In the latest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Likely Story, a decades overdue book puts library director Lindsey Norris hot on the trail of a cold case… When the Briar Creek Public Library holds its first overdue book amnesty day—no fines for late returns—the volume of incoming materials is more than Lindsey and her staff can handle. In a bind, Lindsey … her staff can handle. In a bind, Lindsey drafts the crafternoon ladies to help check in and sort the stacks of books.
But one tardy tome catches her attention—a copy of J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, twenty years past due. When Lindsey looks up the borrower, she’s shocked to discover it was a murdered teacher named Candice Whitley, whose killer was never found.
Candice checked out the novel on the day she was murdered. Now Lindsey wonders if it could provide a clue to the decades-old cold case. No one noticed who brought the book back in, but could it be Candice’s killer? Lindsey is determined to catch the culprit one way or another, because justice for Candice Whitley is long overdue…
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Lindsay Norris has declared an overdue book amnesty day for the Briar Creek Public Library, but even she is surprised when a book that was checked out twenty years ago is returned. Further research indicates that it was checked out by Candice Whitley on the day she was murdered – a crime that remains unsolved. Why was this book returned now? Will it help solve this cold case?
I was intrigued by the premise of this book as soon as I learned what it was. I was rewarded with a well-executed mystery that provided clues and red herrings that kept me guessing until I reached the suspenseful climax. The romantic triangle that has been going on for the last few books appears to have wrapped up here, but it looks like everyone will be staying in town, which I am very happy about since I just love these characters. We got a few new regulars here, too, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better. This book included plenty of laughs and grins, so if you are looking for a light, fun murder mystery, this is the book to check out.
F I N A L L Y!!!!!!!
Whew. I really didn’t want to give up this series.
This was a good one – no dead body found [it is a cold case], and lots of twists and turns. I was SURE I knew what and who. I was wrong. HOW glorious. 🙂
When I need a go-to, guaranteed solid and sure-fire cozy mystery, I look to Jenn McKinlay for her wonderful settings, characters and plots. In the seventh book of the Library Lover’s mystery series, I found another good read with Better Late Than Never. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and round it up to 4 on Goodreads and Amazon.
It’s Amnesty Day at the Briar Creek Public Library where Lindsey receives hundreds of overdue library books, including one that was last handled by someone who was murdered–and the crime was never solved! Lindsey quietly investigates in the background while trying to keep famous actor Robbie Vine from convincing her to be his girlfriend. She also spends more time with Sully, and there’s an actual decision in her love triangle in this book. While playing detective, Lindsey meets tons of staff at the local high school, learns more about the brother of another supporting character, and finds herself discovering someone isn’t who they say they are… shocker! LOL
McKinlay always delivers characters you can believe and whom you want to know. The setting is cozy and makes you wish you lived in the town, minus the murders. The plot was strong in the beginning, but the case was solved too quickly. It was humming along with a few potential suspects and then BAM, the “I know who did it” scenario happens… but there weren’t enough clues along the way. The book was 50% focused on her relationship issues which meant less time for the crime. In some ways, I’m cool with that, as I like Lindsey and it’s always fun to just read about her life. But I think it would have been better with another 2 chapters leading readers around a bit before she guessed the killer and found herself in his/her clutches.
I’ll keep reading as I’m a fan… maybe next time it will be even stronger. I have her Hat Shop series books on my shelf saying ‘read me now please’ but I can’t listen until after I finish my Agatha Christie Readathon I’m hosting in April 2018.
I’m enjoying this series it’s Jan’s best in my opinion.
The characters are completely relatable, the whole series is wonderful start to finish. I highly recommend it.
I have read all of her books about the librarian. I hope she writes more with those characters. They are better than her other series.
I have liked all this series so far. I think the author has built an authentic town, with a lot of well-developed characters, and I’d like to live there, if it wasn’t for the weather! The romance develops slowly but realistically, and the mystery does not overwhelm the relationships between the people. Look forward to more of these.