Cover Image: A Cryptic Clue

A Cryptic Clue

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Member Reviews

Hmmm, I don't know but personally I believe this story is as cozy as they come ladies and gentlemen! Calling all bookish nerds to read this novel and thank me later <3

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This was a cute read in the cozy mystery genre. I like the moments of comedic relief and found the main character to be likable. It is a bit on the slower side, but overall I really enjoyed it!

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Imagine a younger Miss Marple and a younger Sherlock Holmes teamed up to investigate a murder and appreciate mystery books – that’s the concept here and it really worked for me!

As a bookworm myself, I ALWAYS appreciate books about books, and it felt especially meta to be reading about a collection of classic mystery books within a murder mystery. And I love that Jane is a librarian, archivist and literary researcher, giving her all the skills she needs to solve a more tangible mystery. Alongside, of course, her new employer Cam, who is not great at social situations but has an excellent focus on detail and a logical, analytical mind.

The budding working relationship between the two main characters is brilliant – building naturally and very believably – and I really enjoyed their ‘odd couple’ investigation and the refreshing lack of romantic entanglement in their friendship. Add to that a nicely-paced and plausible plot and a small selection of interesting side characters and suspects, and this was a really enjoyable British mystery and a great start to a new series.

I would definitely read more Hunter and Clewe mysteries in future… especially as I am hooked on the very personal mystery of Cam Clewe’s own family history! Look out for my review of Book 2, A Killer Clue soon, which releases later this year but is available to pre-order already.

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Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC

This is the first of a mystery series.

Jane retires from a university library job to move to an apartment to begin new adventures. She is hired by Cameron Clewe to catalogue his collection of books and other artifacts.

There is a party and someone ends up dead. Cameron is the prime suspect. Jane works on her own to help Cameron find out who the murderer was and she uncovers some family historical secrets in the process.

This is a solid cozy mystery and I look forward to the next installment.

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The first in a new mystery series, features a newly retired librarian who finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation after starting a new job. 60 year old Jane Hunter was pushed out of her position because of her age but is hired by a young and eccentric man named Cameron Clewe. He has a huge private book and artifact collection and needs it inventoried. Her new job is going fine, until she finds a dead body in the library. The victim is Cameron's ex and he asks for Jane's help investigating because he's fearful the police will come after him as a suspect.

I liked this one. It had a good mix of interesting characters and I was entertained by Jane and Cameron's awkward interactions, thanks to Cam's lack of social skills. It was slower paced but the mystery plot was good with a solid resolution.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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This is the first entry into a new cozy mystery series featuring a retired librarian, Jane Hunter, and a wealthy young eccentric, Cam Clewe. Jane is hired by Cam to inventory an catalogue his extensive library, including a recent acquisition of mysteries and ephemera. On the first day of her new job, she finds a body, where else, but in the library. Jane joins Cam in finding the murderer. A nice read for a winters afternoon.

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This story seemed like catnip for mystery fans: how could one resist a crime novel featuring a librarian hired to help catalog the holdings of a slightly strange guy who collects detective fiction? For me, unfortunately, the novel doesn't live up to its promising premise, mostly because the talk-to-action ratio is way too high. When Jane Hunter isn’t chitchatting with other characters to try to get to the bottom of the mystery, she’s musing to herself about what it all means. It’s not that nothing happens, it’s just that by the time it does, it's usually something not terribly compelling—and occurring after too long an interval since the last instance of active investigating. There was not enough of interest about the characters to keep my attention when the pace of detecting flagged.

This was not my cup of tea but might appeal to readers of (very) leisurely cozies.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital advance review copy.

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Almost everything about A Cryptic Clue didn't work for me, from the cover/title and plot to the characters and writing style. (However, just because *I* didn't like it doesn't mean you shouldn't read it!)
I love cozy mysteries and have read more of them than I can count. This just isn't it. The summary makes one expect a literary mystery adventure since a librarian is cataloging mysteries and solving a crime that happened in the library and yet there was no connecting these dots. The logic of the mystery plot was nonexistent and I found myself getting bored at times. With cozy mysteries, readers are supposed to fall in love with the characters rather than the predictable plot. However, Jane is one of the most miserable characters I've ever met in the genre. She is without a likable trait and her dialogue came across as harsh and forced. Cam, while unlikable, is more realistic because of his mental health. He is a decent anxiety rep and with a different partner I think his story may be enjoyable.

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This looks like it will be a good series. I like the characters, especially the older MC and her quirky boss. The mystery kept me guessing. I will be interested to see what happens in the secondary mysteries.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I love a good cozy murder mystery and this series is one I would definitely be following. Jane reminded me in some ways of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and although Cam hasn't yet created much of an impression as the main character I do hold high hopes for future instalments. A teeny tiny complaint about this one would be the actual crime committed and the final reveal. I would have liked it to be a little bit more exciting. But that's entirely a me problem. I would definitely recommend this book for those looking to cozy ups with a murder mystery this winter

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A new cozy mystery series with a different set of investigators. As she leans into her retirement, Jane decides she's not quite ready, or financially stable enough to withdraw from the working masses. Jane, a former librarian, is delighted to be hired to catalog the library and collections of Cam, an independently wealthy young man who suffers from agoraphobia. When Cam is the chief suspect in a murder, Jane and Cam will start their own investigation, with a few complications. The characters and their back stories set the tone of this book just right for cozy lovers. It's going to be interesting to see where Victoria Gilbert takes them next.

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The new series from Victoria Gilbert is a fun and easy read that will keep cozy mystery lovers entertained and on their toes. Jane is a retired librarian turned sleuth when faced with a murder and a mystery. Hired to inventory a private library for an eccentric younger man. But the job has its ups and downs, and before long Jane finds herself immersed in clearing the name of her new employer before he finds himself in prison for murder. It takes both Jane and Cam to find the killer but the trip is not without twists and turns, and danger.

Readers should make sure they have several hours to spare to read this book because they won’t want to put it down once they get started. I highly recommend this book, and this author to fans of sleuth who have lived a while, learned hard lessons, and are willing to keep going no matter what the outcome.

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I enjoyed reading this new cozy mystery series. It was well-written with smooth transitions from one chapter to the next. The conversations were natural sounding as they shed light on the backstory of Cam and his estate. I liked the interesting characters; especially Cam and Jane and how they worked together to solve the murder of Ashley. It was a nice twist that Jane was a more mature character. She had a lot of experience in life she could bring to the investigation and cared less about what others thought of her. I also liked that there were plenty of suspects to choose from because it kept me guessing the whole time I was reading. The reveal really surprised me! I did not see that coming! 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!

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2.5 stars
I’ve read a lot of cozy mysteries over the years and lately I’ve gotten much more selective about them. I was interested in A Cryptic Clue because of its blurb (and a cool cover too, although it doesn’t particularly relate to the story). We have a 60-year-old retired librarian (female) who teams up with a wealthy male 33-year-old agoraphobic collector. I thought that premise was extremely promising as well as atypical.

Being the first book in a new series, I did expect a fair amount of “setup” but unfortunately the book never grabbed me. I did finish it but I just didn’t find it very interesting. There was way too much explaining, especially near the end where the murderer spends a lot of time talking about why they did it; virtually no police presence; people who confide in one of the main characters for no particular reason. And more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I am rather late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Carrington MacDuffie, did a good job with the various voices and accents, although I eventually sped it up a lot just to get to the end. All opinions are my own.

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A great start to a new series. I enjoyed meeting the unique characters and following along on the investigation. I look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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The one word I could use to describe this book is "ordinary." The story focuses on Jane, a librarian forced into early retirement who gets a job as an archivist for a wealthy eccentric young man. She ends up trying to solve the mystery of a dead woman found in the study after a party. A rather ordinary cozy mystery plot. The characters were the usual expected group of unique individuals (the hot-head, the social climber, the spurned lover, and so on. But, they just didn't seem all that interesting in a group, and it was pretty easy to figure out the killer quite early in the book. So, while I did finish the book, I'd just give it a lukewarm rating--it really didn't stand out as particularly riveting or make me want to read the next book in this new series.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

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"A Cryptic Clue" by Victoria Gilbert is a delightful and captivating mystery novel that combines elements of retirement life, rare book collecting, and intriguing suspense. The story revolves around the unlikely duo of Jane Hunter, a spirited retiree, and Cameron Clewe, a unique collector with his own quirks.

The characters in this book are incredibly well-developed, and I found myself instantly connecting with Jane's determination and Cam's eccentricities. Victoria Gilbert weaves an intricate web of mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Jane's journey to uncover the truth behind the body discovered in Cam's library.

What sets "A Cryptic Clue" apart is the perfect blend of suspense and humor. The interactions between Jane and Cam are both endearing and entertaining, making for a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. As Jane embarks on this new chapter in her life, the book beautifully highlights the idea that retirement can bring not just challenges, but also thrilling adventures.

Victoria Gilbert's storytelling is engaging and keeps you guessing until the very end. The plot is cleverly constructed, with cryptic clues and unexpected twists that will leave you eagerly turning the pages. Overall, "A Cryptic Clue" is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts looking for a fresh and enjoyable take on the genre. It's a testament to the fact that retirement can indeed bring new thrills, and this book is a thrilling addition to any reading list.

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Dollycas's Thoughts

Jane Hunter may be 60 years old but she was not ready to retire, the university had other ideas. So she was searching for a unique challenge to use her skills and earn some money to supplement her pension.

Cameron “Cam” Clewe is a unique man. A wealthy 33-year-old who collects rare books and other artifacts like a huge amount of items related to classic detective and mystery authors. He is looking for an archivist to make a complete inventory and classification of his recent acquisition.

The two meet and Jane agrees to take the job. But before she even starts a dead body is found in Cam's library. Maybe retirement wasn't such a bad idea. The victim was Cam's ex-girlfriend who happened to be the heir to a pharmaceutical fortune. Now Cam is the prime suspect in her murder.

Cam then decides he will be able to clear his name quickly but he is going to need some help. You see, he lacks basic social skills and is afraid to leave his property. So he makes Jane an offer he hopes she won't refuse. While Jane isn't 100% sure her new boss is innocent she still agrees to do a little sleuthing. She hopes she isn't making a bad decision. Retirement may be looking better and better every day.

____

I really enjoyed meeting Jane and Cam. They are both very unique individuals thrown into a murder investigation almost immediately after meeting. We also meet Cam's assistant Lauren, Jane's landlord, Vincent Fisher, and his lady friend, Donna Valenti. They are all interesting in their own ways. I really enjoyed a protagonist close to my own age. The author has done a great job of developing them throughout the entire story while leaving room for us to get to know both better as the series continues.

Cam's home is huge and he allows "friends" to use it to host charity and other events. He usually makes an appearance and disappears to other rooms for the rest of the evening. He has set up part of the attic to keep his vast collections safe with proper heating, cooling, and moisture control. Jane gets to work there and because of the murder, in the music room but she is really free to roam the place. I enjoyed Ms. Gilbert's descriptions of the place and its grounds along with Jane's apartment and Vince's home. A curious mystery develops because of something Jane finds in the attic. It piqued my interest right away.

Since the murder happened during an event there were several suspects in addition to Cam. I really liked that the author spent time giving some backstories, history, and connections between them and the victim. Some were happy to provide "information". Ms. Gilbert set up some nice twists but one clue sent me right on the killer's trail. The showdown and reveal turned out to be very exciting. At one point my heart slowed because I was afraid that something was going to happen but it didn't. I was surprised by a few things but I will not spoil that for anyone. You must read the book yourself :)

A Cryptic Clue has set this series off on a wonderful start. Filled with characters I want to know better and a captivating mystery or two, my attention was held and I was entertained from the start. I am excited for this series to continue.  A Killer Clue is set to be released on April 9, 2024.

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This is the kind of book that works better as a foundational setup than an individual plot. I will try to explain what I mean by that.
Mystery series are of several types, but the most prominent in recent times is the one with the unofficial amateur who lives in a town filled with uncovered secrets, and over the course of the series, we have one death(minimum) in each case, followed by investigations.
This main type of book means that the first is sometimes sacrificed to establish the longer arc, which is meant to reveal an older, deeper issue that has not been touched for several years. In this case, we have two different secrets that are waiting to be uncovered. I am extremely excited for them, more than I was for the case in this case. That is not to say that it was a bad book - just filled with facts that let us know about all the people who will be recurring characters in the rest of the series, something that I plan to keep up with if given a chance.
Jane has had to take early retirement, so she finds herself in a private research/librarian employment. This gets her in contact with a slightly peculiar employer and his house. The house is filled with eccentric characters who move in and out with ease. When a girlfriend is found dead after an acrimonious breakup, Jane wants to get to the truth.
She feels she is a step behind her employer, Cam, but in the process of investigation, she finds some perplexing questions she thinks she can figure out if given the time and resources.
I could not guess the killer, but when the reveal occurred, I was not as invested in the solution. I found the investigative process a little natural, with the police being active and involved without making them seem like caricatures.
The writing and the central characters are simple and easy to understand, and I would recommend this to fans of the genre.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

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A strong start to a new series, I found myself channeling Jessica Fletcher during this book as the main sleuth is a middle-aged research librarian with all the necessary smarts to sift through clues and sort out suspects with the best of them. And her employer, who doubles as both sleuth and suspect, promises to provide a contrast with his flirtations, his quirks, and his somewhat eccentric household. If you're looking for a cozy caper to wile away a fall evening in front of a roaring fire, this one will do nicely. And as advertised, there'll be more to come.

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