Homicide in Hardcover

A Bibliophile Mystery

By: Kate Carlisle

Narrated by: Eileen Stevens

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Murder is always a bestseller… first in the new bibliophile mystery series!

The streets of San Francisco would be lined with hardcovers if rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright had her way. And her mentor wouldn't be lying in a pool of his own blood on the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration. With his final breath he leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, and gives her a priceless - and supposedly cursed - copy of Goethe's Faust for safekeeping. Brooklyn suddenly finds herself accused of murder and theft, thanks to the humorless - but attractive - British security officer who finds her kneeling over the body. Now she has to read the clues left behind by her mentor if she is going to restore justice.

©2009 Kathleen Beaver (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

This first in a new series is going to launch Carlisle to a bestselling position and have readers looking forward to the next installment of delightfully eccentric characters, droll dialogue and a meticulously planned crime. Bibliophile heroine Brooklyn Wainwright is brilliant, feisty and funny.” ( Romantic Times)

I enjoyed it

It's true that the narrator does a really terrible British accent, but not as bad as the gal who attempted to read "Bloody Jack," which I had to return it was so painful. I just finished a Steve Berry, so I was looking for something new and light when I stumbled on the 4th book in this series on Hoopla. I'd rather not start in the middle, so I bought the first book on Audible and now I've downloaded the second.

Here's the thing, nothing is perfect. I like the characters, the narration doesn't drive me crazy, and I love books. I wanted light--this is not Jack Reacher, for sure; it's more like a cozy. I don't agree that this is a Janet Evanovich knock-off. I think it's a Sue Grafton read-alike, and that's not so bad.

I love Kate’s books!

Although I absolutely adore the other Kate Carlisle books I have “read” on Audible (and the narrators), this is the first time I’m listening to this particular series… I love the characters. I love the narrators, I am also thoroughly enjoying the story, which is quite interesting as well. I am now a forever fan, because not only are her stories absolutely fabulous, her narrators accurately and CORRECTLY pronounce the meditative words, and chants!!! This means a lot to me since I have a predominantly Buddhist belief and practice.
THANK YOU KATE!!!!!

Main Character ruined this book...

I found the main character too overly obsessed with herself. No surprise she had little to no friends or acquaintances. She was warry of everyone, which made the "mystery" story drag on and on. No good parts stand out in this story to make it a good listen. I would not recommend to anyone looking for a enjoyable mystery.

Death of a book binder

Brooklyn Wainwright repairs rare and damaged books for a living in Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle, and she gets invited to a special gathering at the Covington Library for her former mentor, Abraham, with whom she had a falling out six months earlier. Noticing some personal drama going on at the party, including a curious argument with the members of the family that owns the library, her father tending bar, and her mother waiting for what looks like a secret rendezvous with Abraham. And her personal enemy who has a psychotic hatred of Brooklyn shows up and creates trouble. But then Brooklyn comes upon Abraham on the floor and covered with blood. He manages to croak out a few words before dying in her arms.

Now enters the stranger with the British accent who seems to think that Brooklyn has killed Abraham and pulls a gun on her, at which point Brooklyn faints. When she comes back to consciousness, she finds herself on a sofa in a side room, with the man shaking and slapping her to wake up. It takes a while for Brooklyn to learn about this stranger, named Derek, but eventually she finds out that he is in charge of the security for the library. And he is certain that Brooklyn has committed the crime, threatening to keep his eyes on her like a hawk.

Brooklyn's ex-fiance, Ian, now head of the Covington Library, hires her to continue the work of Abraham in restoring a valuable, ruby-studded copy of Goethe's Faust that is said to be cursed, with a string of deaths related to the copy. The drama continues throughout the book as someone comes after Brooklyn. Her hippie parents, who live in a commune, come and go, adding flavor to the book.

I enjoyed listening to this book, which has an interesting plot and creative setting. According to a review on Goodreads from a book restorer from the Huntington Library in Los Angeles County, which is like the Covington Library, the depictions of Brooklyn's work can be ridiculous at times. So don't try to clean up your books with bread! But despite those details, the book had strong characters and showed a real love of books. I liked the original way of setting the book around book restorations, something I've never seen in another mystery book.

Eileen Stevens narrates this audiobook effectively. She makes the book enjoyable and keeps it moving well. Her British accent for Derek didn't really seem realistic to me though. But I still appreciated the performance in general.

I liked my experience listening to Homicide in Hardcover. It read pleasurably and entertained me a lot. I give the book four stars.

Should have skipped this one.

Narrator was ok. no memorable moments. I finished listening ONLY because it was a bookclub read.

Language nt the best

I liked the story but will sell it back do to the language. Sorry

A Fun Read

After struggling with the beginning, I was able to go back and enjoy the story.

Protagonist keeps making really bad choices.

Some parts of this story I liked. Two big things I didn't. First, the main character is a twenty- something, college educated business woman. Yet she is an emotional wreck that can't make one good decision. Second, I thought I was going to read a mystery - too much of the romance novel in this book for my taste.

Finally, having grown up in San Francisco, it was irksome when the reader mispronounced Noe Valley. It is Noh-ee, not No.

A nice read when between books

It was an OK read. I could have done without the profanity and I'm sure the book could have done without the profanity as well. Overall it's a nice listen but I don't get the feeling that I've learned much about the main character nor do I feel inclined to finish the series.

A lot of cursing.

I love listening to Cozy books for the mystery and good, clean fun. These books drop the "F-bomb" quite often. Just not my style for cozy books.