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

Once Upon a Spine: A Bibliophile Mystery
By Kate Carlisle
Berkley
June 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

Rare-book restorer and bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright finds herself falling down a rabbit hole of confusion in this 11th delightful Bibliophile Mystery.  For weeks Brooklyn has been visiting almost daily the neighboring Brothers Bookshop, where she lusts after an 1866 first edition second issue print of Alice in Wonderland.  It’s nowhere near as valuable as a true first edition that was ultimately recalled, but one of the owning brothers-in-law still refuses to sell it.  That Eddie Cox and Terrence Payton remain business partners is a mystery, as their continual sparring answers the reason why the sisters they married divorced them.  It is not their bodies, but that of Joey Falco and unconscious Will Rabbit, whom Brooklyn and her fiancé Derek Stone have the misfortune to discover when she spots the smoothie/produce market Rabbit Hole in disarray.

Although previous cases have always somehow revolved around books, this time it looks as though jealousy is at the heart of the murder.  Joey the Cobbler was one of the many lured in by the Courtyard building’s owner Bonnie Carson, and yet a trail of her perfume may have confused the culprit into just who was being smushed by shelves.  So with the intended victim uncertain, it makes determining the motive, much less the murderer, nearly impossible.  Derek being a former British intelligence agent and current security specialist gives him some leeway with the San Francisco Police Department, but he and Brooklyn will have another matter keeping them busy.  Their wedding date is getting closer and closer, and Brooklyn is finally meeting her British in-laws for the first time.  While Brooklyn fears that her hippyish, astral-projecting, Wiccan mother will be appalling to the Derek’s presumably uppercrust parents, Brooklyn couldn’t be further off the mark.  Who could have predicted that the mothers could be sisters-from-another-mother, or that they would be absolutely thrilled to be co-conspirators in Brooklyn’s investigation?

This is a thoroughly enjoyable series to read and satisfies on so many fronts.  Not only does it take a refreshingly twist on the meeting of in-laws, it provides fascinating details that teach the many aspects of book collecting and bookbinding.  The differences between book editions, not to mention Brooklyn’s creation of hand-crafted Alice in Wonderland playing cards, are relayed so engagingly that readers learn without even realizing it.  Despite there being a relatively small number of suspects, the confusion over the actual target makes the investigation that much more complicated.  A surplus of copies of Alice in Wonderland further increases their bewilderment, not to mention our fun.  Brooklyn’s family is so charming and expansive that they never wear out their welcome, and a visit to their home in Sonoma’s town of Dharma can’t come again soon enough. This continues to be the perfect blend of books, food, and family.

With every book in this series I worry that the quality will lessen just because we're at book 11. But honestly this series gets better with each book.

This is a light, enjoyable read, though, I didn't love it to the extent that most reviewers have so far.

The content feels more like chick-lit than the cozy mystery I'd expected. We spend a lot of time on family theatrics, paper-making instructions, and food - I think half the book is devoted to discussing, cooking, and eating snacks and meals. Granted, these scenes are often funny and entertaining. I just found the content low on substance and somewhat repetitious. In fairness, I'm not much of a chick-lit reader, so this is also an issue of my own preferences.

When we get to the mystery aspect, I just couldn't make that leap with Brooklyn's crime-fighting. Some of the things she and her fiance do are over-the-top illegal, and yet their homicide detective friend either shrugs off their law-breaking or encourages them. In the end, the case is not all that difficult to solve, which makes the detective appear incompetent.

The book description gives away almost all the high points of the plot, which is unfortunate. The whodunit culminates with tangled drama that is entertaining and comical, though I couldn't take these characters seriously. 

I have not read any of the prior books in this series. This one reads perfectly as a stand-alone. I had no issues orienting myself within the story or Brooklyn's life.

Being a librarian who works with rare books, I loved this latest edition to the Bibliophile mysteries. Kate Carlisle always successfully captures how many people feel about old and rare books. This latest edition was also nice because Brooklyn stuck around her neighborhood and we get a chance to see how she might live on a day to day basis. Her future in-laws also seem to be great, which was a nice change of pace from other books where the in-laws seem to be people to fight with. I will continue to read this series and keep suggesting it to everyone I know.

I really enjoyed this book. It's been a while since I've read this series, but I was very pleased with this book.
A valuable print book of Alice in Wonderland, a murder and so much more make this story a page turner.

The latest in the Bibliophile series and is a favorite of mine. I have been fortunate to have read all the books in this series. I followed all of Brooklyn 's adventures and thoroughly enjoyed them. This one does not disappoint. Brooklyn Wainwright repairs damaged books to pristine condition. She is planning a wedding to Derek Stone, a retired British government agent. San Francisco homicide officer, Inspector Lee has become a friend.
Brooklyn is looking forward to meeting Derek's parents who are flying to San Francisco for a week's visit. Her parents will join the group. The is vandalism in the neighborhood and she is worried about the Courtyard building across the street from them. It has a number of small neighborhood stores. She is lusting after, a first edition copy of Alice In Wonderland that is in the Brothers Bookstore. Looking for breakfast, she finds the shelving has fallen over and one shop owner is dead and another unconscious. The parents arrived and all become friends. Both Mother's recognize the talents of each other. Brooklyn and Derek offer to help Inspector Lee as she looks for answers. I highly recommend this book and series.Recipes are included.

I received a free copy from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

I love mysteries and I adore books about books, so when you put the two together with characters I care about, I’m generally sold. Once Upon a Spine is the latest in Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile series of cozy mysteries. Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookbinder who restores rare books, and she also has the unfortunate propensity to stumble upon dead bodies. These murders inevitably involve a classic book in some fashion, so Brooklyn uses her expertise to assist in the investigations.

This time around, the book in question is Alice in Wonderland. Brooklyn and her fiancé, British security expert Derek Stone, have been frequenting a charming shopping center near their San Francisco home: bakery, hat shop, produce market, and of course, a bookstore. As Brooklyn prepares to meet her future in-laws for the first time, she happens upon a disturbing scene that includes one dead body, and the unconscious body of Will Rabbit, who owns the produce market (of course).

Things do indeed get curiouser and curiouser as they get deeper into the investigation. The shopping center serves as a type of Wonderland, and the shop owners might just remind you of some favorite characters. I’ll admit to finding it a bit head-spinning upon the first read. 

As much as I enjoy the individual cases, and the creative way Carlisle weaves each book into her stories, I have also come to love Brooklyn’s family and friends. This installment does not disappoint. Will Brooklyn live up to the standards of Derek’s parents? Will her ultra-hippie parents help or hurt things? Readers new to the series will want to start with the first book to enjoy getting to know these characters, although there’s just enough background for the book to be read on its own without giving anything away from previous books.

This is a fun read for any bibliophile. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance. I look forward to Brooklyn and Derek’s future adventures!

This series just keeps getting better and better...it is a testament to Ms Carlisle's gifted storytelling abilities that the stories remain fresh and engaging. 

Once again Brooklyn and Dereck are enmeshed in the wrong doings of a cast of quirky characters revolving around a rare Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book. The story starts are in the wonderfully captivating signature of Brooklyn's world, keeping you enthralled through to the finish. As is usual in the Bibliophile Mysteries series the "who done it" issues as clear as it seems it would be, in this case you'll be pleasantly surprised how the mystery is unfolds and is resolved. Throw in a visit from Derek's parents from England, Brooklyn's parents as well, and you have the lightheartedness that this series is also known for. 

I've always enjoyed the dynamics between Brooklyn and Derek, their relationship just brings so much joyful playfulness to the mixture, it'll leave you with a sigh in your heart.

This ARC book was provided by the Publisher and Netgally, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I really enjoyed this light mystery. It is the 11th book in the series, but it was easy enough to follow along, not having read the others prior to this. I was glad to be given the opportunity to read it through Net Galley. 

Brooklyn is a book binder who lives in a quiet community on the edge of San Francisco. She and her fiance have a quiet, peaceful life until Brooklyn discovers the local shoe repairman under a bookshelf at the organic food store. The food store operator is injured, too, and can't explain what happened. Brooklyn's curiosity won't let her rest until she explores the mystery and helps uncover the truth. 

I liked the language of the book - it was a serious topic (murder) but it was not portrayed in a blood-and-guts, morbid fashion. The main characters were easy to like, and the lack of angst in the heroine's life was a refreshing change. The plot made me want to curl up and read without stressing about life, or the story, which was perfect for a relaxing read. I am looking forward to going back and reading other books by this author, and beginning the series from the first book.

Another great book in this series. It was great to finally meet Derek's parents and fun to see how they interacted with Brooklyn's parents. I got a little confused about the many copies of the same book, but the humor and fun is what draws me to this series.

I have enjoyed this cozy mystery series for its insights into the crafts of book binding and paper arts. This one has a craft focus on paper making. Brooklyn falls into another murder investigation along with examining a rare copy of Alice in Wonderland, meeting her British -in -laws and entertaining both them and her parents. And quick, enjoyable read with a predictable ending.

I love Brooklyn and her crew. The detail and research that goes in to describing the book repair and paper-making are astounding, and make the book that much better. Derek and Brooklyn are finally engaged, and for the first time their parents are meeting. This could go really well, or horribly wrong. As usual, there is a murder that complicates things. Full of the humor you expect from Carlisle, as well as a great mystery with plenty of plot twists, this book is another winner.

Brooklyn wainwright is expecting her future in-laws  to meet her, and to make matters more stressful, she's been hearing that the Courtyard shops across the street may be replaced by high-rise apartments. Shop owners are worried especially since vandalism has become an issue.  Is someone doing this deliberately?
One of the pleasures Brooklyn has is visiting the bookshop house in the Courtyard and admiring a rare Alice in Wonderland.  But the bad blood between the owners adds to the neighborhood tension. When that fight escalates with accusations of book theft, and when the owner of the juice bar is struck by his own heavy shelves with the shoemaker dead beside him, is it now petty crime or murder? Does the stolen rare book have any connection to what's happening? Brooklyn and her fiancé Derek, with help from Derek's and Brooklyn's parents find they all have something in common- solving this crime.  Entertaining mystery with lots of local San Francisco flavor.  Recipes included make this a tasty cozy.

Eleven books in and I'm still in love with this series! Rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright and fiance Derek are involved in another murder mystery centered around a series of shops near their San Francisco digs. There is no shortage of suspects and no shortage of motives to go 'round. Adding to Brooklyn's anxiety is the prospect of meeting Derek's parents before the couple's approaching wedding.

The Bibliophile Mysteries are well named because each centers around a rare book(s) worth killing for. The readers are treated to the history of rare books, what makes them more or less valuable, and how they can be cared for to keep these treasures in good shape for future generations. This alone would keep me reading. 

Also keeping me reading are the relationships between the now well-established characters. Brooklyn and Derek  are a perfect couple (perhaps a bit unrealistically so, but so wonderful to read about). Her off-kilter parents and friends and the San Francisco setting add to the fun.

Of course, I'm already impatient for the next book--oh, well, next year!

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.