A bestselling author comes to town to give a talk on her new book about cold cases in small towns. When she turns up dead in her hotel room the question is, was she killed because of the case she’s investigating or, was her death related to her first book?

This is a fairly standard cozy mystery where an amateur sleuth gets involved in solving a mystery, this time doing background research at the behest of the police. Unfortunately this book contains one of my pet peeves in cozy mysteries - a main character who stupidly disregards the most basic of safety measures and puts herself and the people around her in danger. However, the story was entertaining and had a few twists I wasn’t expecting.

When a visiting author of true crime books is murdered while attending a local arts festival, Library Director Amy Muir finds herself doing some research for the local police and getting herself in danger when she comes too close to the murderer.

Maureen Dryden has capitalized on the success of her first true crime story and is planning her second book which will be a succession of stories from small towns. She wants to look into the disappearance of Edward Jaffe who disappeared in 1967. While the newspapers barely mentioned the disappearance, Amy's aunt and her twin's godfather may have some information they've never shared about the disappearance. And Kurt, the twin's godfather, was seen at the inn where Maureen's death occurred.

Amy finds herself juggling her research for the police with the care of her children and the preparation for her husband's launch of his new dance company. As she looks into the case described in Maureen's first book, she learns that enemies were made who might be involved in her death.

This was an engaging story filled with interesting characters and a fast-paced plot. I enjoyed catching up with Amy and her circle again in this ninth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries.

I was frustrated by this book. It is slow, the only people really on Amy’s suspect list are the killer & they just go around in circles. There really isn’t a lot of in depth character development, just shallow/surface level. #DeathandtheLibrarian

Death and the Librarian is book 9 in Victoria Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. I've only read one previous book in the series, book 8, Murder Checks Out, and I found it to be a good mystery, so I was happy to be approved for an advanced copy of this book. I love cozy mysteries based around libraries and books for whatever reason so this series is right up my alley.

Amy Muir is a library director in a small town in Virginia where she lives with her husband Richard, a professional dancer, and their six-year-old twins. When an author investigating a cold case involving the disappearance of a young man in the 1960s is murdered, Amy is asked to assist with research into the old case to see if it has anything to do with the author's death.

I really like the characters in this series, I especially love the relationship between Amy and her husband Richard. They are so supportive of each other, and although they are not perfect, they are able to rationally work out their problems together, it's nice to see such a healthy relationship reflected in a book.

I also enjoyed the aspect of the mystery that made Amy struggle with how to handle the possibility of family being involved, if not in the present day murder, then in the cold case of the young man's disappearance.

As with most mysteries, there was no lack of suspects to choose from, and Amy had her work cut out for her to narrow down the suspect pool.

If there was one problem I had with the novel it was that Amy sometimes would delay telling people important information. I know at times it was probably to make things a bit more suspenseful and that just made it all the more unbelievable because Amy is a smart woman, so it seemed against her character.

This was an entertaining mystery, and I look forward to reading more books in the series. I hope I have time at some point to read the previous books, because I believe they show how Amy and Richard got together, and I would like to see the progression of their relationship across the course of the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert is the ninth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery by Victoria Gilbert. I had only read three of the previous books, and I was looking forward to reading this one.
Sadly, I was disappointed on a few fronts. While the book is proficiently written, I found that it was excessive in its descriptive sections. I ended up scanning and even skipping the descriptive bits, as for me they did little other than prolong the book and hinder the progression of the plot. It actually put me in mind of the writing of someone being paid by the word and inserting as many as possible to meet a word count.
I was also disappointed in the evolution of the main character of Amy Muir. In the first of the books in the series I'd read, I found her to be relatable. Not so in this book. She has become irritating in her obsessive determination to investigate at all costs, despite dire anonymous warnings and requests from those around her. When she experiences consequences of this doggedness, she doesn't stop; instead she gets teary-eyed, as in when she misses her children, who she has sent away with their grandparents.
Finally, the willingness of the head detective to not only request that Amy conduct research for him, but also interviews even after she has received threats is criminal. This character has gone beyond irritating to exploitative.
For these reasons, I have decided not to read any more of this series. At a price of $18.99 Canadian, I wouldn't have afforded to read it anyway. However, I do appreciate the ARC of #DeathandtheLibrarian provided by #NetGalley.

Amy Muir and the Friends of the Library are having an arts festival. The speaker they've invited is true-crime author Maureen Dryden. She began speaking about her newest project and caught everyone by surprise when she announced that she would be investigating the disappearance of a local young man. Ms Dryden said that there were a few locals she'd like to interview. One of these locals is Richard and Amy's dear friend Kurt Kendrick, although he was known by another name at the time of the disappearance.

When the author was found dead in her hotel room and Sheriff Brad Tucker confirmed it was a murder, Amy had no plans of helping in the investigation. Her plans changed when the sheriff asked her to do some research and she started to suspect Kurt knew more than he was sharing.

This is a great series by a wonderful author

After insinuating that several Taylorsford residents were involved in the cold case disappearance of a small-time drug dealer, true crime writer Maureen Dryden is found dead in her hotel room. Sheriff Brad Tucker asks for librarian Amy Muir to help with some background research into Maureen, the book that made her famous, and the Taylorsford cold case. Everyone is convinced that Maureen was killed because of the cold case, and Amy pursues that link. Despite being told by several people to leave the cold case alone, Amy continues to dig deeper—placing herself and her family in danger.

Up until DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN, I have mostly enjoyed Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. Sure, there were moments and characters throughout the series that I did not like, but this is the first book in the series that I failed to enjoy. I really struggled to get into it. Amy’s obsession with inserting herself into local criminal investigations has put her and her family and friends in danger in the past. Despite the many threats she received to stop her mature investigation into the cold case and the current murder, Amy persists. She does send her children away on an extended visit with her parents to keep them out of danger, but she continues to put herself and others in danger while ignoring their concerns and requests to stop. Amy’s only smart moment was sending her children away. Otherwise, she makes a lot of rash and rookie mistakes. Even after her best friend is assaulted, Amy refuses to stop. If Amy’s actions make her unlikeable, her Aunt Lydia is truly horrid. Since the first novel, I never really cared for Lydia and her holier-than-thou attitude. In DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN, we learn more about Lydia’s past—and the way she stalked her future husband is disturbing. Even more disturbing than Amy recklessly placing her family in danger. As for Lydia’s husband…I have no words.

If you’ve read Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, I recommend the book only because it is the next one in the series. As a former fan of the series, I truly hope things improve in the next installment.

Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert is the latest installment in the series.
An author comes to Amy’s town to talk about her book on During her speech, she accuses Kurt, who is a close friend of Amy’s, or committing an unsolved crime that occured years ago. Then the author is murdered. Can Amy prove that Kurt didn’t commit either murder while running the library and taking care of her family while her husband’s new dance company is having their first performance?

Death and the Librarian has a few interesting plot twists along with some very interesting characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun cozy mystery novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I started the Blue Ridge Library mysteries with book 8 two years ago, which was quite late in the series, and while Murder Checks Out was entertaining, I hadn't found it overly engrossing. With this new installment, I didn't care much about the plot.
I will try and start with book 1 to see if it helps relate better to the characters.

WILL UPLOAD TO INSTAGRAM CLOSER TO PUB. DATE

Death and the Librarian is the ninth installment in Victoria Gilbert’s charming Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, and once again, we’re back in the picturesque town of Taylorsford, Virginia, where murder never seems too far from the quiet stacks of the library.

This time, library director Amy Muir is pulled into a case that hits uncomfortably close to home. A visitor arrives in town and publicly accuses Kurt Kendrick—wealthy art dealer, family friend, and godfather to Amy’s twins—of a decades-old murder. When that visitor ends up dead shortly after, suspicion lands squarely on Kurt, and Amy is determined to clear his name.

As a long-time fan of the series, I found this latest mystery just as satisfying as the ones before. Gilbert continues to masterfully weave together cold cases with present-day crimes, creating a layered mystery that kept me guessing right up to the end. I couldn’t figure out who the killer was, and that’s exactly what I want from a cozy mystery.

Kurt Kendrick has always been an intriguing character, so it was a bit jarring—and honestly a little heartbreaking—to see Amy doubting him, even briefly. Still, her loyalty and persistence shine through, and it’s clear that her instincts as both librarian and sleuth remain sharp.

One of the things I’ve come to love about the later books in the series is how much more Amy’s family life has become part of the story. With her twins in the picture, I initially worried that the domestic side would overshadow the mystery, but Gilbert strikes a really good balance. Amy might be a mother now, but she’s still very much the clever and determined amateur detective readers fell for in book one.

Returning to Taylorsford always feels like visiting old friends, and this book was no exception. The familiar cast, the steady pacing, and the thoughtful plotting make this a standout entry in a consistently delightful series.

A solid cozy mystery with just enough intrigue to keep me flipping pages. I really enjoyed the balance between small-town charm and the ever-thickening tension surrounding Kurt’s troubled past. Amy was a relatable MC. Juggling family, library life, and a murder investigation without missing a beat (well, almost).

The emotional weight of their long history and godparent connection as Amy digs into this investigation and Kurt tries to steer her away. I wasn’t entirely sure who to trust, which kept things fresh through the twists and reveals.

I haven’t read the rest of the series, but this was easy to follow and made me want to check out earlier books. A great pick if you like your murder mysteries with a side of festivals, family drama, and a clever librarian determined to find the truth.

Thank you to Net Galley & the author for the ARC of this book! I am leaving this review with my honest opinion.

This is a well-structured cozy mystery, set in a picturesque town called Taylorsford, in Virginia. It has all the expected elements of the genre. However, I must point out that this is the ninth installment in the series, and it shows. The book assumes that readers are already familiar with the characters and are emotionally invested in them, something new readers may lack.

That being said, the mystery itself is solid, and the final twists genuinely surprised me.

In summary, it’s a good cozy mystery with a satisfying plot, but I’d recommend starting earlier in the series to build that much-needed emotional connection with the characters.

Family, friends, and an art festival do not mix with murder. Unfortunately, that's just the situation Amy Muir finds herself facing in this, the ninth book of the series. While I tend to like the characters, I found myself exasperated with Amy this go-round. She's always been curious, never quite limiting herself to the "research" that she swears is all she's going to do to be involved in after the murder of author Maureen Dryden. She gets a note saying that if she doesn't back off, her friends and family would be in danger,. Does she let that stop her? Oh, you know the answer to that one, I bet. She's bound and determined to find out who killed the festival speaker and true crime author the morning before she's to meet with her to help her research. The suspects are varied and, yikes, include some close to Amy. Even family. Uh, oh.

Thus, while I found the mystery intriguing, I was constantly thrown off by Amy's rash actions and lack of common sense. While she does make the proactive move to remove her young twins from harm, a friend is injured as a warning and a second threatening note received. Does this attack put her off? You know the answer to that one, too. Of course not. Yet, Amy still goes hiking along up a tree-laden narrow trail to investigate the murder site of a possibly connected cold case murder. She also ventures out alone more than once, even waving away offers to accompany her. Does that get her in trouble? Oh, boy, you already know that answer, too.

I won't detail the plot beyond this other than to say I do like that Amy has a good relationship with Brad, the chief police investigator. That isn't always true in cozy mysteries. She also has young children, which many amateur sleuths don't. It's definitely fun to see how husband' Richard's dance background is used and the fun of following the related side-story. Family friend and godfather to the twins, Kurt, has secrets, too. Big, potentially life changing secrets. As a result, despite my annoyance with Amy this go-round, I still enjoyed the read. 3.5 rounded to 4 stars. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for this early peek at the always busy life of Amy and her family and friends. Who knew being a librarian could be so, uh, exciting.

This is the first book I have read in the series, but I had no trouble following along. I enjoyed his the plot mixed together a child case and a recent mystery. At times, the story she took fresh a bit. In the end, everything was tidied up nicely in both cases. I Silk definitely be reading more in this series.

In DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN, written by Victoria Gilbert, Amy Muir (library director of the Blue Ridge Library in Taylorsford, Virginia) schedules a true-crime author to speak at the library arts festival. The author is currently researching her next book, an anthology of various cold cases that occurred in small towns, and is looking to speak with Delbert Frye and Karl Klass. I don’t know what is going to happen, but I am curious and read on.

I enjoy reading about Amy and her family, especially about Ella and Nicky (her six-year-old twins). The plot is good but moves at a rather slow pace. I like that everything gets tied-up in the conclusion. I think the book lacks excitement. Despite that, I still look forward to reading the next book in the series. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN.

I adore VIctoria's Blue Ridge mystery series. They are fun, light with characters who will feel like family. Amy is busy raising her twins, working as director of the library while Richard is preparing for a new dance show.. When a woman looking into a disappearance is found dead, Amy is drawn into doing research and investigate. Especially when several people close to her are possible suspects.

this was a strong ninth entry in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the previous entries. It had that mystery element that I wanted from this type of book, the characters felt like they were supposed to in this series and was glad everything flowed well. Victoria Gilbert has a strong writing style and I enjoyed getting into these characters. It left me wanting to read more from Victoria Gilbert and this world.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I love this series and while jumping ahead to now Amy’s family with 5 year old twins changes the storyline substantially from the focus of Amy as librarian sleuth to Amy as mom/librarian sleuth, the twins were whisked off when the plot needed to focus on the murder’s resolution. It will be interesting to see if this series continues as cozy mystery with family — somehow extra characters there without any real purpose IMHO. I did like that Kurt was a more prominent character in this installment as he’s just sketchy enough to always wonder should we like him, trust him, or will he turn out to be really dangerous at some point…no spoilers though!

This was a great entry in this cozy mystery series about a library director in Virginia. I enjoyed revisiting these characters.