In the Beloved Bookroom Mystery series debut, librarian Tru Beckett pulls a fast one when she rescues the discarded library books and sets up a secret bookroom, hidden in the building’s basement, for trustworthy patrons who want to read actual books. Since modernizing the library and replacing all the shelves of books with tablets, computers, and e-readers, Tru and a small group of helpers keep books circulating very discretely.

However, in this second installment, A PERFECT BIND, someone repeatedly breaks into the basement bookroom, tearing down shelves and damaging books.  Tru cannot report these crimes to the police since the bookroom is top secret, and she fears losing her job if Mrs. Farnsworth, the head librarian, or the town manager discovers what she’s doing. Tru also must keep the library’s new IT tech, Anne Lowery, out of the basement area, so she does not discover where the bookroom is hidden. 

While the break-ins distract Tru, a real problem arises when the body of Owen Maynard, the town’s only auto mechanic, is found dead in his truck behind the library. When the police ask if anything out of the ordinary happened at the library, they should know about Tru answers, “Um…nothing.”  But later, she speculates that if the bookroom attacks and the murder are related, she must inform the police. 

In the meantime, Hubert Crawford, president of the museum board, and a friend, Frank Calhoun, are pursuing research in the files Tru keeps in the bookroom regarding the library’s history. As Tru pursues clues in both mysteries, she uncovers that, over the years, renovations to the library’s basement included transforming an old speakeasy into storage rooms and eventually into a bomb shelter with steel walls. The small group of Tru’s friends speculates that the vandals ransacking the basement want to get access to the old speakeasy.

Add reports of Owen’s claim he is coming into “money” soon to rumors that there might be treasure hidden in the old speakeasy and Tru sees connections. Dorothy St. James creates a unique setting – a secret book library – with imaginative mystery plotting in this new series. The characters are realistic and relatable, with engaging situations, bright dialogue, and a snappy pace.  A PERFECT BIND continues an entertaining series with a certain panache.