Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle is a delightfully fun, light cozy mystery! That being said, it’s not overly silly, but is smart cozy, and has a great many things to offer besides being a clean mystery.

The three main characters, Brooklyn, Derek, and Claire are all well defined, and have a great chemistry interacting with one another. Some readers might feel put off by the marriage (as Brooklyn and Derek, who are very happily married and very much in love. However, I found this aspect of the story unique and refreshing to read with their handful of very brief dialogues reaffirming their love for each other, as these two respectfully worked together to solve the mystery and crimes happening around them.

Brooklyn is a rare book expert, Derek a former MI-5 Agent, and Claire is a former colleague of Brooklyn when they worked as TV Hosts for a show called “This Old Attic”. Claire is an expert in antique British weaponry. Mix those elements with a very rare 1st edition that has hidden code in it, a missing Aunt, murders, San Francisco and Dharma, a castle, unanswered questions, oh and talk of a much beloved cat - then this cozy may be for you. No foul language, no sex, no gore.

Getting use to the female narrator voice for the part of Derek took some time, and I think would have even served the story better if a real male voice was used for Derek. However, the narration done by Susie Berneis, was overall enjoyable and easy to understand. The narrator used proper modulation, feeling, and enthusiasm.

4.5 stars rounded up.

My thanks to NetGalley, and the Publisher, for an advanced digital audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Not my favorite in the series. The story had a lot of potential with Brooklyn (and Derek) getting away from home and an unusual, for the series, plot. The author sprinkled in lots of details to set the background. Somehow, the story just didn't grasp my attention as past books.

I noticed as well, and it irked me, that Claire was so great at what she does like everyone else Brooklyn likes. At no time is it explained how Claire has the money for the stash she has. There were even more references to how great and perfect all the family members were on both sides. All the family members seem to be able to provide whatever Brooklyn and Derek need immediately. A couple of times I thought to myself "this sounds like a James Bond novel".

There was also a big plot hole involving the aunt as well.

So, this time I can only give an OK rating, as I was able to finish the book, but got little of the usual enjoyment.

This is my first book in this series to read/listen to. I liked seeing how they reasoned out what was going on and were able to figure out the mystery. I liked the characters and will look into more from this series.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* great cozy mystery! didnt like all the characters but overall liked the story

Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle
Narrated by Susie Berneis
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Publication Date: July 13, 2021
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle is the fifteenth book in the Bibliophile Mystery series. I had not read the previous books, but was easily able to enjoy this as a standalone mystery.

This was such a great book! There was so much more to the story than I expected. The characters were well developed and very likeable. The mystery had so many layers. I loved how it just kept unfolding! I never knew who I could trust!

The narration by Susie Berneis was so much fun! She really brought each character to life and did such a great job with the accents!

If you love mysteries, this book is for you! I can't wait to read the other books in the series! I have some catching up to do!

I'm so grateful to Kate Carlisle, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

The dialogue was a little juvenile, but the story line was a fun read. I loved that the characters traveled around and that we got to have a glimpse of Scotland.

I didn't realize this was a part of a series before I downloaded the ARC. Sounded interesting, but I don't want to continue reading since I have never read any of the prior 14 books in the series

I have read or listened to the majority of books in this series and I always enjoy them. I love that the mystery always includes a book in some way and the author has come up with a lot of ways to incorporate them into the story. I also really like the characters. This one was a good addition to the series and I enjoyed the mystery but the main focus of this book was on antique weapons and that just didn't really pull me into the story at all. I also didn't love the new main character of this particular book. I did think that the narrator did a fantastic job though.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an Advanced Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favourite cozy series- I was thrilled to see another instalment was out! Being the fifteenth book in the series, it might be useful to have read some of the earlier books, but you really only miss out on really understanding their friends- the main plot won’t be affected.
I do love the series and its usual setting, but I was so excited to head to Scotland with Brooklyn. I truly felt like I was exploring the town and getting to know the Laird and everyone else there. While I'm still stuck at home, it feels like the perfect (safe) way to travel!

I listened to the audiobook, and as always with this series, she is fantastic. She has such a calming tone, and I will be on the lookout for more from her!

Little Black Book is a mystery story similar to an Agatha Christie mystery. Brooklyn enlists her husband, Derek, to help out her friend Claire from Scotland. Claire’s aunt is missing. Claire suspects foul play and she doesn’t believe her aunt would have left with no word. As far as cozy mysteries go, this one has a compelling storyline which held my interest throughout the book. I listened to the audio version and I very much enjoyed the excellent narration, as well as the story itself.

A good mystery,suspense with drama.
Good characters .
An enjoyable read,
Voluntarily reviewed

Like the narrator sound good

I love this series by Kate Carlise and I am always excited when a new installment comes out. This was one was one of my favorites due to partially taking place in Scotland.

Little Black Book is number 15 in the Bibliophile series, featuring Brooklyn Wainwright, a San Francisco rare books refurbisher. She, along with British husband Derek, solve mysteries that come her way, because as is mentioned numerous times by the main character, she attracts murderers.

One always has to suspend a little belief when reading cozy mysteries. The grand dame was Agatha Christie, and an alarming number of murders happened around Miss Marple in her little village of St. Mary's Mead. The same applies here, but it is couched in the enjoyable world of rare books and antiques, and it is a charming world to visit as one reads the books.

I had read one of the very early books in the series, before Brooklyn married, and she is a likeable and eminently sensible main character. If one is into audio books, the narration is also quite good. In this mystery the arrival of a rare first edition of the book Rebecca from an old friend of Brooklyn's brings unexpected questions. The next thing, Claire, Brooklyn's old friend, is on her doorstep and in fear for her life. The three of them then proceed to chase the mystery to an eventual conclusion.

For fans of cozy books, this is a great series. For readers wanting more hard hitting mysteries, it will probably not satisfy as much. I like both genres, and I quite enjoyed Little Black Book.

Thank you the NetGalley, author Kate Carlisle, and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this ARC.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. When I was gifted this book I didn't know it was a series. This is the first time I have read from this author and I enjoy the book very much. If you love a good murder mystery (example) Agatha Christie style book you will like this one. The narrator did a good job. The only thing I have to say is that the audio sound or the narrator's voice seemed really low in some parts. But that is a minor issue. I can't wait to read more from the series.

Little Black Book by Kate Carlisle is the 15th book in the Bibliophile mystery series, and it's another great addition. This book is narrated Susie Berneis and she does a wonderful job with all the different voices and accents. Ms. Berneis has narrated other books in this series too. I have been reading this series for a long time, and I love it. Brooklyn and her husband Derek are in danger because of a book that was sent to Derek. I love how Brooklyn and Derek work together to solve the mysteries and murders. I strongly recommend this book/series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A clean cozy mystery!
I love the mention of gothic novels that are woven throughout the murder scenes. Any bookwarm will enjoy the fuzzy sensation in this entertaistory story. While I didn't find the plot twists extreme, I still had a hard time figuring out who the 'bad guy' was. This was my first gem by this author but it definitely won't be my my last!!

This is the fifteenth book in the Bibliophile series. Bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright is having a quiet night in with her husband, Derek, when a package containing a rare first edition copy of 'Rebecca' with a note from Brooklyn's old friend, Claire. It turns out Claire is in danger and needs Brooklyn and Derek's help to uncover what is going on.
I always love listening to the audio versions of this series. The narrator does an excellent job of giving each character their own voice so it feels more natural to the listener. You can tell just by the voice the narrator uses which character is speaking. The pacing of the narration was excellent. It felt like finished it in no time at all. The narrator did a great job bringing a wonderful story to life. I received an advanced copy from netgalley and dreamscape media in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed listening to Little Black Book. The narrator does a fairly good job with different character voices.
Brooklyn was a bit over the top in being goo-goo for Derek. Derek was strong but a bit overly sappy too. It felt like a bit of a departure from earlier books in the series. Derek was always caring and Brooklyn was always a little swoony for Derek but this book took it over the top. I would have expected it in The Book Supremacy, which was their honeymoon or The Grim Reader book 14. It doesn't really come across in either of those.
Claire was an inconsistent character - she was an expert in weapons and then would have times in the story when she acted like a scared child. I suppose someone could be that way but it was a bit different that I would have expected from the character.
I enjoyed visiting San Francisco, Dharma and Scotland. The settings for the story were great and invited the reader to make a visit for themselves.
The mystery felt a bit unresolved at the end. Some bad guys were caught. Maybe there is some insanity involved because it didn't seem like the reasoning behind the murders made sense.
I think there must be more to Claire and Gwyn's story coming because the issues around Claire's father are unresolved.
The book ends on a happy note back in Dharma.
Once I think it all through maybe I shouldn't give this 4 stars, because there are things that didn't make sense. However, I still enjoyed the book so it stays at 4 stars.

This book is awesome but the audiobook is amazing!! The narrator Susie Berneis did a fabulous job with the voices, the British and Scottish accents, the pace, everythjng! Brooklyn is a book restoration expert and her husband Derek is a security specialist. They live in San Francisco, have family in Dharma, and travel to Scotland in this book. Derek receives a valuable book in the mail. Claire, a former coworker of Brooklyn's, shows up on their doorstep and soon after they find a dead body. This is an exciting cozy mystery with wonderful characters, an intriguing mystery, humor, and romance. Both the book and audiobook are extremely enjoyable and entertaining! #NetGalley #LittleBlackBook #KateCarlisle #BerkleyPublishing

The most recent addition to the Bibliophile Mystery series finds bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright and her ex-spy husband Derek Stone in the middle of another murder investigation. Naturally, it all started with a book.
Derek receives a mysterious package from Scotland containing a rare edition of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Soon afterward, Brooklyn’s former colleague Claire shows up on their doorstep with multiple thugs hot on her trail. Even worse, her aunt (who happens to be Derek’s former colleague) has gone missing from her home in Scotland.

Previous books in this series have been set in San Francisco, Dharma, and Scotland. This is the first book to follow the characters in all three locations within the same story.

I enjoyed returning to Brooklyn’s world with antique books, her former-spy husband, her wacky family, and a couple dead bodies. I liked the concept of taking a minor character from a previous book and bringing her to the forefront in this story. The ancient Scottish castle was also fun to read about.

One thing that did bother me about the book is that the story seemed too obligated to the previous 14 books in the series. By which I mean that several of the events in the book (i.e.: Alex making cupcakes, hiding out in Dharma for all of 48 hours, mentioning the martial arts instructor in Dharma, mentioning Vinnie and Suzie, etc.) felt like they were include more for nostalgia than for the purpose of this particular story. For me, those details felt a little superfluous.

The audiobook is narrated by Susie Berneis. She once again did a great job of bringing Brooklyn and her adventures to life.