Cam Clewe and Jane Hunter join forces in this first book in a new series, as they try to find out who killed a party guest. Jane is a librarian who is cataloging Cam's library collection. However, part of her duties seem to be helping Cam clear his name as a potential killer of Ashley, his ex-girlfriend and a party guest at his estate. There are many suspects, since Ashley seemed to have accumulate quite a few enemies. Everything is solved at the end, with a promising lead into the next book in the series.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

When librarian Jane Hunter has to take early retirement she isn't best pleased, nor is she in a position to live on only her pension. Cameron Clew is a collector who needs an archivist at just the right time and soon the unlikely pair find their love of mystery fiction being put to real life use when Jane discovers a dead body in her new employer's library. Unfortunately the victim had close ties to more than one of those visiting Cam's home and so he and Jane join forces to try and discover the killer before they strike again.

This is a new protagonist for successful author, Victoria Gilbert, whose other series I have loved. Unfortunately, for me, this first book never gets going and I felt no engagement with either Jane or Cam. The investigation never seemed to have any urgency about it even in the final scenes. Usually I give first books the benefit of the doubt but this will need to significantly improve in book two, for that to happen.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I hope most of Ms Gilbert's fans will enjoy this but it wasn't for me unfortunately.

I always enjoy starting a brand new cozy mystery series, and this one has several strong assets like the décor (library) and the age difference between the two main characters, which is really unusual. Granted the plot was interesting, and the finale rather unexpected, but the pace was slightly disappointing. I’m hoping the next installments will be more steady from start to finish. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the dynamics between Cam and Jane will evolve.

DNF at 42%

Jane is a retired librarian who was hired by Cam, a wealthy collector, to sort through his extensive collection of books. I think there are a lot of people who would enjoy this book, but I was having trouble with the pacing and I just could not get into it. Jane is a very boring character and even though the book is written from her perspective the author adds in extra thoughts that she has and it kept taking me out of the story every time because they just didn’t fit, and most of the time weren’t adding anything to the plot. Cam is just not a nice guy, definitely seems socially awkward and he’s also not really enjoyable to read about. There are a lot of different characters and none of them seem overly exciting or interesting.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance in exchange for my honest review!

A charming new series from the always-entertaining Victoria Gilbert. Librarian Jane Hunter is a force to be reckoned with, and I can't wait to see what mysteries she and her enigmatic boss Cameron Clewe investigate in the future.

A Cryptic Clue wasn't a bad read at all, although there were a few things in it that sort of ruin the enjoyment quite a bit.

I have received this book in exchange of an honest review, thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the opportunity.

Release date: 11th of July 2023.

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It's almost always entertaining when I read books depicting older protagonists, and this time was no different. Having them in the center of the issue, while taking a proactive role to solve it was even better.

In A Cryptic Clue, that's exactly what happens when Jane's new work place becomes a murder scene and her new employer is one of the prime suspects. Seeing her try to gather information to help out, learning more about the estate itself and having her include her new found friends in all of this was very entertaining to me.

Alongside seeing her work with archiving, and learning more about the systems in place for this in libraries as well.

This mundane, or at least, almost mundane and slow going process was easily the best thing the book had going for it. I know it sounds a bit contradictory, but I would easily leave the book for days on end, and then come back without urgency to continue at my own pace alongside Jane. She's not a hot headed character either, which in turn makes all the time I spent with her quite pleasant.

If you noticed that I'm mainly mentioning the more unimportant aspects of A Cryptic Clue, then you'll be right. Because, when it comes to the mystery itself, the culprits and making me care about Cameron (the Clewe in the title of the series)... it leaves a bit to be desired.

For instance, Cam is written in a very unlikable way, and he remains as such throughout the book. I couldn't care less about his predicament, and having to come back to his seemingly ungrateful self was incredibly exhausting.

The mystery itself is okay, it just sort of goes away from a lot of the things that might help the reader solve it themselves (as a way of an extra activity I mean). Only for it to end up being continuously discussed and then solved, in one of the most underwhelming ways I've read about in recent memory.

Sort of a cosy mystery, but not really kind of thing.

To be fair, after finishing A Cryptic Clue, I feel like I can safely say that it's a stepping stone to much bigger things. Through Jane's investigation, a few mysteries ended up getting presented as well, without going anywhere and it's clear that they are for later books in the series. But, it's still a bit saddening that it ends up reflecting somewhat poorly on the efforts here.

I will admit that I'm very interested in those mysteries in comparison to this one, and that warrants a continuation of this series later on. In which, I hope to have a more favourable reaction in comparison to this one.

Final rating: 2.5/5

A Cryptic Clue is a great new cozy mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. I enjoy her Blue Ridge Library Mysteries and Book Lover's B&B series so I was looking forward to reading this. The characters are likable and have flaws that improve as the book progresses. It is original in many ways which is nice. Jane downsizes when her adult daughter moves away. She takes a job cataloging a book collection for Cameron (Cam), a wealthy recluse who is in his 30's. Jane's wisdom and life experiences help Cam come to terms with his family and some secrets. It definitely adds to the story and along with the mystery kept the story interesting. Cam allows his mansion to be used for a big gala. Cam's ex-girlfriend, Ashley is found dead the next morning. Cam is the prime suspect. Because Cam doesn't leave his house, he needs Jane and his assistant, Lauren to help him gather clues. There are several suspects. Jane has common sense and doesn't search for clues by herself. The personal discussion s between Jane and Cam are interesting plus Lauren's insights add to the story. It was a very enjoyable cozy mystery and I look forward to more books in the series! #ACrypticClue #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. This was such a fun, easy read for a cozy, old fashioned mystery, set in current day. I love all the little peaks into details that could be explored further into a series from this author.

This was a good book with a compelling plot, but that's it. Jane was a dull protagonist who I really couldn't bring myself to like, and the pacing was so slow it made me want to rip my hair out. The descriptions were excessive, and frankly annoying. I didn't feel the loss of ashley has any significance, which made the whole book seem kind of dull. other than the concerns mentioned above it was okay.

Jane is hired as an archivist for Cameron Clewe and his literary collection. Her first day on the job, she discovers the body of his ex-girlfriend. She and Cam team up to solve the murder before the police. This was okay, not bad, but one of those where random people are trying to solve a murder and digging into everything. I think it is going to be part of a series, and I would give it another try. 3 stars.

This is the first novel in a new cosy mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. It brings together retired librarian Jane Hunter and wealthy collector Cameron (Cam) Clewe as they try to solve the murder of Cam’s latest girlfriend.

Jane was hired by Cam to catalogue his latest acquisition – a collection of items related to classic mystery and detective authors – but is soon co-opted by him to investigate the murder. As number one suspect, Cam is anxious to clear his name so they set out to find the real murderer.

While the story line followed the classic cosy mystery format, I found the writing style stilted and formal. Cam came across as an unlikeable character and this distracted me from the plot.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

Jane has been fired by multimillionaire and recluse Cameron to catalog his extensive collection of classic mysteries. Shortly thereafter a young woman is killed in Cam's library during a fundraiser. Cam decides to investigate and asks Jane to help. Meanwhile, Jane's landlord draws her into a cold case, also involving Cam's home. Delightful

What to say about this book?

First of all it was a bit slow at first. But what mystery isn't? We need to learn all of the players and get into the meat of the mystery. It did speed up half way through the book. Which was a definite positive!

I absolutely loved the characters of Cam and Jane and even the rest of the cast of characters. Cam reminded me so much of Agatha Christie's Poirot and Jane is the perfect compliment to Cam.

The mystery it self was filled with suspects and intrigue. And well worth the read.

I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars. Only because it was so slow in the beginning that I am going with 3. Hopefully, if the series continues, the beginning of the next book will be a bit faster paced now that the main characters have been introduced.

I've read several of Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library series and enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to checking out her new series.
I liked the premise and the inclusion of a neuro-divergent character who is portrayed sensitively. The mystery was intriguing. The only criticism I have is that the main character, Jane Hunter, seems a bit school-marmish. I think she has the potential to be a great character but in this book she just seemed very prone to judgment and wanting to correct people's behavior. Other than that, I enjoyed the story and would read the next book in the series.

This was definitely more of a slow burn, cozy mystery. It was cute for what it was, but it lacked pacing for me. I think I needed it to be a little more engaging than it was. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Take a retired university librarian, give her a job cataloging the collection of an eccentric rich guy, add in the suspicious death of a guest at a charity event in the mansion, and you have a winning formula to start off a new mystery series. Jane Hunter has the same given name as famous amateur sleuth Jane Marple, and it seems she might have some of the same success in finding unexpected clues. This Jane uses her researching skills to help out her socially awkward new boss when he becomes the prime suspect.

The annals of mystery adventures are full of dynamic duos, some of which are also odd couples. Matching Jane with an agoraphobic collector half her age seems a strange choice of characters at first glance, but it really works. Jane has the experience of life and relationships; Cam has the resources and they are both intelligent and determined. The fact that Cam was recently in a relationship with the deceased gives them both motivation to find other motives and suspects even as readers wonder if Cam is truly the culprit.

Fans who already enjoy Victoria Gilbert's Book Lover's B&B Mystery series and Blue Ridge Library Mystery series will be pleased to have yet another set of stories featuring characters who have a love of books and the determination to find the truth.

A mystery with likeable characters and an enjoyable plot. Some twists and turns along the way. I'm looking forward to more in this series, I hope it turns into a really long series.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review. This is the first in the series of “A Hunter and Clewe Mystery” series. A cozy mystery with likeable characters and an enjoyable plot. A quick read with some twists and turns before you can solve the crime. It starts off with us meeting Jane Hunter who is a sixty-year-old who was forced into retirement but wasn’t really ready. She finds another job working with Cam Clewe, a 33-year-old eccentric. He is looking to hire someone to catalog his collection of rear books and artifacts. Cam isn’t sure she is the right person but will try her out. Before she could even start, Cam’s girlfriend, Ashley Allen is found murdered in his library. The day before Cam and Ashley fought, so Cam is the number one suspect in the police’s eye. Cam asked for help from Jane and his personal assistant, Lauren Walker to help him figured out who killed Ashley before they can arrest him. Cam does present a few problems with the investigation because he has a slight case of agoraphobia (won’t leave the estate), rampant anxiety and limited social skills, so he doesn’t always say the right thing. Jane decides to take on this case and do some investigating on her own which given her challenge but also put her in some danger. Read and find out if Jane can prove Cam innocent of this murder.

Victoria Gilbert, author of the Blue Ridge Library mysteries, launches the Hunter & Clewe series with A Cryptic Clue. While all the action led me to suspect the perpetrator, the two main characters are delightful. I think we’re in for a fun version of Holmes and Watson, or, as Jane Hunter suggests, Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.

Jane Hunter, the narrator, was forced into retirement as a university librarian where she worked for over thirty-five years. She was hired, sight unseen, to inventory and catalog Cameron Crewe’s rare books and related ephemera. She hadn’t been to Crewe’s Aircroft estate, and she’s surprised to find the collector is only thirty-three. It doesn’t take her long to realize Cam has anxiety issues, and he doesn’t do well in social situations. Lauren, Cam’s personal secretary says he suffers from anxiety, OCD, occasional depression, and a general lack of social awareness, all undiagnosed because he refuses to see a therapist.

So, why is he hosting a gala at his estate? Clewe would rather open his house for fundraisers, and allow his friends to act as hosts while he disappears after the event starts. But, Lauren predicts there will be trouble because Cam just broke up with another girlfriend, and Ashley’s family has money. She doesn’t want to let go, and she’s a guest at the gala. Jane Hunter is the one who finds Ashley’s body when she reports to her job in the estate library the day after the party. But, Cam knows he’s the prime suspect because of his breakup and public arguments with Ashley.

What is a wealthy man to do who is obsessed with unsolved real-life mysteries and crimes, and collects mystery books? He teams up with his new librarian who has “an unusually logical mind”. Cam hopes Jane can assist him by researching possible suspects, and interviewing them since he doesn’t often leave his house. It turns out there’s a wealth of possible suspects who had reasons to want Ashley dead, including her own family.

As I said, the actual perpetrator behaved oddly, but it was fun to follow Jane as she investigated. A Cryptic Clue kicks off the new series on a high note.

A Cryptic Clue is my first book by Victoria Gilbert, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's fun to discover "new to me" authors, especially those that motivate me to want to read their previous work, Ms. Gilbert did that with A Cryptic Clue.
Jane Harper, a recently retired librarian, is hired by Cameron Clewe, a wealthy, intelligent, sometimes insensitive young man, to inventory, catalog and organize his extensive book collection. Jane visits the Clewe estate on a Thursday morning for a meeting with Cam and a very basic orientation, where she overhears a rather contentious argument between him and a very attractive young woman. Cam's personal assistant, Lauren Walker, explains that he is arguing, breaking up with his latest girlfriend, Ashley Allen.
That weekend Ashley is murdered at a fund raising event hosted by two of Cam's friends, Naomi Wilt and Hannah McKenzie. Naturally as the ex-boyfriend Cam is a suspect. He asks Jane and Lauren to do some sleuthing to help clear him and find the murderer. Well hold on from there as there is no dearth of possible suspects. I am very pleased that A Cryptic Clue is book one in a new series as it is an intriguing and rewarding read. Looking for a book that will keep you guessing, I highly recommend A Cryptic Clue.
I did receive an ARC through NetGalley, that in no way impacted my review.