For fans of Miranda James and Jenn McKinlay, the third conspiratorially delightful third entry in Victoria Gilbert’s critically acclaimed Blue Ridge Library mysteries.Has a curse fallen on the small town of Taylorsford, Virginia? After a young woman goes missing during a spring bonfire, library director Amy Webber must wade through the web of lies only to find a truth that she may not want to … may not want to untangle.
Spring has sprung in quaint Taylorsford, Virginia, and the mayor has revived the town’s long-defunct May Day celebration to boost tourism. As part of the festivities, library director Amy Webber is helping to organize a research project and presentation by a local folklore expert. All seems well at first—but spring takes on a sudden chill when a university student inexplicably vanishes during a bonfire.
The local police cast a wide net to find the missing woman, but in a shocking turn of events, Amy’s swoon-worthy neighbor Richard Muir becomes a person of interest in the case. Not only is Richard the woman’s dance instructor, he also doesn’t have an alibi for the night the student vanished—or at least not one he’ll divulge, even to Amy.
When the missing student is finally discovered lost in the mountains, with no memory of recent events—and a dead body lying nearby—an already disturbing mystery takes on a sinister new hue. Blessed with her innate curiosity and a librarian’s gift for research, Amy may be the only one who can learn the truth in Past Due for Murder, Victoria Gilbert’s third charming Blue Ridge Library mystery.
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This is such a fun series! I love how the murder always seems to connect with something that happened in the past, so you basically have two mysteries to solve. It was fun to meet both Amy and Richard’s parents in this book. Amy’s parents were nice, but Richard’s parents were not very likeable. The ending was great and I can’t wait to read the next book and see what’s in store for Amy and Richard!
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I am so in love with this series!! Set in a small mountain town full of great people you can love and an adorable library. We catch up with Any who runs the library just as they are heading up for a May Day festival. This is where the story gets interesting as we get several things going on all at once. There is a missing girl, eventually a dead body, and not one but two other cases that may be connected. One of them is from the past quite a ways. Seeing all these strings come together was a work of magic as the story blended perfectly. My favorite had to be the final chapters with all the juicy details leading to that ending that made me so happy. An absolute must read for fans of copies with a library theme. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
The first word that comes to mind is EXCITING. There is a lot going on between these covers.
From a slightly paranormal start, local folklore legends and bobbing, mystical, unexplained lights, to mysterious relationship issues. People who are not supposed to be around show up and others disappear or act strangely. Relationships are complicated but this storyline adds extra twists and zags. Then when men librarian Amy has feelings for are implicated in dasterdly doings, she can’t keep her nose and talented, resourceful, research skills and curiosity from getting involved to prove them innocent. Add to that grumpy hermits (one with a shotgun,) meeting the parents scenarios, and a search for gold, real, imaginary or fae and this book will take you on a twisty journey.
It did appeal to me from a library researcher perspective.
I also like the friendship aspects.
I have enjoyed all three visits to Taylorsford and each visit gets better and better. Past Due for Murder is by far my favorite visit. The mystery within the mystery is what elevated this book. It added extra punch to an already meaty story. The ending is a beautiful surprise that will sweep you away. I had tears in my eyes while reading.
Each book can be read as a stand-alone but I suggest you read in order as you will get the needed background. This series has more bite than the traditional cozy series. No sex but it is heavily alluded to throughout the book. I would still give it to my grandmother to read and not worry she would be shocked or offended.
For fans of books with libraries, books, mystery, and love this is the series for you.
I received a copy of this book for review from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert has us journeying to Taylorsford, Virginia. Amy Webber is the director of the Taylorsford Public Library and is hosting an event for the local Girl Scout troop. Professor Mona Raymond, a folklorist, is sharing folktales and local legends from the Blue Ridge Mountains with the girls. Amy has been assisting Mona with her research and learned about the fairy lights, two women who disappeared in 1879, and missing gold. Two of Mona’s students who are assisting at the event ask if Amy has seen their fellow student, Lacey Jacobs. No one has seen or heard from Lacey since the previous day. Lacey’s disappearance leads investigators to Richard Muir, choreographer, dancer and Amy’s boyfriend. Lacey was seen leaving his office in tears the day she disappeared. Amy knows that Richard would not harm Lacey, but she must admit that he has been acting odd recently. Lacey is finally found in the woods with Mona Raymond dead nearby. Lacey is in a coma and cannot assist investigators. Amy puts her natural curiosity and knack for research to use. She finds several people with motive for harming Mona and Lacey. Now she needs to ask questions to narrow down her suspect list and identify the killer. This killer, though, is not about to go quietly.
Taylorsford is all atwitter as they prepare for the newly reinstated May Day festivities. Past Due For Murder begins by delving into the folk stories and legends of the area. There are a variety of tales that include the disappearance of two women over a century ago, the strange lights that arise from the forest floor that are attributed to fairies, and missing gold. Professor Raymond has spent the last few months in the library’s archives doing research with Amy’s assistance. Past Due for Murder is the third book in The Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, and I recommend reading the series in order. Past Due for Murder begins with a relaxed pace as we are eased into the multifaceted cozy mystery. In Past Due for Murder, there is the missing Lacey Jacobs, the murdered Mona Raymond, Amy worried about her relationship with Richard, the old tale of the two missing women and gold that vanished around the same time. The book starts off with the disappearance of Lacey and the murder then occurs a third of the way in. Amy uses her skills to investigate Mona’s death. She has several viable suspects and tension builds as Amy’s deductions lead her to the guilty party. The storylines all come together for a satisfying conclusion. I wish, though, that the whodunit had been harder to solve. Amy’s relationship with Richard is prominent throughout Past Due for Murder along with her past association with musician, Charles Bartos. There is a cute kitten, Loie in the story that has a perilous introduction. I especially enjoy the time spent at the Taylorsford library and their amazing archive room. The romantics will especially love the ending in Past Due for Murder. Past Due for Murder has fairies, May Day festivities, a cuddly kitten, a missing coed, romantic entanglements and a slain professor. Join Amy Webber on her latest adventure in Past Due for Murder.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Past Due for Murder takes us to Taylorsford, Virginia just in time for Spring and the town’s May Day celebration. Our protagonist Amy Webber has opened up the library archives for a professor and her students to research the local folklore. The will be making a presentation at the celebration. One of these students disappears during a bonfire event and police have organized a search. They also question the man in Amy’s life, Richard Muir. He was the woman’s dance instructor and may have been the last person to see her before she went missing. The student is later found, next to a dead body. She is dazed and confused. Amy has been trying to use her talents first to find the student and now the murderer. She meets an elderly woman with stories to tell of the area that just may point her in the direction of the killer. It also could make her their next victim.
Ms. Gilbert has written a story that links the present to the past in a very interesting way. The area folklore includes a story of two missing women, but what parts of the story are true and which are pure fabrication and how does it pertain to the current event of a missing woman and a murder? It is a twisted journey that captivated me right away.
I loved the way the author brought in a woman who is basically a hermit now. I found this woman to be genuine and heartwarming. Having Amy visit to record her stories for the library’s archives was a brilliant idea. Many towns and libraries are doing this now. It makes me wish I had done the same with my parents and grandparents. Our history, our stories, fade due to poor memories and these records would be priceless. If these options are available to you jump on them while you can.
The author also brings a man into the story, a neighbor to the woman, also someone who shuns society for his own reasons. He has a wonderful gift that he has mostly kept to himself but could he be a murderer?
Sticking with new characters, Richard’s parents come to visit and it was quite the experience. No spoiler here, but answers to some of the questions I had about the man are answered.
With great characters and plenty of twists and turns, this story takes us on quite a ride. The blend of folklore with a smidgen of fairies and magic was a delight. The ending was an ultimate surprise. This story is a wonderful addition to this series!
Past Due for Murder is even better than the first two books in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries and I loved both of them. As a librarian, I enjoy the seeing her loving her job and seeing the job realistically presented, but I think I would enjoy those parts just as much if I were not a librarian. I love the romance when they are together, but sometimes I want to shake her when she has doubts about Richard, then I remind myself that it is her romantic past creating the toruble and that we all carry our pasts into our present.
The mystery was complex enough for any reader and all of the new characters were interesting. There were several good twists that made it impossible to guess what happened next as long as you don’t read the blurb. Good mystery fun all the way.
I recieved a copy of this book via NetGAlley and loved it enough that I chose to share reviews.
#NetGalley #PastDueForMurder.
The third book of the series is just wonderful! The same small town cozy feel to the characters and the plot–though Richard’s parents! Whew!I loved learning more about the characters I have come to care for. The past is intertwined with the present, eerie folk tales, suspense and murder. Such a great read!
I had the plot figured out but then the author threw me a curveball and so I thought okay it’s so and so instead, nope right the first time! I LOVE THAT! I had quite a few emotions throughout this book and at times I didn’t like the story but there again I LOVE THAT! When a story makes you feel when you read it I think the author did their best job. So looking forward to the next book!!
This series has really dense story lines with a lot going on. This is probably why they’re a little slower read for me. Amy is starting to remind me a little of Temperance Brennan (from the books, not the tv series Bones) in the fact that she’s a bit stupid to be putting herself in peril in each book.
We get more character development in that we meet both Amy and Richard’s parents. No big surprises since we’d been given details/descriptions of them in the previous books. They just kind of disappear from the story after a dinner with Kurt though. They could have easily been left out of the book.
Since I’ve read the first 3 books in a row, it seems like the author mentions homosexuality a lot in these books. If I were reading them a year apart, I may not be noticing it as much. In the scheme of things, it’s actually a minimal part of the series, but it’s solidly there with active and passive gay characters. Not sure why the author has chosen this thread that runs through the series, but if she’s trying to be supportive of the LQBTQ, it hasn’t been positive, it merely shows the discrimination and suffering many experience (in a really toned down manner). Can we have a little light (though gay marriage as now being possible is mentioned)?
I got this copy from my local library.
Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert is a fun book set in the Blue Ridge Mountains starring a librarian and a library. What could be better? The story begins with a folklorist/college professor, Mona, telling stories to a group of Girl Scouts gathered ’round her a on the beach. The librarian in question is Amy. Shortly two of Mona’s graduate assistants appear, looking for the third of their ilk, Trish. Shortly after that, Amy’s ex: Charles shows up, wanting to talk. Never good. Before you know is a full-fledged search for Trish, TV and everything. Lots of twists and turns before the story is told. More bodies. More stories.
Loved Past Due for Murder. There are lots of subplots, red herrings, twists and turn, both emotional and real. The characters speak to the reader. It is real life, not always seen in books. Amy is determined to work it all out, even if the results are hurtful. She makes a great sleuth. The mystery is convoluted but in the end, makes sense, sadly. I recommend this book. I have wanted to read a Victoria Gilbert for some time now. I’m glad I did.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange foe a fair and honest review.
#netgalley #pastdueformurder
Shhh! No Guns in the Library!
Not that there isn’t drama and excitement and murder and mayhem, but somehow I think “gentle”–code for library quiet? I love the descriptions of Appalachian legends and the open-ended possibilities of the Folk. This is the third in the series and I’ve been fortunate to have read them in order so as to enjoy the unfolding relationships in the long-term story arc. But each tale does stand alone and any references to prior events are sufficient for the action in the current novel. I continue to greatly enjoy author Victoria Gilbert’s interesting plots, relaxed prose, and fully detailed characters.
It’s Christmas in Darling, AL and the Dahlias are getting ready for the community puzzle competition. Mildred and Earlynne are preparing for the grand opening of their bakery. Meanwhile, the police department is trying to solve the mystery of some questionable events at the nearby prison.
This book 8 in the series but my first book. I had no problems following the story so the book can definitely be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. The characters are realistic, unique, and quirky. The book takes place in 1934 Alabama, being an Alabamian I learned a lot about life during this time in places that I have been often. The storyline grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention until the end. The friendships and other relationships felt real and the well placed red herrings keep the mystery intact. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more of this series.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
romance, cozy-mystery, murder, librarian, suspense
In a college town a whole lot happens below the surface, and this town’s librarian seems to find herself in the middle of many things. She lives with her aunt as the family has lived there for several generations and her current love lives nearby and teaches at the college as does her former lover. Lots of integral characters populate this tale which centers around a missing student and an irascible professor who goes missing. Plenty of red herrings and plot twists to ratchet up the suspense before the missing are found and the danger targets the librarian. A very good read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
PAST DUE FOR MURDER by Victoria Gilbert
The Third Blue Ridge Library Mystery
Folklorist Ramona Raymond has descended upon the Taylorsford public library with her cadre of university students researching the mysterious mountain lights. A missing student, an evasive boyfriend, and ties to a mystery a hundred years before lead library director Amy Webber on a search of her own. Will she be able to tie these threads together, or will the legend of the mountain lights claim more deaths?
After reading the first two books in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries I grew to really like the characters. But I found myself not as enamoured with them as this third entry began. Amy is plagued by inadequacy and doubt for a good portion of this book. Her clinginess is annoying, yet suspicion is warranted as Richard is no longer acting the part of the model boyfriend. His attitude and behaviors certainly indicate that something is up and he becomes quite unlikable for a while. I also found myself wanting to smack Amy as I quickly realized something to which she was totally blind. That being said, by the end of the novel their behaviors improved and both Amy and Richard are back in my good graces. This actually says a lot for the author as she’s able to get readers to care about her characters. While the relationships of Amy, Richard, and even Sunny proved irksome at times, I really love the blossoming relationship between Lydia and Hugh and hope we get to see more of it. My favorite character has to be Kurt Kendrick who adds quite a bit to not only plot, but character development.
I enjoyed the mysteries found in PAST DUE FOR MURDER, especially the ties to the mystery of the lost girls in the late 1800s. Clues were in laid out, allowing readers to figure out a good portion of the modern day mystery…and possibly yelling at Amy who couldn’t see the forest for the trees!
PAST DUE FOR MURDER explores self doubt and trust while asking how much we really know about those we love, or loved. The end of the novel is uplifting and makes me look forward to the next installment.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert is book 3 in the Blue Ridge Library series.
Amy is busy running the library and helping on the May Day celebration when a student from the college is reported missing. Throw in Amy’s ex now living nearby, his ex a victim of a hit and run, a possible hidden treasure, and add a murder. Amy is kept busy tracking down clues. Add meeting her boyfriend’s parents to the mix and you get a great story.
This is an easy to read Cozy with twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. The setting is great with likeable characters with some romance.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC for an honest review.
Murder and Conspiracy in the Blue Ridge
This book is part of the Blue Ridge Library Mystery Series. This is the first book of the series that I have read and it stands alone without issue. The plot has lots of twists, plenty of suspects and lots of motives. The reveal is very exciting and not totally expected. The author then takes her time to end the story with nice closure in all of the human relations. This is a very well done book. I received this book for free and this is my honest review.
Although this is the third book in the Blueridge Library Mysteries, it the first book I have read by Ms. Gilbert. At first, I felt a little behind in knowing the characters, yet Ms. Gilbert brings you up to speed quickly with their background stories and the murders that happened in the past.
Our protagonist is Amy Webber, director of the town’s library. As the director she was assisting one of the professors and her students from the local university in researching the folklore of the area. When one of the professor’s students goes missing after hiking into the mountains, Amy finds herself caught up with the investigation. Especially since Richard, her boyfriend was questioned about the missing student since he was the last to see her after his dance class. Would the mystery of the missing girl become part of the folklore of the mountain folk, or fairies as some call them? As the professor continues to research the folklore of the area and the fact that two women also went missing in those mountains back in 1879, along with a bag of gold, she, as well as, her decide it time to find the gold.
I loved the descriptions Ms. Gilbert uses as she paints a picture of the area and weaves the magic of the fairies and mountain lights into the story. I thought the way she incorporated the past story into the current story very cleaver. The characters are all well-developed, the backstories helpful, and the ending suspenseful! I was caught up in the story and did not want to put it down! I was also surprised at the ending. That’s a good thing. I will go back and read the first two as I would like to know a little more about Amy’s family. A great cozy read!
I was provided this copy through NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a honest review.
Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert is the third book in the Blue Ridge Library series. I confess it did take me a couple of chapters to get into the book; but once I was there, I couldn’t put it down.
Ms. Gilbert not only presented a delicious twisted mystery but took the time to delve more deeply into Amy, Richard and Sunny’s characters in this book. She also added some secondary characters (both Amy and Richard’s parents) that really allowed me to understand Amy and Richard a little better. I always enjoy visiting Taylorsford and thanks to Ms. Gilbert’s descriptive writing I can easily become immersed in the story. The plot twisted and turned with clues and red herrings that confused me (in a good way) that I had to keep turning the pages. The reveal was stunning for me. And the ending of the book was just the right touch of sweet romance. I’m ready for the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Past Due For Murder is the third book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series.
Mayor Blackstone wants to bring back the May Day celebrations from years past and has asked librarian Amy Webber to plan a program for the upcoming May Day. Amy asks Mona Raymond who has done extensive research on two girls that disappeared decades ago and who had probably died from exposure. But some people feel that they were lured in the underground court and forced to dance at fairy balls. When the bonfire where she was telling this tale, it is noticed that Lacy, one of Mona’s research students, has gone missing. The next day a search party is formed to look for Lacy. A day or two later Lacy is found next to the lifeless body of Mona.
Since Lacy went missing during the bonfire, she feels that she needs to learn why Lacy has gone off to mountains by herself. Some folks in the area believe that girls that disappeared decades ago had several gold coins when they disappeared. Also figuring into her investigation is that she had seen her former boyfriend, Charles Bartos, having a very heated discussion with Mona. Mona had previously accused Bartos of stealing some of the music that he has claimed was his own. Even Amy’s current romantic interest, Richard Muir, who had Lacy in some of his dance classes, become a person of interest when he can’t provide a solid alibi.
This is a well told and plotted story with an interesting cast of characters. Most of the characters from previous books are back to help Amy solve this exciting series.
Looking forward to my next visit to Taylorsford.