A Deadly Clue is the third book in the Hunter and Clewe mystery series and it did not disappoint!!!! This was a real nail biter and hooked me in from the first page. This was a fast paced, well written mystery, with great characters, suspense, intrigue, and numerous suspects. Everything I love in a good mystery. Many thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane books.

Hunter and Clewe are back in the third Hunter and Clewe mystery where a closed case is reopened after another member of a prominent family is murdered. Cameron Clewe and Jane Hunter, lovers of all things bookish, are slowly cataloguing Cam’s private collection of first edition books acquired from the deceased patriarch of the wealthy Stewart family. When Jane finds a note from Kimberly Stewart Ward, one of the daughters of the Stewart patriarch–who supposedly committed suicide–she discovers someone was actually targeting her with the intention of killing her. As a lover of all things bookish also, I really enjoy this series and these characters. Highly recommend!

A Deadly Clue by Victoria Gilbert is the third book in the Hunter and Clewe series and is every bit as good as the previous two books were. This investigative duo complement each other in their personalities and how they accomplish their sleuthing.

This time Jane Hunter and Cameron Clewe investigate a cold case as well as a recent death, all involving the power Stewart family. Was Kimberly Stewart Ward’s death many years ago at the age of 26 really commit suicide or was she murdered? Did Gabe, a relative of the Stewarts, relapse on drugs or was he murdered? There is a lot of murdering in the Stewart family, if they were indeed murdered.

As they snoop into these deaths, they become acquainted with Malcom Stewart, son of the head of the family, who becomes interested in Lauren, Cam’s assistant. As I read about Lauren’s unrequited love for Cam for about five years, I wonder why she waited for so long. Kind of crazy, I think.

There is a side story of Cam searching for his birth father, who is missing, and the relationship he is forging with Lily and Gordy Glenn (grandmother and great uncle). There are bumps along the way and you can see why as they didn’t make themselves known when he could have used family when he was younger.

The final setting of the dinner party when everything is revealed is a great ending to the story with the killer being revealed. This series has great characters and the setting seems like a lovely place to live. I like Jane’s landlord/friend and his girlfriend, and Jane’s daughter’s blossoming relationship with Taylor is sweet. I like how Jane is patiently working on Cam to bring him out of his awkwardness. I don’t think he’ll ever not be awkward, but he has his moments.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this book, but didn’t feel the personal dynamic between the principal characters was quite right. I couldn’t imagine working so intimately with someone and have the awkwardness that I felt throughout the book. It just didn’t work for me and affected my impression of the novel.

I usually enjoy this kind of mystery, but this was an exception. I think it may simply be that I needed more “color” in the characters; they didn’t come to life for me.

I've been enjoying this series by Gilbert. Especially because of the main characters, Jane and Cameron. Because they are so well-developed. Each of these characters have their quirks, fears, and curiosity to solve cold cases. Jane is a retired librarian that works with Cameron to catalog his rare book collection. Cameron is an intelligent and wealthy young man who has a fear of leaving his house. Cameron asks Jane to pick up some books that he purchased. The owner has died, and Cameron wants to make sure he receives the correct editions of the books. Then Jane and Cam are asked to investigate a recent death and a death that happened many years ago. When they start to investigate, they find out that others don’t want them involved and danger is lurking around every corner. You will find plenty of action, twists and so much more in this book. I highly recommend this series and book and hope that you will pick up a copy. Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in Exchange for an honest review

I like this author. I really like this author. The realistic characters keep the story moving quickly, and they are fun to read about. Lifelike…love and romance…family and friends…even the title is intriguing…books and more books..
The recipe for a wonderful afternoon of reading about the people in this story. I cannot wait for more books by this author. Curl up in a comfy spot…grab a cup of steaming herbal tea…a hot scone…be transported…thanks Netgalley.

This is the third book in the series that brings together an older woman and a younger man in the cozy mystery genre. Jane is still cataloging Cameron's personal library while the two of them get involved in another murder mystery. There is both a cold case and a new murder, related but mysterious. At the same time, Cameron finally takes the next step with Lauren, his assistant and potential love interest. Jane's daughter also makes an appearance, with her new beau. I did not find this mystery very interesting, but I still enjoyed the character dynamics. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC.

Cameron Clewe and Jane Hunter, lovers of all things bookish, are slowly cataloguing Cam’s private collection of first edition books acquired from the deceased patriarch of the wealthy Stewart family. When Jane finds a note from Kimberly Stewart Ward, one of the daughters of the Stewart patriarch–who supposedly committed suicide–she discovers someone was actually targeting her with the intention of killing her! Great book and series! This book was a cozy mystery but with some grit! It had suspense, mystery, murder, intriguing, and a few thrilling twists! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book and series! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

A Deadly Clue is the 3rd book in the Hunter and Clewes series. It takes place in the town of Bradfordville. Jane Hunter and Cameron (Cam) Clewes are the two main characters. Jane is the librarian for Cam at his estate Aircroft. He inherited the house from his step-father, Albert Clewe. He was not a loving man to Cam as he knew Cam was not his son but gave him all the opportunities. Cam had Agoraphobia, an obsessive-complusive disorder. He hardly ever left his estate. The only other employees he had are Lauren Walker his personal secretary. Mateo Marin is his chef. Cam just found out that his real father, Rafe Glenn is missing. Lily Glenn, his grandmother and Gordy, his great uncle are close by hoping that they can get him to know them and become a family. Cam is not happy to do so.

Cam called Jane into his office. He asked Jane to go and pick-up some books that he bought from Macnamara Stewart who died before he was able to mail them. His family did not know of the arrangements and are not interested in the books. Cam had the bill of sale for the books. He wants Jane to make sure the editions and copyright dates match. He will have Lauren call the family and let them know what is happening. He wants her to go the next day.

Jane lives in an apartment over her landlord, Vincent Fisher's garage. He is a retired reporter from a local newspaper. Donna Valenti is his girlfriend. Jane wants to know more of the Stewart family and goes and asks him to tell her more about them.

Duff Stewart is the oldest son of Macnamara. The family made their money in tobacco but Duff has taken the family out of the business. His wife is Sharon. He has three children. Ashley is his daughter and is director of marketing. She has moved back on the estate since her divorce. She is now into horses. Finley (Finn) is chief financial officer. They both work for the company. Ava, Finn's dau;ghter, is also into horses. His youngest son, Malcolm is an artist and teacher at Sawtooth Center in downtown Winston-Salem. He is not in the business.

Vincent also tells Jane about the car accident. Duff was driving with Lucas and Gabe in the car. Gabe was 16 at the time and did not have a seatbelt on. The . conditions were not good out. No alcohol mentioned. Blame was put on Josep Carson who apparently crossed the line and hit them head-on. Joseph had also been injured. His wife and daughter had been killed. Gabe had been seriously injured and spent many months in the hospital. His memory of the incident was bad. Roger Easton was the lawyer who defended the boys in court. He is now running for mayor.

The next day Jane goes to the Stewart estate. When there she goes to the door which is opened by their housekeeper, Ms. Warner. She takes Jane to the library. The books on athe list were on the table. After going over the books all is good. When getting up Jane's heel is caught on the rug and she almost falls. A book drops. In picking the book up she notices an old looking man sitting in a chair. The man is Gabrial (Gabe) Neri, a cousin who is there for Finn's birthday party. He suggests that Jane take the tote in the library to carry her books. He helps her put the books ikn the tote. Duff come in and Jane sees the tension between the two men. Jane takes the books and leaves.

When she gets home she gets a call from her daughter, Bailey, an actress in an off broadway play. She has called to tell her mother that her show is now going to broadway. She will have 2 weeks off and planned to come for a visit. Taylor Iverson is Bailey's boyfriend and lives in town.

The next day Jane takes the books to the library she realizes that there are 11 books not the 10. The book belongs to Kimberly Stewart Ward, daughter of Mac Stewart who died by suicide. Had been married a year to Kaden Ward who is still alive. The Stewarts are not his favorate persons.

Jane takes the book to Cam. Before she goes in she hears Lauren and Cam having words about his grandmother and great uncle. Lauren wants him to make an effort with his new family. Lauren is mad and leaves. Jane goes in and shows Cam the book. Tells him that she believes Gabe put it in the tote. While checking the book a lavender paper falls out. Jane reads it and gives to Cam. In the note she was trying to tell someone that she believed someone wanted her dead. Jane and Cam like to look at old cases and try to solve them. They decide that they would look into it a little. Except for looking for his father they didn't have any cases. She also tells Cam that he should go and apologize to Lauren.

Lauren comes in and tells Cam that a Vanessa Gale, a journalist, has some information about his father. Cam agrees to see her. She tells them she has worked for his farther a few times, She had heard that he was in Peru pursuing a project before he went dark. She would be willing to go to Peru and conduct a detailed investigation. She has contacts and speaks spanish. Cam was not sure of her and her reasons but would get back to her. She told him she would be staying at a hotel to await hearing from him. He asked Jane to show her out.

Jane gets a message from Vincent that Gabe Neri had died. The report said he died from an overdose of pills. His sudden death makes Cam suspicious. Jane gets a text from Malcolm Stewart. He wanted to meet with her later that day at his condo. He wanted to talk to her about Gave's death. Jane told Cam that she would meet with him. Unpon meeting with Malcolm he tells her that he was close to Gabe even more than his father. His father didn't particularly like him. Said that his uncle was an addict but had been sober for 10 years. He attended meetings, etc. He believed his uncle was murdered. His uncle had been getting threats and was afraid of something. Jane asked him if he felt someone in the family had a hand in it and he said yes.

Jane was telling Cam about her visit to Malcolm. Lauren came in and told Cam that Ainsley had come to see him. Lauren told Jane that Cam and Ainsley have a turbulent past. She had hoped to date him but he had humiliated her. Upon talking to her Cam and Jane realized the Stewarts were aware they were looking intos Gabe's death. She wanted Cam to corrobate teh official story. Cam refused. They were not keeping tabs on them but Malcolm. Cam was also interested in what Kaden had to say about his wife and Gabe's death. He asked Jane to take the book and give it to him. Speaking to Kaden he told her that after Kimberly's death he had looked for the book. Gabe had given it to her for her 25th birthday. He told her that when they first married they were living at the Stewart estate. He knew of her depression, etc. After they moved in she changed One day happy the next she fell apart. It happened after Lucas's birthday party.

This is where the book takes off. There is so much going on that it is hard to put all on paper. There are so many twists and turns that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting and suspenseful ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.

This is an intriguing cozy mystery that pulled me in from the beginning.
Jane and Cameron have a comfortable work relationship and often help to unravel strange things when needed.
In this book, the mystery revolves around A death that happened years ago, and one that happens early in the book.
Jane and Cam are asked to look into the death, but others wish they'd stay out of it.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and am pleased with the outcome.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.