Channeling the gentle mystery authors of the golden years, but with a modern edge, “The Woman in the Library” is a clever puzzle about four strangers seated together in a Boston library when a terrified scream in another room signals a murder. Who dunnit? Add a cunningly crafted meta story encompassing the author of this whodunnit and her mysterious overseas correspondent and you get an entertaining one-sitting mystery that is readily recommended. The author, a prolific historical crime fiction writer, controls plot and pace confidently, with a close-up, easygoing style. I must read too many crimmies, because I found the surprising endings slightly unsatisfying, but that is a minor quibble, one that never stopped me turning the pages rapidly. A mystery author to be followed … and The Woman in the Library is a welcome outing.
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