Victoria Gilbert, author of the Blue Ridge Library mysteries, launches the Hunter & Clewe series with A Cryptic Clue. While all the action led me to suspect the perpetrator, the two main characters are delightful. I think we’re in for a fun version of Holmes and Watson, or, as Jane Hunter suggests, Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.
Jane Hunter, the narrator, was forced into retirement as a university librarian where she worked for over thirty-five years. She was hired, sight unseen, to inventory and catalog Cameron Crewe’s rare books and related ephemera. She hadn’t been to Crewe’s Aircroft estate, and she’s surprised to find the collector is only thirty-three. It doesn’t take her long to realize Cam has anxiety issues, and he doesn’t do well in social situations. Lauren, Cam’s personal secretary says he suffers from anxiety, OCD, occasional depression, and a general lack of social awareness, all undiagnosed because he refuses to see a therapist.
So, why is he hosting a gala at his estate? Clewe would rather open his house for fundraisers, and allow his friends to act as hosts while he disappears after the event starts. But, Lauren predicts there will be trouble because Cam just broke up with another girlfriend, and Ashley’s family has money. She doesn’t want to let go, and she’s a guest at the gala. Jane Hunter is the one who finds Ashley’s body when she reports to her job in the estate library the day after the party. But, Cam knows he’s the prime suspect because of his breakup and public arguments with Ashley.
What is a wealthy man to do who is obsessed with unsolved real-life mysteries and crimes, and collects mystery books? He teams up with his new librarian who has “an unusually logical mind”. Cam hopes Jane can assist him by researching possible suspects, and interviewing them since he doesn’t often leave his house. It turns out there’s a wealth of possible suspects who had reasons to want Ashley dead, including her own family.
As I said, the actual perpetrator behaved oddly, but it was fun to follow Jane as she investigated. A Cryptic Clue kicks off the new series on a high note.
Victoria Gilbert’s website is https://victoriagilbertmysteries.com/
A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert. Crooked Lane Books, 2023. ISBN 9781639102525 (hardcover), 320p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley from NetGalley so I could review it for a journal, with no expectations except an honest review.
