The Book Stops Here

April 7, 2014
In Carlisle’s captivating ninth Bibliophile mystery (after 2013’s A Cookbook Conspiracy), bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright joins This Old Attic as the traveling TV show’s rare-book expert. Brooklyn’s first guest on the show, which is currently taping in San Francisco, is Vera Stoddard, owner of “a limited first edition” of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 children’s classic, The Secret Garden, which Vera says she recently bought at a garage sale for $3. Brooklyn tells Vera that an antiquarian book dealer would pay between $20,000 and $25,000 for this rarity. Vera agrees to let Brooklyn restore it to increase the value. Later, in the studio parking lot, a thug accosts Brooklyn, claiming the book is his and threatening violence if she doesn’t give it to him. Meanwhile, the show’s handsome new host, Randolph Rayburn, who’s spooked by the man’s threat, is convinced he’s being stalked. The action builds to a surprising final showdown. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency.

May 1, 2014
Rare-book restorer and bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright is thrilled when she is selected to be the expert book appraiser during the three weeks the popular television show This Old Attic is filming in San Francisco. After she appraises Vera Stoddard's copy of The Secret Garden for more than $20,000, Vera is murdered, and Brooklyn is accosted by a man who claims the book belongs to him. Meanwhile, the show's host, Randolph Rayburn, is being stalked, and Brooklyn narrowly misses becoming a victim of attacks seemingly meant for him. Complicating matters further, Brooklyn's worst enemy, Minka LaBoeuf, is hired by the show and promptly tries to undermine Brooklyn's credibility. As Brooklyn's security-expert boyfriend, Derek Stone, works to protect her, Brooklyn investigates the murder and tries to find the stalker. Interesting details about rare editions of various titles and their appraisal, as well as facts about bookbinding and rare-book restoration, are woven throughout this satisfying installment of an ongoing series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)