Publishers Weekly
07/15/2024
In Gilbert’s dependable second cozy featuring North Carolina book collector Cam Clewe and his librarian friend, Jane Hunter (after A Cryptic Clue), the pair juggle two intertwined murder investigations. Knowing that Cam and Jane moonlight as gumshoes, Chapel Hill bookseller Eloise Anderson comes to Cam with a request. Eloise’s mother, Abigail, has recently died in prison while serving time for her husband’s murder—but Eloise maintains her mother’s innocence and wants to clear her name. Cam and Jane agree to help out, but their inquiry grows complicated when Eloise is arrested for the murder of former police detective Bruce Parker, who spearheaded the investigation that put Abigail behind bars. Now, Cam and Jane are either caught in the web of a murderous mother-daughter duo or facing down a killer with a vengeance against the Anderson women. To find out which, they take a closer look at the police on the case and Eloise’s peers in Chapel Hill. Along the way, their knowledge of vintage books—including a rare copy of Alice in Wonderland—helps them crack the case. Gilbert stacks the proceedings with solid suspects, convincing red herrings, and a treasure trove of trivia about mid–20th century mystery authors. Golden Age whodunit fans will have fun. Agent: Fran Black, Literary Counsel. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Praise for A Killer Clue:
“Gilbert stacks the proceedings with solid suspects, convincing red herrings, and a treasure trove of trivia about mid–20th century mystery authors. Golden Age whodunit fans will have fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Red herrings, missing books, and charming detecting duo . . . For fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.”
—Library Journal
Praise for A Cryptic Clue:
“A charming new series from the always-entertaining Victoria Gilbert! Librarian Jane Hunter is a force to be reckoned with, and I can't wait to see what mysteries she and her enigmatic boss Cameron Clewe investigate in the future.”
—Gigi Pandian, USA Today bestselling author of the Secret Staircase mysteries
“A booklover's delight, A Cryptic Clue captivated me from the start. Credible characters, an absorbing mystery and fine writing make this a novel to put straight on your wants list.”
—Peter Lovesey, award winning author of the Peter Diamond series
“With an interesting new crime fighting duo, a nice supporting cast and wide suspect pool, this well-paced and well-plotted mystery is sure to entertain.”
—M.E. Hilliard, author of the Greer Hogan mysteries
“A Cryptic Clue brings Golden Age style detectives into the twenty-first century with a manor house, a reclusive millionaire, a body in the library, and a gaggle of suspects. Agatha Christie has some stiff competition in this new traditional mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. Move over, Miss Marple—make way for Hunter and Clewe!”
—Joyce Tremel, author of The Brewing Trouble mysteries
“An offbeat pairing of sleuths enlivens this new mystery series.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Fans of Vicki Delany’s “Sherlock Holmes Bookshop” mysteries will appreciate this new amateur detective team.”
—Library Journal
“The care taken in crafting the scenes, in describing the world, and in building the relationships between the characters, is impressive. While remaining inviting and fast-paced, A Cryptic Clue manages to offer the same tone as the classic mysteries it is clearly built upon. This is a modern example of the golden age mystery tradition done right.”
—The Strand Magazine
“A successful series sure to delight traditional cozy readers for years to come.”
—First Clue
Library Journal
06/01/2024
Jane Hunter is responsible for cataloging Cameron Clewe's extensive collection of rare crime novels, and she's protective of her boss. Cameron suffers from anxiety, doesn't like to leave the house, and struggles with social skills. But he's always intrigued by a mystery, and he and Jane have solved several cases. When bookstore owner Eloise Anderson insists on delivering Cam's latest purchase, she also brings an unusual request. Her mother has just died in prison, where she spent 15 years. Eloise wants Cam and Jane to prove that her mother did not murder her father. When Eloise was 18, her father was found stabbed to death in the bookshop, and her mother was the only person around. It looks like history is repeating itself when Jane finds Eloise alone in the bookstore with the body of the retired police detective who investigated the earlier murder. Jane and Camerson soon discover links to lost rare books and secrets about the bookshop. VERDICT The sequel to A Cryptic Clue, with its red herrings, missing books, and charming detecting duo, is a traditional cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.—Lesa Holstine
