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Sixteen books ago I introduced librarian Lindsey Norris with a knack for finding bodies and a talent for solving murders in BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING and somehow that mystery turned into the Library Lover’s series. Sixteen books. Which feels a little like saying I raised a child to driving age and now someone has handed her car keys.
Let’s be honest: series fatigue is real. There comes a moment when you look at your beloved fictional town and think, “What fresh havoc can I possibly wreak upon you?” I’ve hunted for treasure, hosted book sales, planned weddings, solved cold cases, and, yes, discovered more bodies than any self-respecting small town should statistically allow.
And yet.
Leaving this world feels less like typing “The End” and more like packing up a house to leave a town you’ve lived in for years. I know which floorboards creak. I know which of my neighbors is a busy body. I know exactly how the light falls through the windows in autumn. Walking away is practical. It’s smart. It’s probably overdue.
It's also heartbreaking.
These characters have been my daily companions. They’ve surprised me, comforted me, and occasionally refused to cooperate (looking at you, character who refused to be murdered). Saying goodbye feels like moving away from home—necessary for growth, but oh, the ache.
Still, every good series deserves a final chapter. And if I’ve learned anything from my years as a librarian, it’s this: when one story ends, another is waiting on the shelf.
Thank you, Readers, for joining me on this journey. I've loved every second of it. And who knows, maybe there'll be another...I never say never.
Congratulations on your newest book, Jenn, and, yes, the cover is truly lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt's always hard to have a series end, especially when you've read all the books and all the characters have become like family to you . . . kudos to the writer for having shared all those wonderful stories.
Thank you, Joan.
DeleteCongratulations on the new book. All those covers are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI know the series-ending feeling, although I only got my Country Store Mysteries into teenhood, ending it a year ago at book #13. I do miss the world and the characters, and like you, I try not to say never!!
I feel ya, Edith, but you know when you know.
DeleteIt is definitely hard to say goodbye to beloved characters when you’ve been immersed in their world and their lives for a long time as a reader. I imagine it is doubly so for their creator.
ReplyDeleteYea for your new book and a cover and I love that these books have a dog!
Dogs are the best of us.
DeleteCongratulations!! and yes to all the feelings. I'm now writing the fifth in a series that always intended five and, oh, right! rollercoaster. These have been great -- nope I haven't read them all and I don't read in order but it does not matter. I am looking forward to this one!! (and have others I can still enjoy, here is to "untidy reading.")
ReplyDeleteUntidy reading is the best reading!
DeleteSad, yes; but lovely that you get to end it on your own terms.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I just ran out of gas and the characters' lives were solid so...
DeleteI'm really late to the reading party. I haven't' read this series, but want to. And when my language course ends, I can start at the beginning! Meanwhile, yes, this is a wonderful cover. I've only written two books in a series I plan to be four, for reasons of the time constraints at the very beginning. That said, I don't know how writers actually manage to write 13, 16, whatever staggering number they manage. I'm about halfway through book three, and four is quite enough for me. I'll be interested, though to know about the new door opening . . .. That means a new series, right?
ReplyDeletePotentially. I'm taking the summer off to do nothing but write proposals :) Can't wait!
DeleteOh, Jenn, I have loved this series! I adored the beginning of Lindsay's relationship with Sully so much. You can really, really write romance in your romances and in your cozy mysteries, too. I understand that it must be difficult to keep killing people off in that tiny Connecticut coastal town, but I will also miss Beth and all the rest of Lindsay's posse.
ReplyDeleteAs for the fabulous covers, yes they are gorgeous and recognizable. Be sure to tell Julia Green how much your fans love her covers.
One last word, I was kind of new to reading mysteries, definitely new to cozies when I began to follow this blog. At the beginning of the pandemic, I got my first Kindle and subscribed to Audible. Your series, every one of them, among many others from JRW writers and contributors, became my world. I realize that I am privileged to buy books and also to have a great library system in my area, but I must thank you for the entertainment and shear joy of these stories.
Thank you, Judy, you're a dear. And, yes, books will get you through the worst of times. Agree. 100%
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming release. I love this series and will miss it, however, I prefer if the author ends the series on their own as opposed to when the publisher does it.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! They ended cupcake and I had no warning and ugh - it still bugs me that it's not all wrapped up.
DeleteI didn't know they ended Cupcake! That makes me sad, and so does the end of Library Lovers but at least you were the one who made the decision on that one! One of my greatest memories was getting to meet you at the ALA conference! Onward and upward! (I'm impressed at how skillfully you can change genres! Mysteries will always be my favorites, but you introduced me to (blush) romances, and although I don't like books about witches (Harry Potter bring an exception), I did enjoy Witches of Dubious Origin). Just keep on writing!
DeleteHappy Book Birthday, Jenn! While I hate it when a beloved series ends, I've also read long-running series that feel like the author is now phoning them in, which is much, much worse.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, I can think of a few where there's no character development and I'm so over it.
DeleteCongratulations on book #16! Those covers are terrific. I can't wait to start them.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sad when series end. I finally finished the 20 novels in Patrick O'Brian's MASTER AND COMMANDER series (that stopped when he died, which seems reasonable grounds) and at last I was able to read Julia's latest which had been on my bedside table since November. I had a terrible feeling when I finished because it seemed to wrap up loose story threads to end on a note of finality, and I DON'T WANT TO SAY GOODBYE to Clare and Russ and all the denizens of Millers Kill. What, no more Lyle? Who's going to employ Noble Entwhistle? And who's going to eat at the Kreemy Kakes Diner? I thought of them all when we bought our new-to-us used car in Fort Edward last spring. Since Julia's books take place only a hundred miles south of me they have felt like local stories (we drive 2 hours to go to the dentist). I'm keeping fingers crossed that they return.
I agree with Annette, though, that it's good to stop a series at the top of your game, and with Lisa that it's great it's your own choice. Finally, like everyone here, I'm grateful to you all. (Selden)
Selden, I feel as if “I’m Odd Reader Out” of At Midnight Comes the Cry. Unlike most of the comments I’ve read, Julia’s ending seems hopeful and lovely and a “we’re just going to skip full details of the next couple of years”. Elisabeth
DeleteThe Hub read that series - it is a commitment!
DeleteJenn, for shame! How dare you choose your own creative path and decide to end your Library Lover's series on your own terms without the fans of the series having a voice in said decision.
ReplyDeleteOR
Jenn, congrats on the new book. I'm sure longtime fans of the series are disappointed that it is the final (or maybe kind of sort of possibly final) book in the series.
How do I feel when a beloved series ends? Truthfully, it depends on whether or not I find the series beloved. Sure there are a lot of series that end and fans of those series are bummed out. But if I didn't read it or didn't like it, I feel less of a loss than they would.
But when a series I love ends...there is a rending of garments along with howls of despair ripped from the depths of one's soul.
Ask Edith. When she let me know that Book 13 in the Country Store Mysteries series would be the final one, I was both saddened and a bit let down. Not seriously as if she'd somehow disappointed me as a parent to a child (or in our case, the reverse of that), but because it is/was my favorite cozy series, it was akin to a death in the family for me. No more adventures with the kick-ass Robbie Jordan, she of the great food and equal standing in my eyes as Jack Reacher? How dare this happen! I was not ready. I needed more Country Store breakfasts, more Buck Bird, more Danna and more Robbie stumbling over dead bodies and then finding out who offed the victim.
Of course, I understood the reasons the decision was made for both professional and personal reasons but that doesn't mean I couldn't allow for a state of denial before I got to read the book.
Even now, I hold out hope that an announcement of a resumption of Edith's / Maddie Day's Country Store Mystery series will show up in my email. The same goes for Joanna Schaffhausen's Ellery Hathaway and Annalisa Vega series. Heck, I'm still wishing for a return of The White House Chef series by Julie Hyzy. And don't get me started on my wishes for Lynn Johnston to start doing new strips in the For Better or For Worse comic strip. Or Jon Land's Kamal / Barnea series.
Of course, in the opposite direction, there are some series I can't believe are still running. The chief one reminds me of a line from a stand-up comedian who talked about how some great musician dying after a one-time use of drugs, and yet you could put Motley Crue in a room with two tons of cocaine and they'd come out a little while later looking for more. The series seem unkillable (for reasons passing understanding) despite the seemingly copy-and-pasted parts that make up about half of every successive book.
Still, I'm sure if that series ended, those fans who didn't quit reading it will feel the same as the rest of us do when our beloved series ends. As I'm sure, fans of your series Jenn will surely feel when they get to "The End" of BOOKING FOR TROUBLE.
I adored Julie Hyzy's white house chef mysteries Jay! So sad when she stopped writing them.
DeleteThank you, always, Jay, for your kind words. Never say never!
DeleteI also loved the White House chef series and Joanna's. And I'm still sad about Maisie Dobbs doing her final final reckoning.
Jay, what a heartfelt recommendation. I'll be looking for Edith's series!
DeleteThanks, Anon - it is written as Maddie Day.
DeleteThanks, Jay! Yes! I miss Julie's series so much. *sigh*
DeleteCongratulations on the new one. I will be sad to see the series go. I just finished #14, so I am almost caught up!
ReplyDeleteI think I would rather have a series end than go on and on past its due date. I've certainly gotten tired and drifted away from series. If the author thinks it's time to be done, then it's time to be done.
Thank you, Gillian! I appreciate the support.
DeleteCongratulations, Jenn, on your book birthday…perhaps a bittersweet one, but a cause for celebration! Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Thank you!
DeleteOh Jenn! First of all, congratulations on the new book, and yes, Julia Green really did an amazing job on those covers. But I have to say, the Library Lover's has been my favorite of all your series, so the news that this is the final one hits hard. It just always seemed to have a little extra je ne sais quoi. That said, though, I guess I can see why you would feel it is time. It was a long, great run and Lindsey and her friends have been through a lot of life in those 16 books. It is always advisable to "leave them wanting more." I am just grateful that you are such a prolific writer that I can count on more wonderfulness to take the place of this series.
ReplyDeleteI promise not to quit writing :) And I do have...so many ideas! We'll see.
DeleteCongrats Jenn on a long, lovely successful series. I loved this blog post too--describing exactly the mixture of relief and despair that a writer can feel...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy!
DeleteCongratulations on book #16, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteThere are mixed feelings about the end of a series. While I’m sad that the series ended, I also feel a sense of relief because I’m running out of space for more books. Yes, I buy the books. I love your library mystery series.
And I love the whimsical covers by Julia Green.
DeleteThanks for the support, Diana! Yes, her covers are spectacular!
DeleteIf the author thinks it's time, then it's time to say good-bye. I'm eagerly awaiting #16 as this series is also my favorite of your work, Jenn. And in my capacity as a part-timer at my local library, I had the thrill of reserving the very first in this series for a favorite patron of mine just this past week. I know she's going to love the book(s).
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! At least there will always be new readers to find them!
DeleteAfter reading dozens of series through the years, and knowing that it sometimes takes years to write a single book--despite what publishers seem to want, I try to be realistic about their ending. There are a lot of reasons to end them, but what I as a reader most appreciate is when the last book is intentionally the last book, and loose ends can be tied up neatly. It's a grace for the devoted readers, but also for the author, I suspect, to be allowed to do this. Sue Grafton's death didn't allow for that, and neither did some other authors with long-running series.
ReplyDeleteI have loved hanging out with the Crafternooners, and am sorry to know their adventures are (probably, possibly) ending on the page, but have so enjoyed their company. Thanks, Jenn.
Also, really love the idea of a book boat!!
Thank you, Karen. I agree with everything you said :)
DeleteJenn, the library lovers series is my favorite of all your books (and that's saying a lot!) so I am sad to see it (maybe) end. But, you know when it's time to end and move on. So hopefully another librarian will show up in another charming town? Maybe in the south of France? It is always best when to end a series is the author's choice. Yes, the covers are outstanding.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at south of France!
DeleteDearest Jenn, congratulations and tears all in one! I respect a writer's choice to bring a series to an end and embrace it, especially when it is done well. I'm sad in most cases because it is like dear friends moving to another country without mail service or internet. I will admit that there are some series I kept wishing the author would either nudge the characters into a little more growth and development or retire the series. When it gets old and stale you need to end it. Even better is to do it the way Jenn is doing it. -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria!
DeleteWell, hmmm, upon reflection I don’t like knowing the last book in the series is the last book, but I want to know it’s the last book rather than getting to the end and thinking maybe it is and being upset that I didn’t know it was the end bc I feel tricked. Does any of that make sense. It’s sort of a do and don’t scenario isn’t it. So! Decision made. I’ll read it and as always enjoy it and then pick up the first one again and start over. This series is so perfect to hide in when life is un-fun, shall we say, or icky or whatever word fits that particular moment. I’m hoping that your witchy series will blossom into many more. Oh yes, you’re blessed with great covers on the books. first impression and all that. Cudo’s to the creators of the art work.
ReplyDeleteMakes perfect sense to me, Paula!
DeleteCongratulations, Jenn. I completely understand how you'll miss your characters if you end the series. It must be worse for the author than for the readers, who also miss beloved characters, as Victoria describes so well above!
ReplyDeleteShe really did! And thank you.
DeleteHappy new book birthday, Jenn! The cover is indeed smashing and fresh and promises all the delights of this series! Condolences on the end of a great run, but congratulations too, because…what’s next? There’s nothing better than waking up every morning and dashing to the keyboard to bring to life new characters with new quirks and new challenges to solve, and my crystal ball says once a writer, always a writer, so I’m looking forward to seeing where you go from here!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jonelle. It is exciting!
DeleteCongratulations, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteI think there's this notion that a series will eventually run its course, but having to decide when that is must require some serious soul-searching. Especially, when it's been such a successful run! Still, I imagine it must be satisfying to time up loose ends and otherwise gently put it to bed.
I like the gently put it to bed image. Lovely.
DeleteHappy pub day! and I am delighted that you have declared victory for this series, and moving onto your next challenges! So wise. And so protective of your passion as a writer. Xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's the way to look at it. Victory! LOL.
DeleteIt is hard to say goodbye to characters you've followed through thick and thin. You know you will have to at some point though. But it's still sad.
ReplyDeleteIt is. It was a tough call. The publisher left it up to me, which I appreciated.
DeleteHappy pub day, Jenn!! Your covers for this series have always been fabulous and this one is a fitting send off!! I love Lindsay and her crew but I know you will have other wonderful fictional worlds in store for us and that eases the pain a little! Thank you for giving us all such pleasure in sixteen books.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debs!
DeleteHappy book birthday! The cover is fantastic. How do I feel? Bereft. It's so hard to lose friends.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Kait. I feel you!
DeleteHooray! I'm already on the library holds list. I hate when a favorite series ends. Your Cupcake Bakery mysteries were my very favorites and Library Lovers is also a top favorite. Lindsey is my fictional alter ego with a better job and a hot husband. I'll be very sad to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteQNPoohBear https://bluestockingmusings.blogspot.com
Thank you! I appreciate the love!
DeleteJenn, I agree that the covers for the books in this series are outstanding! The only good thing about your ending the series is that I might be able to catch up on them now. Congratulations on the new (last?) book in the series.
ReplyDeleteLOL! That's hilarious.
DeleteCongrats on this book! Can't wait to read it! The cover is gorgeous as always!
ReplyDeleteAnd so sad to hear it's the end of the series but happy it's on your own terms! The library lovers series and the cupcake series are 2 of my favorite series and it's sad to see them both done now! I hope maybe one day both will come back...
Maybe some short story combos?
DeleteJenn and other authors, this is where novellas and short stories come in. Revisit your characters without writing a whole book. The holiday books that Edith has contributed to are one option.
ReplyDeleteI hate to see a series end but do appreciate the author tying up loose ends. This series was probably my favorite of your mysteries, so far. Also, loved all the covers!
Oh, a novella would be lovely if I get the need to murder someone. That sound wrong but you know what I mean.
Delete