“ Death and the Librarian” by Victoria Gilbert the 9th instalment in the "Blue Ridge Library Mystery" series. I really enjoyed it. It’s summertime in Virginia, but things are about to get out of hand when murder darkens the annual arts festival. With family and friends harboring suspicions about Kurt and Amy bedeviled by her own wavering trust in his innocence, she must fight to uncover the truth before a hidden killer strikes again.

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.

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 is the 9th book in the Blue Ridge Library series. Amy and Richard are one of my favorite couples. Having said that Richard is occupied for most of the book off page.
A true crime author is found dead after an event at the library. There are several suspects in town, including two who are very close to Amy. The police ask Amy to use library resources to help with the investigation.
One thing that I really love about this series is how it shows how important librarians are in our day to day lives.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review. I gave this book 4 stars. There are a couple of issues about it that the more I think about it, the more they bother me. I will continue to pick up this series.

For the arts festival in Taylorsford, Virginia, the Friends of the Library have hired famous true crime author Maureen Dryden to be a featured speaker. Six years ago she wrote a bestseller incriminating Allen Cardullo for the murder of Beverly Bardon, and although he committed suicide soon after he never admitted any guilt. Now Maureen is also in town researching an anthology of unsolved cold cases, one of which involves the missing person case Edward Jaffe. Cashing in on the popular trend of crime podcasts, Maureen has a podcaster following her to document her case and help promote her book. One of the main suspects Maureen identifies happens to be Karl Klassen, who has since changed his name to Kurt Kendrick and is the godfather of Amy’s 6-year-old twins. Amy may still harbor suspicions of the reformed Kurt, but she refuses to believe that he could have been involved in Edward’s presumed death. When Maureen is murdered after publicly implicating Karl, Amy worries that her “Kurt” will find himself persecuted for past and present crimes – some that may even involve those closest to her own family.

Despite numerous notes threatening her family and even an attack on her best friend, Amy refuses to give up her investigation. Her adorable husband Richard Muir is himself occupied with his new dance company’s upcoming premiere performance, but he continues to support Amy’s endeavors while also wrangling in their precocious twins. Fortunately, they are able to leave town with Amy’s parents, allowing Amy and library co-director Sunny Fields to more safely look into the town’s secrets.

This 9th in the series revisits all of the favorite residents of the Blue Ridge town, who include Aunt Lydia Talbot and the friendly Sheriff Brad Tucker. Aunt Lydia’s art specialist boyfriend Hugh Chen and Sunny’s P.I. boyfriend are away conducting their own art crime investigations, but Amy has enough experience with crimes to attract the attention of a killer wary of her ability to solve a mystery. Her relationship with Kurt continues to be a fascinating one, as the man with a murky past and criminal background has now become part of her family. The enchanting Blue Ridge Library takes a backseat to the spotlight on the public’s fascination with True Crime podcasts, which often play fast and loose with conclusions and are often more intrigued by promotional opportunities than the truth. Bibliophiles will enjoy Amy’s research skills, while contemporary crime fans will have fun with the depiction of true crime podcasters. This is another very enjoyable return to the Blue Ridge Library, the new local dance company, and the rest of the Taylorsford rural community.

Sometimes I think Amy Muir just needs to give up her day job and join the police force. No matter what else is going on, she will always be there when a dead body turns up. This time it is a writer who specializes in turning cold cases into novels. The author points the finger at Kurt, the godfather of Amy's children, then turns up dead. Of course the rumor mill links Kurt to her death, speculating that he wanted to silence her before she could turn up details linking him to an unsolved death in Taylorsford years ago. But Kurt wasn't the only one who was unhappy with author Maureen Dryden. The wife of the local sheriff had a confrontation with her, the podcast team she had been working with aren't pleased with how she was treating them, her assistant is acting a bit odd, and if someone in Taylorsford is responsible for that cold case they certainly don't want Dryden to expose the truth.

As usual in this series, Amy does some sleuthing. Part of her research is at the request of Sheriff Tucker, digging into the town archives stored at the library to find any relevant facts about the cold case Dryden was basing her next book on. But Amy never leaves it at that, so she also questions those who worked with Dryden, as well as various town residents about their memories of the past crime. Despite receiving threatening notes telling her to drop her investigation, she continues on with her search for the facts. In the meantime her husband Richard's dance troupe is having its debut performance at the local arts festival, Amy's parents have come to town for the show and to spend time with the grandkids, and Amy still needs to run the library. I don't know where she would find the energy if she were doing all this IRL rather than in a cozy mystery.

For fans of the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, this ninth installment contains all the usual characters we have come to expect. It also mixes in the world of true crime podcasts and novels, as well as the small town festival scene.

I have read several of Victoria Gilbert's books and was happy to pick this one up. She writes mysteries, mostly cozies, and is a local North Carolina author (and I enjoy finding good authors from my home state).

Description:
Library director Amy Muir has always been suspicious of wealthy art dealer Kurt Kendrick. As a close family friend, the ties that bind them are strong, but his murky past is concerning, especially since he is the godfather to Amy and her husband Richard’s six-year-old twins. When a visitor to their small, historic Virginia town is found dead after publicly accusing Kurt of committing a decades-old murder, Amy is determined to prove that Kurt didn’t kill anyone, in the past or the present. But the evidence Kurt’s accuser sent to Sheriff Brad Tucker before her untimely demise indicates otherwise.

With Amy’s own aunt and other older town residents corroborating some of the details related to the first murder, and a witness placing Kurt near the scene of the second crime, it seems Kurt is doomed to swift, and severe, justice. Amidst the fun and excitement of an arts festival that features the premiere of Richard’s new dance company, Amy faces her own challenging performance—balancing her work and family life while dancing on the edge of danger.

With family and friends harboring suspicions about Kurt, and Amy bedeviled by her own wavering trust in his innocence, she must fight to uncover the truth before a hidden killer strikes again.

My Thoughts:
It was fun to kick back and enjoy this cozy mystery. It is the newest book and number 9 in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. In this one a speaker at a library event is murdered and Amy Muir was requested by the local police to assist with some research (since she is a librarian). Amy's involvement turns dangerous when it puts her and her family at risk. The investigation was fun and delving into Kurt's accusations was interesting, since he was Amy's child's godfather. I enjoyed the read and recommend this series for cozy readers.


Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

I love the main characters in this series. The entire series has been a solid four stars for me. It’s also a series I will eventually re read. The suspense is always intriguing and never what I suspect. It’s truly hard to put down. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

“Death and the Librarian” is the well done ninth book in Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library Cozy Mystery series. In this one, Library Director Amy Muir finds herself involved in a murder mystery when not only a guest at a library event is murdered but a family friend is a chief suspect in not only that murder but a murder that took place years ago. Amy would like to clear his name – but she’s not sure if she can trust him. This is a very nicely done mystery as Amy tries to find out the truth about both mysteries while struggling with the realization that someone close to her might be a killer. There are just the right number of suspects with quite a few red herrings and surprises – I was totally taken off-guard by one revelation at the end of the book. There is also just the right amount of suspense and feeling of danger in the book – if I have one complaint about the book it is the way the Sheriff kept asking Amy to do research even after it was clear someone did not want her to do so. That aside, this was a very enjoyable mystery.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

As I have come tLibrary director and mother of 6-year-old twins, Amy Muir, has always had her doubts about family friend Kurt Kendrick. But when someone dies shortly after accusing Kurt of murder, Amy becomes determined to prove his innocence—no matter the risk.

I've always enjoyed this series, but I’m beginning to think it may have run its course for me. Unfortunately, I find myself no longer liking or respecting Amy. Her “background research” never stays in the background. Even after receiving direct threats to herself and her family, she refuses to back off and continues making dangerously reckless choices—completely disregarding her husband’s concerns.

For someone supposedly investigating a murder, Amy is far from discreet. Her behavior often feels impulsive and unrealistic, which made it hard for me to stay engaged with the story. I also struggled with the subplot involving Aunt Lydia, where we learn some disturbing facts that didn’t feel well-integrated.

Overall, this installment just didn’t work for me. The suspense was overshadowed by poor decision-making, and the characters I once enjoyed now leave me more frustrated than intrigued.

o expect from any book by Victoria Gilbert this book

Thank you Victoria Gilbert ( @victoriagilbertauthor ), Crooked Lane Books ( @crookedlanebooks ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read Death and the Librarian (out now).

In the ninth installment of the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, librarian Amy finds herself in the middle of two murder investigations—one, a cold case from the 1960s, and the other, a present day of the author researching the other case.

Are the two murders connected, and are Amy’s friends and family connected to the cold case?

I have loved watching this series grow and the relationships between characters evolve. There is always such a clever twist in the stories and the ending is never quite what you think.

#DeathandtheLibrarian #NetGalley #VictoriaGilbert #CrookedLaneBooks

Victoria Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library series is one of the cozy mystery series that I dip in and out of. Death and the Librarian is the ninth book in the series. While I did read book 8, Murder Checks Out, I didn't read the two before that. It doesn't matter if you have read the whole series or are just starting with this book. It is easy to just pop into the series.

The cast is small enough that you can easily figure out who is who. Plus, the mystery in this one digs into the past of a couple of the characters.

Death and the Librarian has two mysteries. A true crime writer is part of the events of the arts festival. She has a new book coming out, and one of the crimes she is investigating happened right there in Taylorsford decades ago. She calls out two people whom she is interested in talking with about the crime. Hours later, she is dead. Of course, Amy gets involved. She's just doing "research," but when the death threats start arriving, will she step away from the investigation?

This is a cozy mystery in every sense of the genre. It is silly, and things that happen wouldn't happen in real life, but all that makes it an entertaining read. If you are looking for a good escapism novel, then pick this one up.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/07/death-and-librarian-by-victoria-gilbert.html

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Death and tha Librarian is the ninth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. The main character, Amy Muir, is now the mother of six year old twins. She decides to investigate the murder of someone who accused her friend Kurt Kendrick of having committed murder in the past. Kurt does have a shady past, but it does not necessarily mean that he has ever been guilty of murder, which Amy intends to prove. While I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book, I was a bit disappointed with Amy's evolution as a character, especially endangering her loved ones in the course of her investigation. Aside from that, the book was enjoyable. Richard, Lydia and Kurt are pleasant characters, as always. A nice cozy mystery for a relaxing moment.

This is the Nineth book in this wonderful series. I have read the entire series and always enjoy returning to Amy and friends. Thank you to Crooked Lane, Net Galley and the author. My review is my own opinion.
Amy our intrepid sleuth and librarian has a mysterious new murder to investigate when a author is murdered at a book festival. With her twins, her job and her husband she wears many hats. As she finds clues she once again put her herself in danger . Red herrings abound as Amy and friends find their suspect to a exciting conclusion. I enjoyed this next in series and enjoyed returning to the many endearing characters.

4/5 stars: This ninth entry in Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series, which is a Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Virginia and features a library director who finds herself turning sleuth when a true crime author's found dead after publicly accusing a close family friend, who has a murky past, of committing a decades-old murder. Amidst the fun and excitement of an arts festival that features the premiere of her husband's new dance company, she'll face her own challenging performance—balancing her work and family life while dancing on the edge of danger. Despite family and friends harboring suspicions and her own wavering trust, she'll have to uncover the truth fast before a hidden killer strikes again. With plenty of twists and turns, Gilbert has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Gilbert's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable. Amy's a great character and it's lovely to catch up with her fellow librarians, friends, family, particularly her choreographer husband, Richard, and her six-year-old twins, Nicky and Ella, and her eccentric Taylorsford neighbors. Additionally, I one mustn't forget to mention the family's cats, Fosse and Loie. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, A Murder for the Books.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

The library hosts a true crime author at a festival. When that author is murdered, after announcing the next case, she is going to research on right about, Amy finds her child smack in the middle of another whodunit. Especially since the godfather of her twins is named as a person of interest in the case. Amy questions some of the people closest to her, she has to hope she doesn’t raise the ire of the murderer. After all, she has a family to think about even if she can’t keep her nose out of a good mystery.

I’ve been reading this series since the very beginning and absolutely adore Amy and the others characters. While I come for the mystery and every book, I also enjoy watching the character’s lives progress and transform throughout the series. Each entry reads fine as a standalone, but I love having read them from the very beginning. I’ve never been disappointed in an entry yet.

This is book 9 in the Blue Ridge Library mystery series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book! It has great characters, including 6-year-old twins. There are several suspects and two cases being investigated, which keeps the story interesting. Amy, the MC, receives several threats to back off investigating, which also heightens the danger factor. The storytelling was so good that I never knew which direction the story would go or how it would end. This is a quick read; perfect for reading on vacation!

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

I enjoy this author. I love the relationship between the characters in this series. I was very happy to see a new book in the series, it was like visiting old friends. I like the characters and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing.

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

Victoria Gilbert has done it again! She was the first Author that introduced me to cozy mysteries and her books just hold a very special spot in my heart! Pick this book up if your buzz words are, murder mystery, sleuth, library, librarian and summerish setting! Fun, quick read!

Amy is at it again, poking her head into a murder investigation when a podcaster talks about her upcoming book of unsolved murders in small towns, one that just happened to have happened decades ago in Blue Ridge. When the woman is found dead after accusing, Kurt, the mysterious older art dealer who has a reputation, of murder, Amy is determined to clear his name. But when some things seem to confirm the woman's accusations, Amy begins to wonder if Kurt really is innocent...

It is fun to visit again with Amy, Richard and the many other friends in Blue Ridge after a number of books. I like that Amy and Richard finally got married and have kids. What is a bit annoying is seeing Amy taking too many risks, but at least she does send her kids away with her parents after getting a warning note.

The mystery itself was solid. There were plenty of twists and turns and it was fun to learn a little bit more about Kurt's mysterious background.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Death and the Librarian is the ninth of the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series set in Virginia. This story starts off with the death of a guest author for a local festival. She is writing a book about cold cases, one of which occurred in the town in 1966. Local co-director of the library, Amy Muir, puts on her sleuthing hat once more to help out friend and sheriff, Brad Tucker, by checking the archives at the library. But someone tries to stop her by sending her threatening notes. There are plenty of possible suspects and some close to her. Action and danger with a good mystery, appearance of the usual characters, including her growing twins, and activities, including hubby Richard's first dance company performance, round this story out for a good read.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

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.