The Recommended Reading Path: Start at the Beginning
For the best reading experience, we highly recommend reading the Library Lover Mysteries in publication order. While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is resolved by the final page, the series relies on a strong, overarching character-driven continuity. Over the course of the series, you will watch library director Lindsey Norris settle into the community of Briar Creek, build lasting friendships, form her famous 'crafternoon' book club, and navigate a sweet, slow-burn romantic arc that evolves significantly from book to book. Reading them out of order will spoil major personal milestones and relationship developments for Lindsey and the supporting cast.
Library Lover Mysteries Order of Books
Here is the chronological and publication order of the Library Lover Mysteries. Aside from one bonus novella tucked inside a novel, the publication order matches the internal timeline perfectly.
- Books Can Be Deceiving (2011) – The debut novel that introduces Lindsey Norris, the Briar Creek Public Library, and her close-knit circle. When Lindsey's friend Beth is accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend, Lindsey must step in to find the real killer.
- Due or Die (2012) – Lindsey's efforts to keep the library running smoothly are interrupted when a wealthy library benefactor is found dead, and a local resident is accused of the crime.
- Book, Line and Sinker (2012) – When the local police chief's ex-girlfriend is murdered, Lindsey and her 'crafternoon' crew hook onto the case to reel in the true culprit.
- Read It and Weep (2013) – A play based on a secret diary brings old town rivalries to the surface, culminating in the murder of the production's director.
- On Borrowed Time (2014) – A romantic proposal is cut short when a dead body is found on a nearby boat, pulling Lindsey into a case involving long-held family secrets.
- A Likely Story (2015) – The sixth main novel features a cold case that comes alive when a long-missing town resident's remains are found. (Note: This book contains the bonus prequel novella, 'An Unlikely Meeting', printed at the very end of the text.)
- Better Late Than Never (2016) – When the library holds a late return amnesty day, a decades-overdue book is returned containing a clue to an unsolved murder.
- Death in the Stacks (2017) – Lindsey hosts a major library director's conference, but the event turns deadly when the library board president is murdered. This book features fun cameo appearances from Jenn McKinlay's other cozy series.
- Hitting the Books (2018) – A hit-and-run accident on a stormy night leads Lindsey to a cache of stolen library materials and a deeper conspiracy.
- Word to the Wise (2019) – Lindsey is stalked by an obsessive library patron, and when he turns up dead, the police target Lindsey's fiancé, Sully, as the prime suspect.
- One for the Books (2020) – Wedding bells are ringing in Briar Creek! But Lindsey and Sully's wedding plans are put on hold when the wedding planner is found murdered.
- Killer Research (2021) – The library's new bookmobile is a hit, but a murder at the local town council meeting threatens to shut down the project before it really begins.
- The Plot and the Pendulum (2022) – A local historic estate is being renovated, but the discovery of a skeleton hidden behind a library wall sends Lindsey digging into the town's history.
- Fatal First Edition (2024) – Lindsey and Sully travel to Chicago for an archivist convention, where a rare edition of Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train becomes the center of a deadly mystery.
- A Merry Little Murder Plot (2024) – A festive holiday mystery featuring a grumpy visiting author, Helen Monroe, and a stalker-turned-victim found dead near the town's holiday light display.
- Booking for Trouble (2026) – The latest entry sees Lindsey launching a new book-boat venture, only for a body to surface near the islands off the coast of Briar Creek.
Special Publications and Novella Guidance
Unlike many cozy mystery series that feature sprawling spin-offs or confusing prequels, the Library Lover Mysteries series is remarkably straightforward. However, there is one key piece of side content you should look out for:
- 'An Unlikely Meeting' (Novella #6.5): Published in 2015, this short story is included as a bonus at the end of the paperback edition of A Likely Story. Chronologically, it serves as a prequel, detailing the very first meeting between Lindsey Norris and her future husband, Mike 'Sully' Sullivan. While it can be read at any time, it is best enjoyed after you have read at least the first few novels to appreciate the characters' history.
Cozy Crossovers and Universe Cameos
While there are no official co-authored spin-offs, Jenn McKinlay has woven delightful connections between her fictional worlds. Cozy fans should keep their eyes open for the following crossover moments:
- In Death in the Stacks (Book 8), McKinlay rewards her loyal readers by featuring cameo appearances from characters in her Cupcake Bakery Mystery series and her Hat Shop Mystery series (written under the pen name Lucy Lawrence).
- In Fatal First Edition (Book 14), McKinlay stages a major crossover with fellow cozy author Kate Carlisle. The book features a cameo by Brooklyn Wainwright, the bookbinding protagonist of Carlisle's popular Bibliophile Mystery series, during the Chicago archivist convention.
What to Know Before You Start
Jenn McKinlay, a former librarian herself, brings a wonderful sense of authenticity to the Briar Creek Public Library. The series stands out for its warm portrayal of library life, ranging from reference desk banter to the colorful local patrons. The heart of the series is the 'Crafternoon' club—a group of close friends who gather to craft and talk books, often serving as Lindsey's sounding board for solving crimes. The tone is light, humorous, and friendly, but the mysteries themselves are well-plotted and keep readers guessing. If you enjoy character growth and a strong sense of place, this is a series you will want to read from start to finish.