Death In The Margins is the newest book in the “Blue Ridge Library Mystery” series. As with all of the books in this series, it centers on Amy, a librarian, and her famous dancer husband, Richard. The suspects are assembled from the cast of an upcoming performance, exes, and their families. Old rumors of art theft, an ex-husband near the crime scene, and the parents of dancers who have a problem with the victim all coalesce into a mystery worth reading. There is no shortage of suspects or motives, and Amy chases down every one of them to get to the truth and unmask the killer.

Richards’s ex-fiancé is found dead with a young dancer standing over her body. The police are confident they have their killer, but Amy doesn’t believe it. Searching through the victim’s background leads her to secrets of all kinds. Meredith’s ex-husband and his family come under scrutiny when she discovers they lost a great deal of money with the closure of Meredith and her exes’ dance group, and an art theft may be linked to Meredith’s murder. At least one of Richard’s dancers’ mother is a suspect, and for a good reason. But in the end, it comes down to Amy stumbling on the truth and finding the killer; unfortunately, the killer is hot on her trail and determined to keep Amy from revealing their name.

There is nothing in Death In The Margins that detracts from the mystery or keeps readers from enjoying the story. I think Amy’s dancer husband is delightful, his dance partner always makes me wish I was taller, and Amy’s work at the library gives me the desire for more books and research. The art theft also gave me an appreciation for the magnificent paintings hanging on the walls of my home. I loved the ending, even though I saw it coming a mile away. The mystery is well written; the characters are lively, and there is enough action to keep readers turning the page. This is a well-done book and series. I look forward to future installments.

I had such a hard time getting through this one and finally just gave up. I’ve been on the fence about this series for a while now and even put this one off as long as I could. Amy is likeable enough but the whole investigation is just her asking questions, then telling everyone what she found out, and these conversations are detailed so you get the same evidence two, maybe three, times. I may try to read this one again but not until at least the next one comes out.

Death in the Margins by Victoria Gilbert is the seventh book in the 'Blue Ridge Library Mystery' series. I wanted to read this because I have a fancy for cozies about librarians, bookshops and other book-related things.

Centred around a library director in the Blue Ridge mountains, Taylorsford, Virginia, I thought this was a very good story. Protagonist Amy Muir (Webber) is smart and savvy as well as being personable, friendly, and loyal. She is getting on with married life with her dancer hubby, Richard. This mystery centers more around Richard and the mystery itself strikes the right chord of possible murderers, motives and accomplices. I haven't read all of the books in the series, though this can be an individual read. The descriptions of small-town life with all its complicated relationships were very believable and I enjoyed Victoria Gilbert's engaging, alluring style of writing. The characters were distinct and entertaining, I felt as though I had made some new friends by the end and I loved the friendship between Amy and her bff, Sunny. This was a quick read that kept me guessing with well placed red herrings and a super surprise. I intend to continue the series but hope to read the books I've missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this is my own unbiased opinion.

One of my favorite series in the cozy genre, this is the seventh book in the series. While they don’t necessarily have to be read in order, I would not recommend starting with this one.
Amy and Richard Muir are the central characters in the Blue Ridge Library series. Amy is a librarian in her small town library and Richard is a professional dancer.
This mystery centers more around Richard, Amy’s husband, and his world. Richard and his dance partner, Karla, are preparing for a new production. Meredith, Richard’s former fiancè, also has a prominent role in the production. Meredith has a way of rubbing people the wrong way. Amy discovers Meredith’s dead body moments after she is killed.
This book includes all of the elements of this series that I love. The family friends and relatives of Amy’s in Taylorville, the surrounding area in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the way that Amy’s investigative research can help uncover a villain. When I say Amy, I really think of how important all librarians are for a functioning society.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave this book a good solid 4 stars; there were a couple things in the final chapters that caused me to lower my rating–not in relation to the mystery itself though! I will continue to recommend this series to everyone who listens to me.

I enjoy the characters in the series. And I'm glad to see that this mystery is more like the first mysteries in this series. I love Amy and I'm loving seeing her relationship with Richard grow.

Victoria Gilbert gives us another Blue Ridge Library mystery in Death in the Margins. Library director Amy Webber was at the rehearsals for her husband's dance show when she found the dead body of Meredith Fox, dancer and former fiancee of Amy's husband. Amy didn't think the young boy standing over the body with a knife is guilty so she starts sleuthing. Too many suspects and too many nosy neighbors as she starts eliminating suspects. Whodunit?

This cozy mystery combines a little bit about books and libraries with quite a bit about theater and the dance troop. I was not so interested in the theater information. I really would have liked more about library work and books. The dance emphasis may have been because of Amy's new husband Richard, organizer of the dance production. His character was developed more in this novel.

The murder plot was good. Gilbert did a good job creating Meredith, the unlikable character who gets murdered. There are many potential suspects because Meredith had alienated so many. Some people lie initially so it is difficult for readers to figure out the villain. It is not until near the end when enough truthful information is revealed that the villain can be identified.

It is interesting Amy, the amateur sleuth, works with law enforcement, at her deputy friend's request. I liked that rather than when an amateur sleuth operates on opposition to the police. Amy and Richard experience some suspense near the end. I felt it was resolved a little too easily.

This novel is part of a series but read relatively well on its own.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Amy is caught in the middle of a murder, again. Her husband Richard and his dance partner Karla are staging a dance performance of folk music that includes principal dancers, university dances, and children. During a rehearsal, Amy stumbles upon one of the teen dancers standing over the body of the Meredith Fox, the featured dancer. The cops immediately hone in on Conner, the teen, but Amy doesn't believe he did it. Chief Deputy Brad Tucker asks Amy to keep her ears open. He is not in charge, the murder is in another jurisdiction, but he is assisting. He does not think the easy answer, Connor, is right either.

This is a fun series. Easy-to-read and entertaining. I wasn't sure who the murderer was but as the story unrolled, I had my suspicions.

“ Death in the Margins” by Victoria Gilbert the 5th instalment in the "Blue Ridge Library Mystery" series. I really enjoyed it.

The theater is no place for murder—but a case of backstage betrayal drags library director Amy Webber into a case that could mean curtains

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it almost straight through. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I loved the friendship between Amy and her bff Sunny.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

This was a fun, action-packed cozy mystery, revolving around a murder within a dance company. We are also treated to scenes with the local Garden Club and some horse stables. With the number of enemies that the unlikeable victim has, and the witness that Amy questions, there is no shortage of potential murderers and accomplices to sift through. I think this may be my favorite in the series so far.

Death in the Margins is the 7th book in the series of which I have so far read only the previous two. I have kept saying in my earlier reviews that I will try to read books 1-4 but I have not managed to so far (so many books to read!). Nevertheless, like the previous ones I have read in the series, this too was good with a lot happening on the mystery front. This time the victim is Meredith Fox, a professional dancer and ex-wife to Amy's current husband Richard. There are enough suspects and reasons to sort through since Meredith wasn't exactly a well liked person which keeps the story moving at a good pace.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Victoria Gilbert for the e-Arc of the book. This series also has some eye catching cover designs.

This book was such a great read that I couldn’t put it down. It had great characters-many who were suspects, lots of excitement, and a great storyline. I liked how Amy was able to get information through natural conversations. I especially liked the happy ending. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a very classic mystery for me, almost felt a little mature for the cozy title. I enjoyed the way Gilbert wrote and her characters. It took me a while to figure out the mystery and the suspect of choice. Well done.

3.5 stars rounded up

Amy and Richard have recently been married. Amy is a librarian and Richard is a dancer and is trying to open his own production company. He is working with his friend Karla on a new show. He has hired his ex fiance Meredith Fox, she is awful to everyone. Amy is asked to find Karla's table in the dressing rooms. Amy finds Conner over the body of Meredith's body holding a bloody knife. Amy must find the true killer.

This is the seventh in the series and my first. I found I wasn't really excited or interested to find out who did it. This book wasn't for me.

Summer has returned and Amy and Richard are knee deep In their jobs. An argument between two women turns deadly as Amy stumbles across the body of Meredith, an unlikable person.
While Richard tries to salvage the prosecuting Amy puts in her sleuthing hat to track down clues and put a final curtain on the murder.
It’s a good read. Any reader who wants to read dance combined with library will be attracted to this series.
A major change in Amy and Richard’s lives awaits for the next book so I’m eager to see how this will add to their hectic lifestyles and the mystery detection angle.

Death in the Margins: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery
By Victoria Gilbert
Crooked Lane Books
December 20022

Review by Cynthia Chow

Even though he’s no longer dancing professionally, Richard Muir has stayed immersed in his beloved profession by teaching dance at Clarion University and choreographing special events and hired gigs. Richard and his former dance partner Karla Tansen are also in charge of the local school’s summer dance institute, which has them creating a special performance they call The Folklore Suite at the new Art Deco movie theater. Richard’s wife, Blue Ridge Library Director Amy Webber Muir, fully supports Richard’s partnership with Karla, but Amy does raise her eyebrows when they hire his ex-fiancée Meredith Fox as a dancer. Not only did Meredith dump Richard to run off to marry another man, her demanding attitude and brutal insults to the other dancers have made her mostly unhireable by other companies. When Amy finds Meredith murdered backstage at the theater, the surprise isn’t so much that she was killed but that the man standing over her is the promising young dancer Conner Vogler. Conner lost a scholarship due to Meredith’ low vote in a dance competition, giving the teenager ample reasons for wanting revenge. Amy and Richard know that Conner wasn’t the only one to have felt the effects of Meredith’s spite, and they can’t believe that the talented 16-year-old could have been driven to murder.

Having had an alarming amount of experience investigating murder in the town of Taylorsford, Virginia, it doesn’t take long for Amy to begin working with Chief Deputy Brad Tucker to track down Meredith’s many exes and resentful rivals. Amy spotted Meredith’s wealthy ex-husband on site not long before her death, but even more suspicious are the clues that indicate that Meredith was involved in blackmail. Amy’s reputation for investigating may have spread too far though, as her aunt’s garden is vandalized and threatening texts are sent. The attitude that The Show Must Go On has Richard’s dance production continuing while Amy must sift through the suspects of those who fell victim to Meredith’s cruelty and greed.

This 7th in the series welcomes readers back home to Taylorsford and to Amy’s delightful circle of friends and family. Amy spends more time with the Richard’s dancers than she does within her adored Blue Ridge Library, but she still shares her love of reading and encourages her patrons to make the most of the library’s services. An attack within the Clarion University Library nearly puts an ironic end to our beloved librarian, but nothing could sway Amy from her chosen profession or her love for investigating. An abundance of information and red herrings makes the final solution a complete surprise, with enough jeopardy in play to keep readers on the edge of their seats. A heart-warming new discovery by Amy promises so much more fun and adventure in her future, leaving readers anticipating more but still rewarded by the satisfying end.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Death in the Margins is a great book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series. Once again, Amy, the main character, investigates a murder. This time, the victim is a dancer collaborting with Amy's husband, and she is quite despicable. There are many potential culprits, considering how poorly she treated others. The storyline is solid and the mystery is interesting and well-built. Newcomers to the series can enjoy this book and then easily choose to reads previous entries without any problems. Great read!

It’s publication week for Death in the Margins, book 7 in the Blue Ridge Library cozy mystery series by Victoria Gilbert! Cozy mysteries featuring librarians and libraries are my catnip and I’ve read all 7 in this series. Book 7 did not disappoint and contains all the things I love about cozy mysteries – small town setting, wonderful cast of characters and murder with many suspects. And the ending – lots of heart eyes there! A great addition and I am already looking forward to book 8. Thank you to @Netgalley for the ARC.

Death in the Margins is the seventh book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries written by Victoria Gilbert. It’s a series that just keeps getting better and better with every book. In this entry in the series, Amy Moore Muir becomes embroiled in a new murder investigation while dropping off lunch for her husband Richard, a choreographer and dancer, and his longtime dance partner and friend, Karla, who specializes in teaching dance to children with neurological differences.

Upon arrival at the theatre where Richard and Karla are rehearsing with their cast consisting of both adult and juvenile performers, Amy observes Richard’s ex-girlfriend Meredith Fox having a heated argument with the mother of one of Karla’s students, an autistic girl named Quinn. Meredith strongly disapproves of Quinn’s participation in Richard and Karla’s show, based on Quinn’s diagnosis of autism.

Meredith is also a dancer in Richard and Karla’s show. She has a reputation as being demanding and ill-tempered. She expresses her displeasure about Quinn having a role in the show, whereupon Richard informs her that the show is being choreographed by him and he will make the decisions as to who will be in the cast and what role they will play.

Shortly thereafter, while taking a shortcut through the building where Richard and his troupe are rehearsing, Amy comes upon a disturbing scene. She is shocked to find Connor, a teen dancer who is one of Richard’s most promising students, looking dazed and standing over Meredith’s dead body while holding a knife. Both Amy and Richard strongly believe that Connor is innocent and that Meredith was killed by someone else who had reason to want her dead.

Working in tandem with her old friend Chief Deputy Brad Tucker, Amy begins investigating to find out who actually killed Meredith in order to clear young Connor’s name. Suspects abound as the plot twists and turns and the machinations of a madman that put both Richard and Amy’s lives in jeopardy as they close in to unmask the real killer.

Amy, despite her not wanting to get involved in a murder case, does some "undercover" investigating. One of the dancer's in her husbands upcoming performance, is found holding the murder weapon over the body of the prima ballerina. Amy is convinced that he is innocent and refuses to get involved.

But when the local police ask her to help (the murder was in a different jurisdiction and the local police are also not sure of the accused's guilt) she does exactly that. Unlike so many other female protagonists, she doesn't do anything really stupid and she keeps the police informed of everything she learns. Of course, it is her investigation that leads to finding out who the murderer is.

I really this book. It is fun to read about so many characters we have met in previous books. One begins to feel like one knows them all. I feel like I've been to the locations in the book. It makes the reading even more pleasurable.

Also I was happy to not have to sit and say to the book, "NO! Don't do that! Tell the police what you know!" I don't think the lack of really dangerous situations led to the book being less enjoyable.

I certainly hope, based on how this book ended, that there will be at least one more in the series. I look forward to reading it.