Homicide in Hardcover

Brooklyn Wainwright is a skilled book restorer who returns to San Francisco to teach a bookbinding workshop. Upon arrival, she discovers her mentor Abraham dead in his workshop and becomes a suspect in his murder. She must work to clear her name while dealing with security expert Derek Stone, who seems to appear wherever Brooklyn goes. The investigation leads Brooklyn through San Francisco's book restoration community as she pieces together clues about Abraham's death. Her expertise in rare books and restoration techniques becomes central to understanding the motive behind the crime. She continues her work restoring a valuable first edition while navigating suspicious colleagues and dangerous situations. Homicide in Hardcover combines elements of both mystery and romance within the specialized world of book restoration and collecting. The novel explores themes of loyalty, craft preservation, and the complex relationships that form within professional communities.

Readers found this cozy mystery offered a fresh take by focusing on book restoration alongside the murder plot. Many noted the technical details about bookbinding added depth without overwhelming the story. Likes: - Relatable protagonist Brooklyn Wainwright - Educational aspects about book restoration - Secondary characters, especially the security expert Derek - San Francisco setting Dislikes: - Some found the romance subplot predictable - Several readers mentioned confusing plot threads in the middle section - Multiple reviews noted the killer was too obvious early on Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (450+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) "The bookbinding details make this series unique," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review countered: "Too much technical jargon slowed the pacing." Readers who continued with the series reported the writing improved in later books.

The Real Murder Club by Richard Osman The murder investigation by a group of retirement home residents matches the cozy mystery elements and bibliophile themes present in Homicide in Hardcover.

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun A newspaper reporter and his Siamese cat solve crimes in a small town setting with connections to the arts and rare books.

Murder Is Binding by Lorna Barrett A bookstore owner becomes an amateur sleuth in a town of book sellers after finding a dead body in her shop.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Four retirees meet in their retirement village to investigate cold cases and unsolved murders, combining wit with detective work.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley An eleven-year-old chemistry enthusiast investigates a murder at her family estate while navigating family dynamics and rare stamp collecting.

🔍 Kate Carlisle worked in television production before becoming a full-time author, including a stint at KPIX-TV in San Francisco where her Bibliophile Mystery series is set. 📚 The protagonist, Brooklyn Wainwright, is a book restoration expert—a niche profession that involves preserving and repairing rare and antique books using historical techniques and materials. 🏛️ The San Francisco Bay Area setting features real locations, including the Covington Library, which is based on the Mechanics' Institute Library, a historic membership library founded in 1854. 📖 "Homicide in Hardcover" is the first book in what became the successful Bibliophile Mystery series, which has grown to over 15 books and continues to be published. 🔎 The author extensively researched bookbinding techniques and preservation methods to accurately portray the protagonist's work, consulting with professional book conservators and attending workshops.