A Murder For The Books: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble. Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house's original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town's leading families... including her own. When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest in A Murder for the Books, the first installment of Victoria Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library mysteries.

Reviews

Praise forA Murder for the Books:
"Gilberts series kickoff offers anintricatemystery, aninterestinglook at the past, and acleverand determined heroine."
Kirkus Reviews

This debut mystery and series launch by a former librarian is anintriguingcozy that combines historical tidbits, a taste of the supernatural, a budding romance, and humor. Fans of Miranda James and Jenn McKinlay will welcome a new librarian sleuth to the fold.
Library Journal

"Captivating...Cozy fans will look forward to seeing more of the appealing Amy."
Publishers Weekly

Nicely framedby details of library work and research.
Booklist

"As cozy mysteries go, this isone of the best."
New York Journal of Books

Theperfectcozy mystery. The characters are interesting and can easily be seen as people you might know. The town soundsdelightfully quirkywith the beautiful setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. I cant wait to read the next book in the series."
Killer Nashville

"This book pulled me in from the first, humorous paragraph. Spunky librarian Amy will delight readers with her wit and research skills as she solves both modern day and historical murders. Acaptivatingcast of secondary characters and a dollop of romance add spice to thispromising debut. I cant wait for the next in the series."
Laura DiSilverio, national bestselling and award-winning author of the Readaholics Book Club mysteries

Anintricately plottedlibrary whodunit that both cozy readers and librarians will love!
Amanda Flower, Agatha Award-winning author of Assaulted Caramel

Victoria Gilbert delivers anentertainingmystery with a sizzle of romance, a dash of history and ascintillatinghint of the supernatural. Cozy readers will find all the right elements to curl up and have fun.
Victoria Abbott author of the award-winning Book Collector mysteries

"Small towns hide big secrets, and Taylorsford is no exceptionaperfectcozy setting with eccentric locals, a handsome neighbor, and a wise, determined librarian who turns detective to solve a decades-old murder.Great fun!"
Julia Buckley, author of the Writers Apprentice mysteries

Gilbert keeps readers wondering till the tales rewarding conclusion, one that they will not see coming and that will leave them wanting more from the author.
IndiePicks Magazine

Author Bio

Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian. She holds a BA in Theatre, an MA in Library Science, and a second MA in Liberal Studies. Victoria has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, and lives in North Carolina with her husband and some very spoiled cats. This is her first Blue Ridge Library mystery.