Sometimes the best way to know a person is by asking questions, so let’s meet Brooklyn.
What is your name?
Brooklyn Wainwright
How old are you?
Early 30s.
What is your profession?
I’m a bookbinder, the best job in the world because I get to spend every day around some of the most beautiful books ever created.
Do you have a significant other?
Yes, British security expert Derek Stone. We didn’t meet under the best of circumstances. He found me hunched over my mentor, who had just been stabbed. Not by me, I swear! Derek suspected me of murder; I suspected him of having a stick up his butt. But we warmed up to each other. Solving murders has a way of bringing people closer. In fact, we’re getting married later this year. (In BURIED IN BOOKS.)
Any children?
No children, but Derek and I did adopt an adorable kitten together. Charlie Cupcake. She keeps me company while I work.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
Oh yes, I come from a big family. My parents are Deadheads—Grateful Dead devotees—and they dragged the whole family along when the Dead were on tour. Each of us kids is named after the place we were conceived: Austin, Jackson, Brooklyn (that’s me), Savannah, China, and London.
What town do you live in?
I am the proud owner of a renovated loft in the book-loving city of San Francisco. My brick building used to be a corset factory and still has the clangy old elevator from days of yore. I love that thing—it’s saved my butt on more than one occasion. Pretty hard for someone to creep up when the elevator rattles the whole building. . . unless they take the stairs up to the sixth floor. But by then, they’re too winded to do much damage.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
My office/studio, for sure. It’s filled with all my book presses and worktables and benches and tool racks and leather rolls and supply cabinets, along with an office desk and chair. And bookshelves. Lots and lots of bookshelves. Floor-to-ceiling, I’m proud to say.
Who is your best friend?
Robin. We grew up together in Dharma, the wine country commune where my parents settled when I was seven.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
Reluctant amateur. Guru Bob says that I keep finding all these bodies because the universe needs me to bring justice for the dead. I will admit, when I discover a murder victim, I can’t just step back and let the police handle it. I feel called to investigate—especially because there’s always a rare book involved in the crime. I know things the police don’t. And Derek feels called to help me because, hey, he’s pretty fond of me and wants to keep me safe.
Favorite meal?
Anything I don’t have to cook.
Favorite dessert?
I have many, many, many favorite desserts (major sweet tooth), so instead I’ll tell you about my most interesting favorite—syllabub. A couple years ago, I came into possession of a 230-year-old cookbook/diary of a woman who’d been brought to America as an indentured servant. Obedience Green was a Revolutionary War spy, though there’s some question about which side she was on. In her cookbook, there’s a recipe for syllabub, which is basically a pudding made with alcohol. Although I’m not much of a cook, it looked simple enough, so I decided to try to make it—but not the part where I was supposed to squeeze the cow’s milk directly from the udder into the bowl. (Read all about Obedience Green and her cryptographic cookbook in A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY.)
Favorite hobby?
I’m one of those lucky people whose work feels like a hobby. I get giddy when I meticulously restore rare books to their former glory. When I do take a break from working on books, it’s generally for something in the paper arts. I love it all.
Favorite vacation spot?
Derek and I are going to Paris on our honeymoon! I’ve never found a dead body in Paris, so it’s very relaxing for me.
Favorite color?
Gold—the gilding on the edges of the pages of a finely-bound book.
Favorite author?
That would be like naming a favorite book! I can’t do it. Don’t make me choose, I love them all.
Favorite sports team?
San Francisco Giants. My loft is just a few blocks away from their stadium, and I’m a hometown girl.
Movies or Broadway?
Broadway.
Are you a morning or a night person?
Early bird.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I get up early and putter around while Derek gets ready for work. After he leaves, I head straight to my studio to decide what to work on that day. Bookbinding is detail-oriented, precise work, both a craft and an art, so it’s very easy to lose myself in a book for hours on end. Usually around 4 pm or so, I’ll stop to shower and get ready to meet Derek somewhere for dinner, or he’ll come home and we’ll have a glass of wine, then walk to one of our favorite local spots. Of course, murder investigations have a way of throwing the routine out the window.
You can read about Brooklyn in Buried in Books, the 12th book in the “Bibliophile” mystery series, coming June 26, 2018. The first book in the series is Homicide in Hardcover.
In the latest in this New York Times bestselling series, matrimony and murder collide as San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright walks down the aisle. . .
Brooklyn has it all covered. She’s triple-checked her wedding to-do list, and everything is on track for the upcoming ceremony with the love of her life, security expert Derek Stone.
Not everyone has been as lucky in love as Brooklyn. Her old college roommates Heather and Sara lost touch twelve years ago when Sara stole Heather’s boyfriend. Brooklyn was caught in the middle and hasn’t seen her former besties since their falling-out. When they both show up at her surprise bridal shower, Brooklyn is sure drama will ensue. But she’s touched when the women seem willing to sort out their differences and gift her rare copies of The Three Musketeers and The Red Fairy Book.
Brooklyn’s prewedding calm is shattered when one of her formerly feuding friends is found murdered and Brooklyn determines that one of the rare books is a forgery. She can’t help but wonder if the victim played a part in this fraud, or if she was targeted because she discovered the scam. With a killer and con artist on the loose, Brooklyn and Derek—with the unsolicited help of their meddling mothers—must catch the culprit before their big day turns into a big mess.
Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a BURIED IN BOOKS gift box filled with chocolates. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends June 24, 2018. Good luck everyone!
About the author
Kate Carlisle is the New York Times bestselling author of two ongoing series: the Bibliophile Mysteries 
featuring San Francisco bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright, whose rare book restoration skills uncover old secrets, treachery and murder; and the Fixer-Upper Mysteries, featuring Shannon Hammer, a home contractor who discovers not only skeletons in her neighbors’ closets, but murder victims, too. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is bringing the Fixer-Upper Mysteries to TV in a series of movies starring Jewel and Colin Ferguson. A native Californian, Kate worked in television production for many years before turning to writing. In Buried in Books (June 26), matrimony and murder collide as a library convention comes to San Francisco the week of Brooklyn’s wedding.
All comments are welcomed.
I can’t win being in the UK :D, but good luck to all the US entries and I just want to say I can’t wait to read this as I love Brooklyn Wainwright!
Thank you so much! Yes, I’m sorry we had to limit it to US winners, but I don’t know all of the international customs laws regarding sending food across borders.
It is best not to risk it (and never mind the cost of shipping!!) I am just glad to have another visit with Brooklyn and her friends and family 😀
Thank you! <3
I can’t eat chocolate so please do not enter me. Thanks for the reminder that I must play catch-up with this series!
Happy catching up! If you’d like to have just the book box, you can still be entered in the giveaway. It’s up to you!
Sounds like an intriguing series. Hope I win!
Good luck, Sharon! You can learn more about the series at http://www.BibliophileMysteries.com.
I love this series! Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Thank you, Linda. I’m so glad you love the Bibliophile Mysteries. Good luck!
Very Exciting, I’ve been waiting for this wedding for a very long time!
Here comes the bride! (And the murderer right behind her…)
I have been waiting on this book forever it seems, I am so excited it is finally here. Thank you both for the great review & series. Thank you also for the nice giveaway.
I’m so excited for you to read BURIED IN BOOKS. I felt so fulfilled while writing the wedding after all these years.
This sounds like an intriguing series. Thank you for this chance!
You’re welcome, Peggy. Good luck! You can read free excerpts of all of my books at KateCarlisle.com.
Kate’s series is one of my favorites. Great stories and I always learn something new besides enjoying reading it. I’d love to be the recipient of this contest; thank you for doing this interview with such an interesting character as Brooklyn. And Congratulations to Kate. Keep up the wonderful writing! Happy release day.
Cynthia
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Cynthia. I appreciate it. Only 4 days left until BURIED IN BOOKS hits stores! 🙂
I enjoy reading a good book, but nothing compared to my daughter, I can see her wanting her books buried with her, lol, the only problem is I don’t don’t if she could narrow her list of favorites down to what would fit in the ‘box’ with her, lol.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this great sounding cozy.
wfnren at aol dot com
LOL!!!! Your daughter sounds like my kind of people!
Awesome, can’t wait to read. Just bought all the other in this series. On book 2 now, allmost done. Great read.
Binge-reading the Bibliophile Mysteries? I love it!
Love her books. Thanks for the chance to win this one.
Thank you, Carol!
Great interview Q&A! I am looking forward to reading more about Brooklyn and Derek!
Thank you! 🙂 I hope you’ll love BURIED IN BOOKS.
Totally enjoyed the bio on Brooklyn. Have all the books in this series. I pre-ordered as soon as I could. Can’t wait to see how Brooklyn handles all the challenges.
Thank you so much, Sharon. I’m so honored by preorders, truly. I appreciate it!
Sounds like a awesome book to read. I need to find the book now. Thanks for the chance to win
You won’t be able to find BURIED IN BOOKS until next week, Bethany, but I like your enthusiasm. June 26 is release day!
Wonderful interview. Loved learning all about Brooklyn Wainwright first hand.
Must be nice to be from a large family. Cute how you all got your names.
Charlie Cupcake – what an adorable name for a kitty! Our chihuahua’s name is Snickerdoodle. 🙂
Amateur sleuth? I think you are pretty good at it.
Girl, I love to cook and bake so come on down south to Arkansas! Syllabub sounds very interesting.
Good to meet another early bird.
Well, it’s been nice finding out about you and I hope to be reading more about you in the future.
I love the name Snickerdoodle! That’s adorable.
It’s an awesome series with great characters and wonderful imaginative murder mysteries !
Thank you, Patricia! 😀 That’s so nice to hear.
Ohhh I just LOVE the title lol. I’m intrigued. Thanks for the chance to win it.
What a way to go, right, Shamekka? 🙂
Brooklyn Wainwright is one sharp cookie and Kate Carlisle uses her character to complete a wonderful series. Thanks for including Kate on your blog.
Yes, thank you so much, Dru, for hosting me today, and for your wonderful support of the mystery genre. You’re the best!
(And thank you, Robin, for your sweet words about my books.)
Your books sound so good. Brooklyn sounds really fun and lively. And I do love chocolate too. Thanks!
Thank you, Rose! “Lively” is a great description of Brooklyn. She is that. Not a stodgy, stereotypical bookbinder at all. Hope you’ll give the books a try.
I love this series! Thank you for the interview and the book review.
Thank you, Debbie! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Bibliophile Mysteries.
I’ve been interested in this series for a long time, and this post makes me want to read the books even more! Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks, Autumn! You can get a taste of the series by reading the free excerpts available at KateCarlisle.com. That way, you’ll know if the stories are up your alley. Hope you enjoy!
I enjoyed the post. Thank you for the yummy giveaway.
You’re welcome, Rita. Good luck!
I enjoyed getting to know Brooklyn and her passion for bookbinding. My Aunt was a bookbinder, and it is such a beautiful and intricate art. She endowed a scholarship at a local University, and I was fortunate one year to be a judge of the scholarship entries. It was an amazing, unique, and educational experience to learn more about all of the exacting effort that goes into bookbinding.
Oh, Celia, that is beautiful! What a lovely woman your aunt must’ve been. Thank you so much for sharing.
I have been reading this series and others by Kate Carlisle and LOVE them. Brooklynn is smart and independent and faints at the sight of blood. How normal is that. I love reading “books” and her descriptions of the different methods is fascinating without taking over the whole story. I can’t wait to see what married life has to offer. Keep writing so I can keep reading!
Thank you so much, Antonette. I promise I will keep writing!
i had never thought of being a bookbinder! i love books and got my library degree, but would love to do something other than sit at a reference desk.
Bookbinding is both an art and a craft, and I highly, highly recommend that you take some classes if you’re interested. It’s so fulfilling.
I had to chuckle over the direction regarding the syllabub recipe.
I aim to amuse! 😉
A super-series – thanks!
I enjoy this series but I’ve missed a couple of books. I’ll have to catch up so I’m ready for this wedding!
Love this series and the characters! My calendar is all marked up, as I count down to the release date!
Just a few days left… 6/26 is this coming Tuesday!
Being a family of bookaholics (I don’t think there is a room in our house that doesn’t have books in it), I love this series.
Who would want a room without books??? 😀
This is one of my very favorite series. Can’t wait to read this one!
Great series! Looking forward to reading this one.
What a fun profession. I live in Paradise which is about 3 hours (drive) north of San Fran. Buried in Books sounds great.
One of the main reasons I set the Bibliophile Mysteries in San Francisco was because it means that I can go there frequently for research. One of my all-time favorite cities.
This one is still such a good series. Not tiresome after so many books, like some series tend to get.
Thank you so much, Annette! That is soooo nice to hear. I strive to make each mystery unique, interesting, and challenging. I really appreciate your enthusiasm for my books.
Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Can’t wait to read this book! It looks so good. Thanks for the interview and also the chance to win!
This is such a fun series. The Three Musketeers as a wedding gift? How cool is that! I still have my copy Dad gave me back in the 60’s.
That’s awesome, Pat. I love it. I heard from a reader who had a very old copy of the book. Not a first edition, but quite old and with copies of the original illustrations. She emailed the illustrations to me, and they were just so wonderful!
Love the Bibliophile Mysteries.
Thank you, Mary!
I really enjoy this series because I LOVE books(and anything relating to them). Brooklyn has the most beautiful name and I envy her loft. What I wouldn’t do for floor-to-ceiling bookshelves!
And she has high ceilings! 😀
The book looks great! I’d love to win.
Hi, Terri. Just to be clear, the prize is not the book itself; the prize is the gift box and chocolates. 🙂 But you can read a free excerpt of BURIED IN BOOKS at http://www.katecarlisle.com/buried-in-books.php
Beautiful cover.
Thank you! Isn’t it great? The cover artists are Berkley are so talented! This one is especially beautiful, with the soft white light.
Love reading this series! I can’t wait for the next one. Charlie Cupcake is a cute name for the kitty. The wedding sounds like it’s going to be exciting!
Everyone has already said it all… Amazing cover, sounds like an amazing series(new for me), I can’t wait to read it. Oh, and a wonderful review! Thank you both for sharing and for your time. Adding to my TBR.
Hope you’ll love the Bibliophile Mysteries, Marci! You can get a taste with the free excerpts at KateCarlisle.com.
I love your website, it’s very easy to navigate and has a lot of information!
One of my favorite series! Just finished Once Upon A Spine and this one is already on my “look-for” list for when it comes out in paperback.
I’m so glad you enjoyed ONCE UPON A SPINE, Diane. <3 Thank you!
Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mysteries introduced me to cozies. I loved the bookbinder part of the book. It is something I would love to do. Thanks for a chance to win this awesome giveaway and thanks Kate for writing such great books and introducing me to bookbinding and cozies.
I’m so touched, Vicki, that I introduced you to cozies. That makes me feel very proud and humble at the same time. I hope you’ll get many years of pleasure from the introduction.
I am a fan of this author! Thanks for offering this chance!!
Thank you, Linda! I appreciate you being a fan.
I’m really looking forward to reading Buried In Books. I love Brooklyn and I can’t wait for the wedding day!
Here comes the briiiiii——WAIT!!!!! Who is that behind her?!
I absolutely love this series and can hardly wait to read this installment. Congratulations on another release. I hope you continue to write about Brooklyn and Derek’s lives for many more years.
Thank you so much, Sheri. I adore Brooklyn and Derek and I intend to keep writing about their lives for as long as readers love them, too. I have more story ideas than I have time to write, so that will never be a problem. 🙂
Oh, my goodness, I want to win this! I have entered every chance to win decks of cards, etc and never come out on top.
I love both series, but as an amateur book restorer myself, I really love reading Brooklyn’s adentures the most.
That’s so sweet of you to say, Amy! I’ll let you in on a little secret: on July 5, I’m going to send a letter to my mailing list announcing a giveaway in which 21 readers will win a BURIED IN BOOKS gift box as a favor from Brooklyn and Derek’s wedding. If you’re not already on my mailing list, be sure to sign up at KateCarlisle.com.
One of my favorite series to read. Not to mention, the covers are always amazing, the characters are fabulous and the giveaways are awesome.
Awww! Thank you, Kay. I’m so honored to be one of your favorites. That really gives me a nice mood boost.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book! Love your books and this series!
Thank you, Renee!
Nice interview with Brooklyn, Dru. Love this series, looking forward to reading “Buried in Books”.
Dru always does the best interviews! Thank you again, Dru. I appreciate you!
thank you Kate.
awesome
I would love to win!
**** WINNER ****
BURIED IN BOOKS gift box filled with chocolates is Rita Wray
Congratulations!
Congratulations Rita!
Congratulations Rita!