The Library Murders by M. R. Mackenzie

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Overview Media

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About the Book:

Alyssa Clark is about to find out that reading really can be murder.

She thought her new job in Thornhill Library would be safe and uneventful. Boring, even. But on her first day at work, a masked gunman storms into the building and blows away every member of staff on duty. Alyssa barely escapes with her life.

The police are satisfied they’ve got their man, but Davy, Alyssa’s colleague and the only other survivor of the massacre, is convinced the real killer is still at large. Alyssa – trying to move on with her life while dealing with traumatic flashbacks and the unwanted advances of an obsessive ex – is skeptical. However, when she stumbles across damning evidence of a cover-up, she agrees to join forces with Davy to help track down the real culprit.

But in her pursuit of the truth, will she find the closure she desperately craves… or provoke the wrath of a killer with unfinished business on his mind?

If you like twists, turns and compelling, conflicted characters, you’ll love this gripping new mystery from the McIlvanney Prize-nominated author of In the Silence.

My Review:

Libraries have always been amazing places for me. Add in a mystery or a murder, and I'm an eager reader. The Thornhill library should have been dull, but instead, Alyssa finds herself involved in a struggle for her life. Davy also survived and seems to be her new friend, but what is going on is deeper than your average who-done-it read. 

Is the killer who the police think it is? Why have such staggering murders in a library? How unsafe can a gal from Canada be? Of course, if the police are missing the mark then they need help. 

This book is action-packed. It carries a good bit of momentum that isn't always seen in a book of this type. It has a strong pace that carries you through the pages briskly. I did solve the crime, but I totally enjoyed reading the few twists I could have missed otherwise. 

This was my first book by this author and it will definitely give you a pause to think the next visit to the library, but on the other hand, I loved the beautiful light shown on those who work in such institutions. 

4 Stars 

Get your copy HERE! 

About the Author:

Biography

M.R. Mackenzie was born and lives in Glasgow, Scotland. He studied at Glasgow University and has an MA in English and a PhD in Film Studies.

In addition to writing, he works as a Blu-ray/DVD producer and has overseen releases of films by a number of acclaimed directors, among them Dario Argento, Joe Dante, Hideo Nakata and Jacques Tourneur. Writing as Michael Mackenzie, he has contributed chapters to books on cult cinema and regularly provides video essays and liner notes for new releases of celebrated films. He used to work in a library, before leaving to spend more time with books.

In 2019, his first novel, In the Silence, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize.

PRAISE FOR M.R. MACKENZIE:

“With well observed characterisation, M.R. Mackenzie writes with precision and passion. He is a writer to watch.” — Caro Ramsay, author of the Anderson & Costello thrillers

“Mackenzie brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.” — James Oswald, author of the Inspector McLean novels

“M.R. Mackenzie is right up there with the best contemporary authors working today. His prose is of such high-quality that I am instantly addicted to the words on his pages.” — David B. Lyons, author of Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake?

“This is splendidly written stuff, triumphing in a varietyof areas – not least that of its dialogue, which is idiomatic and vivid (overcoming the hurdle at which many contemporary crime novels fall).” — Barry Forshaw, Crime Time

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