A Deadly Edition
Planning a wedding can be murder, sometimes literally. At a party celebrating their upcoming nuptials, Taylorsford, Virginia library director Amy Webber and her fiancé Richard Muir discover the body of art dealer Oscar Selvaggio, a bitter rival of their host, Kurt Kendrick.
Both had been in a heated battle to purchase a rare illustrated volume created by William Morris’s Kelmscott Press, so suspicion immediately falls upon Kurt. Amy knows that Kurt has a closet full of skeletons from his past, but she can’t believe he’s guilty of murder.
Amidst an avalanche of wedding preparations, Amy begins an investigation with the help of her aunt Lydia Talbot and the new mayor of Taylorsford, Sunshine “Sunny” Fields. Much to Lydia’s
dismay, her boyfriend, art expert Hugh Chen, becomes convinced of Kurt’s guilt and launches an investigation of his own. As the case hits painfully close to home, the stakes become impossibly high, and the danger all too real.
Series: Blue Ridge Library Mystery – Book #5
Author: Victoria Gilbert
Genre/Category: Cozy – Amateur Sleuth/Library
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Page Count: 368
Rating: 
There was never any doubt that Amy’s wedding would have issues pop up, given her tendency to get involved in situations that lead to murder, but in A Deadly Edition, even she is surprised at what happens before the planning is done. Life is never dull, even at the library when Amy and Richard get together with family and friends; add in a rare book, parents, and a brother, as well as a few unexpected guests, and you have everything you need for a mystery that thrills.
The characters in this series have always been entertaining and highly likable. I adore Aunt Lydia and think an entire series could be created based on her. She may be a bit too stubborn, but she is endearing nonetheless. Other characters in this book are fun to learn about and spend a few hours investigating, mainly Sunny and Karen. Even with the wedding plans and her library duties, Amy still finds another body and danger. It’s personal when a friend is being accused of a crime, again. Suspects are all around and may even include members of her family. Amy, Sunny, and even Scott, Amy’s brother, waste no time launching into the investigation.
Suspects are easy to find; motives are as well. Yet, it isn’t always apparent who the killer is or if the motive is the rare book Kurt and the victim are fighting over. Evidence keeps pointing to various individuals but none more than Kurt. Yet, Amy knows Kurt isn’t guilty; she just has to prove it. The wedding preparations continue, as does Amy’s work at the library, which she uses in her investigation and leads to more questions than answers. Readers will love the complicated storyline, the animated characters, and the .result of the investigation when the killer is revealed.
Overall A Deadly Edition is a wonderful addition to the series. Who doesn’t enjoy library intrigue, the art world’s fascination with rare books, or people who are not always what they seem? Readers will get lost in this story and spend quality time with characters that get better with each new volume.
Recommended cozies readers may enjoy are Ellery Adams’s inspiring “A Book Retreat Mystery” series or Mary Angela’s original “A Happy Camper Mystery”.
About the Author:
Victoria Gilbert was raised in a historic small town in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains; Victoria turned her early obsession with books into a dual career as an author and librarian. She has worked as a reference librarian and library director for public, museum, and academic libraries. An avid reader who appreciates good writing in all genres, Victoria has been known to read seven books in as many days. When not writing or reading, she likes to watch films, listen to music, garden, or travel.
Victoria is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.
Represented the Literary Counsel.
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