Lesa's Book Critiques: Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert

Lesa's Book Critiques: Schooled in Murder by Victoria Gilbert

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Schooled in Murder by Victoria Gilbert

Lesa's Book Critiques: A Killer Clue by Victoria Gilbert

 Lesa's Book Critiques: A Killer Clue by Victoria Gilbert

Lesa's Book Critiques: MURDER CHECKS OUT BY VICTORIA GILBERT

 Lesa's Book Critiques: MURDER CHECKS OUT BY VICTORIA GILBERT

Lesa's Book Critiques: GIVEAWAY – BOOK-RELATED MYSTERIES

 Lesa's Book Critiques: GIVEAWAY – BOOK-RELATED MYSTERIES

Lesa's Book Critiques: DEATH IN THE MARGINS BY VICTORIA GILBERT

 Lesa's Book Critiques: DEATH IN THE MARGINS BY VICTORIA GILBERT

Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND A BIBLIOPHILE MYSTERY GIVEAWAY

 Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND A BIBLIOPHILE MYSTERY GIVEAWAY

Lesa's Book Critiques: A FATAL BOOKING BY VICTORIA GILBERT

 Lesa's Book Critiques: A FATAL BOOKING BY VICTORIA GILBERT

Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND DEADLY BOOK COZIES

 Lesa's Book Critiques: WINNERS AND DEADLY BOOK COZIES

Jeanne Reviews: Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

Librarian Amy Webber is enjoying life.  She’s engaged to her sweetheart, Richard, and her best friend, Sunny, is making a run for mayor, and may stand a chance at unseating the obnoxious incumbent.  That is, until a skeleton turns up—not in Sunny’s closet, but on her grandparents’ organic farm.  While now the farm is seen as mostly respectable now, it was also a commune back in the 1960s, where local gossip links it to drugs, sex, and rock and roll.  And now, maybe murder. It’s going to be up to Amy with help from Richard, Aunt Lydia, and maybe even the somewhat sinister Kurt to find out what really happened back in the day.

This is the fourth in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, so characters are well established.  Even so, I don’t think it would be difficult for a new reader to sort out the relationships (with the possible exception of Kurt—I sense mixed messages on the author’s part in regard to him) because the murder happened so long ago that Amy and even Sunny have to learn about the people and social conditions involved.  For those of a certain age, some of their musings will be a bit of a blast from the past, albeit a rather sanitized version.

As usual, there are some character plotlines in the background. The attempt to smear Sunny’s mayoral run is front and center, but Amy and Richard are also busy trying to plan their wedding. This is in the face of disapproval from Richard’s mother who had counted on her son marrying—well, not Amy.  The series is pleasant, with likeable characters. It’s fun to spend a few hours in their company.  

The series in order:

A Murder for the Books

Shelved Under Murder

Past Due for Murder

Bound for Murder

A Deadly Edition

Renewed for Murder (Dec. 2021)

Lesa's Book Critiques: A DEADLY EDITION by Victoria Gilbert

 Lesa's Book Critiques: A DEADLY EDITION by Victoria Gilbert

Lesa's Book Critiques: Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert

Lesa's Book Critiques: Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert

Lesa's Book Critiques: Winners & a Book Club Giveaway

Lesa's Book Critiques: Winners & a Book Club Giveaway

Lesa's Book Critiques: Winners and a Library Lover's Giveaway

Lesa's Book Critiques: Winners and a Library Lover's Giveaway

Jeanne Reviews: Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

Please welcome back Jeanne of the BPL with her latest review …

Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

As with many small towns, Taylorsford, Virginia is looking for a festival to act as a draw for tourists. The mayor thinks a revival of the traditional May Day festivities might be just the ticket, and a college professor and her class are gathering information on local folklore and customs to add weight. Things go awry when one of the students goes missing.  The search turns up the student, injured but alive.  Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the person found with her. . .  and just like that, librarian Amy Webber finds herself trying to solve a murder.

This is the third in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, and it is an enjoyable entry. I confess I had my doubts early on, as Amy’s significant other Richard Muir is considered a suspect and Amy fears that Richard’s affections may be waning.  One thing I had particularly appreciated in the series was the relationship between the two characters which I found refreshing for the lack of drama.  I’m happy to say that issue was resolved relatively early on in the book, letting the mystery take over.

The small town Blue Ridge setting is well done, and I especially like the folklore aspect.  Since I live near the region depicted in the books, I found much that rang true:  the old May Day festivals, the ghosts, hidden treasure, etc. all sounded very familiar.

The plot featured some good twists and turns, red herrings, and an interesting solution.  Gilbert is good about playing fair with the clues, which I appreciate in an author.

In short, this is a solid mystery that will entertain the cozy aficionado. While reading the two prior books in the series would illuminate character, this can be read as a standalone.

The other books in the series are A Murder for the Books and Shelved Under Murder.  However, keep in mind that the solution to the first mystery spoiled in the second. The fourth book in the series, Bound for Murder, is due out in January 2020.

KRL: Only days left to win books and more

Only days left to win copies of "A Passion for Haunted Fashion": A Haunted
Vintage Mystery by Rose Pressey, "Bear Witness to Murder": A Shamelessly
Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery by Meg Macy, "Cake and Punishment": A Southern
Cake Baker Mystery by Maymee Bell aka Tonya Kappes, "Murder Made to Order":
An All-Day Breakfast Café Mystery by Lena Gregory, and "Shelved Under
Murder": A Blue Ridge Library Mystery by Victoria Gilbert
http://kingsriverlife.com/08/11/mystery-catchup-for-summer-reading-fashion-food-libraries/

And to win a copy of "Staged 4 Murder" by JC Eaton, and while there check
out an interesting guest post by JC, aka Ann I. Goldfarb & James E. Clapp,
about the theatre setting of this mystery
http://kingsriverlife.com/08/11/staged-4-murder-by-j-c-eaton/

Also to win a copy of "Bonbons and Broomsticks" by H.Y. Hanna
http://kingsriverlife.com/08/11/bonbons-broomsticks-by-h-y-hanna/

And to win a copy of "Peril and Prayer" by Olivia Matthews aka Patricia
Sargeant, and while there check out an interesting interview with Olivia
http://kingsriverlife.com/08/11/peril-and-prayer-by-olivia-matthews/

And on KRL News & Reviews, only days left to win a signed copy of "Turning
for Trouble" by Susan Y Tanner
https://www.krlnews.com/2018/08/turning-for-trouble-susan-tanner.html

Happy reading,
Lorie

Only days left to win books by Victoria Gilbert, Cindy Brown, Kate Dyer-Seeley, Tracy Weber & more from KRL

Only days left to win a copy of "A Murder for the Books" by Victoria Gilbert & while there check out an interesting interview with Victoria http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/a-murder-for-the-books-by-victoria-gilbert/

And to win a copy of "The Phantom of Oz" by Cindy Brown, author http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/the-phantom-of-oz-by-cindy-brown/

Also to win a copy of "In Cave Danger" by Kate Dyer-Seeley http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/in-cave-danger-by-kate-dyer-seeley/

And to win a copy of "Tastes Like Murder" by Catherine Bruns, when you go check out our review of her book "Silenced by Sugar" & while there check out a fun cookie recipe for your Valentine's Day http://kingsriverlife.com/02/03/silenced-by-sugar-by-catherine-bruns/

And on KRL News & Reviews to win a copy of "Pre-Meditated Murder" by Tracy Weber http://www.krlnews.com/2018/02/pre-meditated-murder-tracy-weber.html

While there don't miss our review of the latest new Hallmark Mystery Movie and a mystery short story!

Happy reading,
Lorie

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