FATAL FIRST EDITION, Jenn McKinlay’s 14th installment of her Library Lover’s Mystery series, features an appearance by book restorer Brooklyn Wainwright from Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mystery series. Both Briar Creek Library director Lindsy Norris and Brooklyn attend a library conference in Chicago where Brooklyn gives the keynote address on book restoration.

The mystery begins when Lindsey finds a bag under her seat after a program, with the first edition of Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith, signed by the author and containing notes by Alfred Hitchcock, director of the Strangers on a Train movie. Lindsey turned the book over to the conference director, who informed her the book was originally to be auctioned off during the conference before the anonymous donor removed the book from the auction.

Lindsey and her husband, Sully, find several conference attendees on their train trip home, including the director. Things get challenging when the conference director is found murdered in his cabin next door to the one occupied by Lindsey and Sully. The train is stopped in Briar Creek due to the murder and weather conditions created by a near blizzard. When Lindsey and Sully reach home, Lindsey, much to her surprise, finds the missing rare first edition packed in her luggage and immediately takes it to the Sheriff.

As the storm arrives, Sully sets out to deliver groceries and supplies to his family. When no one hears from him, fear grows as folks start looking for him. Meanwhile, Lindsey and the Sheriff’s department investigate the murder and find several suspects to interview and check out.

Ms. McKinlay writes an enigmatic mystery with lots of twists and a few red herrings. Well-developed characters and relationships add to the comfortable feel of community and problem-solving. FATAL FIRST EDITION is an intriguing story with nicely paced suspense that keeps readers involved.