Book Review (and a Giveaway!): Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert

SERIES: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery #2
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
PUBLISHER: Crooked Lane
RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2018
PAGES: 300

Autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling in the historic Virginia village of Taylorsford—so are some cherished memories, and a few bodies.

October in Taylorsford, Virginia means it’s leaf peeping season, with bright colorful foliage and a delightful fresh crew of tourists attending the annual Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and arts and crafts. Library director Amy Webber, though, is slightly dreading having to spend two days running a yard sale fundraiser for her library. But during these preparations, when she and her assistant Sunny stumble across a dead body, Amy finds a real reason to be worried.

The body belonged to a renowned artist who was murdered with her own pallet knife. A search of the artist’s studio uncovers a cache of forged paintings, and when the sheriff’s chief deputy Brad Tucker realizes Amy is skilled in art history research, she’s recruited to aid the investigation. It doesn’t seem to be an easy task, but when the state’s art expert uncovers a possible connection between Amy’s deceased uncle and the murder case, Amy must champion her Aunt Lydia to clear her late husband’s name.

That’s when another killing shakes the quiet town, and danger sweeps in like an autumn wind. Now, with her swoon-inducing neighbor Richard Muir, Amy must scour their resources to once again close the books on murder.

Other Books In This Series

I always love a Blue Ridge Mountains setting and/or a library setting. Combine those two and I had to read this series!

In Shelved Under Murder, there’s a lot of mystery (murder, art intrigue, fugitive suspects, etc.), a lot of charm, and a lot of romance! (Ok, not a lot of romance but things between Richard and Amy have heated up and there are quite a few swoony moments to be found here.) The murder that they literally stumble upon (again) is well-plotted and layered, with several red herrings and a tense resolution. The added dimensions of the art world and possible forgeries were intriguing, and I loved how Amy was able to be a logical part of the investigation.

Amy makes a great protagonist, and Richard is deliciously swoony as her professional-dancer boyfriend. He’s flirty and passionate, and boy has he fallen hard for Amy! He’s also got a sad past, and so his relationship with Amy is very important to him. I liked the fact that he loves fiercely and loyally – not a lot of room for games or jealous moments, etc. But – I got distracted lol. Back to Amy. She’s intelligent and brave when she needs to be but not unrealistically so. She shows fear – often after the fact – and reacts naturally to the dangerous situations she finds herself in. All in all, though, she is strong and capable and smart but she also loves deeply and has a soft heart. Her Aunt Lydia is a hoot – sharp as a tack and witty, even as she shows her softer side a bit more in this book.

Bottom Line: A charming setting in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A cast of delightful (and layered) characters. An intriguing mystery and a taste of art. A swoony romance. All of these elements make up the entertaining Shelved Under Murder! If you love cozy mysteries, the Blue Ridge Mountains, or libraries, make sure this series is on your to-read list!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that this book does contain some scattered curse words and implied innuendos (though nothing explicit).

Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian. She has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director.

When not writing or reading, Victoria likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers, and is represented by Frances Black at Literary Council, NY, NY.

Victoria lives in North Carolina with her husband and some very spoiled cats. This is her second Blue Ridge Library mystery.

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