Killer Research

In McKinlay’s diverting 12th Library Lover’s mystery (after 2020’s One for the Books), library director Lindsey Norris and her colleagues are supporting the campaign of library circulation head Eugenia Cole for mayor of Briar Creek, Conn., while coping with the incumbent, Mayor Hensen , who has done little for the library and resents Ms. Cole’s candidacy. When a body is found in Ms. Cole’s car trunk, the mayor attempts to torpedo her campaign by insinuating that she’s the killer and attempting to have her arrested. Lindsey learns that the victim, Henry Lewis, was a former fiancé of Ms. Cole and involved in a controversial potential sale of his successful Nana’s Cookies company. In addition, Henry was opposed to the sale of family property to a developer, which may have placed him on the wrong side of his nephew, Lenny Lewis. McKinlay’s solid understanding of small-town personalities and the rallying of loyal library patrons and employees to Ms. Cole’s aid provide satisfying reading. Both new and faithful fans will find much to enjoy. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Nov.)