Early Book Review: The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James

 The Broken Spine by Dorothy St. James is the first book in the Beloved Bookworm series. It is currently scheduled for release on January 19 2021. 

Trudell Becket, known to her friends as Tru, finds herself in a bind when her library in lovely Cypress, South Carolina, is turned into a state-of-the-art bookless “technological center.” A library with no books breaks Tru’s book-loving heart so she decides to rescue hundreds of beloved tomes slated for the town dump. Under the cover of darkness, Tru, along with her best friends—coffee shop owner Tori Green and mysterious bestselling author Flossie Finnegan-Baker—set up a secret bookroom in the library’s basement and prepare to open it to their most loyal, trustworthy patrons. But as Tru and her crew are putting the finishing touches on their new book room, the town manager, who was behind the big push for the library’s transformation, is crushed by an overturned shelf of DVDs. Tru becomes the prime suspect as she hadn’t hid the fact that she hated having all of those wonderful books replaced by tablets and computers. But if she gives the police her alibi, she’ll have to explain about the secret book room and risk losing the books. Tru knows she’s in a heap of trouble, and it doesn’t help that the officer in charge of the case is her old crush from high school, who broke her teenaged heart. To keep herself out of jail and her beloved bookroom up and running, Tru—with the help of Tori, Flossie, and a brown tabby stray cat named Dewey Decimal—decides to investigate. And faster than you can say “Shhhh!” Tru quickly finds herself on the same page with a killer who would love to write her final chapter.

The Broken Spine is a book that I had a little trouble with to start. The way librarians were discussed in the beginning left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and I almost set the book aside. However, I stuck with it and the book did get better and I tried to put that initial impression aside. I liked the character arch for Tru, although her role as the mousy librarian still irks me a bit, I do think that she came into herself by the end of the book. I thought the reveal of the secondary characters and the dynamics of the town was well done. I did think it was weird that the town's characters all knew each other, but then a number of police officers and other residents were strangers. My favorite part of the story was the cat, and some of the friendships that carried Tru through. The mystery was well layered and had plenty of twists and turns, and a good touch of danger. However, I do not think that I will continue reading this series.

The Broken Spine is a good mystery, and I liked the majority of the story.  

Early Book Review: A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries) by Victoria Gilbert

A Murder for the Books is the first book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series by Victoria Gilbert. It is currently scheduled for release on December 12 2017. Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble. Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families, including her own. When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest.

A Murder for the Books is a mystery that both made me happy and frustrated me. As a librarian I was thrilled with the detailed view that was offered of Amy's librarian skills, and path to the career. Her commentary on search skills and research was on point; as was her facing down budget issues, patron issues, and condescending stereotypes. I was not thrilled with the comment "librarians are in demand" because I know far too many great librarians in several fields that have been searching for years for a full time library job- including those willing to move anywhere and are currently juggling multiple part time jobs just to make ends meet.  It happen early in the book, and colored my read for a bit, but thankfully the writing style and story overcame that after a bit.

With that being said, I liked Amy for the most part. She is smart and independent, however her insecurity and body issues irked me. My biggest issue with her was her concern with how others viewed her, but I did like that for the most part she dressed how she wanted rather than always heeding those opinions. I think Richard was a good character, but I found him to be a bit too perfect. I enjoyed Amy's aunt and the quirkier residents of the town to be much more entertaining and interesting. To be perfectly honest, I will admit to expecting a bigger betrayal or twist, but did not see the full extent of the conclusion coming at all. There were just so many twists, and I liked that just when readers think everything is settled more pops up to take it to another level. I think at some point it might have gotten too complicated, but it kept me on my toes and turning pages well past my bedtime.

A Murder for the Books is a great start to a series, although I wonder who might be dead in subsequent books. I liked the characters, and the layers to the mystery, and solution. I think it might have gotten a little too twisty and complicated for readers looking for a more cozy read. 

Book Review: Pirates in the Library by Nadia Ali, Jake Tebbits

Pirates in the Library is a picture book written by by Nadia Ali, and illustrated by Jake Tebbits. Prepare to set sail for the adventure of a lifetime with fierce Captain Jake when he discovers a treasure map that leads him, his crew (and a parrot, too), right to the library. Ms. Benitez, the librarian, welcomes them, as long as they behave! The pirates’ search is on! Soon they discover, with the aid of Dread Pirate Dewey’s map, treasures galore on the shelves. Now the dilemma: Can they keep these treasures? Ms. Benitez has the answer.

Pirates in the Library is a fun adventure that starts with pirates searching for treasure, but includes the rules and organization of most public and school libraries. Ms. Benitez is rather like most librarian that i know, wanting to encourage people to come and use the library, and to feel comfortable there. we want people to be able to find and use our resources- otherwise why have them? I like that the treasure is the contents of the library- and that even pirates used to plundering agree to return the materials they take in order to have access to even more treasures. I also like that the book includes a guide to the Dewey Decimal System. The chart would be helpful for many that want to browse the non fiction collection of any library using the system. A valuable and inviting learning tool for parents, teachers, and librarians.