DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN by Victoria Gilbert (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #9) will be released on July 8, 2025, by Crooked Lane Books.
After insinuating that several Taylorsford residents were involved in the cold case disappearance of a small-time drug dealer, true crime writer Maureen Dryden is found dead in her hotel room. Sheriff Brad Tucker asks for librarian Amy Muir to help with some background research into Maureen, the book that made her famous, and the Taylorsford cold case. Everyone is convinced that Maureen was killed because of the cold case, and Amy pursues that link. Despite being told by several people to leave the cold case alone, Amy continues to dig deeper—placing herself and her family in danger.
Up until DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN, I have mostly enjoyed Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. Sure, there were moments and characters throughout the series that I did not like, but this is the first book in the series that I failed to enjoy. I really struggled to get into it. Amy’s obsession with inserting herself into local criminal investigations has put her and her family and friends in danger in the past. Despite the many threats she received to stop her mature investigation into the cold case and the current murder, Amy persists. She does send her children away on an extended visit with her parents to keep them out of danger, but she continues to put herself and others in danger while ignoring their concerns and requests to stop. Amy’s only smart moment was sending her children away. Otherwise, she makes a lot of rash and rookie mistakes. Even after her best friend is assaulted, Amy refuses to stop. If Amy’s actions make her unlikeable, her Aunt Lydia is truly horrid. Since the first novel, I never really cared for Lydia and her holier-than-thou attitude. In DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN, we learn more about Lydia’s past—and the way she stalked her future husband is disturbing. Even more disturbing than Amy recklessly placing her family in danger. As for Lydia’s husband…I have no words.
If you’ve read Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, I recommend the book only because it is the next one in the series. As a former fan of the series, I truly hope things improve in the next installment.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.