A Cryptic Clue was underwhelming. I kept thinking I would get more invested in the characters, but it never happened for me.

A fun light mystery in which an archivist and a collector team up to solve a murder in which the collector is the prime suspect.

This one is pretty simple and didn’t have as much ambiance as I like in a light mystery, but the pacing is good and it’s a decent story.

The solve isn’t great but isn’t completely out of left field, and I enjoyed the tidbits about book collecting, though there really needed to be more of this to to flesh out the story and setting.

I quite enjoyed reading the new series by Victoria Gilbert. A Cryptic Clue has the main character investigating a murder. Jane, teams up with the victim's boyfriend to find the real killer.

Can't wait for book 2.

A good start to a new cozy series. Jane, more or less forced into retirement, is happy when she's hired by Cam, a reclusive millionaire with a large collection of books and materials that needs to be catalogued. That is, happy before she found Cam's fiance Ashley dead on the floor of the library! Cozy readers know that Cam didn't do it and that there's something in Ashley's background that won't be known until the end. Cam, Jane, and Lauren join forces to get answers- and it's a plus that I didn't guess the murderer. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This one has potential to grow.

Wonderful new cozy mystery with an intelligent cast of characters that are delightfully funny and realistically fleshed out with past baggage and all! I really loved the methodical thought process of Jane and understood her complete frustration at being left in the dark by Cam when she knew that he had the other half of the info that she needed to slot the pieces of the puzzle together to figure out who the murderer was. I love the dynamic between Jane and all the characters, but especially the dynamic between she and Cam. I quite look forward to the relationship dynamic continuing and many more cases to solve in the future! A well plotted storyline to entertain and delight for hours is yours for the taking so grab this book, a favorite beverage & snack and get comfy in your favorite reading spot! You won't be disappointed!

A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert is the first A Hunter and Clewe Mystery. We are introduced to Jane Hunter, a sixty-year-old librarian. I like that she is an older protagonist. She has been hired by Cameron “Cam” Clewe, a thirty-three-year-old eccentric millionaire (who has more than a few quirks), to catalogue his large collection of books and artifacts. Cam’s ex-girlfriend is found dead in the library by Jane the day after a party. Cam, of course, becomes a person of interest. Jane and Cam team up to find the guilty party. I found that the story moved along at a slow pace. It needed an injection of action, intrigue, and suspense. Cam is a unique character. I like how Jane helped him. I have a feeling Cam’s horizons will be broadening in the future. It is a shame that Cam’s father did not appreciate his talents. Jane is a likeable character. She is an experienced librarian and knowledgeable about classic mysteries written by women. The mystery was good. It was obvious who would die and who would end up at the top of the suspect list. Cam and Jane are happy to conduct their own investigation. Witnesses are more than willing to share what they know (very helpful). There are townspeople who are happy to spill the local gossip. The whodunit is straightforward. The red herrings are not convincing. While it seemed to take years to reach the reveal, the ending seemed rushed. The story was sadly lacking in humor. I wanted to enjoy The Cryptic Clue, but I only felt relief when I turned the final page.

The first installment of the new series by Victoria Gilbert in an interesting take on the Holmes and Watson duo. As a retired librarian Jane takes on a new position cataloging a collection of books and manuscripts for her new eccentric employer. As events unfold both of them are drawn into a murder mystery that needs to be solved, he because he is a suspect, and she because she is invested in the job and can't resist her need to solve a mystery. Though this initial book is a bit slow, now that the characters are all introduced, future installments should be quite entertaining.

Rating 4 stars, but probably closer to 3.5.

This was the first book in a new series by an author I've never read before.

The main characters are Jane Hunter and Cam Clewe (pronounced like 'Clue', appropriate for a cosy mystery I suppose).

Jane is a librarian hired to catalogue and inventory Clewe's large collection of books. Clewe is an interesting character, a bit anxious, inclined to stay home and it seems clear he's meant to be read as perhaps a bit neurodivergent to Jane's neurotypical.

There's a bit of a clash between the two at first, nothing too much, mostly just Jane wondering in her head why Clewe has said something rude or assumed something.

They end up working quite well together and the murderer is caught.

When the murderer was announced, I didn't expect but, but looking back, I think I should have and I just wasn't paying close enough attention.

Jane is an older woman - a retired librarian, as am I so I related to her immediately. She has been hired to inventory and catalog a vast private collection for a young man who seems a bit eccentric. As soon as she is hired and before she can start work in earnest, a young woman is murdered on the estate. Her employer Cam is a prime suspect, but it turns out (as usual) that there are many people who had reasons to wish Ashley harm.

There were some inconsistencies I found. The estate has codes to enter the property. A couple of times, people appeared that I have no idea how they got through the gates and into the house. No explanation was given as to how people (such as the police) entered without the codes or someone to buzz the in.

My main problem with the book (and the reason for 4 stars vs. 5) which almost had me make this a DNF was the homosexual couple. Their sexuality added nothing to the story and seemed to be there just to show how "woke"and inclusive the author is. Quite honestly, I am tire of reading about sexuality in cozy mysteries. I am less inclined to read a new book because of the prevalence of this attitude and am considering rereading all the old classics like Agatha Christie rather than have to wade through modern mores.

I will give Hunter and Clewe another read when the next one comes out hoping that Ms. Gilbert will go back to writing mysteries and not attempting to change society in the process.

There were so many things that would make this a good cozy mystery: the setting of a private library in a large home, the sleuth: an older woman forced into retirement, the new job of cataloging an impressive collection, and a murder. However, this was not a cozy as I would like. The setting is more formal so the dialogue seems more formal as well, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The story itself seems to be all investigation and I didn’t feel like we really got to know the characters. Both Jane and Cam seem so wooden and unlikeable and some of her comments don’t make any sense (he remembers her daughter’s name and she is taken aback and thinks this is creepy). Hoping the next one works out the kinks and gets more cozy.

Jane Hunter has recently been downsized from her job as a university librarian and, at sixty, is looking for a job until she reaches retirement age. A chance to work for reclusive Cameron Clewe cataloging his large collection of rare books and artifacts seems like just the thing. She'll begin by cataloging his collection of golden age mysteries.

She isn't anticipating what actually occurs and she finds herself really investigating a mystery of her own when Cam's ex is found dead in the library killed with a candlestick during a fundraising gala. Ashley Allen was the victim. It doesn't take much investigating to learn that any number of people could have wanted her dead.

Besides her ex Cam with whom she was seen having an arguement, the cook at Cam's estate could have held a grudge since Ashley had promised to finance his new restaurant and then backed out leaving him with all kinds of debts. Then there is the artist who was planning an art gallery and artists' cooperative with Ashley's help until she backed out of that deal too. Then there was her most recent ex who was a musician working in a studio Ashley had leased for him.

I enjoyed this mystery and getting to know Jane and Cam. Jane was a curious and adventurous woman who had a difficult past. She raised her daughter, now an actress, herself after leaving a verbally abusive marriage when her daughter was a baby. Cam, about thirty, is the only child a rich man who suffers from anxiety, OCD, occasional depression and generally lacks social awareness. Although he could clearly benefit, he has never sought therapy since his father didn't believe in it.

I enjoyed the cast of characters in this story. They provided a plentiful number of suspects in this cozy mystery.

Victoria Gilbert delivers an enthralling literary adventure in her latest series, perfect for fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay. In this captivating tale, we meet Jane Hunter, a spirited retired librarian who finds herself immersed in a devilish murder case that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Forced into early retirement from her beloved job as a university librarian, Jane is determined to find a new challenge that will bring excitement to her life and supplement her modest pension. Little does she know that her search will lead her down a path filled with thrills and unexpected dangers. Enter Cameron Clewe, an eccentric collector in his thirties, who is on the hunt for an archivist to catalog his vast collection of rare books and artifacts. Jane eagerly accepts the job offer and is thrilled to explore the secrets of Cam’s latest acquisition—a treasure trove of items linked to classic mystery and detective authors. However, Jane’s excitement quickly turns to shock when a body is discovered in Cam’s library, and all fingers point to him as the prime suspect.

Cam, with his idiosyncrasies and social anxieties, resolves to clear his name using his intelligence and deductive abilities. But with limited social skills and a touch of agoraphobia, he realizes he needs assistance. This is where Jane steps in, determined to prove her new boss’s innocence. As she delves deeper into the case, she must confront the question of whether Cam is truly innocent or hiding something more sinister. Victoria Gilbert weaves a masterful tale of suspense, mystery, and intriguing characters. The chemistry between Jane and Cam is palpable, adding an extra layer of complexity to the story. Gilbert’s writing keeps readers guessing at every turn, with unexpected twists and turns that will leave them eager for more.

In this captivating novel, Gilbert showcases her talent for crafting engaging narratives that blend the love of books with a gripping murder mystery. With well-developed characters and a tightly woven plot, readers will find themselves fully immersed in this literary world, eagerly following Jane’s quest for truth and justice. For fans of cozy mysteries and those who appreciate a touch of intellectual intrigue, “A Library of Souls” is a must-read. Victoria Gilbert’s expertise in storytelling shines through, making this novel a delightful and compelling addition to the genre. Prepare to be enthralled by the charm, wit, and sheer brilliance of this captivating tale.

This novel has a very meta set up. Jane Hunt, a retired librarian, has found a job cataloguing the library of Cam Clewe, a wealthy young man with a huge collection of books, many of them mystery novels. Jane is 60, and she’s downsizing because her daughter has left home (and her house was too expensive). She’s found an apartment that sounds like Kinsey Milhone would feel comfortable living in, a tiny but charming space over the carriage house/garage of a retired reporter.

Her first meeting with Cam is interesting. He’s much younger than Jane supposed, and he has a slightly off manner, one that doesn’t take emotion much into consideration. Jane, a maternal soul, is pretty much the opposite. Initial meeting with Cam over, Jane heads home to settle in and escape a large fundraiser Cam is sponsoring at his house. Jane has also overheard a fight between Cam and his girlfriend, Ashley, seeming to result in their breakup.

The next morning, Jane heads to work, snags a cup of coffee from the chef in the massive kitchen, and heads to the library. She naturally finds – a body in the library - and just like in Christie’s novel, the body belongs to a young girl in a spangly dress. Unlike the Christie novel, however, Jane immediately knows who it is: it’s Ashley, Cam’s girlfriend.

The police naturally descend and because Cam is the “ex” he’s also at the top of their suspect list. Cam, whose mind is logical and precise, doesn’t care for this state of affairs, and plans to investigate the crime on his own, enlisting Jane and his house manager Lauren as assistants. Jane, feeling like this is nearly a research task, lets her librarian brain take over and plunges in with gusto. This earns her some threats and a home invasion but she persists, sharing her discoveries with Cam along the way.

Jane and Cam have a nice yin and yang. They are the opposite in personality, and the combination of their skills is a winner. Because Jane is so maternal, I have a feeling Cam, in future novels, may continue to rely on her more and more, and not just for her investigative skills. The mystery part of the novel is well crafted (though there is one whopper of an obvious clue), but the set up overall is charming and Jane and Cam are both extremely appealing characters. This is the perfect read for a relaxing summer evening in the back yard with a glass of wine.

A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert

This was a fun start to a new cozy mystery series. You won't find anything earth-shattering, but that's the nice thing about cozies. I pick one up when I need an entertaining break that doesn't require too much concentration. And this one was perfect for that. We follow Jane, a retired university librarian, who has been hired to help an eccentric, young collector work through some old archives as they end up working to solve a crime instead.

I do appreciate that some of the usual tropes I find in cozy series didn't show up here. As some reviewers mentioned, there are a lot of characters, but I expect that from the first in a series that is setting up for future stories. I didn't have a problem keeping track of anyone.

I would be happy to read further into the series.

Thank you to #NetGally and #CrookedLaneBooks for a free copy of #ACrypticClue by Victoria Gilbert. All opinions are my own.

Jane Hunter, a librarian in her sixties who had been forcibly made to retire from her workplace, was employed by Cameron Clewe, an anxiety-ridden and socially inept private collector, to sort and catalog his antique book collection. But on her first day of work, she finds a dead body in the library room which happens to be Cam's ex. In order to clear his name and prove to the police that he isn't the murderer, he takes on the role of an amateur detective, but due to his anxiety and aversion to the outside world, he has Jane and his assistant Lauren do the field investigation and interrogations for him in order to find information that can help him piece things together.

The sleuthing and the murder mystery were enjoyable to read. The real culprit was a surprise for me, but it wasn't completely out of nowhere since the book did provide some clues about it among the many bits of information Jane found. But what I really liked about this book is the interesting cast of characters, especially the detective duo. The dynamics between Jane and Cam felt unique compared to the usual male and female detective duo that I've read about in the sense that the male is usually dominant and self-assured since he's also usually the romantic interest of the female.

In this novel, we have an elderly mother and a significantly younger and intelligent man with mental and emotional issues as our duo, and I'm all for it. Logically, they play well off each other in info gathering and deductions, and there is also a considerable amount of potential character development, specifically on the part of Cam. In the midst of their investigation, Jane was able to give some advice to Cam, and by the end of the book, we see Cam making small positive changes to his life. It's heartwarming in a subtle way. The author has even already foreshadowed future developments in Cam's love life in the succeeding books in the series.

Very interested to read more mysteries featuring these two! (And also more character development from Cam)

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Victoria Gilbert's "A Cryptic Clue' sounded really good as a cozy murder mystery but I felt let down as the early storyline featured two of the three 'Cluedo' pieces - I will not say anymore!

Jane was hired to catalogue an eccentric's large book collection but she seemed unhappy and I found her annoying - which didn't help whole the plot. If this is the start of a series I do not think I will bother.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.

Jane Hunter, retired librarian, is a co-main character with Cameron Clewe, eccentric 30-something millionaire. Jane has taken a job cataloging Cameron’s book collections including a classic mystery collection.
The use of themes from classic mysteries is clever - starting with a body in the library.
I enjoyed the story and the twisted ending.
There were some things about the book that bothered me.
- Jane was quite intelligent but made some dumb decisions in threatening situations.
- The reader is introduced to a large number of characters. The way they would pop in and out of the story made it hard to keep track of them. They all make convenient suspects, so an understood reason for their presence.
- The police are really an afterthought in this book.
- Cameron is presented as socially inept through most of the story but in the climax he seems to intuitively understand the villain’s emotions and reasoning.
- Some things were precisely detailed that didn’t matter and then some details that would matter were glossed over.
I think the series has potential and I would give the second book a try.
The narrator was all right.
Thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and listen to the book.

For starters this book has a refreshingly unique duo, one not destined for romance. That made it stand out immediately (in a good way). Jane is smart, logical & a perfect heroine to follow. Her age is what makes her fascinating. Cam is blunt, quirky & awkward. They make an unlikely pairing that somehow works when they have to clear Cam’s name.

I love the research & historical aspects of the story. And reading about the secrets of the rich & uncovering old mysteries alongside the present day murder is a winning combo. I feel fans of classic, golden age mysteries will appreciate this one, it mixes those vibes alongside the cozy ones perfectly. Plus the author sets up a few things that need to be solved in upcoming instalments, leaving me definitely wanting more.

I hope there’s more books to come!

* Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader digital copy of this book

A Cryptic Clue is the first in a new series about a librarian and her current employer who find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation when a dead body turns up in the library. It is a cozy mystery, certainly made for reading while curled up in bed at night. While certainly not a page turner, it is an enjoyable mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. I really enjoyed the dynamic of Cam's household with his personal assistant and other employees. The mystery was well done and I did not guess who the killer was until I was revealed. I certainly was growing a bit weary of sometimes and it is certainly a slow paced novel. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I look forward to more in this series.

I wanted to love this book. I wanted to love Jane, the protagonist. It’s wonderful to see an older woman leading the narrative with strength and intelligence. I’m also glad there was no love interest. It was so nice for a woman to just have her story! But the narrative was a little stodgy - perhaps because this is book one of a planned series everything was just too over explained and drawn out. Hopefully book two will have a snappier pacing because I’d really love to find out some answers for Cameron’s family mysteries.


Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for The opportunity to read and review this book.