By Dennis Fischman

Can you separate what you feel about the author from what you think about the book?

That’s a question that comes up throughout literary history. Can you read Ezra Pound’s poetry knowing about his fascist sympathies? What about classic mystery writers like Dorothy Sayers and her casual slurs aimed at Jews, Blacks, and Italians?

In our own times, there’s a worldwide bestselling author whose work is beloved (and read by many young people who went on to read all kinds of fiction because of her), yet she harangues and harasses trans women. In my household, that author is referred to as She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

So it’s a pleasure for me to say that I’m reviewing a book by Jenn McKinlay after telling you about another series of hers back in March, partly because I love what she posted on Threads:

Books Can Be Deceiving,
by Jenn McKinlay
Berkley, 2011,
268 pages

MAGA – racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic, and utterly despicable. If you vote for Trump, unfollow me immediately. Don’t buy my books. There’s nothing there for you. 💙US💙US💙US💙

But mainly, I want you to know about Books Can Be Deceiving: Library Lover’s Mystery #1 because it’s a promising start to series of cozy mysteries, and we could use a little more cozy in our lives right now!

To quote the publisher, “Lindsey is getting into her groove as the director of the Briar Creek Public Library when a New York editor visits town, creating quite a buzz. Lindsey’s friend Beth wants to sell the editor her children’s book, but Beth’s boyfriend, a famous author, gets in the way. When they go to confront him, he’s found murdered – and Beth is the prime suspect. Lindsey has to act fast – before they throw the book at the wrong person.”

Yes, the cliches of romance/cozy mystery are here: a cluster of girlfriends, men who are either awful personalities or hunks with no personality, and an amateur who has to turn detective because her best friend is a suspect. Jenn McKinlay does it all well, however, and the references to books the patrons check out of the library are a bonus.

Just the sort of fun to take my mind off the election. And contrary to what she says, readers of all political stripes could enjoy this mystery!

Dennis Fischman is a member of the Somerville Public Library’s Mystery Book Club and an inveterate reader.