I didn't realize that this was #11 in the Bibliophile mystery series so I feel like I'm missing quite a lot to fully love this book but reading it on its own, it was an appealing mystery. The story had interesting and colorful characters but it was a little hard to keep track of everyone. Again, this could be since I'm being plopped in the middle of a long-standing series, I may not have the knowledge to support the storyline. Likable enough that I'll give the first in a series a try and recommend to my voracious mystery readers.

Thank you for the chance to review this book, however, unfortunately, I was unable to read and review this title before it was archived.

I enjoy a good mystery. This one has the whodunnit component in spades. While this is part of a series, you can read it independently.

The setting in a quaint San Fransisco neighborhood is alluring. The characters are well done and I didn't feel like I could figure out the culprit early in the story.

Overall, a fun read for anyone who enjoys a little mystery time.

This is the 11th novel by Kate Carlisle in her Biblliophile Mystery series and my first novel by this author. This is a light cozy mystery... a bit too light for me. Boring and uninteresting characters with a very unbelievable ending. This book would probably be appreciated more by fans of this series,

It is truly hard to believe that this is the eleventh book in the Bibliophile Mystery series. This series just keeps getting better and better. I was captivated from page one. We have witnessed Brooklyn and Derek’s characters grow along with their relationship. This book marks a lot of new things for Brooklyn. She’s taking that next big step in her relationship with Derek and is meeting her future in-laws. However, at the same time, people are ending up dead all around her. So she’s suddenly got a lot on her plate when bad blood starts to boil she needs to solve this ASAP to keep the peace. I found the mystery of this book to be very engaging and interesting. There is excellent pacing and balance in this book. Carlisle weaves together the mystery and romance and you are quickly swept up in the whirlwind. In my opinion Carlisle has a knack for presenting food, wine and lovely, old books in her mysteries. I love being surrounded by her world and escaping my reality.

Another thing that I really loved about this book is the focus on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I felt like this addition really added something special to this book. Just like the story of Alice not everything is as it seems. This was a clever mystery that had my brain hopping around like the White rabbit, trying to guess the outcome. I was right there along Brooklyn obsessing about this book. ONCE UPON A SPINE is definitely one of my favorite reads this year and I can’t wait for the next adventure with Brooklyn and Derek.

This 11th installment of the Bibliophile Mysteries was a fun light read that rounded out some of the parts of Brooklyn & Derek's world that readers may not have known before. While Dharma didn't see a lot of action in this book, we got a nice well-rounded idea of Brooklyn & Derek's neighborhood and the interesting people around them! Like every Bibliophile Mystery, a murder and a book are somehow tied together, although the motives of the villains in this story were a little less obvious than in others.

Brookyln and the gang are my total guilty pleasure. There are a lot of people who say they "only" appreciate "literature", which is great., I'm all about literary fiction, however, what many don't realize is that something can be light and still be well written. I have never been drawn into a "cozy" mystery series like I have Brooklyns. Like all 'cozies' it has way too many background stories to be believable(commune/.winery/bookbinding/spy/rich) but it's exactly what I love about it.

This one was better than the last few which I liked but didn't love. This one harkened back to the beginning. Though I will say when moms/dads were getting drunk I was waiting for Brooklyn to get up in the middle of the night and fall them all in bed together.

I really wanted to like this, because it's a 'bibliophile mystery' but (oh no there's a but) it was just meh. For me, the story seemed confused about which direction and the protagonist and her boyfriend were a bit too close to Mary-Sue and Gary-Stu for me.

Before I go into that, here's a brief plot summary (without spoilers). Brooklyn finds a dead body when she goes to look for her shoe repair guy. Apparently, this is quite a regular occurrence and the police let her and her fiancé Derek (who coincidentally owns a security firm so he can basically go anything needed) do their own investigation on the side. And Derek and Brooklyn's parents are meeting for the very first time.

I actually liked the parts about books and thought that the way rare copies of Alice and Wonderland were tied in with the mystery was clever. But, the Book also chose to ramble in a few directions, such as devoting a lot of time to descriptions of pie (I like food too but now I want to read about books and murders) and making the subplot of the parents meeting almost as big as the mystery. I really would have preferred it if all of that was cut down.

As for characters, Brooklyn and Derek are almost too perfect. You need them to do something and they have that exact skill. And they're both rich too so there's really no need to root for them because they already have it all. Or perhaps I'm just being overly picky because of how everything falls into place for them despite them doing some pretty ridiculous (and probably illegal) things.

(Slight spoiler alert) At one point in the book, they break into a house and take something. And keep in mind that they have a very willing inspector friend who does almost anything they ask so this is actually unnecessary, a point proved when the inspector gets said thing for them (and also there's a ridiculous amount of respect for Derek because he was a commander. It almost felt like the police worked for them).

Oh, and I did roll my eyes at a few points. Like when Derek's father asks her to call him by his first name and she gets all "I FEEL THE LOVE". I mean, it's the first meeting and unless I'm wrong there was no opposition to their relationship at all. I don't understand the reaction at all.

Last point, before I forget. There was A LOT of explaining in the book. It was so obvious that this was part of a series because of the way Brooklyn over-explained things and very explicitly referred to past mysteries. This might have worked in third but it was written in first so it felt off to me. I certainly don't greet my coworker and have my inner thought process be: "XYZ is my coworker and mentor. She has (insert description) and is (insert opinion)." That happened quite a lot at the start which annoyed me.

Ok this is a very complain-y review but it's not that bad. I mean, I finished the book (and I've been stopping things that I don't like lately so that has to count for something).

Although now that I've written the review, I don't know if I should give it two or three stars later on Goodreads and Netgalley) because of the ratio of positive to negative things. Maybe I'll give it three for the sections on books...

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

First start at the beginning of this series it great this book lacked the chemistry of the first books which I loved. Brooklyn, our main character, seems to have lost all the gumption, drive and occasional snarkiness that made her so interesting. It took me half way through to start enjoying the book which is unreal for me because this is one of my favorite writes

Kate Carlisle is one of those authors that seem to be everywhere on my “To Be Read” list. Her books have always appealed to me, but this is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and read one. And I’m so glad I did. This was such an enjoyable book.

This is the 11th book in the Bibliophile Mystery Series. It follows Brooklyn Wainwright through her life in San Francisco as a bookbinder. This was the first book I have read in the series and I didn’t feel I was late to the party at all. It was easy to follow and connect with the story and the characters.

Here are my top reasons why you should pick up a copy of Once Upon a Spine for yourself.

Crime Fighting Couples are Super Cute!

Many times the protagonist has to keep her amateur sleuthing from her love interest. It is just the opposite in this book. Brooklyn’s fiancé, and former law enforcement officer himself, serves as a partner in crime on her adventures. He is concerned about her safety, but also gets right in and helps solve the case along with her. It adds a nice dynamic to their relationship.

The Title Fits the Book

Sometimes the title of a cozy mystery is catchy, but has nothing to do with the book itself. This title fits the book. I didn’t know much about the art of bookbinding and enjoyed the “behind the scenes” look into this profession as Brooklyn does her thing.

I Didn’t Guess the Killer

In fact, I was way off! Author Kate Carlisle does a nice job of taking the reader along and allowing you the opportunity to solve the crime right along with Brooklyn and Derek. It was a fun surprise that I was wrong on the killer, but appreciated that I felt like I “had a chance” to solve it myself as I read.

If you are looking for a charming read with lovable and relatable characters, then Once Upon a Spine might be just the book for you.

The book can stand alone, however it nicely sets up future installments of the series. I can’t wait to see what adventures Brooklyn and Derek are off to next!

I adore this series because as a book collector and lover it is always a pleasure to read a book about someone who has a true appreciation and love for books. In this addition to the series Brooklyn spends a fair bit of time coveting a very old edition of Alice in Wonderland. The book, and a few ideas from the story, feature prominently in the mystery. This made it even more of a fun read. Add in the addition of a couple of new, but just as quirky as the rest, characters and the story was an enjoyable adventure. I have read several other books in the series, although not in order, and I have enjoyed them all. If you are a lover of cozy mysteries and you appreciate classic books then you will find this series to your liking.

This was a great book. The story was very entertaining and I held my interest the entire time. The characters were likable and I cared about what happened to them. This is a series I will definitely continue.

When a shop owner is killed in a store across from Brooklyn's home, she becomes involved in solving the mystery of who murdered him. Along the way, she spends a lot of time at Eddie and Terrence's book store in the same building. There is a rare copy of Alice in Wonderland that is a part of the mystery. I loved the information the reader gets about rare books, and also about hand made paper. Little details like that make me happy.

Brooklyn and Derek are wonderful. It is so refreshing to see a couple who are in love and are supportive of each other. They are getting their parents together for the first time prior to their marriage. All of the parents were great and added some humor to the book. I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a good cozy mystery.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

ONCE UPON A SPINE is the eleventh book in the Bibliophile Mystery series by Kate Carlisle. I seem to enjoy this series more and more with each new book. Brooklyn grows and matures more with each book and her relationship with the handsome, debonair Derek is heading toward the next level with their upcoming wedding. I can hardly wait!

I love books – and this is a book (and series) about books – what could be more perfect. Brooklyn is a book binder and antiquarian and each book in the series centers around a rare edition. This one features rare, first edition copies of ‘Alice In Wonderland’.

Brooklyn and Derek are back. We get to meet Derek's parents in this outing as well as having to solve another book related mystery. We also learn about making paper. I really enjoy learning about book crafts through this series.

Kate Carlisle continues her delightful cosy Bibliophile mysteries with Once Upon a Spine. Brooklyn, the book restorer and her boyfriend Derek are about to meet his British parents but murder intervenes. At stake are unique copies of Alice and Wonderland and the fate of the block Brooklyn lives on. Multiple suspects and interesting scenarios. Read with pleasure.

This book was very slow to start. I was not thrilled with the new Brooklyn who is obsessed with eating healthy and looking good for her wedding. There was also not enough focus on the books and bookbinding to suit me.

Now that the renovations have been completed on the apartment, Brooklyn and Derek have more time to spend enjoying their little corner of the city. Brooklyn loves going to the local bookstore and seeing what treasures she can find and is enamored with a copy of Alice in Wonderland that owners Eddie and Terrance have displayed in their store. They also frequent the Rabbit Hole a health food store, with her wedding looming ahead Brooklyn wants to look and feel her best. One morning while running errands Brooklyn noticed something amiss at the Rabbit Hole, she finds the owner Rabbit hurt and another local store owner dead. Brooklyn wants to figure out what happened but with Derek's parents coming to visit she's nervous about what they will think of her and will she have the time. Derek's parents surprise her, not only are they like her own parents Derek's mother wants to be in on helping solve the mystery. While asking questions and searching for clues Brooklyn thinks there is a problem with the Alice and Wonderland book at the bookstore. Is the book in some way responsible for the murder? Why do so many people suddenly have copies of it? Follow along with Brooklyn as she works her way through the many twists and turns that this murder leads her on. Carlisle unquestionably knows how to weave a marvelous mystery together and I look forward to seeing what book Brooklyn works on next!

Rare books, impending nuptials, murder, and even more terrifying for Brooklyn, meeting her future in-laws for the first time come together in a delightful tale! ONCE UPON A SPINE by Kate Carlisle, the eleventh book in the Bibliophile Mystery series, captivated me from the very beginning. I love Brooklyn’s relationship with her parents, who are probably some of my favorite characters: a mom who is a hippy, new-age Wiccan and a dad who is a vintner. The fact that her fiancé, Derek, loves them too adds to the appeal. Derek won’t say how he thinks his upper-class British parents will react to meeting Brooklyn’s family, so Brooklyn is doubly worried. When they do meet, the fun starts. No spoilers here but in Brooklyn’s words, “Oh dear God!” and I was laughing out loud.

Brooklyn and Derek live in a small community within the large city of San Francisco and the author paints a vivid picture of how we sometimes see people in our own neighborhoods. People we may see quite frequently yet remain strangers can lead to remorse as it did for Brooklyn when one of her neighbors was murdered. Getting to actually know the people around us is what forms a close-knit community and creates friendships. Brooklyn, with the help of Derek, decides to solve the case and try to bring unity back to their neighborhood. The more Brooklyn asks questions the more puzzling the murder becomes. ONCE UPON A SPINE has a twisty, topsy-turvey plot and ending that is worthy of Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland!

Brooklyn and Derek are good hosts to the parents visiting them and there is lots of delicious foods mentioned and enjoyed throughout the book. Fortunately for the reader, Kate has included several appetizer recipes that the families enjoyed one evening. They all sound delectable but to add to the fun book, each recipe has a very humorous title or play on words. I tried the Cheesy Balls and they are so yummy I had a hard time limiting myself to just a few! These are very easy to mix up and I liked that they could be made ahead of time. Perfect for entertaining…or making for yourself and enjoying with a glass…or two of California wine while catching up on Brooklyn's adventures!

Kate Carlisle writes a winning, cozy mystery in her Bibliophile series. The characters are warm, likeable and bring a family- like atmosphere to the book which makes it ever harder to guess the Murderer. That didn't stop me from pursuing every question and lead along with Brooklyn.

The atmospheric part of the story revolves around a series of shops in a Victorian Building called the Courtyard. Each Owner has a different ware for sale. One shop sells yummy pies, and another sells delectable hats, while Brooklyn spends a lot of time in the bookstore. Amidst a storm of caffe latte and caffeine, Brooklyn, plies her trade in one of the updated vintage buildings across the street, as a Bookbinder. In this particular instance she is making paper to use as playing cards for an event at the BABA festival. Then she wanders into one of her favorite shops and a murder. Her fiance, Derek Stone, will give her plenty of sleuthing help, but will they be in time to stop more deaths?

Carlisle has a knack for presenting food, wine and lovely, old books in her mysteries. I found myself wanting the red leather Alice in Wonderland, with frontispiece and green- and red- marbled endpapers, as badly as any Tourist in the rare book section. I am a veritable novice in this but these books make me want to follow and learn.

ONCE UPON A SPINE is the eleventh book in the Bibliophile Mystery series by Kate Carlisle and it’s seriously become one of my favorites books from this author. I’ve read a lot of Carlisle’s other books and series but I feel like she has the most fun in this series. Not only is Brooklyn such a unique heroine, but I also feel like she has grown a lot throughout this series as well.

This book marks a lot of new things for Brooklyn. She’s taking that next big step in her relationship with Derek and is meeting his parents. However, at the same time, people are ending up dead all around her. So she’s suddenly got a lot on her plate when bad blood starts to boil between the people around her. I found the mystery of this book to be very engaging in interesting. There is excellent pacing and balance in this book. Carlisle weaves together the mystery and romance well so I think if you’re a big Romance fan like I am, you may enjoy this series.

Another thing that I really loved about this book is the focus on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. As a big Alice in Wonderland fan, I felt like this addition really added something special to this book. I was right there along Brooklyn obsessing about this book. So I felt like I was really able to connect with her character with this installment.

I can absolutely see why this series is so massively popular and well-loved. I absolutely loved ONCE UPON A SPINE. It’s definitely one of my favorite reads this year and I can’t wait to devour more books in the series!

Will post on blog on release day