Death on the Books

Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #10

by Victoria Gilbert

A sleuthing library director is on the case when a patron drops dead in the tenth installment of Victoria Gilbert’s critically acclaimed Blue Ridge Library mysteries.

When a stranger falls over dead in the Taylorsford Public Library, clutching a crumpled piece of paper inscribed only with the words hen and sapphire, Library Director Amy Muir must once again investigate. She soon learns that the man is the personal assistant to Warren Sanderson, an art collector and dealer who just so happens to be visiting Kurt Kendrick, the godfather of Amy’s twins.

When the autopsy reveals that the library patron was poisoned, suspicion falls on those who knew him—mainly Sanderson, his granddaughter Heather, and Kurt. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Amy digs into the contentious relationships between Kurt and the Sandersons. But as it turns out, suspects abound, and when Amy’s best friend’s boyfriend is implicated, the case becomes even more complicated.

Amy’s research ties the dead man’s note to a lost treasure of the Romanov empire. Then another person falls victim. With the bodies piling up, Amy knows better than anyone that killers often keep killing until they're caught, and she’ll stop at nothing to get to the bottom of this tangled mystery.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Adult, Cozy

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2026

About the author

Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountain, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian.

When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.

Victoria is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, and is represented by Frances Black of Literary Counsel, NY, NY.

Reviews

[Bella]

This was a fun and engaging cozy mystery that had me hooked right from the start. I loved how the mystery began in the very first chapter it immediately drew me into the story and made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. The plot was well written and easy to read, with a fast-paced and intriguing mystery that kept me turning the pages. There was a great balance between the investigation, the characters, and the unfolding clues, making the book a very enjoyable reading experience. The characters were another highlight of the book. They were well developed, interesting, and added plenty of charm to the story. I quickly became invested in their lives and enjoyed following them as the mystery unfolded. The setting was also wonderfully described, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere that perfectly suited the story and made me wish I could visit it myself. This was the first book I have read by Victoria Gilbert, and although I read it as a standalone, I never felt lost while following the main mystery. After enjoying this book so much, I'm definitely interested in going back and reading the other books in the series. Overall, this was a well-written, fast-paced cozy mystery with a captivating plot, great characters, and a wonderfully cozy setting. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cassandra]

5/6 stars
Ahh we are back at Blue Ridge Library. The mystery was interesting as always and I love seeing their family life. Richard and her make such a great couple and I love the twins. Also, yes I know he is 75(?) and gay but Kurt is my favorite male character in all cozy mysteries. I ship him and everyone. I am tired though of the thinking of the worst of him by Amy. Her aunt I get, but Amy? How many times has he saved your life or your friends' lives and helped you find the the murder. It's a bit repetitive at this point and needs to be moved on from.
I like how the books don't feel bogged down by the cozy aspect, it helps add full color so we continue to connect and love them.

[Paloma]

Death seems to follow Amy Muir wherever she goes. This time a man stumbled into TaylorsfordPublic Library and died right in front of her. She found a piece of paper near the body with cryptic wording. Though Amy does try to to let sheriff Brad Tucker do his job, she is quite concerned about the body and the piece of paper. Soon Amy will find out that the deceased was part of the world of art and may have been involved in some not so legal dealings.
This was such a fun and twisty read. Once the identity of the victim was discovered, the drama, the lies and the secrets began to surface. It felt like Amy was discovering new connections to the murder at every turn. I enjoyed the twins so much and learning more about her husband and his upbringing. Aunt Lydia had a major role in this book and she was such a treat. There was never a dull moment in this story and Amy always knew the right thing to do.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Susan Cabaniss]

Meh. I jumped from book three to ten and am now thinking I could have skipped it altogether. Lots of unnecessary cats and kids convo, and it doesn’t make sense that Marty isn’t more concerned when told he was being followed out of the library. 2 1/2 stars

[Leah]

Another decent story that wasn’t too deep. It is getting a bit much that Andrew’s art keeps playing a part.

[Jane Smith]

Same interesting cast of characters. The plot just didn’t hold my interest. Too contrived and improbable.

[Tiffany E-P]

Meh. There’s less and less about the library in this series.

[Lady Galaxy]

The plot and subject matter in this one just did not hold my interest. Having Amy get married and then have twins has really ruined this series for me. Her kids are irritating interruptions to the plot. They don't add anything to the stories. The library has just become a boring place where she comes and goes.

Although this didn't influence my rating, I was really frustrated by the overuse of italics in this book! For some reason, whoever formatted this for Kindle decided to use lots and lots of italics to indicate Amy's thoughts. Italics are very hard for my not quite ready for cataract surgery eyeballs to read. I had to increase the font size to 13 in order to read the italics and even then it was a struggle. The italics were totally unnecessary. The author made clear which words were her thoughts.

[Kelly Faulconer]

I've actually seen that series hanging out on the library shelves quite a few times. I even browsed through a couple of them before, so I figured it was high time I gave this particular story a proper read!

To be completely upfront, the beginning felt like a bit of a slow climb. I found myself waiting quite a while for the plot to truly kick into gear and really grab my attention; it just didn't quite build that compelling momentum I was hoping for early on.

I'm a massive fan of cozy mysteries, they're usually my absolute go-to for a bit of charming intrigue! But with this one, I just felt like it was missing that special sparkle, that certain 'oomph' that makes the genre so delightful. It seemed to rely a little too much on the central crime to drive the whole narrative, rather than weaving in those fun character moments or clever twists that I usually adore. It left me wishing for a bit more pizzazz!

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle]

The last time I visited Taylorsford in A Murder for the Books, Amy Muir was getting pulled into a murder investigation while navigating local scandals, historical secrets, and an increasingly charming Richard Muir. Fast forward nine books, and Amy now has twins, a solid marriage, an even larger circle of people she cares about... and somehow murder is still finding her with alarming efficiency.

This time, a stranger literally stumbles into the library and dies at her feet. Which, frankly, feels rude.

What starts with a poisoned patron and a cryptic note containing the words "hen" and "sapphire" quickly spirals into a mystery involving art collectors, family secrets, missing treasure, old paintings, and enough suspicious behavior to keep Amy busy for several hundred pages. The plot has the kind of confidence that only a long-running cozy series can have. At one point we were discussing Romanov treasure and Fabergé eggs, and I just accepted that this was my life now.

One thing I appreciated was how much Amy still feels like Amy. Even after skipping most of the series, it was easy to reconnect with her. She's smart, practical, curious, and approaches investigations through research rather than recklessness. There are plenty of amateur sleuths who seem determined to get themselves killed every other chapter. Amy remains refreshingly grounded, even when the mystery around her becomes increasingly complicated.

I also enjoyed catching up with her life. Richard continues to be wonderfully supportive, and their relationship feels comfortably established without losing its charm. Watching them navigate parenting alongside yet another murder investigation adds warmth to the story, even if there were moments when I felt like I'd walked into the middle of ongoing conversations everyone else was already caught up on.

And that's probably where being a book-one reader jumping straight to book ten affected my experience the most. I never felt lost exactly, but there were definitely times when character histories, relationships, and callbacks carried more emotional weight than they did for me. Longtime readers are likely getting a much richer payoff from some of these moments than I was.

The mystery itself is entertaining, although the pacing occasionally wanders. Between family updates, art history, town happenings, and various side threads, the investigation sometimes felt like it was taking the scenic route. The tradeoff is that Taylorsford feels lived-in. This isn't a town that exists solely to host murders. These characters have lives, relationships, and histories that continue whether someone gets poisoned or not.

What ultimately kept me invested was the combination of the mystery and the community. The treasure-hunt angle adds a fun layer to the investigation, the suspects remain intriguing, and Amy's world is still a pleasant place to spend time, even if someone is always inconveniently turning up dead.

For me, this landed at 3.5 stars. Maybe not quite as tightly focused as I would have liked, but still an enjoyable return visit to Taylorsford and a reminder of why this series has developed such a loyal following.

Whodunity Award: For Turning a Dead Man's Mysterious Note Into a Full-Blown Romanov Treasure Hunt Before Amy Could Even Finish Her Workday

And thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I came back to Taylorsford after a nine-book absence and was immediately greeted by a corpse, a treasure mystery, and the realization that everybody else's character development has been happening while I was away.

[June Price]

Apparently librarian Amy Muir doesn't even have to go far to find a dead body. In this case, the victim actually stumbles into the Blue Ridge library and dies. Of what? No one is really sure initially. But, no surprise, it turns out to have been murder. Amy vows not to get too involved in the case, even promising husband Richard she's stay out of danger but if you're read this series, I'm sure you know Richard probably knew that wouldn't happen. I do give her credit. She did try, initially limiting her sleuthing to internet searches and speaking to possible suspects when with a crowd. Sometimes, though, danger just always seems to find Amy.

In any case, lots going on here. The victim turns out to be connected to quite a few people Amy knows, even family. Unfortunately those connections lead to intrigue, missing and priceless Faberge eggs from 1922, the not so savory side of the art world, drugs, and more. Much more. And, hey, where did BFF Sunny's boyfriend disappear to? In the midst of all this, Amy is coping with her real world, which includes not only her library job but a husband and two way-energetic twins, so you'll get to meet up with them and the rest of the extended family as the story progresses. I'd sort of forgotten Richard's family background, so it was a bonus to get a short recap of his growing years and newfound connection with his mother. Watching him work hard to ensure his children don't have a largely uncaring, missing dad is a delight, especially since Amy and he seem to largely be on the same page. True, the twins wish they'd waver on the proper amount of cookies per day but, hey, it's obvious they love and respect them. Needless to say, lots of dance and art talk throughout but the plot seems to move along nicely. In other words, the side stories are fun but don't distract from discovering whodunit for long. It works well as a standalone And you'll come away feeling like these are people you could know. True, you may not be able to discuss art with Lydia or Kyle but they're far from one dimensional. The dialogue not only flows naturally, it's realistic no matter what the topic.

Bottom line, this has proven a solid, entertaining series with characters I enjoy spending time with. The touch of history dealing with the Faberge eggs of the Romanov empire was a real bonus for this former history major and teacher. Toss in an intriguing murder, lots of shadowy characters, and even more characters that would make great friends and it's a fun read. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks for introducing me to Amy's world and keeping me in the loop for an early peek whenever possible. Amy's energy levels sure put me to shame when, after dealing with those oh, so, energetic twins, especially on a cookie high, she's still sleuthing.

[dnsyl57]

"Death on the Books" is book #10 in the "Blue Ridge Library Mystery" series by Victoria Gilbert.

Story 5/5 stars
Kindle Font style and editing 3/5 stars

When a stranger dies just inside the Taylorsford Library, Amy Muir is drawn into a deep mystery involving the paintings of Aunt Lydia's late husband Andrew Talbot and a rare piece of missing art from the Romanov Empire.

Several potential suspects with this mystery as well as some interesting twists. From researching the history of the missing art piece to searching through Andrew's paintings for hidden messages, the story kept me wondering just who was really behind the whole thing and how it would be resolved. A few dramatic encounters along the way before a dangerous gathering that leads to unmasking the guilty.

I do like the core characters of this story and series. Amy and Richard are very well matched and kept busy with their careers while raising the energetic twins! Aunt Lydia does get on my nerves a bit as she can be quite stiff and judgy but her relationship with Hugh does soften her. I felt for Sunny in this story while Fred was MIA. As always, Kurt can be a bit of a wild card as you never quite know what he will do next.

The Kindle version of this book contained a handful of small typos. For me, the biggest issue was the excessive use italic font that was used to express Amy's inner thoughts, text messages and a few other phrases. Normally, I don't have an issue with italics. However, the style of the italics used here, left the letters looking very thin and washed out - much fainter than the regular text. As I am legally blind, having a CLEAR consistent text font is vital to my ability to read without eye strain. (I use the Amazon Ember Bold font and enlarge it to about 80%) The faint appearance of the italics with this story made the numerous sections challenging to read.

In future, I would hope that authors/editors/publishers would take the visual needs of Kindle readers into greater consideration. Those of us with vision loss often choose Kindle as the font size and overall style can be adjusted to our needs. Having multiple stylings and one that is not visually friendly makes reading more challenging.

I've enjoyed Ms Gilbert's books and series for several years but this was just visually hard to read.

Font issues aside, this story was quite good.

[Marian.]

Admito que empezar esta serie con el último libro no fue mi mejor movimiento, aunque las primeras páginas estaba un poco perdida con tanto personajes que se ven no son tan secundarios, una vez que le agarras el hilo a la historia todo se vuelve más fácil.

No es el primer libro que leo de la autora así que sabia mas o menos que me encontraría y fue algo bueno, tenemos un asesinato y alguien que quiere un artefacto histórico (vamos a decirle así), nuestra protagonista es Amy, la directora de la Biblioteca y que ayuda ocasionalmente al sheriff de la ciudad en estos casos. Para mi el misterio de quién fue no lo tenía claro hasta más o menos casi el final del libro, así que no es tan evidente saber quien fue desde el principio. Los personajes me gustaron y la historia poco a poco iba cobrando sentido para mi.

Fue un buen cozy mystery, aunque como dije, sentí que me perdía un poco pero nada que leer los primeros libros no me quite, solo tengo que ver cuando voy a hacerlo porque si, quede con la duda en saber mucho más de Amy y todos estos personajes.

*******

I admit that starting this series with the last book wasn’t my best move—even though I was a little lost in the first few pages with so many characters who aren’t exactly secondary—once you get the hang of the story, everything becomes easier.

This isn’t the first book I’ve read by this author, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect and that was a good thing. We have a murder and someone who wants a historical artifact (let’s call it that). Our protagonist is Amy, the Library manager, who occasionally helps the town sheriff with these cases. For me, the mystery of who the killer was wasn’t clear until almost the very end of the book, so it’s not that obvious from the start. I liked the characters, and the story gradually started to make sense to me.

It was a good cozy mystery, though as I said, I felt a little lost at times but nothing that reading the first books wouldn’t fix. I just have to figure out when I’ll get around to it because, yes, I’m left wanting to know much more about Amy and all these characters.

📌 I received an e-arc through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

[Madelene]

Death on the Books is the tenth installment in Victoria Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, and returning to Taylorsford feels like catching up with old friends. One of the strengths of this series has always been its welcoming small-town atmosphere and familiar cast of characters, and that continues to be one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back.

The mystery begins when a man suddenly dies in the Taylorsford Public Library, leaving behind a cryptic note containing only the words "hen" and "sapphire." When the victim is revealed to have been poisoned, Library Director Amy Muir finds herself investigating once again. As the clues lead to an art dealer, his family, Amy's friend Kurt, and eventually a connection to a lost Romanov treasure, the story offers plenty of twists and suspects to keep readers guessing.

While I enjoyed the mystery and found myself engaged throughout, this wasn't my favorite installment in the series. The central plot felt a little too familiar, especially with the focus on art and Kurt once again becoming a suspect. Having followed the series for ten books, I was hoping for something that felt fresher and more distinct.

I also felt that Amy's family life occupied a bit too much of the story. It's refreshing to see genuine character development in a cozy mystery series, something that doesn't always happen, and I appreciate watching Amy grow throughout the books. However, I found myself wishing there had been more focus on the investigation instead of repeated scenes involving the twins arguing with each other. Those moments became somewhat repetitive and slowed the pacing.

Even with those minor complaints, Victoria Gilbert remains a talented storyteller. The mystery kept me invested, the writing was engaging, and the characters are still a joy to spend time with. While this may not be the strongest entry in the series, it's still an enjoyable cozy mystery, especially for longtime fans.

I'll definitely be picking up the next book and look forward to another visit to Taylorsford.

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

[boogleloo]

5/5 stars: This is Gilbert's tenth entry in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series which is a Literary Cozy Mystery set in Virginia. Featuring a library director as she finds herself turning sleuth after an art collector and dealer's personal assistant drops dead in the library clutching a crumpled piece of paper inscribed with with the words hen and sapphire. When the autopsy reveals that the man was poisoned, suspicion falls on those who knew him – mainly his employer, his employer's granddaughter and her own twin's godfather. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, she digs into the various suspects. But as it turns out, suspects abound, and when her best friend’s boyfriend is implicated, the case becomes even more complicated. After her research ties the dead man’s note to a Romanov empire lost treasure and another person falls victim, she knows better than anyone that killers often keep killing until they're caught and she’ll have to work fast to get to the bottom of this tangled mystery before the culprit strike again.

With plenty of twists and turns, Gilbert has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Gilbert's writing and character work are stellar; the main characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.

• For animal lovers: the MC and her family have two great cats.
• MC's husband's a dancer and choreographer and the two's fraternal twins are in the first grade.

While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, A Murder for the Books.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Brenda]

Director Amy Muir was about to close the library when a man staggered in, clutching his throat. When he collapsed on the floor, dead, Amy was horrified, immediately calling the police. The Taylorsford Public Library was a popular place, but never had they encountered a death within its walls. As Amy began her investigation - against the wishes of her husband, Richard, but requested by Brad, the local sheriff, she was fully aware of keeping herself safe, both for Richard and for her twins. Eighty year old Kurt Kendrick, an artist and man with a sketchy past, had hosted a party where the dead person attended. Warren Sanderson, another art collector and his granddaughter Heather were also there, among others. When the autopsy indicated poisoning, Amy knew the person was dangerous...

Amy's Aunt Lydia, who lived next door to them, had a house filled with art work done by Andrew, her husband, before he passed. Sanderson wanted some of it. What was happening? A second person was killed and Sunny (Amy's best friend)'s significant other was missing. Something strange had tangled itself in Taylorsford, and Amy needed to discover what it was.

Death on the Books is the 10th in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert and it was great to catch up with Amy, Richard & the twins, as well as Lydia & Hugh, Sunny & Fred and become immersed in their latest adventure. I really enjoy this series and will definitely pick up the next. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Anne]

Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert is a cozy mystery and one of the few that the sleuth has small children. Amy and Richard were lucky to live next door to Amy’s aunt Lydia, so that helped considerably with the conflicting schedules. Amy is a librarian and Richard is a college dance instructor and also the director of an independent dance company. Lydia was the widow of a famous artist, with most of his works stored in her house. She refuses to sell. She also had a boyfriend, Hugh, proving that it’s never too late. It was one of Amy’s late nights (8 pm) when a man scrambles in the front door of the library and falls down dead. It turns out to be the assistant to Warren Sanderson who was staying with their friend, Kurt Kendrick. Both men were art dealers. It was only later that they discovered that this was not the name he’d used for many years, when he was working for a criminal. Very complicated and Amy can’t stay out of it, no matter how many people ask her to.

Amy and Richard are a terrific couple and their kids are highly entertaining. We see them a lot which defines cozy. Her uncle had an odd habit of putting a note in the back of the canvas of each of his paintings. They found one that wasn’t his typical style with an odd note. No one could figure out if that had anything to do with the murder. These are terrific characters, ordinary, really. The mystery is a good one and didn’t get totally solved, but that was OK. There is an entire community as there usually is in a cozy, and they are excellent characters as well. This was a good read, if one is looking for a cozy.

I was invited to read Death on the Books by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #VictoriaGilbert #DeathOnTheBooks

[L.M.]

Amy is working at the library one evening when a man stumbles in and dies right in front of her. He’s a stranger and he died of a drug overdose but a mysterious note he clutched in his hand sends Amy down a rabbit hole that leads to murder.

I didn’t love the fact that we missed more than 5 years of Amy’s life as she was pregnant and had twins and they went through infancy and toddlerhood without us. But the series has really hit its stride since then and oh man is it cozy now! We still see hints of the secret society, mobbed up, art heist stuff that got included in a few of the earlier books but the author has (wisely in my opinion) largely backed off of that stuff. And I enjoy the series a lot more without it. There’s nothing I like less in a cozy than a secret society or some deep hidden conspiracies involving professional criminals. That stuff has its place, cozies aren’t it!

Ella and Nicky get a little much at times with their bickering and we probably get a little too much information about who’s taking care of them while their mother is off trying to get herself killed. I know it’s accurate and probably hits perfectly with younger readers. But that said I think the series is in a really good place. I would recommend this series to any cozy fan.

One note about this series for anyone who hasn’t read it yet. You absolutely must read this series in order. There are a lot of characters and a lot of character arcs that reading out of order will make it virtually impossible to follow this story. But it’s worth reading so go for it!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Charissa Wilkinson]

I received this book courtesy of Netgalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Overview: Amy Muir is busy working in the Blue Ridge Library, when a man stumbles inside clutching his throat. Needless to say, no one is happy about that one. The man had a note with him that had the words hen and sapphire written on it. He was also associated with some guests that are currently staying with Kurt Kendrick, the godfather to Amy's children. Could Kurt have anything to do with this case? Can Amy help Brad with the research? And why is Fred Nash missing? Let's find out.

Dislikes: Warren Sanderson doesn't take 'no' for an answer. Everyone told him that Lydia Talbot was not going to sell any of her late husband's, Andrew Talbot's, paintings.

Likes: Kurt did grow a lot. This I can get just by taking him at his word. It's amazing what being a godparent, or parent for that matter, will do for you.

Richard did great with the children. I'm not so sure about holding The Nutcracker tryouts over their heads to keep them from bickering was totally right. But it worked.

Lydia and Hugh were fun. They both found a way to keep young at heart.

Richard got Amy to waltz with him in front of their children, and it was magical.

Conclusion: This was a fun book. If you are a fan of Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, or just a fan of cozy mysteries in general, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Randee Green]

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.

[Trish]

Amy Muir is working at the Taylorsford Public Library when a patron falls dead in front of her. He drops a piece of paper with the words "hen" and "sapphire." Before long, Amy is busy searching for answers in a twisty cozy mystery that involves a long lost Romanov empire Faberge egg, a mysterious painting by her uncle, and a second death in the Blue Ridge area. Amy is in danger and those she love may be too.

I wanted to read Death on the Books because I love the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series. I have read all the books in this series; it's one of my favorites.

As always, I love the library setting and the details of day-to-day work of a library director. I enjoy the small town as well, with Amy's friends, her brother Scott, and her Aunt Lydia. Amy is married to dancer and choreographer Richard and has two young twins, who are into something constantly ... as are the family cats, Loie and Fosse.

There were a lot of twists in this series! The art details were fascinating and pivotal to the plot. Amy finds herself in danger more than once, and the denouement of this mystery was one, pun intended, for the books.

I recommend Death on the Books - and this series - for other cozy mystery fans. Readers who enjoy library settings and small town fiction will especially enjoy this one.

[Susan Johnston]

Some series can be read as standalone but I believe this is one where the reader only gets the full value having read the previous books. The characters are quirky and intricately woven together both by family and choice. Amy is drawn into another murder when a stranger staggers into the library and drops dead in front of her. It turns out he is a guest at her friend Kirk’s mansion. Kirk has a slightly shady history and while he seems to have shed his notorious ways, he still has deep connections to the criminal element.

Which brings in another set of characters including the local police who rely on Amy’s research superpower to solve crimes. And her brother is also working for a nebulous agency with letters in its name as is Hugh who is the partner of Amy’s aunt.. You can see why it is important to know these characters before the book delves into a story of forgeries and priceless artifacts that might exist but the clue is hidden in a painting down by Amy’s late uncle.

With this series there are characters like Kirk who may have questionable morality and then there are the evil ones who will stop at nothing to get what they want. But they are up against a formidable group in Amy’s friends and family. There are lots of twists and tight corners and the virtuous will win the day but not without casualties along the way. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Lora]

Death on the Books is the tenth installment in Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. Instead of Amy finding a body and getting involved in the mystery, the victim staggers into the library and dies in front of her and Samantha. While on the phone with 911, Amy notices a note that has fallen from the man’s hand with the words “hen” and “sapphire.” Hen and Sapphire is a phrase associated with a missing Fabergé egg.

One of the last people to see the man alive is Kurt Kendrick. As longtime readers know, Kurt is a wealthy art collector and dealer with ties to both Amy’s and Richard’s families. He is deeply protective of those he cares about. In his youth, he was a drug dealer known as “The Viking.” I picture him as a cross between Chris Hemsworth and Harrison Ford. Because of his background, he is often a suspect in Amy’s investigations. He is also my favorite character in the series.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading the series in order to fully appreciate the character growth and ongoing plotlines. I’ve enjoyed reading this series and highly recommend it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[April]

Death on the Books has the death in the first chapter. That is often a pet peeve of mine, because I posit that you need time to care about the situation and the people before a dead body shows up. In this case it worked. There were so many mysteries to figure out that the whole book really was needed, and this is the 10th book in the series. If you’re reading from the beginning as some stimulate you must, you will be well acquainted with the main characters.
Amy Muir has this mystery laid at her feet, and it is going to involve all the people she cares about.
As the book progressed, I wondered if I had wandered into a spy novel. This was one involved and complicated mystery. And it had all the cozy relationships present at the same time.
I really liked Death on the Books. It had me fully engaged. I love returning to this small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains and catching up with Amy, Richard and Aunt Lydia.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of the book.

[LittleRead]

Amy is ready to close the library for the evening and just before she does a man walks in and drops in front of her. Dead. There’s nothing she and her coworker can do but soon Amy finds herself working to find out who the man was and why he died in her library..

With a connection to guests staying at Kurt’s house, who want something from her Aunt, Amy finds her late Uncle may have left clues that point to the present day murder. Can Amy figure out what the clues mean before a killer gets the drop on her, or will this be Amy’s final chapter?

This series always leaves me happy when I finish an entry. Amy and Richard’s life moves on and it fits in with the times as they change throughout the series. Having lived in DC and further south in Virginia at points in my life, I really enjoy the series. It’s a combination of a visit back home as well as a mystery that keeps me guessing until the end. Victoria Gilbert knows how to weave a cozy whodunit for sure.

[Kathy Martin]

Amy's next case comes to her when a man wanders into the Taylorsford Public Library one evening and dies right in front of her. She soon learns that he was an assistant to Warren Sanderson who is an art collector and dealer who is visiting Amy's friend Kurt Kendrick. Amy notices a rather cryptic note that the man dropped.

Amy wants to stay out of the murder investigation. She is perfectly content to just do a little research for the sheriff. But things don't work out quite the way Amy would wish. The note leads to a missing Faberge egg and a clue to the egg's whereabouts might be hidden in one of her aunt's deceased husband's paintings which Sanderson would really like to buy.

That's just one of the twists in this 10th Blue Ridge Library Mystery. I enjoyed catching up with Amy and her growing family in this one. Many characters from earlier books in the series also have large roles to play in this one.

[Tracy Wood]

Librarian, Amy Muir has been involved in murder investigations before but having someone die at her feet in her place of work definitely isn't usual! When she realises there is a link between the death and those closest to her, Amy begins her own investigation not realising just how dangerous it's about to get. After another death, the links to Amy's late Uncle, who was a well known artist, become stronger. Can Amy save those she loves or has she finally met her match?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this so much; there was more of Amy and Richard's family life with their twins included, alongside the whodunit, which definitely adds to the cosy part of the crime. I didn't work out all the different layers of the mystery but that didn't matter as the whole book was an absolute pleasure to read.
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[Scilla]

This is a great new addition to the series. Just as Amy is getting ready to close the Library, a man staggers in and then dies in front of Amy. Amy calls 911, and Samantha starts CPR. The 911 folks arrive with Brad shortly thereafter. However the man can't be resusitated. After the body is taken away, Amy finds a note with the names hen and saphire. They find out the next morning that the man had been at a meeting at Kurt's and his name is Colin Clark. However, he used to be called Levi Famin, and he had made a lot of enemies. As Amy investigates, there are some interesting matters that go back to her Uncle Andrew's paintings, and someone tries to break into her Aunt's home. As the book nears the end, things get VERY exciting.

I thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane Press for the ARC so th at I could read the book before publication.
This is a great addition to the series.

[Kristina Anderson]

Victoria Gilbert’s Death on the Books opens with exactly the kind of library-side trouble cozy mystery fans love: another body drops in front of Amy Muir at the Taylorsford Public Library. I enjoy the characters in this series, and after the five-year jump, it feels like things are back on track. Amy’s twins, Ella and Nicky, bring plenty of energy to the story, with the kind of sibling bickering that feels true to life. The mystery itself kept me engaged, with plenty of twists, turns, red herrings, and clues to sort through. The missing Fabergé egg and hidden clues added extra intrigue, and I was especially glad to see Amy acting with more caution than she has in some previous books. As the tenth entry in A Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, Death on the Books is best enjoyed in order—and for longtime readers, it offers a cozy, clue-filled return to Taylorsford.

[Tari]

I knew this was planned to be the final book, but it was bittersweet saying goodbye to these amazing characters I’d come to think of as old friends whenever a new book came out. I’ll definitely miss that wolfish smile of Kurt’s and the banter between him and Amy. He’s come a long way from the first book, in a really good way too.

I loved the final adventure Amy and Kurt had together—he did a really fabulous job of ridding his house of some perps. Everyone had a nice party at the end which this group always loved to do anyway. I know the author’s newest series is in roughly the same setting with Clarion College so I know we’ll run into our old friends there from time to time.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.