3.5★

Amy Webber (now Muir) had been married to Richard Muir for three months and she was happy. Her life in Taylorsford, Virginia had been fraught with danger as she came across dead bodies and set about finding murderers. But she was sure that was all changed – until her Aunt Lydia came into their house, pale and shaking, after a phone call from her good friend Zelda Shoemaker. As they all hurried over to her home, they were shocked to find a dead body in her backyard. Chief Deputy Brad Tucker arrived on the scene, and it wasn’t long before Zelda – distraught, pale, disoriented – was put on the Chief’s suspect list.

Would Amy, in her job as library director, be able to use her research skills to find answers to help Zelda? But Zelda wasn’t talking, which was making it much harder. As Amy discovered snippets of information, she filled Brad’s department in on what she found. But as usual, danger had its way of finding Amy. Blackmail, secrets, lies and revenge – what would be the outcome this time?

Renewed for Murder is the 6th in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert, and it wasn’t quite as entertaining as the previous. But I enjoyed the characters - Amy, Richard, Aunt Lydia, Sunny, Kurt and the others – and it’s always interesting to see what the mystery is and how they’ll all go about solving it. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Renewed for Murder
By Victoria Gilbert
Crooked Lane Books, 7 December 2021

“Librarian Amy Webber dances with death in critically acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s sixth Blue Ridge Library mystery.”


Amy Webber is not a detective, but she can’t help but investigate crimes. Although, maybe there isn’t a huge difference between a librarian and detective. Librarians do detective work all the time, right? Amy certainly does!

In this sixth installment, Amy is now married to dancer Richard Muir and is still working at the library. When Amy’s aunts’ best friend is charged with murder, Amy jumps in the middle of the investigation and endangers her life in the process. Of course, that doesn’t slow her down in the least; she keeps digging until the very dangerous end.

I definitely started out behind with series, since this is the sixth one and I haven’t read any of the previous installments. I felt a bit out of the loop, but not so much that I couldn’t enjoy the book. This is a nice, cozy mystery with a cast of fun and interesting characters. I certainly recommend this book for fans of this genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A solid entry into the delightful Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. I felt transported to the place and love the usual cast of characters. I felt like it lagged a bit in the middle but because I like the place and characters so much, I stuck with it. I'm glad I did. I did not see the end coming!

I love the characters (Amy, Richard, Sunny, Kurt, Aunt Lydia) and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing as the killer wasn't who I thought it was. This murder is caused by an issue from the past.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

When I started reading this book I hadn’t noticed that it was the 6th book in the series. Lucky the author gives enough background information so that I was able to follow the story. It did make me curious about the previous books so I started reading them as well.

I really liked the story. The author makes you fall in love with the characters as real humans, you see the good and the bad.
A really cozy mystery novel that is easy to read and very relaxing. But at the same time very engaging with all the secrets that come to light so you want to keep reading.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Victoria Gilbert for the e-Arc of the book.

If you like Amy, her friends and family, you'll enjoy the book. It was a bit slow on the mystery aspect, though the mystery has one guessing along with Amy. It had an action packed ending, but it didn't really start going until roughly 80-85%.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Renewed for Murder by Victoria Gilbert is the sixth book in the 'Blue Ridge Library Mystery' series. I wanted to read this because the cover was very inviting and I have a fancy for cozies about librarians, bookshops and other book-related things.

Centred around a library director in the Blue Ridge mountains, Taylorsford, Virginia, I thought this was a very good story. Protagonist Amy Muir (Webber) is smart and savvy as well as being personable, friendly, and loyal. She is enjoying married life with her dancer hubby, Richard. The mystery itself strikes the right chord of possible motives and there is an excellent balance between the mystery and the occurrences going on in Amy's personal life. I haven't read all of the books in the series and although this can be an individual read I occasionally felt a little lost with some of the references to events mentioned from past instalments. The descriptions of small-town life with all its complicated relationships and traditions were very believable and I enjoyed Victoria Gilbert's engaging, alluring style of writing. The characters were distinct and entertaining and I felt as though I had made some new friends by the end. This was a quick read that kept me guessing with well placed red herrings. I intend to continue the series but hope to read the books I've missed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and this is my own unbiased opinion.

This is the sixth in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert. I found this book well written. I did have a problem getting into this story. It is a standalone but I found the story a little convoluted and wondered why it took Amy so long to get on board to try to clear her friend.
The characters are diverse and unique.

I would rate this book 3.5. Not my favorite out of the series.

I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley and these are my own opinions.

Another intriguing entry in this series. Good characters and storyline. I particularly think the passages that describe routine library work are well done and based on reality. Thanks to #NetGalley and #Renewed for murder fir advanced digital copy.

I love this series and was happy to catch up with Amy and the interesting character of this series.
I found it enjoyable but I found the solution a bit rushed and disappointing.
There's a lot of backstories and I think it's not the right book if you never read the other in this series.
I loved to learn about Aunt Lydia and Zoe teenage year and what it was at the beginning of the 70s
The mystery is a bit slow but I wanted to know who did it and why. The last part was a bit disappointing even if I loved the last chapter.
I assume this is a sort of filler story, it shows us Amy and Richard marital bliss and what it is going on in the other couples
Not my favorite even if I enjoyed it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Renewed for Murder is the 6th book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.

Amy’s enjoying married life when her Aunt Lydia comes over after receiving an urgent call from their friend, Zelda. They rush over to find a dead woman in the back yard.

This was different than most cozy mysteries. Usually the amateur sleuth forgets about her day job to investigate. Amy’s job at the library is her primary concern and the sleuthing has to wait. There wasn’t any urgency to investigate. It is an interesting, likable group of characters. I like that Amy keeps the authorities in the loop.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

In Renewed for Murder, recently married Amy Webber finds herself mired in another murder investigation when a friend of her aunt’s discovers a body in her backyard. I enjoyed the story – the mystery was nicely plotted with some diverting red herrings, and well-suited to Amy’s particular investigatory skills. There was a large, pleasantly diverse cast of characters, but all the personalities were distinct and believable, and it wasn’t a problem to remember who was who. I much enjoyed the journey with Amy, as well as her interaction with the community and her developing relationship with her new husband, and Gilbert did a good job of mixing together the various aspects of the story so that everything seemed natural in normal, but at the same time everything kept the story moving forward. Renewed for Murder is a nicely paced, enjoyable cozy mystery and is a fun new visit at the Blue Ridge Library. I can’t wait to see what Gilbert has in store for Amy’s next adventure!

Renewed for Murder (Blue Ridge Library Mystery 6)


Author Victoria Gilbert has written yet another wonderful addition to Amy and Richard’s story!

Background:

Amy Webber is the Taylorsford library director. She is also newly married (less than three months!) to dancer and instructor Richard Muir. They had a lovely wedding in A Deadly Edition (Blue Ridge Library Mystery 5)

Richard Muir is a dance instructor at Clarion college. Husband to Amy and best friend and dance partner to Karla.

Sunshine aka Sunny Fields is Amy’s best friend, library assistant, and the new mayor of Taylorsford.

Aunt Lydia is Amy’s mother's sister and the family member she lived with until her marriage. She lives next door to Richard and Amy. She is part of a lively gang of long-time friends! She is dating Hugh, an art historian, and appraiser.

Kurt Kendrick is a former teen menace who lived with Richard’s uncle Paul. He was also best friends with Lydia’s troubled and deceased artist husband Andrew. He is now a dealer of rare things and close to both Amy and Richard.

Brad Tucker is the chief deputy, one of Sunny’s former flames, along with being friends with Richard and Amy.


Opinion

There’s an art festival being held at the local high school as well as a 50-year choir reunion. Oh, and Zelda has a dead blackmailer in her backyard. Surprised?! So is everyone else! Lydia, Zelda’s best friend since elementary refuses to believe she had anything to do with it and entreats her niece for assistance. She then asks the rest of the gang for help in figuring out both the secrets of the past and present!

Set off with Amy and the gang on this wonderful whodunit! 5*****

I loved everything about this book! This series is permanently on my must-buy list!

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher, and author for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Renewed for Murder is the latest entry in the Blue Ridge Library series. While it can be read as a standalone, it is best enjoyed as a part of the series, due to character development. Amy's investigation was interesting, as well as Zelda's reluctance to share information. Amy and Richard are pleasant characters, and Kurt adds more mystery, as always. An excellent cozy mystery for both new and returning readers to the series.

Renewed For Murder by Victoria Gilbert, much of it taking place in a library and the amateur sleuth is a librarian. Fairly recently married to dancer/choreographer, Richard Muir, Amy is still not used to her new last name. She does loved being married, though. One day her aunt, who lives next door, calls to tell her that her best friend, Zelda has been arrested for murder, pursuant to the call they got a few nights ago, urging them to rush to her house, where they found the body of Claudia and called the police. It was all mixed up in high school drama that had taken place more than 50 years earlier. It was a weak case, based on where the gun was found, and where the murder took place. Amy jumped right in, starting with researching everything she could find out about this group of young women at the time. That garnered her death threats and a rock through her window. Her aunt and her husband were understandably concerned.

Amy is a good sleuth and she has the confidence of the police department because she shares everything she finds and her theories, which often turn out to be correct. She leads a satisfying life between her home, her husband, and her job in the library. It is a small town and she knows everybody, primarily because they come into the library so much. She is clever and understands how much the past can impact the present, hence, her research. This is a clever mystery, with a misguided, possibly mentally ill murderer. The plethora of elderly characters lends a touch of authenticity and the fact that there are several elder romances makes it a pure job to read. Amy follows the rules and honor her husband's requests regarding her safety. It is a terrific book and a terrific series. One I hope all cozy aficionados will read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Renewed for Murder by Crooked Lane Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #crookedlanebooks #victoriagilbert #renewedformurder

Amy Webber is a librarian/sleuth in a small town in Virginia. She is recently married to dance Richard Muir. Both are in their 30s and settling into married life happily. Then a woman is found dead in Zelda’s garden. Zelda is Amy’s Aunt Lydia’s best friend, so Amy wants to get involved in clearing Zelda’s name.
There is danger, threatening notes, and an unlikely suspect amongst all the really plausible ones.
I kind of saw the murderer coming but it was really interesting to watch events unfold and find the bits and pieces that lead to the end.
I have enjoyed each Blue Ridge Library mystery and while this could probably read as a stand-alone, it’s more enjoyable to be acquainted with the main characters and the ones that pop up from time to time. There are several references that hark back to previous books. These make more sense when you know those stories.
One thing that was mentioned several times was Amy fidgeting with the pencils in a mesh holder on the library desk. I know it was mentioned three times but maybe more. It seems like this is a new behavior. Amy didn’t really seem like the fidgeting type but maybe I am not remembering something that may also found in previous books. It just seems an odd detail to bring into the narrative multiple times. I am unsure if it has some importance that I’m not aware of.
Come spend some time experiencing small town Americana and solve the mystery along with Amy.

Renewed For Murder is the sixth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series by Victoria Gilbert.

Amy and Richard Muir are settling into married life rather nicely. And Amy is looking forward to being at Richard’s side at an Arts Festival at a nearby school where he will be presenting a program he and his dance partner, Karla, have choreographed based on folk music and folk tales. But then Amy receives a call from her Aunt Lydia informing her that their friend Zelda Shoemaker has just found a dead body in her garden. Lydia asks Amy to meet her at Zelda’s house, as she’s not willing to discuss anything about the body of Claudia Everhart. Zelder refuses to acknowledge being aware of who the victim is: Zelda had been seen talking to her earlier in the week. When Chief Deputy Brad Tucker comes to interview her, she refuses to discuss anything. Lydia soon asks Amy to look into the murder and suggests it relates to an incident some fifty years prior.

That incident centered around some high school choirs performing in a competition. A young man from one choir nearly died from an allergic reaction to peanuts in a cupcake he had eaten. Amy will get busy researching the library’s archive and high school yearbooks to learn as much as she can about the interconnection of the choirs and their members. When she talks with 90-year-old Mary, she relates another teen’s death ruled an accident. With this information, Amy feels that this might be the missing link to tie it all together for her.

It’s always a joy to visit the town of Taylorsford, Virginia, located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The book moves at a good pace. The story is well-written and plotted. There were plenty of red herrings, and I was kept guessing until the end. The characters are well-developed and entirely believable. I would love to meet the residents and become friends with them. Even with Kurt, as he does have some redeeming qualities.

I am looking forward to that next book in this lovely series.

I follow a few different cosy mystery series that have librarians as sleuths. This is the sixth in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series and it's a good one. These can be read as a stand alone but reading in order lets you follow the ongoing lives of the main characters. Library director Amy Muir is happily settling into her new married life. Zelda, her aunts best friend, calls in distress. Upon arriving at the her house there is a dead body in her private garden. As unlikely as it seems the police focus on Zelda as the prime suspect. And it all has ties to a choir festival that happen fifty years ago.

Amy's main sleuthing skills seem to be her knack for research and her easygoing manner that allows people to tell her things. She also has a good relationships the mayor (her friend) and local police. This includes following lots of clues, suspects and some suspense. And of course new hubby Richard doesn't want her in risky situations. Cosy mysteries are great for an afternoon read. There is some danger and nothing is overly graphic. I get to reconnect with familiar characters and setting for a period and when it's done I will wait patiently for the next adventure. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Renewed For Murder is the sixth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries series and the second one I have read. I started with this series by reading book five last year and I still have to read all the earlier books but what I have noticed reading the latest two books is that the author gives just the right amount of background  information on all the characters to make it easy for a new reader to follow the storyline.

Librarian Amy Webber is settling into her newly married life with husband Richard Muir when she once again finds herself in the midst of researching/solving a murder. The victim's body is found in the garden of Zelda, best friend of Amy's aunt Lydia Talbot and the crime seems to have roots to certain events that happened fifty years ago at the local high school involving the school choir group of which Zelda and the victim were members. There is a lot happening in this book as well in terms of the mystery and its solution but it never gets confusing. All the characters involved are fleshed out well. I enjoyed it and hopefully I will get around to reading the previous books very soon.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and the author Victoria Gilbert for the e-Arc of the book.

Publication date is tomorrow, 7th December, 2021.