Autumn leaves aren’t the only things falling in the historic Virginia village of Taylorsford—so are some cherished memories, and a few bodies.October in Taylorsford, Virginia means it’s leaf peeping season, with bright colorful foliage and a delightful fresh crew of tourists attending the annual Heritage Festival which celebrates local history and arts and crafts. Library director Amy Webber, … Library director Amy Webber, though, is slightly dreading having to spend two days running a yard sale fundraiser for her library. But during these preparations, when she and her assistant Sunny stumble across a dead body, Amy finds a real reason to be worried.
The body belonged to a renowned artist who was murdered with her own pallet knife. A search of the artist’s studio uncovers a cache of forged paintings, and when the sheriff’s chief deputy Brad Tucker realizes Amy is skilled in art history research, she’s recruited to aid the investigation. It doesn’t seem to be an easy task, but when the state’s art expert uncovers a possible connection between Amy’s deceased uncle and the murder case, Amy must champion her Aunt Lydia to clear her late husband’s name.
That’s when another killing shakes the quiet town, and danger sweeps in like an autumn wind. Now, with her swoon-inducing neighbor Richard Muir, Amy must scour their resources to once again close the books on murder in Shelved Under Murder, the charming second installment in Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries, perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Miranda James.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back in Taylorsford just in time for the Heritage Festival. The library is hosting a yard sale fundraiser and a famous local artist has agreed to give some of her work to the sale. When Amy, her assistant Sunny, Richard, now her boyfriend arrive at the artist’s studio they make a horrible discovery. The artist dead on the floor. When police arrived on the scene, their search finds a hidden room filled with what appear to be forged paintings. With Amy’s background in art history research Chief Deputy Brad Tucker asks her to assist him by checking out the paintings. When the state’s art expert arrives Amy assists him too. Until he finds that her uncle, now deceased, may be connected to both the forgeries and the murder. When someone else is killed Amy knows she has to help find the killer, all the while hoping to clear her uncle of any wrongdoing.
Being a librarian means more that shelving and checking out books. That is why degree, usually a master’s in Library Science is required for head librarians. The ability to navigate and manage information is a huge part of the job. With Amy’s minor in Art History, she is the perfect person to assist the police in find provenance for these found paintings and any other information to help the police solve the case. The author has written a very complex mystery and Amy plays a key role in solving it. Not knowing much about paintings like those in the story it was so much fun following along with Amy and all the revelations that were found throughout the story. I always enjoy learning something new when reading. This time I highlighted quite a few items I plan to research further.
The main characters are continuing to develop nicely. The supporting cast, Zelda, Walt and Aunt Lydia are great too and have many humorous moments. There is one character that is hiding something. We got some major hints in this story and I am sure we will learn more in the next.
The romance between Amy and Richard played a big part in this story. She is still recovering from her break-up and her confidence is a little shaky. Richard is the perfect man for her. He understands her insecurities and he really loves her. They have quite a moment near the end of the story that was so heart-warming and genuine.
Again, Ms. Gilbert has written a mystery with great substance and allowed her characters to shine. She also brings the setting to life with her words. I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last.
Shelved Under Murder is a fantastic addition to this series. I think I loved it more than the first book in the series, A Murder for the Books. Book #3 Past Due for Murder comes out on February 12, 2019. I can hardly wait.
Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert is the very enjoyable second book in this fun new series – The Blue Ridge Library Mysteries. When librarian Amy stumbles across another dead body in the supposedly sleepy little town of Taylorsford, Virginia, she must once again work to discover the identity of the murderer and keep herself and her beloved Aunt Lydia safe from harm, all while dealing with the discovery that her late Uncle Andrew was an art forger. I really enjoyed my return to this town, and the developing relationships between the characters, as well as the neat and clever mystery. I’m looking forward to the (hopefully!) 3rd book in the series and give Shelved Under Murder an A+!
“But I know what I like!”
The second of a series, this story stands alone, but like many series offers a great deal more depth if you’ve met the main characters previously. Even without any background, you are introduced to a librarian whose analytical mind and research experience combine to make her an efficient accessory to crime solving. Her family and friends bring their own charm and varied knowledge to bear as well, creating an intelligent and compelling cozy mystery with a blossoming romance or two in the background. This story explores the world of art, forgery, a quick dip into Nazi contributions to missing masterpieces and a bit of gangsterism and international intrigue to round out the palette.
Sometimes you just know who the bad guys are. I totally had that pegged but it was STILL amazing. I got teary eyed at Kurt, I mean wow. That is a secret that Amy will no doubt keep Forever. I really like Amy but I get the uneasy feeling she has about Richard. I am praying so hard that it all works out in the end. Love this SERIES!!!
Still haven’t really warmed up to this series and the characters. There was plenty of depth to the mystery and I liked how the main character didn’t pop up to various townsfolk, ask a questions, get an answer then go on to the next one as frequently happens in cozies I’ve read. here, the main characters and several secondary characters discuss what’s going on together, there’s a bit more off an ensemble feel which I like.
The pacing is a bit slow (granted there’s a lot that’s going on too, the story line is deeper than the average cozy) and the characters just haven’t really engaged me.
I received my my from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This is my first book by Victoria Gilbert and I have to say I enjoyed her writing style; she kept me guessing the whole time as she brought the mystery to life in my head as I read the story. I will be back for more of her stories.
Shelved Under Murder is the second book in Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, I missed the first book, but the author kept up with past going on so I didn’t feel like I messed anything.
I enjoyed the characters and the story was great, the author did a great job tying the art forgery with Amy’s family, even though it’s in the blurb you just don’t expect what how it all ties together and how much loss is entwined with the whole case.
I recommend this series to any cozy mystery lover out there
I really enjoyed this cozy mystery located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The characters are well developed and you will fall in love with many of them…and find yourself despising others! You don’t have to get too far into the book before you’re pulled in tight and you don’t want to put it down until you follow all of the clues to the end.
This book has an added benefit of revealing information about the world of art…the storage of pieces of art and how they are valued.
I am not a fan of “romance” books. And while Shelved Under Murder does have some romance aspects, they don’t overwhelm the book. There is a little bit of syrupy sweetness, but I think it just works to help both of the main characters feel better about themselves and their relationship.
The main character, Amy Webber, is a delightful person.. And I enjoyed reading about her work in the library and her dedication to her job.
As a whole, the book was an entertaining read and I look forward to more books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a very interesting series. One of the things I enjoy about it, is that each murder that happens in the present day somehow ties back to something from the past. I find this intriguing. In this latest book, a local artist is found murdered and it seems to tie in to art forgeries. It is discovered that Amy’s late uncle, who painted, may have also dealt in forgeries unbeknownst to her aunt. Can Amy help figure out what is going on and clear the name of her uncle? A lot of fun Richard and Amy moments as well. I can’t wait to see what’s next and what happens with Amy and Richard’s relationship deepening and hopefully getting married some day!
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This book is truly incredible at creating an elaborate mystery for us to follow. It starts with Amy gearing up for the festival only to get again stumble across a dead body with Richard at her side. With lots of personal stuff mixed in we fall into a mystery that had so many twists I almost couldn’t keep up. Then you hit the end which was a total surprise. Characters you can love, a touch of romance, and a mystery all combine into a great cozy with a library theme. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Shelved Under Murder by Victoria Gilbert is the second installment in A Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. It is October in Taylorsford, Virginia where Amy Webber, library director, is preparing for the annual Heritage Festival where the library hosts a yard sale table as a fundraiser. They have been busy gathering donations and Sunny Fields, Amy’s perky assistant, got a local artist to donate three paintings. Since Sunny drives a tiny car, Amy and her boyfriend, Richard agree to go with her to acquire and transport the works of art. They arrive to find the artist dead in her studio where she was stabbed with her own palette knife. Chief Deputy Brad Tucker arrive on the scene and his staff finds paintings in a hidden room. Amy, courtesy of her art history background, looks at the paintings and she discerns that they are expert forgeries. Hui “Hugh” Chen, an art expert, arrives in town and Aunt Lydia offers their guest room to him. He uncovers canvases belonging to Andrew Talbot, Aunt Lydia’s deceased husband, in the guest room closet that are replicas of renowned paintings. Had Andrew been involved in forging artwork? Amy delves into the murder and the world of art forgeries. She believes Kurt Kendrick is involved, but will Amy be able to prove he is complicit in the crime?
Shelved Under Murder can be read alone. The author summarizes A Murder for the Books and provides background on the main characters. The mystery is complex as it explores the world of art forgeries. Unfortunately, the killer might as well have a neon arrow flashing over his head. I wish the author had made it harder to pinpoint the guilty party. Amy is an interesting main character. She is an intelligent woman with diverse interests. I love the home she lives in with Aunt Lydia. The descriptions of the beautiful Victorian and the town allowed me to visualize the scenes. I enjoyed the scenes where Amy was researching the artwork. We get to learn about resources available. I also liked the scenes with Amy and Sunny interacting with the patrons and helping them with their research requests. Despite what some people may think, libraries along with their librarians hold an important place in our society (a valuable resource). Sunny adds lightness to the story with her cheerful personality and outlook on life. I did feel that there was too much romance in the book. I would have preferred less lovey dovey moments (dating, kissing, thinking about Richard, and more). Shelved Under Murder is nicely written, but I did feel the pace could have been peppier. The long-winded ending wrapped up the mystery and answered all the lingering questions about the crime. My rating for Shelved Under Murder is 3.5 out of 5 stars. Shelved Under Murder is an inviting cozy mystery with congenial characters, lovely setting and a stimulating whodunit.
SHELVED UNDER MURDER by Victoria Gilbert
The Second Blue Ridge Library Mystery
When Amy Webber agreed to help her library assistant Sunny pick up some donations from a local artist she never expected to find herself embroiled in another murder. Yet while looking for the artist she and her boyfriend stumble upon the painter’s body. Did her murder have something to do with her daughter’s drug addiction and shady boyfriend? Or was it something to do with the paintings found hidden in the studio? Could Taylorsford actually be home a forgery ring? As Amy prepares the library for the annual Heritage Festival she’ll try to uncover the truth without becoming another victim.
As I picked up this second book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series I remembered how much I enjoyed the first. It turns out I enjoyed this one just as much. I love this series! The charming setting, fully developed characters, and intriguing plot make SHELVED UNDER MURDER a quintessential cozy. The only thing missing is a cat! (Perhaps in book three?) The relationship between Amy and Richard gives me the warm fuzzies and I’m delighted to see it grow.
The mystery was a good one, and although I figured out who was involved early on, it by no means detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I got a little annoyed by the attitudes of two of the characters, but that just goes to show how involved I was, wanting to shake them each and tell them they were wrong.
SHELVED UNDER MURDER is a delightful mystery that held my interest and didn’t let go.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
I really enjoyed this book and was so impressed with the details the author uses about art. I learned a lot about the art world and how paintings are stored and valued. As I wander through art museums I always think about how much work goes into a painting. It was fascinating to read about how a painting can be a fake but look as real as the original.
Amy is a wonderful character and I related to her very easily since I worked at a library for fifteen years. I loved reading about the every day chores and the patrons that frequent the library. The Friends of the Library is such an important part of libraries. It struck me as funny when a few of the ladies didn’t seem to get along. We had the same problem at our library. There is always that one person who wants to be in charge and takes their authority to the extreme.
When Amy and two others discover the body of a well known artist will it be the end for the Heritage Festival? One of the fascinating things in the book is the intricate knowledge that Amy picked up as she did research on paintings. I didn’t know there was so much information to be found about the history of art. Forgeries are hard to spot in the art world unless you have a keen eye. Will Amy find something in her research that could cause her to be in danger? Amy has her hands full trying to help solve the murder while preparing for the festival. Her aunt is so funny and I would definitely hang out with her. She isn’t afraid to share her opinions and is quite vocal about things in the picturesque town.
Amy and her friend Sandy find themselves deep in the investigation as danger lurks nearby. I loved the twists and turns and the author really surprised me when secrets about characters started to emerge. The writing is very good and there is not a moment where action doesn’t play a key element in the story. I loved the intrigue and the story line that kept me guessing. It is a very well written mystery that shows how much research the author did about the art world. I loved the ending and was surprised at who was involved in the murder.
I received a copy of this book from The Great Escape Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
I received a copy of this book form Netgalley for an honest review. This book will be published July 10,2018.
This is the second book in this series and I had not read the first one but that didn’t matter! There is enough in the story to get you caught up.
I loved the Fall Virginia setting and reading about Taylorsford. The main character, Amy is likeable, as are, the others in her group. I especially liked her aunt that she lives with.
Gilbert had me guessing till the end as to who had done it.
Read And Gone is the second book in the A Blue Ridge Library Mystery series.
This enjoyable young series takes place in the small town of Taylorsford, VA in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Amy Webber is director of the local library. She lives with her widowed Aunt Lydia, whose late husband was an artist who didn’t live long enough to earn the fame he deserved. Richard, a dancer, and teacher at a nearby college lives next door to Amy and Lydia and is Amy’s romantic interest. Chief Deputy Brad Tucker is back, as is Sunny, Amy’s assistant and their interest in each other continue in this book. Also back are Zelda and Walt, longtime friends of Aunt Lydia.
Taylorsford is getting ready for their Heritage Festival and Amy is facing this with mixed emotions. She doesn’t get along particularly well with Mel Riley, the head of the Friends of The Library. Riley is expecting the library to have something special for sale to raise money for the library. Then a couple of days before the festival Sunny tells Amy the renowned artist and Taylorsford resident, Rachel LeBlanc has agreed to donate some of her work for sale by the library.
Amy, Sunny and Richard set out to pick up the pictures from LeBlanc. When they arrive at her home they see a young male running for the woods behind her home. When they enter her gallery/studio they find her body, she has been stabbed with a palette knife. Then some pictures were found hidden in the gallery that appears to not be recent paintings. Chief Deputy Tucker asks Amy to take a look at them as she had majored in Art History in college. Even though she’s not an expert, Amy feels that they are forgeries. The police ask for professional help and when that expert, Hui Chen arrives he agrees that they are forgeries. As the search goes on as to who painted them, it begins to appear that the road will lead back to Amy’s family.
Gilbert once again provides the reader with a well-plotted and told story with an interesting and enjoyable cast of characters.
I’m looking forward to my next visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains
Well, this was most certainly fun to read. To begin with it has a little art culture and of course a library and being a retired librarian I love to read about libraries. Truthfully there is very little about books or a library here; it is rather just a setting of the atmosphere. But this is a small, nice and of course, nosy town with good people and bad people; like mysteries should have. And they are right in the middle of planning their Fall Harvest Festival. Every small town has a festival right? But does every small town have a murder, a stolen painting, and the mob sneaking around? I’m not actually sure. Mine always seemed to have some sly characters and this one sure did too.
“Shelved Under Murder” is the 2nd book in a series titled “Blue Ridge Library Mystery”. It has really identifiable characters, most of which you will love… most. Victoria Gilbert did a great job of adding plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Don’t get me wrong, she never once makes this confusing. It is an enjoyable well-written cozy. I think this book can definitely stand alone as far as reading it. The only reason I was disappointed by not reading Book 1 first is that this was good and now I’ll have to go back and read the first one.
I notice all of the books in this series have good reviews. There is also now a third book out. Definitely an author worth checking out.
***This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review.