A small-town library, a crafting club with sharp eyes and a snowstorm that shuts everything down. Due or Die is the second of the Library Lover’s Mysteries. Berkley published it on March 6, 2012.
On Goodreads it holds 3.96 out of 5 from more than 8,700 ratings. Below: the story, the title, the reviews and the reading order.
What Is Due or Die About?
Lindsey Norris runs the public library in Briar Creek, a small coastal town in Connecticut. Her friend Carrie Rushton has just become president of the Friends of the Library. Then Carrie’s husband is found dead, and the evidence points straight at her.
Lindsey does not believe Carrie is a killer, and neither does the crafternoon club. They are the library regulars who meet each week to knit, eat and discuss a novel. Now they set out to prove Carrie innocent.
What Does the Title Mean?
The title is a pun. “Do or die” means to succeed or fail with everything at stake. The author swaps “do” for “due,” as in a library book’s due date. Every title in this mystery series plays on a saying or a bookish word in the same way.
The Plot, Without Spoilers
Mr. Rushton was not a well-liked man, so there is no shortage of people with a motive. But Carrie is the easy answer. Then a nor’easter buries Briar Creek in snow. The police are busy digging out the town, and nobody has time for the case.
So Lindsey starts asking questions herself, with help from her crafternoon friends. She also takes in an abandoned puppy, which the group names Heathcliff. She has to find the real killer before someone else in town is checked out for good.
Our Review: Crafternoon, a Nor’easter and Heathcliff
This is a warm, easy read. The library setting feels real, and that is no accident: the author worked in libraries before she wrote novels. Readers who love the first book will find the same fun characters and the same small-town friendships here.
The storm adds something new. It cuts the town off and gives the book a snowed-in, cozy mood. The slow-burn romance between Lindsey and boat captain Sully moves forward, too.
The weak spot is the mystery. Many readers guess the culprit early, and the structure is close to book 1. If you read cozies for the puzzle alone, you may want more. If you read them for the people and the place, this one delivers.
Are There Reviews for the Book? What Readers Say
Yes. On Goodreads, readers most often praise the library setting and Heathcliff. Many call the puppy the best character in the book. They also like the snappy story line and the humor. The most common complaint is that the mystery is fairly easy to solve.
The publisher’s page quotes a fellow author who praised the series for “a sparkling setting, lovely characters, books, knitting, and chowder.”
The Library Lover’s Mysteries in Order
This is book 2 of 16. The series begins like this:
- Books Can Be Deceiving (2011)
- this book (2012)
- Book, Line, and Sinker (2012)
- Read It and Weep (2013)
The newest is Booking for Trouble (February 2026). Our Library Lover’s Mysteries in order page lists every title with its year.
Who Is the Author of the Library Lover’s Mysteries?
Jenn McKinlay is a New York Times bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She lives in Arizona, in a house full of books and pets. Besides this library series, she writes the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries (start with our Sprinkle with Murder review) and the Hat Shop Mysteries. More on our author page.
Where to Buy It: Paperback, Ebook and Audiobook
The book first came out as a mass market paperback, and that edition is still in print. There is also an ebook and an audiobook of about seven hours, narrated by Allyson Ryan. Most public libraries carry the series, which feels right for a library mystery.
Quick Facts
| Series | Library Lover’s Mysteries, second book |
|---|---|
| First published | March 6, 2012, Berkley |
| Setting | Briar Creek, Connecticut |
| Sleuth | Lindsey Norris, library director |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it the second book?
Yes. It follows Books Can Be Deceiving and comes before Book, Line, and Sinker.
Can I read it as a standalone?
Yes. The mystery is solved within the book. Reading book 1 first helps with the friendships and the romance.
Is it a clean read?
By most readers’ standards, yes. The murder happens off the page, and the romance stays sweet.