Listen to an audiobook excerpt:
If Books Could Kill
2nd Bibliophile Mystery
A haunted city, a forbidden masterpiece, and a deadly threat are all in a day’s work in the life of this brilliant bookbinder…
Book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright is happy to be attending the world-renowned Edinburgh Book Fair. But then her ex, Kyle McVee, shows up with a bombshell. He has an original copy of a scandalous text that could change history—and humiliate the beloved British monarchy.
Trying to get Kyle’s story out of her mind, Brooklyn takes a nighttime tour of the city. Unfortunately, the first landmark contains a real dead body—Kyle’s. The police are convinced Brooklyn’s the culprit, but with an entire convention of suspects, Brooklyn’s conducting her own investigation. Before she can crack the case, she’ll have to find out if the motive for murder was a 200-year-old secret—or something much more personal…
• #1 IMBA Paperback Bestseller for February 2010 (Independent Mystery Booksellers Association)
• New York Times Bestseller list (Mass market extended list for weeks of February 21, February 28, and March 7, 2010)
Excerpt
I screamed and swore loudly at my assailant. Then I realized who it was and swore even more.
“Despite that mouth of yours, you’re more beautiful than ever,” he said.
“Kyle McVee, you idiot!” I cried, and hugged him hard.
“Ah, you’ve missed me,” he crowed as he held me snugly in his arms.
“No, I didn’t miss you,” I said, burying my face in the crook of his delicious-smelling neck. “You’re a cad and a rat fink, remember? The Bad Boy Bookseller of Belgravia. I curse your name every morning.”
“I love you, too, my sweet,” he said with a laugh. “Besides, I’ve mellowed.”
“Really,” I said.
“Yes, I’m quite housebroken these days, not a rat at all.” He kissed me full on the lips. “Mm, you’ve still got the sexiest mouth on four continents.”
“Oh, stop it.” I stood back and looked at the man who’d broken my heart three—or was it four?—years ago. My breath almost caught as I stared. Kyle McVee was simply beautiful. Tall, elegant, with a wicked grin and dark eyes that sparkled with charm and humor, he had the look of an angel but was an unapologetic devil through and through. He was yet another living example of my pitiful taste in men.
Maybe I did have a sad habit of picking the most unsuitable men, but I certainly chose the prettiest ones.
© Kate Carlisle
Full Reviews
“A charming, thrilling cozy that is downright hilarious at times.”
—Fresh Fiction (read more)
“A breezy fun read… A terrific romantic subplot enhances [Brooklyn’s] stay in Scotland… to the delight of cross genre fans.”
—Midwest Book Review
“I love Brooklyn’s family… [I] look forward to reading the next one in the series.”
—Dru’s Book Musings, 4.5 Stars (read more)
“Scotland takes center stage, and it’s the perfect backdrop for a murder involving a potential unknown book of poems written by the famous Scot, Robert Burns… a great mystery with an unexpected twist.”
—James J. Cudney, This Is My Truth Now (read more)
“I’m completely obsessed with this cozy mystery series… Brooklyn’s humor and inner monologue is witty and highly entertaining.”
—Dreamworld Books (read more)
“If you’re headed to the Edinburgh Book Fair this month, you should pack comfortable shoes, a raincoat with a hood, and a copy of Kate Carlisle’s bonnie little mystery, If Books Could Kill… The world did not need one more lawyer. What we needed was somebody who knows what a knotting awl is and how to kill somebody with it.”
—Fine Books Magazine (read more)
Bibliophile Mysteries
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