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Booklover's B&B Mysteries #3
A Fatal Booking
Booklover Charlotte is delighted to welcome an eclectic group of guests to Chapters Bed and Breakfast for a book-club retreat focused on fairy tales and classic children’s literature. But when one of the guests is poisoned at a Mad Hatter tea party, Charlotte realizes she’s fallen down a rather unpleasant rabbit hole.
The victim—an opinionated busybody whose jewelry store sold original designs, along with some possibly “hot” merchandise—had plenty of enemies, spurring Charlotte and Ellen to offer their well-honed investigative skills to assist the local police. But as they delve deeper into each of the guest’s stories, they realize all of them had a motive, and the means, to close the book on the unfortunate victim.
Enlisting the aid of a few local residents, as well as their new ally, agent Gavin Howard, Charlotte and Ellen vow to reveal the truth, even if the path to any sort of happy ending is strewn with deadly danger.
The victim—an opinionated busybody whose jewelry store sold original designs, along with some possibly “hot” merchandise—had plenty of enemies, spurring Charlotte and Ellen to offer their well-honed investigative skills to assist the local police. But as they delve deeper into each of the guest’s stories, they realize all of them had a motive, and the means, to close the book on the unfortunate victim.
Enlisting the aid of a few local residents, as well as their new ally, agent Gavin Howard, Charlotte and Ellen vow to reveal the truth, even if the path to any sort of happy ending is strewn with deadly danger.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2022
97 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Gilbert
22 books854 followersVictoria 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
February 27, 2022
A Fatal Booking
by Victoria Gilbert is the third book in the Booklover’s B&B cozy mystery series. In this engaging story, the author has managed to bring together an amateur sleuth with her older neighbor and friend who was a spy in her younger days. The literary-themed Chapters Bed and Breakfast (B&B) is the main focal point and the story is set in and around Beaufort, North Carolina.
Charlotte Reed inherited the B&B from her great-aunt Isabella Harrington and left a job teaching high school English to run it. A last minute cancellation opens the B&B for a last minute request. An illustrator and jewelry designer who also taught at the same school calls for a week-long literary event focused on classic children’s literature and fairy tales, and Charlotte is happy to take the reservation. When one of the guests is found dead during a costumed tea party, Charlotte and neighbor Ellen Montgomery are once again working to solve the mystery while keeping Detective Amber Johnson informed as they discover helpful information. The victim had plenty of enemies and many of them were in the book club.
Charlotte has an inquisitive mind and is a likeable character, but there were a couple of times when she noticed something that should have been investigated but didn’t do so despite her craving for excitement and danger. The characters are well developed with a charming mix of personalities ranging from likable, intelligent, and independent to quirky to annoying to deceptive. One additional positive is the inclusion of diverse characters which isn’t often done in cozy mysteries.
The book has the right mix of humor, suspense, historical questions, and suspense in a contemporary mystery. However, the pace seemed somewhat slow in the beginning as characters were introduced and the background established. After the mid-point, though, the tempo increased, and the ending was a highlight. There are several potential suspects and enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Will you guess who the killer is and why they did it? Several themes run through the story line including murder, business practices, racism, friendship, and a bit of romance, plus a few others that would be spoilers.
Overall, this was an entertaining and fun novel. I look forward to seeing what is next for Charlotte and her friends. Readers of cozy mysteries set in the south with a focus on books will likely enjoy this series. The series is best read in order to see the character growth and the friendships develop, but this novel can be read as a stand-alone.
Crooked Lane Books and Victoria Gilbert provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 07, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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Review to come soon.
Charlotte Reed inherited the B&B from her great-aunt Isabella Harrington and left a job teaching high school English to run it. A last minute cancellation opens the B&B for a last minute request. An illustrator and jewelry designer who also taught at the same school calls for a week-long literary event focused on classic children’s literature and fairy tales, and Charlotte is happy to take the reservation. When one of the guests is found dead during a costumed tea party, Charlotte and neighbor Ellen Montgomery are once again working to solve the mystery while keeping Detective Amber Johnson informed as they discover helpful information. The victim had plenty of enemies and many of them were in the book club.
Charlotte has an inquisitive mind and is a likeable character, but there were a couple of times when she noticed something that should have been investigated but didn’t do so despite her craving for excitement and danger. The characters are well developed with a charming mix of personalities ranging from likable, intelligent, and independent to quirky to annoying to deceptive. One additional positive is the inclusion of diverse characters which isn’t often done in cozy mysteries.
The book has the right mix of humor, suspense, historical questions, and suspense in a contemporary mystery. However, the pace seemed somewhat slow in the beginning as characters were introduced and the background established. After the mid-point, though, the tempo increased, and the ending was a highlight. There are several potential suspects and enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Will you guess who the killer is and why they did it? Several themes run through the story line including murder, business practices, racism, friendship, and a bit of romance, plus a few others that would be spoilers.
Overall, this was an entertaining and fun novel. I look forward to seeing what is next for Charlotte and her friends. Readers of cozy mysteries set in the south with a focus on books will likely enjoy this series. The series is best read in order to see the character growth and the friendships develop, but this novel can be read as a stand-alone.
Crooked Lane Books and Victoria Gilbert provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 07, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------
Review to come soon.
March 24, 2022
This is the third book in a series set in Chapters B&B in North Carolina.
This time round Charlotte is hosting a book club retreat focused on fairy tales and classic children's literature.It should have been a fun time - the group even dress up for a Mad Hatter's tea party - but their are angry undercurrents between the members. Then there is a death and Charlotte takes it on herself to help find the murderer.
I enjoyed the fact that Charlotte has a good relationship with the police and takes her information to them, most of the time anyway. I also like the fact that Ellen, the elderly lady who lives next door, used to be a spy and still has useful connections and hidden talents. Add to this Gavin, who is also a spy, and his developing relationship with Charlotte and you have a whole new way of looking at a cosy mystery.
A Fatal Booking is every bit as entertaining as the previous two books. I hope the author is planning more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This time round Charlotte is hosting a book club retreat focused on fairy tales and classic children's literature.It should have been a fun time - the group even dress up for a Mad Hatter's tea party - but their are angry undercurrents between the members. Then there is a death and Charlotte takes it on herself to help find the murderer.
I enjoyed the fact that Charlotte has a good relationship with the police and takes her information to them, most of the time anyway. I also like the fact that Ellen, the elderly lady who lives next door, used to be a spy and still has useful connections and hidden talents. Add to this Gavin, who is also a spy, and his developing relationship with Charlotte and you have a whole new way of looking at a cosy mystery.
A Fatal Booking is every bit as entertaining as the previous two books. I hope the author is planning more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 9, 2022
In this third book of a series of cosy mysteries set in a Booklover's B&B called 'Chapters', a guest is murdered while taking part in a Mad Hatter's tea party. The victim, Stacy Wilkin, was a member of a book club staying at Chapters for a few days with several events planned around the theme of children's books and fairy tales. With previous experience as an amateur sleuth, the owner of Chapters, Charlotte Reed is keen to help the police find out who murdered her guest, especially since they are still staying in her B&B.
This was an enjoyable mystery, although fairly slow to get going, it gradually built to a thrilling action packed ending. Charlotte was able to discover that Stacy had previously crossed all five remaining members of the bookclub in one way or another and they all had a reason to hate her and the means to murder her, so singling out the murderer was challenging. Perhaps because Charlotte is the narrator, I haven't really warmed to her yet as a character but I really like her elderly friend and next door neighbour, Ellen who is and ex spy and immense help to Charlotte in her amateur sleuthing. I also like Charlotte's boyfriend, Gavin who is also currently an active spy, often away for long periods on secret missions, so I hope we see more of him in the future. 3.5★
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for a copy to read.
This was an enjoyable mystery, although fairly slow to get going, it gradually built to a thrilling action packed ending. Charlotte was able to discover that Stacy had previously crossed all five remaining members of the bookclub in one way or another and they all had a reason to hate her and the means to murder her, so singling out the murderer was challenging. Perhaps because Charlotte is the narrator, I haven't really warmed to her yet as a character but I really like her elderly friend and next door neighbour, Ellen who is and ex spy and immense help to Charlotte in her amateur sleuthing. I also like Charlotte's boyfriend, Gavin who is also currently an active spy, often away for long periods on secret missions, so I hope we see more of him in the future. 3.5★
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for a copy to read.
June 1, 2022
Charlotte, owner of Chapters B&B in North Carolina, was about to welcome a book club group on a retreat which focused on the classics and fairytales of the past, to her B&B. Alicia, her housekeeper and general right hand person, and Damien, the chef, were readied, as well as the local Bookshop along with other friends of Charlotte’s. But it didn’t take her long to pick up on the tensions within the group, and when one person was found dead in the garden, Charlotte and Ellen vowed to find the answers, helping out the local police as they’d done in the past.
Digging into the guests’ pasts, Charlotte and Ellen knew there were many secrets hidden, which certain people wouldn’t want to come to light. As the police interviewed the guests, keeping them at Chapters until they were cleared, strange things were happening in and around the B&B. When friend and ally, agent Gavin, arrived back in town, he was also enlisted by Charlotte and Ellen. But would they find the culprit before someone else died?
A Fatal Booking is the 3rd in the Booklover’s B&B Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert and once again I enjoyed the entertainment. The characters are fun, Shandy the little terrier is cute, and the action, often centred around books, is sometimes dangerous, always full on, and the conclusion is satisfying. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Digging into the guests’ pasts, Charlotte and Ellen knew there were many secrets hidden, which certain people wouldn’t want to come to light. As the police interviewed the guests, keeping them at Chapters until they were cleared, strange things were happening in and around the B&B. When friend and ally, agent Gavin, arrived back in town, he was also enlisted by Charlotte and Ellen. But would they find the culprit before someone else died?
A Fatal Booking is the 3rd in the Booklover’s B&B Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert and once again I enjoyed the entertainment. The characters are fun, Shandy the little terrier is cute, and the action, often centred around books, is sometimes dangerous, always full on, and the conclusion is satisfying. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2022
This is a cozy mystery and is the third in the Booklover's B&B Mystery series, but I have not read the earlier books. No matter, it was easy to drop in and read as a stand alone. I picked this book up because it is set in Beaufort, North Carolina, a town I love to visit when I get a chance.
The story setting is at Chapters Bed and Breakfast, called Chapters because it is a literary themed venue. The B & B is owned by Charlotte Reed, who inherited it from her great-aunt, Isabella Harrington. A book club has come to stay at Chapters for a week-long event. A guest is murdered during the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, a costumed event the group held at the bed and breakfast. There are multiple suspects in the literary group staying there and Charlotte and her neighbor, Ellen Montgomery start invesigating the case on their own, behind the scenes. They do inform the police though when they find information.
I enjoyed the book and it held my attention with a mix of humor an suspense. I liked the characters and enjoyed the literary setting. The Beaufort, NC backdrop was a treat. I also liked Gavin, Charlotte's boyfriend who has an undercover background.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 7, 2022.
The story setting is at Chapters Bed and Breakfast, called Chapters because it is a literary themed venue. The B & B is owned by Charlotte Reed, who inherited it from her great-aunt, Isabella Harrington. A book club has come to stay at Chapters for a week-long event. A guest is murdered during the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, a costumed event the group held at the bed and breakfast. There are multiple suspects in the literary group staying there and Charlotte and her neighbor, Ellen Montgomery start invesigating the case on their own, behind the scenes. They do inform the police though when they find information.
I enjoyed the book and it held my attention with a mix of humor an suspense. I liked the characters and enjoyed the literary setting. The Beaufort, NC backdrop was a treat. I also liked Gavin, Charlotte's boyfriend who has an undercover background.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 7, 2022.
June 11, 2022
I really like the premise of this series and that is of an old Victorian home used as a B and B for retreats. Each room of Chapters B and B has a different literary theme, like the Classics room has a bookcase with classic books in it. What a fun idea! I have enjoyed each of the books in the series. In this new book, owner Charlotte and her crew are hosting her old college friend Lora and her book club friends. Lora is an artist who designs jewelry and illustrates books. When one of the club members is found dead, Charlotte and her sleuthing friend and neighbor, Ellen, seek to find answers and do keep in touch with Detective Amber Johnson. This is another fun addition to the mystery series with action, danger, suspense, and a pool of suspects. There are changes ahead for Charlotte and her friends and I look forward to reading about them.
I received a complimentary copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
I received a complimentary copy from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
December 21, 2021
A Fatal Booking is a great read. Charlotte Reed is the main character who inherited Chapters B&B from her Aunt Isabella Harrington. She had a reputation as a socialite giving great parties. The other characters just add to the story. A book club group is staying at the B&B. Lara Kane, an artist who designs jewelry went to school with Charlotte and head of this group. Stacy Wilkins is part of the book club but is not staying at the B&B. There is much animosity between her and the other members of the group. Stacy also has a run in with a Captain Sam Jointer who owns a fishing tour fleet and threatened her. . Arnold Dean is an elderly man who is godfather to Lora and is a member of the book club.. He went to school with her neighbor Ellen Montgomery. Stacy is found dead in the garden of the B&B from poisoning at the tea party which brings in Detective Amber Johnson. All of this adds to the suspense of the story. Over the years there is many unsolved burglaries of vintage jewelry. Charlotte and Ellen want to find out who killed Stacy and why. This takes them on many adventures which ends in a climax of an exciting ending.
I look forward to the next in this series and to see where the story line goes with Charlotte, her boyfriend, Gavin and Ellen.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
I look forward to the next in this series and to see where the story line goes with Charlotte, her boyfriend, Gavin and Ellen.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
June 5, 2022
A Fatal Booking by Victoria Gilbert is the third A Booklover’s B&B Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I enjoyed reading this charming cozy mystery. I thought it was well-written and engaging. I did find A Fatal Booking to be a slow starter as we are introduced to the characters. The pacing increased towards the halfway mark. I find Charlotte Reed to be a great main character. She is realistic and relatable. I like Charlotte’s inquisitive mind. I also like her neighbor, Ellen who was a spy before she retired. There is a great mix of personalities in this story which makes it more interesting. I also like the diversity of the characters. I just love the descriptions of Chapters. A literary themed bed and breakfast is just the place for booklovers to stay while on vacation. I would love to live in this gorgeous home. The library (of course) is my favorite room. The mystery was well-plotted with a handful of suspects and a red herring. It seems the victim had crossed every member of the book club at one time or another as well as a someone who lives nearby. I had a good time solving this whodunit. I like a mystery that is out of the box. There are clues to help readers solve the crime before the reveal (if you are paying attention). Charlotte comes across helpful information and notices clues. I did feel that Charlotte dropped the ball a couple of times. Charlotte would notice something, but she did not follow up. I like that she enlists the help of her friends and Charlotte does share information with the detective on the case. There is romance in the story as well. Charlotte’s spy boyfriend, Gavin is back. I think they are a nice, compatible couple, and I hope they get to spend more time together in the future. The author combined interesting characters, a curious crime, a touch of romance, some suspense, and hints of humor into one engaging cozy mystery. I am curious what is going to happen in the next A Booklover’s B&B Mystery. A Fatal Booking is an inviting Southern cozy mystery with an argumentative book group, an open attic door, missing mementoes, murdered rumormonger, curious clues, and an inquisitive innkeeper.
June 7, 2022
If you want to relax with a cozy mystery, then check out Victoria Gilbert’s A Fatal Booking. It’s even better if you’re relaxing on a beach or wishing that you were.It’s the third book in the Booklover’s B&B Mysteries series, but you don’t have to read the first two books to appreciate the third. I hadn’t read the first two books and enjoyed it as a standalone book. I am adding the first two books to my TBR.
Charlotte Reed runs Chapters, a bed and breakfast in Beaufort, NC that she inherited from her great-aunt Isabella Harrington. Charlotte taught high school until Charlotte’s husband died, and one of her fellow teachers, Lora Kane, has booked the entire B&B with her book club for a week to discuss children’s literature. Charlotte’s book club will be joining them for some book discussions, including a Hans Christian Anderson anthology including Lora’s illustrations.
All of the book club members are staying in the B&B except for Stacy, who lives 30 minutes away in New Bern. Charlotte and her housekeeper Alicia meet the guests and learn their guests dislike Stacy. When they meet her, they understand why. Soon after, Stacy’s body is found, and it appears she was poisoned with strychnine. Charlotte and her group of Irregulars try to find the murderer before other murders happen.
As a North Carolinian, I enjoyed seeing Beaufort highlighted as the setting. I cracked up that Gilbert included “bless your heart”. Many Southerners use that phrase as a replacement for the f-word.
Gilbert doesn’t give the run-of-the-mill strychnine case, choosing a poison that shows up less often in mystery stories. She also does an excellent job of providing legitimate reasons that so many suspects would have easy access to the poison. The plot resolution ties up the loose ends successfully, including a satisfying twist as the story approaches its climax.
A Fatal Booking is an entertaining cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading more cozies by Victoria Gilbert.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a review copy of the book.
Charlotte Reed runs Chapters, a bed and breakfast in Beaufort, NC that she inherited from her great-aunt Isabella Harrington. Charlotte taught high school until Charlotte’s husband died, and one of her fellow teachers, Lora Kane, has booked the entire B&B with her book club for a week to discuss children’s literature. Charlotte’s book club will be joining them for some book discussions, including a Hans Christian Anderson anthology including Lora’s illustrations.
All of the book club members are staying in the B&B except for Stacy, who lives 30 minutes away in New Bern. Charlotte and her housekeeper Alicia meet the guests and learn their guests dislike Stacy. When they meet her, they understand why. Soon after, Stacy’s body is found, and it appears she was poisoned with strychnine. Charlotte and her group of Irregulars try to find the murderer before other murders happen.
As a North Carolinian, I enjoyed seeing Beaufort highlighted as the setting. I cracked up that Gilbert included “bless your heart”. Many Southerners use that phrase as a replacement for the f-word.
Gilbert doesn’t give the run-of-the-mill strychnine case, choosing a poison that shows up less often in mystery stories. She also does an excellent job of providing legitimate reasons that so many suspects would have easy access to the poison. The plot resolution ties up the loose ends successfully, including a satisfying twist as the story approaches its climax.
A Fatal Booking is an entertaining cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading more cozies by Victoria Gilbert.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a review copy of the book.
January 10, 2022
If you're looking for an action-packed cozy mystery with an interesting suspect pool, I'd recommend checking out A Fatal Booking. This book was so compelling, I stayed up much later than I should have to finish it!
I liked that the reader is given all the clues they need to solve the mystery, but the mystery wasn't straightforward either. I was able to correctly guess the individual(s) involved but was still interested in seeing whether my guess was correct and how the pieces of the puzzle came together in the end.
I was particularly impressed at how in-depth Gilbert went into the poisoning. It's nothing graphic or overly violent, but the reader does learn more about how the poison could have been sourced and general information about its properties. This was intriguing to me, and I think it helped make the mystery more realistic.
On a less positive note, I found it a bit unbelievable that Charlotte was allowed to know about the past or present participation of her boyfriend, neighbour, and late great-aunt in American intelligence gathering. While I liked how they spiced up the action, I didn't love this aspect of the book either. At times, I felt that they provided Charlotte with a bit too much convenient help.
In a genre where characters of colour are rare, I was pleased to see the inclusion of several.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. This book works as a standalone. Readers do not have to read previous books in the series before reading A Fatal Booking.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
I liked that the reader is given all the clues they need to solve the mystery, but the mystery wasn't straightforward either. I was able to correctly guess the individual(s) involved but was still interested in seeing whether my guess was correct and how the pieces of the puzzle came together in the end.
I was particularly impressed at how in-depth Gilbert went into the poisoning. It's nothing graphic or overly violent, but the reader does learn more about how the poison could have been sourced and general information about its properties. This was intriguing to me, and I think it helped make the mystery more realistic.
On a less positive note, I found it a bit unbelievable that Charlotte was allowed to know about the past or present participation of her boyfriend, neighbour, and late great-aunt in American intelligence gathering. While I liked how they spiced up the action, I didn't love this aspect of the book either. At times, I felt that they provided Charlotte with a bit too much convenient help.
In a genre where characters of colour are rare, I was pleased to see the inclusion of several.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. This book works as a standalone. Readers do not have to read previous books in the series before reading A Fatal Booking.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
April 4, 2022
A book club filled with people who don't really like each other and a Mad Hatter themed tea party for the club - turns out to be the nightmare Charlotte thought when a member of the club is murdered. Since the tea party is being held at Chapters, Charlotte's B&B, she finds herself in the middle of another investigation.
I enjoy the series and found this mystery as entertaining as the first book. With the help of her senior next door neighbor, former spy Ellen Montgomery, and support from her boyfriend Gavin who is also a spy, Charlotte figures out a tricky case that I enjoyed. I really like the fact that Isabella Harrington, Charlotte's aunt who left her the B&B, has her own story to tell. It's a mystery within a mystery!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own..
I enjoy the series and found this mystery as entertaining as the first book. With the help of her senior next door neighbor, former spy Ellen Montgomery, and support from her boyfriend Gavin who is also a spy, Charlotte figures out a tricky case that I enjoyed. I really like the fact that Isabella Harrington, Charlotte's aunt who left her the B&B, has her own story to tell. It's a mystery within a mystery!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own..
March 17, 2022
A B&B that is book themed, costumed book parties, a fabulous library and a host that loves to talk books...where do I sign up!?! Another great visit to Chapters B&B with the delightful characters that keep the doors open and the friends who visit regularly along with a full cast of potential suspects that have booked a stay at the B&B! Once again Charlotte and Ellen are on the hunt for the killer who may be sleeping in the house! A great multi-generational cast to help you better connect with the characters, a fabulous setting and a delightfully complicated plot to keep you turning pages well into the night make for an entertaining read that you'll be sure to enjoy! I know I did! While you could enjoy this book as a stand-alone, I do recommend reading the entire series to get full enjoyment and to know the characters better!
June 8, 2022
A Fatal Booking by Victoria Gilbert is the third in this cosy mystery series set in Beaufort, North Carolina. I love a cosy mystery and I wanted to read this particular novel as I have a fancy for cosies about book-lovers, libraries and other book-related things.
Centred around Chapters, a book-themed Bed & Breakfast, I thought this was a fabulous story. Chapters, a perfect book-lovers retreat is run by forty-four-year-old widow and former schoolteacher, Charlotte Reed, who inherited the B&B from her great-aunt Isabella Harrington. Charlotte is hosting a visit by a book club group of children's literature enthusiasts, organised by her artist friend, Lora Kane. One of the guests is poisoned at a Mad Hatter tea party, a costumed event.
The descriptions of small-town life with all its complications and relationships were very enjoyable. I also enjoyed the flow and style of writing and character development. The characters are distinct and entertaining and I continued to really warm to Charlotte in particular - she oozes confidence and style and I adore her matter-of-fact approach. Ellen Montgomery, an ex-spy, friend and neighbour of Charlotte, also deserves a special mention, assisting with the sleuthing as well as helping Charlotte with other matters. She is straightforward and convincing and slotted into the storyline perfectly as a secondary character. Victoria Gilbert provides exactly the right amount of description of the Beaufort, North Carolina setting and I wish that I could take a trip to Chapters myself. A Fatal Booking is a brilliantly executed cosy that kept me guessing and I would love to see what Victoria Gilbert has in store for Charlotte in book #4.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Centred around Chapters, a book-themed Bed & Breakfast, I thought this was a fabulous story. Chapters, a perfect book-lovers retreat is run by forty-four-year-old widow and former schoolteacher, Charlotte Reed, who inherited the B&B from her great-aunt Isabella Harrington. Charlotte is hosting a visit by a book club group of children's literature enthusiasts, organised by her artist friend, Lora Kane. One of the guests is poisoned at a Mad Hatter tea party, a costumed event.
The descriptions of small-town life with all its complications and relationships were very enjoyable. I also enjoyed the flow and style of writing and character development. The characters are distinct and entertaining and I continued to really warm to Charlotte in particular - she oozes confidence and style and I adore her matter-of-fact approach. Ellen Montgomery, an ex-spy, friend and neighbour of Charlotte, also deserves a special mention, assisting with the sleuthing as well as helping Charlotte with other matters. She is straightforward and convincing and slotted into the storyline perfectly as a secondary character. Victoria Gilbert provides exactly the right amount of description of the Beaufort, North Carolina setting and I wish that I could take a trip to Chapters myself. A Fatal Booking is a brilliantly executed cosy that kept me guessing and I would love to see what Victoria Gilbert has in store for Charlotte in book #4.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 26, 2022
I have enjoyed the “A Booklover's B&B Mystery” series since it started, and it just keeps getting better. In A Fatal Booking, Charlotte has her hands full at the B&B with a group of classic fairy tale enthusiasts and jewelry designers. But, when a mad hatter tea party turns fatal, Charlotte finds herself down a rabbit hole she may not be able to climb out of.
Chapter’s B&B has new guests that are varied in almost every except that they enjoy classic fairy tales, tea, and jewelry. Charlotte can’t blame them; what’s not to like. But something is off with one of the guests. Stacy seems to have stolen some jewelry designs from other guests, and no one is speaking up or confronting her with their suspicions or accusations. So, of course, that might be why Stacy is found murdered in the garden turning the mad hatter tea party into a homicide scene. It doesn’t take long for Charlotte and Ellen to find a house full of suspects and plenty of trouble to go along with it.
The suspects seem to just line up in this story without much work to find them or their motives. If you follow it closely, the evidence will lead readers straight to the killer, but that doesn’t mean it is easy to figure out the who-dun-it aspect of this mystery. However, everything is not what it seems, and no amount of tea or beautiful jewelry will change the fact that someone is hiding a terrible crime and rifling through Charlotte’s things in the attic and stealing photos.
I enjoyed the idea of a mad hatter tea party for adults. The jewelry designs sound divine; I would love to have one of those beautiful pieces. I love the B&B, I think it is absolutely delightful, and I would love to visit such a fun place. However, I did not like the constant harping about Charlotte returning to teaching; it was mentioned too often for my tastes. I also feel it would ruin the series if she suddenly returns to teaching and puts the B&B in a stranger's hands. The story is a bit slow to start but jumps into nonstop action as you get closer to revealing the killer. Of course, no story in this series id complete without Charlotte and Ellen putting their lives at risk. A Fatal Booking is an engaging read that will have readers speculating and worrying but ultimately happy.
Chapter’s B&B has new guests that are varied in almost every except that they enjoy classic fairy tales, tea, and jewelry. Charlotte can’t blame them; what’s not to like. But something is off with one of the guests. Stacy seems to have stolen some jewelry designs from other guests, and no one is speaking up or confronting her with their suspicions or accusations. So, of course, that might be why Stacy is found murdered in the garden turning the mad hatter tea party into a homicide scene. It doesn’t take long for Charlotte and Ellen to find a house full of suspects and plenty of trouble to go along with it.
The suspects seem to just line up in this story without much work to find them or their motives. If you follow it closely, the evidence will lead readers straight to the killer, but that doesn’t mean it is easy to figure out the who-dun-it aspect of this mystery. However, everything is not what it seems, and no amount of tea or beautiful jewelry will change the fact that someone is hiding a terrible crime and rifling through Charlotte’s things in the attic and stealing photos.
I enjoyed the idea of a mad hatter tea party for adults. The jewelry designs sound divine; I would love to have one of those beautiful pieces. I love the B&B, I think it is absolutely delightful, and I would love to visit such a fun place. However, I did not like the constant harping about Charlotte returning to teaching; it was mentioned too often for my tastes. I also feel it would ruin the series if she suddenly returns to teaching and puts the B&B in a stranger's hands. The story is a bit slow to start but jumps into nonstop action as you get closer to revealing the killer. Of course, no story in this series id complete without Charlotte and Ellen putting their lives at risk. A Fatal Booking is an engaging read that will have readers speculating and worrying but ultimately happy.
November 12, 2021
Chapters, the B & B featured in this series sounds divine. Imagine being in a book club that gathers at unique venues, like Chapters, to discuss books, authors, and everything according to the world of reading.
That's what Charlotte hopes to convey to the newest group staying at the b &b, but when a particularly rude guest meets their death, Charlotte and her friends can't resist investigating.
As the third book in this series, A Fatal Booking is a fast paced book, filled with an intriguing mystery and a cast of colorful characters.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this great series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#AFatalBooking #NetGalley
That's what Charlotte hopes to convey to the newest group staying at the b &b, but when a particularly rude guest meets their death, Charlotte and her friends can't resist investigating.
As the third book in this series, A Fatal Booking is a fast paced book, filled with an intriguing mystery and a cast of colorful characters.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this great series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#AFatalBooking #NetGalley
May 30, 2022
What should be a lovely week long retreat for a book group at Chapters B&B turns into a homicide investigation. The group members are focusing on fairy tales and children's books, not murder mysteries but one of the group has another agenda. The victim is obnoxious and has had run ins with various people making the list of suspects fairly long. Somebody poisoned her during the Mad Hatter tea party and Charlotte, as owner of the B&B, has the most at stake. It's really bad for business. With the help of her friend, Ellen, an ex-spy and Gavin Howard, Charlotte sets out to expose the killer.
Death by poisoning, burglaries and sales of stolen jewelry are just some of the threads that kept me glued to the page. Even though this is the third book in the series it does work as a stand alone. The mystery is well crafted and Charlotte and Ellen make a great team of sleuths.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Death by poisoning, burglaries and sales of stolen jewelry are just some of the threads that kept me glued to the page. Even though this is the third book in the series it does work as a stand alone. The mystery is well crafted and Charlotte and Ellen make a great team of sleuths.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 23, 2023
Charlotte's friend, Lora Kane, from her teaching days, now an artist and avid reader, is planning on hosting a book club retreat at Chapters. The book club is rather high maintenance and Lora plans to host all the activities herself to manage the drama. Unfortunately, their plans are overheard by a boat captain who is the nemesis of one of the book club members. Charlotte threatens to call the police if he disrupts her business. Then at the Alice in Wonderland tea party, old feuds come to light, a member gets drunk and the captain arrives on the scene. When Stacy is discovered dead in the garden, Charlotte is worried the captain is dangerous. She's also nervous because someone is rummaging around in her locked attic and stealing old photos from the library. What do they want with her Aunt Isabella's old things? Charlotte's sort of significant other is back from his assignment and anxious for Charlotte's safety. He arrives to stay with his "Aunt Ellen" next door. Between Lora and Gavin, Charlotte is rethinking her life and maybe making plans for the future outside of Chapters.
I really liked this mystery a lot. I figured out who pretty quickly but not why. I was thinking along different and more original lines. The villain is a real narcissist and very cold. I was kind of surprised at that. There was some twists I didn't expect though. I found one typo. New Bern was settled in 1710 by Swiss and Palatine immigrants, not Platine. I think this is the end of the line for this series. There are big changes afoot for the characters. I wish them well.
Charlotte has grown a lot in the last few years. She's moved on from her grieving stage and is now ready to face the future. It's a little scary for her and she'll always miss Brett. No amount of "he died a hero" will make her feel better but she now knows life goes on and her heart is healing. A new relationship is beginning and other new beginnings might lie ahead for her as she comes back to life. Charlotte is still shockingly naïve and walks into a trap I saw coming, ANYONE could see coming. Ellen is an amazing sidekick. She's a badass! I found some of things she does wildly unlikely for a woman her age but it's fun. I took exception to the description of her lack of sexuality. There are nuances to asexuality and it's not just lack of interest in romantic entanglements. That part didn't ring true.
Alicia Simpson does all the work at the B&B. She doesn't seem happy to have these newest guests and is kind of rude about their change in plans even though she didn't actually do more work. She's nicer to Charlotte now though. Damien, the chef, is moving upwards and onwards. He's crazy talented but he hasn't yet found a full-time job so he moonlights as chef/bartender for the B&B. he's a chill guy and doesn't let the book club drama get to him. Charlotte really hit it off with Gavin and over the last year they've gotten to know each other, mostly through phone calls and video chats. He's not a bad guy but he doesn't like her getting involved in sleuthing. He knows it can be dangerous better than anybody and just doesn't want her to get hurt. Charlotte stands her ground with him though, at least. There's not much chemistry between them and I'm not sure they're a good couple.
Charlotte's friend Julie is a matchmaker. She ignores everything in front of her and tries to make a match SHE thinks would be good, without knowing anything about the people she's matching. For a bookstore owner, she's kind of annoying. Pete and Sandy are more practical. They may know more than they think they do about the book club drama. Being restaurant owners puts them in prime position to overhear lots of conversations. Bernadette and Ophelia are a lot of fun. They're sisters but as different as night and day. Bernie was a nurse, served in the military and is practical and level-headed. Ophelia is a hopeless romantic and her memories of the past are clear.
I didn't really like Charlotte's friend Lora Kane. Lora seems self-centered and spoiled. If she doesn't like something, she moves on. She was a teacher but not as devoted as Charlotte. Now she's an artist and mentoring a new jewelry artist but she doesn't seem to like it much. She seems proprietary and controlling too, and a little snooty. I think Lora may be stealing someone else's designs and passing them off as her own. I DO love her taste in literature and her Mad Hatter's Tea Party event sounds like fun. I'd love to attend even though that's one of two classic kidlit books I just can NOT bring myself to like no matter how many times I read it.
The book club members are not a nice bunch. Stacy Wikkin, a jewelry shop owner, lives not too far away. She's known as a busybody and gossip. She may also be a liar and a cheat with bad taste in men. She's involved in feuds with other book club members. It's unfortunate that her past catches up to her and someone poisons her.
Was it Vonnie Allen, a Black woman whose son was wrongly accused of theft by Stacy? Ho-hum. If every Black mother killed every White person who accused their sons of wrongdoing, there would be no Black mothers left. Stacy was totally wrong and more than "kinda" racist to do that but it's not unique to her. Captain Sam Joiner claims Stacy cheated him. He's FURIOUS with her and loathes Stacy with a passion. Why would he kill her if she cheated him? She owes him money and murder isn't the way to get it. However, he has a nasty temper and isn't nice to anyone. He's in the right place at the right time with motive, mean and opportunity. Too obvious? Maybe. Arnold Dean, the oldest member of the book club is a lawyer and Lora's godfather. They're pretty close. He's jovial and somewhat mischievous. Arnie seems to have had a thing for Isabella back in his youth and he wants to know more about her and her parties. Linnea Ruskin, the youngest member of the group, is constantly being picked on by the others. Lora is especially belittling, referring to Linnea as a baby. Linnea is a jeweler in training and a talented artist. She seems to have secrets and Stacy loved secrets! Zachery Bell is also unpleasant. He bugs Charlotte about Isabella and seems nice enough but then he reveals a nasty temper. Sure divorce isn't easy, especially when there are kids involved but a temper can lead to trouble. He had beef with Stacy and seems suspicious following her death. Rules don't apply to him.
Detective Amber Johnson is on the case. She's fair minded and Charlotte fills Det. Johnson in on all the clues so the professional can solve the case. Christopher Freedman, Alicia's cousin, is a valuable witness. He does throw someone under the bus, so to speak, but he's just sharing what he knows and it makes that person look like a suspect. Caitlin Chiba is also a witness. She's the nervous type and reluctant to share what she knows.
This is a good series for those who like more complex mysteries with mysterious secrets from the past but not for those who want to feel like part of a family with the sleuthing crew.
I really liked this mystery a lot. I figured out who pretty quickly but not why. I was thinking along different and more original lines. The villain is a real narcissist and very cold. I was kind of surprised at that. There was some twists I didn't expect though. I found one typo. New Bern was settled in 1710 by Swiss and Palatine immigrants, not Platine. I think this is the end of the line for this series. There are big changes afoot for the characters. I wish them well.
Charlotte has grown a lot in the last few years. She's moved on from her grieving stage and is now ready to face the future. It's a little scary for her and she'll always miss Brett. No amount of "he died a hero" will make her feel better but she now knows life goes on and her heart is healing. A new relationship is beginning and other new beginnings might lie ahead for her as she comes back to life. Charlotte is still shockingly naïve and walks into a trap I saw coming, ANYONE could see coming. Ellen is an amazing sidekick. She's a badass! I found some of things she does wildly unlikely for a woman her age but it's fun. I took exception to the description of her lack of sexuality. There are nuances to asexuality and it's not just lack of interest in romantic entanglements. That part didn't ring true.
Alicia Simpson does all the work at the B&B. She doesn't seem happy to have these newest guests and is kind of rude about their change in plans even though she didn't actually do more work. She's nicer to Charlotte now though. Damien, the chef, is moving upwards and onwards. He's crazy talented but he hasn't yet found a full-time job so he moonlights as chef/bartender for the B&B. he's a chill guy and doesn't let the book club drama get to him. Charlotte really hit it off with Gavin and over the last year they've gotten to know each other, mostly through phone calls and video chats. He's not a bad guy but he doesn't like her getting involved in sleuthing. He knows it can be dangerous better than anybody and just doesn't want her to get hurt. Charlotte stands her ground with him though, at least. There's not much chemistry between them and I'm not sure they're a good couple.
Charlotte's friend Julie is a matchmaker. She ignores everything in front of her and tries to make a match SHE thinks would be good, without knowing anything about the people she's matching. For a bookstore owner, she's kind of annoying. Pete and Sandy are more practical. They may know more than they think they do about the book club drama. Being restaurant owners puts them in prime position to overhear lots of conversations. Bernadette and Ophelia are a lot of fun. They're sisters but as different as night and day. Bernie was a nurse, served in the military and is practical and level-headed. Ophelia is a hopeless romantic and her memories of the past are clear.
I didn't really like Charlotte's friend Lora Kane. Lora seems self-centered and spoiled. If she doesn't like something, she moves on. She was a teacher but not as devoted as Charlotte. Now she's an artist and mentoring a new jewelry artist but she doesn't seem to like it much. She seems proprietary and controlling too, and a little snooty. I think Lora may be stealing someone else's designs and passing them off as her own. I DO love her taste in literature and her Mad Hatter's Tea Party event sounds like fun. I'd love to attend even though that's one of two classic kidlit books I just can NOT bring myself to like no matter how many times I read it.
The book club members are not a nice bunch. Stacy Wikkin, a jewelry shop owner, lives not too far away. She's known as a busybody and gossip. She may also be a liar and a cheat with bad taste in men. She's involved in feuds with other book club members. It's unfortunate that her past catches up to her and someone poisons her.
Was it Vonnie Allen, a Black woman whose son was wrongly accused of theft by Stacy? Ho-hum. If every Black mother killed every White person who accused their sons of wrongdoing, there would be no Black mothers left. Stacy was totally wrong and more than "kinda" racist to do that but it's not unique to her. Captain Sam Joiner claims Stacy cheated him. He's FURIOUS with her and loathes Stacy with a passion. Why would he kill her if she cheated him? She owes him money and murder isn't the way to get it. However, he has a nasty temper and isn't nice to anyone. He's in the right place at the right time with motive, mean and opportunity. Too obvious? Maybe. Arnold Dean, the oldest member of the book club is a lawyer and Lora's godfather. They're pretty close. He's jovial and somewhat mischievous. Arnie seems to have had a thing for Isabella back in his youth and he wants to know more about her and her parties. Linnea Ruskin, the youngest member of the group, is constantly being picked on by the others. Lora is especially belittling, referring to Linnea as a baby. Linnea is a jeweler in training and a talented artist. She seems to have secrets and Stacy loved secrets! Zachery Bell is also unpleasant. He bugs Charlotte about Isabella and seems nice enough but then he reveals a nasty temper. Sure divorce isn't easy, especially when there are kids involved but a temper can lead to trouble. He had beef with Stacy and seems suspicious following her death. Rules don't apply to him.
Detective Amber Johnson is on the case. She's fair minded and Charlotte fills Det. Johnson in on all the clues so the professional can solve the case. Christopher Freedman, Alicia's cousin, is a valuable witness. He does throw someone under the bus, so to speak, but he's just sharing what he knows and it makes that person look like a suspect. Caitlin Chiba is also a witness. She's the nervous type and reluctant to share what she knows.
This is a good series for those who like more complex mysteries with mysterious secrets from the past but not for those who want to feel like part of a family with the sleuthing crew.
June 7, 2022
A Fatal Booking is the third book in the Booklovers B&B Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.
A former teaching colleague of Charlotte’s, Lora Kane, has called and wants to reserve the B&B for her and her book club. Lora will be holding a Mad Hatter-themed tea party.
Charlotte notices tension between a few guests at the Mad Hatter tea party. Later, Charlotte is walking through her backyard and finds the body of Stacy Wilkins. It will be determined that Stacy died from cyanide poisoning. Charlotte, with her neighbor and former spy, Ellen. Charlotte will soon find that there is no shortage of possible suspects. A gentleman who rents boats would like to do whatever it takes to get Stacy and her boyfriend to pay for damages to a boat they rented. Zach, a member of the book club, had accused Stacy of taking advantage of his mother in Stacy’s handling of the sale of some family heirlooms. She also reportedly stole some of Lora’s jewelry designs.
I enjoy visiting Charlotte, the guests at her B&B, and her friends and neighbors. The story is well-written and plotted. There were enough twists and turns and red herrings that I was kept guessing until the end of the book as to who the killer was. The characters are interesting and believable.
I am anxious to read the next book in this enjoyable series.
A former teaching colleague of Charlotte’s, Lora Kane, has called and wants to reserve the B&B for her and her book club. Lora will be holding a Mad Hatter-themed tea party.
Charlotte notices tension between a few guests at the Mad Hatter tea party. Later, Charlotte is walking through her backyard and finds the body of Stacy Wilkins. It will be determined that Stacy died from cyanide poisoning. Charlotte, with her neighbor and former spy, Ellen. Charlotte will soon find that there is no shortage of possible suspects. A gentleman who rents boats would like to do whatever it takes to get Stacy and her boyfriend to pay for damages to a boat they rented. Zach, a member of the book club, had accused Stacy of taking advantage of his mother in Stacy’s handling of the sale of some family heirlooms. She also reportedly stole some of Lora’s jewelry designs.
I enjoy visiting Charlotte, the guests at her B&B, and her friends and neighbors. The story is well-written and plotted. There were enough twists and turns and red herrings that I was kept guessing until the end of the book as to who the killer was. The characters are interesting and believable.
I am anxious to read the next book in this enjoyable series.
May 7, 2022
This cozy mystery series is a combination of a B&B setting, with a side of spy & covert operations. I've been reading it from the beginning and really wanted to like it, but it hasn't been for me. I tend to look at cozy mysteries like a visit with friends, with the actual mystery taking a backseat, and I haven't found these stories to be all that friendly, especially this one. The characters keep their distance, and the language is a bit stilted, so I haven't been drawn in to them. I think they are a good choice for others, particularly those who want to follow the mystery while in a beautiful location. Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advance digital copy.
June 28, 2022
Once again, the protagonist, Charlotte, is very unlikeable. Her asides come off as snide instead of observations, and she doesn't have much of a personality. The story dragged too much for my taste. Because of all this, the ending wasn't as thrilling as I would have liked. I've given this series three books, and I am officially done. I do plan on try the author's other series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 7, 2022
What a delight it was to visit Chapters again, a B & B that caters to reading and literary groups! It sounds like a wonderful getaway in historic Beaufort with beaches, tourist attractions, and bookish atmosphere of this gorgeous Southern mansion. The author’s descriptions of the B & B, the gardens, and the surrounding area are excellent. She brings to life Charlotte and her friends, Alicia, and the guests. The mystery was riveting, especially as my “pet suspects” are taken off the list, one by one.
Charlotte is a middle-aged widow, having lost the love of her life five years earlier. She left behind her career as a teacher to run the B & B left to her by her great aunt Isabella. Alicia had worked alongside of Isabella for years as her right-hand person, housekeeper, and cook, and taught Charlotte about running the B & B.
This week, the guests are members of a book club who will look at classic children’s literature, especially Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales. Lora, who organized the retreat, had illustrated a new edition of the collection. She once taught at the school where Charlotte did, and since leaving there illustrates books on commission and makes a living designing and making jewelry.
The guests are an eclectic group. Stacey has a jewelry store in a nearby town; she sells Lora’s work and that of several other artisans, as well as estate jewelry. Lora’s uncle Arnie is also part of the group; he knew Isabella and attended some of her first-class parties many years ago. It seems that most of the six guests have differences with others, primarily with Stacy. When Lora and Charlotte met for lunch to discuss the retreat, a man at the next table became agitated when he heard Stacy’s name. Even he had a long-time grudge against her and wanted her kept away from him!
After the opening night social, Alicia discovered that at least three of Isabella’s framed photos from her elegant parties went missing. Charlotte found that someone had been up in the attic after finding the door unlocked and left ajar. Then, at the Mad Hatter Tea Party, Stacy is found dead in the garden, having been poisoned.
Charlotte and Ellen, her next-door neighbor and friend, have helped the police solve a couple murders in the past. The guests cannot leave town until the investigation is further along, and Charlotte doesn’t want to have a murderer under her roof, so she is going to do a little research into the backgrounds of her guests and the man from town who wanted Stacy to stay away from him.
There are many things I enjoyed in this novel, including the challenging mystery. The local history woven into the story and how well each character is defined through realistic conversation and behavior, are fabulous! The variety of ages of Charlotte, Ellen, and their friends, and the guests, was refreshing; I enjoy middle-age and mature protagonists. Plot twists are perfectly timed for the best effect, and there are enough suspects to keep my attention. Watching Charlotte, Ellen, and their friends in the local book club gather information and sort through clues kept me engaged, and I was somewhat surprised to learn whodunit and stunned with why! This is an excellent addition to the series, and I highly recommend it to fans of the author, of well-written cozy mysteries, charming Southern B & B’s, and literature of all kinds.
From a thankful heart: I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Charlotte is a middle-aged widow, having lost the love of her life five years earlier. She left behind her career as a teacher to run the B & B left to her by her great aunt Isabella. Alicia had worked alongside of Isabella for years as her right-hand person, housekeeper, and cook, and taught Charlotte about running the B & B.
This week, the guests are members of a book club who will look at classic children’s literature, especially Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales. Lora, who organized the retreat, had illustrated a new edition of the collection. She once taught at the school where Charlotte did, and since leaving there illustrates books on commission and makes a living designing and making jewelry.
The guests are an eclectic group. Stacey has a jewelry store in a nearby town; she sells Lora’s work and that of several other artisans, as well as estate jewelry. Lora’s uncle Arnie is also part of the group; he knew Isabella and attended some of her first-class parties many years ago. It seems that most of the six guests have differences with others, primarily with Stacy. When Lora and Charlotte met for lunch to discuss the retreat, a man at the next table became agitated when he heard Stacy’s name. Even he had a long-time grudge against her and wanted her kept away from him!
After the opening night social, Alicia discovered that at least three of Isabella’s framed photos from her elegant parties went missing. Charlotte found that someone had been up in the attic after finding the door unlocked and left ajar. Then, at the Mad Hatter Tea Party, Stacy is found dead in the garden, having been poisoned.
Charlotte and Ellen, her next-door neighbor and friend, have helped the police solve a couple murders in the past. The guests cannot leave town until the investigation is further along, and Charlotte doesn’t want to have a murderer under her roof, so she is going to do a little research into the backgrounds of her guests and the man from town who wanted Stacy to stay away from him.
There are many things I enjoyed in this novel, including the challenging mystery. The local history woven into the story and how well each character is defined through realistic conversation and behavior, are fabulous! The variety of ages of Charlotte, Ellen, and their friends, and the guests, was refreshing; I enjoy middle-age and mature protagonists. Plot twists are perfectly timed for the best effect, and there are enough suspects to keep my attention. Watching Charlotte, Ellen, and their friends in the local book club gather information and sort through clues kept me engaged, and I was somewhat surprised to learn whodunit and stunned with why! This is an excellent addition to the series, and I highly recommend it to fans of the author, of well-written cozy mysteries, charming Southern B & B’s, and literature of all kinds.
From a thankful heart: I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
August 6, 2022
Hosting a book club retreat at her B&B should have been an ideal activity for Charlotte. Indeed, having a Mad Hatter tea party seemed like a lot fun. It was, until one of the guests was discovered near by, poisoned and dead. Now all the other guests are suspects, along with a few others. It seems impossible that one murdered person could have so many enemies! Charlotte and Ellen are on the case, putting themselves in danger in the process. Some strange things are happening at the B&B, putting Charlotte on high alert. The story starts out a bit slowly, as older characters are again introduced along with the new ones. The action picks up quickly towards the middle as some of the suspects jump to the head of the list. It’s a good mystery, intriguing and well written, especially the last 50 pages or so. There are some major changes in store for the characters at the end of story, which has me looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 16, 2025
It was good, but it did not quite measure up to what I had hoped. Yes, there was an interesting mystery story. What I really had enjoyed about the previous two books and also this one was the setting in South Carolina at a shorefront B&B that was a retreat for booklovers. There is a beautiful library within the B&B where the guests may select books to read while they are there. I felt a wonderful literary ambiance prior to the murder, but, after the murder occurred, the guests lost interest in the book discussions and in all literary events. That is understandable to a point, but still! I had hoped that the Booklover's B&B Mysteries would become a longer series, but my sense is that this book may be the last one. Still, I enjoyed the usual characters and character development. I will want to read a fourth book in the series if it ever gets added.
June 13, 2022
This was a well-paced, interesting mystery that kept me guessing. I loved the setting of the book-centric B&B as well as the deeper dive into Isabella’s spy past. There were plenty of twists to keep the story going. This is my favorite in the series so far.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
December 24, 2023
A Fatal Booking is book three of the Booklover's B&B Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert. Charlotte welcomed book club members focused on fairy tales and classic children's literature to her Chapter, Bed and Breakfast. However, during one of the events, one of the members of the book club was poisoned during the Mad Hatter tea party. Charlotte and her neighbour Ellen decided to investigate the murder to protect her Bed and breakfast. The readers of A Fatal Booking will continue to Charlotte and Ellen to discover what happens.
A Fatal Booking is a fantastic, cozy mystery and a fantastic addition to this excellent series by Victoria Gilbert. Being a Librarian, I enjoy reading this book about a Bed and Breakfast that allows clients to enjoy books. I engage with the story and the characters from the first page. I love Victoria Gilbert's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. A Fatal Book is well-written and researched by Victoria Gilbert. I like Victoria Gilbert's description of the settings of A Fatal Booking, which complemented the book's plot.
The readers of A Fatal Booking will learn about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a historical group of English painters, poets and art critics. Also, the readers of A Fatal Booking will know the meaning of disingenuous.
I recommend this book.
A Fatal Booking is a fantastic, cozy mystery and a fantastic addition to this excellent series by Victoria Gilbert. Being a Librarian, I enjoy reading this book about a Bed and Breakfast that allows clients to enjoy books. I engage with the story and the characters from the first page. I love Victoria Gilbert's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. A Fatal Book is well-written and researched by Victoria Gilbert. I like Victoria Gilbert's description of the settings of A Fatal Booking, which complemented the book's plot.
The readers of A Fatal Booking will learn about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a historical group of English painters, poets and art critics. Also, the readers of A Fatal Booking will know the meaning of disingenuous.
I recommend this book.
June 12, 2023
No surprises, well, at least for me. Still, it was well written with good dialogue. A good candy of characters and possible villains. Nice diversions, but one complaint. The 2nd murder wasn’t clarified?
November 12, 2021
This author really knows how to set up a murder "victim". The woman in question is more than obnoxious and really has victimized numerous people around the area, and especially some of those staying at the B&B for a book club week. This mystery is as well done as the others in series, but it is fully capable of standing alone. I loved it even though it kept me up late!
I request and received a free ebook from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I request and received a free ebook from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
November 10, 2021
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Crooked Lane Books and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Third in the Booklover’s B&B cozy mystery series, it’s another winner. It can stand alone, the series is a winner though.
Third in the Booklover’s B&B cozy mystery series, it’s another winner. It can stand alone, the series is a winner though.
November 14, 2021
Overall this was an entertaining book. I felt at times it was a bit typecast. I could not understand why anyone would continue to belong to a book club when there was so much contention. But there was a lot of action in the story so it keeps you involved and progressed well. The villian is not very much of a surprise if you are paying attention. I will continue to look for the next in the series.
February 19, 2022
Owning a B&B is awesome. Having a lot of the rooms based on books is even better. Having your boyfriend be a spy and your next-door neighbor a handler, interesting. The mystery was a little less because I felt I figured out who they were right off the bat. I enjoyed meeting the new characters as this was my first time reading this series. I am willing to give it another try
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advance read.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advance read.
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