I have always enjoyed this series, but I am starting to think it has run its course for me. I really find myself no longer liking and respecting the MC, Amy. I understand that being a mother doesn't limit you as a career woman or a person with outside interests. Amy, however, definitely puts her children on the back burner to pursue her dogged pursuit of murders. What is supposed to be just research and background checking never stays there. After getting threats to her about the safety of her family and friends, she continues her reckless pursuit, making a concession by sending her kids to stay with her parents for weeks and ignoring her husband's concerns. Even after her friend Amy is hurt and another threat left, she continues on, skips work, allows herself to be overheard spouting her theories in public and generally goes full tilt at a mystery that has no direct effect on her or her family. The reckless disregard for her family totally turned me off. One more thing that has developed in this series is her friendship with an old contact of her uncles that has a seriously shady past, that factors here again. This is always a dark influence in the stories to the point that she questions if he has committed murder yet still sees him alone and gives him access to her minor children. I just think for me, the good writing and interesting mysteries are overshadowed by the fact that I no longer like the MC. Thanks to #Netgally, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #DeathandtheLibrarian #ABlueRidgeLibraryMystery #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Summertime in Virginia and things are getting out of hand when murder darkens the annual arts festival. Library director Amy Muir has always been suspicious of wealthy art dealer Kurt Kendrick. When a visitor is to their small town is found dead after publicly accusing Kurt of committing a decades old murder. Amy is determined to prove Kurt didn’t kill anyone past or present. With all the fun and excitement of the art festival that features the premiere of Richard’s new dance company Amy faces challenging balance between and family life before her untimely demise indicates other wise. This was a very enjoyable story I really enjoyed reading. Great characters and story line to keep it going till the end.

There is a darkness to Victoria Gilbert's 'Death and the Librarian' that is underlying in the storyline that separates this from 'cozy' status in my estimation. Although I have read most of the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series I finally was able to hone in on the unrelenting undertones of unhappiness with most of the characters as I read this latest offering. I have come to prefer a little more joy and some humor in my mystery reading and none stood out for me in this addition to the series. It is a thoroughly crafted mystery, so if this is appealing it would be very satisfying. Just not for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Death and the Librarian is book nine in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. I haven’t read all the past books and had no problems reading this book. A writer visits town investigating an old disappearance and ends up murdered. As Library director, Amy Muir has investigated quite a few mysteries and dives into the library archives for the research into the cold case disappearance. Soon Amy receives a threatening letter and her friend is attacked and another threatening letter is left with her for Amy. Sending her children out of town, Amy doggedly keeps investigating until she finds danger and solves the case. The whodunnit twists so you cannot predict the ending. Even when you think you know everything, the author manages to blindside you with that little bit extra to keep everything interesting for an enjoyable cozy mystery. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Murder at the annual arts festival makes summertime in Virginia a scary time. This is the ninth book in the BLUE RIDGE LIBRARY series. As usual a cold case may be tied to the ongoing case which makes for a most exciting read. Have fun trying to guess who. Another hit from a fan favorite author! Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

"Death and the Librarian (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #9)" by Victoria Gilbert has Amy helping to dig through the archives about a cold case that a visiting author may have been made a victim over investigating. The police are curious if what she was more currently investigating or a past investigation might be the motive. So, who better to ask to investigate the investigation other than the local crime solving librarian.

This is pretty typical of this series. There ends up being a cold case that may or may nog be tied to a modern day case. I do have to say that Amy was almost there to figuring everything out when she makes a very rookie mistake that gets her in a scary reveal situation. However, I wasn't sure on how this one was going to go so it wrapped up with surprises for me.

It's spring, and there is an Arts Festival in town. The Library has a special speaker who is writing a book about unsolved police cases in small towns. She is particularly interested in a local case of a young man who went missing. She says she would love to talk with Karl Klass (who is currently known as Kurt Kendrick). Fortunately for Kurt, most folks don't know his former name. The next morning Aunt Lydia asks Amy, Elly, and Nickiy want to go to an art exhibit at the Inn and then to lunch. When they arrive at the Inn, they find that the speaker of the previous afternoon was found dead in her bed. Amy calls Brad, the local policeman, and he tells her she had been drugged before being smothered.

Before long, Amy realizes she is in danger as she has been trying to help Brad. Amy and Richard send the twins home with Amy's parents to get them out of danger. When Amy's close friend is hurt, she begins to worry. However, that doesn't keep her out of a very dangerous situation. Will she solve the case before she is murdered herself? This is a good addition to the series, and I can't wait for the next book!

I thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC so that I could read this book before publication.

Death and the Librarian is the newest in the Blue Ridge Mystery series. Co-library director, Amy Muir, has a lot on her plate. She has twins, a festival is taking place in her community, her husband is opening a new dance series, and her curiosity never ends. When an author ends up dead at the local inn after speaking at a library event, Amy finds that the past often links to the present. Amy finds herself in danger but her wits help to save her as well as a friend. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.

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.

This was cozy and wonderful read. I love this series and can relate to some of the issues Amy has to deal with (lucky for me not the death part).

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC. I love cozy mysteries! This was just ok. I didnt care about the characters as much as I had hoped. I won't continue the series as my TBR pile is astronomical. But, if you want a quick, light read, this is for you.

Each one of the books of this series gets better and better all of the time. I love the family aspect of these books. You feel so close with all of them, and you really want to keep each one of them safe and sound. Amy and Richard are really the ideal couple, and I like that Richard finally got his dance studio up and running. The kids are great, and I especially love Amy's aunt.

Now if only there weren't mysterious deaths that keep happening in their little town. I loved that this one had a mystery inside of another mystery. It really gave my brain something to chew on. And just when you think you've got everything figured out? Well then, another brick falls into the wall and a new puzzle piece is formed.

Great book, great series, I highly recommend.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Victoria Gilbert for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.

I can’t believe I finished this book because I found it so poorly written so imagine my surprise that the author has written a number of books. I know there are cozy mysteries but the writing was beyond bad-sophomoric is how I’d describe it. Not a recommend.

Once again Amy is involved in investigating the death of a woman who was in town inquiring about a cold case. When Amy starts asking questions and looking into the background of those who worked with the victim, she starts to receive threats. Will the threat of her family and friends stop Amy from finding answers?
A light, interesting plot the flows easily from scene to scene. I love these characters and all their banter. Great series, but this book can be read as a standalone.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review .

I really enjoy this series and my favorite character is still Kurt. He is really interesting character and I am tired of the narrative that crops up still that he is gonna harm Amy and her family some how. You made him god parent or something like that. Also, I love her relationship with Richard, it seems so loving and healthy. I thought that the mystery itself was interesting with reveal and ending. I really do feel for one of the murders actually. I just feel like Amy has to be a little TSTL at this point, right? Like we are 9 mysteries in, why would you dismiss the threats or very real fears her family and friends have for her. And Brad (the deputy), with his whole " We didn't know this would put her in danger", really dude??? She was fearful enough to send her kids away but not fearful enough to make sure that she wasn't alone. Honestly at this point I am surprised they haven't sewn air tags in to her clothing so they know where she is.

Oh something else I really like about this series, these murders don't all happen in like a year in a small town. In other series, all of these books might have happened over 2 years, this author uses time jumps other than just publication time frame to help further her story.

Unique I’ve never read anything like it. I enjoyed it was very new probably not somthing I’d pickup again but was good.

The nosy librarian, her professional dancer husband, their twins, the extended family, and sometimes helping out the local sheriff. This is one of those times. A visiting author is in town stirring up an old scandal/missing person case when she is murdered and one of the librarian's family is in the frame. Let the group snoop begin! I love this series!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Pub Date Jul 08, 2025
#DeathandtheLibrarian by @victoriagilbertauthor #BlueRidgeLibraryMysteriesBk10 @crookedlanebooks #cozymystery #NetGalley @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble @waterstones *****Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @kobo #podcaster #coldcase #murderedauthor #scandals #plottwists

Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert is the next in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series and this time Librarian Amy Muir and her family are embroiled in an old murder case. When an author working on a true crime book seems to accuse Kurt, the Godfather of Amy's twins of an old crime, she is impelled to find out the truth of the old crime. With the help of her relatives and community, Amy is off on another quest. This is a good series to add to the cozy list, with fun characters and a good location.

Amy Muir, librarian in the Blue Ridge once again gets involved in murder in Death and the Librarian. The woman who wrote an implied expose on a long dead murder is found dead herself when she comes to town to do a book talk. Scandal, hidden misdeeds in local citizens, drug deals, all spice up the story. Amy is warned off but continues the search. What could go wrong? Read and find out.

Death and the Librarian is the latest mystery in the popular Blue Ridge Library series. I enjoyed this book as I have the others in the series. This series seems like a true cozy series. I can enjoy reading it as an escape and there is nothing too scary or graphic in it and anything romantic is merely implied. The characters are comfortable and charming and all too willing to look the other way while the main character of Amy solves another mystery before the police or in this case helping the police. I have always enjoyed this series, but I feel like I have to make one comment because it just drives me crazy. In every book, the author/Amy points out that although she is a curvy, plus size woman her dancer husband still loves her anyway. I find this so insulting. In early books, it could have been seen as a concern for the character as she met and married her husband. But now they have been married for a number of years and it feels ridiculous that this is pointed out and justified every time. Please let Amy be the strong character that she is and quit making plus size women feel less than they are. That being said I still enjoy this series and would recommend it as a fun and easy to read cozy mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book that I have read in the series. A cozy mystery and easy read. For context, I will suggest starting with the first one in order to understand Amy’s involvement in solving the mystery. As a standalone, it was enjoyable and I will look for future books by the author.