The first in an exciting new series featuring Trudell Becket, a spunky librarian who will stop at nothing to save her beloved books and catch a killer!Trudell Becket, book-loving librarian, finds herself in a bind when the library where she works is turned into a state-of-the-art bookless library. In a rare move of rebellion, Trudell rescues hundreds of her library’s beloved books slated for the … books slated for the recycle center. She sets up a secret book room in the library’s basement and opens it to anyone who shares her love of the printed book.
When the town councilman, who was the vocal proponent of the library’s transformation into a “futuristic technological center,” is crushed under an overturned shelf of DVDs, Trudell becomes the police’s prime suspect for his murder. She was the only person in the library at the time of his death, or so the police believe. But that’s not true. For the past month, Trudell had been letting a few dozen residents into the building through the basement entrance so they could read and check out the printed books.
But if she tells the police about the backdoor patrons who were in the library at the time of the murder, she’d have to explain about the secret book room and risk losing the books. In order to protect herself from being arrested for a murder she didn’t commit, Trudell–with the help of a group of dedicated readers–decides to investigate. She quickly discovers you can’t always judge a book by its cover.
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The Broken Spine is the first book in the new Beloved Bookroom Mystery series by Dorothy St. James. The premise is completely captivating and I was excited to read about Trudell and the upcoming changes her town’s library. Tru is determined to vocalize her displeasure with the new format and doing so puts her in the crosshairs of Cypress’s finest. Her sleuthing and trying to figure out who committed murder inside the library also puts her in the crosshairs of some not-so-desirables, too.
The thought of a bookless library terrifies me and I spent a good portion of the first few chapters completely anxious and reading in complete disbelief. I was horrified that anyone would think a bookless library is a good idea. While not a new concept (after doing some research on the topic), it’s new to me and I would never support a bookless public library. I love my print books way too much. I have an e-reader (which is how I read The Broken Spine) so I’m not against the use of technology, I just don’t think bookless libraries are the way to go – much too post-apocalyptic/dystopian. I totally understand Tru’s reaction to the new library concept. Please understand I’m a Gen Xer and, while completely computer literate, I’m still old school in many, many ways.
Tru’s passion causes her to make some silly mistakes and decisions, and sometimes her character seems juvenile in her actions and responses. Fortunately, Tru has helpful friends in Tori and and I enjoyed their interactions. Her reaction to Jace’s return home to Cypress is extremely bothersome to her and I understand her feelings. What I didn’t understand is the resolution to her conflict. I didn’t find it to be resolved satisfactorily. For something that plagued her for so long, the engagement between her and Jace regarding said treatment fell short for me. I didn’t expect there to be a long drawn out drama session but the quick resolution didn’t sit well with me. This was just a small portion of the book, however, and didn’t spoil the book overall. This was just an observation on my part.
I found the book to be well-written and fast-paced. I was engaged from the very beginning. There are a lot of potential suspects and I had fun trying to figure out who committed the crime. I was totally blindsided. The murderer was someone on my list at the beginning but one I crossed off until closer to the reveal. The reason was staggering and I couldn’t believe what I read. I look forward to seeing Tru’s next shenanigans.
This is the first of a new cozy series. It covers all of the bases with small town, library, possible love interest detective, cat and best friend brigade. Maybe somewhat formulaic but still entertaining. Good plot and lots of good characters. Looking forward to seeing this series develop.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
Dorothy St. James has launched a new series with The Broken Spine. The series is called A Beloved Bookworm Mystery. What a fun, new storyline! Trudell Becket is the assistant librarian in Cypress, SC. The new town manager has convinced the mayor and council to convert the library into a bookless one, an all digital one with computers and tablets. All the newer books would be sent to third-party reseller companies. The older books were to go to the local landfill. Tru needed a plan. She needed to save some of the books so she set up a secret library in the basement of the soon-to-be bookless library above. Then the town manager was murdered and Tru became a suspect. I really like how Tru and her friends investigate and search for clues to the identity of the real killer. Along the way Tru adopts a homeless cat who ends up being a hero. This was a fun read. I look forward to more books in this series.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, a library without books! I couldn’t believe it until I learned the premise behind this first in a new series has actually been tried. The Broken Spine is inviting, from the gorgeous cover with the distinctively marked cat and secret room to the mystery itself. I felt a connection with Tru, the assistant librarian, who has loved books most of her life. The characters come to life through their actions and conversations.
The town manager, Duggar, and the mayor, Marvin, are bringing the historic library in Cypress, South Carolina into the 21st century with a digital-only library. Even children will learn how to find activities and books on child-proof tablets, while others can check out tablets to read from or check out books on their own e-reader or phone. Rather than keeping the existing print books, they are sending some out to be sold. Most, however, including classics, rare and first edition volumes will go to the landfill. Not on Tru’s watch!
Tru has long considered books to be her friends, having spent many hours in the library when her family split up, and in the years since. As a librarian, she has never been a rule-breaker. Until now. She couldn’t bear to have the books sent to the landfill, enlisted help from a couple friends, and put a rescue operation in place. She planned and put into use an old vault that was to be a WWII bomb shelter. With a secure lock, it will be the secret book room that only those who love the printed page and can keep a secret will be invited to use it.
A cat made its way into the library, leading Tru on a merry chase to locate before the head librarian did. The cat had distinctive, interesting markings. Tru never had a pet before but was willing to bring home the four-footed creature when he stopped hissing and digging claws into Tru and began to like her. She sometimes hid the cat in the library during the day, and he welcomed people into the secret room.
While working in the basement, Tru heard a crash and ran upstairs. A media room shelf full of DVD’s had fallen over. Duggar, the town manager who wanted the print books destroyed, was killed by the DVD shelf. For some reason, nobody heard it, even Anne, the technology specialist, who was working in the computer room closest to where the shelf was. Nobody heard a thing until Tru screamed for help moving the shelf off Duggar. And when the police detective is done questioning everyone, several fingers point to her as the killer. Tru decides it is time to have the kind of adventure that her hero, Nancy Drew, was known for. Tru wants to find whodunit, however, to keep herself out of prison.
This was a fascinating novel. I had to consider what a world would be like with no print books. There are some things that simply need to be kept in print. Anne had suggested that the world is changing, and most people will watch movies and listen to podcasts, there would be no time or inclination to read a book, which is scary. While I thought I knew early on whodunit, I could not come up with the motive until much later. Tru gave it her all, and considered other people who were brief diversions, one of whom I almost moved into the primary suspect slot. I still learned several things at the end, and all loose ends were tied up. I highly recommend this to those who appreciate well-written cozy mysteries with libraries, cats, and southern charm.
“The Broken Spine” the first instalment in the “A Beloved Bookroom” Mystery series by Dorothy St. James . OMG what a great start to a wonderful cozy mystery series! I just loved this book.
I really enjoyed this story, there was humor, murder and a cat. What’s not to like! I read almost in one sitting but finally succumbed to sleep with only a few chapters left.
The mystery moved at a good pace, was interesting and I thought well plotted. I loved the characters living in Cypress South Carolina especially Tru and BFF Tori Green and mysterious bestselling author Flossie Finnegan-Baker. I did suspect whodunnit fairly early but was never 100% sure.
Overall I found it to be a very entertaining read and I’m looking forward to book two to find out what Tru does with Dewey and the bookroom.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkley and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.