When I read last year’s Blue Ridge Library mystery by Victoria Gilbert, I had a few issues with the book. The fifth book in the series, A Deadly Edition, made this reader happy that I gave the series one more try. My biggest problem with the previous book is nonexistent. Once again, the author successfully combines Library Director Amy Webber’s sleuthing with her personal life, this time, her wedding.

Family friend and art collector Kurt Kendrick is hosting Amy’s engagement party prior to her wedding to choreographer Richard Muir. The people Amy loves are attending, including her brother Scott., who surprises her with his appearance. Although Scott claims to be a cybersecurity expert, his frequent mysterious trips and his understated appearance only adds weight to family suspicions that he works for some U.S. intelligence agency.

There are a couple uninvited guests. Oscar Selvaggio, an oily art dealer, and his assistant showed up to meet with Kurt, and the gracious host felt obligated to invite them to stay. Selvaggio is in a bidding war with Kurt over an artifact, a rare edition, the Kelmscott Chaucer. However, Kurt doesn’t do anyone a favor by inviting Selvaggio to the party. Amy and Richard find him dead in a shed on the property, and Kurt, along with several guests, including Scott, are suspects in the man’s murder.

Although there are plenty of capable investigators available, Amy has excellent research skills. She’s determined to dig into Selvaggio’s past. She doesn’t think Kurt is stupid enough to kill someone on his own property, and she’s convinced her brother isn’t involved. Although she uncovers links to the past in her digging, she still has time to spend with Richard, practice their first dance, and take care of wedding details.

Gilbert finally wraps up the mystery with links to drug dealing, a case with tentacles in previous books. However, it’s the personal touches, the wedding and reception, that make the book so satisfying. Richard perfectly summed up A Deadly Edition, “a fascinating plot and many lovable side characters.”

Victoria Gilbert’s website is http://victoriagilbertmysteries.com

A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert. Crooked Lane Books, 2020. ISBN 9781643854762 (hardcover), 368p.

FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent a copy of the book, hoping I would review it.