This book was good but not as compelling as the previous instalments in this series.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

A skeleton discovered while dredging along the creek on Vista View pulls librarian Amy Webber back to the Sixties when the property was a commune owned by Sunny’s grandparents, Carol and P.J. Fields. Since the property is still owned by Sunny’s grands, she reaches out to Amy for help in identifying the body and determining what happened.

This mystery involves the stories of members of the commune back in the day – some of whom are still around. As Amy digs, she knows she’s on to something when one of the old timers she interviews is killed just after meeting with Amy. Victoria Gilbert crafts a compelling cold case as both Amy and the killer search for the truth about what happened in the 60’s.

This time Amy walkend straight into a cold case and the novel suffered a bit of a slow pace but it was still good. Looking forward to the next one!

Stavolta Amy si trova coinvolta in un cold case e forse per questo la storia scorre piuttosto lentamente, comunque piacevole.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

Bound for Murder
(Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #4)
by Victoria Gilbert 

Kindle Edition
Expected publication: January 7th 2020 by Crooked Lane Books




Goodreads synopsis:
Blue Ridge library director Amy Webber learns it wasn't all peace and love among the "flower children" when a corpse is unearthed on the grounds of a 1960s commune.

Taylorsford Public Library director Amy Webber's friend "Sunny" Fields is running for mayor. But nothing puts a damper on a campaign like an actual skeleton in a candidate's closet. Sunny's grandparents ran a commune back in the 1960s on their organic farm. But these former hippies face criminal charges when human remains are found in their fields--and a forensic examination reveals that the death was neither natural nor accidental.

With Sunny's mayoral hopes fading, Amy sets her wedding plans aside, says "not yet" to the dress, and uses her research skills to clear her best friend's family. Any of the now-elderly commune members could have been the culprit. As former hippies perish one by one, Amy and her friends Richard, Aunt Lydia, and Hugh Chen pursue every lead. But if Amy can't find whoever killed these "flower children," someone may soon be placing flowers on her grave.

***

4 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Blue Ridge Library mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.

This is like a cold case come to life as the grandparents of one of Amy’s closest friends are drawn into a murder investigation. They are suspects number one when human remains are found on their property. They ran a flower power commune back in the 60’s and it is the body one one of these people that is discovered. The plot is kind of convoluted and hard to describe. But Amy feels compelled to help her friend Sunny who just coincidently is running a campaign for mayor.

I wasn’t as quite gripped by this story and I am not sure why. All the normal cozy elements were there. Nothing wrong with the storytelling. This is the first book I have read in this series so it is understandable that I am a bit behind by what seems to be a rich backstory.

Overall nice story, although a bit rambley at times. If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out and judge for yourself.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

A light cozy mystery perfect for wintery days. An engaging library setting features 2 best friends in this small town setting. A bit of romance livens things up. While it is not necessary to have read the previous titles, it would probably be more fun to have followed them to this point.

This is the fourth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series featuring Amy Webber and a familiar group of secondary characters. In this book, the question arises early about the disappearance of a young man who had lived on a commune started by the grandparents of Amy’s good friend Sunny. Early in the book it is revealed that the young man was murdered and the body buried on the grounds of the commune. Rumors start flying, fueled by Sunny’s rival for Mayor who will use anything to try and discredit her as a candidate.
Amy is first drawn in to the investigation as a favor to Sunny’s grandparents who want someone to contact a few members of the old commune and warn them that the police may look into their pasts as part of the on-going current investigation. The grandparents are hold-overs from the counterculture days and still don’t trust authority figures. They enlist Amy’s help as they want someone who has the advantage of being neutral as far as the history of the commune is concerned.
As Amy begins contacting former commune members, she starts receiving anonymous notes advising her to step back from the investigation. She explains her continued interest in part because she is inquisitive by nature and in part because of the demo reel containing songs written by the young man before his death which one of the commune members gives to her. There are a few suggestions throughout the book that imply Amy feels as if the young man’s spirit encouraging her to find the truth.
In addition to the mystery, there are a few back stories that give more activity to the book. Specifically there are some discussions regarding wedding plans for Amy and now fiance Richard. In addition, there is the local fair taking place, complete with baking contests, Sunny’s campaign for mayor, and the return of an old dance partner for Richard. All of these storylines take place well in the background of the book.
The mystery is a prominent feature of this book, and it is well written and plotted. It was easy for me to determine the guilty party, so finishing the book became more about how Ms. Gilbert was going to reveal the answers. The book is well paced and is easy to read in spurts, so would be a good airplane or beach read. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of the novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

THis is my first read of this author’s series. I found the mystery dragged but I did enjoy the library setting and the librarian. I was able to figure out the killer rather quickly. Fans of this series will most likely enjoy this one. I may have to go back and read the others.

Thank you to netgalley and crooked lane books for my ARC

This was my first read of the blue ridge library mysteries.

I found this book slow and the story under developed. It’s a good plot but the ending left me deflated. Amy Webber came across as a busy body versus a good protagonist and the murderer - to me atleast- was easy to determine (actually I had the murderer pegged between 2 people and my first choice was the suspect)

If you follow the series you will most likely enjoy this book. I honestly couldn’t give it more than 3 stars.

I am a firm believer that authors and series need to be given a second chance - maybe this was the wrong book for me to discover this author - so I will read one more in the series before determining if this author and series is for me

To reiterate- 4th book In the series and my first book by this author. I found it read slow and was tepid with characters and a plot that could have been further built upon. Hoping I just picked up the wrong book

Sunny Fields is running for Mayor, and a skeleton is found near her grandparents’ farm. is Jeremy Adams, a member of the 1960’s commune on the farm run by the grands. He was also the cousin of Walt Adams, Zelda’s significant other. Amy is helping with the investigation of Jeremy’s murder, trying to keep it away from the grands. A new newspaper man in town, Dan Dane, appears interested in Sunny, as well as the investigation.

Former members of the commune seem to be dying or murdered, and Kurt warns Amy to be more careful. However readers of the earlier books in the series know that Amy is going to get in a dangerous predicament with a killer and a gun!

I think this is the best of the series!

Library director Amy Webber's best friend and co-worker Sunny Fields is running for mayor. But when a skeleton is found in her grandparents' farm, it threatens to put a damper on her campaign. With Sunny's grandparents under suspicion, Amy uses her research skills to help them prove their innocence.

This is a wonderful series and each book gets better and better. The story is well developed with enough suspects, twists, and turns to keep readers guessing until the reveal. As always, I love the way the town's history is woven into the present. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, so it's always fun to catch up with all the characters. Victoria Gilbert has created a well-developed cast of characters that you will care about and root for. While this isn't my favorite book in Blue Ridge Library Mysteries, it is still an enjoyable read and a great addition to the series. I look forward to reading the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Victoria Gilbert for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bound. For Murder is an intriguing mystery that will keep you reading until the end. The characters will make you want to know them better and find out their secrets. A wonderful cozy read

Bound for Murder is the fourth book in the Blue Rudge Library series, but the the first I've read. I didn't feel lost. I really enjoyed the main and secondary characters. They were interesting and engaging and easy to connect with. And the mystery kept me guessing to the end.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

Reviews will be posted on IG, Goodreads, and BookBub.

Cozy mystery they way I like it: solid narrative, strong female character as the lead. Bit of a turn-off that the baddy felt the need to threathen the sleuth - they never threathen the police, do they? - though in this case, the baddy may have actually had cause.

Just a little puzzled that Amy doesn't let herself in at her fiancé's house, but rather knocks and waits for him to let her in. But that's probably because where I grew up, family and friends just walked into your house and merily shouted 'visitors' when they stepped into your kitchen. It seems strange if a soon to be married couple don't have the same easy access to eachother's houses.

Bound for Murder was a fun and entertaining cosy mystery involving a library. I liked several of the characters and the mystery kept me guessing. It also touches upon the sixties and the attitudes of that time towards black people.

This is the first book I have read in the blue ridge library and I can't wait to read more. The mystery kept me guessing and I found the characters entertaining

This is the fourth book in this series and it just keeps getting better! I would highly recommend this series!

Bound for Murder by Victoria Gilbert is the 3rd book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, and another enjoyable read. Amy Webber is the library director in Taylorsford, Virginia. Amy's best friend Sunny Fields is running for mayor. Unfortunately, a skeleton is found on her grandparents property, which use to be a hippie commune. Amy is determined to prove Sunny's family innocent. Once I started this book I could not stop reading it. It was a quick read that kept me guessing. I look forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this book for all cozy mystery book lovers, you will not be disappointed.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. Thank you.

Great potential but did not come close to expectations.
Hard to keep track of characters especially ones that were thrown back in at the end.

I enjoy this series. This new one was the best, I think. Once again, an event in the past causes problems in the present. Amy gets involved by researching the past, and so gets in a murderer's crosshairs. Besides a satisfying mystery, these books are populated with enjoyable characters who grow and develop with each book. I was happy with the changes that occurred in this book. If you want a good mystery with interesting characters and a picturesque setting, then this book (and series) is for you. Reading them in order will enhance your enjoyment greatly.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I'm such a fan of this cozy, library-based, mystery series.

Bound for Murder is the fourth -- and another great fun -- instalment in Victoria Gilbert's Blue Ridge Library Mystery series.

One of my favourite things about this series is that it tends to combine Amy's library-honed research skills with the mystery in really interesting and believable ways. There's a mystery that has brought something new to light -- in this one, we find a body at the farm of Amy best friend and mayoral candidate, Sunny -- which then ties into something historical, so we get to see Amy research the past and speak to witnesses etc. You really get to feel Gilbert's passion for books, libraries and the Blue Ridge town in this one.

Another thing I love about these books is the romantic relationship. I adore Amy and Richard together and I really appreciate how unique Richard is as a cozy love interest. In this one, his dancer background doesn't feature as heavily as the last book but we do get to see Amy interacting with Richards mother, planning their future wedding and taking on a second kitten together.

I didn't love this particular instalment as much as I have the previous books in the series, but that probably comes down to the background mystery plot itself. It centres around a hippie commune, music, poetry, drugs etc. The 60s/70s just aren't a period I'm particularly interested in, and musician-based stories don't tend to tickle my fancy. If those are topics you like, this one will be an even better fit for you!

That said, Bound for Murder is still a great instalment and it's still a lot of fun. There's some great sleuthing and fabulous character, and I will continue with the Blue Ridge Library series.