My name is Lindsey Norris and I am a book nerd. There is no way to sugar coat it, dress it up in satin or add a ribbon to make it pretty, I am a book geek to the tenth power, and I have the poor eyesight and the head in the clouds demeanor that comes with it.
If I could climb through the back of a wardrobe into Narnia, I would do it. So, I suppose I could blame C.S. Lewis for my issues, but really, if there was a way to shoot hoops in the driveway with Myron Bolitar, I would. Or if Stephanie Plum needed a sidekick for a donut run, I’d jump into her car, yes, even knowing their propensity for exploding. So, I guess it’s not fair to lay all the blame on Mr. Lewis.
It is their combined fault, along with a few hundred other authors, that my chosen profession is that of librarian. I mean, really, when all of your closest friends live on paper in between the hard covers of a book, what else can you do?
Presently, I am the library director of a public library in the quaint shore town of Briar Creek, CT. I love it here and I love that on any given day, I will be asked a question requiring me to utilize my impressive research chops (if I do say so myself) to answer. Here are a couple of my favorites:
“What is the original meaning of the word clue?”
“Do you have any books written by Ibid?”
“Are newspapers safe to eat? I want to use mine as mulch in my garden.”
I do love doing research, but the highlight of my week is definitely Thursday when I host crafternoons in a meeting room at the library. What is crafternoon? Well, it’s a small group of people who do a craft (knitting, quilting, what have you) while we eat lunch and discuss the latest book we’ve read, currently we are discussing A Room With A View by E.M. Forster.
Today’s discussion was pretty lively when we were interrupted by Carrie Rushton, a member of the Friends of the Library. She is running for the position of president to the Friends. The current president Bill Sint is very unhappy about it as he has run unopposed for years. Carrie asked me to monitor the proceedings to make sure nothing untoward happens, while her whiny husband Markus Rushton informed me that the library should be closed or turned into an arcade or a mini-golf course, or as he put it “something more fun”.
Of course, I agreed to help Carrie. I like her and would love to see her become president. Well, how was I supposed to know that shortly after the election Markus Rushton would be murdered and everything would get a little crazy?
Now a nor’easter is blowing into town, a puppy’s been abandoned in the library’s book drop and Carrie might be arrested for a crime she didn’t commit. It’s never a dull day at the library. Honestly, if I had known it would be like this, maybe I would have become a book editor instead…
To find out what happens to Lindsey, the puppy and Carrie, be sure to check out DUE OR DIE available March 6, 2012.
Oh, and here are the answers to those earlier questions:
Clue is derived from the word “clew” which is a small ball of yarn or string.
Ibid is a shortened version of the word “ibidem”, which means “in the same place” and is used in footnotes and bibliographies to refer to a source cited previously.
Yes, you can use newspaper as mulch, the black and white ink is generally water soluble and lead free.
You can read more about Lindsey in DUE OR DIE, the second book in the “Library Lover’s” mystery series. The first book in the series is BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING.
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of DUE OR DIE to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends March 22. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
Meet the author
Jenn McKinlay is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cupcake Bakery mystery series and the Library Lover’s mystery series. She also writes the Decoupage mystery series under the name Lucy Lawrence and the Good Buy Girls mystery series under the name Josie Belle. Her main interests are reading, writing, baking, knitting and skateboarding. She lives in sunny AZ in a house overrun with kids, pets and her husband’s guitars. Visit Jenn’s website at www.jennmckinlay.com
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
I just bought the first book in this series and can’t wait to read. I also have the cupcake series. Thank you for the chance to win this book.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I am looking forward to following the next adventure. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com
I very much enjoyed the first book in this series and I’m looking forward to this story.
mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net
Love all your “cozy” mysteries. So excited for this new series. Keep up the great work!
Another book to add to my wishlist! Love the questions she was asked to research.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
THis sounds like a great series..I have to start with the first one
idlivru1(at)gmail(dot)com
Looking forward to reading this book. Thanks.
blwilstead(at)aol(dot)com
I didn’t have a clue what a clew was! I really enjoyed Books Can Be Deceiving, so I’m looking forward to reading Due or Die!
I would like to read the second in this series since I loved the first one.
klocke(at)hotmail(dot)com
I really enjoyed the 1st in this series- Books Can be Deceiving! would love to read the 2nd.
This series is right up my alley: Libraries, living vicariously through others (especially having a guitar-playing hubby), wishing I had a closet large enough for my clothes let alone a thoroughfare to Narnia and beyond, loving to research. I haven’t met Lindsey aka Jenn aka Lucy aka Josie yet, but I hope to remedy that soon. Thanks.
cliffonline @ rocketmail dot com
Read and loved BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING, so I know I will love Due or Die.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book looks like a fun read. Thanks for the giveaway!
Summergal05(at)gmail(dot)com
sounds like a wonderful series… i can’t wait to read this book. 🙂
elisanabby at gmail dot com
Another one to add to my to read list. Maybe I’ll win it.
jplungas at gmail dot com
I work in a school library so I love reading about how others cope with libraray problems. I enjoyed Books Can Be deceiving very much. I’m looking foward to Due or Die.
Librarians alway have so many good ideas as to how to solve a mystery. I think I would enjoy this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I have begun to read the Cupcake Bakery mysteries and the Library Lovers series is at the top of my “to be read” list. Library mysteries are the best! Thanks for the post and the preview!
Sounds like a great book. Love it when I find a new author. Thanks
xzjh04(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, I love her books – can’t wait to read this one!!! afarage(at)earthline(dot)net
I found out about Jenn McKinlay because i just so happened to pick up one of the Decoupage Mysteries she wrote as Lucy Lawrence! Love Jenn McKinlay!!
I enjoy all of Jenn’s series. I can’t wait to read this one.
As a librarian I am very interested in seeing one as the heroine.
My mom was a librarian – so this sounds really interesting to me – I like the Thursday afternoon get together.
i just finished reading the 1st book in the series!! can’t wait to read Due or Die!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
Wow! Thanks so much for all of the nice comments. Dru, you have the coolest blog! Anyway, I’m not sure where my week went – oh, wait, yes, I do – I just finished writing Going, Going Ganache (Cupcake Mystery 5) TODAY!!! And I have to say there are some surprising (even to me) developments with that crazy cupcake crew. Hang onto your sprinkles, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!!!
Thanks Jenn for letting Lindsey give us a hint about her day. I love the title of your next book.