Thank you Netgalley! Loved revisiting Briar Creek and it's characters. With books, a mystery and a bit of spookiness, it was great fun!

*Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced audiobook copy*

This cozy mystery was wonderful! Although it's the thirteenth in a series, it may be readily read by itself. Lovely,  quaint small town vibes where everyone knows everybody. 
As someone who works in a library, I find this series very relatable!
The main character Lindsey is the Briar Creek Librarian who also happens to solve mysteries.
When William Dorchester enters, Lindsey and her friends are talking about a long-running local "runaway bride" missing persons case. Because his elderly mother will be moved into a nursing facility and he wants to sell the house, he wants to donate all of his family's books—thousands of them—to the library.
Lindsey discovers a secret passageway through a bookcase. However, there is also a dead body inside. Does Mr. Dorchester have any link to the fugitive bride?

This story features wonderful characters, a ton of literary allusions, an entertaining mystery, and even recipes! You must try this series if you enjoy cozy mysteries.

Enjoyment: 4
Total rating: 4.21

The Plot and the Pendulum is a well-written and plotted cozy mystery. The characters are delightful, and the puzzle is within the reader's reach. McKinlay's use of Poe's works for the plot is cheeky, clever, and well-executed.

I recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Allyson Ryan. Her narration reminded me of the cozy, happy vibes I used to get when playing Nancy Drew games.


Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to the publishers and NetGalley for providing a copy of The Plot and the Pendulum

"The Plot and the Pendulum" is a book that started off rather slow paced. Focusing on a cold case and the work Lindsey and others put in to solve it, The plot itself was rather mediocre and easily predictable but I felt like it was well written. I didn't quite enjoy the narrator so I finished the book with the physical copy.

I listened to this book the Plot and the Pendulum over the course of a week. I liked the characters enough but found the plot to be predictable. It goes something like this: Nosey librarian finds out that 30 years prior there was a mystery "The runaway bride," she then inserts herself into finding out what happened to her. During her escapade she gets a friend hurt, almost gets herself killed and takes advantage of her role as a librarian. In the end she figures out who did it and saves the town.

I have not read any of the prior titles in this Library Lovers Mystery series, however, I will be searching for others now that I have been introduced to Lindsey Norris.

I did not have any problem stepping into this well-developed series (this is book number 13). As a librarian, I was drawn to my personal connection with library vendors, events, etc. The excitement of a very large private library collection gave me goosebumps (as in thrilling), but when the hidden room behind a bookcase was discovered, I was ecstatic. What a glorious discovery - well except for one of the things discovered inside (no spoilers).

This is one of those cozy mysteries you will want to read from start to finish in one sitting.

*3.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

The Plot and the Pendulum by cozy mystery writer Jenn McKinlay is the 13th book in the Library Lovers cozy mystery series and the 2nd I have wholeheartedly enjoyed as an audiobook.

Library Director Libby is thrilled to get a donation of rare books from the Dorchester estate but she was not prepared to find a hidden locked room with a skeleton clutching a rare edition of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe.

Narrator Allyson Ryan is so real as inquisitive Libby getting her book loving friends together to find out what happened when they realize the skeleton is the "runaway bride" who disappeared from the Dorchester estate in 1989. There's a few red herrings but this was a quick easy mystery and I definitely need to read the rest of the series.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Loved! I love a great library/book based murder mystery and this was like a warm cup of tea on a cold night - the characters feel like family (or maybe the family you want to have)! A very good mystery! Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio for the audiobook ARC!

What can I say about another delightful installment in the Library Lover's Mystery series? As always, Lindsay and the Crafternooners have a rollicking good time making tchotchkes and solving crime.

This was a delightful cozy mystery! It’s 13th in a series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. There’s all the charming small town vibes where everybody knows everybody. The main character Lindsey is the Briar Creek Librarian, who also happens to solve mysteries-talk about a dream job!!
Lindsey and her friends are discussing a local missing persons case of a decades old “run away bride” when William Dorchester walks in. He wants to give all his family’s books (thousands of them) to the library as his elderly mother will be moving to a nursing home and he wants to sell the house.
When Lindsey goes to inventory the books, she stumbles into a hidden passage through a bookcase! Seriously, isn’t this every book lover’s s dream?? Unfortunately there is also a corpse in there. Is there a connection between Mr Dorchester and the runaway bride?
“I’m a librarian and I want answers!”
This story has great characters, lots of book references, a fun mystery, and even recipes! If you’re a cozy mystery lover you need to try this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion!
#thepitandthependulum #netgalley

Quick Summary: Enthralling!

My Review: The Plot and the Pendulum by Jenn McKinlay was everything I wanted in a cozy mystery. The cast of characters was colorful. The plot was seasoned with mystery and peculiarities. The tension that existed in multiple relationships was very much on point. There was a lighthearted undercurrent during certain character interactions. A ghostly specter vibe whispered into the story. It was an enthralling listening experience.

My Final Say: Readers looking for a Hitchcock-esque experience will really like this book.

Other: I liked The Plot and the Pendulum so much that I will certainly check out other books in the series. I also plan to share this title with my local library and with my book club.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Audio Narration: G
Re-read: Yes

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.

In book 13 Lindsey has received a donation of rare and valuable books from a wealthy local family. When Lindsey and her ever helpful husband, Sully, go to pick up some of the books and clean up the area weird things begin to happen; like a five month old kitten locked in an empty room and a body is discovered from someone who disappeared 30 years prior.

Lindsey and Sully are a great couple and their friendships with the people around them are so comforting. Any time you read a book my Jenn McKinley you will be entertained and you will enjoy the story and the plot.

#Audiobook #JennMckinlay #DreamscapeMediaLLC #CozyMystery #PenquinRandomBerkeley #AlisonRyanNarrator #NetGalley #Recipies

The Plot and the Pendulum (Library Lover’s Mystery #13)
Jenn McKinlay
This is the first book I have read by author Jenn McKinlay; it won’t be the last. The Plot and the Pendulum is a scary but cozy mystery. While it is the 13th book in this series it stands well alone. While this is a spooky tale it also has a lot of humor and surprises. There is a large cast of characters.
William Dorchester has donated their huge collection of rare books to the Briar Creek Library. Lindsey Norris, the director and the Library Lovers are thrilled. They all head to the Dorchester estate to collect the books. The mansion is spooky and creepy. Behind one of the bookshelves, they discover a secret room and a skeleton. The body is dressed in clothing from the 80s and it is clutching a copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe. Like a good librarian Lindsey does some research and finds a bride disappeared a few weeks after her marriage. It was a cold case, never solved. Lindsey and the staff are determined to solve the case. Has the killer returned, is there a ghost or is the upcoming ghostly holiday merely caused the staff to be alarmed?

A delightful cozy mystery with a pinch of paranormal vibes. This book had me laughing out loud as I followed Lindsey and the crew on their who-dun-it quest. This was the first novel I've read by Jenn, but it won't be my last! The narrator was splendid!

As the fall season gets underway, the local Librarian, Lindsey, is offered the 12,000 plus book collection from the Dorchester family. While Lindsey goes through the library, she discovers a secret door and a skeleton within. Could this be the runaway bride that disappeared over 30 years ago? With creative ideas, will Lindsey and the library crew be able to solve this case. This is a great audiobook. The reader is incredible using many different voices to bring to life the characters and atmosphere. The reading was easy to listen to and no real breaks or corrective sounds. Wonderful easy mystery book just in time for the Halloween season.

Wow! This book was really exciting. The story involves a secret room and the discovery of skeletal remains inside! This was a great addition to the Library Lover's Mystery series (lucky number 13!)

I really enjoyed this story about Lindsay Morris, library director. The library was delighted to be the beneficiary of a large library from the Dorchester estate. I was excited to try this story as an audiobook. The narrator of the story did a wonderful job, and I could easily picture the story as it unfolded. The narrator used different voices and tones to convey the many characters and it was terrific - I had no problems following along at all! In the past, I have shied away from audiobooks after a few duds- but I will happily listen to any books by this narrator.

The story was compelling and the characters were a lot of fun. I haven't read all of the books in this series, but I had no problem following along and enjoying the characters fully. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a creepy cozy mystery!

It took me forever to listen to this one. I think i am just not into this kind of book to listen to. I will try it again in the future but on my kindle .

Local librarian Lindsey seems to have a knack for getting in the middle of a mystery. It all began when a former resident, William turned up at the library offering to donate his mother's extensive book collection. Lindsey can hardly believe her good fortune. Some of the books include rare first editions and other valuable titles. She eagerly set up a time to begin boxing and removing the books from William's home, not realizing that his mother wasn't thrilled with her son's generosity.

While starting to pack up the books, a mysterious cat appears that bears a striking resemblance to a cat that went missing over 30 years ago. Another decades-old disappearance had to do with what the town called the "Runaway Bride." With strange happenings and rumors rekindled about whether the bride ever actually left town, Lindsey discovers clues that may lead to solving the cold case. But in doing so, she may have unknowingly put herself in danger.

This is a great cozy mystery for fall--nothing too creepy but enough twists and turns to make for an enjoyable mystery. Love the title that is a play on words of one of Edgar Allan Poe's tales. Allyson Ryan did a great job narrating the story with voice variations for different characters. If you enjoy a light-hearted mystery (with not too much gory detail), then McKinlay's novel is just the thing for a blustery fall evening or weekend!

Disclaimer: I was granted access to The Plot and the Pendulum audiobook through NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

I've really enjoyed this series and this book was no exception. I love the things that they do in the library and especially like seeing what is going on with the children's department. There is also a mystery to solve as the library gets a donation of old books and has to work at sorting them out. While at the house, they find a skeleton and have to find out who it is and why they are there. Lots of twist and turns. Can't wait for the next book.

Library director Lindsey Norris is happy to learn the Briar Creek Public Library is the beneficiary of the Dorchester family’s vast book collection. However, when Lindsey and the library staff arrive at the old Victorian estate to gather the books, things take a sinister turn. One of the bookcases reveals a secret passage, leading to a room where a skeleton is found, clutching an old copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe. Lindsey does a quick check of missing persons, using the distinctive 80s era clothing worn by the deceased to determine a time frame, and discovers that Briar Creek has an unsolved missing person’s case from 1989. A runaway bride went missing just weeks after her wedding. No suspects were ever arrested and the cold case remains unsolved. Lindsey and the crafternoon crew decide that justice is overdue and set about solving the old murder mystery.

Since I am a retired librarian, any books about books and libraries always draw me in, and this series is one of my favorites, and I have read them all. This is the first time that I have tried an audiobook on the NetGalley Shelf app, and I really enjoyed it. The narrator did a good job of trying to replicate the voices of the characters. I am not usually an audiobook person, so I was surprised I was able to stick with the story as my mind usually wanders listening to audiobooks. My attention to the story is because of the great writing of Jenn McKinlay, and my familiarity with all the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to try the audiobook of this series. I recommend it as I have all the others in this series.