The Book Supremacy

Another great addition to the series. The characters continue to be fun and engaging, they pull you in make you feel like you are part of the action. The authors descriptions of Brooklyn’s bookbinding always make me want to take a class and try it out. This installment starts out with Brooklyn and Derek on their honeymoon in Paris where the foundations for the mystery are laid out. The action then continues back home in San Francisco. You can definitely read this as a stand alone, but if you haven’t read the series I highly recommend it.

This is the 13th (!!!) installment in The Bibliophile Mysteries series by Kate Carlisle. Hard to believe it but I’ve been reading one of these each June since I devoured the first eight in 2014. The series followers Brooklyn, a rare book restoration expert, and Derek, her husband (!), who is a former MI6 agent. They live in San Francisco and frequent visit Brooklyn’s quirky family in Sonoma wine country. Each book in the series features a rare book and a homicide (or two), with Brooklyn, Derek, Inspector Lee and others always cracking the case. The Book Supremacy was very fast paced and I really enjoyed reading it. The plot was well developed and held my attention through the end. It was wonderful to finally have Derek and Brooklyn married and enjoying life - and solving another case together! It was also great to learn more about Derek’s work in this book. If you are looking for a great series to read by the pool this summer, highly recommend you head to your local library and check these out! The Book Supremacy hits shelves on June 4! (I received a free copy of this book, and this is a completely honest review.)

The Book Supremacy is the thirteenth delightful installment in A Bibliophile Mystery series. I have been a fan of this book themed mystery series since the very beginning. I eagerly await each new installment and then devour it quickly. The Book Supremacy is a charming story with well-developed characters that takes us to France, wine country, and San Francisco. Kate Carlisle has a charming writing style that engages the reader and keeps them engrossed until the very last word. The descriptions of Paris transported me to the location. I could envision the green book stalls, the Seine, and the streets of Paris. The same can be said for Dharma and San Francisco. I especially loved SPECTRE with the various spy gadgets, books, café and escape rooms. I found the escape rooms to be intriguing and they sound like an hour of good fun. It is always fascinating to learn more about Brooklyn’s book restoration work and the lovely creations she makes from paper. The mystery is complex, and I like how everything tied together. There is action, suspense, a twist or two with the added touch of espionage. The mystery can be solved by armchair sleuths before the reveal, but that did not hinder my reading experience. While The Book Supremacy can be read alone, I heartily recommend reading the series in order (you will not be disappointed). It allows you to learn about Brooklyn, her work, friends and how she and Derek came to be together. I could not wait to get to the end of the story to find out what happened, but then I was sad that I had finished it (and must wait a year for another installment). There are recipes at the end of the book (Brooklyn does love good food and chocolate). The Book Supremacy is a story for fans of the series, the characters, and those who truly love books. The Book Supremacy has good food, intrigue, spy gadgets, a plethora of books, former spies, a cute cat named Charlie, a murder, escape rooms and one curious book restorer plus her dashing English husband.