Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert is an entertaining cozy, a little different than many in that the female lead is the co-director of the local library and her husband is a dancer, starting his own dance company. They lead a good life, if a little helter-skelter sometimes. They had married late and had small twins, which kept everyone hopping. Fortunately they lived next door to Amy’s aunt Lydia who loved baby sitting. Amy was excited about the literary festival the Friends of the Library were hosting and seeing the noted true crime author, Maureen Dryden, until from the stage the women announced her next book and named two locals as person-of-interest, one a good friend. Sadly, by the next day the woman was dead and it didn’t take a genius to to know who the two primary suspects were. Amy was able to contribute by doing research for the local police as she had access to databases and research skills they did not.

Amy was the typical small-town librarian. She knew everyone and had the pulse of the community. She often was able to spot trouble before it started. Kurt was busy with is troupe’s first major concert and so Amy was able to devote extra time to everything, including those things he normally took care of. She wasn’t discovering much in her research but was disturbed to receive a threat, warning her off. The mystery was good and fell into place all at once. Her friends had interesting stories to tell about that time, but not about this murder. The town was upset as was Amy. The plot was good, complicated enough to give all a challenge: Amy, the police, and the reader. The characters in this book are so likable it makes one want to live in this small coastal town. A good cozy!

I was invited to read Death and the Librarian by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #VictoriaGilbert #DeathAndTheLibrarian

It’s still a little odd to be reading about Amy and Richard being parents since the previous book had done a little time jump after their wedding. The kids are supposed to be around five or six in this. They’re definitely a handful and it seems like Amy was a lot better in the last book at not physically taking part in the mystery since she was mom to twins. She did take lots more chances in this book, but one thing in her defense was that she sent the kids home with her parents when things got hairy and threatening.

That was some crazy showdown and I loved what Amy ended up doing to survive. Luckily reinforcements showed in time so Amy could live to celebrate with her friends and family. Kurt still had a secret which he did share with her at the end and yep, it’s a biggie.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley and my opinions are my own.

The ninth book in the series and although it was still an okay read I did not enjoy it as much as some of the previous ones.

When a speaker at a library event is murdered I found it quite possible that Amy Muir, as Director of the library, would be asked to do some research for the police. However I was not so sure she should rush off doing her own investigating and put her own family in danger, especially since her methods of investigating are frequently the opposite of discreet. I felt that the author needed to give a much stronger reason for Amy to be involved in this particular case.

Nevertheless the mystery was good and the conclusion was tidy. So not the best book in the series but still a pleasant read.

Death and the Librarian is book #9 in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.

A well-known author is coming to speak at the arts festival. She’s also looking into a local cold case for a future project. Someone doesn’t want her looking into it and kills her. I really like this series and have enjoyed them all. This one hit a pet peeve of mine. Amy is so determined to investigate that she is willing to put her life and those close to her in danger. She did the right thing for her twins’ safety, but they still need their mother to be alive for them. The mystery was interesting and I enjoyed it. I still plan to continue to read the series and hope that Amy will learn.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Amy returns in a new story linked to a cold case disappearance and a true crime author. Taylorsford is having a library/book festival. One of the friends of the library knows a famous true crime author and gets Maureen to come speak at the festival.
Richard, Amy’s husband is launching a dance troupe with friend and fellow dancer Kendra.
There are some lovely friend and family gatherings and good feeling of community.
Then there is the danger related to the murder of the true crime author. Is her death related to the cold case disappearance in Taylorsford or something else?
Amy sets out to do research only, but her curiosity gets the better of her. She sends the twins for a visit with her parents so that they will be safe. They remain safe, but Amy runs into trouble once again.
I enjoy reading this series set in the Blue Ridge mountain area of Virginia. There always seem to be more secrets to reveal in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Death And The Librarian was such a cozy, fun read. The characters were complex and shady enough no to trust. The town is so quaint and lovely, and all the stories in between were so enchanting!!! 💫💫💫💫💫

So many suspects, so little time!

Amy Webber Muir, FMC, Librarian and part-time sleuth is mother to Ella and Nicky, six year old twins and very devilish indeed. The library is hosting author Maureen Dryden, who solves cold cases and, this time came to open Pandora's box by opening a cold case in their small town, and she is murdered because of it.
Kurt Kendrick is the twins godfather and a man with a very dark past and lots to hide. He tries to dissuade Amy from helping solve Maureen's murder and subsequently the cold cases.
There are several suspects who benefited from Maureen's death, including her assistant Sean Gordon and a podcast writer who claims Maureen stole his cold case idea. The whole town hold dark secrets, and it seems like they will do anything to keep them hidden.

Enjoyed mostly all the characters in the book, even the bad ones, and I really loved the cats Fosse and Loie, they where so fun to read, and I hope to hear more about them in future books.

Thank you, Netgalley and Crooked Lane Book, for this cozy and fun ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Amy Muir, library director, wife and mother of six year old twins, Ella and Nicky, was preparing for the arts festival which was to be held at the library. The planned author had had to pull out, so a last minute replacement was found. She was a true crime writer, but when she started talking about an old crime in Taylorsford, Virginia, Amy's investigative antennae began vibrating. And when the author herself was murdered at a nearby inn, and Sheriff Brad Tucker asked Amy to do some research in the library archives, she didn't hesitate. Which brought danger to Amy and all who surrounded her...

Death and the Librarian is the 9th in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert and Amy hasn't changed since before she married Richard. She took serious risks then, but now, being a wife and mother, I would have thought her full on risk taking days were in the past. Amy needs to realise her children need their mother; her husband needs his wife - as well as all her other family members, and friends who love her. It was great to catch up with the usual characters, and apart from Amy's silliness, it was a good story. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

The library is hosting a true crime writer who is stirring up an old missing persons case in town. Amy is happy to help with research, but when the author is killed at the Inn, Amy is asked to help with a little more research, which leads to warnings to back off. With lots of suspects and her family being threatened she continues to seek answers. Almost too late the pieces come together. I loved this installment of the series! Richard and Amy have 6 year old twins and life has moved forward. It was fun to pick up the story after a break. It was a good mystery that if you were paying close attention the signs leading to the culprit were there.
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review. #crookedlanebooks, #victoriagilbert

A favorite author…cozy mystery…realistic characters…I really liked this book. It is a page turner…a library…a death…a story of intrigue…the quirky protagonist, a librarian, and her family and friends keep this story moving quickly…red herrings and secrets…even the title is mysterious. Curl up in a comfy chair…grab a steaming cup of herbal tea and a fluffy throw…become lost for an afternoon in this story. I have already read this book two times. I love this author’s mysteries. Thanks Netgalley.

If you're into cozy mysteries, especially library-themed ones, "Death and the Librarian" delivers a familiar ride. Library director Amy Muir finds herself in a tight spot when her family friend and twins' godfather, Kurt, is publicly accused of a decades-old murder. Then, his accuser turns up dead, making Kurt the prime suspect in two cases. Amy's determined to clear his name, even as evidence and old town gossip pile up against him.

This book offers the classic small-town setting and an amateur sleuth diving deep into a personal mystery. While the plot has layers and the familiar characters are a comfort, Amy's relentless, almost reckless, investigating can be a bit much. The balance between her sleuthing and busy family life occasionally felt a little off, too.

Ultimately, if you're a fan of the series, this ninth installment is worth picking up to see what happens next in Taylorsford. It's a solid, cozy mystery that will pass the time, but don't expect it to redefine the genre.

I have read other books by Victoria Gilbert and enjoy her writing. However, this is the 2nd book in this series that I've tried reading and have lost interest early on. I soldiered on till the end but still find this slow moving and just not holding my interest. This series, is just not for me. But I do want to point out that I stepped in late and perhaps this might be a series that needs to start at the beginning.

Interesting premise with a true crime author coming to town to do research for her newest novel as well as give a presentation. Of course a death occurs that involves our lead character and includes those she knows and loves. There is a conclusive ending that does end up explaining two deaths. A satisfying ending. Unfortunately, I will not continue with this series but I will keep reading Victoria Gilbert. I think the long time readers will enjoy this installment.

Thank you #netgalley and #crookelanebooks for the eArc in exchange for a review.

Accusations about a cold case murder complicate a new murder. A primary character becomes the primary suspect in both cases, and Library Director Amy Muir is determined to prove her godfather is innocent.

Victoria Gilbert writes an intriguing mystery involving family when murder taints the fall festival in Taylorsford, VA.

The concept of this book was well thought out and crafted- however the story really dragged for me and I wasn't able to fully connect with the characters (a few of whom seemed one dimensional and quite shallow). I really wanted to like this story but unfortunately it missed the mark for me as an avid mystery reader.
Thankyou to Crooked Lane Books as well as Net galley for the ARC of this book.

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 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