DEATH ON THE BOOKS (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #10) by Victoria Gilbert will be released on August 4, 2026, by Crooked Lane Books.
Library Director Amy Muir is having a typical day at work when a stranger stumbles into the library and drops over dead in front of the checkout counter. The stranger was the personal assistant of an art collector who just happens to be visiting Taylorsford and staying with Amy’s friend, Kurt Kendrick. Despite vowing not to get involved in the investigation into the suspicious death, Amy finds herself not only doing some research for the police but questioning Kurt and his other guests. With the boyfriend of Amy’s best friend having one of the strongest motives for murder, Amy is determined to track down the killer. When a second person dies, Amy knows that time is running out and she might be next on the killer’s hit list.
DEATH ON THE BOOKS was an enjoyable read and renewed my interest in the series after the last two books let me down. It’s not my favorite in the series, but it harkens back to earlier books in the series. While still getting more involved in criminal investigations than she should, Amy was not as reckless in this book as previous ones. The mystery of a missing Romanov Fabergé egg added an extra twist. As did the connection to Aunt Lydia’s deceased husband’s artwork and his random habit of hiding notes in his paintings. That being said, I still think Aunt Lydia is insufferable, and I dread her every appearance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.