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:
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:
Website/blog: http://victoriagilbertmysteries.com/
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaGilbertMysteryAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VGilbertauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/VictoriaGilbert
TOUR PARTICIPANTS:
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June 10 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
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June 10 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW
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Thank you for your review on "Booked for Death" by Victoria Gilbert and for being part of the book tour.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the opportunity to read this wonderful sounding book on my TBR list.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
You're welcome! It was great! Hope you enjoy it too!
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