A Deadly Edition

Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #5

by Victoria Gilbert

"Til death do us part" could be closer than the bride realizes in Victoria Gilbert's tantalizing fifth Blue Ridge Library mystery.

The pursuit to acquire a rare illustrated book turns deadly, and on the eve of her upcoming wedding, library director Amy Webber is drawn into a web of treachery and betrayal that could derail her happy day—and maybe just claim her life.

Planning a wedding can be murder—sometimes literally. At a party celebrating their upcoming nuptials, Taylorsford, Virginia library director Amy Webber and her fiancé Richard Muir discover the body of art dealer Oscar Selvaggio—a bitter rival of their host, Kurt Kendrick.

Both had been in a heated battle to purchase a rare illustrated volume created by William Morris's Kelmscott Press, so suspicion immediately falls upon Kurt. Amy knows that Kurt has a closet-full of skeletons from his past—but she can't believe he's guilty of murder.

Amidst an avalanche of wedding preparations, Amy begins an investigation with the help of her aunt Lydia Talbot and the new mayor of Taylorsford, Sunshine "Sunny" Fields. Much to Lydia's dismay, her boyfriend, art expert Hugh Chen, becomes convinced of Kurt's guilt and launches an investigation of his own. As the case hits painfully close to home, the stakes become impossibly high—and the danger all too real.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Cozy, Audiobook, Ebooks

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2020

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

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining entry in the series but it did seem a little too convoluted for a cosy mystery.

I was happy to see Amy and Richard make it to their marriage ceremony and I enjoyed the details about the wedding itself. However there were too many spies and too many dodgy art dealers and at times it all became too hard to follow. I have an issue too with the quality of the dialogue which is very stilted at times and not at all the way friends speak to each other.

Nevertheless lets be fair. It is a good story, the characters are all nice, the wedding is wonderful and the mystery is okay if a little easy to solve. A very readable book altogether. I wonder if the author will continue with the series now her main characters have married.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Tahera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series but the first one I have read. Although I didn't find it difficult to follow the story and the characters, I do want want to read the previous books since I found all the characters interesting and want to know more about them and how their storyline progressed to bring them at the point they all are in this book. It had quite a lot happening on the mystery front but it was easy to follow and entertaining as well.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Victoria Gilbert for the e-Arc of the book. The book was published on 8th December 2020.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a party hosted by Kurt Kendrick, Amy Webber, her fiancé Richard Muir and many of their friends and family were happily engaged in eating, drinking and chatting. The stranger who arrived was apparently there to see Kurt – but within a short period of time he was dead. Once again, Amy and Richard were embroiled in murder and with their wedding only a few weeks away, they didn’t need the distraction that hunting for a killer would bring.

Amy was director of the Taylorsford library and along with her best friend Sunny Fields and some volunteers, the library ran smoothly. Amy had access to the archives and her research abilities were second to none, so soon she had information on all the players in this latest murder. With Amy’s brother Scott on the scene – he was a government IT specialist – for the wedding, and Amy’s Aunt Lydia as her sounding board, events started coming together. But the past had a long reach and although she didn’t know it, Amy was in danger. Would she survive to see her wedding day?

A Deadly Edition is the 5th in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it. This episode had the usual players, plenty of action, many ‘bad’ guys, plus the upcoming nuptials blended in. A Deadly Edition is a highly entertaining cozy mystery which I recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victoria Gilbert has another winning story to add to the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series. This story has a happy beginning with the occasion celebrating the upcoming wedding of Amy Webber and Richard Muir at the home of friend, Kurt Kendrick. The two met as neighbors in a small mountain town of Taylorsford, Virginia and fell in love. Amy, local library director and former university librarian, lives with her Aunt Lydia and Richard lives next door in a house once owned by his Uncle Paul's and is a professor of dance at Clarion University. Amy has a way of stumbling into trouble, naming murder. This time it happens when an uninvited guest appears at the dinner party. The art dealer, Oscar Selvaggio, is a rival of Kurt's and both are after a rare book. Unfortunately, Oscar's body is found by Amy and Richard in an outside shed.
As wedding plans go on, so does the investigation into who murdered Oscar. A few strangers show up in town to add to the suspect pool that includes Kurt and others. Amy's elusive brother is acting strange and appears on the list. Even though he is secretive about his job it is thought to be in intelligence. Local lawman Brad Tucker calls on Amy's research from time to time and this is another time he needs her help.
This is a great addition to the series that is always like stepping back into a familiar quaint town with interesting characters, suspense, danger, and mystery. It has a lovely, joyous ending that will bring a smile.
I received a complimentary ARC from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[Micky Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard and Amy are preparing to celebrate their wedding, but someone might just off the bridal party if they don't solve the mystery surrounding the death of a party crasher! Once again this library series has scored a big bouquet as a winning plot, excellent characters and mysterious murder delight and entertain for hours on end! If you haven't put this series on your TBR list, what are you waiting for as this series is sure to be one of your all time favorites! I absolutely couldn't put this book down and I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series to be ready to be devoured!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

In just a month library director Amy Webber and her fiancé, Richard Muir will be walking down the garden aisle. Their friend, Kurt Kendrick has brought family and friends together to celebrate the upcoming event. But the party is crashed by one of Kurt’s business associates. Oscar Selvaggio, an art dealer, and Kurt are both trying to purchase a rare edition of a book from William Morris’s Kelmscott Press. He allows the man to stay for the party and plans to discuss the book with him later. But before the gentlemen can meet Mr. Selvaggio is found dead and Kurt is the prime suspect in his murder. Amy wants the killer caught and Kurt’s name cleared before her wedding so she enlists the help of her BFF and new Taylorsford mayor, Sunshine “Sunny” Fields, along with her Aunt Lydia to find who killed the art dealer and why.

The wedding brings Amy’s parents to Taylorford along with her brother. Amy is surprised because her brother is usually wrapped up in his job and rarely visits but she is thrilled he is going to stay in town until the wedding. He does become a significant player in the story and it was great to get to know him. Amy and Richard keep working right up to their big day and Amy uses some of her time to research the deceased and his connections along with Sunny. Sunny and Amy’s friendship is so realistic and true to life. In fact, all of Ms. Gilbert’s characters are realistic as are their relationships.

The mystery this time was very complex with a lot of players and interactions and history. At times I was a little confused and had no idea how the author was going to bring everything she set up together. I was trusting and patient and was rewarded by several aha moments and an exciting climax. I will admit I was a little bit more excited by all the wedding plans and the dress shopping and actual wedding that solving the mystery at times. Ms. Gilbert did a great job entwining both plotlines. Her descriptions of the garden, the ceremony, and the fun reception made me feel like an invited guest.

Fun characters, a mystery that makes you think, and a beautiful wedding make A Deadly Edition a very solid addition to the series. I do recommend reading the series from the start because they do build on each other. A very enjoyable escape!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy and Richard's wedding is just weeks away and there's still a lot to do. While attending a party hosted by the enigmatic art dealer Kurt Kendrick, Amy and Sunny meet Oscar Selvaggio, a slick art dealer and Kurt's rival. The two are engaged in a war of sorts over a rare edition of The Canterbury Tales from William Morris's Kelmscott Press. The Kelmscott Chaucer was printed in a limited edition in the 1890s and bound in leather, with woodcuts by artist Edward Burne-Jones, this book is truly rare and precious. In an attempt to escape in-law drama, Amy and Richard head outside for some air (and alone time). It seems they're not quite alone as they spy a few faces they recognize also out for some air including Kurt, Richard's mentor Adele, Oscar's assistant and Amy's brother Scott. Her mysterious brother has just popped up for a long visit, the first in years but Amy suspects he's working on something. A loud crash sends Amy and Richard to a shed where they discover the lifeless body of Oscar Selvaggio. When the police determine Oscar was poisoned by something in his drink, they suspect Kurt but will leave no stone unturned until the truth comes out. Amy decides to use her research skills to speed up the process a bit and help out the police. She uncovers a tale of a lost and sold Kelmscott Chaucer. That book comes up again with Aunt Lydia's beau Hugh. He's looking into some of Kurt's shady business dealings with a PI named Fred and Lydia fears her beloved Andrew's secrets will be revealed. When Amy's brother Scott goes out and doesn't return, she fears the worst. She has to solve this case before her brother gets hurt or worse or before the police arrest Scott for a crime she's sure he didn't commit. Only when her family is well and happy can she walk down the aisle in peace.

This story gripped me from the beginning. I never figured out exactly what was going on. It was way too complicated. I did figure out only one small piece of the puzzle though, that was kind of obvious. I stayed up late and had to finish the book during a quiet Sunday afternoon before my dad came home to blast football on TV! Even though the plot gripped me, the writing seemed a little weak to me, especially where descriptive adjectives were concerned. She describes short hair as a cap several times and in several different but similar ways. (Why does everyone have short hair?) I also noted some typos in the beginning of the book.

I never really warmed up to Amy but she started to grow on me once she left her insecurities behind. She annoyed me again in this book. Kurt told her not to investigate at least twice. He explained this is too big for her and involved people who won't hesitate to hurt her or those she loves. So what does she do? Does she back off and let Brad and the authorities investigate? No! She continues to snoop! Yet she also has a busy job and wedding commitments to do and still manages to make her own investigation priority. Why does Richard love her? Richard is so kind and lovely and wonderful! His parents, on the other hand. I don't have as much sympathy for his mother as Amy does. She has choices and has clearly made her choice to be married to a rude, boorish, uncultured man and to care about the finer things in life. It's amazing Richard turned out so well. I love Richard's relationship with Karla more than his relationship with Amy. Karla understands his passion for dance and shares that passion. They're extremely close and have been through a lot together. Karla also seems to have more sense than Amy. I don't think she'd stick her nose into something dangerous.

Amy's parents are really nice. They seem like a fun couple. Amy's mom worries a bit too much about eating too much cake but other than that, she's lovely. It's nice seeing Amy's family being so supportive and wonderful, especially since her mother doesn't have the happiest memories of the family home. Staying somewhere else seems to allow her to relax and enjoy her daughter's celebrations. Amy's dad seems like the type who tells dad jokes and reminisces about when his daughter was in diapers. It was fun to see the whole family together for the first time.

I also don't feel Aunt Lydia deserves sympathy. Why she's clinging to the sacred memory of Andrew when it sounds like he was not a good person and a terrible husband, I don't know. She has trust issues because of Andrew and it's affecting her relationship with Hugh. Hugh seems like a good guy, honest and trustworthy. If he says he'll keep Andrew out of it, he will. I do agree with Lydia that he should have discussed it with her privately and even Fred thinks Hugh is obsessed with Kurt. That could get ugly because Kurt is a good family friend. Kurt is noble and generous when he wants to be, to ease a guilty conscience or to protect the family of his dearest friend. Amy holds no illusions about Kurt. She knows he's capable of murder, thievery, has been involved in drugs and probably much more. She doesn't really want to know. What counts for her is that he's been there for her and for Aunt Lydia and countless others who needed help. He sure has some shady associates in his past but are they in the past or are they in the present?

Chief Deputy Brad Tucker is one police officer who is actually good at his job! He doesn't jump to conclusions, just questions the suspects as the need arises. He doesn't bother telling Amy to butt out and thanks her for her research. (Don't the police have someone to do that for them and have access to more resources than Amy?) On the personal side, he's a little shy but a sweet, down home boy at heart. It didn't work out with Sunny and he feels kind of embarrassed about that but she doesn't care. He's moved on and I think he's happier with Alison who has deep ties to the area.

Oscar was a slimy dude. He dresses like a dandy, overdressed and showy, and tries to charm Amy and Sunny who weren't born yesterday. If he was Kurt's rival, I'm sure he was involved in shady business. Even though Oscar may be involved in art theft but I don't think he deserved to die. One major suspect is Honor Bryant, Oscar's mousy assistant. She's a nervous young woman who is probably Oscar's flunky, doing everything for me. She was seen outside at the time Oscar collapsed and seems very nervous about something? In this case, I don't think she's a cold-blooded killer. She seems too quiet and mousy but it's always the quiet assistant who snaps isn't it?

Richard's mentor Adele Tourneau was on the scene as well. She's an older lady and a patron of the arts. Is she tied into the book sale somehow? Richard does not think Adele is a murderer but Amy saw a shaky, nervous Adele pouring a drink of something dark at the party just before Oscar died. What could be the connection? Amy would not like Adele to be a murderer but she must consider all the suspects: who had means and opportunity anyway. Did Adele have the motive? Amy's own brother Scott is another person of interest in the case. He's very mysterious, coming to town for the first time in YEARS for four whole weeks before the wedding? What gives? He's in cyber crimes and Amy and the family always thought he had a desk job but Amy is beginning to suspect he's much more than a security specialist who sits at a desk. Scott is too nerdy to stab or shoot someone but poison is an easy weapon. I think Kurt and Scott are both smart enough not to murder someone in the middle of a party with witnesses. Scott's secrets are difficult to unravel but I like the relationship Amy has with her little brother once they come to an understanding. It's cute how they bond over childhood memories of doing things that would get them into trouble! Amy does not seem the rebellious type! Scott either but I know what little brothers are like. I'm sure he led her astray. I like how accepting everyone is of Scott's sexual orientation. It's extra hard for him to find love between the limited pool of available significant others and his job. He meets someone in Taylorsford and I hope they can make it work without broken hearts.

Frederick Nash comes to town with Hugh to investigate Kurt's past. He's a former police officer turned private detective. Amy suspects Fred has secrets and as he's taken an interest in Sunny, Amy is determined to find out what he's really up to before she approves of him. Fred is the strong, silent type - good for Sunny because she talks a lot. He's mysterious and vague about his situation on purpose. I think he's a man on a mission, much like he accuses Hugh of being obsessed with a certain person. In Fred's case, he has a good reason. I'm not sure he's the right person for Sunny but she's just looking for someone to have a good time with in the here and now and not forever.

Cynthia Rogers is also new in town. An older woman, she grew up near by and is visiting the area. She has a LOT of questions about the town's history for Amy but accidentally reveals she knows more than she lets on. What is her connection to Paul Dassin? She asks about children or heirs. I believe she may be his long lost daughter or claim to be and wants to challenge Richard's claim on the house. She could also be the daughter of the man Oscar once wronged. Amy is too trusting. She's on her guard with this woman but keeps dismissing her niggling doubts. She should have listened in on the woman's phone conversation! I would have! I figured out who she was very quickly. Why did she want Andrew's painting? Was that a ruse to get to Lydia or did she feel he owed her? and What is Amy going to do with the donation money? I'm not sure I'd want it. It's iffy. Is it ethical to use drug money to support the town archive because it's turning a negative into a positive? They don't teach THAT in library school!

Amy's first brush with trouble is when she encounters a creepy man rushing out of Kurt's, leaving Kurt lying bleeding on the floor. Kurt doesn't wish to call the authorities but Amy has a bad feeling about this man. Lance Dalbec introduces himself to her at the library which is a bit scary. He obviously figured out who she was and tracked her down. I don't think Lance is someone to mess with. He seems like a tough guy and probably the hired muscle behind whatever is going on with Oscar's murder.

The regular Taylorsford residents are featured in the story as well. I don't like Zelda. She's too eager to spread gossip. I really like Delbert Frey. He may be a little crazy and a hermit and own a gun but living up on the mountain alone, he needs a shotgun for protection. What if he was stuck alone during a blizzard and a wild animal came looking for food? Delbert is like a living time machine! His knowledge of the old folk music and instruments is amazing. He's probably forgotten what most people never knew. He's worth preserving an oral history from- record his music, digitize it, put it in the archive AND transcribe an interview with him. Keep on the file format, changing it every time something new comes along! He's a treasure even if he's a little cranky and crazy. He's sweet to Sunny and Amy and loves his great-niece.

I have one more question about the wedding presents. Where did the necklace come from? I assume from Kurt? He broke into the house and put it with the gifts, leaving the door open enough for the cats to get in? The open door should have been a clue that someone was in the house!

This is a fitting end to the series. If there's more in store, I'm not all that interested.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a whirlwind of murder, mystery, deception and of course, marriage.
As Amy and Richard prepare for their special day, things go awry when a mysterious visitor winds up dead.
The suspect list is a long one, and it seems no one can figure out who did the deed.

I loved this book, all the characters are so realistic, that I actually felt I was there.
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this fabulous couple.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert was another book by this author that grabbed me on the first page and I didn't want to stop reading until I reached the end. I adore this series and I'm always excited when I find a new one in this series.

Ms. Gilbert's writing is descriptive of not only scenery but of each character to the point that I feel like I would recognize each character if I met them on the street in Taylorsford. The plot was intricate and quickly paced with plenty of twists, several suspects (some obvious and some not) and a dramatic reveal that caused me to hold my breath in suspense. A sweet ending with Richard and Amy's wedding day rounded this book to be a perfect read for me.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that I just couldn't get into. I don't blame the book. I think I should have read the first books before starting this one. I liked the plot and characters. It was just missing something.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wedding bells are ringing for Amy and Richard, but Amy has situated herself in the middle of an art forgery scandal. Going back decades but having ties to the present day, it involves friends of the bridal couple and perhaps even relatives. When an art dealer dies at a party in honor of the bridal couple, Amy is compelled to seek out the truth of it all. The story is an interesting one, as are the characters, and the writing is good as well, but details about the wedding tend to drag down the story. And the components about the less-than-honest art dealers and the art forgeries got to be a bit much, trying to keep it all straight. Was it a story about the wedding? Or about art dealers? Oh, wait - there was a murder! That incident seemed to get lost in the shuffle. Readers will likely figure out who the real bad guy is long before Amy does, but then, her mind is on her wedding. It will be interesting to see what happens next in this series, but I can only hope the plot focuses more on solving a murder and less on weddings and art forgeries.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue Ridge Library Mysteries 5

We start out at Amy and Richard's engagement party at his friends Kurts house. Unfortunately an uninvited guest shows up and Kurt and him are both vying to purchase a rare book from William Morris's Kelmscott Press. Amy can tell there is tension among a few of the other guest but is trying to have a good time because it is her party.

But when Oscar the uninvited guest winds up dead in Kurts shed with numerous suspects Amy is determined to find the killer, because one of the suspects is her brother who she thinks works with computers for the government, but what's his real job.

With this one there is enough intrigue and back story with Kurt, and Fred who Sunny is cozying up too and Andy's brother and what he is really doing there.

Will the wedding happen? Will the killer be caught? Will Amy try her new dance? You will have to read to find out.
And it's worth it!!! This was a great book. I love this series and can't wait for the next book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert has Amy Webber just four weeks away from her wedding to Richard Muir when they stumble upon a dead art dealer in Taylorsford, Virginia. Oscar Selvaggio was a rival of their friend, Kurt Kendrick. They both were after the very rare Kelmscott Chaucer. When Kurt becomes a prime suspect, Amy works to clear his name. A Deadly Edition has mystery, romance, intrigue, and humor. I thought A Deadly Edition was well-written with a multifaceted plot. There is quite a bit going on in this cozy mystery. In addition to Amy and Richard finishing the last-minute preparations for their upcoming nuptials, they both must continue working at their jobs. They also have Amy’s parents visiting for a few days and her brother has decided to stay in town until the wedding in four weeks. This is unusual for her brother and Amy is curious about his true reasons for being in town. She wonders if his job is a front for something covert. A coveted manuscript is for sale and Kurt Kendrick wants it. Unfortunately, so do other people including Oscar Selvaggio. Oscar ends up murdered with Kurt at the top of Chief Deputy Brad Tucker’s suspect list. Amy decides to do a little research as well as some snooping (in between dress fittings and cake tastings). The mystery was complex which I just loved and I enjoyed the dramatic reveal. There was intrigue and drama which keeps the reader engaged. I enjoy a twisty whodunit. It depends upon the number of mysteries you have read on whether you solve this mystery before the reveal or not. The ending will have readers smiling. A Deadly Edition is the 5th novel in A Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone, but a new reader may be a little confused at the very beginning until the background details are provided. A Deadly Edition is a captivating cozy mystery with a matchless manuscript, scrumptious cake flavors, a deceased art dealer, shifty suspects, an infuriating soon-to-be-in-law, and wedding wonder.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

A return visit, to Taylorsford, Virginia, for the celebration of the upcoming wedding of Amy Webber and Richard Muir turns into a week full of renewed friendships, love and murder. Amy must uncover the truth regarding a valuable book that may hold the answers to a lifetime of questions as well as murder. Solving the mystery and preparing for her wedding keep Amy looking over her shoulder and at wedding preparations!

I'm a huge fan of this series! It reminds me of a gothic suspense romance, a cozy mystery and a wonderful historical novel all in one book. The mystery had several "red herrings" (which I love) and kept me guessing until the end. Amy has grown, over the course of the series, into an excellent amateur sleuth.. The intrigue of the mysterious and deadly Kurt Kendrick continues with a few more answers about his connection to Amy and her family. Other characters like Amy's Aunt Lydia, her best friend Sunny, Amy's family, friends and future "in-laws" bring a wonderful sense of community to the book.

I'm looking forward to another visit to Taylorsford, Virginia

I received an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

[L.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good series but this one had too much going on for me. I couldn’t keep track of all the new characters and their hidden lives of espionage. It was just too pat that everyone had a deep secret past that involved art theft and drug dealing or was some sort of super secret investigator. The point of reading cozies is to not read about characters like that, but regular people with regular secrets and problems. Still a good story in general.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skipped from the third chapter to the last three because I was uninterested in the cast of thousands and over-the-top writing style and put off by Amy's rudeness toward her future in-laws. There I encountered the villains twirling their mustaches in the melodramatic confrontation and then hurried through the mawkish last chapters.

[The Cozy Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was never any doubt that Amy’s wedding would have issues pop up, given her tendency to get involved in situations that lead to murder, but in A Deadly Edition, even she is surprised at what happens before the planning is done. Life is never dull, even at the library when Amy and Richard get together with family and friends, add in a rare book, parents, and a brother, as well as a few unexpected guests, and you have everything you need for a mystery that thrills.

The characters in this series have always been entertaining and highly likable. I adore Aunt Lydia and think an entire series could be created based on her. She may be a bit too stubborn, but she is endearing none-the-less. Other characters in this book are fun to learn about and spend a few hours investigating, mainly Sunny and Karen. Even with the wedding plans and her library duties, Amy still finds another body and danger. It’s personal when a friend is being accused of a crime, again. Suspects are all around and may even include members of her family. Amy, Sunny, and even Scott, Amy’s brother, waste no time launching into the investigation.

Suspects are easy to find, motives are as well. Yet, it isn’t always apparent who the killer is or if the motive is the rare book Kurt and the victim are fighting over. Evidence keeps pointing to various individuals but none more than Kurt. Yet, Amy knows Kurt isn’t guilty; she just has to prove it. The wedding preparations continue, as does Amy’s work at the library, which she uses in her investigation and leads to more questions than answers. Readers will love the complicated storyline, the animated characters, and the .result of the investigation when the killer is revealed.

Overall A Deadly Edition is a wonderful addition to the series. Who doesn’t enjoy library intrigue, the art world fascination with rare books, or people who are not always what they seem? Readers will get lost in this story and spend quality time with characters that get better with each new volume.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Deadly Edition is the fifth book in the A Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.

Amy and Richard’s wedding day is just days away, and they are looking forward to joining in holy matrimony. Amy is so happy to learn that her brother has arrived will be spending some time with the family.

The story starts with a pre-nuptial party at the home of Kurt Kendrick. When an uninvited guest, Oscar Selvaggio, arrives at the party, Amy can see the surprise and displeasure on Kendrick’s face. It’s learned that Selvaggio is also an art-dealer and that he Kendrick has had dealings in the past. And they are both currently vying for a rare and valuable book. The party is going well until it announced that Selvaggio had been found dead.

Amy realizes that she doesn’t have the time to get involved in solving a murder, but with her brother showing up on the suspect list and even though Kendrick isn’t a close friend, she doesn’t believe that he the killer. So, Amy, Richard, and Sunny will set out to find the killer.

I love this series. The books are well-written and plotted, and there were enough red herrings that kept me guessing until the end. Most of the characters from the previous books are back once again to offer Amy support. They are all well-developed and believable. I would like to be a resident of Taylorsford and call them my friends.

I will be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the best of this series yet! Richard and Amy's families came together for their wedding, and it was fun getting to know Scott, her brother a little bit better. We always knew he had a super secret job, but in this book he even surprised his sister with what he does.

Eventually the clues fell into place for me, and I figured out someone's identity. I don't want to say too much or spoil it, but this series had mentioned the person in an earlier story. The showdown was great, and everyone involved had a small part. Kurt Kendrick is definitely the JR Ewing of this series--you gotta love him, and I think he's an awesome character, but sometimes he really can be a stinker. Amy was never sure if she should trust him or not, but I think he proved himself a good ally in this book, past shady deeds or not.

The wedding was beautiful to read, and it seems as though for now everyone in the book had someone or something to make them have a happy ending. I was really happy to read on the author's blog that there will be at least a couple more books in this series.

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

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is the fifth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert.

Amy and Richard are getting ready to walk down the isle in a few weeks. While at a party for their upcoming nuptuals hosted by a friend, a person ends up dead. This surrounds the discovery of a rare book which interests Amy since she is the director of the Taylorsford Library.

The plot was fun to follow with lots of twists and turns. I had no clue who could have accomplished such a crime since the red herrings were so well placed. The characters were rich and filled with life. I liked seeing Amy’s brother. He was not only a spy but as a gay character, I found him rather engaging. Definitely would have liked to see more transpire between him and Ethan. But this is not a romance, so I know why that thread wasn’t followed.

Definitely a fun read that keeps you guessing.

If you like cozy mysteries, check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deadly Edition was another excellent installment in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series with an intriguing plot.

Taylorsford Public Library director Amy Webber is just weeks away from marrying her fiancé Richard Muir. When a body turns up at their engagement party, the victim a rival of their host Kurt Kendrick, Amy finds herself drawn into another murder. As Amy finalizes the details for the wedding, she begins an investigation into the art dealer's death. But with close friends in the suspect pool, Amy isn't sure what she'll uncover as she digs into the murder. With the stakes higher than ever, Amy is in a race to find the killer before her walk down the aisle.

The art dealer's death at the engagement party proved to be quite an interesting plot. The victim wasn't someone Amy or Richard knew and he ended up at the party inadvertently while trying to meet with the host about a rare book they were both bidding on. As Amy begins digging into the victim's life, she learns the man wasn't exactly on the up and up. With several potential enemies, Amy has her work cut out for her to uncover the killer. Add on the fact she's quite busy in the lead up to her wedding and Amy is definitely stretched thin. I was surprised by the ending and how the final showdown with the killer went. Overall I thought the plot was well done and I enjoyed the little bit of suspense at the end.

Amy is a great main character and I love how much she's grown throughout the series. As a former university librarian, Amy already had excellent research skills prior to getting involved in murder cases but her skills have only gotten better over time. She's great at digging beneath the surface and doesn't trust everything she's told without verifying the information. I like that she actively keeps the sheriff informed and doesn't go off on her own. Her relationship with Richard continues to be fantastic and has developed nicely over the course of the series. I like how supportive they are of each other and how well they get each other.

Overall A Deadly Edition was a fantastic read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Renewed for Murder, soon.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

I did enjoy this cozy mystery! I have read a few in this series already, so I knew I would enjoy the writing at least. But the story was well paced and captivating, and I feel into that spell that only a good cozy can induce. Who is the murder? Is there danger just around the corner for the characters? What is the motive? All of this and more gets answered, and in a way that leaves you wanting more from the series, and yet glad this chapter has concluded.

A great cozy series with more to come! Five stars.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting mystery featuring Amy and her friends. I enjoyed seeing Amy finally marry Richard in this book and the mystery definitely kept me guessing as I read. Another solid installment from a likable cozy series.

I received this book through NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. This author has a way of making me care about all the characters in this. The mystery was great again. I did not guess the who at all. The wedding was so sweet. It felt like watching people I have grown to love enjoying the love around them. The little bit of magic is awesome too. I love Kurt he continues to be my favorite character.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one as much as I have the others in the series. Wonderful when a series maintains it's quality, instead of resting on prior work!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery hit just the right note for me. I enjoy the Blue Ridge Library series (even though I haven't read others yet), and this one kept me entertained with a good mix of small-town charm, wedding prep chaos, and, of course, murder. Amy Webber is in the middle of balancing her upcoming wedding to Richard with yet another mystery that lands right at their feet.

What I liked best was the balance between the personal (Amy's relationship, family dynamics, wedding details) and the puzzling mystery surrounding a rare book and the murder of an art dealer. It had that perfect cozy mix: bookish details, quirky side characters like Aunt Lydia, and Sunshine (a.k.a. Sunny) Fields, and a satisfying sense of community.

It's not overly dark or heavy, more of a comfort read with enough twists to keep me guessing. For me, it was a solid four-star cozy mystery: fun, engaging, and just the right escape.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great cast of characters in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert !!

A Deadly Edition is the fifth book in this series and a lot of going on !!! Main character Amy Webber is getting ready to marry her fiance Richard Muir and they are in the final stages of planning the big day !! Unfortunately while celebrating their upcoming wedding at the house of family friend Kurt Kendrick, an uninvited guest is found dead in a shed on the expansive property.... and the bride and groom are the ones who found the body !! The body is learned to be a rival of Kurt's, Oscar Selvaggio. Oscar is an art dealer and he is bidding on a rare book that Kurt is also interested in and bidding on as well.

When it is ruled that Oscar was murdered by poison it raises the question as to who could have done it knowing that Oscar was not invited to the party and just showed up with his assistant. There were a number of people who were seen mixing drinks and some who admitted to giving Oscar a drink but they all also deny poisoning him.

Amy should be focusing on the wedding and her happily ever after but being a librarian and one who likes puzzles and doing research, it is with no stretch of the imagination that she is going to look into Oscar, his background as well as those suspected of killing him. One thing that Amy does not like is that her mysterious younger brother shows up saying his is on vacation from his more mysterious job and will be in town until the wedding. And when he disappears for a few days without telling anyone and no one can reach him, she cannot help but wonder if he could have had something to do with Oscar's death.

Gilbert provides readers with a vast set of likely suspects in A Deadly Edition and one cannot help but be thoroughly taken in by the story. Readers will not only want to continue reading to find out who killed Oscar and why but they will want to continue reading until the end to see if Amy and Richard get to the altar and say "I do".......

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Here comes the bride... Stumbling into yet another mystery.

Librarian Amy Webber is just weeks away from marrying Richard Muir, and the lovebirds couldn't be happier. That is, until they stumble across the body of an art dealer at a party celebrating their upcoming nuptials... a party that happened to be hosted by Kurt Kendrick, who happened to trying to acquire the same piece as the deceased. And although Amy and Richard know that Kurt has been involved in some, ahem, shady work in the past, neither of them believe that Kurt should be at the top of the suspect list. This close to walking down the aisle, Amy doesn't want to get involved... but that doesn't stop her curiosity from getting the better of her. If there's one thing Amy knows for sure, it's that solving a mystery requires a lot of research. And when you need a lot of research done, you need a librarian.

The fifth thrilling title in the Blue Ridge Library mystery series, "A Deadly Edition" finds our favorite Librarian once again putting her skills to great use as she sorts through the past to understand the present, trailing suspects, dodging danger... all while running a library and preparing to marry the love of her life! (*sigh* Richard.... Love that man...) Readers of the previous installments are going to love seeing the familiar faces, learn more of the enigmatic Kurt Kendrick, wish we were eating Aunt Lydia's cakes, hang out with Sunny, and cluck their tongues as "The Nightingale" does what she does best! Plus the addition of some new faces, namely Amy's mysterious brother, Scott, who supposedly works in cybersecurity... but does he? (Dun dun DUH!)

Full of Gilbert's wonderful suspect list, plot twists, beautifully written small-town life in Taylorsford, and--of course--finally watching Amy and Richard tie the knot, "A Deadly Edition" is one of the best books in the series yet!