Friday, June 19, 2020

Book Feature, Review, & #Giveaway ~ Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert ~ @VGilbertauthor @dollycas #CozyMystery ~ A Book Lover's B&B Mystery, Book 1


Booked for Death
A Book Lover's B&B Mystery, Book 1 
Victoria Gilbert

 

Book Details:

Booked for Death, A Book Lover's B&B Mystery, Book 1
Cozy Mystery
Crooked Lane Books
August 11, 2020
Hardcover: 320 pages 
ISBN-10: 1643853074 
ISBN-13: 978-1643853079 
Digital ASIN: B07XX7PHTV



About Booked for Death

From the critically acclaimed author of SIBA Okra Pick A Murder for the Books, Victoria Gilbert embarks with a new series for perfect for fans of Kate Carlisle and Juliet Blackwell.

A book lover's B&B in an idyllic waterfront village becomes the scene of a grisly murder--and a ruthless battle between treachery and the truth.

Nestled in the historic waterfront town of Beaufort, North Carolina, Chapters Bed-and-Breakfast is a reader's paradise. Built in 1770, the newly renovated inn hosts a roster of special events celebrating books, genres, and authors. It's the perfect literary retreat--until a rare book dealer turns up dead in the carriage house during a celebration of Golden Age mystery author Josephine Tey.

The victim's daughter points the finger at forty-two-year-old widow and former schoolteacher Charlotte Reed, who inherited the B&B from her great-aunt Isabella. Charlotte is shocked to discover that the book dealer suspected Isabella of being a thief who founded Chapters on her ill-gotten gains. Charlotte has successfully learned the B&B business in a year, but nothing has prepared her to handle a death on the premises.

Armed with intelligence and courage and assisted by her vibrant older neighbor, a visiting author, and members of a local book club, Charlotte is determined to prove her innocence and to clear her great-aunt's name. But the murderer is still at large, and equally determined to silence anyone who might discover the truth behind the book dealer's death. Now, Charlotte must outwit an unknown killer--or end up writing her own final chapter.

My Review:

Booked for Death is the first book in Victoria's new Book Lover's B&B cozy mystery series. Charlotte Reed, the proprietor of Chapters B&B inherited the majestic inn from her great aunt, Isabella. During a Golden Age-themed costume party, one of the B&B's guests is found dead in the carriage house. Before his death, Lincoln Delamont spent a good part of the prior chapters alienating himself, Charlotte, and other guests. He even threatened to expose a scandal involving Charlotte's Aunt Isabelle. 

The author created a masterful murder mystery with plenty of suspects who have ample amounts of means, motive, and opportunity. Charlotte is forced onto the list of suspects when the supposed scandal involving Isabella is brought out into the open. In order to figure out what really happened, Charlotte begins investigating all of her B&B guests, those who attended the party, her support staff, as well as Isabella. She's suspicious of everyone, especially since she could be housing a murderer in her B&B or encountering the person in her day-to-day activities. 

I enjoyed Charlotte's character and getting to know her throughout the book. Her backstory contributed to her development, as did the progression of the mystery. She isn't as bubbly as other cozy mystery heroines I read about but that's okay. Her personality offers a nice change of pace. She's competent and willing to go the extra mile to protect herself, her great aunt's legacy, and her friends. Ellen was a great sidekick and sounding board to Charlotte and I had fun working as an amateur sleuth with them. 

Booked for Death is a great first book in the new series by Victoria Gilbert and I can't wait for the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book for review but the thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.

My Rating:


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. Victoria has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching films, gardening, or traveling. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers and lives in North Carolina. This is her fourth Blue Ridge Library mystery.

Author Links: 


Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo Indie Bound  

TOUR PARTICIPANTS: 

June 8 – The Bookwyrm's Hoard – REVIEW 
June 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 
June 8 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW 
June 9 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW 
June 9 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT 
June 10 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
June 10 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT 
June 10 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW 
June 11 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW 
June 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW 
June 12 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW 
June 13 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW 
June 13 – The Book Diva's Reads – GUEST POST 
June 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW 
June 14 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW 
June 15 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW 
June 15 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW 
June 15 – Brianne's Book Reviews – REVIEW 
June 16 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
June 16 – Moonlight Rendezvous- REVIEW 
June 16 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST 
June 17 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW
June 17 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW 
June 18 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW 
June 18 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 
June 19 – That's What She's Reading – REVIEW 
June 19 – Sapphyria's Books – REVIEW 
June 20 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW 
June 20 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW 
June 21 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW 
June 21 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST 

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2 comments:

  1. Thank you for your review on "Booked for Death" by Victoria Gilbert and for being part of the book tour.

    Can't wait for the opportunity to read this wonderful sounding book on my TBR list.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! It was great! Hope you enjoy it too!

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