REVIEW: Books Can Be Deceiving

Books Can Be Deceiving
Author: Jenn McKinley
290 pages
Cozy Mystery

Lindsey has just taken the job as head librarian at the Briar Creek Public Library.  When a local award-winning author is found murdered at his private island getaway cottage, his girlfriend, Beth, is accused of the murder. Lindsey comes to the aid of her friend to clear her in the murder case.

I enjoyed this book, but the plot and characters are very formula. The incompetant small town police chief. The asshat local celebrity. The helpless, innocent woman accused of murder.

But, this is a cozy mystery series. Formula is pretty common in the genre. I didn't mind it in this case. Despite a little bit of awkward dialogue, the story was well written, the characters interesting, and the plot well-done. As a cozy, the book is meant to be an easy afternoon read, and not a police procedural with complex characters and plot twists. As a simple mystery, the plot and kitsch were engaging enough to keep me reading.

I will definitely be reading more books in this series. It might be formula, but it wasn't trite, poorly written or annoying as some cozy mysteries can be. Kudos to Jenn McKinley for a great first book in a series!  Can't wait to read the second book!

My rating: 7/10
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