DEATH IN THE STACKS, the eighth book in the Library Lover’s Mysteries by Jenn McKinlay is a worthy addition to a charming series! The author’s clever, snappy dialog entertains the reader, bringing several laugh-out-loud moments. I loved the way the characters of Ms. McKinlay’s three separate series converge in this book, leading to some humorous moments. While I’ve read the majority of the books in her Cupcake Bakery Mystery series (and adore them!) I haven’t had the chance to read any of the Hat Shop Mystery series…yet. However, after being introduced to the Hat Shop’s cast of witty characters in DEATH IN THE STACKS, I’ll be remedying that.
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The protagonist, Lindsey Norris, is a thoughtful, caring librarian. She seems to take those who don’t quite fit in under her wing, sticking up for them no matter what. The murder victim, Olive Boyle, was the new president of the library board. Olive proved herself to be a bully and went after Lindsey’s staff members, specifically new-hire Paula, and threatened Lindsey’s job. It’s no wonder there are a plethora of suspects, especially Paula. Lindsey decides she must find the killer and clear her employee’s name, even though she seems to be hiding something. The plot includes small-town politics and blackmail while middle-aged mean girls “travel in their pack of rude condescension.”
The library hosts a crafternoon group in which each member brings a dish to share for lunch, after which they participate in a craft and discuss a book every Thursday. I love that Jenn provides recipes, a craft, and a book discussion form at the back of the book. This adds enjoyment after the delightful story is over. I decided to try the Cheese and Spinach Strata for a couple of reasons: we’re always trying to find ways to get extra veggies in our meals, and this is a very delicious way to do so! Plus since it is assembled the day before, it frees up time to spend with family and friends on the day of serving. This strata makes for a hearty breakfast or brunch, but is also perfect for dinner when served with crusty bread and a crisp salad!
Amazon Synopsis
Lindsey Norris and her staff are gearing up for the Briar Creek Library’s annual Dinner in the Stacks fund-raiser. The night of dinner and dancing is not only a booklover’s dream—it’s the library’s biggest moneymaker of the year. But instead of raising funds, the new library board president is busy raising a stink and making the staff miserable.
Although Olive Boyle acts like a storybook villain, Lindsey is determined to work with her and make the event a success. But when Olive publicly threatens the library’s newest hire, Paula, Lindsey cracks like an old book spine and throws Olive out of the library.
The night of the fund-raiser, Lindsey dreads another altercation with Olive—but instead finds Paula crouched over Olive’s dead body. Paula may have secrets, but Lindsey and the rest of the crafternooners know she’s not the one who took Olive out of circulation. As the plot thickens, Lindsey must catch the real killer before the book closes on Paula’s future . . .
A very special thanks to Jenn McKinlay for providing one lucky winner a hardcover copy of DEATH IN THE STACKS! Contest ends Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed
- 1-1/2 cups finely chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 cups French bread, cubed
- 6 ounces grated Gruyère cheese
- 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2-3/4 cups milk, 2% or whole
- 9 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
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Dry spinach with a paper or lint-free towel, then finely chop
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Cook onion in melted butter in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until soft.
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Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg. Cook for 1 minute.
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Add spinach, then remove from heat.
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Spread one third of bread cubes in a buttered 3-quart casserole dish and top with one third spinach mixture. Sprinkle with one third of each cheese.
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Repeat layering twice, ending with cheeses.
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Whisk together milk, eggs, mustard and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large mixing bowl and pour evenly over strata.
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Chill, covered with plastic wrap, for 8 hours to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Let strata sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
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Bake strata, uncovered, in middle of oven until golden brown and puffed, about 45 to 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
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8 cups of cubed bread is about 12 ounces or 14 - 15 slices of bread.
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Dried out, stale bread absorbs the egg mixture more readily. You can cube bread, place on a baking sheet and leave out overnight. Alternately, you can warm in a 180 degree (F) oven for 15 minutes, stirring twice. Allow to completely cool before proceeding with recipe.
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A cup of diced ham would be a terrific addition to this recipe!
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I was provided a copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am a fan of alll her series and can’t wait to see how these visiting characters fit in! I have an irregularly scheduled book club, but no crafting outlets! The strata looks delicious!
I participate in an online a book club or but don’t participate in a craft club.
I also participate in an online book club and would love to be a part of a craft club!
I participate in an online book club.
I have read quite a few books by Jenn and they have all been excellent. Our neighborhood book club doesn’t read as many cozies as I surely would like, can you imagine?? ☺️. I live mystery without blood and gore and switching over to cozy mysteries almost exclusively has been very enjoyable. So glad that authors do their cozies in Audio CDs too. Thank you for the giveaway.
Cynthia B.
Online bookclubs and in home craft competitions. Lol, with the hubby usually around the holidays. We best get started! I had to look up the difference between a strata and a frittata, interesting. I have to try this strata with a few more veggies I think. I have texture issues. Thank you for the recipe and the giveaway.
No, I’m not really a joiner. I do better on my own.
Although I’m not a member of a craft or book club, I love both. We live in a very small rural area where there aren’t any such clubs.
DEATH IN THE STACKS sounds amazing and I really hope I get the chance to read it.
I am a huge fan of the Library Lovers Mysteries. Never a dull moment. Thank you for the chance.
I participate in an online bookclub.
I tried to put together a book club once but it flopped. LOL! No one was invested in reading the book before our meeting date and then the meeting date canceled so I bagged it. However, I’m part of a stamp club. We call it stamp camp and meet about 4-6 times a year rotating who hosts. We make a project or two together to help keep the creative juices flowing. It’s fun!
I was in a book club for many years but the small community I live in now doesn’t have any.
I don’t participate in a book club, but it sure sounds like fun! Thanks for the giveaway!
No clubs.
I just read, read, read.
I only have done online book clubs and I haven’t been in a craft club since high school, I would love to find one.
No book or craft clubs at this time. Love this recipe.
I’m part of an online book club but since I’m a stay at home (I have a son with special needs), I just enjoy reading and crafting on my own. I love Jenn McKinlay’s books and sit on the edge of my chair waiting for the next book to be released. Thanks for hosting Jenn and her latest book on your blog. Also the recipe sounds so tasty.
I am not in a book or craft club.
I sometimes I participate in a book club. Thank you for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Death In The Stacks.
No club membership but a BIG fan of Jenn’s books!
I don’t participate in any in-person groups, but I’ve joined several online book clubs.
I am not a member of any clubs. Thanks for the chance.
I am not currently part of either a book club or a craft club. Back in my church attending days, I did go to book club/studies frequently. i miss some of those days. I do like the look of this recipe. I am a big fans of spinach. Yum.
I’m part of a quilting guild, does that count? I love all of Jean’s books and would love to read this one too.
No clubs.
In an online book club. I have read all of Jenn’s books and look forward to reading this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
I read the first 3 chapters on the review page of iBooks. It sounds awesome! I can’t wait to read the res!
I belong to several online book clubs and host a discussion once a month in one if them
no book club or craft club but love the recipe.
I don’t belong to either a book club or craft club.
I’m a librarian and a crafter. I have led so many different craft programs/workshops in libraries in three different states over the past 3+ decades … I’m currently a school librarian and do craft sessions with classes from Kindergarten through middle school several times a year. I love Jenn’s series and am absolutely looking forward to reading Death in the Stacks.
I was involved with a book club before we moved a couple months ago. It was a group of church ladies and we met weekly. We read in different genres, and we eerr always looking for a good book to read & discuss. I hope to find a new book group in this new area.
i do not belong to any clubs. thanks for the chance 🙂
i do not belong to any clubs; thanks for the chance
I belong to on line book clubs thanks for the chance
I do not belong to any book clubs. I can’t wait to read this. I love all of her series and I can’t wait to see the characters come together.
I participate in online book clubs with Kathi Daley and Brenda Novak. I do not belong to craft clubs.
Offline and online book clubs no craft clubs
I follow numerous authors on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon, however I don’t belong to any book clubs per se. I don’t have time or space to do any crafting so none of those either. It is my dream to win the lottery and build a home large enough to include both a library and a craft room 😉
No, I’m not in a book or craft club but I enjoy stories where people are in one!
I don’t belong to either a book club or craft club.Live in a very small town, but I do a LOT of reading. Love Jenn’s books.
I participate in an online book club
I am a member of a book club online. I am just beginning my goal for this year. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
I have in the past, but I’m not part of a group at this time. But I still love to read.
I’m not in a book club or craft club. I love reading a variety of books of different subjects. When it comes to crafts I usually choose ones that are easy for my grandchildren to help me with.
I don’t participate in a book club or craft club.
“Do you participate in a book club or craft club?” Yes, I do!
I used to belong to both for several years. Have not done either one for the past 5 yrs
Your book sounds like fun – love anything associated with libraries. The timing for the recipe is perfect too – just right for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving or for Christmas morning. Thanks for sharing it.
When I lived in NY I did both but since I moved to Minnesota 4 years ago I haven’t done either unfortunately.
When I lived in NY I did both but since I moved to Minnesota 4 years ago I haven’t done either unfortunately. Thank you for the chance.
I do not participate in any book or craft clubs but I do follow several blogs and belong to a few facebook groups that make me feel as if I do. I like the freedom of picking and choosing whatever books I want to read…and whenever. But I do enjoy discussing books and learning about new authors. Thank you for the great giveaway and recipe!
Have many clubs I belong to Authors book clubs are so much fun. Thank you for a chance to win. Your book sounds awesome ! Would be first time I will be getting too read one of your book if I do.
Hi Kim! I’ve been following Jenn McKinlay since I read her very first Library Lover’s book & loved them all! Can’t wait to read this one! I’m on so many online book “pages” as well as two different craft “pages”, sometimes it’s hard to keep up. Thanks for a chance to win!
I recently moved away from book club & haven’t joined one in my new city.
I do my own thing for books and crafts, in my small rural area they read mostly Oprah picks..i prefer cozies all the way..I love Jenn’s books! Good luck to all!
I have been in several book clubs & enjoy them immensely! I also do ornament exchanges & crafting circles- they’re da bomb diggity!
Cheers~
Kelly Braun
I am not in book club. I just read and read. 3 – 4 books a week.
I used to belong to a book club but not right now. I do find them entertaining. Thank you for the chance.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
I’m in quite a few Facebook cozy mystery book clubs. A craft club would be fun too
Our book club is called murder by the book. We have been a group for over 25 years. We meet monthly.
I don’t belong to any clubs but I do crafts at the local library. The most recent was a wine cork pumpkin.
I belong to a book club but not the one I think this is talking about and I can’t find a link to join. I did however join the email list
The book or craft club question was just a general question to answer for the contest. I hope readers enjoy answering and reading the answers as much as I do! Thanks for joining the mailing list! It’s a good way to make sure you don’t miss out on current giveaways and recipes.
I participate in books clubs online with some authors. Thanks for your great generosity, The books looks amazing.
I adore Jenn McKinlay’s books!
I don’t belong to any book or craft clubs, but I love to read. Thank you for this awesome recipe, giveaway, and chance to win!
I take part in a few book clubs online when I can. They’re a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing this recipe and for the chance to win one of Jenn’s fabulous books.