The Book Supremacy

By Kate Carlisle

In the latest in this New York Times bestselling series, San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright investigates a mysterious spy novel linked to a string of murders...
 
Newlyweds Brooklyn and Derek are enjoying the final days of their honeymoon in Paris. As they're browsing the book stalls along the Seine, Brooklyn finds the perfect gift for Derek, a first edition James Bond novel, The Spy Who Loved Me. When they bump into Ned, an old friend from Derek’s spy days, Brooklyn shows him her latest treasure.
 
Once they're back home in San Francisco, they visit a spy shop Ned mentioned. The owner begs them to let him display the book Brooklyn found in Paris as part of the shop's first anniversary celebration. Before they agree, Derek makes sure the security is up to snuff—turns out, the unassuming book is worth a great deal more than sentimental value.
 
Soon after, Derek is dismayed when he receives a mysterious letter from Paris announcing Ned’s death. Then late one night, someone is killed inside the spy shop. Are the murders connected to Brooklyn's rare, pricey book? Is there something even more sinister afoot? Brooklyn and the spy who loves her will have to delve into the darkest parts of Derek's past to unmask an enemy who's been waiting for the chance to destroy everything they hold dear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Release date: Jun 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9780451491428

Kate Carlisle

Kate Carlisle writes for Harlequin Desire and is also the New York Times bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mystery series for NAL. Kate spent twenty years in television production before enrolling in law school, where she turned to writing fiction as a lawful way to kill off her professors. She eventually left law school, but the urge to write has never left her. Kate and her husband live near the beach in Southern California where she was born and raised.

Reviews for The Book Supremacy

[aztwinmom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This, the 13th book in the Bibliophile Mystery series, continues to be an excellent cozy mystery. Derek and Brooklynn have been in Paris for their honeymoon and meet Ned, an old colleague of Derek’s from his “spy” days. After they return to San Francisco, Derek receives a ‘if you get this, I’m already dead’ letter from Ned. Something from the past has come back to haunt the members of a mission from several years ago. Add to that, Lark (a saleswoman at Derek’s firm) is hateful to Brooklynn and now is causing problems at work. . Brooklynn and Derek soon are convinced of the identity of the killer, but must try to prove it. A book, of course, plays a pivotal role in capturing the villain. The book has wonderful characters and a good mystery. I hope we see more of The Jackals writing group in the next novel!

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Brooklyn and Derek are enjoying their last day of their honeymoon in Paris by browsing book stalls of used books. While Brooklyn finds a wonderful copy of The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming, Derek runs into Ned who is an old friend from his spy days. After returning home to San Francisco, Derek gets involved in trying to resolve some tension in his office caused by an especially toxic employee named Lark who has taken a firm dislike to Brooklyn. And Brooklyn is busy fixing up the books she bought.When they hear that Ned has been murdered and leaves them a clue saying that he left a list in the book, Brooklyn and Derek find it and resolve to find Ned's killer. Ned had directed them to look up Owen another old friend from his spy days. Owen has opened a spy store named Spectre on Fisherman's Wharf. The store's anniversary is coming up and he asks to borrow the book Brooklyn bought for Derek to put it on display. But someone breaks in to steal it and in the course of the theft kills one of the group of wannabe authors who also work at the store. This is the thirteenth book in the series and the first one that I have read. I had no trouble jumping into the series. In fact, there was so much repetition that I would think people who were familiar with the series would find all the backstory boring. I was also a little put off by the constant descriptions of the attractiveness of Derek and most of the other characters in the book. The descriptions of places that Brooklyn certainly had seen before seemed a little odd too.On the other hand, I really liked the idea of the escape rooms in SPECTRE. They do sound like a fun, team building opportunity and great for people who like to solve mysteries. I also liked the recipes that were at the end of the book since I really enjoyed Brooklyn's descriptions of the fantastic food they ate on their honeymoon and while investigating in San Francisco.

[barbararogers-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This lovely story and the series are wonderful love notes to books. The writing is excellent, the mystery isn’t so much in the ‘who did it’ as in the ‘how we’ll catch him/her’, and the romance just gets lovelier with every new book in the series. Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookbinder specializing in rare book restoration. She loves books – the feel of them, the smell of them – just being near them. Her passion is taking a book that has fallen on hard times and restoring it to its former glory. Oh – and she also has a penchant for stumbling over dead bodies. She’s married to a handsome, super sexy, ex-spy, Derek, who helps her solve the crimes.Brooklyn and Derek finally had their wedding at the end of the previous book, Buried In Books. Now, as their honeymoon in Paris draws to a close, they spend time browsing in the lovely Bouquinistes (bookstalls that lined both sides of the Seine River). Brooklyn finds two lovely old books that she wants to restore – One is a perfect gift for Derek and another that is perfect for the mother of her friend Inspector Janice Lee, SFPD homicide detective. Mysterious things begin to happen before they ever leave Paris. Derek meets an old colleague that he hasn’t seen in years – and their hotel room is broken into. Those mysterious things continue after they return to San Francisco. Then, there is the murder that is somehow connected to the book Brooklyn bought for Derek.The times are tense at Derek’s company because somebody is creating strife in the workplace – and they have a murder on their hands – actually, maybe more than one murder. Are Derek and/or Brooklyn in danger as well? What would someone want with the book?I highly recommend this book and this series. We have visits from the ongoing supporting characters like Alex and Gabriel and Brooklyn’s parents as well some new characters – Tinker, Soldier and Drummer Girl, also known as The Jackals. They are a fun addition to the story and you’ll like them.I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Book Supremacy is the thirteenth delightful installment in A Bibliophile Mystery series. I have been a fan of this book themed mystery series since the very beginning. I eagerly await each new installment and then devour it quickly. The Book Supremacy is a charming story with well-developed characters that takes us to France, wine country, and San Francisco. Kate Carlisle has a charming writing style that engages the reader and keeps them engrossed until the very last word. The descriptions of Paris transported me to the location. I could envision the green book stalls, the Seine, and the streets of Paris. The same can be said for Dharma and San Francisco. I especially loved SPECTRE with the various spy gadgets, books, café and escape rooms. I found the escape rooms to be intriguing and they sound like an hour of good fun. It is always fascinating to learn more about Brooklyn’s book restoration work and the lovely creations she makes from paper. The mystery is complex, and I like how everything tied together. There is action, suspense, a twist or two with the added touch of espionage. The mystery can be solved by armchair sleuths before the reveal, but that did not hinder my reading experience. While The Book Supremacy can be read alone, I heartily recommend reading the series in order (you will not be disappointed). It allows you to learn about Brooklyn, her work, friends and how she and Derek came to be together. I could not wait to get to the end of the story to find out what happened, but then I was sad that I had finished it (and must wait a year for another installment). There are recipes at the end of the book (Brooklyn does love good food and chocolate). The Book Supremacy is a story for fans of the series, the characters, and those who truly love books. The Book Supremacy has good food, intrigue, spy gadgets, a plethora of books, former spies, a cute cat named Charlie, a murder, escape rooms and one curious book restorer plus her dashing English husband.

[ethel55_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really look forward to a new Bibliophile book and this is proof that they just keep getting better and better. Bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright and new husband Derek Stone are finishing up their honeymoon in France. I loved the descriptions of the Bouquinistes along the Seine and how Brooklyn manages to find a great copy of a James Bond novel as a memento for Derek. Derek runs into an old friend, who shares that another old friend has set up shop right on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Back home, Brooklyn and Derek get back to real life and visit the spy shop, complete with escape rooms, his friend Owen has opened. Carlisle builds up to the mystery--I appreciate how we get to know and care for some new characters before the mystery takes over the narrative. I really liked the descriptions of the various escape rooms, how they fit into the murder and the return of a superb cast of characters.

[kulmona · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As one of Kate’s Raters, I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.The name is Bond, James Bond. It’s everything spy in this thirteenth installment of Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mystery series.After enjoying an extended dream honeymoon in Paris, Brooklyn and Derek are happy to be back home and back to reality in San Francisco. Being a master bookbinder and rare book expert, books are Brooklyn Wainwright’s life and never far from her thoughts. So, of course, she never misses an opportunity to explore bookstores and search for treasures. And, she finds one : a first edition copy of The Spy Who Loved Me. Not only is it a perfect gift for Derek, but she got it for a song. Tall, dark, and dreamy British security expert Derek Stone is preoccupied with disharmony among the staff of his company and trying to brainstorm resolutions.Spectre is an all-in-one spy shop. In addition to stocking cool spy gadgets, it has a themed bookstore, cafe, and...escape rooms. Mentioned by Ned, a colleague of Derek’s they met in Paris, they decide to pay a visit. They meet Owen, the owner, and he introduces them to “The Jackals,” a 4-member writing group that frequents Spectre. Owen gets very excited when he hears about Brooklyn’s book find and begs to borrow it for the store’s up-coming anniversary celebration. Wary at first, she relents when assured that it will be displayed in a locked case, wired for security.The visit to Spectre turns out to be a double-edged sword. While Derek comes up with a possible solution to his employee issues, Owen gets the perfect showpiece for his event, and Brooklyn meets a great group of people : Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, and...Drummer Girl AKA, “The Jackals,” as always, there is a murder. And, as always, it’s connected to a book.Entertaining, fun characters(some returning, some new), compelling storyline, scrumptious food, and humor —this book had it all.

[dono421846 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thirteenth in the series, it contains less of what I've always found irritating (overplayed moments of swooning on the part of women when in the presence of testosterone-drenched heroes needed to rescue them). The plot is subtle and understated, and I can't say I fully understand the motivations of the bad actors. For a change we have a mystery involving Derek more than Brooklyn or any of her friends and family, although it cuts against type to learn that Derek's background checks for his employees is pretty weak. Maybe next time Inspector Lee will take center stage.The most interesting part of the story was the use of escape rooms. Although not rising to the level of a gimmick--the escape rooms play no real role in the mystery, but are only a background element--the description of the puzzles are just enough to remind anyone who has done some escapes the high pressure stakes of trying to beat the clock.

[cougargirl1967 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kate does it again!

[newsieq · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Book restorer Brooklyn Wainwright and her hubby Derek are back in San Francisco after their honeymoon. While in Paris, they ran into a former MI6 colleague of Derek’s (although Derek never admits having been in the organization) and Ned tells them about another former spy, Owen, who has opened a store right in their neighborhood. Long story short, Brooklyn agrees to loan Owen a copy of a James Bond first edition she bought for Derek in Paris for a display in his store. That leads to an apparent burglary and a no-doubt-about-it murder at the store and our heroine jumps right into the investigation.In the meantime, Derek’s security corporation is having personnel problems: a toxic sales person named Lark. She’s one of the mean girls – one who hates Brooklyn with a particular passion – and Derek has to find a way to get rid of her over the objections of one of his business partners. The Book Supremacy is a quick, run read. My only (continuing) complaint is that the author feels the need to remind readers every other page that Derek is the epitome of manhood – quite a physical specimen, brave and intelligent with a great sense of humor. It seems as if first-person narrator Brooklyn needs to remind herself that she’s a lucky girl. Once is enough! We get it! Derek is a hunk!

[murderbydeath · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This used to be one of my favorite mystery series, and it has all the things I generally enjoy: likeable, fleshed out secondary characters, strong friendships, wacky families, and the bookbinding angle is a serious plus. But the last couple of books have felt heavier handed than usual in terms of the relationship between the MC Brooklyn, and her now-husband, Derek. Lovey Dovey is the only term I can think of to adequately describe it. I prefer affection to be subtle and I don't need to be reminded how much they're in love. It was all a bit too sweet. The plot of this one, too, felt overdone. The guilty person was a caricature villain, and I think it coloured the overall premise of the murder plot: the killer felt cartoonish and silly, so the plot did too, just a little bit. It's not a fair bleed over; objectively, the plot it good and not at all a stretch given character back stories. But the murderer's characterisation just sort of ruined it. In spite of all of this, I still enjoyed the story well enough; I love the characters and having just recently been to San Francisco, the setting was fun to re-visit.

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like this series a great deal, best thing is the quality hasn't diminished over the course of the series. Brooklyn still has her book binding scenes which drew me to the series in the 1st place and the mystery itself is as good as any in the series so far. I hope Kate has another book in the pipeline because now I'm all caught up.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Little does Brooklyn Wainwright know that when she buys a little in the book stalls of Paris while on her honeymoon, that she is bringing home not only her hunky husband, Derek Stone ex-MI6 agent turned security specialist, but a reason that endangers both of them. The book, Ian Fleming's The Spy who Loved Me, has a secret that someone is willing to kill for.I loved the mystery and the way that the story evolved. The characters are great.

[bgknighton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I just love these books. The mysteries are not too hard, but the characters and locales are fun. Makes me wonder if I have the patience to try bookbinding or book repair......... I still want to know more about Guru Bob.They are just the right sort of cozy.