Brooklyn Wainwright is an expert in the bookbinding field so it’s no wonder Bay Area Book Arts (BABA) contacts her to teach a special class for its members.  After meeting its director, Layla Fontaine, Brooklyn starts to wonder why anyone stays around BABA because of Layla’s cattiness.  Determined not to let Layla’s attitude get in the way, Brooklyn hunkers down to be there for her students.  While Brooklyn is conducting a class, Layla is found dead at the facility.  When police think Brooklyn’s boyfriend could be responsible, will things become perilous when she investigates who was responsible for the deadly deed? 

I enjoyed returning to Brooklyn Wainwright’s universe in the third installment of Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mystery Series, The Lies that Bind.  Brooklyn is at the top of the bookbinding field so she delights in the opportunity to teach her craft at the prestigious BABA.  After getting to know its director, Brooklyn tries to stay out of Layla’s way, not liking the way she treats people or conducts business.  When Layla meets an untimely end, Brooklyn has every intention of keeping her nose out of the criminal investigation but quickly changes her mind when her boyfriend, Derek Stone, becomes one of the main suspects. 

Learning about Derek’s connection to Layla puts a new wrinkle in their budding relationship and weighs on Brooklyn’s mind.  Can she ever trust Derek again?  While contemplating how to handle the situation, Brooklyn must juggle other aspects of her personal life, namely one her of BABA students, Alice, and visiting her family who lives nearby.   

It’s always an adventure when Brooklyn visits her family.  Ms. Carlisle doesn’t disappoint as various members of the Wainwright family appear and give Brooklyn much needed infusions of love and understanding as she continues to unravel and discover the lies and deceptions surrounding Layla Fontaine.  If you love fast-paced cozy mysteries with quirky, lovable characters, pick up Kate Carlisle’s The Lies that Bind today.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what mayhem will occur in Brooklyn’s life next.