I don’t read spy or espionage novels. But, Kate Carlisle expertly manipulates her readers to enjoy a story of spies, suspects and murders in the latest Bibliophile mystery, The Book Supremacy. It’s a treat to enter into a world of agents with hidden agendas. Best of all, Carlisle immerses it all in Brooklyn Wainwright’s world of books.

Brooklyn and her new husband, Derek Stone, have one last day in Paris on their honeymoon. For Brooklyn, that means one last day to explore the Bouquinistas, the bookstalls along the Seine. As a book restoration expert and bookbinder, she’s always interested in rare and unique books. While Derek walks on ahead, and bumps into an old acquaintance, Brooklyn buys a present for him, a first edition of the James Bond novel, The Spy Who Loved Me. Before she catches up with Derek and his friend, she notices a strange hooded figure watching the two men. Derek introduces her to Ned Davies, who worked with him in his days in MI6, and the trio laugh at the title of Brooklyn’s book.

By the time they return home to San Francisco, Derek has to deal with personnel troubles in his security company, while Brooklyn restores a couple books she brought as gifts. Then, Derek learns of Ned’s death, and receives a letter warning of more to come. They hope they can relieve their tension with visits to a friend’s spy shop, but Derek decides to use the shop’s escape rooms for a team building exercise, and Brooklyn reluctantly agrees to display the James Bond book for the store’s anniversary celebration. But, as in all of Brooklyn Wainwright’s adventures with books, there’s a murder. And, the killer is on video trying to steal the James Bond novel.

The Book Supremacy is an intense novel, with a cruel villain. But, Carlisle relieves the tension with stories of Brooklyn and friends in an escape room, time spent with friends, and cupcakes. As always, she builds in tidbits about Brooklyn’s expertise in bookbinding. The characters are well-developed, and it’s always fun to return to Brooklyn’s family home in Dharma.

Although The Book Supremacy can be read by someone who has not read the series, it would be more fun if the reader had met Brooklyn and Derek, their families and friends, and watched the developing relationships. But, if you haven’t read the earlier books, you can still enjoy Kate Carlisle’s spin on a spy novel.

Kate Carlisle’s website is www.katecarlisle.com

The Book Supremacy by Kate Carlisle. Berkley Prime Crime, 2019. ISBN 9780451491404 (hardcover), 336p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.