Review - Booking For Trouble

  Jenn Mickinlay, the author of Library Lover's Mysteries, Cupcake Mysteries, Good Bye Girl's Mysteries (as Josie Belle), Decoupage Mysteries (as Lucy Lawrence), and London Hat Shop Mysteries.

This is my first book in this series and I had no trouble picking up and understanding the pertinent backstory.

      

Guest Post (2019) plus review of 11th Cupcake Bakery Mystery  (click here) 

Guest Post 2017 (click here) 

5th in Hat Shop Mysteries (click here)

This book is releasing Feb 24, 2026.

Author: Jenn McKinlay

Copyright: Feb 2026 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 16th in Library Lover's Mystery

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery, Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Lindsey Norris Sullivan, Library Director

Setting: Modern Day, Briar Creek, Connecticut & surrounding islands

Obtained Through: Publisher/Netgalley for honest review

Book Blurb: "Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk."

My Thoughts:

Lindsey is the 20-something year old director at the Briar Creek Library. She makes up for her lack of age and experience with a passion for libraries and the community. She is enjoyable and I found myself routing for her.  Mike Sullivan is her husband who runs a water-taxi and boat tour service for people and becomes the book-boat captain for once a week runs. I like Mike who is a warm and caring character.

Beth, a library school classmate of Lindsey's who is the children's librarian and now good friend plus Mrs. Cole are stalwart employees.  Then there is the Crafternoon group that pitch in to run down information during sleuthing.  They weren't as present in the story as I expected.

The isolation of being on a grouping of islands, called Thumb Islands, while a murderer is striking really drives home how remote the islands are. 

The plot is Lyndsey doesn't believe the murder was due to a decade old feud between two families living on "Split Island."  At first it seems that the feud resulted in blood shed, but there are too many questions surrounding it for Lyndsey.

The pacing was consistent with the added subplot of a city Counselman wanting to close the library completely. Lyndsey's fighting to keep the library funded while looking into the murder.

The killer reveal wasn't as suspenseful or dramatic as I love, but it was a good and conclusion with a twist that was well done.

If I could change anything it would be a little more depth to Lyndsey's character because sometimes it felt like she was a set-piece being moved around when she is the main  character. 

Rating:  Good - A fun enjoyable cozy read

Have you read any of the 16 books in this series? If so, what did you think of them? Please share in the comments.

    Here is a short video about an a series of islands in Connecticut that sounds exactly like the "Thumb Islands" in this book.  Check it out, it's quite interesting.

THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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