Victoria Gilbert, author of the Blue Ridge Library mysteries, remains in the book world with the first in her Booklover’s B&B Mysteries, Booked for Death. Fans of Ellery Adams’ Book Retreat mysteries might want to try this new character-driven cozy.

Charlotte Reed is recently widowed and in her forties when she inherits her Great-Aunt Isabella’s historic inn in Beaufort, North Carolina. After her retirement, Isabella turned her home into a bed-and-breakfast called Chapters. Because she had collected a library of rare books, she specialized in events centered on books and authors. But, Charlotte’s Josephine Tey week is interrupted by murder.

The victim, a rare book dealer, certainly was dislikable. He insinuated that Isabella had accumulated her money and book collection through some sort of shady deeds. But, Charlotte isn’t the only suspect in his death, although she’s the one accused by the man’s daughter who says she was trying to save her aunt’s reputation and her own livelihood. It seems most people at the Tey costume party had a run-in with the man, or a reason to want him dead. When the suspects are asked to stay in town, Charlotte realizes she might be entertaining a killer as a guest in her home.

But, where did Isabella Harrington get her money? Charlotte’s great-aunt never really talked about her past, including a couple years when she went missing from family reunions. Now, Charlotte has two mysteries on her hands. Although she knows the police are competent, she’s willing to team up with her shrewd elderly neighbor. They’re both smart women. “And like some of the famous classic mystery heroines, we’re also older and easy to overlook. The kind of women a lot of people might underestimate.”

Gilbert’s latest is leisurely paced, as she introduces the cast in this character-driven series. I wasn’t crazy about the few incidents of foreshadowing. It’s a personal peeve. But, I really enjoyed Charlotte and her neighbor, Ellen, who both have interesting backstories. And, as a librarian, I respect the amount of research Charlotte put into her search for answers.

Booked for Death is a solid debut for a series that offers possibilities I can’t even explain without giving away secrets in the mystery itself. Check it out if you enjoy cozy mysteries set in the world of books.

Victoria Gilbert’s website is www.victoriagilbertmysteries.com

Booked for Death by Victoria Gilbert. Crooked Lane Books, 2020. ISBN 9781643853079 (hardcover), 320p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.