I love the addition of new characters to love. Carlisle did a good job at fleshing out the new people, and write a cool mystery to boot. Did not see that ending coming at all! I wish her books weren't such fast reads though because there is so much waiting for the next one.

My only complaint was the lack of Gabriel. You can't just throw in a new brother and make Gabriel disappear!

Brooklyn Wainwright restores antique books. She lives with her ex-British now American security husband in a converted warehouse condominium. She has eclectic neighbors and an extensive family, due mostly to her commune upbringing and ever-loving parents.

Brooklyn’s sister, Savannah, (all sibs names for point of conception) has moved back into the general area and opened a high end vegetarian restaurant. When another culinary school classmate opens his own eatery, the alumni are invited to join in celebration. A valuable cookbook, previously given to Savannah by said alumni, is given to Brooklyn for a proper restoration. Upon inspection, she realizes the book has a 200 year history. This deters her sister not and she insists on returning the book as a congratulatory gift.

The new chef is murdered, Savannah is found kneeling over his bloodied body, holding a bloody knife and the cookbook has disappeared. Brooklyn tasks herself to prove her sister’s innocence and find the real culprit.

Henceforth, the mystery of the cookbook, with its symbols in the margins, and the super chef murder expands like a rising loaf of bread. Add in another murder and attempt, a cast of culinary suspects and it’s a tasty mystery... with recipes included at the end.

These would be such good books if it weren’t for the cutesy dialogue and over-the-top lovey-dovey adoration of Brooklyn & Derek.

Was looking for a book to listen to on trip to Ottawa (about 8 hour drive for me). This wound up being the perfect choice. I finished it just before arriving at my destination. It was a nice and light fun read. I have never read any of Kate Carlisle's books. Considering I started in the middle of the series, there was no problem with understanding any former storylines, as it seemed to me the author did a nice job of weaving facts/events into the current story.

The only thing that made this more like a 3.5 and not a 4 was that I would have enjoyed just a little more character development--and perhaps once I am more invested with the main characters after reading a few more books in the series, that could easily change.

I really did enjoy the mixture of the old cookbook by 'Obediance Green' and the Revolutionary War and sending secret messages within the pages of this so-called cookbook. Definitely a very nice surprise for me since I like those types of historical fiction stories (well historical fiction in general). The main reason I first choice this was that it takes place in the San Francisco Bay area.

After seeing a few other readers' comments about this book being slower/not quite as good as her other books, I'm definitely game to give another shot at reading all about Brooklyn. Hopefully, I will be able to find some other audiobook copies. The narrator wasn't too bad either...definitely not one of my favorites like Scott Brick, but I would certainly listen to her again

A good, solid cozy mystery. Perhaps I should not have started with book 7.
A little too much swooning over the boyfriend, but I suppose some people like that. Lol
I like all the description of book-binding.

My favorite current series and this one did not disappoint. I'm so attached to these characters and Dharma. The best bits of this book: meeting Derek's brother and NO MINKA!! I loved the whole sub-plot about Obedience Green and the Civil War. And of course, I can't get enough of the bookbinding/restoration details. I find them fascinating, although I realise this might not be the case for everyone. Still, I don't think they are overdone in any way.

The plot line revolves around Brooklyn's sister Savannah and a reunion of sorts of Savannah's classmates from Le Cordon Bleu. The villain was a bit unexpected, although I wasn't totally stunned.

the whole 'person-you'd-least-suspect' route, while effective, isn't always surprising.

Overall, I found nothing to nitpick about this book and plenty to love. My only complaint is that I read it too fast and now I have to wait until next year for another fix. Boo, hiss and boo.

The Bibliophile Mystery series follows Brooklyn Wainwright, a rare book expert in San Francisco, and she continues to trip over dead bodies and find the killer. She is joined by her ever-so-handsome British boyfriend, Derek, who also happens to be a security expert and bodyguard. There is a cast of other wonderful characters throughout the series, including her wacky, peace-loving, commune-living, hippy family.

In this latest installment, Brooklyn’s sister Savannah is cooking at the opening of a former classmate’s new restaurant with other members of her class. When the restaurateur is found stabbed to death in the kitchen after the dinner is over, Savannah is the one holding the bloody knife. Turns out, no one really liked their old “friend”, but who killed him and why? Was it blackmail, jealousy, a spurned lover, or could it have something to do with the antique cookbook that he gave to Savannah years ago?

This may have been my favorite book in the series so far – a wonderful combination of my favorite things – mystery, books, and food! It was fast-paced and fun, with a touch of romance and plenty of humor. I never tire of Brooklyn’s family and some of my favorite scenes are those with her mother – what spells and incantations will she use next on her poor daughter?!

See more on my blog at www.watchingthewords.com!

Great addition to the series. I especially loved we got to meet one of Derek’s brothers and him connecting with Savannah, Brooklyn’s sister. I love that Ms. Carlisle keeps the series fresh with each new installment. I’m listening to the series and the audiobooks are amazing.