In the Library Lover’s 13th adventure, THE PLOT AND THE PENDULUM, William Dorchester offers the impressive family library, including rare first editions along with shelves of books, to the Briar Creek Public Library when he decides to move his mother into assisted living and sell the family home. Head Librarian Lindsey Norris makes arrangements to haul the massive collection to the library and discovers a hidden room behind the shelves in the Dorchester home. What makes the room’s discovery so startling is the skeleton found in the room with a book in hand as if reading – The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe.
When Lindsey searches the missing persons’ database, she uncovers a potential identity for the skeleton that coincidently includes ties to the Dorchester family. It seems that William was in love with Grace Hartwell, and his mother forbade his relationship with her, so she married Tim Little. Six weeks later, Grace disappears, never to be found, and becomes known as the “runaway bride.” William moves away then and never returns to Briar Creek until his mother’s dementia requires his attention.
Moving the books stops while the house becomes a crime scene. With the help of the crafters’ group members, Lindsey starts checking out what happened to Grace, especially after the police confirm the body is Grace Hartwell. The primary suspect in Grace’s disappearance was Tim Little, her new husband, since witnesses report the two argued. Tim was never arrested since there was never evidence of a crime in 1989: he remarried, had a family, and became a Little League coach.
Once again, Jenn McKinlay provides an engaging visit with established characters while adding a feline to the mix. Lindsey discovers a cat in Dorchester’s library who joins Lindsey and Sully’s household, much to the joy of Heathcliff, their dog. Lindsey names the cat Zelda. Ms. McKinlay concocts an intriguing mystery with surprising twists and appropriate red herrings that keep readers’ focus on what turns out to be an unexpected outcome. THE PLOT AND THE PENDULUM is an exceptional addition to the Library Lovers’ Mystery series.
Library director Lindsey Norris is happy to learn the Briar Creek Public Library is the beneficiary of the Dorchester family’s vast book collection. However, when Lindsey and the library staff arrive at the old Victorian estate to gather the books, things take a sinister turn. One of the bookcases reveals a secret passage, leading to a room where a skeleton is found, clutching an old copy of The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Lindsey does a quick check of missing persons, using the distinctive 80s era clothing worn by the deceased to determine a time frame, and discovers that Briar Creek has an unsolved missing person’s case from 1989. A runaway bride went missing just weeks after her wedding. No suspects were ever arrested and the cold case remains unsolved. Lindsey and the crafternoon crew decide that justice is overdue and set about solving the old murder mystery, using some novel ideas to crack the case.
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