Wednesday, September 29, 2021

A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St. James: Review & Giveaway!

 A Perfect Bind

 

About A Perfect Bind

 

A Perfect Bind (A Beloved Bookroom Mystery) 

Librarian Tru Beckett, ardent defender of the printed word, is about to find out that keeping murder checked out of her beloved library is much harder than she thought...

  Tru Beckett succeeded in building a secret book room in her now bookless library, where book lovers from lovely Cypress, South Carolina, can rejoice in the printed word. Now she's working hard to maintain the little library downstairs while keeping her "real job" upstairs in the bookless technology center. The last thing she needs is a mysterious vandal who seems intent on breaking into her secret book-filled sanctuary and creating chaos. The nasty interloper doesn't steal anything, but brutalizes the books, damaging them and knocking them off shelves.

A patron of the secret book room tells Tru that there have been creepy goings-on at the library for years, especially in the basement where the secret book room is located. He's heard rumors of a poltergeist that haunts the library, determined to scare off readers. Tru is certain it's hogwash, but she's at a loss to think of who might be vandalizing the beautiful books she fought so hard to protect. And when a dead body shows up right behind the library, Tru is certain that it's not a ghost but a cold-blooded killer that she and her trusty tabby Dewey Decimal will need to uncover.

A Bookless Library

About Dorothy St. James

Dorothy St. James is the author of the White House Gardener Mysteries and the Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries. She lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina with her sculptor husband. Dorothy is a member of Mystery Writers of America (MWA) and the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sister’s in Crime (SInC). This is her second A Beloved Bookroom Mystery.

Author Links






My Thoughts

A Perfect Bind by Dorothy St. James has Tru Beckett discovering that someone has broken into the secret bookroom in the basement of the Cypress, South Carolina bookless library for the third time.  Tru cannot figure out how someone is getting into the private space. A short time later, Owen Maynard is found dead behind the library.  Tru wonders if the two incidents can be connected, but she cannot risk telling the police about the secret bookroom.  Tru with Flossie and Tori work to find who is behind both crimes.  A Perfect Bind is the 2nd A Beloved Bookroom Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those who have not read The Broken Spine.  I like Tru Beckett with her passion for books.  She has a sweet cat named Dewey Decimal.  I do wish, though, that Tru would stand up to her mother.  There is a cast of secondary characters that include Tru’s friends, Flossie, and Tori.  There are two mysteries in the story.  Someone is breaking into the secret bookroom in the basement of the library, and the murder of local mechanic, Owen.  Tru hopes the two incidents are not connected.  She is afraid if the police are told about the bookroom, it will get closed down.  There are good clues to help readers figure out why the crime happened.  The guilty party can be identified early on in the story.  I would have liked it to be more of a challenge.  I enjoyed the lively reveal.  I like how Tru, and Dewey are together.  She talks to Dewey who responds to her in his own way.  It is cute.  At the end of the book, I was left with a couple of questions.  I am curious as to why this hi-tech library does not have a matching security system.  I would think the door to the basement would have a lock (the type where you need to enter a code or have a card).  Also, now that the town manager who forced the library to get rid of the books is gone, why have the books not returned.  Those readers who enjoy lighthearted cozy mysteries with books, a sweet cat, and good friends will enjoy reading A Perfect Bind.  A Perfect Bind is a cute cozy mystery with a murdered mechanic, a bothered bookroom, a prodding detective, apple pie problems, a meddlesome assistant librarian, and a fun Fall Festival. 

A Perfect Bind is available from AmazonPenguin Random HouseB&NKoboGoogle Play, and IndieBound.  The first A Beloved Bookroom Mystery is The Broken Spine. You can find Dorothy St. James' other novels here on Amazon.  Follow Dorothy St. James on Amazon so you can receive emails on her latest releases.  As part of the tour, Dorothy is giving away a prize package.  You can click here to enter or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Leave a comment for an extra entry in the giveaway.  Good Luck!  Thank you for joining me today.  I am heading into Dunedin today for a doctor's appointment. This gives me an opportunity to drop off a few things for my sister who lives in that city.  I will also get to listen to my audiobook during the long drive (bonus).  Tomorrow I am sharing The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews.  I hope you have a cheery day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Participants


September 28 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST 

September 28 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT 

September 29 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW 

September 30 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

October 1 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – CHARACTER GUEST POST 
Miss Marple
October 1 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW 

October 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 

October 2 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 

October 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW 

October 3 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW 
Miss Fisher
October 4 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 

October 4 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

October 5 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW 

October 5 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT 

October 6 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT 
Modesty Flaise
October 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 

October 7 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW 

October 7 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST 

October 8 – Angel's Guilty Pleasures – SPOTLIGHT 

October 8 – My Reading Journeys - REVIEW 

October 9 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
Nancy Drew
October 9 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT 

October 10 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT 

October 10 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

October 11 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW 

October 11 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

3 comments:

  1. The cover is gorgeous! I love artwork and colors.

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  2. Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.

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  3. I really enjoyed the first book. Looking forward to reading "A Perfect Bind".

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