A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert
Series: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery, #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publication Date: December 12, 2017
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publication Date: December 12, 2017
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1683314395
ISBN-13: 978-1683314394
ISBN-13: 978-1683314394
E-Book File Size: 874 KB
ASIN: B072396C2L
Amazon | B&N | kobo | BAM! | IndieBound
The Blurb
Librarian Amy Webber must archive overdue crimes and deadly rumors before a killer strikes again in her new Virginia home....
Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble.
Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families... including her own.
When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest in A Murder for the Books, the first installment of Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries.
The Character Guest Post
Lydia Litton Talbot from A MURDER FOR THE BOOKS
I suppose I should introduce myself. I’m Lydia Litton Talbot, longtime resident of Taylorsford, Virginia and a descendent of some of the original settlers, the Baker family. I’m sixty-four years-old, and a widow. Here’s a recent photo of me:
I don’t have any children, but I’m a loving aunt to my sister’s kids — Amy and Scott Webber. Actually, I consider Amy my child. She visited me every summer when she was a teenager, and now lives with me in our family’s historic Queen Anne Revival style home. Amy’s the director of the Taylorsford Public Library. Her job is important, but it doesn’t pay very well, so I’m happy to offer her a place to live. Honestly, I got the best end of this deal, since Amy helps me with the house and the garden. I’m not sure I could handle it all on my own, especially after my recent leg injury.
I’ve lived in Taylorsford, Virginia my entire life. The only times I’ve ever left were for short trips to visit my sister’s family, and one long, wonderful, vacation in Italy with my late husband, Andrew Talbot. He was an artist, so we toured many museums and galleries, but Andrew also drew inspiration from the beautiful countryside. That was a while ago, though. Sadly, we’d only been married for four years when Andrew died in a tragic accident. I’ve never remarried, so I’ve spent many years alone. That’s another reason I welcome Amy’s company.
Anyway, I thought I’d share some photos that might give you a sense of what it is like to live in Taylorsford. It’s a historic town nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. Although there were farms in the region earlier, the town was officially founded around 1730. Its early settlers included Scots-Irish and English as well as German immigrants.
Taylorsford’s appearance hasn’t changed dramatically in many years. Some new businesses have moved in, but because of the town’s historic designation, any businesses and homes in the main part of town must maintain the appearance of the original facades.
The town is surrounded by farmland. Here’s a scene just outside of town:
There was a lot of fieldstone used in building in the early years of the town, like this old church:
Or this gorgeous barn:
However, by the time my great-grandfather built our family home, the stone had to be imported from further west. I actually don’t have a good photo of my family home – which was built by my great-grandfather in 1900 – but this house is very similar:
One final important aspect of Taylorsford is that it lies at the foot of the mountains. Just a short drive outside of town can lead you up into the Blue Ridge, where you can find views like this:
As you can see, Amy and I live in a charming town in a beautiful part of the United States. I love Taylorsford and my house, and intend to live here the rest of my life. Of course, I expect (I hope) Amy will marry someday, but she’s promised to help me keep up my home and garden, even if she has to travel back and forth from another location.
So if you visit Taylorsford any time soon, come by the house to say hello. I hope you will decide to visit — I’m sure you will enjoy your stay!
The Author
About Victoria Gilbert
Victoria Gilbert, raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, turned her early obsession with reading into a dual career as an author and librarian. She has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director.
When not writing or reading, Victoria likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers, and is represented by Frances Black at Literary Council, NY, NY.
Victoria lives in North Carolina with her husband and some very spoiled cats. This is her first Blue Ridge Library mystery.
Find Victoria on the web at
Follow the tour, to read other Guest Posts, plus Author Interviews and reviews!
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
December 11 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW
December 11 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT
December 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW
December 12 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – REVIEW
December 13 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT
December 13 – Readeropolis – INTERVIEW
December 14 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW
December 14 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
December 14 – Bea's Book Nook – REVIEW
December 15 – Jane Reads - CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 15 – That's What She's Reading – REVIEW
December 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, INTERVIEW
December 16 – The Power of Words – REVIEW
December 16 – A Holland Reads - SPOTLIGHT
December 16 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - REVIEW
December 17 – The Montana Bookaholic – SPOTLIGHT
December 18 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST
December 18 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
December 19 – Valerie's Musings – REVIEW
December 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
December 19 – A Blue Million Books - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
December 20 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW
December 20 – Curling up by the Fire – REVIEW
December 20 – Brooke Blogs - GUEST POST
December 21 - I Wish I Lived in a Library – REVIEW
December 21 - Sleuth Cafe – SPOTLIGHT
December 21 - Girl with Book Lungs - CHARACTER INTERVIEW
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