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Hunter and Clewe #1
A Cryptic Clue
A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case—in acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s new series, the perfect literary adventure for fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2023
147 people are currently reading
2248 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Gilbert
22 books857 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 461 reviews
November 27, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Recently, after having a terrible reading experience with a SF-Horror novel that shall not be named, I needed a strong palate cleanser very badly if I was to move on.
Cozy Mysteries are go-to stories for me when I need something like that. Something to make me feel comfortable and like all is well with the world.
That's exactly what I found here within the pages of A Cryptic Clue, the first installment of the all-new Hunter and Clewe mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.
This series follows 60-year old, Jane Hunter, a recently retired university librarian, who has taken on a new assignment creating an inventory for a wealthy man's vast rare book collection.
Jane's excited to get to work and on her first day, as she meets her new boss, Cameron Crewe, she's surprised by how young he is. She expected a much older man, but Cam is in his early-30s; much closer to her own daughter's age than her own.
Regardless, she's there to work and is impressed by Crewe's manor home and collection. This is going to be a big job. She's anxious to get started.
Jane dives in, meeting other employees and acquaintances of Cam's along the way. It's an interesting house, there's a lot going on, including a spat between Cam and a woman he was dating and has recently blown off, Ashley Allen.
After a charity event held at the property, Ashley's body is found in the library the next day. She's dead and Cam is the number one suspect.
Cam asks Jane, along with his assistant, Lauren, to help clear his name. He certainly wasn't in love with Ashley, but he never would have killed her.
Jane, intrigued by the mystery presented them, gets to work right away and a lovely, classic-feeling amateur sleuth moment ensues.
I had a lot of fun with this. Gilbert delivered exactly what I was hoping for. I really enjoyed Jane as a main character. She's smart and no-nonsense. You can tell her relationship with Cam is going to flourish as the series progresses.
I also liked Cam. He's an intriguing leading man, clever, rich and super into books. I'm interested to see how involved he gets in future mysteries. He's actually a big fan of classic mystery literature, so I feel like that is going to be an influence for him in the books to come.
The mystery itself was simple and easy to follow, which was what I was hoping for. I feel like with many Cozy series, my enjoyment level will increase the more that I become attached to this set of characters.
I feel like in general my ratings for Cozy Mysteries always get stronger as the series progresses. I feel like this series will stay true to that pattern.
We have some nice possibilities for future mysteries that this story already sort of set-up. I'm absolutely planning to continue on with these books as they are released.
I did listen to the audiobook for this one and I loved the narration. I felt like the narrator did a great job capturing Jane's character and bringing her to life. I would definitely recommend the audio version if you plan to pick this up.
Overall, I think this is a great start to a new Cozy Mystery series. One that I will happily read for as long as they're published.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I love getting in on this type of series from the start, so this was such a treat!
Recently, after having a terrible reading experience with a SF-Horror novel that shall not be named, I needed a strong palate cleanser very badly if I was to move on.
Cozy Mysteries are go-to stories for me when I need something like that. Something to make me feel comfortable and like all is well with the world.
That's exactly what I found here within the pages of A Cryptic Clue, the first installment of the all-new Hunter and Clewe mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.
This series follows 60-year old, Jane Hunter, a recently retired university librarian, who has taken on a new assignment creating an inventory for a wealthy man's vast rare book collection.
Jane's excited to get to work and on her first day, as she meets her new boss, Cameron Crewe, she's surprised by how young he is. She expected a much older man, but Cam is in his early-30s; much closer to her own daughter's age than her own.
Regardless, she's there to work and is impressed by Crewe's manor home and collection. This is going to be a big job. She's anxious to get started.
Jane dives in, meeting other employees and acquaintances of Cam's along the way. It's an interesting house, there's a lot going on, including a spat between Cam and a woman he was dating and has recently blown off, Ashley Allen.
After a charity event held at the property, Ashley's body is found in the library the next day. She's dead and Cam is the number one suspect.
Cam asks Jane, along with his assistant, Lauren, to help clear his name. He certainly wasn't in love with Ashley, but he never would have killed her.
Jane, intrigued by the mystery presented them, gets to work right away and a lovely, classic-feeling amateur sleuth moment ensues.
I had a lot of fun with this. Gilbert delivered exactly what I was hoping for. I really enjoyed Jane as a main character. She's smart and no-nonsense. You can tell her relationship with Cam is going to flourish as the series progresses.
I also liked Cam. He's an intriguing leading man, clever, rich and super into books. I'm interested to see how involved he gets in future mysteries. He's actually a big fan of classic mystery literature, so I feel like that is going to be an influence for him in the books to come.
The mystery itself was simple and easy to follow, which was what I was hoping for. I feel like with many Cozy series, my enjoyment level will increase the more that I become attached to this set of characters.
I feel like in general my ratings for Cozy Mysteries always get stronger as the series progresses. I feel like this series will stay true to that pattern.
We have some nice possibilities for future mysteries that this story already sort of set-up. I'm absolutely planning to continue on with these books as they are released.
I did listen to the audiobook for this one and I loved the narration. I felt like the narrator did a great job capturing Jane's character and bringing her to life. I would definitely recommend the audio version if you plan to pick this up.
Overall, I think this is a great start to a new Cozy Mystery series. One that I will happily read for as long as they're published.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I love getting in on this type of series from the start, so this was such a treat!
June 13, 2023
This is the first in a new cozy mystery series, featuring a retired librarian and her new employer, a millionaire with anxiety, agoraphobia and few social skills.
Ex-librarian Jane Hunter was forced to take early retirement from the University library that she loved. Needing to occupy her time and supplement her small pension, she takes on the job of cataloguing the mystery collection of 33 year old wealthy collector Cam Clewe. Not only has he collected a lot of first editions from the Golden Age but has letters and clippings from newspapers and magazines about the books and writers so there is plenty to keep an archivist busy for quite some time.
Lacking social and emotional skills due in part to his lonely and loveless upbringing, Cam is not good at relationships with women. So, it is no surprise to anyone when he breaks up with the woman he has been dating, heiress Ashley Allen. However, it is a big surprise when she is found dead in the library the day after a fundraising event at his home.
This is an enjoyable murder mystery with likeable, interesting characters and makes a good start to a new series. Worried that he is the police’s main suspect, Cam recruits Jane and his personal assistant Lauren to do the sleuthing into Ashley’s past for him. They conveniently find a number of people willing to tell them all about Ashley who has managed to cause major trouble and distress for quite a few people, greatly expanding the number of suspects. I did not pick the killer but the dénouement revealing them and their motives was plausible and well done. At the end of the book, Cam invites Jane to solve further mysteries with him, including some pertaining to his own life, suggesting we have a lot more to look forward to in this series!
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for copy to read
Ex-librarian Jane Hunter was forced to take early retirement from the University library that she loved. Needing to occupy her time and supplement her small pension, she takes on the job of cataloguing the mystery collection of 33 year old wealthy collector Cam Clewe. Not only has he collected a lot of first editions from the Golden Age but has letters and clippings from newspapers and magazines about the books and writers so there is plenty to keep an archivist busy for quite some time.
Lacking social and emotional skills due in part to his lonely and loveless upbringing, Cam is not good at relationships with women. So, it is no surprise to anyone when he breaks up with the woman he has been dating, heiress Ashley Allen. However, it is a big surprise when she is found dead in the library the day after a fundraising event at his home.
This is an enjoyable murder mystery with likeable, interesting characters and makes a good start to a new series. Worried that he is the police’s main suspect, Cam recruits Jane and his personal assistant Lauren to do the sleuthing into Ashley’s past for him. They conveniently find a number of people willing to tell them all about Ashley who has managed to cause major trouble and distress for quite a few people, greatly expanding the number of suspects. I did not pick the killer but the dénouement revealing them and their motives was plausible and well done. At the end of the book, Cam invites Jane to solve further mysteries with him, including some pertaining to his own life, suggesting we have a lot more to look forward to in this series!
With thanks to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for copy to read
July 13, 2023
This is the first in a new series by this author whose other books I have already enjoyed.
We meet retired librarian Jane Hunter who is looking for work to keep herself active as well as to help out financially. She gets herself a job archiving the book collection of Cam Clewe, a young, wealthy man who has a few personality issues! He and Jane quickly recognise a shared love of detective work so, when Cam's ex girlfriend is found murdered in his house, they work together to solve the case before Cam himself is arrested.
I enjoyed the fact that the two main characters can never be attached romantically however long the series lasts. Romance between main characters can be great but it is nice to have a change. The mystery was well done and I was surprised by the eventual exposition of the culprit.
I will look out for more episodes of Hunter and Clewe.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
We meet retired librarian Jane Hunter who is looking for work to keep herself active as well as to help out financially. She gets herself a job archiving the book collection of Cam Clewe, a young, wealthy man who has a few personality issues! He and Jane quickly recognise a shared love of detective work so, when Cam's ex girlfriend is found murdered in his house, they work together to solve the case before Cam himself is arrested.
I enjoyed the fact that the two main characters can never be attached romantically however long the series lasts. Romance between main characters can be great but it is nice to have a change. The mystery was well done and I was surprised by the eventual exposition of the culprit.
I will look out for more episodes of Hunter and Clewe.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 10, 2023
When retired librarian, sixty year old Jane Hunter, was interviewed for the job of an archivist to inventory his rare books, among other things, she was gratified when she was hired, with her new boss, Cam Crewe, asking her to start on Monday. But when Jane arrived at work and made her way to the vast library where she was to be working, she was horrified to find a dead body on the floor. It was the body of Cam's ex-girlfriend, and there had been a gala the previous night, with many attendees - the police had a big job ahead of them, but Cam was top of their suspect list.
When Cam asked Lauren, his secretary, and Jane, to help him clear his name, Jane set to with asking questions, and talking to friends and family of the victim. Soon, Jane was getting threats - was she getting too close? Would they discover who the killer was before the wrong person went to jail or someone else was murdered?
A Cryptic Clue is the 1st in the Hunter & Clewe series by Victoria Gilbert and I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to #2. It was fun, entertaining and fast paced, and I found the characters all quite different. I've been a fan of the author's Blue Ridge Library series, so was sure I'd like this one - and I did! Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Cam asked Lauren, his secretary, and Jane, to help him clear his name, Jane set to with asking questions, and talking to friends and family of the victim. Soon, Jane was getting threats - was she getting too close? Would they discover who the killer was before the wrong person went to jail or someone else was murdered?
A Cryptic Clue is the 1st in the Hunter & Clewe series by Victoria Gilbert and I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to #2. It was fun, entertaining and fast paced, and I found the characters all quite different. I've been a fan of the author's Blue Ridge Library series, so was sure I'd like this one - and I did! Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2023
EXCERPT: My thoughts spiraled - dead body. There's a dead body in the library. The room meant to be my workplace is now a murder scene.
ABOUT 'A CRYPTIC CLUE': A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case—in acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s new series, the perfect literary adventure for fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
MY THOUGHTS: A Cryptic Clue is a moderately paced cosy mystery that kept my interest throughout.
I liked Jane - she has no illusions about herself - she is kind and keeps an open mind about people. Her thought processes are well ordered and she isn't inclined to jump to conclusions.
Cam is a bit of a conundrum. He is highly intelligent and almost OCD in his habits. He doesn't relate well to people but seems to have taken a liking to Jane who seems to understand him quite well.
There are a number of characters who feature in the storyline other than Cam and Jane: a housekeeper, a chef, a personal assistant, four house guests, Cam's girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend.
The story is easy to follow despite the number of characters, and contains some satisfying twists. I was way off base with both my suspect and motive.
A satisfying read and I will definitely be reading more in this series.
My favorite quote: We have to acknowledge our pain, especially if it has burned a hole through our heart. Even while recognising that others may have it worse, we must also give ourselves a little grace. If we've truly suffered, that agony is real and not something to gloss over or dismiss. We deserve a little kindness, especially from ourselves.
⭐⭐⭐.8
#ACrypticClue #NetGalley.
I: @victoriagilbertauthor @crookedlanebooks
T: @VGilbertAuthor @crookedlanebks
#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #crime #friendship #murdermystery
THE AUTHOR: Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountain, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian.
When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
ABOUT 'A CRYPTIC CLUE': A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case—in acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s new series, the perfect literary adventure for fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
MY THOUGHTS: A Cryptic Clue is a moderately paced cosy mystery that kept my interest throughout.
I liked Jane - she has no illusions about herself - she is kind and keeps an open mind about people. Her thought processes are well ordered and she isn't inclined to jump to conclusions.
Cam is a bit of a conundrum. He is highly intelligent and almost OCD in his habits. He doesn't relate well to people but seems to have taken a liking to Jane who seems to understand him quite well.
There are a number of characters who feature in the storyline other than Cam and Jane: a housekeeper, a chef, a personal assistant, four house guests, Cam's girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend.
The story is easy to follow despite the number of characters, and contains some satisfying twists. I was way off base with both my suspect and motive.
A satisfying read and I will definitely be reading more in this series.
My favorite quote: We have to acknowledge our pain, especially if it has burned a hole through our heart. Even while recognising that others may have it worse, we must also give ourselves a little grace. If we've truly suffered, that agony is real and not something to gloss over or dismiss. We deserve a little kindness, especially from ourselves.
⭐⭐⭐.8
#ACrypticClue #NetGalley.
I: @victoriagilbertauthor @crookedlanebooks
T: @VGilbertAuthor @crookedlanebks
#contemporaryfiction #cosymystery #crime #friendship #murdermystery
THE AUTHOR: Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountain, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian.
When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
February 17, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Cryptic Clue is a mystery novel which is written through the eyes of Jane Hunter, a sixty-year-old formerly retired librarian who is hired by Cameron Clewe, a thirty-three-year-old agoraphobic wealthy man, to do an inventory of his book collection. But as soon as Jane starts working for Cameron, she discovers the dead body of the new boss’s ex-girlfriend, which makes him a suspect. Therefore, Jane will investigate to help clear Cameron’s name, provided he’s innocent...
I like mystery books that are engrossing with a shocking ending. But A Cryptic Clue is not the kind of mystery book that makes you turn the pages fast, eager for more revelations. It’s more like the kind of book that you comfortably read in bed with a warm cup of tea. That’s probably why it’s not my favorite read of the year.
A Cryptic Clue is a cozy mystery with a rather slow pace considering the genre. I was not as invested as I would have liked, and I’ve been bored at times and I was glad when I finally finished the book. There was not enough tension in my opinion.
That being said, there are some things that I liked, the atmosphere for example. I feel like it would be a great experience to read it in an old library, surrounded by old books.
I don’t think I had ever read a book with an elderly woman as a main character before, so I enjoyed Jane as a protagonist.
A Cryptic Clue is a disappointing read for me but I don’t think that it is bad, it’s just not for me.
A Cryptic Clue is a mystery novel which is written through the eyes of Jane Hunter, a sixty-year-old formerly retired librarian who is hired by Cameron Clewe, a thirty-three-year-old agoraphobic wealthy man, to do an inventory of his book collection. But as soon as Jane starts working for Cameron, she discovers the dead body of the new boss’s ex-girlfriend, which makes him a suspect. Therefore, Jane will investigate to help clear Cameron’s name, provided he’s innocent...
I like mystery books that are engrossing with a shocking ending. But A Cryptic Clue is not the kind of mystery book that makes you turn the pages fast, eager for more revelations. It’s more like the kind of book that you comfortably read in bed with a warm cup of tea. That’s probably why it’s not my favorite read of the year.
A Cryptic Clue is a cozy mystery with a rather slow pace considering the genre. I was not as invested as I would have liked, and I’ve been bored at times and I was glad when I finally finished the book. There was not enough tension in my opinion.
That being said, there are some things that I liked, the atmosphere for example. I feel like it would be a great experience to read it in an old library, surrounded by old books.
I don’t think I had ever read a book with an elderly woman as a main character before, so I enjoyed Jane as a protagonist.
A Cryptic Clue is a disappointing read for me but I don’t think that it is bad, it’s just not for me.
July 20, 2023
Iy has been a very long time since I have started a series from the very beginning. A fun read, more of a cozy, a murder but not a descriptive or graphic one. Centered more on some interesting characters. A retired librarian, forced to retire but not ready to quit working nor have the financial means to do so. A younger man, a wealthy one with a tragic childhood, who needs someone to catalogue and sort out his many books and articles. Enter our librarian who soon gets a taste for mystery solving as strong if not stronger than that of her cataloguing job. So, a new crime solving duo is born.
Cozies are lighter books, easier on the stress level, but usually with some unusual characters. This series promises to have all of that.
Narration was terrific.
Cozies are lighter books, easier on the stress level, but usually with some unusual characters. This series promises to have all of that.
Narration was terrific.
July 8, 2023
I got the book as an arc for review on Netgally.
It's the first book in a new Cozy mystery and had both intruiging main characters and case. While it had similar vibes to a lot of other books in the genre the mystery was very easy getting invested in. Definitely looking forward to more books in the series.
It's the first book in a new Cozy mystery and had both intruiging main characters and case. While it had similar vibes to a lot of other books in the genre the mystery was very easy getting invested in. Definitely looking forward to more books in the series.
December 21, 2022
A Cryptic Clue is the first in a new series of A Hunter and Clewe Mystery. It takes place in the town of Bradfordville. Cameron (Cam) Clewe is a wealthy man who has hired Jane Hunter to work on his inventory and catalog his extensive book collection. Jane is a retired librarian who worked at a local college. She has a daughter, Bailey. Jane sold her house and is now renting a small apartment over a garage in town. Cam lives at Aircroft, a house that was built to look like an old English estate. It is set back from the road and a little isolated. Cam's father, Albert bought the house when the Airling's died and Cam inherited the house when his father died. Jane is there to meet Cam and go over what is expected of her. Lauren Walker is Cam's personal secretary. Lauren gives Jane a tour of the house and grounds. Jane meet Dia Denton the housekeeper and Mateo Marin, chef. While showing Jane the garden they overhear Cam having words with his latest girlfriend Ashley Allen.
Sunday there is going to be a fundraiser for a local hospital hosted by Naomi Wilt and Hannah McKenzie. old friends of Cam's father. Jane meets both of them. Cam also has scholars staying at his estate. Jane also meets Kyle Trent, a sociology professor at Wake and Brendon Sloan, a well known glass sculpturer. Cam says that he will see her on Monday.
When home Jane sees her landlord, Vincent Fisher, a retired reporter. He tells Jane about the history of Aircroft. It was built by Samuel, a industry titan and his wife, Bridget. They had a son, Calin who died at the age of 29. He fell off a cliff on the estate. Calvin told his parents that he wanted to marry a girl that they felt was not good enough. She was pregnant and disappeared. No one has ever known who she was. He died shortly after. There was a rumor that someone might have pushed him or was it murder. Vincent told Jane that he is writing a book about the family and would like her help.
Monday Jane arrives at work and goes into the library where she will be working. Notice something is wrong and finds Ashley Allen on the floor dead. There is something missing from the bookcase, later identified ad a silver plated candlestick. She runs out of the room and collapses on the floor. Lauren and then Cam both arrive. The police are called. This is where the story takes off with much happening. I will leave this for the reader to enjoy. Because Cam feels that he might be a suspect he asks Jane and Lauren to be his eyes and ears in finding out who and why Ashley is killed. The story builds up with the discovery of other things missing. a mistake while at college, etc. The story has a surprising ending that was not expected.
When Cam is at Jane's apartment he tells her that he thinks he is good at solving mysteries and would like to help people. He needed someone he could trust and that would be Jane, They could be partners. Jane asked him if he would do cold cases. Said that the Aircroft mystery of who is the woman is and what really happened to Calvin. Jane agreed. I think this is what the next book will be about. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
Sunday there is going to be a fundraiser for a local hospital hosted by Naomi Wilt and Hannah McKenzie. old friends of Cam's father. Jane meets both of them. Cam also has scholars staying at his estate. Jane also meets Kyle Trent, a sociology professor at Wake and Brendon Sloan, a well known glass sculpturer. Cam says that he will see her on Monday.
When home Jane sees her landlord, Vincent Fisher, a retired reporter. He tells Jane about the history of Aircroft. It was built by Samuel, a industry titan and his wife, Bridget. They had a son, Calin who died at the age of 29. He fell off a cliff on the estate. Calvin told his parents that he wanted to marry a girl that they felt was not good enough. She was pregnant and disappeared. No one has ever known who she was. He died shortly after. There was a rumor that someone might have pushed him or was it murder. Vincent told Jane that he is writing a book about the family and would like her help.
Monday Jane arrives at work and goes into the library where she will be working. Notice something is wrong and finds Ashley Allen on the floor dead. There is something missing from the bookcase, later identified ad a silver plated candlestick. She runs out of the room and collapses on the floor. Lauren and then Cam both arrive. The police are called. This is where the story takes off with much happening. I will leave this for the reader to enjoy. Because Cam feels that he might be a suspect he asks Jane and Lauren to be his eyes and ears in finding out who and why Ashley is killed. The story builds up with the discovery of other things missing. a mistake while at college, etc. The story has a surprising ending that was not expected.
When Cam is at Jane's apartment he tells her that he thinks he is good at solving mysteries and would like to help people. He needed someone he could trust and that would be Jane, They could be partners. Jane asked him if he would do cold cases. Said that the Aircroft mystery of who is the woman is and what really happened to Calvin. Jane agreed. I think this is what the next book will be about. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
October 31, 2023
2.5 stars
I’ve read a lot of cozy mysteries over the years and lately I’ve gotten much more selective about them. I was interested in A Cryptic Clue because of its blurb (and a cool cover too, although it doesn’t particularly relate to the story). We have a 60-year-old retired librarian (female) who teams up with a wealthy male 33-year-old agoraphobic collector. I thought that premise was extremely promising as well as atypical.
Being the first book in a new series, I did expect a fair amount of “setup” but unfortunately the book never grabbed me. I did finish it but I just didn’t find it very interesting. There was way too much explaining, especially near the end where the murderer spends a lot of time talking about why they did it; virtually no police presence; people who confide in one of the main characters for no particular reason. And more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I am rather late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Carrington MacDuffie, did a good job with the various voices and accents, although I eventually sped it up a lot just to get to the end. All opinions are my own.
I’ve read a lot of cozy mysteries over the years and lately I’ve gotten much more selective about them. I was interested in A Cryptic Clue because of its blurb (and a cool cover too, although it doesn’t particularly relate to the story). We have a 60-year-old retired librarian (female) who teams up with a wealthy male 33-year-old agoraphobic collector. I thought that premise was extremely promising as well as atypical.
Being the first book in a new series, I did expect a fair amount of “setup” but unfortunately the book never grabbed me. I did finish it but I just didn’t find it very interesting. There was way too much explaining, especially near the end where the murderer spends a lot of time talking about why they did it; virtually no police presence; people who confide in one of the main characters for no particular reason. And more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I am rather late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Carrington MacDuffie, did a good job with the various voices and accents, although I eventually sped it up a lot just to get to the end. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2023
The start of a new cozy mystery series - I can't resist a new series and I enjoy cozies so I picked it up. This is a fun murder mystery with a great many suspects and the ending surprised me, so I had no clue until the end - just suspicions.
Description:
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
My thoughts:
Jane and Cam make a good investigative team as they gather information and puzzle out the clues to solve the mystery. Jane provides the wisdom of years of experience and Cam provides a dogged determination and a knack for puzzles. Jane seems to be able to make people talk, but Cam is kind of tactless when it comes to people and lives the life of a wealthy recluse. I enjoyed the investigation. When the victim is so disliked by so many, it provides a lot of avenues to investigate and each one has to be researched to eliminate the red herrings. Good plot. I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 11, 2023.
Description:
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
My thoughts:
Jane and Cam make a good investigative team as they gather information and puzzle out the clues to solve the mystery. Jane provides the wisdom of years of experience and Cam provides a dogged determination and a knack for puzzles. Jane seems to be able to make people talk, but Cam is kind of tactless when it comes to people and lives the life of a wealthy recluse. I enjoyed the investigation. When the victim is so disliked by so many, it provides a lot of avenues to investigate and each one has to be researched to eliminate the red herrings. Good plot. I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 11, 2023.
August 8, 2023
I have read a couple of books from the author's other series (A Blue Ridge Library and The Booklovers B&B Mystery series) and the first thing I noticed while reading/listening to A Cryptic Clue was a difference in tone between this book and the others. I guess it has something to do with the age gap between the protagonists Jane Hunter and Cameron Clewe but I distinctly felt it.
I received both an ARC and ALC of the title and I mostly listened to the audiobook. The narration by Carrington MacDuffie was good and helped me keep apace with the book. There is a backstory to Cameron and since he offers Jane to become his crime solving partner to solve any future cold cases, we can expect more revelations as the series continue.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media and the author Victoria Gilbert for both the ARC and ALC of the book. I had finished reading the book before the publication date but got delayed in sharing my thoughts.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
I received both an ARC and ALC of the title and I mostly listened to the audiobook. The narration by Carrington MacDuffie was good and helped me keep apace with the book. There is a backstory to Cameron and since he offers Jane to become his crime solving partner to solve any future cold cases, we can expect more revelations as the series continue.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media and the author Victoria Gilbert for both the ARC and ALC of the book. I had finished reading the book before the publication date but got delayed in sharing my thoughts.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
July 21, 2023
Our protagonist Jane is a 60-year-old newly retired librarian. Since she was forced into retirement by the university where she worked; she is looking for a new adventure. She takes a job inventorying books for a 33-year-old eccentric book collector, Cameron. Jane doesn't know to think of Cam upon meeting him as he seems to lack social skills. However, once Jane finds more than books in Cam's library she agrees to help him clear his name.
I enjoyed reading this new cozy mystery. The unlikely duo of Jane and Cam is entertaining. I like how well they worked together even though at times Jane had some doubts about Cam. Cam's character is interesting, he was brought up by a rich but distinct father and he seems to suffer from agoraphobia and severe anxiety. I like how Jane is eager to take on a job using her skills in a new setting. She refuses to just sit at home and waste time doing nothing. The mystery is well-written. It moves at a great pace and is full of twists and turns to keep the reader in suspense and guessing who the murderer is. I look forward to reading more about these two's adventures.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
I enjoyed reading this new cozy mystery. The unlikely duo of Jane and Cam is entertaining. I like how well they worked together even though at times Jane had some doubts about Cam. Cam's character is interesting, he was brought up by a rich but distinct father and he seems to suffer from agoraphobia and severe anxiety. I like how Jane is eager to take on a job using her skills in a new setting. She refuses to just sit at home and waste time doing nothing. The mystery is well-written. It moves at a great pace and is full of twists and turns to keep the reader in suspense and guessing who the murderer is. I look forward to reading more about these two's adventures.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2023
When the paths of a 60-year-old retired Librarian seeking a job crosses with a 33-year-old collector seeking an archivist, the sparks are bound to happen. But soon his Ex is found dead in the library and you can easily guess who would be the prime suspect! Now to their avail, the only thing these 2 can do is find other suspects and puzzle out the pieces before he becomes the sole contender for this unwanted list.
A murder mystery revolving around books and artefacts. 2 major pull-in triggers got me into reading this book:
🍁 The blurb gave you books about books trope in a mystery book, which is kinda rare.
🍁 I enjoy books that focus on Grumpy, socially challenged personalities and discuss their perspectives.
I was however a bit disappointed when the topics of books were never discussed beyond cataloguing them. The mystery part was written well as you wouldn't be able to guess the killer for like 80-90% of the book. But, that also got me thinking, that a lot of characters were introduced quite later in the book. So if you don't have full visibility, it might surely be difficult.
Genre: #murdermystery #thriller
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
A murder mystery revolving around books and artefacts. 2 major pull-in triggers got me into reading this book:
🍁 The blurb gave you books about books trope in a mystery book, which is kinda rare.
🍁 I enjoy books that focus on Grumpy, socially challenged personalities and discuss their perspectives.
I was however a bit disappointed when the topics of books were never discussed beyond cataloguing them. The mystery part was written well as you wouldn't be able to guess the killer for like 80-90% of the book. But, that also got me thinking, that a lot of characters were introduced quite later in the book. So if you don't have full visibility, it might surely be difficult.
Genre: #murdermystery #thriller
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
September 8, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
Jane Hunter may be 60 years old but she was not ready to retire, the university had other ideas. So she was searching for a unique challenge to use her skills and earn some money to supplement her pension.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe is a unique man. A wealthy 33-year-old who collects rare books and other artifacts like a huge amount of items related to classic detective and mystery authors. He is looking for an archivist to make a complete inventory and classification of his recent acquisition.
The two meet and Jane agrees to take the job. But before she even starts a dead body is found in Cam's library. Maybe retirement wasn't such a bad idea. The victim was Cam's ex-girlfriend who happened to be the heir to a pharmaceutical fortune. Now Cam is the prime suspect in her murder.
Cam then decides he will be able to clear his name quickly but he is going to need some help. You see, he lacks basic social skills and is afraid to leave his property. So he makes Jane an offer he hopes she won't refuse. While Jane isn't 100% sure her new boss is innocent she still agrees to do a little sleuthing. She hopes she isn't making a bad decision. Retirement may be looking better and better every day.
____
I really enjoyed meeting Jane and Cam. They are both very unique individuals thrown into a murder investigation almost immediately after meeting. We also meet Cam's assistant Lauren, Jane's landlord, Vincent Fisher, and his lady friend, Donna Valenti. They are all interesting in their own ways. I really enjoyed a protagonist close to my own age. The author has done a great job of developing them throughout the entire story while leaving room for us to get to know both better as the series continues.
Cam's home is huge and he allows "friends" to use it to host charity and other events. He usually makes an appearance and disappears to other rooms for the rest of the evening. He has set up part of the attic to keep his vast collections safe with proper heating, cooling, and moisture control. Jane gets to work there and because of the murder, in the music room but she is really free to roam the place. I enjoyed Ms. Gilbert's descriptions of the place and its grounds along with Jane's apartment and Vince's home. A curious mystery develops because of something Jane finds in the attic. It piqued my interest right away.
Since the murder happened during an event there were several suspects in addition to Cam. I really liked that the author spent time giving some backstories, history, and connections between them and the victim. Some were happy to provide "information". Ms. Gilbert set up some nice twists but one clue sent me right on the killer's trail. The showdown and reveal turned out to be very exciting. At one point my heart slowed because I was afraid that something was going to happen but it didn't. I was surprised by a few things but I will not spoil that for anyone. You must read the book yourself :)
A Cryptic Clue has set this series off on a wonderful start. Filled with characters I want to know better and a captivating mystery or two, my attention was held and I was entertained from the start. I am excited for this series to continue. A Killer Clue is set to be released on April 9, 2024.
Jane Hunter may be 60 years old but she was not ready to retire, the university had other ideas. So she was searching for a unique challenge to use her skills and earn some money to supplement her pension.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe is a unique man. A wealthy 33-year-old who collects rare books and other artifacts like a huge amount of items related to classic detective and mystery authors. He is looking for an archivist to make a complete inventory and classification of his recent acquisition.
The two meet and Jane agrees to take the job. But before she even starts a dead body is found in Cam's library. Maybe retirement wasn't such a bad idea. The victim was Cam's ex-girlfriend who happened to be the heir to a pharmaceutical fortune. Now Cam is the prime suspect in her murder.
Cam then decides he will be able to clear his name quickly but he is going to need some help. You see, he lacks basic social skills and is afraid to leave his property. So he makes Jane an offer he hopes she won't refuse. While Jane isn't 100% sure her new boss is innocent she still agrees to do a little sleuthing. She hopes she isn't making a bad decision. Retirement may be looking better and better every day.
____
I really enjoyed meeting Jane and Cam. They are both very unique individuals thrown into a murder investigation almost immediately after meeting. We also meet Cam's assistant Lauren, Jane's landlord, Vincent Fisher, and his lady friend, Donna Valenti. They are all interesting in their own ways. I really enjoyed a protagonist close to my own age. The author has done a great job of developing them throughout the entire story while leaving room for us to get to know both better as the series continues.
Cam's home is huge and he allows "friends" to use it to host charity and other events. He usually makes an appearance and disappears to other rooms for the rest of the evening. He has set up part of the attic to keep his vast collections safe with proper heating, cooling, and moisture control. Jane gets to work there and because of the murder, in the music room but she is really free to roam the place. I enjoyed Ms. Gilbert's descriptions of the place and its grounds along with Jane's apartment and Vince's home. A curious mystery develops because of something Jane finds in the attic. It piqued my interest right away.
Since the murder happened during an event there were several suspects in addition to Cam. I really liked that the author spent time giving some backstories, history, and connections between them and the victim. Some were happy to provide "information". Ms. Gilbert set up some nice twists but one clue sent me right on the killer's trail. The showdown and reveal turned out to be very exciting. At one point my heart slowed because I was afraid that something was going to happen but it didn't. I was surprised by a few things but I will not spoil that for anyone. You must read the book yourself :)
A Cryptic Clue has set this series off on a wonderful start. Filled with characters I want to know better and a captivating mystery or two, my attention was held and I was entertained from the start. I am excited for this series to continue. A Killer Clue is set to be released on April 9, 2024.
May 24, 2023
I have mixed views regarding Victoria Gilbert's A Cryptic Clue. Given that it's subtitled Hunter and Clewe #1, I'm assuming this is the beginning of a series. Will I read new volumes as they come out? I'll definitely try the next, but beyond that, it's a toss-up.
What I enjoyed about this book
• It didn't include the two-detectives-falling-in-love trope of which I am heartily sick. Can't a man and a woman try to work out a puzzle together without burning with secret passions, etc.?
• I feel quite fond of the first of the two "detectives," Jane Hunter, an aging librarian who has lost her university job due to budget cuts. She's just beginning a job working with Cam Clewe, a millionaire who wants his collection of classic mysteries and related documents catalogued so they can be made available to scholars. She knows her stuff.
• The use of a collection of classic mysteries at the heart of this tale. It's fun to be getting some real-world reading info while moving through the story. And the books referenced are all by women—real women who wrote real mysteries that are too-little-known today.
What I didn't enjoy about this book
• I have my usual string of complains, primarily about things like
1. interfering with a police investigation
2. witnesses willing to speak in detail to anyone who asks them questions
3. over-explaining villains
4. convenient gossipy locals
You know what I mean. There's a formula here, but it's handled pretty successfully.
If you enjoy reading series mysteries, I would recommend this title—as much for the fact that it will set a context for future volumes as for the story it narrates. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
What I enjoyed about this book
• It didn't include the two-detectives-falling-in-love trope of which I am heartily sick. Can't a man and a woman try to work out a puzzle together without burning with secret passions, etc.?
• I feel quite fond of the first of the two "detectives," Jane Hunter, an aging librarian who has lost her university job due to budget cuts. She's just beginning a job working with Cam Clewe, a millionaire who wants his collection of classic mysteries and related documents catalogued so they can be made available to scholars. She knows her stuff.
• The use of a collection of classic mysteries at the heart of this tale. It's fun to be getting some real-world reading info while moving through the story. And the books referenced are all by women—real women who wrote real mysteries that are too-little-known today.
What I didn't enjoy about this book
• I have my usual string of complains, primarily about things like
1. interfering with a police investigation
2. witnesses willing to speak in detail to anyone who asks them questions
3. over-explaining villains
4. convenient gossipy locals
You know what I mean. There's a formula here, but it's handled pretty successfully.
If you enjoy reading series mysteries, I would recommend this title—as much for the fact that it will set a context for future volumes as for the story it narrates. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
January 1, 2023
The cover doesn't give you a lot so I wasn't sure what I was getting when I started this one. I liked the house, the grounds and the set up of meeting Cam and Lauren. The murder mystery is very fast, within the first few chapters. I liked the build up of the mystery, the cast of suspects was huge but well done - I enjoyed learning all their steps and possible reasons for wanting the victim dead.
Although the middle slowed down just a little for me, as she dug through both her day job of cataloging boxes of books and then trying to track down suspects and alibis, the ending was satisfying. And do I spy possible loose threads and hints in the end for a book 2? I hope so, I'd love to read it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Although the middle slowed down just a little for me, as she dug through both her day job of cataloging boxes of books and then trying to track down suspects and alibis, the ending was satisfying. And do I spy possible loose threads and hints in the end for a book 2? I hope so, I'd love to read it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this story and I found Jane to be a very likeable character.
While doing a large inventory of thousands of books, Jane finds herself involved in a murder investigation.
I'm not sure how I felt about the other characters, a few seemed annoying in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
While doing a large inventory of thousands of books, Jane finds herself involved in a murder investigation.
I'm not sure how I felt about the other characters, a few seemed annoying in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
July 13, 2023
3-1/2 stars rounded up to 4 ⭐️. I enjoyed the female narrator and the story in this audiobook.
This was a fun who-dunnit with an interesting, intelligent, strong, 60 year old female lead - loved that!! Meet Jane Hunter, a retired university librarian, who is forced into retirement (hello, parallel world - a teacher here). It involves a murder at a party and amateur sleuths try to solve it. This includes the wealthy male estate owner, Cameron/Cam, as well as his recently hired, as a library assistant, Jane. She is bright and inquisitive, somewhat out of physical shape, but so mentally astute and a great strong female lead. I also enjoyed the library, books, and art themes.
It feels a bit like a cozy mystery but it is not slow and drawn out. This book is the first in a new series by this author and the female narrator was terrific. Cameron, the wealthy, lead male character, was kind of blah and unlikeable, but you'll find out why later. There were some oddball secondary characters that could've been flushed out more to make their personalities more available and interesting to the reader. I happen to love character driven novels. Some might call this a cozy mystery. Overall, very worth reading. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author, Victoria Gilbert, for this advance audiobook copy.
Description:
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
This was a fun who-dunnit with an interesting, intelligent, strong, 60 year old female lead - loved that!! Meet Jane Hunter, a retired university librarian, who is forced into retirement (hello, parallel world - a teacher here). It involves a murder at a party and amateur sleuths try to solve it. This includes the wealthy male estate owner, Cameron/Cam, as well as his recently hired, as a library assistant, Jane. She is bright and inquisitive, somewhat out of physical shape, but so mentally astute and a great strong female lead. I also enjoyed the library, books, and art themes.
It feels a bit like a cozy mystery but it is not slow and drawn out. This book is the first in a new series by this author and the female narrator was terrific. Cameron, the wealthy, lead male character, was kind of blah and unlikeable, but you'll find out why later. There were some oddball secondary characters that could've been flushed out more to make their personalities more available and interesting to the reader. I happen to love character driven novels. Some might call this a cozy mystery. Overall, very worth reading. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author, Victoria Gilbert, for this advance audiobook copy.
Description:
Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.
Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.
Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?
August 8, 2023
Retired reference librarian Jane Hunter starts over in a new job and new home in this start to a cozy mystery series. Her new boss is Cameron Clewe, wealthy, socially clueless, and a little reclusive. He lives in a large estate on a large property, and maintains an extensive library many researchers have used. Jane must catalogue materials Cam has built up on female Golden Age mystery writers.
The day after a charity gala at his estate, Jane finds the dead body of Cam’s former girlfriend, whom he was arguing loudly with the day before.
Cam is the police’s prime suspect, and, noticing Jane’s analytical and logical skills, asks her and his no-nonsense executive assistant Lauren to help him find clues leading to the actual murderer so the police can exclude him from consideration.
Jane eagerly begins, talking to researchers who are currently staying at Cam’s house, as well as people who knew the dead woman. The more questions she asks, the more she irritates the killer, as Jane begins receiving threats. But, Jane does amass enough useful information for Can to figure things out.
This was a fun mystery, with a likeable main character in Jane. She’s still recovering from a bad marriage, and has a wonderful relationship with her actor daughter, and a straightforward, friendly demeanour.
Cam is likeable, too, despite frequently not understanding how to interact with others, including Jane, at times.
The mystery wasn’t that hard to figure out, but I was reading this story more for its librarian heroine than anything. The author also has a great ear for dialogue.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The day after a charity gala at his estate, Jane finds the dead body of Cam’s former girlfriend, whom he was arguing loudly with the day before.
Cam is the police’s prime suspect, and, noticing Jane’s analytical and logical skills, asks her and his no-nonsense executive assistant Lauren to help him find clues leading to the actual murderer so the police can exclude him from consideration.
Jane eagerly begins, talking to researchers who are currently staying at Cam’s house, as well as people who knew the dead woman. The more questions she asks, the more she irritates the killer, as Jane begins receiving threats. But, Jane does amass enough useful information for Can to figure things out.
This was a fun mystery, with a likeable main character in Jane. She’s still recovering from a bad marriage, and has a wonderful relationship with her actor daughter, and a straightforward, friendly demeanour.
Cam is likeable, too, despite frequently not understanding how to interact with others, including Jane, at times.
The mystery wasn’t that hard to figure out, but I was reading this story more for its librarian heroine than anything. The author also has a great ear for dialogue.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
January 1, 2023
This was a fun start to a new cozy mystery series! Cam and Jane are very different but they complemented each other well. Jane is wise, social, and patient, while Cam is reserved but incisive. I enjoyed getting to know the cast of characters that make up their friend circles as well but I'm hoping we get to see their characters built out in more detail in future books.
The story was focused on the mystery of the murder. I do wish there had been more research into the other house mysteries, but I seems that will be a common themes throughout the series as they work to solve them. My favorite part was watching Jane snoop through papers for clues, so I hope we see some more of her using those old records to get at the answers.
There were lots of suspects to keep us guessing in this one so I didn't have clear guesses, let alone resolution, until the final 25% or so. This was the perfect read to close out the end of the year and I'm looking forward to their next adventure!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
The story was focused on the mystery of the murder. I do wish there had been more research into the other house mysteries, but I seems that will be a common themes throughout the series as they work to solve them. My favorite part was watching Jane snoop through papers for clues, so I hope we see some more of her using those old records to get at the answers.
There were lots of suspects to keep us guessing in this one so I didn't have clear guesses, let alone resolution, until the final 25% or so. This was the perfect read to close out the end of the year and I'm looking forward to their next adventure!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 10, 2023
Thank you to #netgalley and #crookedlanebooks for providing me an ARC of this new series.
It was an enjoyable, cozy mystery read. I found that it was slower paced than I cared for, but a great choice if you’re looking for a little mystery without the anxiety.
It was an enjoyable, cozy mystery read. I found that it was slower paced than I cared for, but a great choice if you’re looking for a little mystery without the anxiety.
September 30, 2023
Terrible
March 5, 2023
A Cryptic Clue is my first book by Victoria Gilbert, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's fun to discover "new to me" authors, especially those that motivate me to want to read their previous work, Ms. Gilbert did that with A Cryptic Clue.
Jane Harper, a recently retired librarian, is hired by Cameron Clewe, a wealthy, intelligent, sometimes insensitive young man, to inventory, catalog and organize his extensive book collection. Jane visits the Clewe estate on a Thursday morning for a meeting with Cam and a very basic orientation; while there she overhears a rather contentious argument between him and a very attractive young woman. Cam's personal assistant, Lauren Walker explains that he is arguing, breaking up with his latest girlfriend, Ashley Allen.
That weekend Ashley is murdered at a fund raising event hosted by two of Cam's friends, Naomi Wilt and Hannah McKenzie. Naturally as the ex-boyfriend Cam is a suspect. He asks Jane and Lauren to do some sleuthing to help clear him and find the murderer. Well hold on from there, as there is no dearth of possible suspects. I am pleased that A Cryptic Clue is book one in a future series as it is an intriguing and rewarding read. Looking for a book that will keep you guessing, I highly recommend A Cryptic Clue.
I did receive an ARC through NetGalley, that in no way impacted my review.
Jane Harper, a recently retired librarian, is hired by Cameron Clewe, a wealthy, intelligent, sometimes insensitive young man, to inventory, catalog and organize his extensive book collection. Jane visits the Clewe estate on a Thursday morning for a meeting with Cam and a very basic orientation; while there she overhears a rather contentious argument between him and a very attractive young woman. Cam's personal assistant, Lauren Walker explains that he is arguing, breaking up with his latest girlfriend, Ashley Allen.
That weekend Ashley is murdered at a fund raising event hosted by two of Cam's friends, Naomi Wilt and Hannah McKenzie. Naturally as the ex-boyfriend Cam is a suspect. He asks Jane and Lauren to do some sleuthing to help clear him and find the murderer. Well hold on from there, as there is no dearth of possible suspects. I am pleased that A Cryptic Clue is book one in a future series as it is an intriguing and rewarding read. Looking for a book that will keep you guessing, I highly recommend A Cryptic Clue.
I did receive an ARC through NetGalley, that in no way impacted my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2023
First in a fine new mystery series with Jane, a retired librarian, and Cam, a young book collector, who team up to solve the murder of his ex-girlfriend. He is the main suspect, gasp! Cosy and quirky and keeps you guessing.
November 3, 2022
From the cover design and description, this looked and sounded like a book that I would enjoy, so I was pleased to be approved to read and review it.
I did like this book a lot. I found Jane endearing, and she had a kind of eccentricity and wisdom that appealed to me. I thought that she and Cameron sounded like an interesting dynamic and was interested to see how the characters worked together, and what kind of partnership they would have.
I found this book very entertaining and quirky, but also tasteful. It was a modern cosy mystery, but it did remind me a little of an Agatha Christie book, and of course, I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan. I also appreciated the references to detective stories.
I believe this is the first book featuring Hunter and Clewe, so if there are going to be more books featuring these characters, I would definitely be interested in reading them. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my opportunity to read and review this book.
I did like this book a lot. I found Jane endearing, and she had a kind of eccentricity and wisdom that appealed to me. I thought that she and Cameron sounded like an interesting dynamic and was interested to see how the characters worked together, and what kind of partnership they would have.
I found this book very entertaining and quirky, but also tasteful. It was a modern cosy mystery, but it did remind me a little of an Agatha Christie book, and of course, I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan. I also appreciated the references to detective stories.
I believe this is the first book featuring Hunter and Clewe, so if there are going to be more books featuring these characters, I would definitely be interested in reading them. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my opportunity to read and review this book.
July 26, 2024
Interesting new series
I really found this book quite interesting. It has a very unusual premise, which matches up a totally odd couple in search of answers. Jane takes a job, cataloging the amazing collection of a different young wealthy collector. Cam is wealthy but has social anxiety issues and very rarely leaves his estate. While incredibly intelligent, he has no filter and doesn't know how to deal with people. Almost as soon as Jane arrives, there is a murder at a fundraising gala that Cam allowed at the estate. As he had had a relationship with the young woman who was murdered, he became
the chief suspect. Learning that Jane enjoys amateur sleuthing as much as he does and can do the outside leg work, they team up to try and find answers and justice. It is an interesting mystery as well as the start of an unusual friendship.
I really found this book quite interesting. It has a very unusual premise, which matches up a totally odd couple in search of answers. Jane takes a job, cataloging the amazing collection of a different young wealthy collector. Cam is wealthy but has social anxiety issues and very rarely leaves his estate. While incredibly intelligent, he has no filter and doesn't know how to deal with people. Almost as soon as Jane arrives, there is a murder at a fundraising gala that Cam allowed at the estate. As he had had a relationship with the young woman who was murdered, he became
the chief suspect. Learning that Jane enjoys amateur sleuthing as much as he does and can do the outside leg work, they team up to try and find answers and justice. It is an interesting mystery as well as the start of an unusual friendship.
August 15, 2024
Jane is a retired librarian and Cameron is looking for someone to inventory his vast collection of books. Seems like a match made in heaven, until a dead body is found in the library after a party the night before. The due work to find answers with help from a few others.
January 28, 2024
A great start to a new series of traditional mysteries. I read it in one day!
December 22, 2024
Interesting start to a new series.
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