beginning. Beth is on partial maternity leave still so she's on the sidelines with the new baby. Aiden has taken over her job part-time for now. He's cute with the kids too. Aiden and Beth are the most adorable, perfect couple and baby Beverly is a lucky girl! Nancy, Violet and Paula are all present when the skeleton is found. Nancy and Violet are older and more open to the idea of the supernatural and Nancy also knew about Grace's disapearance when it happened. Naturally, she's terrified stumbling across the skeleton. Paula is a tough lady who has seen a lot in her day but even she's freaked out by events in the Dorchester mansion. Only Sully refuses to believe in ghosts but he, too, is scared- he claims he's scared for Lindsey's safety but he seems unnerved by the ghostly happenings too. Robbie is Lindsey's co-sleuth for this investigation. He's his usual cheeky self adding humor to the investigation but he's serious about wanting to solve this one for his friend.
Grace sounds like she was a lovely young woman and deserved to have a happy ever after ending. The 80s sound like a super gross time to be a young woman. As a kid I never noticed the sexism and sexual harassment wasn't as big a deal in grade schools. It's a terrible tragedy Grace was killed and is not around to share stories of what she might have experienced as a young, pretty woman. I believe she loved Tim and truly didn't know who her stalker was. I think she was scared and worried but didn't know how to speak out because the 80s were HORRID! Her death is extra upsetting because of how it happened. Unless someone killed her first and moved her into the hidden room behind the bookcase? It seems like that might be the case because she was posed at a desk almost holding a book.
Tim Little is a pillar of the community. He and his current wife, Barbara, are loving parents and grandparents. He coaches Little League, etc. etc. However, Sully hears about Tim's legendary temper as a young man and fears it is hiding underneath the surface. Lindsey gets glimpses of it. She wonders which is the real Tim? Why not both? People change, they learn to control their anger. He's under a LOT of stress and distress. He's about to lose his job and his position in the community and worse- his family- if he's formally accused of murder! I don't blame him for breaking down and losing his temper. Did he kill Grace though? It doesn't seem like it to me but it sounds like he might have. Barabra is Tim's devoted wife. She stands by her man no matter what and doesn't believe he killed Grace. That's very admirable of her but something about her seems cold and off putting to me. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe because Tim is the one hanging out in the children's room playing puppets with the grandkids and Barabra seems impatient? Maybe because she asks Lindsey to do the impossible? Not to mention illegal? Lindsey's right- Emma is a great police chief and she'll figure out this cold case. No need for Lindsey to get involved, right?
The other major suspect is William Dorchester. He's an odd one. He's been estranged from his mother for 39 years because she refused to allow him to marry the woman he loved? Um what? What century is this and how old was he? Dude man up! Tim describes William as a Mama's boy. He may have been once and he's still kind of a wimp but he's not a Mama's boy. He's very cold and unfeeling towards Marion. He's eager to sell the house quickly to pay for his mother's care yet he claims he doesn't need the money from the sale of the books. SO use your money to pay for your mother's care, take your time to sell the mansion and put the books in an auction! William is a suspect because he loved Grace and she wouldn't have him. Was it a case of jealousy? If he couldn't have Grace, no one else would? How very gothic- like The Phantom of the Opera! Marion Dorchester is also a suspect. 39 years ago she didn't have dementia. She's lost in a haze of past and present and seeing Lindsey brings up memories of Grace. First, dementia doesn't work like that. If she's ready for assisted living but not memory care, she would be more alert and with it. She's ready for memory care though. Marion is angry, confused and restless. I feel so bad for her. I still don't see dementia working like that. Some people are angry, some are unhappy, all are confused but some roll with it and others can't cover it up. Marion seems to be all in one! I think she may have killed Grace if Grace came back to William believing she made a mistake with Tim. Why not divorce Tim first though? Why wouldn't Marion pay Grace off in the first place and if Grace wouldn't take the money, I'd say she was worthy of marrying William. She certainly didn't deserve to be killed either way.
One last suspect, introduced late in the story, is Grace's old boss, Mr. Felder. He's a cranky old man and was a total creeper of a boss. I'm sure he was behind the flowers! Oh ew! Poor Grace should have found a new job before she ended up dead. Mr. Felder is certainly mean enough to have done the deed. Who doesn't love the library?!
Keep 'em coming and I'll keep reading. Jenn McKinlay is my favorite cozy writer even if this one was a bit of a miss for me, personally.
When William Dorchester offers to donate his family's collection of rare and antiquarian books, Lindsey jumps at the chance to have the library care for the books. She doesn't quite bargain on the mystery of the runaway bride coming back to haunt the town- almost literally. William Dorchester left town 39 years ago after his former girlfriend married someone else and then disappeared. Gossips think Grace ran away with William or ran from her husband, Tim Little. Lindsey, a newcomer, tries to tune out the gossip but when she discovers a skeleton of a woman in 1980s clothing hidden in a secret room behind a bookcase in the Dorchester mansion, she's terrified she's found Grace at last. When spooky things happen inside the mansion, Lindsey's friends are convinced the house is haunted. Even Grace's death seems like something out of an Edgar Allen Poe tale. Briar Creek is buzzing with the news of Grace's death and they all blame one person- her husband Tim! Robbie is friends with Tim and convinced his buddy would never do such a thing. To get justice for Grace and clear Tim's name, Lindsey is going to have to do a little digging for information. Can she find the killer before she meets the same fate as Grace?
Ooh This one is so October! It's atmospheric. You have the autumn weather, leaves, Thanskgiving approaching and then the creepy stuff. There's a derelict old mansion, a locked room with no lock, a ghost cat (?!), a breeze from nowhere, a secret room, flickering lights, a skeleton, an old lady with dementia, and one cold case! I really don't like creepy and I normally love Jenn McKinlay because she's funny and doesn't do creepy. This one didn't appeal to me so much. It's also pretty dark and sad. As always though I appreciate the attention to detail in librarianship and police procedure. I also love the animal companions and suspect Zelda's story was inspired by that litter of feral cats that moved into the McKinlay-Orf household this summer LOL! I did figure out who the murderer was. I had a suspicion but couldn't figure out how. The whole reveal still came as a shock!
Jenn and hubs have big hearts and that comes through in Lindsey and Sully as well. I LOVE how much of a pet dad Sully is. He's sooo cute about the furry kids! I've been lukewarm on him until now, especially in the beginning, but now I love him because he loves his fur babies. Lindsey is not your average annoying cozy mystery heroine who goes running off asking questions skipping out on her real job. Lindsey operates differently. She works hard and goes sleuthing on her lunch hour or days off. This time, it's also part of her library duties to pack up the collection so she has a legit excuse to be at the Dorchester mansion. The way she solves the mystery is a bit silly but I'm not saying it couldn't happen. Lindsey is a good pet parent and does the right thing asking the vet about "Zelda" even if her heart knows what it wants. I adore the vet and Sully for knowing exactly why Lindsey chose the name Zelda! I'm not sure many people would know that.
The Crafternooners are a big part of the mystery in the beginning. Beth is on partial maternity leave still so she's on the sidelines with the new baby. Aiden has taken over her job part-time for now. He's cute with the kids too. Aiden and Beth are the most adorable, perfect couple and baby Beverly is a lucky girl! Nancy, Violet and Paula are all present when the skeleton is found. Nancy and Violet are older and more open to the idea of the supernatural and Nancy also knew about Grace's disapearance when it happened. Naturally, she's terrified stumbling across the skeleton. Paula is a tough lady who has seen a lot in her day but even she's freaked out by events in the Dorchester mansion. Only Sully refuses to believe in ghosts but he, too, is scared- he claims he's scared for Lindsey's safety but he seems unnerved by the ghostly happenings too. Robbie is Lindsey's co-sleuth for this investigation. He's his usual cheeky self adding humor to the investigation but he's serious about wanting to solve this one for his friend.
Grace sounds like she was a lovely young woman and deserved to have a happy ever after ending. The 80s sound like a super gross time to be a young woman. As a kid I never noticed the sexism and sexual harassment wasn't as big a deal in grade schools. It's a terrible tragedy Grace was killed and is not around to share stories of what she might have experienced as a young, pretty woman. I believe she loved Tim and truly didn't know who her stalker was. I think she was scared and worried but didn't know how to speak out because the 80s were HORRID! Her death is extra upsetting because of how it happened. Unless someone killed her first and moved her into the hidden room behind the bookcase? It seems like that might be the case because she was posed at a desk almost holding a book.
Tim Little is a pillar of the community. He and his current wife, Barbara, are loving parents and grandparents. He coaches Little League, etc. etc. However, Sully hears about Tim's legendary temper as a young man and fears it is hiding underneath the surface. Lindsey gets glimpses of it. She wonders which is the real Tim? Why not both? People change, they learn to control their anger. He's under a LOT of stress and distress. He's about to lose his job and his position in the community and worse- his family- if he's formally accused of murder! I don't blame him for breaking down and losing his temper. Did he kill Grace though? It doesn't seem like it to me but it sounds like he might have. Barabra is Tim's devoted wife. She stands by her man no matter what and doesn't believe he killed Grace. That's very admirable of her but something about her seems cold and off putting to me. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe because Tim is the one hanging out in the children's room playing puppets with the grandkids and Barabra seems impatient? Maybe because she asks Lindsey to do the impossible? Not to mention illegal? Lindsey's right- Emma is a great police chief and she'll figure out this cold case. No need for Lindsey to get involved, right?
The other major suspect is William Dorchester. He's an odd one. He's been estranged from his mother for 39 years because she refused to allow him to marry the woman he loved? Um what? What century is this and how old was he? Dude man up! Tim describes William as a Mama's boy. He may have been once and he's still kind of a wimp but he's not a Mama's boy. He's very cold and unfeeling towards Marion. He's eager to sell the house quickly to pay for his mother's care yet he claims he doesn't need the money from the sale of the books. SO use your money to pay for your mother's care, take your time to sell the mansion and put the books in an auction! William is a suspect because he loved Grace and she wouldn't have him. Was it a case of jealousy? If he couldn't have Grace, no one else would? How very gothic- like The Phantom of the Opera! Marion Dorchester is also a suspect. 39 years ago she didn't have dementia. She's lost in a haze of past and present and seeing Lindsey brings up memories of Grace. First, dementia doesn't work like that. If she's ready for assisted living but not memory care, she would be more alert and with it. She's ready for memory care though. Marion is angry, confused and restless. I feel so bad for her. I still don't see dementia working like that. Some people are angry, some are unhappy, all are confused but some roll with it and others can't cover it up. Marion seems to be all in one! I think she may have killed Grace if Grace came back to William believing she made a mistake with Tim. Why not divorce Tim first though? Why wouldn't Marion pay Grace off in the first place and if Grace wouldn't take the money, I'd say she was worthy of marrying William. She certainly didn't deserve to be killed either way.
One last suspect, introduced late in the story, is Grace's old boss, Mr. Felder. He's a cranky old man and was a total creeper of a boss. I'm sure he was behind the flowers! Oh ew! Poor Grace should have found a new job before she ended up dead. Mr. Felder is certainly mean enough to have done the deed. Who doesn't love the library?!
Keep 'em coming and I'll keep reading. Jenn McKinlay is my favorite cozy writer even if this one was a bit of a miss for me, personally.
November 12, 2022
It isn’t every day that a library gets a big book collection donation; even less often do they find a skeleton hidden in the benefactor’s home. The crafternoon crew has their work cut out for them when the skeleton turns out to be a run-a-way bride who didn’t run-a-way at all. Who would murder someone in such a cruel fashion and do they still live in Briar Creek?
The Plot and the Pendulum is a thrilling ride of ups and downs, mystery and suspense, murder and mayhem. The crafternoon crew isn’t used to investigating a murder that no one knew happened, but finding a young woman’s skeleton in a hidden passageway in a mansion makes them rethink everything they thought they knew. Town gossip turns into motives, people who appear to be generous become suspects, and finding out the truth becomes a lesson in fear.
Suspects are few; the skeleton’s husband at the time of her disappearance and a former lover, whose mother wouldn’t accept her, become the primary focus. But is there more to this murder than the crafternoon crew can find? It doesn’t take long for them to realize that the case is more complex than they thought, and when things turn sour, there is only one suspect who rises above the others. Evidence is hidden but glaring once readers get an idea of what really happened to the victim. The characters in this series are easy to like, and even though this can be a stand-alone book, it is best if readers start at the beginning for clarity.
It isn’t difficult to find the killer; I knew quickly who it was, and even the motive was easy to understand. But there are enough twists to make readers think twice and turn every page until they come to the end. The crafternoon crew plays a good part in The Plot and the Pendulum. The skeleton is the main character; you get a genuine sense of who she was even though she never speaks. This series has a long history, but it is still one of the best ones around if readers want a pure cozy with noble characters and delightful murders. I can’t wait to read the next one!
The Plot and the Pendulum is a thrilling ride of ups and downs, mystery and suspense, murder and mayhem. The crafternoon crew isn’t used to investigating a murder that no one knew happened, but finding a young woman’s skeleton in a hidden passageway in a mansion makes them rethink everything they thought they knew. Town gossip turns into motives, people who appear to be generous become suspects, and finding out the truth becomes a lesson in fear.
Suspects are few; the skeleton’s husband at the time of her disappearance and a former lover, whose mother wouldn’t accept her, become the primary focus. But is there more to this murder than the crafternoon crew can find? It doesn’t take long for them to realize that the case is more complex than they thought, and when things turn sour, there is only one suspect who rises above the others. Evidence is hidden but glaring once readers get an idea of what really happened to the victim. The characters in this series are easy to like, and even though this can be a stand-alone book, it is best if readers start at the beginning for clarity.
It isn’t difficult to find the killer; I knew quickly who it was, and even the motive was easy to understand. But there are enough twists to make readers think twice and turn every page until they come to the end. The crafternoon crew plays a good part in The Plot and the Pendulum. The skeleton is the main character; you get a genuine sense of who she was even though she never speaks. This series has a long history, but it is still one of the best ones around if readers want a pure cozy with noble characters and delightful murders. I can’t wait to read the next one!
November 2, 2022
This was a delightful cozy mystery! It’s 13th in a series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. There’s all the charming small town vibes where everybody knows everybody. The main character Lindsey is the Briar Creek Librarian, who also happens to solve mysteries-talk about a dream job!!
Lindsey and her friends are discussing a local missing persons case of a decades old “run away bride” when William Dorchester walks in. He wants to give all his family’s books (thousands of them) to the library as his elderly mother will be moving to a nursing home and he wants to sell the house.
When Lindsey goes to inventory the books, she stumbles into a hidden passage through a bookcase! Seriously, isn’t this every book lover’s s dream?? Unfortunately there is also a corpse in there. Is there a connection between Mr Dorchester and the runaway bride?
“I’m a librarian and I want answers!”
This story has great characters, lots of book references, a fun mystery, and even recipes! If you’re a cozy mystery lover you need to try this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion!
Lindsey and her friends are discussing a local missing persons case of a decades old “run away bride” when William Dorchester walks in. He wants to give all his family’s books (thousands of them) to the library as his elderly mother will be moving to a nursing home and he wants to sell the house.
When Lindsey goes to inventory the books, she stumbles into a hidden passage through a bookcase! Seriously, isn’t this every book lover’s s dream?? Unfortunately there is also a corpse in there. Is there a connection between Mr Dorchester and the runaway bride?
“I’m a librarian and I want answers!”
This story has great characters, lots of book references, a fun mystery, and even recipes! If you’re a cozy mystery lover you need to try this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion!
October 23, 2022
5 bazillion stars!!!!! One of my favourite cozy mysteries and this one was all kinds autumnal spookiness. Love everything about this series -- from the characters (such fantastic dynamics between Lindsey and all those she loves) to the mysteries.. They are complex and layered and this one was a gobsmacker! Plus it was approached with such compassion and poignancy. Lindsey has such a heart for people and animals and that is showcased to perfection in The Plot and the Pendulum. Now I'm bereft because it's over. lol Such a bookish conundrum! Praying there are many more books to come.
November 14, 2022
A solid entry in the series and a welcome companion on election night--when I stood in line for more than two and a half hours waiting to vote, and read the first 100 pages of this book in one go. I enjoy cold cases, hidden library rooms, and Edgar Allan Poe, so I was glad to see all of those elements at play in my favorite cozy series. My only complaints are that the pacing was a bit slow in the first half (and subsequently rather fast in the second) and that there seemed to be less going on with the regular characters than usual.
December 11, 2024
31/2 rounded up
Lindsey is cataloging a collection of books when she discovers a skeleton in a hidden room. Although this series is considered “cozy,” it’s not too syrupy, is written well and readers get the benefit of a book about books!
Lindsey is cataloging a collection of books when she discovers a skeleton in a hidden room. Although this series is considered “cozy,” it’s not too syrupy, is written well and readers get the benefit of a book about books!
October 10, 2022
This series has slowly grown on me. I have started to really appreciate the tight-knit community that has welcomed Lindsey Norris and accepted her as one of their own. She really has they idyllic life in her small town, newly married, with the perfect job, and now a wonderful bequest of first editions and other books for the library. I love the addition of the cold case and while I figured out who the murderer was early on, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the mystery (although the gruesome way the murder occurred was a little jarring). I can't wait to see what they get up to next..
Narration was well done, no issues.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an honest review.
Narration was well done, no issues.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an honest review.
November 18, 2022
This was the first book I've read in this series and I liked it! I liked the small town library setting, the mystery was good, and I enjoyed spending time with these characters. I will be picking up the next book!
ARC Provided by NetGalley
ARC Provided by NetGalley
March 23, 2023
I have enjoyed this mystery series. This book was a bit more sinister than most with a good twist.
October 19, 2022
I loved it! Excellent mystery and wonderful cast of characters. I preordered this right away when it was first announced since I enjoy this series so much. This is one of my favorite authors.
November 1, 2022
Grreat book! I did figure it out right before the end, but it didn't stop my enjoyment of the story, the characters or the mystery, one bit!
October 30, 2022
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My Review: Really good mystery. I love this series. Jenn McKinlay is the best cozy mystery author.
My Review: Really good mystery. I love this series. Jenn McKinlay is the best cozy mystery author.
December 3, 2022
This one was my favorite of the series so far. Although I suspected who the killer was, I was never really sure, and there was a lot of suspense throughout. I really liked how the storyline led up to the reveal and the reveal itself was suspenseful.
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