Better Late Than Never
4 Stars

Lindsay Norris, Briarcreek's intrepid librarian, becomes involved in a cold case when an overdue book is returned during the library's amnesty day, and it is discovered that the book was checked out by a murder victim on the day she died 20 years earlier. Was the book returned by the killer and if so, why?

This series is back on track with an interesting mystery and an end to the annoying love triangle that has taken up far too much page time in the last few books.

In many cozy mysteries, the victim is more often than not a decidedly nasty piece of work. This time, however, Candice Whitley was a truly lovely person and McKinlay manages to convey the tragedy of her death and the emotion of her loss exceedingly well.

Although there are several plausible suspects, the identity of the killer and their motive are quite obvious when they are introduced. Nevertheless, the climax and resolution are intense and exciting.

In terms of the romance, Lindsay finally makes a choice between Sully and Robbie, and I am very glad to see the back of this issue and am interested to see how Emma and Robbie's relationship develops.
( )

When Lindsey's library holds a fine amnesty day and encourages the citizens of Briar Creek to return any and all overdue items, with no fear of penalty, the staff are overwhelmed by the amount of material that comes back. What surprises everyone, however, is a copy of Catcher in the Rye that was checked out twenty years ago. When they dig into their records, things get even weirder as the book was checked out to the high school English teacher who was found murdered on the day she died. Of course, Lindsey can't resist digging into why the book has been returned and who might have murdered the teacher, to the surprise of none of her circle of friends in Briar Creek.

Enjoyable as always. I'm with this series for life, I think, even when there is the occasional passage or chapter of clunky writing that has me skimming. Another solid entry in this cozy mystery series. ( )

McKinlay has to be the most inconsistent writer to have ever graced my shelves. She creates fantastic, likeable characters, and then proceeds to play with them like a disturbed child pulling wings off of flies.

If someone purporting to love you, or at least be infatuated enough to want to pursue you, isn't listening while you repeatedly say "no, I'm not going to date you", it's not charming, even if he's British. Making your normally intelligent, independent MC constantly roll over and accept not being listened to and laughing each time her feelings are dismissed isn't anything to be proud of either. Mixed messages much?

"She was just lying there, with her arms crossed over her chest and her feet crossed at the ankles, looking perfectly peaceful - almost as if she was taking a nap."

Not if she was strangled, she wasn't. Suffocation and strangulation are entirely different deaths and strangulation is never pretty. This isn't an obscure fact; McKinlay was either wilfully ignorant or lazy.

Her plot twists weren't subtle, neither was her plotting. In quite a few areas, the narration was unnatural and stilted; people don't talk like this is real life.

She did two things right, for which I'm happy to give each a star: the love triangle is resolved, and boy howdy, McKinlay should stick to romance. The moments between Lindsay and *ahem* almost made reading the book worthwhile all on their own. The chemistry was palpable.

She also ends this book with Lindsay swearing off sleuthing for good. I don't know if this is the end of the series or just a weird cliffhanger-ish thing, but either way, it gives me the perfect opportunity to stop reading this series, always hoping in vain for improvement - for which I am heartily thankful. ( )

Excessive to the point of distraction use of “he said she said”. I liked the story though ( )

I like this series a lot and it's stayed fresh for over seven books. The best part about the series is that a lot of the action revolves around the library or books. Favorite new character is Paula the punk rock librarian. The only issue I had with the book was the solution to the mystery was too easy, the only surprising part was that both of the former suspects were back in town. I had thought it was just Brian Kelly, her former student. ( )