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A Layla Virtue Mystery #2
Gimme Shelter
Not yet published
Expected 28 Apr 26This whip-smart, witty series packs an emotional punch within an engaging mystery as Layla Virtue, a 30-something recovering alcoholic and former cop turned party musician, finds a sideline in solving murders from her new home in a Potomac County trailer park…
An unforgettable mystery brimming with hilarity and heart for readers of Margot Douaihy, Jane Pek, and Darynda Jones.
As the song says, you can’t always get what you want. Maybe that’s why, instead of fulfilling her youthful dream of being a rock star, Layla Fortune is living in a trailer park while playing third-rate gigs, including a stint at a ʼ70s Abba brunch. Given everything else she’s been through lately, she’s not complaining (much) about satin ruffles and go-go boots. She has a squad of supportive new BFFs, and she’s reclaimed a relationship with her famous rocker dad. His recent diagnosis has brought them even closer—sharing the trailer park’s lake house, which he’s had remodeled in typically over-the-top style.
Layla’s dad loves his new community and the feeling seems mutual. So, why is one of them blackmailing him? It’s a mystery almost as baffling as the assignment Layla receives from her former look into the brutal murder of a mild-mannered school teacher. Archie Wilkins was bludgeoned with a candelabra, shot up with drugs, and stuffed into a church confessional. Not the kind of outcome expected for a guy reputed to be the world’s nicest.
Perhaps Archie had secrets. Perhaps everyone does, including Layla’s one-time cop colleagues. She’s been blaming herself for a deadly ambush that destroyed her career and her peace of mind, but as her new friends help Layla regain her memories, a different picture emerges, and it’s one that forces her to question so much that she’s taken as truth . . .
An unforgettable mystery brimming with hilarity and heart for readers of Margot Douaihy, Jane Pek, and Darynda Jones.
As the song says, you can’t always get what you want. Maybe that’s why, instead of fulfilling her youthful dream of being a rock star, Layla Fortune is living in a trailer park while playing third-rate gigs, including a stint at a ʼ70s Abba brunch. Given everything else she’s been through lately, she’s not complaining (much) about satin ruffles and go-go boots. She has a squad of supportive new BFFs, and she’s reclaimed a relationship with her famous rocker dad. His recent diagnosis has brought them even closer—sharing the trailer park’s lake house, which he’s had remodeled in typically over-the-top style.
Layla’s dad loves his new community and the feeling seems mutual. So, why is one of them blackmailing him? It’s a mystery almost as baffling as the assignment Layla receives from her former look into the brutal murder of a mild-mannered school teacher. Archie Wilkins was bludgeoned with a candelabra, shot up with drugs, and stuffed into a church confessional. Not the kind of outcome expected for a guy reputed to be the world’s nicest.
Perhaps Archie had secrets. Perhaps everyone does, including Layla’s one-time cop colleagues. She’s been blaming herself for a deadly ambush that destroyed her career and her peace of mind, but as her new friends help Layla regain her memories, a different picture emerges, and it’s one that forces her to question so much that she’s taken as truth . . .
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 28, 2026
1 person is currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Libby Klein
12 books651 followersLibby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School sometime in the '80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that forced her to remove gluten from her kitchen and adopt a Paleo Diet. Now her life revolves around coffee and bacon. When she’s not feeling sorry for herself that she can’t eat bread, she writes from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her cat Figaro off her keyboard. Most of her hobbies revolve around eating, and travel, and eating while travelling.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 2, 2025
Layla Virtue is a fun character. She has a unique personality that really makes these books easy to read.
Layla is trying to figure out who is blackmailing her father, while trying to find out who killed a well liked teacher.
The story is very good and I enjoyed reading the book.
Layla is trying to figure out who is blackmailing her father, while trying to find out who killed a well liked teacher.
The story is very good and I enjoyed reading the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Layla Virtue is a character that simply shines! She is a 30 something disgraced former cop/wanna be rocker. Layla finds herself with a posse of girlfriends for the first time in her life, along with a trailer park gifted to her by her ultra-famous rock star father, recently returned to her life. He has received a dementia diagnosis and now has more memory loss episodes from that than from his past drug use. In her efforts to build a career as a rocker Layla finds herself booked into one weird costume gig after another, going from tom turkey...it is almost Thanksgiving after all, to overly large, seriously heavy formal black gown, to Abba jumpsuit. In between gigs, she is asked by a former police detective to assist in the homicide investigation of an apparently much loved private school second grade teacher who is living far above his means. As she and her posse investigate a multitude of threats and attempts on her life interfere, giving her much cause to wonder just who to trust. And add to all this, having her father living with her so she can protect him from his fans and the person trying to blackmail him. Oh yes, she learns that her former partner and lover may still be alive and not who she thought he was!
Layla is a character that just continues to inhabit my mind, even after finishing the book. I find her hysterically funny, yet so relatable because she is trying so hard to learn and grow into a new life against all odds. I think we all have a little of Layla living inside all of us, at least I know I do and I hope she stays forever!
Layla is a character that just continues to inhabit my mind, even after finishing the book. I find her hysterically funny, yet so relatable because she is trying so hard to learn and grow into a new life against all odds. I think we all have a little of Layla living inside all of us, at least I know I do and I hope she stays forever!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
GIMME SHELTER is the second book in the Layla Virtue Mysteries by Libby Klein. With the author’s trademark humor—starting with the very first sentence—I couldn’t help but become enthralled with protagonist Layla Virtue. She’s deeply flawed with some deep-seated emotional injuries, yet she comes across as someone worthy of admiration. I especially love her relationship she’s developing with her famous rockstar dad, and how she’s doing everything she can to care for him as he struggles with dementia. And while this is a character-driven story, there are complex mysteries for Layla to solve. One of the mysteries begins in the first book and appears it will run through book three, but each is well-plotted and kept me turning pages to find out what happens next. Gimme Shelter tugs at your heartstrings, entertains with hilarious hijinks and witty characters, and pricks at your conscience with social issues woven throughout. This has become one of my favorite series, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I need more Layla! This book was crazy funny and so, so good! If you want a read that is fall-off-your-chair funny, this is it. Humor aside, the mystery was great and I love Layla's friendship with Bree, Scarlet and Charisse. The mystery kept me guessing till the end, too. Loved this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Gimme Shelter by Libby Klein 2nd instalment in A Layla Virtue Mystery series. What a great follow up to book one, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for book 3!
It was engaging, really well-written, and set in Potomac, Virginia. This is fast becoming a must read series for me. I loved the character of Layla with all her faults and insecurities plus her new friends and who can forget Ringo
The mystery had lots of twists and turns with plenty of suspects who wanted the victim dead. I didn’t suspect the killer at all!
I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends who love a cozy with a strong support system of friends in it.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was engaging, really well-written, and set in Potomac, Virginia. This is fast becoming a must read series for me. I loved the character of Layla with all her faults and insecurities plus her new friends and who can forget Ringo
The mystery had lots of twists and turns with plenty of suspects who wanted the victim dead. I didn’t suspect the killer at all!
I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends who love a cozy with a strong support system of friends in it.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews