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Greer Hogan Mystery #1
The Unkindness of Ravens
Librarian Greer Hogan matches wits with a deviously clever killer in M.E. Hilliard's chilling series debut, ideal for fans of Louise Penny and Dorothy L. Sayers.
Greer Hogan is a librarian and an avid reader of murder mysteries. She also has a habit of stumbling upon murdered bodies. The first was her husband's, and the tragic loss led Greer to leave New York behind for a new start in the Village of Raven Hill. But her new home becomes less idyllic when she discovers her best friend sprawled dead on the floor of the library.
Was her friend's demise related to two other deaths that the police deemed accidental? Do the residents of this insular village hold dark secrets about another murder, decades ago? Does a serial killer haunt Raven Hill?
As the body count rises, Greer's anxious musings take a darker turn when she uncovers unexpected and distressing information about her own husband's death...and the man who went to prison for his murder . She is racked with guilt at the possibility that her testimony may have helped to convict an innocent man.
Though Greer admires the masters of deduction she reads about in books, she never expected to have to solve a mystery herself. Fortunately, she possesses a quick wit and a librarian's natural resourcefulness. But will that be enough to protect her from a brilliant, diabolical murderer?
And even if Greer manages to catch the Raven Hill killer, will living with her conscience prove a fate worse than death?
Greer Hogan is a librarian and an avid reader of murder mysteries. She also has a habit of stumbling upon murdered bodies. The first was her husband's, and the tragic loss led Greer to leave New York behind for a new start in the Village of Raven Hill. But her new home becomes less idyllic when she discovers her best friend sprawled dead on the floor of the library.
Was her friend's demise related to two other deaths that the police deemed accidental? Do the residents of this insular village hold dark secrets about another murder, decades ago? Does a serial killer haunt Raven Hill?
As the body count rises, Greer's anxious musings take a darker turn when she uncovers unexpected and distressing information about her own husband's death...and the man who went to prison for his murder . She is racked with guilt at the possibility that her testimony may have helped to convict an innocent man.
Though Greer admires the masters of deduction she reads about in books, she never expected to have to solve a mystery herself. Fortunately, she possesses a quick wit and a librarian's natural resourcefulness. But will that be enough to protect her from a brilliant, diabolical murderer?
And even if Greer manages to catch the Raven Hill killer, will living with her conscience prove a fate worse than death?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 13, 2021
226 people are currently reading
2103 people want to read
About the author
M.E. Hilliard
4 books134 followersM.E. is currently a librarian who started out in retail merchandising. Her first job was as an assistant buyer at Lord & Taylor, where her glamour job involved office space in the basement of the Fifth Avenue store. After twelve years of mergers, consolidations, and moves around the country, she went to graduate school and got a Master of Library Science degree. She has been in the information business ever since, working for public libraries small and large. Originally from the Connecticut shoreline, she has never lost her love of quaint small towns, big cities, and fashion, so she indulges that in her writing. A life-long lover of mystery fiction, M.E. completed her first novel while taking some time off to care for an elderly relative. She currently lives and works in Florida, where she has acquired a houseful of misfit pets and a violent palm tree allergy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 432 reviews
March 29, 2021
This great start to a new cozy mystery series has all the elements I love in such novels. A murder in a library in an old manor with a gothic vibe, a smart librarian who is keen to sleuth around and play amateur detective, a small town full of gossips and people with long memories and of course the local police who keep the investigation close to themselves.
Greer Hogan is the 'new librarian' (she fears she'll be the new librarian until the day she dies) at Raven Hill library in upstate New York. She left New York City for a fresh start after her husband was killed in a bungled burglary. After going to graduate school and retraining as a librarian she was pleased to land a job in a small town where she had a good friend, Joanna Goodhue. But now she's found her friend's body in the library and it doesn't look as if she died of natural causes.
Greer is a keen reader of crime novels and can't help collecting clues and drawing up a list of suspects to investigate. She sees herself as more Trixie Belden than Nancy Drew or Miss Marple and with her subtle snooping and eavesdropping and logical mind is able to arrive at several theories for Joanna's death.
There is much to like in this debut novel. A clever, amateur detective who enjoys books, has a sense of humour and no major flaws (despite the tragic death of her husband) is refreshing. I also enjoyed that the police were not only friendly and helpful, but listened to Greer's theories and the odd things she reported to them and were concerned for her safety. The manor house bequested to the town for use as a library is very atmospheric and perfect for creeping around gothic stairways during a stormy night and provides plenty of suspense for the novel. I'll definitely be looking out for the next instalment in this series.
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
Greer Hogan is the 'new librarian' (she fears she'll be the new librarian until the day she dies) at Raven Hill library in upstate New York. She left New York City for a fresh start after her husband was killed in a bungled burglary. After going to graduate school and retraining as a librarian she was pleased to land a job in a small town where she had a good friend, Joanna Goodhue. But now she's found her friend's body in the library and it doesn't look as if she died of natural causes.
Greer is a keen reader of crime novels and can't help collecting clues and drawing up a list of suspects to investigate. She sees herself as more Trixie Belden than Nancy Drew or Miss Marple and with her subtle snooping and eavesdropping and logical mind is able to arrive at several theories for Joanna's death.
There is much to like in this debut novel. A clever, amateur detective who enjoys books, has a sense of humour and no major flaws (despite the tragic death of her husband) is refreshing. I also enjoyed that the police were not only friendly and helpful, but listened to Greer's theories and the odd things she reported to them and were concerned for her safety. The manor house bequested to the town for use as a library is very atmospheric and perfect for creeping around gothic stairways during a stormy night and provides plenty of suspense for the novel. I'll definitely be looking out for the next instalment in this series.
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
April 27, 2021
The Unkindness of Ravens by M.E. Hilliard is a cozy mystery that takes place mostly in a library. Greer Hogan is a fairly new resident in the village of Raven Hill and she is the librarian. The library is located in an old mansion donated to Raven Hill by a wealthy family. The building is somewhat creepy and Greer discovers that in a huge way. While going upstairs for lunch, she comes upon the body of a dear friend. Was this an accident or murder? The police are called but Greer is determined to secretly solve this mystery on her own. This was an enjoyable read. The village characters are diverse and interesting. The storyline, while not necessarily always plausible, is suspenseful and relatable. There are plenty of clues but you will be kept waiting till the last pages for the details to become clear. If, like me, you love reading anything that has to do with books, libraries and librarians, The Unkindness of Ravens ticks all the boxes. Highly recommended. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2024
Is there anything more outstanding for a lover of books than a book set in a library and featuring a librarian as its principal character?
Cozy mystery, wonderful setting, intriguing cast of secondary characters, satisfying ending, with a teaser for what to expect in book two!
Cozy mystery, wonderful setting, intriguing cast of secondary characters, satisfying ending, with a teaser for what to expect in book two!
September 4, 2022
Halloween Bingo 2022
I have always thought that library folk would make good investigators. We have research skills, are pretty analytical, and often have a mystery fiction habit. Plus, a lot of us are nosey and we're good at blending into the background. I think this author, a fulltime librarian, feels the same way.
I guess this would qualify as a cozy mystery, but it is missing several of the usual hallmarks of that genre. There is no romantic suspense element to the story. Greer Hogan is a widow and not looking for a new love interest. She has no pets (although she does borrow her landlord's dog occasionally). She isn't focused on home decoration or cooking either. She's working a full-time job, learning about her new community, and doing the bare minimum at home, very realistic in my experience.
Her husband's death hangs over her, making her feel guilty that she didn't go home where she might have prevented his murder. And she is starting to believe that the guy who was sentenced for the murder was truthful when he claimed Dan was unconscious but alive when he left. Greer feels guilty because while Dan was dying, she was confronting her former flame, trying to convince herself that she made the correct matrimonial choice.
This is one of the good cozies, because Greer works with the local police, not in competition with them. She does, however, strongly believe in her own research skills and her insight into the character of the first murder victim, her friend Joanna. Greer may think about ravens and crows during the course of the book, but her mind is like a magpie, collecting shiny things and putting them together. I guess all three birds are members of the very smart family of corvids!
If you like this book, may I suggest A Dark and Stormy Murder by Julia Buckley, The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco by Laura DiSilverio, or maybe Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany. They are all about bookish women who get drawn into investigations. Also, I would have been quite confused about what exactly Raven's Kill was (a stream) unless I had previously read In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming. It is not a cozy mystery, but it is compelling and highly recommended.
Read to fill the Murder and Mayhem by the Book square of my bingo card.
I have always thought that library folk would make good investigators. We have research skills, are pretty analytical, and often have a mystery fiction habit. Plus, a lot of us are nosey and we're good at blending into the background. I think this author, a fulltime librarian, feels the same way.
I guess this would qualify as a cozy mystery, but it is missing several of the usual hallmarks of that genre. There is no romantic suspense element to the story. Greer Hogan is a widow and not looking for a new love interest. She has no pets (although she does borrow her landlord's dog occasionally). She isn't focused on home decoration or cooking either. She's working a full-time job, learning about her new community, and doing the bare minimum at home, very realistic in my experience.
Her husband's death hangs over her, making her feel guilty that she didn't go home where she might have prevented his murder. And she is starting to believe that the guy who was sentenced for the murder was truthful when he claimed Dan was unconscious but alive when he left. Greer feels guilty because while Dan was dying, she was confronting her former flame, trying to convince herself that she made the correct matrimonial choice.
This is one of the good cozies, because Greer works with the local police, not in competition with them. She does, however, strongly believe in her own research skills and her insight into the character of the first murder victim, her friend Joanna. Greer may think about ravens and crows during the course of the book, but her mind is like a magpie, collecting shiny things and putting them together. I guess all three birds are members of the very smart family of corvids!
If you like this book, may I suggest A Dark and Stormy Murder by Julia Buckley, The Readaholics and the Falcon Fiasco by Laura DiSilverio, or maybe Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany. They are all about bookish women who get drawn into investigations. Also, I would have been quite confused about what exactly Raven's Kill was (a stream) unless I had previously read In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming. It is not a cozy mystery, but it is compelling and highly recommended.
Read to fill the Murder and Mayhem by the Book square of my bingo card.
April 30, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Is there anything more outstanding for a bibliophile than a book set in a library and featuring a librarian as its principal character? 🤔 I think not! 🙌🏻
PROS
-- Outstanding cover!
-- Well written, I believe this is this author's debut novel?
-- Engaging plot that kept me turning the pages.
-- Well plotted out mystery that kept me guessing right until the end.
-- Marvellous setting. It completely reminded me of the library I used to go to until I moved away. It was built in 1913 and was full of quirky nooks and creaking floors/stairs, just like the Raven Hill library in the book.
-- Intriguing cast of secondary characters.
-- Greer was a very likable principal character.
-- Satisfying ending to the mystery, with a little teaser for what is coming up in the next book of the series.
CONS
-- Genuinely can't think of a single one. 🤔
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Is there anything more outstanding for a bibliophile than a book set in a library and featuring a librarian as its principal character? 🤔 I think not! 🙌🏻
PROS
-- Outstanding cover!
-- Well written, I believe this is this author's debut novel?
-- Engaging plot that kept me turning the pages.
-- Well plotted out mystery that kept me guessing right until the end.
-- Marvellous setting. It completely reminded me of the library I used to go to until I moved away. It was built in 1913 and was full of quirky nooks and creaking floors/stairs, just like the Raven Hill library in the book.
-- Intriguing cast of secondary characters.
-- Greer was a very likable principal character.
-- Satisfying ending to the mystery, with a little teaser for what is coming up in the next book of the series.
CONS
-- Genuinely can't think of a single one. 🤔
**ARC Via NetGalley**
April 11, 2021
I came close to not finishing M.E. Hilliard's The Unkindness of Ravens or at least deciding to skim through sections, but I'm glad I didn't. Why did I come so close to giving up? Because it took three-quarters of the book before everything began to click. Why did I persevere? Because there would be an occasional quip or literary allusion from the main character, Greer Hogan, that convinced me she was one character worth getting to know.
Greer's husband was murdered, and the entire experience-- from finding his body all the way through the court trial-- was so painful that she had the strength and will to put it all behind her and start a whole new life. Her experience as a businesswoman and as a librarian makes her especially adept at organizing her days so she has time to be an amateur sleuth. She's also level-headed and has a strong sense of self-preservation. Intentionally putting herself in danger is not her style, and she shares her discoveries with the police. Toward the end of The Unkindness of Ravens, I found myself cheering Greer on to victory, which is always a good sign.
Hilliard created a good, solid mystery, a fantastic setting, and an interesting, likable main character. The action in the book leads inevitably to the next book in the series. What I'm hoping for in that second book is much-improved pacing and more highly developed characters-- especially Officer Jennie Webber, whom I found very intriguing.
Once everything began to click, this book became an enjoyable read, and what's not to like about a public library housed in an old mansion that's so Gothic and Jane Eyre-like that one expects to see the first Mrs. Rochester glaring out from an upstairs window? When all is said and done, I find myself looking forward to meeting Greer Hogan and Officer Webber again soon.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
Greer's husband was murdered, and the entire experience-- from finding his body all the way through the court trial-- was so painful that she had the strength and will to put it all behind her and start a whole new life. Her experience as a businesswoman and as a librarian makes her especially adept at organizing her days so she has time to be an amateur sleuth. She's also level-headed and has a strong sense of self-preservation. Intentionally putting herself in danger is not her style, and she shares her discoveries with the police. Toward the end of The Unkindness of Ravens, I found myself cheering Greer on to victory, which is always a good sign.
Hilliard created a good, solid mystery, a fantastic setting, and an interesting, likable main character. The action in the book leads inevitably to the next book in the series. What I'm hoping for in that second book is much-improved pacing and more highly developed characters-- especially Officer Jennie Webber, whom I found very intriguing.
Once everything began to click, this book became an enjoyable read, and what's not to like about a public library housed in an old mansion that's so Gothic and Jane Eyre-like that one expects to see the first Mrs. Rochester glaring out from an upstairs window? When all is said and done, I find myself looking forward to meeting Greer Hogan and Officer Webber again soon.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
July 18, 2024
4 1/2 stars.
This debut novel in a new series was a homerun for me. Hilliard produced a chilling atmosphere as the suspense and danger built in this cozy to a level which is rare in this genre. Greer, the main character, worked an old mansion that was converted into a library and filled with nooks and crannies as well as unexpected creaks and groans. She found it welcoming until she discovered a dead body. Afterwards, often the hair of her neck rose as she felt that someone was watching her when she entered supposedly empty parts of the library. Even the alarm system did not show any movement but someone was there because there was another attack.
Well plotted and well written I was captivated by this book and read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. Since the character was new to the area and the one person she knew the best was murdered, there weren't as many characters Greer (and the reader) connect with as in many cozy series but time will probably change that as the series continues. I felt there were a couple of small things that were left hanging but maybe they will be addressed in another book.
I definitely recommend this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a free copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This debut novel in a new series was a homerun for me. Hilliard produced a chilling atmosphere as the suspense and danger built in this cozy to a level which is rare in this genre. Greer, the main character, worked an old mansion that was converted into a library and filled with nooks and crannies as well as unexpected creaks and groans. She found it welcoming until she discovered a dead body. Afterwards, often the hair of her neck rose as she felt that someone was watching her when she entered supposedly empty parts of the library. Even the alarm system did not show any movement but someone was there because there was another attack.
Well plotted and well written I was captivated by this book and read it in one sitting. I enjoyed the characters and the setting. Since the character was new to the area and the one person she knew the best was murdered, there weren't as many characters Greer (and the reader) connect with as in many cozy series but time will probably change that as the series continues. I felt there were a couple of small things that were left hanging but maybe they will be addressed in another book.
I definitely recommend this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a free copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2022
This is a good cozy mystery. The fall setting and small-town atmosphere are vividly portrayed. The main character, unfortunately named Greer Hogan, isn’t a total idiot and actually cooperates with the police, who are also not total idiots. And of course, the library setting means we get lots of references of other books. It’s a very straightforward, investigative plot.
The blurb is completely misleading. It says Greer finds the body of her best friend, but that’s not correct; it’s a friendly co-worker. The setup is that Greer had previously discovered her husband’s body, but that mystery is not addressed here other than to mention Greer has doubts that the person convicted is truly guilty. The blurb also mentions a “growing body count” when in reality it’s one more. And I wouldn’t say there’s any “matching wits” at all. Greer just follows up on what the victim was doing before her demise and interviews people.
My mind kind of drifted a lot during the book, which was not the book’s fault. I do recommend it for cozy fans.
*Reader’s Choice Nominee Fall 2022*
Language: Clean (that I remember)
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Not graphic; murders happen off-page.
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
November 29, 2020
A GREER HOGAN MYSTERY
Meet Greer Hogan. Librarian and murder mystery lover. A puzzle solver. A widow whose husband was murdered. Who would have thought in the smaller Village of Raven Hill she would again be stumbling over a body? In the library no less!
Unfortunately, the body is also a friend of Greer’s from school. Who in the world would want her dead? When Greer finds a cryptic note left for her by the victim, she decides this time she is not going to let it go.
There have already been a couple of deaths that the police say are accidents. But are they? Who are these people in this small village and what kind of dark secrets are they harboring?
Stirring up all kinds of trouble with her questioning, Greer is soon the object of the killer’s fury.
This was a good first book in the series. Greer is a strong female with a few soft spots. I would have liked to have heard more about her background and I’m sure we will.
Well Done!
NetGalley/ April 13th, 2021 by Crooked Lane Books
Meet Greer Hogan. Librarian and murder mystery lover. A puzzle solver. A widow whose husband was murdered. Who would have thought in the smaller Village of Raven Hill she would again be stumbling over a body? In the library no less!
Unfortunately, the body is also a friend of Greer’s from school. Who in the world would want her dead? When Greer finds a cryptic note left for her by the victim, she decides this time she is not going to let it go.
There have already been a couple of deaths that the police say are accidents. But are they? Who are these people in this small village and what kind of dark secrets are they harboring?
Stirring up all kinds of trouble with her questioning, Greer is soon the object of the killer’s fury.
This was a good first book in the series. Greer is a strong female with a few soft spots. I would have liked to have heard more about her background and I’m sure we will.
Well Done!
NetGalley/ April 13th, 2021 by Crooked Lane Books
July 11, 2021
I knew I would like this book when chapter one weighed the rival merits of Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. I'm still solidly a Nancy girl, but anyone who wants to have that debate will win my friendship in a heartbeat.
And for the most part, I would say this book lives up to the initial hype. It is a solid, satisfying cozy mystery with a likable heroine and ominous murder. I'm also pleased with the clichés it avoided—for example, making the cop an ally instead of a bumbling fool.
But like many cozy mysteries, I tended to agree with the cops that the librarian had no business wading into the murder. Her suspect list seemed kind of random and I struggled to keep up. And the genealogy of how everyone fit together in that town was...confusing, to say the least. Also, I'm always going to want a romance.
But I think it is a solid start and I look forward to more Greer Hogan mysteries.
And for the most part, I would say this book lives up to the initial hype. It is a solid, satisfying cozy mystery with a likable heroine and ominous murder. I'm also pleased with the clichés it avoided—for example, making the cop an ally instead of a bumbling fool.
But like many cozy mysteries, I tended to agree with the cops that the librarian had no business wading into the murder. Her suspect list seemed kind of random and I struggled to keep up. And the genealogy of how everyone fit together in that town was...confusing, to say the least. Also, I'm always going to want a romance.
But I think it is a solid start and I look forward to more Greer Hogan mysteries.
December 13, 2024
I have to admit the auther captured me right at the beginning with Trixie vs Nancy... As a child I loved reading the Trixie Belden series. I found Trixie to be much more relatable. A normal kid like I was-- Not beautiful, rich and perfect like Nancy Drew.
Really enjoyed this mystery. It was different in a way that kept me eagerly turning the pages!
Really enjoyed this mystery. It was different in a way that kept me eagerly turning the pages!
October 15, 2021
3.5 stars.
No stranger to discovering a dead body, Greer Hogan, reference librarian, finds the body of a friend, Joanna, upstairs at the library one day.
(Greer relates that she had found her husband, Danny, murdered, in their former NYC home. Though a murderer was found, the man insisted he had not killed Danny. Greer feels guilt about Danny's death because she had not joined her husband for a business meeting he was supposed to be at.)
Greer's present day body-finding moment kicks off her finding out much more about the many secrets in the small town she lives in now, and of a murder many years ago that has a bearing on her friend's death.
Greer is a fan of "girl detectives" having read Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden (her fave), then graduated to Dame Agatha Christie's and Lord Peter Wimsey's works, and no doubt many other amateur detective stories. She consequently enjoys ferreting out information about the various suspects of Joanna's murder. She dives into her sleuthing, since she knows that as the person who discovered the body, the police will look first at her. So, she investigates her co-workers and the library's board members, in the hope of finding some damning bit of information that will take her off the police's list. One member of the investigation, Jennie Webber, a former soldier, has a particularly keen eye on Greer. Poking her nose into the Board's plans, and her coworkers' lives brings Greer to the notice of the actual murderer, and things get much more dangerous...
It took me a little while to warm up to Greer because of her desire to quickly send the police after someone other than her, making me wonder what she was hiding. Turns out it wasn't so bad, but it does lead into questions about her husband's murder, which don't get answered here, but I hope eventually do. Which means, I'm reading more of Greer's adventures.
No stranger to discovering a dead body, Greer Hogan, reference librarian, finds the body of a friend, Joanna, upstairs at the library one day.
(Greer relates that she had found her husband, Danny, murdered, in their former NYC home. Though a murderer was found, the man insisted he had not killed Danny. Greer feels guilt about Danny's death because she had not joined her husband for a business meeting he was supposed to be at.)
Greer's present day body-finding moment kicks off her finding out much more about the many secrets in the small town she lives in now, and of a murder many years ago that has a bearing on her friend's death.
Greer is a fan of "girl detectives" having read Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden (her fave), then graduated to Dame Agatha Christie's and Lord Peter Wimsey's works, and no doubt many other amateur detective stories. She consequently enjoys ferreting out information about the various suspects of Joanna's murder. She dives into her sleuthing, since she knows that as the person who discovered the body, the police will look first at her. So, she investigates her co-workers and the library's board members, in the hope of finding some damning bit of information that will take her off the police's list. One member of the investigation, Jennie Webber, a former soldier, has a particularly keen eye on Greer. Poking her nose into the Board's plans, and her coworkers' lives brings Greer to the notice of the actual murderer, and things get much more dangerous...
It took me a little while to warm up to Greer because of her desire to quickly send the police after someone other than her, making me wonder what she was hiding. Turns out it wasn't so bad, but it does lead into questions about her husband's murder, which don't get answered here, but I hope eventually do. Which means, I'm reading more of Greer's adventures.
March 4, 2021
Huge thank you to Netgalley & Crooked Lane Books for an early edition of this book for my honest review!
It's been a while since I've picked up a cozy mystery so The Unkindness of Ravens called to me in a lot of ways: creepy manor, girl detective, and a murder. Three of my favorite boxes checked, and a brand new author who is also a librarian. So I had high hopes for this book and was very excited when I was approved for an early copy.
And this book didn't disappoint. It is everything that you love about a cozy murder mystery. The plot moved very quickly, and it was a book I wanted to pick up every chance that I got. It was also really hard to put down because every time I got to a point where I thought to put this down and do other life things, another curveball was thrown my way. Another piece of evidence. A new suspect. Something to keep me glued to my screen.
I loved Greer as the main character as well. We meet after she's pivoted her life around after the loss of her husband, and it's that loss that drives her to be the girl's detective when she finds the body of a murder victim in her library. My favorite thing about Greer is she knows what she's doing is dangerous, and does everything she can to make sure anyone helping her solve this murder is safe. But, she also does her best to protect herself. It's not always the best, but at least she's aware of the danger. She's also brilliant, backups all her data, does her research, and shares her information with the police.
My pet peeve with these is always when the character playing detective doesn't include the actual detectives. Greer isn't like that. She shares her information as she goes, never showing her full hand, but never excluding them either. This plays one of her favor in the last few chapters.
The small-town aspect of this story was the perfect setting. In a town where everyone knows everyone, but the secrets run a mile long, is always a favorite of mine. The difference for me was just how much the town seemed willing to help Greer solve this murder. Add on the fact the library is placed in a creepy old manor house, all of this worked in the story's favor. The small-town vibes left you wondering who was hiding what, and maybe the manor was really haunted. Could it have been a ghost? It all kind of put the cozy in a cozy murder mystery.
I also loved all the book references from some of Agatha Christie's detectives to the great detective himself, Sherlock Holmes. Not just quotes, but small references and nods to the characters and stories. I loved those so much because I was raised on those stories. From Great Grandmother to my Ma, I come by my love murder mysteries legitly. So I thought each little Easter Egg as they were a lot of fun, and since Greer is a librarian it made sense that she'd references these moments.
Lastly, I thought the lead-up to the mystery itself was solid and well thought out. I was following along with each clue that Greer found, making my own murder board in my head as the story went on. About halfway through I had a pretty good idea where the story was headed, and the closer to the end I got the more I knew I was right on the track. I also thought the ending was very fitting and the conclusion was satisfying. All of the loose ends were tied up, and it's always nice to know also were blaming the characters.
So, why only four stars instead of five? My only complaint about this book was there were a lot of Harry Potter references in this book. The first one that pops is while Greer is talking to a child so I forgave it. But, after that Greer makes several throughout the book, and they were easily avoided with other literary references. But, other than that this is a great book, and I'm interested in the next books in the series. I think I know where Hilliard is going to take it and they have my attention.
It's been a while since I've picked up a cozy mystery so The Unkindness of Ravens called to me in a lot of ways: creepy manor, girl detective, and a murder. Three of my favorite boxes checked, and a brand new author who is also a librarian. So I had high hopes for this book and was very excited when I was approved for an early copy.
And this book didn't disappoint. It is everything that you love about a cozy murder mystery. The plot moved very quickly, and it was a book I wanted to pick up every chance that I got. It was also really hard to put down because every time I got to a point where I thought to put this down and do other life things, another curveball was thrown my way. Another piece of evidence. A new suspect. Something to keep me glued to my screen.
I loved Greer as the main character as well. We meet after she's pivoted her life around after the loss of her husband, and it's that loss that drives her to be the girl's detective when she finds the body of a murder victim in her library. My favorite thing about Greer is she knows what she's doing is dangerous, and does everything she can to make sure anyone helping her solve this murder is safe. But, she also does her best to protect herself. It's not always the best, but at least she's aware of the danger. She's also brilliant, backups all her data, does her research, and shares her information with the police.
My pet peeve with these is always when the character playing detective doesn't include the actual detectives. Greer isn't like that. She shares her information as she goes, never showing her full hand, but never excluding them either. This plays one of her favor in the last few chapters.
The small-town aspect of this story was the perfect setting. In a town where everyone knows everyone, but the secrets run a mile long, is always a favorite of mine. The difference for me was just how much the town seemed willing to help Greer solve this murder. Add on the fact the library is placed in a creepy old manor house, all of this worked in the story's favor. The small-town vibes left you wondering who was hiding what, and maybe the manor was really haunted. Could it have been a ghost? It all kind of put the cozy in a cozy murder mystery.
I also loved all the book references from some of Agatha Christie's detectives to the great detective himself, Sherlock Holmes. Not just quotes, but small references and nods to the characters and stories. I loved those so much because I was raised on those stories. From Great Grandmother to my Ma, I come by my love murder mysteries legitly. So I thought each little Easter Egg as they were a lot of fun, and since Greer is a librarian it made sense that she'd references these moments.
Lastly, I thought the lead-up to the mystery itself was solid and well thought out. I was following along with each clue that Greer found, making my own murder board in my head as the story went on. About halfway through I had a pretty good idea where the story was headed, and the closer to the end I got the more I knew I was right on the track. I also thought the ending was very fitting and the conclusion was satisfying. All of the loose ends were tied up, and it's always nice to know also were blaming the characters.
So, why only four stars instead of five? My only complaint about this book was there were a lot of Harry Potter references in this book. The first one that pops is while Greer is talking to a child so I forgave it. But, after that Greer makes several throughout the book, and they were easily avoided with other literary references. But, other than that this is a great book, and I'm interested in the next books in the series. I think I know where Hilliard is going to take it and they have my attention.
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February 8, 2023I pulled 'The Unkindness Of Ravens' from my TBR pile because I was in the mood for snuggling up with a cosy mystery and I thought "What could be better than a body in the library found by a librarian who always wanted to be Trixie Belden and who has a personal history with murder?". As a bonus, 'The Unkindness Of Ravens' is the first book in a series about Greer Hogan, a librarian who is an amateur sleuth in a small town.
The book started well enough: Greer Hogan had a strong voice, was something of an outsider and I suspected early on that this was as much about her personality as it was about being new in town, and it was clear that she had a well-developed and challenging backstory that I was looking forward to finding out about. The scene setting was crisp and clear and didn't lean on cliché. Greer's interior conversation showed flashes of wit without having that forced "See how bright and witty I am?" flavour that tends to undermine my belief in the character.
The only problem was the way Madeleine Lambert, the narrator, decided to deliver the book. When there was dialogue, the narration was lively and gifted the main characters with distinctive voices. The prose sections felt flat and emotionless.
I hoped that this might change once the scene setting was done and the action sped up.
Unfortunately, that's not how things went.
At the 25% mark, I reluctantly set the book aside. It wasn't that it was awful but it wasn't a book that I found myself eager to get back to. I finally acknowledged that I was only half-listening to the book because I was finding it dull and I was bored.
Partly, that was due to the pace of the storytelling, which felt slow without the benefit of becoming more intense because it was taking its time. Partly it was because the main character, while competent and resourceful, seemed emotionally distant. Mostly, it was because the narration remained flat and deadened the text. The liveliness that was present in all the scenes with dialogue was noticeably absent when narrating Greer's thoughts. Internal arguments, doubts and fears held no more emotion than a description of pouring a cup of coffee and the humour passed by unremarked.
Maybe I'd have fared better with the ebook but you know how it is, "So many books. So little time.". I'm moving on.
The book started well enough: Greer Hogan had a strong voice, was something of an outsider and I suspected early on that this was as much about her personality as it was about being new in town, and it was clear that she had a well-developed and challenging backstory that I was looking forward to finding out about. The scene setting was crisp and clear and didn't lean on cliché. Greer's interior conversation showed flashes of wit without having that forced "See how bright and witty I am?" flavour that tends to undermine my belief in the character.
The only problem was the way Madeleine Lambert, the narrator, decided to deliver the book. When there was dialogue, the narration was lively and gifted the main characters with distinctive voices. The prose sections felt flat and emotionless.
I hoped that this might change once the scene setting was done and the action sped up.
Unfortunately, that's not how things went.
At the 25% mark, I reluctantly set the book aside. It wasn't that it was awful but it wasn't a book that I found myself eager to get back to. I finally acknowledged that I was only half-listening to the book because I was finding it dull and I was bored.
Partly, that was due to the pace of the storytelling, which felt slow without the benefit of becoming more intense because it was taking its time. Partly it was because the main character, while competent and resourceful, seemed emotionally distant. Mostly, it was because the narration remained flat and deadened the text. The liveliness that was present in all the scenes with dialogue was noticeably absent when narrating Greer's thoughts. Internal arguments, doubts and fears held no more emotion than a description of pouring a cup of coffee and the humour passed by unremarked.
Maybe I'd have fared better with the ebook but you know how it is, "So many books. So little time.". I'm moving on.
November 2, 2021
Although I liked the heroine and the setting (a library!) I really was ready to be done with this book long before I finished it. It felt like it went on too long.
January 24, 2021
I really liked this book, though I think the publisher’s blurb comparing it to Dorothy L. Sayers’ work is inaccurate. This is not classic crime but cosy crime with an edge. I think it should be celebrated for what it is, rather than shoe-horned into a different sub-genre.
One of the things that I find a bit dull in cosy crime is the romance element - there’s usually a handsome man wooing the librarian protagonist. In Greer Hogan’s case, her handsome man has been murdered before the book begins - her husband Danny was killed in what the police in New York believed to be a burglary gone wrong. However the man convicted of the crime has maintained all along that he left Danny wounded but alive. At the time, Greer was in so much grief and so relieved that she was no longer a suspect that she’s just accepted the police and court’s findings. However, when she finds another body at her place of work a few years later, she is terrified her previous status as murder suspect in Danny’s case will get her in trouble again, and she starts to investigate this second murder in order to ensure suspicion doesn’t fall on her.
In the course of her investigation, she forms a firm new friendship with Jennie Webber, the investigating officer. This focus on platonic friendship is far more to my liking than romance. It keeps the actual murder story in focus, while giving Greer someone with whom she can share her ideas - and from whom she can find information. The other aspect of the book I love is the focus on information seeking - throughout we’re told how Greer finds stuff online and in the library, and there’s a great scene in which she uses records and chatting to colleagues to home in on some legal provisions in a will, which Jennie correctly figures a librarian will be quicker to track down than a police officer.
In the end, this is cosy crime, and after a scary tussle with the murderer, all’s well that ends well. And in self-reflection in the last few pages, Greer realises she owes it to Danny and herself to look into what actually happened the night he was killed. Hopefully this is the set up for the next book in the series. It will be great to see Greer back in New York and getting some resolution to the past.
If you like cosy crime, but would prefer it a little darker than usual, The Unkindness of Ravens is probably the book for you.
One of the things that I find a bit dull in cosy crime is the romance element - there’s usually a handsome man wooing the librarian protagonist. In Greer Hogan’s case, her handsome man has been murdered before the book begins - her husband Danny was killed in what the police in New York believed to be a burglary gone wrong. However the man convicted of the crime has maintained all along that he left Danny wounded but alive. At the time, Greer was in so much grief and so relieved that she was no longer a suspect that she’s just accepted the police and court’s findings. However, when she finds another body at her place of work a few years later, she is terrified her previous status as murder suspect in Danny’s case will get her in trouble again, and she starts to investigate this second murder in order to ensure suspicion doesn’t fall on her.
In the course of her investigation, she forms a firm new friendship with Jennie Webber, the investigating officer. This focus on platonic friendship is far more to my liking than romance. It keeps the actual murder story in focus, while giving Greer someone with whom she can share her ideas - and from whom she can find information. The other aspect of the book I love is the focus on information seeking - throughout we’re told how Greer finds stuff online and in the library, and there’s a great scene in which she uses records and chatting to colleagues to home in on some legal provisions in a will, which Jennie correctly figures a librarian will be quicker to track down than a police officer.
In the end, this is cosy crime, and after a scary tussle with the murderer, all’s well that ends well. And in self-reflection in the last few pages, Greer realises she owes it to Danny and herself to look into what actually happened the night he was killed. Hopefully this is the set up for the next book in the series. It will be great to see Greer back in New York and getting some resolution to the past.
If you like cosy crime, but would prefer it a little darker than usual, The Unkindness of Ravens is probably the book for you.
May 8, 2021
Right from the very beginning, I was gripped by this enthralling cozy mystery by M. E. Hilliard. After her husband’s death, librarian Greer Hogan decides she needs a fresh start and leaves New York City taking a job in Raven Hill, a lovely little village that becomes less attractive when Greer finds the body of her best friend in her library. This is the third death in the village in a short amount of time that the police believe were unfortunate accidents, but mystery reader Greer isn’t certain. As facts about her husband’s murder surface, Greer begins to wonder if she helped convict an innocent man. Greer is a likeable, intelligent heroine in this new cozy series. I’m looking forward to meeting up with her in book two. All in all, a great début.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 28, 2022
Greer has become the new librarian at Raven Hill. She is a fan of murder mysteries. Yet she never would have thought that she would be the one to discover a body in the library. She is worried that she is a suspect as this is her second time discovering a dead body. She must solve this mystery before she becomes the next victim.
#BookQuest categories=Red, New, and Present Day
#BookQuest categories=Red, New, and Present Day
April 13, 2021
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
I was very impressed with this series starter from a debut author. It was a cozy that stayed away from the genre's trap of using quirkiness as a substitute for substance and instead focused on the mystery. There is some good backstory developed for main character Greer that I think will be useful going forward. The author's bio indicates that they are a librarian, and that definitely shows in the writing of Greer (as a librarian, a pet peeve is inaccurate depictions of librarians and library work in fiction). There is great potential for this series, and this was an excellent start.
I was very impressed with this series starter from a debut author. It was a cozy that stayed away from the genre's trap of using quirkiness as a substitute for substance and instead focused on the mystery. There is some good backstory developed for main character Greer that I think will be useful going forward. The author's bio indicates that they are a librarian, and that definitely shows in the writing of Greer (as a librarian, a pet peeve is inaccurate depictions of librarians and library work in fiction). There is great potential for this series, and this was an excellent start.
April 10, 2021
Greer Hogan left the city of New York to start a new life and work as a librarian in the village of Raven Hill. She loves reading, especially about smart detectives, such as Poirot and Miss Marple, therefore when a friend of hers dies in in mysterious circumstances, she knows she has to do something to reveal what happened.
The death of Greer’s friend brings back terrible and sad memories. What Greer thought might be a peaceful village and a place to leave those memories behind turns out to be quite the contrary. The library, a place she loves, is now a murder scene. Moreover, the murderer is out there and her own life is at risk. Will she be able to solve this intricate mystery? There’s no doubt Greer will have to "rely on those little grey cells" as one of her favourite detectives used to say.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The death of Greer’s friend brings back terrible and sad memories. What Greer thought might be a peaceful village and a place to leave those memories behind turns out to be quite the contrary. The library, a place she loves, is now a murder scene. Moreover, the murderer is out there and her own life is at risk. Will she be able to solve this intricate mystery? There’s no doubt Greer will have to "rely on those little grey cells" as one of her favourite detectives used to say.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 23, 2021
This debut mystery stars Greer Hogan who came to librarianship after a previous career in the cosmetics industry in New York City. Her guilt about the death of her husband in an apparent home invasion caused her to look for a new career and new city. Now, she is happily settled in her new job as a librarian at Raven Hill Manor in a small New York town.
She has connected with an old friend from her college days who is also a recent resident of the town and who is active in the Friends of the Library. When she discovers her friend's body after an apparent fall, she decides to find out what happened to Joanna for two reasons. She wants justice for her friend and she doesn't want to be considered a suspect. Finding two dead bodies can be really career-limiting!
Greer is a devoted fan of mysteries and their detectives and needs to channel the things she has learned from all those fictional detectives from Miss Marple's nose for gossip to her own personal favorite Trixie Belden's use of teamwork. I really enjoyed the number of books and detectives that Greer mentioned throughout the book.
The story required Greer to look into the past of the town and the people and to try to retrace the path Joanna forged to figure out who the killer was and why Joanna was killed. There was a nice array of suspects from Joanna's husband to her colleague at the television station where she worked to a woman who was opposed to Joanna's support for a new library building.
I really enjoyed this debut and look forward to more from the author.
She has connected with an old friend from her college days who is also a recent resident of the town and who is active in the Friends of the Library. When she discovers her friend's body after an apparent fall, she decides to find out what happened to Joanna for two reasons. She wants justice for her friend and she doesn't want to be considered a suspect. Finding two dead bodies can be really career-limiting!
Greer is a devoted fan of mysteries and their detectives and needs to channel the things she has learned from all those fictional detectives from Miss Marple's nose for gossip to her own personal favorite Trixie Belden's use of teamwork. I really enjoyed the number of books and detectives that Greer mentioned throughout the book.
The story required Greer to look into the past of the town and the people and to try to retrace the path Joanna forged to figure out who the killer was and why Joanna was killed. There was a nice array of suspects from Joanna's husband to her colleague at the television station where she worked to a woman who was opposed to Joanna's support for a new library building.
I really enjoyed this debut and look forward to more from the author.
February 18, 2021
This book grabbed my interest immediately because, on the first page, a favorite childhood fictional character of mine was mentioned. You may not know her, but she was Trixie Belden. She, her brothers, Honey and Jim had adventures and solved mysteries with their club. They had exactly the life that I wanted .I loved Trixie more than Nancy Drew. As this was exactly how the fictional detective in this book felt, I knew that I wanted to read more.
The amateur sleuth in this title is Greer. Her husband had been murdered (not a spoiler as this is mentioned early in the novel) and she has sought a new life away from New York City. Greer goes to library school and moves to a small town in upstate New York. A library patron and friend to Greer is murdered. What is behind the murder? Who did it? How will intrepid, amateur sleuth Greer fare? Will the solution tell her more about her husband? Find out in this cozy mystery.
In addition to Trixie, I loved the library setting and the mention of various books and authors. Readers will wish for a library like this, despite the crimes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
The amateur sleuth in this title is Greer. Her husband had been murdered (not a spoiler as this is mentioned early in the novel) and she has sought a new life away from New York City. Greer goes to library school and moves to a small town in upstate New York. A library patron and friend to Greer is murdered. What is behind the murder? Who did it? How will intrepid, amateur sleuth Greer fare? Will the solution tell her more about her husband? Find out in this cozy mystery.
In addition to Trixie, I loved the library setting and the mention of various books and authors. Readers will wish for a library like this, despite the crimes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
May 24, 2021
I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. Greer Hogan left a high paying job in NYC after the murder of her husband. She went on and obtained her master degree in library science.
She starts her new job as a librarian in a small town in New York. The library building is an old atmospheric gothic building. She is known as the "new librarian" and feels she will be known as that until the day she dies. She is a Trixie Belden fan rather than a Nancy Drew fan. She knows her mystery books and quotes occasionally from them. She has a sense of humor.
She stumbles over the body of the President of Friends of the Library at the bottom of the stairs. She knew the victim before taking this job. The police are very closed mouth and won't confirm if it was an accident or murder.
Greer turns into an amateur sleuth. There are some good scenes with storms, being in the library at night and the power goes off. Greer does work with police eventually after gathering information. The murder of her husband still haunts her and one can see where the second book is going to go. I am looking forward to it. I enjoyed this read.
She starts her new job as a librarian in a small town in New York. The library building is an old atmospheric gothic building. She is known as the "new librarian" and feels she will be known as that until the day she dies. She is a Trixie Belden fan rather than a Nancy Drew fan. She knows her mystery books and quotes occasionally from them. She has a sense of humor.
She stumbles over the body of the President of Friends of the Library at the bottom of the stairs. She knew the victim before taking this job. The police are very closed mouth and won't confirm if it was an accident or murder.
Greer turns into an amateur sleuth. There are some good scenes with storms, being in the library at night and the power goes off. Greer does work with police eventually after gathering information. The murder of her husband still haunts her and one can see where the second book is going to go. I am looking forward to it. I enjoyed this read.
January 26, 2021
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity!
A murder has happened inside the small Village of Raven Hill's library and Greer just so happens to be the one that discovers the body. As the story progresses and you learn more about Greer, you find that she's attempting to start over due to a few things that she would like to leave behind her. As she makes friends with those that work within the library, she starts to decide if everything is as cracked up as it should be and who is a friend.
This is a great book for those that love a page-turner with a who-dun-it type of synopsis with creaky doors, dusty shelves, and rooms, and the suspense of the main character tracking down the details, this book is for you! I found it an easy and enjoyable read and look forward to the next within the series.
A murder has happened inside the small Village of Raven Hill's library and Greer just so happens to be the one that discovers the body. As the story progresses and you learn more about Greer, you find that she's attempting to start over due to a few things that she would like to leave behind her. As she makes friends with those that work within the library, she starts to decide if everything is as cracked up as it should be and who is a friend.
This is a great book for those that love a page-turner with a who-dun-it type of synopsis with creaky doors, dusty shelves, and rooms, and the suspense of the main character tracking down the details, this book is for you! I found it an easy and enjoyable read and look forward to the next within the series.
June 22, 2021
A book about a librarian sleuth written by a librarian. She most certainly gets all the library and librarian stuff right, almost to the point that there was too much of it and perhaps non-librarians would be lost in it. Greer Hogan launches herself into investigating the death of the president of the Friends, a woman who is a little more than an acquaintance, but not much more. Her reasoning is that the police will suspect her because she found the body, but they really don't seem to. she throws herself into it in the best Nance Drew, Trixie Belden fashion, but she really rubbed me the wrong way. The setting, the plot all fine, but Greer, I couldn't take her. And since she is telling the story in the first person there is no distance between her and the reader. You say girl detective, I say busy body, all too willing to withhold evidence from the police.
November 2, 2020
Successful city girl moves to small town America to escape the memories of her husband’s murder. Coincidentally she reconnects with an old college friend whilst taking on a new role as librarian in a spooky gothic Manor House library. Friend also gets murdered. Lots of detective story quotes and comments abound, some of them repeatedly! This was a Jessica Fletcher Murder She Wrote type of story, and was very twee. The only things that brought it up to date were cell phones and computers! What really showed up was the lack of empathy Greer had for her murdered friend, only interested in clearing her name. Not a book I would recommend, have given 3 stars as unable to do 2.5. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read.
December 20, 2020
Let me start by saying I wish Greer Hogan worked at my library because I’m certain we’d be good friends. I really enjoyed this new mystery - the setting, the characters, and the plot - all of it was fantastic!
When Greer discovers the body of her friend, she does what any good mystery reader would do, she tries to solve the crime. The story moves quickly and had me interested the whole time. I especially loved all the literary references, although I am more partial to Nancy Drew over Trixie Belden.
And besides all of that, my husband loves the title.
I received an advanced readers copy of this this book in exchange for an honest review.
When Greer discovers the body of her friend, she does what any good mystery reader would do, she tries to solve the crime. The story moves quickly and had me interested the whole time. I especially loved all the literary references, although I am more partial to Nancy Drew over Trixie Belden.
And besides all of that, my husband loves the title.
I received an advanced readers copy of this this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2022
I only kept reading this because I thought surely it would get better but nope I was wrong. The characters were flat as pancakes and so was the plot. I kept thinking I had missed a book before this but nope. The one thing I liked was the first page where she is comparing Nancy Drew with Trixie Beldon which I loved since she is the first author I’ve met who has read Trixie. However, do yourself a favor and skip this, it’s not worth getting involved in.
October 9, 2021
I lasted until page 67, which was Chapter Six with this book before I gave up. In six chapters it never drew me into the story. I didn't care about the people, I didn't care about the story, in short, this was pretty boring.
October 14, 2021
2.75 stars. I like the character and the library setting but I found myself skimming through sections.
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