Death and the Librarian (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #9) by Victoria Gilbert

It contains spoilers:

This is a well-structured cozy mystery set in a picturesque town called Taylorsford, in Virginia, USA. 

It has all the expected elements of the genre. However, I must point out that this is the ninth installment in the series, and it shows. The book assumes that readers are already familiar with the characters and are emotionally invested in them, something new readers may lack.

As a newcomer, the characters and their inner relationships, although understandable, felt a bit challenging to me, although I imagine that fans who’ve followed this series from the start may feel differently.

Amy, the protagonist, is the co-director of the local library, and also a mother of twins and the wife of a professional dancer. When someone dies during the local summer arts festival, the local police officer, Brad, asks Amy for help with some research in the library archives. This eventually pulls her into an investigation that escalates into dangerous situations. 

And that’s where I struggled: what drives her to take such risks?

Death and the librarian

Publication date: Jul 08 2025

Editorial: Crooked Lane Books

I didn’t fully understand her real motivation. Why is she so committed to finding the truth, even when it puts herself and her loved ones at risk?

The lack of a clear motivation behind Amy’s perseverance makes her decisions feel a bit unreasonable and in need of a stronger justification within her narrative. 

I couldn’t help but wonder: do other readers forgive the character’s flaws simply because they’ve known her longer and have a better understanding of her? Perhaps there is some context in previous books that is just assumed in this one?

Additionally, I also found it hard to believe that a police officer would continue involving a civilian in an active investigation, especially after she’s threatened. It didn’t feel plausible—neither as a professional nor as her friend.

That being said, the mystery itself is solid, and the final twists genuinely surprised me, although by too much overexposition that would have been nicer to let Amy uncover by herself.

The presence of cats adds a lovely touch of humor—clearly written by someone who puts up with their attitude on a daily basis.

In summary, it’s a good cozy mystery with a satisfying plot, but I’d recommend starting earlier in the series to build that much-needed emotional connection with the characters.

For more details and Cozy Mystery reviews, visit this area of my blog.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my personal opinion.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3,25/5)

Grave Words (A Deadly Deadlines Mystery #2) by Gerri Lewis

What about a murder story where the first person to die is you?

Here you are, you're welcome!

Publication date: June 10th, 2025

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Such a cool way to introduce our character, Winter Snow, her job as an obituary writer and the first people in her entourage.

I must say that I was hooked from the first line—I really loved this book!

Although I had already read the first installment, I thoroughly enjoyed this second adventure. The characters are well introduced, and their relationships develop in a way that you can feel what Winter Snow is going through and how she struggles.

I enjoyed watching the police officers do their job professionally, without divulging information about an ongoing investigation, even though Winter and Kip are a newly formed couple. 

I liked how her role as an obituary writer forces her to find alternative ways to gather clues and solve the different mysteries in order to complete her job, rather than just acting like an amateur sleuth.

Also, the writing was a delight, something that's often lacking in this kind of novel.

Thank you #CrookedLaneBooks and #Netgally for this for this discovery. And of course, to #GerriLewis for writing so beautifully.

Rating: ★★★★★

Shot Through the Book (Lighthouse Library Mystery #12) by Eva Gates

"Shot Through the Book" is the first time I heard of this Lighthouse Library Mystery saga and the first of its novels that I read.

As it's its 12th installment, I felt a bit lost (not much)—it explains who everyone is and also a tiny bit about previous books' connections and a hint of their plots. However, I couldn't help but feel that there was much to be liked about some characters because of prior relationships that I should but didn't care about. I kind of felt left out—in between wanting to read those previous books in order to know what happened and being upset because it made me feel like an outsider.

As for the murder plot, I liked it. It took me a while to know who the killer was going to be. It's well-woven and interesting. But most of all, I enjoyed the cozy moments: the glass of wine on the deck, observing the sea. Those moments that didn't carry previous books' luggage made me feel at peace.

Publication date: May 6th, 2025

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Even having not read the rest of the saga, I loved the idea that Lucy was separated from her police contacts and had to work on her own, she didn't have official resources and had to find other ways to get information (I don't know how it happened in other books, but I liked that in this one).

Character development is quite flat in this installment, though, as I said before, because, I think, it relies too much on having read the previous stories first. I found Connor extremely dull and unpleasant, not the good husband Lucy wanted to sell to us. The only character I enjoyed was Heather—she is strong and her appearances are stressful; she is the one that gives the book the vibrant push it needs. She is a good antagonist and, as it's her first and only appearance, she's well described and developed as a character.

Overall, it's good as a cozy mystery. The surroundings are beautiful, and there's a murder... and a cat!

Rating: ★★★⯪☆