The Broken Spine

In this whimsical series launch from St. James (the Southern Chocolate Shop mysteries), Cypress, S.C., librarian Trudell Becket discovers that Mayor Marvin Goodvale and town manager Duggar Hargrove’s plan to renovate the library includes sending all print books to a recycling center. Horrified, Trudell sets out to transfer as many books as possible to a secret room in the library’s basement. Trudell’s dislike of the unctuous Duggar is well known, so when he’s murdered, she becomes the number one suspect. Assisted by various friends, including wheelchair user Flossie Finnegan-Baker (St. James ensures Flossie’s disability isn’t the focal point of her character), Trudell seeks to identify Duggar’s killer while trying to dodge a suspicious police detective who bullied her in high school. An intriguing plotline and plenty of red herrings redeem in part flat characters who often act illogically. Cozy fans seeking a lighthearted, straightforward mystery will be satisfied. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Jan.)